Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Walter N. Kirn
  • Patent number: 5723513
    Abstract: Radiation-sensitive organo-halogen compounds that have a photo-labile halomethyl-1,3,5-triazine moiety and a polymeric moiety within the same molecule. The compounds of this invention are comprised of a polymeric moiety having attached or incorporated within its structure at least one 1,3,5-triazine nucleus, said triazine nucleus having at least one halomethyl substituent attached to a carbon atom of the triazine nucleus. These compounds are capable of being stimulated by actinic radiation at wavelengths of from about 250 to about 900 nanometers to generate free radicals and/or acids. The compounds of this invention are useful as photoinitiators in free radical polymerization reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, or reactions sensitive to acid, and they also exhibit the capability to crosslink upon exposure to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James A. Bonham, Mitchell A. Rossman, Richard J. Grant
  • Patent number: 5721326
    Abstract: Polymerizable compositions comprising (a) hydroxypropyl methacrylate; (b) a C.sub.8 to C.sub.10 alkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid; and (c) a free-radical initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: George W. Frost
  • Patent number: 5720246
    Abstract: A valve train pushrod, for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The pushrod is formed of a hollow rod of continuous, fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite, having hard end caps bonded to each end. A method of manufacture for the pushrod is disclosed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
    Inventors: Christopher J. Griffin, Ronald F. Waxon, D. Lee Host
  • Patent number: 5721086
    Abstract: An image receptor medium including an image reception layer having two major opposing surfaces. The image reception layer comprises an acid- or acid/acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. Alternatively, the image receptor medium includes a substrate layer comprising a polymer substrate layer having two major opposing surfaces and an image reception layer on a first major surface of the substrate layer. The image reception layer has an outer surface for receiving images, and comprises an acid- or acid/acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. Either embodiment of the image receptor medium may further include an optional prime layer, an optional adhesive layer, and an optional inkjet layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey O. Emslander, Charles C. Lee
  • Patent number: 5720940
    Abstract: A self-propelling aerosol formulation which may be free from CFC's which comprises a medicament, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, a surface active agent and at least one compound having a higher polarity than 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Riker Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarlochan S. Purewal, David J. Greenleaf
  • Patent number: 5718977
    Abstract: A complex comprises organoborane and polyoxyalkylenepolyamine. The complexes are useful in systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomer, which systems further include an amine reactive compound. Polymerizable acrylic monomer compositions useful as adhesives can be prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alphonsus V. Pocius
  • Patent number: 5719950
    Abstract: A personal, biometric authentication system is disclosed. The system can be used for controlling access to equipment or physical facilities. The system employs the combination of a unique, inherently specific biometric parameter recognized and compared with stored data and at least one non-specific biometric parameter of a physiological characteristic recognized and compared with physiological norms. Positive comparison results in authentication of an individual that is not incapacitated, dismembered, or deceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David W. Osten, Hatim M. Carim, Michael R. Arneson, Bradford L. Blan
  • Patent number: 5718577
    Abstract: A dental impression tray has wall portions defining at least one channel for receiving a quantity of photocurable dental impression material. At least one of the wall portions is located next to the chamber and is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic actinic radiation. The tray also includes a chamber for receiving a chemiluminescent composition. Light emitted from the chemiluminescent composition induces the curing of the impression material in a uniform manner along the length of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
    Inventors: Joel D. Oxman, Cary A. Kipke, Bruce R. Broyles
  • Patent number: 5716229
    Abstract: A high speed connector allows the conductors of a cable to be connected directly to the circuit traces of a printed circuit board by providing a plug having an end where the conductors terminate and a housing for the plug which cooperatively urges the conductors toward the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harry Alan Loder, Duane Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 5716661
    Abstract: The present invention provides an article including a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mathew T. Scholz, Jason L. Edgar, Andrew J. Callinan, Dean A. Ersfeld, Worku A. Mindaye, Andrew J. Mahler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5716773
