Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Walter N. Kirn
  • Patent number: 5712210
    Abstract: A longitudinally extending web of lofty nonwoven abrasive surface treatment material is provided in a coreless roll form to the end user. Successive wraps of the nonwoven abrasive material have interengaging surfaces sufficient to maintain the material in a spirally wrapped configuration yet being readily separable. A plurality of longitudinally spaced and laterally disposed perforations through the web permit the user to successively separate the web into a plurality of sheets of abrasive surface treatment material. In a preferred embodiment, the roll is encased in a protective shrink wrap sheath, and each sheet is separated from the roll by separating said sheet from an innermost wrap of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Laurie A. Windisch, Louis S. Moren, Charlie A. Hanf, C. Mathew Barnard
  • Patent number: 5711665
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a base with a central opening, and a body with a passage aligned with the opening. A curing light assembly includes an outer end portion that is removably received in the passage for curing adhesive beneath the central section of the bracket body. Once the adhesive beneath the central section of the bracket body has cured to temporarily tack the bracket base to the patient's tooth, adhesive extruded from the peripheral edge of the bracket base can be readily removed without dislodging the bracket from its intended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
    Inventors: Randall E. Adam, Leonard A. Preston
  • Patent number: 5709943
    Abstract: The present invention provides biological assay and adsorption supports comprising an inert substrate supporting a nanostructured surface comprising metal coated, oriented, discrete submicron-size whiskers. Optionally, conformally metal coated whiskers may be partially encapsulated or conformally coated with a second material. The nanostructured surface adsorbs biomolecules rapidly at high levels of tight binding without vortexing or agitation. Advantageously, the bound biomolecules retain their biological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Coleman, Mark K. Debe, Julie B. Stahl
  • Patent number: 5709985
    Abstract: A photographic element comprising a polymeric film base, a silver halide emulsion layer, and an antistatic layer comprising a colloidal vanadium oxide and a vinyl addition polymer dispersion in a dry weight ratio of from 1:30 to 1:500. The antistatic layer may be present as a backing layer on the side of the base opposite the silver halide emulsion layer, as a subbing layer between the base and the emulsion layer in a single or double side coated photographic element, and/or as a subbing layer between the base and a different backing layer. No barrier layer is used over the antistatic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric D. Morrison, Paola Puppo, Alberto Valsecchi, Elio Martino, William L. Kausch, Renzo Torterolo
  • Patent number: 5709548
    Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions are used for the fabrication of provisional (i.e., temporary) prosthetic devices, especially for the fabrication of crowns and bridges, and as liners for crowns. Preferably, the thermoplastic compositions comprise free-radically polymerizable functionality so that the material can be polymerized after being shaped to a desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joel D. Oxman, Scott E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5710320
    Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient, simple, safe and efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of a number of diarlyiodonium triflate salts which does not involve sulfuric acid and which eliminates the need for any counter-ion exchange processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Vogel, Kim M. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5708110
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive that includes the polymerization product of:(a) 25-97 parts by weight of an acrylic acid ester of a monohydric alcohol whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g less than 0.degree. C.;(b) 3-75 parts by weight of a non-polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of no greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C.; and(c) 0-5 parts by weight of a polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C. The relative amounts of the acrylic acid ester, the non-polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and the polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer are chosen such that the 90.degree. peel adhesion of the pressure sensitive adhesive to a polypropylene surface is at least 2 lbs/0.5 in. after a 72 hour dwell at room temperature as measured according to Test Procedure B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Greggory S. Bennett, Christopher A. Haak
  • Patent number: 5708109
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive that includes the polymerization product of:(a) 25-97 parts by weight of an acrylic acid ester of a monohydric alcohol whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g less than 0.degree. C.;(b) 3-75 parts by weight of a non-polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of no greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C.; and(c) 0-5 parts by weight of a polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C. The relative amounts of the acrylic acid ester, the non-polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and the polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer are chosen such that the 90.degree. peel adhesion of the pressure sensitive adhesive to a surface provided with 1.5.+-.0.25 mg/in.sup.2 oil is greater than zero after a 10 second dwell at room temperature as measured according to Test Procedure B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Greggory S. Bennett, Christopher A. Haak
  • Patent number: 5707483
    Abstract: A rotary acoustic horn imparts energy at a selected wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. The horn includes a cylindrical shaft and a cylindrical welding portion mounted on and coaxial with the shaft. The diameter of the welding portion is greater than the diameter of the shaft. The welding portion has a cylindrical weld face having a diameter that expands and contracts with the application of ultrasonic energy, and first and second opposing end portions. At least one end portion is formed with a first undercut; the radial width and the depth of the first undercut is selected to affect the amplitude of vibration at the weld face to provide a desired amplitude profile along the axial length of the weld face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Satinder K. Nayar, Haregoppa S. Gopalakrishna
