Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Publication number: 20030112521
    Abstract: An optical turning film has a first surface including an array of prisms. The array has a plurality of first prisms, with each of the first prisms having a first prism configuration, and a plurality of second prisms, with each of the second prisms having a second prism configuration different from the first prism configuration. The optical film also has a second surface opposing the first surface, and light rays incident to the first surface are directed by the plurality of first prism and the plurality of second prisms along a direction substantially parallel to a viewing axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: 3M
    Inventors: Mark E. Gardiner, Sanford Cobb, Kenneth A. Epstein, Wade D. Kretman
  • Patent number: 5962544
    Abstract: A microporous shaped article is provided. The article comprises ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer which has an internal structure of a multiplicity of spaced, randomly dispersed, non-uniform shaped particles of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: 3M
    Inventor: Clinton P. Waller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5689666
    Abstract: Program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers. Items may be, for example, icons, tool bars, directories, documents, notes, and/or the like. Program code is also executed in the data processing system in order to select an item so that each of the other items, which is displayed in a layer above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure the selected item, is cut out in order to expose at least a portion of the selected item and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected item. A cut-out border may be provided around the selected item so that an item layered below the selected item is revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: 3M
    Inventors: David T. Berquist, Peter M. Eisenberg, Mitchell B. Grunes, Martin A. Kenner, Janelle J. Kozak, John M. Kruse, Cindy L. Munson, Althea M. Robins
  • Patent number: 5628866
    Abstract: A hand held masking machine for applying tape along both edges of a sheet of masking material which has relatively movable frame portions that engage and journal opposite ends of a roll of masking material to accurately position tape being applied to its edges; frame portions adapted to have end portions of tape on the machine adhered thereto so that the masking machine can adhere tape along both or only a desired one of the masking material edges; an adjustable cutting blade assembly that accommodates applying tapes of different widths to the masking material, and specially longitudinally folded rolls of masking material so that the taped masking material may be wider that the roll from which the masking material is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: 3M
    Inventor: Daniel L. Pool
  • Patent number: 5221308
    Abstract: A method of producing a hollow core optical fiber comprises the steps of depositing a thermal buffer layer on the interior wall of a silica tube, depositing a film of germanium silicate cladding on said buffer layer, heating the composite structure so formed to its drawing temperature, and drawing the heated composite structure to form a hollow core optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: 3M
    Inventors: David A. Krohn, Trevor MacDougall, Paul Sanders, Mokhtar S. Maklad