    Abstract: Blue-black color favored in medical imaging is imparted to black and white photographic emulsions by the addition of a compound of formula I or II: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent one or more carbon atoms necessary to complete a 5, 6 or 7 membered ring;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent H, alkyl or aryl groups or together represent the atoms selected from C, N, O and S necessary to complete a 5, 6 or 7 membered cyclic ring but are not both H;R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 independently represent H or alkyl or together represent the atoms selected from C, N, O and S necessary to complete a 5, 6 or 7 membered ring;X represents a bond or a divalent linking group,each Y may be the same or different and is selected from S, Se, O, and NR.sup.7, where R.sup.7 is H or alkyl of up to 5 carbon atoms, andZ is S or Se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert James Domett Nairne, Julian Mark Wallis, Alexis Sarah Zinn-Warner
  • Patent number: 5716257
    Abstract: An article is held in a complementally-shaped receptacle of a resilient holder while a process operation is carried out on a surface of the article. After the process operation has been completed, the holder is bent in order to facilitate release of the article from the receptacle. The method is particularly useful for performing a process operation such as sandblasting, etching or otherwise treating an inner surface of a hollow article such as an orthodontic band or dental crown while a portion of the holder masks and thus protects its outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Ernest Gallo, Terrance E. Wick, Francisco M. Nuno
  • Patent number: 5713519
    Abstract: A system and method for spraying single or multiple component fluid systems onto a surface. The spray applicator utilizes a venturi effect to independently draw fluids from separate containers, atomize the fluids and spray the fluids in a desired pattern onto a surface. The atomized streams generally overlap so that the fluids mix prior to contacting the target surface. In one embodiment, the fluids are retained in flexible containers separately connected to a spray applicator by flexible tubes. The flexible containers include a fitting for receiving a fluid draw tube and a releasable closure for expelling excess pressure within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: W. Bruce Sandison, Russell E. Blette
  • Patent number: 5714632
    Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is an organic group of at least two carbon atoms having at least m substituents,m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, andn is 0 or 1.R.sup.3 is H or methyl,R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are independently hydrogen, alkyl group or aryl,R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group or a cation, andR.sup.10 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group, aryl group, and highly-fluorinated alkyl group,R.sup.4 may be hydrogen or alkyl group, andR.sup.7 may be hydrogen or lower alkyl group, provides excellent stability to dispersions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Prabhakara S. Rao, Larry R. Krepski, Terrance P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5714259
    Abstract: Precisely shaped abrasive composites are disclosed. The abrasive composites comprise from 20 to 75 percent by weight at a plurality of abrasive grits and a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Holmes, Scott R. Culler, David H. Hardy, William A. Hendrickson, Thomas P. Klun, Kimberly K. Harmon, Robert V. Heiti, Kathryn M. Spurgeon, Charles J. Studiner, III
  • Patent number: 5714122
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fluorescence based sensor for measuring the concentration of a gas (e.g., CO.sub.2 or ammonia) in a medium such as blood which has superior dry web sensor performance, enhanced sensor consistency for transparent sensor calibration, improved autoclave stability and rapid rehydration of the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors of the present invention comprise microcompartments of an aqueous phase having a pH sensitive indicator component and a nonionic amphipathic surfactant within a hydrophobic barrier phase comprising a plurality of dispersed hydrophobic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, James A. Baker, Kenneth B. Wood, Mai T. Nguyen, Monica A. Hamer, Christopher J. Rueb
  • Patent number: 5714715
    Abstract: A cable end seal for a multiple-conductor oil filled cable includes an inner sealing boot adjacent the cable and filled with an oil restraint material for the temporary restraint of cable oil and an outer boot and cylindrical mold filled with hardenable material for the permanent containment of the cable oil. The inner boot and oil restraint material prevents contact between the oil and the material at least until the material has hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Srinivasan Sundhararajan, Rafael Garcia-Ramirez, Gordon Lawrence Ackland, Ted Flynn Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 5712645
    Abstract: An antenna adapted for placement in the window of a vehicle includes a flexible substrate having a pair of opposing surfaces, at least one of which is provided with electrically conductive metal traces in the form of a pattern configured to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals. The pitch, trace width, and thickness of the metal traces are selected such that the antenna has an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm/square for a pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Jellum, Bradley L. Givot, Roger A. Brekken, Susan N. Bohlke
  • Patent number: 5711418
    Abstract: Orthodontic archwires are packaged between pairs of flexible sheets that are releasably fixed to each other. The archwires are spaced apart from each other between the sheets and arranged in a nested array wherein a portion of one archwire is received within the U-shaped configuration of another archwire. Lines of weakness extend between adjacent pairs of the archwires for enabling detachment of one archwire from remaining archwires of the assembly when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Russell A. Jordan
  • Patent number: D391639
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wayne K. Dunshee, Donald G. Peterson