Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Glass bubbles, composites therefrom, and method of making glass bubbles
    Patent number: 9006302
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plurality of glass bubbles having an average true density of up to about 0.55 grams per cubic centimeter and a size distribution including a median size in a range from about 15 micrometers to 40 micrometers. A hydrostatic pressure at which ten percent by volume of the plurality of glass bubbles collapses is at least about 100 megapascals. In some embodiments, the plurality of glass bubbles is a graded fraction preparable by classifying a second plurality of glass bubbles, wherein the second plurality of glass bubbles has a higher percentage of glass bubbles with a size of up to ten micrometers than the first plurality of glass bubbles. Composites including the plurality of glass bubbles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen E. Amos, Robert W. Hunter, Ronald J. Israelson, Towako Takeishi, Mark J. Williams, Takujiro Yamabe
  • Backlight asymmetric light input wedge
    Patent number: 9008486
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Curable polysiloxane coating composition
    Patent number: 9006336
    Abstract: A curable composition comprises (a) at least one polyorganosiloxane, fluorinated polyorganosiloxane, or combination thereof comprising reactive silane functionality comprising at least two hydroxysilyl moieties; (b) at least one polyorganosiloxane, fluorinated polyorganosiloxane, or combination thereof comprising reactive silane functionality comprising at least two hydrosilyl moieties; and (c) a catalyst composition comprising at least one carbene; wherein at least one of the components (a) and (b) has an average reactive silane functionality of at least three.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yu Yang, George G. I. Moore, Michael A. Semonick, John L. Battiste
  • Process for producing isocyanates
    Patent number: 9006480
    Abstract: The invention relates a process for producing isocyanates comprising the steps of a) providing an azolide and optionally a solvent, and b) adding an acid at a temperature below about 40 C. The invention also relates to the isocyanate obtainable by such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Wolf Steiger, Peter Bissinger
  • Fly-cutting system and method, and related tooling and articles
    Patent number: 9003934
    Abstract: Methods of fly-cutting a workpiece are disclosed, and in methods in which the position of a fly-cutting head or its associated cutting element is known as a function of time. Also disclosed are methods of forming features, such as grooves or groove segments, in a workpiece such as a cylindrical roll. The features may be provided according to one or more disclosed patterns. Articles made using tools machined in the manner described are also provided, such as polymeric film or sheeting that exhibit certain beneficial properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Burke, Alan B. Campbell, Dale L. Ehnes, Daniel S. Wertz
  • Solvent assisted method of microcontact printing
    Patent number: 9003970
    Abstract: A method of microcontact printing comprises (a) providing an elastomeric stamp comprising a printing surface inked with an ink comprising surface-functionalizing molecules, (b) treating the inked printing surface of the stamp with solvent, and (c) contacting the treated inked printing surface of the stamp to a surface of a substrate. The printing surface of the stamp comprises a first relief pattern, or the surface of the substrate comprises a second relief pattern, or both of the surfaces comprise the relief patterns, and a pattern of surface-functionalizing molecules is transferred to the substrate according to one or both of the relief patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tracie J. Berniard, Daniel P. Meehan, Matthew H. Frey, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • LIGHTING DEVICE WITH REMOTE DOWN-CONVERTING MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20150098239
    Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed with remote down-converting material and, in particular, a solid state lighting device that forms multiple virtual light sources on remote down-converting material. The lighting devices utilizes a free-form optic having two or more focal points that generates two or more images of the light sources are formed from a single LED light source. Down-converting material is located at the two or more images of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gilles Jean-Baptiste Benoit, Michael Francis Weber, Catherine Anne Leatherdale
  • Optical Component Array
    Publication number: 20150098128
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical component array and method of making an optical component array that can include a plurality of optical components useful for projection devices or other optical devices. The optical component array can be fabricated such that individual optical components having several elements can be assembled in a massively parallel manner and then singulated as individual optical components, and can result in a large reduction in manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph C. Carls, James M. Nelson, Charles N. DeVore, Dwight G. Baldwin
  • Circuits and methods using a non-gold corrosion inhibitor
    Patent number: 8998384
    Abstract: A circuit can include a die configured to electronically control particular elements and a flex circuit having copper leads coated with a non-gold corrosion inhibitor, the flex circuit being electrically connected to the die by the copper leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lynn Walsh, Mark Walsh, Ronald L. Imken, Soon Yeng Chan, Alejandro Aldrin A. Narag, II
  • Retroreflective sheeting including cube corner elements
    Patent number: 8998428
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Smith
  • Field terminable ST format optical fiber connector
    Patent number: 8998506
