Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 8987611
    Abstract: A shielding article includes a polymeric conductive layer and a protective layer disposed adjacent the polymeric conductive layer. The polymeric conductive layer provides electromagnetic shielding characteristics so as to prevent receipt of data from a radio frequency information component by an external device when the component is located between the external device on one side and the polymeric conductive and protective layers on the other side. The shielding article may be shaped to substantially surround the radio frequency information component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lim, Sywong Ngin, Robert L. Lambert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8989539
    Abstract: A method of forming a fiber optic device includes securing one or more optical fibers to a support. The support is coupled to a base that includes one or more optoelectronic devices. After one or more of the fibers are secured to the support, and the support is secured to the base, one or more of the fibers are cleaved. This method, and fiber optic devices made using this method are more easily aligned and may be produced at lower costs than existing manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raman K. Selli, Brian M. Cole, Donald G. Doss
  • Patent number: 8986786
    Abstract: A distribution manifold having a manifold and a removable cartridge with a plurality of needle tubes extending from the removable cartridge is disclosed. The distribution manifold can be used with a pre-metered coating system to apply coating material to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Patent number: 8984753
    Abstract: A method of making a filter cartridge, which method includes: (a) providing first and second filter media layers that each contain active particulate that is bonded together and that each comprise a perimeter; (b) stacking the filter media layers in a spaced apart relationship; and (c) securing a roll based housing sidewall to at least a portion of the perimeter of each filter media layer. The resulting filter cartridge is light in weight but has increased volume that provides an improved service life. The cartridge has a very good service life to weight ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Pierre Legare
  • Patent number: 8988776
    Abstract: A film includes microlayers arranged into optical repeat units. Adjacent microlayers have in-plane refractive index mismatches ?nx, ?ny tailored to provide mirror-like on-axis properties, such that the film has a reflectivity for normally incident light in an extended wavelength band of at least 75% for any polarization. Adjacent microlayers also have a refractive index mismatch ?nz that provides the film with reduced reflectivity R1 and increased transmission for p-polarized light in the extended wavelength band incident on the film in a first plane of incidence at an angle ?oblique, where R1 is no more than half of the minimum of on-axis reflectivity. Further, ?nx and ?ny are different enough so that for light incident on the film in a second plane of incidence orthogonal to the first plane, the film has a reflectivity R2 of at least 75% for such light that is p-polarized and incident at any angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 8986812
    Abstract: Presently described are optical films, such as a brightness enhancing film, having a polymerized microstructured surface disposed on a preformed polymeric film wherein the film has a thickness of no greater than 3 mils and the polymerized microstructured surface consists of the reaction product of a substantially non-brominated polymerizable resin composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bryan V. Hunt, Judith M. Invie, Anthony M. Renstrom, David B. Olson
  • Patent number: 8988336
    Abstract: Stereoscopic displays and backlights include a light guide with individually addressable light sources disposed at opposite edges of the light guide, and a light redirecting film disposed in front of the light guide. Light from one light source is emitted from the backlight as a right eye elongated light beam, and light from the opposite light source is emitted as a left eye elongated light beam. Structured surface features, e.g. linear prismatic or linear lenticular features, on the light guide and/or the light redirecting film are oriented such that the elongated light beams are offset from an optical axis of the backlight. Moreover, each of the elongated light beams is oriented to intersect both a first observation plane and a second observation plane perpendicular to the first observation plane, the first observation plane defined by the optical axis and an in-plane axis along which the light sources are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Erik A. Aho, Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora
  • Publication number: 20150079313
