Patents Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company
  • Patent number: 6312715
    Abstract: Transdermal drug delivery compositions comprising pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres that contain a softening agent and/or a drug. Typically the microspheres contain at least 10 wt-% of a softening agent. The drug and/or softening agent can be incorporated into the microspheres during or after their formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Adam S. Cantor, Hye-ok Choi, Joaquin Delgado, Chan U. Ko, Thu-Van Tran
  • Patent number: 6312132
    Abstract: A fluorescent red article comprising a polymer matrix; and a perylene dicarboximide dye, wherein the article has chromaticity coordinates (x, y) within the area defined by (0.648, 0.351), (0.735, 0.265), (0.629, 0.281) and (0.565, 0.346) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65 and a fluorescence luminance factor of at least about 8, and laminates, retroreflective materials, and methods of making thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lee A. Pavelka, Deana A. Klein, David L. Bergeson, Susan T. Chrysler, David M. Burns
  • Patent number: 6311524
    Abstract: A method for rapidly increasing the photosensitivity of an optical fiber comprising the step of providing an optical fiber comprising a glassy material and a thermally-stable coating. The thermally-stable coating has a thermally-stable exposure band, wherein desired time/temperature exposure parameters fall within the time/temperature thermal stability exposure band for the coating. The optical fiber is exposed for the desired time/temperature exposure to a hydrogen-containing atmosphere. The desired temperature is more than 250° C. and the desired time exposure does not exceed one hour. The glassy material then may be irradiated with actinic radiation, such that the refractive index of the irradiated portion results in a normalized index change of at least 10−5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James F. Brennan, III, Diann A. Sloan, Maureen T. Fahey, James C. Novack
  • Patent number: 6312315
    Abstract: An abrasive article including (i) a first backing, (ii) a plurality of protrusions attached to the first surface of the first backing and including a grinding aid, wherein the first surface of the first backing is contoured by the protrusions so as to define a plurality of peaks and valleys, and (iii) a coating of abrasive particles adhered to the contoured first surface of the first backing so as to cover at least a portion of both the peaks and the valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: John J. Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 6314182
    Abstract: An assembly includes a connector having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of electrical filters arranged outside the connector, a first cable bundle and a second cable bundle. The first cable bundle includes a plurality of cables, each cable making electrical connection between a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts of the connector and a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical filters. The second cable bundle includes a plurality of cables making electrical connection to a corresponding one of the plurality of filters. The plurality of electrical filters is preferably arranged in a separate housing which may be spaced from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Konrad W Brandt
  • Patent number: 6313448
    Abstract: A bonding method which includes heating an electrically conductive substrate with an induction heating system. The electrically conductive substrate is suitable for receiving a bonding agent which includes a pressure sensitive adhesive or a hot melt adhesive. The bonding agent is attached to a non-conductive substrate. The contact surface of the substrate is heated with the induction heating system to elevate the temperature of the contact surface. The heated surface enhances the wet out of the bonding agent upon application of the bonding agent onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6312807
    Abstract: Described are polymeric core/shell particles wherein the core comprises a ultraviolet absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bret W. Ludwig, Gilbert L. Eian
  • Patent number: 6311399
    Abstract: Tools and methods for releasing air entrapped between sheeting material and a substrate around a rivet are disclosed. The tools include movable pins biased outwardly by a resilient member. As a result, the pins can retract when encountering a discontinuity on an otherwise planar surface, such as a rivet, while still allowing for perforation of the sheeting around the rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, John R. David
  • Patent number: 6313245
    Abstract: Acrylates having a high degree of halogenation, as well as polymers that include one or more mer units derived from such acrylates provide materials having tailorable optical and physical properties. The polymers find utility particularly in optical devices including optical waveguides and interconnecting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: George G. I. Moore, Fred B. McCormick, Mita Chattoraj, Elisa M. Cross, Junkang Jacob Liu, Ralph R. Roberts, Jay F. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6312667
