Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 12113278
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radar retroreflective articles comprising one or more dielectric layers adjacent to a reflective layer, wherein the dielectric layer or layers aids in increasing the radar cross section of the radar retroreflective articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Mohsen Salehi, Michael A. McCoy, Susannah C. Clear
  • Patent number: 12111465
    Abstract: The present application provides a display device that easily reduces an incident amount of an infrared light to a display portion on the basis of maintaining visual confirmation of display information. A display device according to one scheme of the present disclosure comprises: a display portion emitting a visible light of a linearly polarized wave having display information; an infrared light cut-off portion transmitting the visible light from the display portion and reducing an incident amount of an infrared light to the display portion; and a reflecting portion reflecting the visible light transmitted from the infrared light cut-off portion, wherein the infrared light cut-off portion comprises an infrared light cut-off layer, the infrared light cut-off layer has a slow axis, and the slow axis is generally parallel to a vibration direction of the linearly polarized wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Kentaro Tamura
  • Patent number: 12110375
    Abstract: Compositions are provided including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic nitrogen-containing matrix material and composite particles distributed in the matrix material. The composite particles each include a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are foam compositions and articles including the foam compositions, such as a sheet or multilayer construction. Composite particles are further provided. Methods of making the foam compositions are additionally described herein. Also, polishing pads, polishing systems, and methods of polishing a substrate are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Fishman, Jeffrey P. Kalish, Caitlin E. Meree, Qin Lin, Nicholas K. Lee, Li Yao, Rajdeep S. Kalgutkar, Duy K. Lehuu, David T. Amos
  • Patent number: 12104288
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a core-sheath filament. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath, wherein the sheath exhibits a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes. The present disclosure also provides a method of printing an adhesive. The method includes a) melting a core-sheath filament in a nozzle to form a molten composition, and b) dispensing the molten composition through the nozzle onto a substrate. Steps a) and b) are carried out one or more times to form a printed adhesive. The core-sheath filament includes an adhesive core and a non-tacky sheath. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process using a core-sheath filament, the article including a printed adhesive based on the digital object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eric O. Nyaribo, Thomas Q. Chastek, Robert D. Waid, Ross J. DeVolder, Jacob D. Young, Shaun M. West, Mikhail A. Belkin, Joseph C. Dingeldein, Jay A. Esch, Mark E. Napierala
  • Patent number: 12104827
    Abstract: A hybrid solar window comprises: at least one glazing; a wave-length-selective solar mirror positioned to reflect IR toward an IR absorbing element. The IR absorbing elements comprises a conduit having a respective fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and an IR absorbing compound, wherein the IR absorbing compound is in thermal communication with the conduit. The wavelength-selective solar mirror has an average visible light transmittance of at least 50 percent and an average IR reflectance of at least 50 percent over the wavelength range of 850 to 1150 nanometers, inclusive. The IR absorbing element is configured to transfer thermal energy to a heat transfer fluid circulating through the conduit, wherein the IR absorbing element has an average visible light transmittance of at least 30 percent, and wherein each IR absorbing element has an average IR absorptance of at least 50 percent over the wavelength range 850 to 1150 nanometers, inclusive. Certain IR absorbing elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Adam D. Miller, Timothy J. Hebrink, Neeraj Sharma
  • Patent number: 12105302
    Abstract: An integral optical stack includes a lens film having first and second major surfaces. The first major surface includes microlenses having an average peak-to-valley height PV1. A light absorbing layer is disposed on the lens film and defines a plurality of openings. A substantially planarizing optically diffusive layer is disposed on the first major surface of the lens film, conforming to the microlenses. The optically diffusive layer includes a plurality of nanoparticles. A polymeric material bonds the nanoparticles to each other to form a plurality of nanoparticle aggregates defining a plurality of voids therebetween. The optically diffusive layer has an average thickness greater than about 8 microns, and an index of refraction of less than about 1.25. Any non-planarity of a major surface of the optically diffusive layer due to the microlenses of the first major surface has an average peak-to-valley height PV2, PV2?0.7 PV1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristy A. Gillette, Zhaohui Yang, Joseph P. Attard, Martin E. Denker
