Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 10747002
    Abstract: Optical systems including an image surface and an exit surface are described. First second and third optical lenses, a partial reflector, a multilayer reflective polarizer and a retarder are disposed between the image surface and the exit surface. At least one location on at least one layer of the multilayer reflective polarizer is substantially uniaxially oriented. Each chief light ray that passes from the image surface to the exit surface is incident on the multilayer reflective polarizer with an angle of incidence less than about 30 degrees. The optical system may include a plurality of major surfaces disposed between the image surface and the exit surface where each major surface is convex toward the image surface and where at least six different major surfaces have six different convexities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10746660
    Abstract: Cure monitoring systems for and methods of monitoring polymerizable material to determine the degree of curing of the polymerizable material. A monitoring light source delivers visible monitoring light at one or more different visible wavelengths and a visible light detector detects the monitoring light diffusely reflected by the polymerizable material. The monitoring light has a wavelength of maximum emission (?max-mon) that does not effectively induce polymerization of the polymerizable material. Change in intensity of the monitoring light reflected from the polymerizable material is used to determine when a selected degree of curing is reached in the polymerizable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas L. Elmore, Korbinian Gerlach, Gregory A. Kobussen, Jack Wing Lai, Joel D. Oxman, Rudolf Schmid, Stefan K. Welker
  • Patent number: 10741735
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a configuration and technique of fabricating remote phosphor optics (such as lenses) for downconverting LEDs, replacing the prior art solid hemispherical lenses with a novel thin-shell hemispherical lens that can be used with a wide range of encapsulating materials, including low index materials such as air and methyl silicones. The present disclosure further provides a configuration and technique whereby the remote phosphor lenses can be used with an LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Bill H. Dodge
  • Patent number: 10738201
    Abstract: Provided is a coated article comprising a substrate and a dried coating which comprises a first set of spherical silica nanoparticles having an average diameter of less than 20 nm and a second set of spherical silica nanoparticles having an average diameter of 20 nm to 120 nm. The alkoxy silane compound comprises an epoxy functional group or a carboxylic acid functional group. Also provided is a coating composition comprising an acidic aqueous dispersion which comprises the described first and second set of spherical silica nanoparticles and silane compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Long Yin, Zhigang Yu, Naiyong Jing
  • Patent number: 10738001
    Abstract: A hydrofluoroolefin is represented by the following general formula (A): in which, Rf1 and Rf2 are (i) independently linear or branched fluoroalkyl groups having with 1-8 carbon atoms and optionally include one or more catenated heteroatoms; or (ii) bonded together to form a ring structure having 4-8 carbon atoms and optionally include one or more catenated heteroatoms; ? is CF3, F, H; ? is F or H; ? is CF3, F, CF2H, CFH2, or CH3, and the compound includes a total of 1-4 H atoms; and with the provisos that at least one of ? and ? is F or H; when ? is CF3 or F, at least one of ? and ? is H; when ? is CH3, at least one of ? and ? is F, and when ? is CF3, then ? is H and ? is F; wherein at least one of Rf1 and Rf2 have two or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William M. Lamanna, Michael J. Bulinski, Michael G. Costello, Kiah A. Smith, Sean M. Smtih
  • Patent number: 10739660
    Abstract: An article includes a transparent non-conducting layer, wherein a thickness of the transparent non-conducting layer continuously decreases in a first direction; and a transparent conducting layer on the transparent non-conducting layer, wherein a thickness of the transparent conducting layer continuously decreases in a direction opposite to the first direction. A thickness of the article is substantially uniform. A sheet resistance, Rs, to a flow of electrical current through the transparent conducting layer, varies as a function of position in the transparent conducting layer. A ratio of a value of maximum sheet resistance, Rmax, to a value of minimum sheet resistance, Rmin, in the transparent conducting layer is at least 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert R. Owings
  • Patent number: 10736796
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the present disclosure features a reclosable fastener for use on a non-woven article having a first part and a second part. The reclosable fastener includes a first fastener component, a second fastener component, and an adhesive layer attaching the second fastener component to the second part of the non-woven article. The first fastener component has first fastening elements. The first fastener component is attached to or integrated with the first part of the non-woven article. The second fastener component includes second fastening elements configured to engage with first fastening elements. The second fastener component includes one or more inactive regions. The second fastening elements within an inactive region are substantially deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. McGregor
  • Patent number: 10741052
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a plurality of articles of personal protected equipment (PPE) that are each assigned to a particular worker. The system may also include a data hub that detects an input that initiates a broadcast of diagnostic self-check messages; identifies, in response to the input, each article of PPE of the plurality of articles of PPE; broadcasts, based on identifying each article of PPE, the diagnostic self-check messages to the respective articles of PPE, wherein each article of PPE receives its respective self-check message at its communication component; in response to receiving a set of diagnostic acknowledgement messages from one or more of the plurality of articles of PPE that have performed a diagnostic self-check, determines whether the set of diagnostic acknowledge messages satisfy one or more self-check criteria; and performs one or more operations based on whether the self-check criteria are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm
