Patents Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company
  • Publication number: 20020052439
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ink receptor compositions capable of receiving and fixing a water resistant image on a substrate without bleeding, feathering, or smudging. The ink receptor compositions comprise colloidal alumina; multivalent metal ion; hydrophilic binder; hydrophobic latex; surfactant; and optionally an image transfer aid. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of imaging substrates, ink receptor media, and ink receptor kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Omar Farooq
  • Patent number: 6379865
    Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guoping Mao, Hany B. Eitouni, Alphonsus V. Pocius, John B. Scheibner, Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri, Nicholas A. Stacey, Alfred Viehbeck
  • Patent number: 6379592
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof. The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article. The expandable mold may be used to make seamless articles having microstructured features, such as an illumination device comprising a fiber core having a plurality of microstructured light extraction structures on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 6379444
    Abstract: An organic solvent-based piezo ink is disclosed having (a) a particulate material; (b) a binder; (c) a plasticizer; (d) an organic solvent; (e) a fluorochemical surfactant; and (f) an antifoaming agent including an oil. Preferably, the particulate material is provided by an antifoaming silicone oil. Optionally, light and heat stabilizers are also included. Methods of making and using this ink are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald R. Adkins, Robert W. Vorwerk, Ronald K. Thery
  • Patent number: 6379509
    Abstract: Substantially transparent electrodes are formed upon a substrate by forming on the substrate, in order, a high index layer, a metallic conductive layer, and a conductive or semi-conductive top layer; and patterning the top layer and the conductive layer, preferably by laser ablation, to form a plurality of discrete electrodes from the metallic conductive layer. Conductors can be attached directly to the top layer, without requiring removal of this layer to expose the metallic conductive layer. The high index layer, conductive layer and top layer can all be formed by sputtering or similar processes which do not require high temperatures, so that plastic substrates can be used. The electrodes can be used, for example, in flat panel displays and in touch screen displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hyung-Chul Choi, Yi Zhu Chu, Linda S. Heath, William K. Smyth
  • Patent number: 6379788
    Abstract: An antireflection film comprises a transparent substrate carrying on one surface a polymeric antireflection layer, this antireflection layer having a refractive index at least about 0.02 lower than that of the substrate and being formed from a cured polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluoroalkene, an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and a polyfunctional acrylate monomer. No inorganic antireflection layer is present between the substrate and the polymeric antireflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hyung-Chul Choi, Robert L. Jones, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, William K. Smyth
  • Patent number: 6380289
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises (a) a major amount of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic first polymer; (b) an amount of a fluoroaliphatic radical-containing surface-modifying additive sufficient to modify surface properties of articles made of the composition; and (c) a minor amount of a second thermoplastic polymer sufficient to enhance the effects of the surface-modifying additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Delton R. Thompson, Jr., Thomas P. Klun
  • Patent number: 6380149
    Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate comprises contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition comprising at least one mono-, di-, or trialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms. The compounds exhibit good solvency properties while being environmentally acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, George G. I. Moore, John G. Owens
  • Patent number: 6379147
    Abstract: A dental impression tray assembly includes an impression tray as well as a liner. The liner is adapted to cover holes in the impression tray in order to prevent leakage of impression material through the holes during a dental procedure. Preferably, the liner is removably connected to the tray so that the practitioner has the option of using the tray with or without the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Evangelos G. Georgakis, Brian W. Lotte
  • Patent number: 6379791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising from about 95 to about 5 parts by weight of an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive; from about 5 to about 95 parts by weight of an at least partially soluble (in a solvent) polymer, and a compatibilizer present in the composite pressure-sensitive adhesive in an amount greater than 0 to about 10 parts by weight of the composite pressure-sensitive adhesive. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of a butadiene-containing polymer, an isoprene-containing polymer, a saturated olefin-containing polymer, and a styrene-containing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Douglas A. Devens, Jr., Maria B. Urquiola, Paul Hattam, Patrick D. Hyde, Richard A. Kollaja