  • Patent number: 5707409
    Abstract: An abrasive article having a sheet-like substrate having at least one major surface; an abrasive coating adhered to the at least one major surface of the substrate, wherein the abrasive coating comprises a plurality of abrasive particles and an organic binder medium; and, a hard carbon coating layer comprising a diamond-like carbon film. The hard carbon coating layer in the coated abrasive article can be provided as a top coat or, alternatively, as located between the abrasive coating and a covering layer based on an organic binder layer. The invention also pertains to a method of making such an abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Martin, David G. O'Neill, Moses M. David
  • Patent number: 5705676
    Abstract: A photothermographic element comprising a support bearing at least one heat-developable, photosensitive, image-forming photothermographic emulsion layer comprising:(a) a photosensitive silver halide;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(c) a chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent; and(d) a binder;wherein the chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent is a chromogenic leuco redox-dye-releasing compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: (i) Cp is a coupler group;(ii) N--D is a photographic developer group; and(iii) R.sup.1 is a --C(O)--NH--A--Dye group wherein Dye represents the chromophore of a thermally mobile dye; and A represents a single bond or a divalent linking group of the formula --X--R.sup.5 --L--, wherein R.sup.5 is a divalent hydrocarbon chain containing up to 12 carbon atoms, L is a single bond or a divalent group that binds the chromophore of the thermally mobile dye to R.sup.5, and X represents a single bond or an --SO.sub.2 -- group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raffaella Biavasco, Lori S. Harring, Larry R. Krepski, Daniel E. Mickus, Mark B. Mizen, Sharon M. Simpson, Cristina Soncini, Kim M. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5704480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an easy-to-use and effective magnetically resealable moisture-proof pouch containing moisture-curable orthopedic splinting/casting product in bulk form or in individually packaged rolls. The preferred pouch incorporates a frame disposed about an opening into the pouch which provides a mounting place for a moisture-proof magnetic seal. Also disclosed are containers for the preferred pouches which are adapted for use with the magnetic sealing system according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Patricia A. Eull, Jason L. Edgar, Gerald E. Drake, Barry J. Novak, Dennis C. Bartizal, Anthony J. Campagna
  • Patent number: 5706208
    Abstract: A method for predicting a property of a matter of biological origin, such as biological fluid, containing water, where the biological matter may be approximated to contain two compartments where one compartment has a proportionally larger or smaller amount of water than the other compartment having the property of interest. The method establishes a training set in the near-infrared (NIR) region with independent quantification of the property of the matter using known techniques. The training set is mathematically analyzed according to a correlation developed by regression analysis after employment of a ratio pre-processing technique. The result is a mathematical transformation equation which quantitatively relates spectral intensities at specific wavelengths to the property of interest. This transformation equation may be applied to unknown samples so as to predict their properties, thereby eliminating need for the reference method except for validation or recalibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignees: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company, The Board of Regents of The University of Washington
    Inventors: David W. Osten, James B. Callis
  • Patent number: 5704952
    Abstract: An abrasive article, for example, a coated, bonded, or nonwoven abrasive article comprising a binder, a plurality of abrasive particles, and an antiloading component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kam W. Law, Walter L. Harmer, Alan R. Kirk, Ernest L. Thurber
  • Patent number: 5705444
    Abstract: Filter material comprising fabric of ceramic oxide fibers and vermiculite particulate is disclosed. The presence of the vermiculite provides an improvement in the flexural endurance of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Tompkins, Edward M. Fischer, Timothy J. Gennrich, Steven R. Paulson
  • Patent number: 5702803
    Abstract: The invention provides electrographic imaging sheets comprising a substrate carrying a layer of dielectric material which has abhesive properties suitable for the release of a multicolored toner image from the dielectric surface during image transfer, while also having good toning properties during the several development stages of a multicolor toner imaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John F. Eisele, Valdis Mikelsons, Gaye K. Lehman, Paul J. Wang, Patricia J. A. Brandt
  • Patent number: RE35709
    Abstract: Sluuries and binder precursor dispersions suitable for use in producing abrasive articles are presented. Slurries comprise a polymerizable resin which is preferably addition polymerizable, abrasive particles, and modifying particles, wherein the modifying particles are present in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the slurry. Abrasive articles incorporating cured versions of the slurries and dispersions are presented, as well as methods of making the articles and of reducing sedimentation rate of mineral particles (abrasive or filler).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Scott R. Culler
  • Patent number: D389037
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James L. Bries, Paul E. Raber, Michael D. Hamerski, Patrick J. Cappucci, Johannes N. Gaston, Douglas J. Van Ornum
  • Patent number: D389244
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wayne K. Dunshee, Donald G. Peterson
  • Patent number: D389399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James L. Bries, Patrick J. Cappucci, David C. Stowers, James C. Wightman, Michael P. Zambelli