Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William J. Bond
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Patent number: 6645611Abstract: There is provided a package of multiple oil absorbing wipes suitable for wiping a users skin or hair. The wipes are arranged in an overlying arrangement and comprise an oil absorbing porous film-like substrate of a thermoplastic material having a transparency of less than 65 percent. The porous substrate changes transparency by at least 10 percentage points when loaded with oil. The porous substrate has an embossing pattern over from 1 to 50 percent of at least a portion of the of the wipe material surface area, which area is in contact with an adjacent wipe in the package.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jayshree Seth
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Patent number: 6638611Abstract: There is provided a package of multiple oil absorbing wipes suitable for wiping a users skin or hair. The invention wipes comprise an oil absorbing porous film of a thermoplastic material having a transparency of less than 65 which porous substrate changes transparency when loaded with oil. The porous substrate has directly on one face an oil contaminable layer, without any intermediate oil impermeable layer or film. The porous film has a percent oil retention of from 50 to 100 percent.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jayshree Seth
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Patent number: 6635212Abstract: A mushroom-type hook strip for a hook-and-loop fastener has a flexible backing of thermoplastic resin and, is integral with backing, an array of upstanding stems distributed across at least one face of the backing, each having a mushroom head. The stems have a molecular orientation as evidenced by a birefringence value of at least 0.001. The mushroom-type hook strip can be produced continuously by injecting resin into cavities of a cylindrical mold while evacuating and cooling the cavities so that the cooled resin becomes molecularly oriented, thus affording to the stems excellent stiffness, durability, and tensile and flexural strength.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William L. Melbye, Susan K. Nestegard, Leigh E. Wood, Marvin D. Lindseth, Dale A. Bychinski
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Patent number: 6589317Abstract: An electrostaticly charged filtration media is provided including a plurality of polymeric structured polymeric film layers having a structured surface defined on at least one face of each structured film layer forming at least in part flow channels. The plurality of structured film layers are configured as a stack with the structured surfaces defining a plurality of ordered inlets open through a face of the stack that are in fluid communication with ordered fluid pathways. Each fluid pathway is defined at least in part by at least one discrete flow channel such that fluid can flow substantially unimpeded from one of the inlets to an outlet opening at another face of the stack. A layer of fluid pathways is defined by two opposing charged film layers at least one of which is a structured film layer. The flow channels have an average height of from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and an average width of from 0.05 mm to 50 mm and an average aspect ratio of from 0.5 to 10.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Tien T. Wu, Yuan-Ming Tang, Brian E. Spiewak
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Patent number: 6558602Abstract: A mushroom-type hook strip for a hook-and-loop fastener has a flexible backing of thermoplastic resin and, integral with backing, an array of upstanding stems distributed across at least one face of the backing, each having a mushroom head. The stems have a molecular orientation as evidenced by a birefringence value of at least 0.001. The mushroom-type hook strip can be produced continuously by injecting resin into cavities of a cylindrical mold while evacuating and cooling the cavities so that the cooled resin becomes molecularly oriented, thus affording to the stems excellent stiffness, durability, and tensile and flexural strength.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William L. Melbye, Susan K. Nestegard, Leigh E. Wood, Marvin D. Lindseth, Dale A. Bychinski
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Patent number: 6537935Abstract: A nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a multiplicity of generally parallel elongate strands of inelastic thermoplastic material extending in a first direction in spaced relationship, each of said strands having opposite elongate side surface portions that are spaced from and are adjacent elongate side surface portions of adjacent strands, and each of said strands also having corresponding opposite first and second elongate surface portions extending between said opposite elongate side surface portions, and a first sheet of flexible nonwoven material having spaced anchor portions bonded at first bond sites of the strands along said first elongate surface portions wherein the elongate strands thermoplastic material is oriented at least between adjacent bond sites along the length of the strands.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jayshree Seth, William Melbye
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Patent number: 6533119Abstract: There is provided a dispensable package of oil absorbing wipes in the form of a plurality of discrete sheets comprising a consolidated melt-blown web of thermoplastic fibers. The web has an opacity value of about 65 or less when oil free, and changes transparency by at least 30 when loaded with about 6 grams or less of oil per square centimeter. The wipes are contained in a package having at least one access opening allowing a user to grasp a single discrete sheet of wipe material.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Paul E. Hansen, James S. Mrozinski, Shinji Kimura
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Patent number: 6533839Abstract: There is provided a three-dimensional adsorbent particle filter having a width, depth and at least one exposed outer face. The filter comprises darkly colored adsorbent particles having an L-value of 60 or less, preferably 20 or less providing a dark contrasting background. Reflective particles are present at the outer face of the filter at levels that allow a user to visually differentiate the filter based on the contrast between the reflective particles and the dark adsorbent particles. Different reflective particle or combinations of reflective particles are used with different filters to differentiate the filters each from the other.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jason D. Janisch, Robert M. Swinehart
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Patent number: 6531207Abstract: There is provided an extensible elastic tab designed to be adhered to the edge of an article, formed using a coextruded elastic film comprising at least one elastic layer and at least one second layer on at least a first face of the elastic layer with at least one face of the coextruded elastic film attached to at least a partially extensible nonwoven layer. The partially expandable, or extensible nonwoven layer has at least one first portion with limited extensibility in a first direction and at least one second inextensible portion in the first direction. The extensible elastic tab when stretched to the extension limit of the first portion or portions in the first direction will elastically recover at least 1.0 cm, preferably at least 2 cm providing an elastic tab having a Useful Stretch Ratio (as defined in the Examples) of at least 30 percent.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bradley W. Eaton, Nedlin B. Johnson, Michael R. Gorman, Shou-Lu G. Wang