    Abstract: Dental etching compositions are provided that have the capability of undergoing an increase in viscosity in response to an increase in temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions also have the ability to reverse their viscosity in response to a decrease in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matt C. Trom, Joel D. Oxman
  • Publication number: 20010036332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating short (e.g., picosecond) pulses using a 2 section 1553 nm DBR laser without gain switching nor external modulation. The center wavelength of the DBR section is modulated at 0.5 GHz to generate a constant amplitude frequency modulated optical wave Large group velocity dispersion is then applied with a chirped fiber Bragg grating to convert the FM signal to a pulse stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James F. Brennan, Patrick C. Chou, Harry L.T. Lee, Rajeev J. Ram, Hermann A. Haus, Erich P. Ippen
  • Publication number: 20010037028
    Abstract: Acrylates having a high degree of halogenation, as well as polymers that include one or more mer units derived from such acrylates provide materials having tailorable optical and physical properties. The polymers find utility particularly in optical devices including optical waveguides and interconnecting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: George G.I. Moore, Fred B. McCormick, Mita Chattoraj, Elisa M. Cross, Junkang Jacob Liu, Ralph R. Roberts, Jay F. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20010036533
    Abstract: A cube corner article having a structured surface of geometric structures, each geometric structure having a plurality of faces at least some of which are arranged as a cube corner element, is made by providing a first substrate having a plurality of grooves therein, replicating the first substrate in a second substrate, and forming a second plurality of grooves in the second substrate. Geometric structures in the second substrate are formed in part by replication of the first plurality of grooves and in part by the formation of the second plurality of grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20010036561
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010036510
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing improved image quality and water resistance of dye based ink images on substrates using aqueous dispersed mordants and dispersed hydrophobic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, David W. Tweeten
  • Publication number: 20010036013
    Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Sanford Cobb, Elisa M. Cross, Susan L. Kent, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Ronald J. Tabar, David L. Wortman
  • Patent number: 6309561
    Abstract: Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) a chiral fluorochemical terminal portion comprising (i) at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; (ii) a terminal fluoroalkyl, fluoroether, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroether group; and (iii) an alkylene or fluoroalkylene group optionally containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom; (b) a chiral or achiral terminal portion consisting of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether group, and, when chiral, comprising at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions; the alkylene or fluoroalkylene group of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion having at least 3 in-chain atoms and being located between the chiral center of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion and the central core. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Masakazu Hasegawa, Michael P. Keyes, Marc D. Radcliffe, Patricia M. Savu, Daniel C. Snustad, Terence D. Spawn
  • Patent number: 6309130
    Abstract: An organizer system for attaching a document to a binder, the document having at least one edge. The system includes a strip including an elongated layer of material having a first major surface and an opposite second major surface, the first major surface having an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion, said outer edge portion defining a document attachment feature, said inner portion including a coating of adhesive. The system further includes a positioning tool having a strip positioning portion including strip alignment features and a document receiving portion having document alignment features corresponding to the at least one edge of the document. The strip positioning portion receives the inner edge portion of the strip and the outer edge portion of the strip overlaps the document edge alignment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven Philip Johnson, Bruce Shields Mason
  • Patent number: 6310125
    Abstract: The invention provides water-dispersed adhesive compositions comprising a high modulus crystallizing polyester polyurethane, a polychloroprene, acrylic ester copolymer, a resin selected from the group consisting of thermosetting resins, thermoplastic resins, and a combinations thereof and a stabilizer system. The invention also provides adhesive made from the above adhesive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Terry J. Rayner
  • Patent number: 6310018
    Abstract: A homogeneous compositions containing a fluorinated solvent, hydrogen fluoride, and a co-solvent, and the use of these compositions for cleaning and etching of substrates is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frederick E. Behr, Lawrence A. Zazzera, Paul E. Rajtar, Michael J. Parent