Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 10898306
    Abstract: A dental treatment system has a light irradiation device (2) and an image display (3). The light irradiation device has a polymerization light source (5a) for emitting blue light and a camera (6) for capturing a series of images. The system is set up for generating a first marker (11) and a second marker (20) superimposed with the images and to display the first marker (11) in a fixed positional relationship to an image pattern recognized in a first and in a second image of the series of images and to display the second marker (20) in a fixed positional relationship to an image area underlying the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rudolf Schmid, Stefan K. Welker, Korbinian Gerlach
  • Patent number: 10903382
    Abstract: A light redirecting film defining a longitudinal axis, and including a base layer, an ordered arrangement of a plurality of microstructures, and a reflective layer. The microstructures project from the base layer, and each extends across the base layer to define a corresponding primary axis. The primary axis of at least one of the microstructures is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis. The reflective layer is disposed over the microstructures opposite the base layer. When employed, for example, to cover portions of a PV module tabbing ribbon, or areas free of PV cells, the films of the present disclosure uniquely reflect incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark B. O'Neill, Jiaying Ma
  • Patent number: 10900766
    Abstract: Capacitive sensing devices are provided that include a sensing pattern of conductive traces disposed upon the surface of a substrate and a first passive circuit element that includes a metallic conductor disposed upon the same surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the first passive circuit element is a component of an electronic circuit that can be, for example, a low pass filter. Provided capacitive sensing devices are useful, for example, when incorporated into projected touch screen display panels for use on electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, Cristin E. Moran
  • Publication number: 20210016064
    Abstract: A bracket configured for use with a medical article comprising a base, a first set of posts defining a first channel, a second set of posts defining a second channel, and a support positioned in the second channel, where the first and second channels are independently dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the medical article and configured to inhibit at least lateral movement of the medical article when the medical article is coupled to the bracket. A medical article securement system for securing a medical article to the bracket and methods for coupling a medical article to the medical article securement system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: PHONG V. HA, DONALD G. PETERSON, DANIEL P. DECABOOTER, JAMES M. SIERACKI
  • Patent number: 10896772
    Abstract: A shielded electrical ribbon cable includes adjacent first and second longitudinal conductor sets where each conductor set includes two or more insulated conductors. The first conductor set also includes a ground conductor that generally lies in the plane of the insulated conductors of the first conductor set. At least 90% of the periphery of each conductor set is encompassed by a shielding film. First and second non-conductive polymeric films are disposed on opposite sides of the cable and form cover portions substantially surrounding each conductor set, and pinched portions on each side of each conductor set. When the cable is laid flat, the distance between the center of the ground conductor of the first conductor set and the center of the nearest insulated conductor of the second conductor set is ?1, the center-to-center spacing of the insulated conductors of the second conductor set is ?2, and ?1/?2 is greater than 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas B. Gundel, Rocky D. Edwards, Mark M. Lettang, Charles F. Staley
  • Patent number: 10895676
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a liquid crystal panel with a color filter array. The liquid crystal panel has a filter side closest to the color filter array and a non-filter side opposite the filter side. An absorbing polarizer is laminated directly to the filter side of the liquid crystal panel, and a reflective polarizer laminated directly to the absorbing polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Chikara Abe, Hiroaki Sawada, Minoru Miyatake
  • Patent number: 10894765
    Abstract: Solar energy device comprising at least one of a photovoltaic cell or a solar thermal collector having an absorption bandwidth in the infrared wavelength region of the solar spectrum; a visible light-transmitting reflector; and at least one of a graphic film or lighted display. The graphic film or a lighted display present is visible through the visible light-transmitting reflector. The solar energy devices can be used, for example, as a sign (e.g., an advertising sign or a traffic sign), on the side and/or roof, as well as in a window, of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Eric R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 10894742
    Abstract: A repair compound for use in all applications and particularly well-suited for large hole repair. The repair compound includes a latex resin, a thickener, fibers, and a filler material. In some embodiments, the repair compound is configured to exhibit pseudoplastic-type behavior. In some embodiments, the repair compound has a density of not greater than 4.0 lbs/gal. In some embodiments, the repair compound includes hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers of different morphologies. In some embodiments, the repair compound includes HASE-type thickeners. In some embodiments, the repair compound includes a bimodal distribution of hollow glass microspheres from two different strength/size curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John E. Gozum, DanLi Wang, Dwight B. Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 10895673
    Abstract: A dispersion, a resin containing the dispersion and polymer film formed from the resin are disclosed. The dispersion includes an infrared light absorbing pigment including organo-metallic particles being less than 1.5 micrometer or less than one micrometer in size. The dispersion also includes a dispersant including phosphorus and a polyol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, David T. Yust, Patrick M. Crain, Neeraj Sharma, Jung-Sheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10895747