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Patent number: 6526631Abstract: There is provided a mechanical fastener tape tab laminate capable of remaining closed until needed for use on a disposable garment. A tape tab backing had at least a first distal end portion, an inner tab portion and second distal end portion. The second distal end portion is provided with a mechanical fastener material. The first distal end portion is provided with an adhesive layer for permanent attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The tape tab backing laminate further has a folded tape portion comprising a backing having an adhesive layer on an outer face and at least an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion. The outer leg portion has an exposed adhesive provided for permanent attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The inner leg portion is attached to the tape tab backing so that the folded tape portion keeps the second distal end folded onto the first distal end. The inner and outer leg portions are separated by at least one fold.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Randall Lynn Alberg, Gerhard Ludwig Richter
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Patent number: 6524488Abstract: A filtration media is formed from at least one structured polymeric layer, wherein a structured surface is defined within the layer. Layers may be configured as a stack that has the structured surfaces defining a plurality of ordered inlets open through a face of the stack and corresponding ordered fluid pathways, thereby forming an ordered, porous volume. The ordered fluid pathways may be defined by a plurality of flow channels formed within the structured surfaces of the structured layers, or may be defined by a plurality of protuberances formed in an ordered pattern within the structured surfaces of the structured layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Thomas I. Insley, Raymond P. Johnston
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Patent number: 6492183Abstract: This invention provides a one-piece multilayer article for use in solid phase extraction that includes at least two porous support layers and a solid phase extraction medium, wherein the porous support layers are thermo-mechanically attached at at least one thermo-mechanical attachment site. At least one of the porous support layers can be a prefilter layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Craig A. Perman, Taib K. Ansera, Eric E. Wisted, Michael R. Berrigan, Jason R. Jacobson, Glen H. Bayer, Jr.
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Patent number: 6475270Abstract: A diffusion channel assembly for use with a device enclosure with two or more nested cups forming at least one diffusion channel. The nested cups are formed of a thermoplastic film material. Each of the cups has a perimeter seal portion substantially around the entire outer perimeter of the cups and surrounding a cup portion having a vent hole. The perimeter seal portions form a sealing surface and are generally integral with the cup portions. The cup portions have vent holes and at least one gap between adjacent cup portions that connect the vent holes of the adjacent cup portions. The gaps coupled with the vent holes of adjacent cup portions form at least one diffusion channel of a length of at least 5 mm. The perimeter seal portions are sealed to form an airtight seal around the cup portion forming an integral diffusion channel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Eric G. Graeve
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Patent number: 6475340Abstract: A wet-laid, porous solid phase extraction sheet material that contains both active particles and binder and that possesses excellent wet strength is described. The binder is present in a relatively small amount while the particles are present in a relatively large amount. The sheet material is sufficiently strong and flexible so as to be pleatable so that, for example, it can be used in a cartridge device.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kurt C. Carlson, Roger L. Langer
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Patent number: 6471746Abstract: An electrofiltration process is provided having at least one electrostatically charged polymeric film layer having surface structures. The film layers may be configured as a collection cell that has the structured film layer defining a plurality of ordered inlet openings through a face of the collection cell and corresponding air pathways, thereby forming an open, porous volume. The air pathways are defined by a plurality of flow channels formed by the structured film layers. The electrofiltration process is coupled with an ionizer which actively induces charges onto the particles to be removed by the collection cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Thomas I. Insley, Todd W. Johnson
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Patent number: 6461715Abstract: The present invention refers to a closure tape (10) for an absorbent article, particularly for a disposable diaper (1), for fastening of the article on the body of a person, the closure tape being attachable to the outside surface (3) of the diaper (1) through one of its end portions (17) and comprising a backing (11) bearing a continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer (12), a fastening means (15) and a stretchable elastic sheet (13), the backing (11) being essentially non-elastic and/or essentially non-extensible, the support sheet comprising the backing (11) and the continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer exhibiting one or more incisions (14) in the area of the elastic sheet with at least one of the incisions extending in machine direction over the full width of the backing (11) and the end portion (17) being separated from the incision (14) closest to the end portion (7), by a sufficiently large distance (22) to prevent the incisions (14) essentially from opening when attaching the end portion (17) toType: GrantFiled: January 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Werner Guenther, Lloyd S. Eynon
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Patent number: 6454096Abstract: A package for dispensing individual oil absorbing polymeric sheets from a stack of such sheets, where the package includes a cover flap repeatedly moveable between an open position and a closed position, a pocket, a plurality of oil absorbing polymeric sheets arranged in a stack and positioned in the pocket, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition disposed on the cover flap such that closing the cover flap positions the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for contact with a major surface of the first sheet of the stack of sheets.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kazunori Kondoh, Hiroto H. Katagiri, Gene H. Shipman, Alan J. Sipinen
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Patent number: 6454834Abstract: A regenerable air cleaning device is disclosed which comprises a filter holder supporting a regenerable filter that includes activated carbon fibers (ACF) and a control system that is adapted to determine when to regenerate the regenerable filter. The device exhibits high performance and longevity over many regeneration cycles.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David E. Livingstone, Michael R. Harms, Daniel T. Chen
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Patent number: D463975Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Alan J. Sipinen
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Patent number: D463976Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan J. Sipinen, Diane R. Cordes