  • Patent number: 12103994
    Abstract: Cationic copolymers having pendant N-allylimidazolium-containing groups are provided. The cationic copolymers can be used, for example, to provide anion exchange membranes for use in electrochemical cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, and electrodialysis cells. The anion exchange membranes typically have good mechanical properties and ionic conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Mark J. Pellerite, Marina M. Kaplun, John C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 12102850
    Abstract: A respiratory device and system, and in particular a respiratory device that is usable with a plurality of removable electronic function components that that can communicate wirelessly with other devices. In one embodiment, a respiratory device comprises a body, at least a portion of the body defining a volume; a mask communications unit (MCU) at least partially located within the volume; at least one electrical function component in communication with the MCU; and a rechargeable power source at least partially located within the volume, the rechargeable power source providing power to each of the at least one electrical function components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Darin K. Thompson, David Allen Amero, Graham Peter Wilson, Eric J. Bassani, Jeremy V. Barbee, Vincent Scott Garmon, Shain Anthony Saucier, Todd Ronald Hunter, Robert Heise, Michael John Zachary Norton, William Kim Ngai Sung
  • Patent number: 12104094
    Abstract: A phenolic resin composition is described comprising at least 50 wt.-% of phenolic resin; first polymerized units comprising a cationic group; and second polymerized units comprising an anionic group. The cationic groups are ionically bonded to the anionic groups. The ionic bonding of the cationic group and anionic group of the polymerized units can provide certain complex viscosity and/or tan delta properties. In some embodiments, the phenolic resin composition has a complex viscosity at 65 C of at least 50 Pascal(seconds) and/or has a tan delta at 65 C ranging from 0.5 to 2.5. Abrasive articles and methods of making an abrasive article are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Sorenson, Thomas J. Nelson, Ilya Gorodisher
  • Patent number: 12102507
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system 10 comprising an ear cushion 20 for a headset 100, a fluid supply 30 and a fluid guide device 40 connected to the ear cushion 20. The present disclosure further relates to an ear cushion 20 for a headset 100, a fluid guide device 40 for a headset 100. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to a headset 100 as well as to a headgear 200 comprising such a system 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonas A. Nilsson, Van Cuong Bui, Patrick R. T. Hjort
  • Patent number: 12103846
    Abstract: A nanostructured article includes a substrate; a plurality of first nanostructures disposed on, and extending away from, the substrate; and a covalently crosslinked fluorinated polymeric layer disposed on the plurality of first nanostructures. The plurality of first nanostructures includes polyurethane. The polymeric layer at least partially fills spaces between the first nanostructures to an average minimum height above the substrate of at least 30 nm such that the polymeric layer has a nanostructured surface defined by, and facing away from, the plurality of first nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David S. Thompson, Chad M. Amb, Moses M. David, Richard J. Pokorny, Thomas P. Klun, Jonah Shaver, Joan M. Noyola, Hannah E. Walsh, Jon P. Nietfeld, John A. Wheatley, Joseph D. Rule, Ryan M. Braun, Michael A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12102242
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides adhesive mounting articles that can be removed from surfaces without damage by having reduced contribution of a hardgood to the peel force generated by the adhesive article during removal. In some instances, this can be accomplished by a hardgood that is flexible in a peel direction and rigid in a weight hanging direction. Such hardgoods may include a plurality of minimally connected body segments arranged about the transverse axis of the hardgood body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Payam Khodaparast, Erik M. Anderson, Kevin W. Weber
  • Patent number: 12102851
    Abstract: A fall protection system includes a base plate defining a first side and a second side defined opposite to the first side. The fall protection system also includes a mast assembly connected to the base plate proximate to the first side of the base plate. The fall protection system further includes a jib inclined with respect to the mast assembly and pivotably connected to the mast assembly. The fall protection system includes a counterweight connectable to the base plate proximate to the second side of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew C. Strauss, Nicholas G. Bauer, Michael T. Weiss
  • Patent number: 12099226
