Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 11958069
    Abstract: Fluid liners and container assemblies for a spraying apparatus and related methods of use are provided. The disclosed liners include a side wall defining a fluid-containing portion and an open end, a flange extending outwardly from the side wall, and a latching member coupled to the flange, where the latching member includes a retaining feature for releasably coupling the side wall to a lid compatible with the liner. Disclosed fluid containers include a lid having a fluid outlet adapted to couple the lid to the spraying apparatus and a collapsible liner, where either the liner or lid comprises a latch that releasably couples the liner and the lid to each other. Advantageously, the fluid liners and fluid containers can provide enhanced storage options for container contents between spraying operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eric O. Nyaribo, Stephen C. P. Joseph
  • Patent number: 11960795
    Abstract: Techniques are described for automating the design of dental restoration appliances using neural networks. An example computing device receives transform information associated with a current dental anatomy of a dental restoration patient, provides the transform information associated with the current dental anatomy of the dental restoration patient as input to a neural network trained with transform information indicating placement of a dental appliance component with respect to one or more teeth of corresponding dental anatomies, the dental appliance being used for dental restoration treatment for the one or more teeth, and executes the neural network using the input to produce placement information for the dental appliance component with respect to the current dental anatomy of the dental restoration patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cameron M. Fabbri, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Joseph C. Dingeldein, James D. Hansen, Benjamin D. Zimmer, Jianbing Huang
  • Patent number: 11957546
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating a tissue site are described. In some embodiments, the system may include a pouch having an upstream layer, a downstream layer, and an absorbent member enclosed between the upstream layer and the downstream layer. The upstream layer and the downstream layer may each include a hydrophobic side and a hydrophilic side. The hydrophilic side of both the upstream layer and the downstream layer may be positioned facing the absorbent member. The hydrophobic side of both the upstream layer and the downstream layer may form a portion of an exterior surface of the pouch such that fluid incident on the pouch is distributed laterally along the exterior surface of the pouch before being absorbed by the absorbent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard Daniel John Coulthard, Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 11960683
    Abstract: A display system for sensing a finger of a user applied to the display system includes a display panel; a sensor for sensing the finger; a sensing light source configured to emit a first light having a first wavelength W1; and a reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the sensor. For a substantially normally incident light, an optical transmittance of the reflective polarizer versus wavelength for a first polarization state has a band edge such that for a first wavelength range extending from a smaller wavelength L1 to a greater wavelength L2 and including W1, where 30 nm?L2?L1?50 nm and L1 is greater than and within about 20 nm of a wavelength L3 corresponding to an optical transmittance of about 50% along the band edge, the optical transmittance has an average of greater than about 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Robert D. Taylor, Joseph P. Attard, Benjamin J. Forsythe, David T. Yust, Matthew E. Sousa, Jason S. Petaja, Anthony M. Renstrom, William Blake Kolb, Matthew S. Cole, Matthew S. Stay, Matthew R. D. Smith, Jeremy O. Swanson, Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford, Carl A. Stover, Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 11958938
    Abstract: Provided is a curative part usable in a two-part curable composition. The curative part includes a liquid amine; a heterogeneous dispersant; and core-shell rubber particles having an elastomeric core and a (meth)acrylic shell. The core-shell rubber particles and the heterogeneous dispersant can be collectively shear-dispersed in the liquid amine such that the core-shell rubber particles are substantially non-aggregated and the curative part is phase-stable over a period of at least 3 months at ambient temperature. Advantageously, large amounts of core-shell rubber particles can thus be incorporated into a cured resin matrix, which can afford significantly enhanced impact performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lianzhou Chen, Sohaib Elgimiabi, Dmitriy Salnikov, Jay S. Schlechte, Yaoyao Chen
  • Patent number: 11957858
    Abstract: A wound therapy system includes a dressing an instillation pump fluidly communicable with the dressing and configured to provide instillation fluid to the dressing, a negative pressure pump fluidly communicable with the dressing and configured to remove air from the dressing, and a control circuit communicably coupled to the instillation pump and the negative pressure pump. The control circuit is configured to control the instillation pump to provide an amount of the instillation fluid to the dressing, provide a soak period, and control the negative pressure pump to provide a cyclic variation of negative pressure at the dressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Carroll, Brett L. Moore, Shannon C. Ingram, Justin Rice
  • Publication number: 20240115427
    Abstract: A reinforced fiber web has first and second opposed major sides and comprises first and second fiber webs having a reinforcing mesh disposed therebetween. The first and second fiber webs are physically entangled with each other and the reinforcing mesh. A wound dressing material comprises the reinforced fiber web, a first wound-contact scrim, and a first antimicrobial layer sandwiched therebetween. The first wound-contact scrim comprises water-sensitive fibers comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Petra L. KOHLER RIEDI, Saurabh BATRA, Joseph J. STOFFEL, Rajan B. BODKHE, Joseph A. DUNBAR
  • Patent number: 11952732
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a retro-reflective raised pavement marker (100) and a method of manufacturing (200) thereof. The marker (100) comprises a marker body (1), at least one intermediate frame (6), and at least one retro-reflective lens (7) such that the marker body (1) completely houses the at least one intermediate frame (6) and the at least one retro-reflective lens (7). Further, the manufactured marker (100) is durable, effective and has better retention with the ground surface and better load distribution to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Santhosh Kumar Rajendran, Vipulkumar Himatbhai Prajapati, Govindarajan Ganesan
  • Patent number: 11951226
    Abstract: An ethylene oxide sterilization sensor, and method of use, wherein the sensor includes: a heat-shrinkable film; an acid-functional porous sorbent in thermal contact with the heat-shrinkable film; and an acid having a boiling point above 120° C. and a pKa of no greater than 2.5, wherein the acid is impregnated in or covalently attached to the porous sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Kobe, Michael S. Wendland, Kelvin J. Witcher, Richard C. Webb