    Abstract: A folded light path illuminator is provided. The illuminator may include a polarizing beam splitter having an input face, an output face and an imager face, a light source disposed adjacent the input face and defining an input active area on the input face, and an image forming device disposed adjacent the imager face for receiving light emitted from the light source and emitting a patterned light, which may be a converging patterned light. The image forming device may have a largest image area which defines an output active area on the output face. One or both of the input active area and the output active area may be less than about half the largest image area. The polarizing beam splitter may include first and second prisms and the volume of the first prism may be no greater than half the volume of the second prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, Kandyce M. Bohannon
  • Patent number: 10896391
    Abstract: Crowd funding for innovation includes distributing a proposal with a description of a project idea, an amount of funds requested, and a time frame for raising the funds. Ownership of the project is transferred to an entity, which receives contributions from contributors and for each of the received contributions converts the contribution to a corresponding amount of virtual coin and adds the contribution to the funds. If the funding goal is complete within the time frame, the entity converts the coins to actual money and releases the money to the requestor. After completion of the project, the entity determines if the project is successful and can commercialize successful projects. For certain successful projects, the entity can also distribute funds to the contributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Robert R. Kieschke, Frank J. Sherman, Mario A. Perez, Raymond P. Johnston, Kandyce M. Bohannon
  • Patent number: 10894903
    Abstract: A barrier adhesive composition comprises polyisobutylene resin, hydrophobic nanoparticles and sorbent nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jacob P. Johnson, Jimmie R. Baran, Jr., John P. Baetzold, Serena L. Schleusner
  • Patent number: 10894905
    Abstract: A catalyst for use with a phenolic resins which imparts accelerated curing at reduced temperatures. The catalyst is selected from elemental halogen or opium polyhalide compounds of the general formula: O+X(2n+1)?, where 1?n?4, Q is onium group, preferably selected from ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium; and X is a halide. Each X may be the same or different and may include mixed halides such a X?Br2Cl or Cl2Br.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ilya Gorodisher, Gregory P. Sorenson, Guy D. Joly
  • Patent number: 10896340
    Abstract: In some examples, a computing device receives an image of an optically active article that includes a set of one or more symbols of a symbol set, wherein at least one symbol of the set of one or more symbols comprises a set of encoding regions that are embedded with the symbol. In response to receiving the image, the computing device may determine that a particular image region of the image represents the at least one symbol. For encoding regions within the at least one symbol, the computing device may determine, based at least in part on the determination that the particular image region of the image represents the at least one symbol, whether the one or more encoding regions are active or inactive. The computing device may perform, based at least in part on whether the one or more encoding regions are active or inactive, one or more operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Justin M. Johnson, James W. Howard, James B. Snyder, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Publication number: 20210013929
    Abstract: A first electrical node configured to monitor a digital signal is disclosed. The first electrical node includes a first connector and a second connector. The first electrical node includes a processor configured to receive a digital signal from the second connector. The processor is configured to determine whether a portion of the digital signal is intended for the first electrical node. The processor is configured to convert the portion of the digital signal to an analog signal based on whether the portion is intended for the first electrical node without affecting the digital signal received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: William Bedingham
  • Patent number: 10890724
    Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10888973
    Abstract: Methods of making metal bond abrasive articles via powder bed jetting are disclosed. Metal bond abrasive articles prepared by the method include abrasive articles having arcuate or tortuous cooling channels, abrasive segments, abrasive wheels, and rotary dental tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Brian D. Goers, Robert L. W. Smithson, Negus B. Adefris, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 10888893
    Abstract: Coating apparatuses and methods are provided for dispensing coatings with various shapes. The coating apparatus includes a coating die body including a cavity and an opening on a dispensing side thereof. One or more movable components are disposed on the dispensing side of the die body to define at least a portion of a dispensing slot adjacent the opening of the cavity. The one or more movable components are movable with respect to the opening to allow a width of the dispensing slot along a cross direction to be dynamically adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Karl K. Stensvad, Jonathan J. O'Hare, Daniel H. Carlson, Glen A. Jerry
  • Patent number: 10889692
    Abstract: Described is a triblock copolymer of the formula ABC wherein B is a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block having a Tg of ?110° C. and comprising 30-90 wt. % of the copolymer; C is a rubbery block having a Tg?25° C. and comprising 10-70 wt. % of the copolymer; and A is an block derived from ring-opening polymerization, substantially incompatible with both B and C blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carl A. Laskowski, Timothy M. Gillard, Michelle M. Mok, Lucas D. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 10889687
    Abstract: A polymerizable composition includes an organoborane-base complex that is a complex of an organoborane and a base, a decomplexing agent that at least partially liberates the organoborane from the organoborane-base complex, a polymerizable thiol-containing component comprising at least one polymerizable thiol-containing compound having a plurality of thiol groups in which the sulfur atom of the thiol group is covalently bonded to carbon, a hydroperoxide, and a polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated component comprising at least one polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated compound having a plurality of ethylenically-unsaturated groups. The combined amounts of the thiol-containing and ethylenically-unsaturated compounds total at least 50 percent by weight of all polymerizable material in the polymerizable composition. The composition may be provide as a two-part composition. Polymerized reaction product of the composition and methods of making the composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Clough, Susan E. DeMoss, Michael A. Kropp