  • Patent number: 10738172
    Abstract: A display panel assembly is made by optically bonding a display panel and a substantially transparent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David Scott Thompson, Robert S. Davidson, David A. Berry, Huang Chin Hung, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Patent number: 10739503
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of coating uniformly shaped and sized articles. The method includes providing a reactor having an arrayed inner surface, positioning the articles within the reactor, and coating the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Max Powers, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Bill H. Dodge, Erin A. McDowell, Robert R. Kieschke, Arokiaraj Jesudoss
  • Patent number: 10740734
    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 the back funds to the contributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    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: 10737998
    Abstract: Methods of converting a fluorinated compound into a fluorinated acyl fluoride or derivative thereof, the method including reacting the fluorinated compound with a catalytic amount of at least one transition metal compound and an oxygen-containing compound to form the fluorinated acyl fluoride or derivative thereof. Compounds formed using such methods are also included, including for example <Insert chemical formulas here as they appear in the electronic copy.> and derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Markus E. Hirschberg, Klaus Hintzer, Zai-Ming Qiu, Gerd-Volker Röschenthaler, Romana Pajkert, Sergey Tverdomed
  • Patent number: 10740669
    Abstract: A film assembly or a multilayer stack can include an antenna having a spiral form disposed on a stretchable layer. The film assembly includes a stretchable substrate having opposite major top and bottom surfaces, and a first material disposed on the major top surface of the stretchable substrate in the form of a plurality of intersecting rows and columns making the film assembly less stretchable than the stretchable substrate. The rows and columns define a plurality of closed cells. An antenna for use in a radio frequency identification tag is disposed on the stretchable substrate in each closed cell and is isolated from the first material. The antenna includes an elongated electrically conductive electrode having a spiral form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John D. Geissinger, Donald G. Peterson, Robin E. Gorrell, Howard M. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 10737220
    Abstract: A composite membrane for selectively pervaporating a first liquid from a mixture comprising the first liquid and a second liquid. The composite membrane includes a porous substrate comprising opposite first and second major surfaces, and a plurality of pores. A pore-filling polymer is disposed in at least some of the pores so as to form a layer having a thickness within the porous substrate. The polymer is more permeable to the first liquid than the second liquid but not soluble in the first liquid or the second liquid. The composite membrane may be asymmetric or symmetric with respect to the amount of pore-filling polymer throughout the thickness of the porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinsheng Zhou, Kazuhiko Mizuno, Moses M. David
  • Patent number: 10736982
    Abstract: Water-based formulations comprising an indicating composition dispersed in water are described. The water-based indicating compositions include an organic Bi(III) compound, a sulfur source, a carbonate salt, and strontium hydroxide. Formulations further including a resin and/or an acidic additive are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Wensheng Xia, Sarah J. Davis
  • Patent number: 10738224
    Abstract: A barrier adhesive composition comprising a resin system and organically modified nanoclay. The resin system comprises (a) a first polyisobutylene resin having a viscosity average molecular weight of about 300,000 to about 500,000 g/mol, (b) a second polyisobutylene resin having a viscosity average molecular of about 700,000 to about 900,000 g/mol and (c) tackifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jacob P. Johnson, Fred B. McCormick, Adam J. Meuler, Richard J. Pokorny, Daniel J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10731056
    Abstract: An adhesive article includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a release liner releasably adhered thereto. The release liner comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a first release agent represented by the formula: Each R1 represents a hydrocarbylene group having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms; each Rf independently represents a perfluorinated alkyl group of having 3 to 5 carbon atoms; and each X1 is —NH— or a covalent bond. Methods of making the adhesive articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Georgiy Teverovskiy, Maria A. Appeaning, Chetan P. Jariwala, Marie A. Boulos, David J. Kinning
  • Patent number: 10731003
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a catalyst for use with a benzoxazine resins which imparts accelerated curing at reduced temperatures. The catalyst is selected from elemental halogen or onium polyhalide compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Sorenson, Ilya Gorodisher, Robert J. Webb
  • Patent number: 10731054
    Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article comprises three steps. First, a backing is provided having first and second opposed major surfaces with respective first and second silicone release layers disposed thereon. The second silicone release layer further comprises a compound represented by the formula: R1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms or covalent bond. R2 represents a monovalent or divalent poly(dimethylsiloxane) moiety. X represents —NH— or a covalent bond. Rf represents a perfluorinated group having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms. y is 1 or 2. Second, an adhesive layer is disposed onto the first silicone release layer. Third, the adhesive layer is exposed to E-beam radiation within a process chamber containing oxygen to provide a crosslinked adhesive layer. An adhesive article made by the method and the compound are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Maria A. Appeaning, Maria A. Boulos, David J. Kinning, Georgiy Teverovskiy, Chetan P. Jariwala, Michael L. Steiner, Sai Vang
  • Patent number: D893106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Linus P. Bastman, Emil R. Eriksson, Johan M. P. Hansson, Erik Oskar Juhlin