  • Patent number: 11954939
    Abstract: An electronic device (200) includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (204), a cover layer (218), one or more light sources (224), and an optical sensor module (226). The LCD panel (204) receives a contact input associated with a fingerprint of a user. The cover layer (218) includes a first major surface (228) and a second major surface (230) opposite to the first major surface (228), and is disposed on the LCD panel (204). The cover layer (218) defines a first axis (AA?) normal to the first major surface (228). The optical sensor module (226) receives a light from the predetermined fingerprint sensing area (222) to detect the fingerprint. The optical sensor module (226) at least partially overlaps with the predetermined fingerprint sensing area (222) along the plane of the first major surface (228). The optical sensor module (226) defines a second axis (BB?) normal to a surface of the optical sensor module (226).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jingfei Chen, Huijie Xie, Fan Long, Yan Yan Zhang, Zhe Hu
  • Patent number: 11953706
    Abstract: Wavelength-selective films are visibly apparent under the selective wavelength. Wavelength-selective films typically reflect off axis the selected wavelength and therefore can provide high-contrast against a background when applied in a pattern on a substrate. However, it is difficult to apply unique patterned embedded images from film. Disclosed is a cost-effective method and construction of a patterned wavelength-selective image to a substrate. In the disclosed wavelength-selective image, wavelength-selective film particles are applied to an adhesive pattern to create the wavelength-selective image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Kenneth L. Smith, Douglas S. Dunn, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, John A. Wheatley, Bryan T. Whiting, Taylor J. Kobe, Anthony F. Schultz, Duane D. Fansler, Jonah Shaver
  • Patent number: 11955645
    Abstract: Catalysts comprising a Ta layer having an outer layer with a layer comprising Pt directly thereon, wherein the Ta layer has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 30 nanometers, wherein the layer comprising Pt has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 50 nanometers, and wherein the Pt and Ta are present in an atomic ratio in a range from 0.01:1 to 10:1. Catalyst described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. L. Steinbach, Andrew T. Haug, Krzysztof A. Lewinski, Amy E. Hester, Grant M. Thoma, Cedric Bedoya, Zhenhua Zeng, Jeffrey P. Greeley
  • Patent number: 11957032
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display system. The display system includes a backlight configured to emit substantially collimated polarized light from an emission surface thereof. The emitted polarized light is polarized along a polarization direction. The display system further includes a display panel configured to receive an illumination light and form an image. The display system further includes a grating system substantially coextensive in length and width with the display panel and the emission surface. The grating system includes a plurality of substantially parallel elongated features extending along an in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. The grating system is configured to receive and transmit an incident polarized light as a first transmitted light having different first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the grating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Etzkorn, Michael L. Steiner, Kevin W. Gotrik, Luke A. Schroeder, Nicholas A. Johnson, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 11953709
    Abstract: A system may include one or both of a light emitter and a light receiver. The system may include an optical filter adjacent one or both of the light emitter or the light receiver. The optical filter includes a wavelength selective scattering layer. The wavelength selective scattering layer may have a near-infrared scattering ratio of less than about 0.9. The filter may have a visible reflective haze ratio of greater than about 0.5. A method may include disposing the wavelength selective scattering layer adjacent one or both of the light emitter and the light receiver. An article may include the optical filter. The wavelength selective scattering layer may have an average near-infrared scattering of less than 60%, an average visible scattering of greater than 10%, and a difference between the % total visible reflectance and the % diffuse visible reflectance of less than 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, William B. Kolb, John C. Schultz, Daoyun Song, Luke D. Riveness
  • Patent number: 11948706
    Abstract: A ribbon cable is described, including a first insulative layer extending along a length and a width of the cable, and a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel conductors extending along the length of the cable. The insulative layer has opposing top and bottom major surfaces and defines a plurality of spaced apart cavities extending between the top and bottom major surfaces of the first insulative layer. The top major surface of the first insulative layer is deformed in a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel regions extending along the length, and arranged along the width, of the cable. Each deformed region has a shape of a groove and includes a deformed portion of at least one cavity in the plurality of cavities. Each conductor is disposed within a corresponding deformed region of the insulative layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Douglas B. Gundel
  • Patent number: 11944520
    Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Locke, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Patent number: 11945149
    Abstract: Coextruded articles comprising first and second layers each having first and second opposed major surfaces and between the first and second layers a series of first walls providing a series of microchannels, and methods for making the same. Embodiment of coextruded articles described herein are useful, for example, in cushioning applications where high levels of compression are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, William J. Kopecky
  • Patent number: 11950372
    Abstract: Methods of making metal patterns on flexible substrates are provided. Releasable solid layer is selectively formed on a patterned surface of the flexible substrate by applying a liquid solution thereon. Metal patterns on the flexible substrate can be formed by removing the releasable solid layer after metallization. In some cases, the releasable solid layer can be transferred from the patterned surface to a transfer layer where the metal patterns are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATION PROPERTIES
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Matthew S. Stay, Caleb T. Nelson, David J. Tarnowski, David J. Rowe, Edwin L. Kusilek
  • Patent number: D1021234
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Baldwin, Matthew D. Chaffee
  • Patent number: D1023294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William P. Atwood, Graham Langford, Michael S. Meyer, Barry S. Lewin, Martin Wilcockson