    Abstract: An optical system for displaying an image to a viewer includes a pixelated display including a plurality of pixels emitting unpolarized image light; a partial reflector having an average optical reflectance of at least 30% in a predetermined wavelength range; a first retarder layer disposed between the pixelated display and the partial reflector; a second retarder layer disposed between the first retarder layer and the partial reflector; and a reflective polarizer disposed between the first and second retarder layers. The reflective polarizer is adapted to increase a brightness of a pixelated image emitted by the pixelated display and displayed to the viewer by recycling at least a portion of unpolarized image light emitted by the pixels; and receive an image ray reflected by the partial reflector and reflect the received image ray toward the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy L. Wong, David J. W. Aastuen, Takashi Fujita, Zhisheng Yun, Timothy J. Nevitt
  • Patent number: 12098856
    Abstract: A powered room air purifier with a visual indicator of air quality, the visual indicator including: a reflector that defines a forwardly-open-ended reflecting cavity and that includes at least one through-opening in a floor or ceiling of the reflector; at least one diffuser layer that covers the forward opening of the forward-open-ended reflecting cavity; and, at least one LED light source that is positioned within the at least one through-opening, the LED light source and the reflector being configured so that the LED light source is shielded from line-of-sight view along a forward-rearward axis of the powered room air purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brian D. Gale, Andrew R. Fox, Alonso M. Hernandez, Gregory G. Jager, Abby R. Lemon, Nicolas W. Tremain
  • Patent number: 12099208
    Abstract: A display system includes a pixelated display being curved about at least one axis and including a plurality of groups of pixels; a plurality of light redirecting elements where each light redirecting element corresponds to a different group of pixels in the plurality of groups of pixels; and an optical lens system adapted to receive light emitted by the pixelated display and transmitted by the plurality of light redirecting elements. The optical lens system transmits at least a portion of the received light. For at least one pixel in the plurality of groups of pixels, the light redirecting element corresponding to the pixel reduces an angle between a central light ray emitted by the pixel and a chief light ray emitted by the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun, Gilles J. Benoit, Jo Anne Etter
  • Patent number: 12100283
    Abstract: A method for use with a personal protective equipment (PPE) article includes determining, via at least one sensor, a first parameter indicative of a concentration of at least one substance in an ambient environment of the PPE article. The method further includes determining, via a processor, a second parameter indicative of a second order derivative of the first parameter with respect to time. The method further includes retrieving, via the processor, a first threshold value indicative of a protection threshold provided by the PPE article for the at least one substance. The method further includes comparing, via the processor, the second parameter with the first threshold value. The method further includes generating, via the processor, an alert signal based on the comparison of the second parameter with the first threshold value. The method further includes providing, via a user interface, an alert to a user of the PPE article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard J. Sabacinski, Alyssa W. Sabolis
  • Patent number: 12097498
    Abstract: An article includes a flexible structured film with a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein a first major surface of the flexible structured film has a plurality of posts separated by land areas, and the posts have an exposed surface. An anti-biofouling layer resides in the land areas, and the anti-biofouling layer has a methylated surface. An inorganic layer is on the exposed surfaces of the posts, wherein the inorganic layer includes a metal or a metal oxide. An analyte binding layer is on the inorganic layer, wherein the analyte binding layer is chosen from a reactive silane, a functionalizable hydrogel, a functionalizable polymer, and mixtures and combinations thereof. An exposed surface of the analyte binding layer includes at least one functional group selected to bind with a biochemical analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Caleb T. Nelson, Kayla C. Niccum, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Paul B. Armstrong, Joshua M. Fishman, Tonya D. Bonilla, Phillip D. Hustad, David J. Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 12099223
    Abstract: An optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer having a first pass axis and an absorptive polarizer layer having a second pass axis that is substantially aligned with the first pass axis. At least one electrically conductive light scattering layer is arranged between the reflective polarizer layer and the absorptive polarizer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Craig R. Schardt, Gary T. Boyd, Eric J. Borchers, Nicole D. Petkovich
  • Patent number: D1044938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matt R. Branscomb, Aaron P. White, Raul A. Varassin, Traxton J. Turner