  • Patent number: 6379409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dust bag to be used primarily in vacuum cleaners, the dust bag having at least two opposing wall portions of filter material in an overlaying state and an intake opening for receiving a socket piece of a vacuum cleaner. The two opposing wall portions are connected to each other at one edge forming an outer edge of the dust bag. The wall portions each have recess open to the outer edge. The recesses (36a, 36b) are identical in their shape and size and opposed to each other in the overlaying state. The two recesses of the wall portions form the intake opening. Additionally, the intake opening can be surrounded by a mounting means for mounting the dust bag at a socket piece from which dust-like material is discharged. The mounting means includes at least two mounting elements each fixed to one of the two wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Bertus Dijkman
  • Patent number: 6381068
    Abstract: Reflective front projection screens capable of projecting an image with enhanced contrast and a wide viewing angle in the presence of relatively high levels of ambient light are disclosed along with projection systems using the screens. The projection screens include a reflective polarizing element in combination with a diffusing element and/or glare suppressing element. The reflective polarizing element transmits light of one polarization state and reflects light of a different polarization state. The reflective polarizing element may be diffusely reflective or specularly reflective and the optical properties of the diffusing element and/or glare suppressing element may be selected based on the optical properties of the reflective polarizing element to further enhance image brightness and contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Takashi Harada, Yorinobu Takamatsu, Makoto Ishikawa, Charles L. Bruzzone, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 6379952
    Abstract: Azlactone-functional supports are used to provide cell selection from a mixture such as bone marrow or peripheral blood having a desired target cell population. An azlactone-functional support is derivatized by covalently coupling to the support a biologically active substance that binds the target cells. A mixture containing the target cells is contacted with the derivatized support to bind the target cells to the biologically active substance, and unbound remaining mixture is removed from the support. Bound cells may be eluted from the support to obtain purified target cells. Biologically active substances include antibodies, lectins, proteins, antigens and avidin. The biologically active substance may directly or indirectly bind cells in the mixture. Indirect binding may be through a second, intermediary biologically active substance that is bifunctional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jerald K. Rasmussen, Patrick L. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6379016
    Abstract: A light distribution device having a light-redirecting surface with a plurality of light extraction structures having a riser segment, plateau segment, and facet segment, with adjacent light extraction structures being separated by lands. The light extraction structures improve extraction efficiency, thereby facilitating use of available light from a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Richard Miller, Leland R. Whitney, Kenneth A. Epstein
  • Patent number: 6379764
    Abstract: Method and apparatus 40 for securing a cut sheet 14 bearing a repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive 140 directly to an advertising signatures 12. A linerless elongated sheeting 54 having a backside 56 partially coated with a repositionable adhesive 140 is transported to a cutting mechanism 60 without having the adhesive 140 make substantial contact with the apparatus 40. The linerless elongated sheeting 54 is severed by the cutting mechanism 60 to provide a cut repositionable sheet 14 which is subsequently adhered to the advertising signature 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Pusateri, Ricky M. Boldin
  • Publication number: 20020048741
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James D. Hansen, Joseph M. Caruso, Patrick B. Dufour, Baruch Nissenbaum
  • Publication number: 20020046754
    Abstract: A face mask is disclosed that includes a mask portion, a resilient member (e.g., a pillowed web), and, optionally, an adhesive portion. The resilient member and the adhesive portion are alternately positionable between the mask portion and the wearer to inhibit the passage of vapor between the mask and the wearer, which prevents fogging of the wearer's eyewear. A method for using the face mask is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Baumann, Shannon L. Dowdell, Matt T. Scholz, Wayne K. Dunshee
  • Patent number: 6375968
    Abstract: A microbead comprising a hydrophilic matrix having active-filled microcapsules entrained therein. Compositions comprising the microbeads suspended in solution are useful for delivering active material. The microbeads of the invention may be controllable by exposing the microbeads to high or low humidity or moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Douglas Quong
  • Patent number: D456505
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon R. Wolf, Paul K. Johnson, Brian S. McGinley, David M. Castiglione, Benjamin J. Cullen, Raymond Odell
  • Patent number: D456524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rodney K. Hehenberger