    Abstract: An ST format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with an ST receptacle or coupling, the housing having an ST bayonet-style format. The ST format optical connector also includes a collar body and a retainer disposed in the housing, where the collar body is retained between the housing and the retainer. The housing is prevented from fully rotating about the collar body and retainer. In addition, the connector can be deactivated for fiber repositioning or reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald P. Pepin, Jerome A. Pratt
  • System for detection of non-uniformities in web-based materials
    Patent number: 9002072
    Abstract: A system is described for detecting the presence of non-uniformity patterns and providing output indicative of a severity of each type of non-uniformity pattern. The system includes a computerized rating tool that assists a user in efficiently and consistently assigning expert ratings (i.e., labels) to a large collection of training images representing samples of a given product. In addition, the rating software develops a model that allows a computerized inspection system to detect the presence of non-uniformity patterns in a manufactured web material in real time and provide output indicative of a severity level of each pattern on a continuous scale. The system also includes algorithmic and hardware approaches to significantly that increase the throughput of the inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Catherine P. Tarnowski, Kenneth G. Brittain, David L. Hofeldt, Andrzej P. Jaworski, Gregory D. Kostuch, John A. Ramthun, Evan J. Ribnick, Esa H. Vilkama, Derek H. Justice, Guillermo Sapiro
  • Dispensing device for a dental substance
    Patent number: 8998610
    Abstract: A dispensing device for a dental substance which comprises a body formed in a single piece. The body connects a first passageway and a second passageway which extend along different paths. The body further comprises a nozzle with a free dispensing end. The second passageway extends into the nozzle and tapers toward the dispensing end. The invention helps to reduce manufacturing costs, and helps facilitating handling of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Helmut Pauser, Manfred Harre, Andreas Maurer
  • Telecommunications module with disconnection feature
    Patent number: 9001995
    Abstract: A telecommunications module (1) comprises at least one pair of contact elements (13, 15) each extending between opposed sides (7, 8) of the module and having contacts (9, 10) at each end to which connections can be made. Each contact element comprises first and second parts (17, 19), the first part being resiliently-biased into engagement with the second part at a disconnection point (21), and a separating member (23) is located between the disconnection points of the pair of contact elements. The separating member (23) is shaped to deflect a probe (29), inserted into the module from one of the opposed sides, towards the disconnection point of a selected one of the pair of contact elements to break the engagement between the first and second parts of that contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Xavier Fasce, Pierre Bonvallat, Hong Lu, Jingwen Zhong, Guy Metral
  • Brightness enhancing film and film based diffuser for improved illumination uniformity of displays
    Patent number: 9001286
    Abstract: An optical device has a first film (200) that has a first side and a second side. When illuminated by light (204) at the first side, the first film is characterized by a first fraction of broadly diffused transmitted light (206) and a second fraction of narrowly diffused transmitted light (208). A second film (202) is disposed to the second side of the first film. The second film has at least one free surface that diverts light. In some embodiments, the first film has a diffuse scattering optical density between 0.5 and 3. The device finds use in spreading and making light uniform in a backlight in a display such as a liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Stephen J. Etzkorn, Eric W. Nelson, Mark D. Gehisen, Brian G. Koethe
  • Transparent micropatterned RFID antenna and articles incorporating same
    Patent number: 8998099
    Abstract: Antennas suitable for use in RFID devices include an insulating substrate and a first conductive micropattern disposed on or in the substrate, the first conductive micropattern defining a contiguous mesh conductor. The first conductive micropattern forms an antenna responsive to at least a frequency of 915 MHz, and includes interconnected traces having a trace width in a range from 0.5 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the first conductive micropattern is characterized by an open area fraction of at least 80% or 90%. RFID devices include such an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive signals using the antenna. Cards, such as financial transaction cards or identification cards, include such an antenna carried by a card layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, William C. Egbert, Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati
  • Microphone Having Closed Cell Foam Body
    Publication number: 20150092974
    Abstract: A microphone 10 that comprises a transducer 12 and a closed cell foam body 18, 20 positioned between the transducer 12 and an opening 25 fashioned for receiving ambient sound. The microphone 10 is protected from external factors without exhibiting substantial sound transmission loss while using few parts. Good voice transmission, wind buffeting mitigation, and environmental protection can be achieved with a single material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Per Ove Almeflo
  • System for identifying spray guns
    Patent number: D725744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Duncan, Eric O. Nyaribo, John I. Escoto
  • Dental instrument
    Patent number: D726322
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Marc Peuker, Helmut Pauser, Stefan Eckstein
  • Dental instrument
    Patent number: D726323
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Marc Peuker, Helmut Pauser, Stefan Eckstein