Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Retroreflective elements including particles
    Patent number: 10605967
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective elements including a core and a plurality of glass or glass-ceramic beads adjacent to the core. The retroreflective elements further include a plurality of particles having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the glass or glass ceramic beads in the retroreflective elements. The present disclosure also generally relates to articles (including, for example, retroreflective roadway liquid pavement markings) including these retroreflective elements and methods of making and using these retroreflective elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bachman, Jimmie R. Baran, Jr., Joseph D. Engebretson, James E. Garbe
  • Context-based programmable safety rules for personal protective equipment
    Patent number: 10607467
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, Michael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
  • Recycling backlight including structured reflector
    Patent number: 10606124
    Abstract: Recycling backlights are described. More specifically, recycling backlights including structured reflectors are described. The structured reflector redirects light at least for angles emitted from a lightguide and retroreflects other light, the retroreflected light having incidence angles not emitted by the lightguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, Stephen J. Etzkorn, David A. Rosen
  • Polymeric netting with ribbons and strands, and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 10603830
    Abstract: Polymeric netting comprising polymeric ribbons and polymeric strands, each of the polymeric ribbons and polymeric strands having a length and a width, wherein the length is the longest dimension and the width is the shortest dimension, wherein a plurality of the polymeric strands are bonded together to form a netting layer, wherein adjacent polymeric strands in the netting layer are bonded intermittently at multiple locations along their respective lengths, wherein the netting layer has first and second opposing major surfaces, wherein the polymeric ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 2:1 and a minor surface defined by their width and length, and wherein the minor surface of a plurality of the polymeric ribbons is bonded to the first major surface of the netting layer. Polymeric netting described herein are useful, for example, in an absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, Robert C. Etter, William J. Kopecky, Michelle L. Legatt, Lori-Ann S. Prioleau, Leigh E. Wood
  • Aqueous emulsion, adhesive composition, and aqueous emulsion manufacturing method
    Patent number: 10604593
    Abstract: There is provided an aqueous emulsion derived from a blend comprising an acrylic polymer, wherein the pH of the dispersion medium is less than 7.0, and a water-in-oil emulsion containing a nonionic water-soluble polymer, which aqueous emulsion has viscosity of 1,000 to 15,000 mPa s at 25° C. There are also provided adhesive compositions made using the aqueous emulsion and methods for manufacturing the aqueous emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jun Fujita, Takumi Kinoshita
  • Filtering face-piece respirator having nose cushioning member
    Patent number: 10602785
    Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that has a multi-layer filtering structure 16. The respirator includes a cushioning member 64 positioned proximate the nose area of the mask body 12, enveloped by a layer of the filtering structure 16. The cushioning member 64 is a compressible material and may be elastic. The cushioning member 64 can be positioned directly opposite of a nose clip 56.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • Composition for reducing inhibition of nucleic acid amplification
    Patent number: 10604787
    Abstract: A composition for reducing the inhibitory effects of contaminants on nucleic acid amplification is provided. The composition includes effective amounts of ferric iron, an organic iron-chelating reagent, and a non-ionic surfactant. Optionally, the composition includes polyvinylpyrrolidone. The composition has a pH of about 8.45 to 8.85. The organic iron-chelating reagent has a first affinity constant greater than or equal to 104.2 with respect to ferric iron and a second affinity constant less than 103.8 with respect to magnesium. The first affinity constant and the second affinity constant are determined in deionized water at pH 8.45 and 20° C. Methods of using the composition to prepare a sample for nucleic acid amplification are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory W. Sitton, Neil Percy
  • Abrasive article with abrasive particles having random rotational orientation within a range
    Patent number: 10603766
    Abstract: An abrasive article includes a plurality of abrasive particles and the rotational orientation of at least a portion of the abrasive particles about the z-axis varies randomly within a defined range, and the spacing of the abrasive particles along the y-axis varies randomly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Geoffrey I. Wilson, Brian G. Koethe, Steven J. Keipert
  • Curable silsesquioxane polymers, compositions, articles, and methods
    Patent number: 10597557
    Abstract: A curable silsesquioxane polymer, a composition including such polymer, an article having a layer disposed thereon that includes the curable polymer and/or the cured polymer, and a method of forming a cured coating, wherein the curable silsesquioxane polymer includes a three-dimensional branched network having the formula: wherein: the oxygen atom at the * is bonded to another Si atom within the three-dimensional branched network; R is an organic group comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group; n is an integer of greater than 3; and the —OH groups are present in an amount of at least 15 wt-% of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Jitendra S. Rathore
  • Films including triazine-based ultraviolet absorbers
    Patent number: 10598823
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to EAA films including at least one triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. The present application also generally relates to retroreflective sheeting including an EAA film including a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. One embodiments of the present application relates to a film, comprising poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA. Another embodiment of the present application relates to retroreflective sheeting, comprising: a plurality of cube corner elements; and a body layer adjacent to the cube corner elements, the body layer including poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David W. Meitz, Bimal V. Thakkar, David M. Burns, David B. Olson, Lee A. Pavelka
  • 3D image capture apparatus with cover window fiducials for calibration
    Patent number: 10602127
    Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The apparatus also includes a transparent cover positioned within the optical path and having a plurality of fiducials. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the cover, allowing the fiducials to be used to calibrate the apparatus or verify and correct the existing calibration of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David B. Stegall, Vladimir Kryzhniy, Eric S. Hansen, Aya Eid, Shannon D. Scott, Zhisheng Yun, James L. Graham, II
  • Internally incorporated phenolic resins in water-based (meth)acrylate adhesive compositions, pre-adhesive reaction mixtures, methods, and articles
    Patent number: 10597564
    Abstract: Cationic or zwitterionic polymer adhesives, adhesive articles, aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixtures, and methods of preparation that include internal incorporation of a phenolic resin. The aqueous polymerizable pre-adhesive reaction mixtures include one or more cationic (meth)acrylate monomers, one or more low Tg nonionic monomer having a (meth)acryloyl group, optionally one or more anionic (meth)acrylate monomers, and one or more phenolic resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim A. El Hedok, Mahfuza B. Ali, Elizabeth E. Johnson, Mark D. Purgett, You Hoon Kim, Prince P. Antony
  • Lighting component including switchable diffuser
    Patent number: 10598349
    Abstract: A lighting component including an optical volume and a switchable diffuser disposed at least partially within the optical volume is described. The optical volume includes a light injection region, at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface, and an output major surface. The at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface defines opposing boundaries of the optical volume. The output major surface is adjacent one or more distal edges of the at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface. The switchable diffuser has at least a first state and a second state. The switchable diffuser may have a surface normal that is not parallel to an optical axis of the optical volume. The at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface may have a spatially varying reflective property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, Robert L. Brott
  • Dose indicator for a metered dose inhaler
    Patent number: 10596333
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dose indicator comprising, a chassis comprising a chassis frame and a displacement portion, an indexable first display unit, mountable on the chassis, the first display unit being indexable about a first display axis, the indexable first display unit comprising a plurality of indexing teeth, a first display non-return arm, and a drive pawl connected at its proximal part to the displacement portion, the drive pawl comprising a socket at its distal part, the socket being adapted to engage an indexing tooth of the first display unit during indexing. The disclosure further relates to an actuator for an inhaler, wherein the actuator comprises a dose indicator as described above. The present disclosure is also directed to an inhaler comprising such actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Stephen J. Howgill
  • Smoke and sound barrier for a building joint system
    Patent number: 10597867
    Abstract: Described herein is a smoke and sound barrier construction for building joint systems and method thereof, wherein an optional packing material and a non-porous adhesive article are used in a building joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Hulteen, George W. Frost, Richard J. Haffner, Ernst L. Schmidt
  • Coated abrasive disc
    Patent number: D879164
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hanschen, Steven J. Keipert, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Erin D. Spring, Brant A. Moegenburg, Eric M. Moore, Thomas J. Nelson
  • Coated abrasive belt
    Patent number: D879165
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Erin D. Spring, Brant A. Moegenburg, Eric M. Moore, Thomas J. Nelson, Thomas P. Hanschen, Steven J. Keipert
  • Coated abrasive belt
    Patent number: D879166
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Erin D. Spring, Brant A. Moegenburg, Eric M. Moore, Thomas J. Nelson, Thomas P. Hanschen, Steven J. Keipert
  • Packaging material with surface pattern
    Patent number: D879479
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Connor M. Pelletier-Sutton, Lisa M. Miller, Tracie J. Berniard, Lindsay J. Schostag, Jennifer A. Higgins, Flor T. Frey, Andrew P. Singer, Daniel J. Hoyord, David K. Bruechert, Mary L. Brown, Jeffrey D. Swenson
  • Cleaning article
    Patent number: D880094
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Katy J. Romer, Myhanh T. Truong, Rebeccah K. Rossbach, Amanda J. Schwager