    Abstract: Vacuum insulated glass units having layered pillars. The glass units include two glass panes and an edge seal between the glass panes with a substantial vacuum gap between them. A plurality of pillars are located between the glass panes as spacers to maintain the vacuum gap. The pillars have a sintered ceramic, alpha alumina, or zirconia body with a tapered sidewall and a functional layer on a surface of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: MARGARET M. VOGEL-MARTIN, MARTIN B. WOLK, MICHAEL BENTON FREE, OLESTER BENSON, Jr., EVAN L. SCHWARTZ, ROBERT F. KAMRATH, BRANT U. KOLB, KATHLEEN M. HUMPAL, MARK J. HENDRICKSON
  • Publication number: 20150077873
    Abstract: Provided are adhesive articles and display components that include a film substrate and an adhesive. The film substrate includes a reflecting layer and an opaque layer. The adhesive may be disposed on at least one major surface of the reflecting layer and opaque layer. The inclusion of the film substrate in the adhesive articles enables the adhesive article to inhibit the transmission of visible light through the film substrate. The film substrate includes at least one cavity extending from the first major surface of the reflecting layer to the first major surface of the opaque layer, wherein the cavity volume is at least partially filled by the adhesive. The display component includes at least one display element adhered to an adhesive article via the adhesive. Methods of making adhesive articles and display components are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Harry E. Johnson, Robert C. Fitzer, Jeffry T. Omland
  • Publication number: 20150079882
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The polishing apparatus has a base portion to support a polishing media; and a polishing puck. The polishing puck includes a connector mount, to receive and hold the optical fiber connector secured to a terminal end of an optical fiber, and a polishing gear configured to engage with a ring gear disposed in the base portion such that a fiber tip of optical fiber mounted in the optical connector traces a roulette pattern on the polishing media upon rotational engagement of the polishing gear within the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhua Wang, Guanpeng Hu, Ronald P. Pepin
  • Publication number: 20150079363
    Abstract: Pillar delivery films for vacuum insulated glass units. The delivery films include a support film or pocket tape, a sacrificial material on the support film, and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are at least partially embedded in the sacrificial material or formed within sacrificial material molds, and the sacrificial material is capable of being removed while leaving the pillars substantially intact. In order to make an insulated glass unit, the delivery films are laminated to a receptor such as a glass pane, and the support film and sacrificial material are removed to leave the pillars remaining on the glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: MICHAEL BENTON FREE, MARTIN B. WOLK, TERRY O. COLLIER, MARGARET M. VOGEL-MARTIN, EVAN L. SCHWARTZ
  • Publication number: 20150075125
    Abstract: A filter frame assembly is disclosed comprising a perimeter member surrounding a fluid aperture adapted to accommodate a fluid flow from an upstream direction to a downstream direction, the perimeter member comprising a perimeter upstream surface, a perimeter downstream surface, and a perimeter outer surface connecting the perimeter upstream surface to the perimeter downstream surface. A gasket carrier is attached to the perimeter member and comprises a carrier outer portion facing generally away from the fluid aperture and a first outer portion sealing member projecting from the carrier outer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Francis E. Porbeni, Kenneth J. Snider, Dean R. Duffy, Gregory M. Jellum, Richard A. Kirchner, Donald E. Young, Chris P. Manderfeld, John J. Reese
  • Patent number: 8980973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for taking dental impressions, the composition comprising a siloxane component (A) comprising terminal vinyl groups, a siloxane component (B) comprising Si—H groups, a catalyst (C) being able to catalyze a curing reaction between components (A) and (B) and a silicone oil (D), wherein the silicone oil has a viscosity at 23 DEG C of at least about 600,000 mPa*s and is present in an amount from about 1 to about 20 wt.% with respect to the weight of the whole composition. The invention also relates to a method of producing such a composition and a method for adjusting the Shore hardness A of a composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter Uwe Osswald, Hyung-Min Shim, Johann Fetz, Joachim Wilhelm Zech, Bernd Kuppermann
  • Patent number: 8982462
    Abstract: A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. In the first zone, the layers operate substantially as a reflective polarizer; in the second zone they operate substantially as a mirror. The layers may thus provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone wherein normally incident light of one polarization state is substantially reflected and normally incident light of an orthogonal polarization state is substantially transmitted, and a second reflective characteristic in the second zone wherein normally incident light of any polarization state is substantially reflected. The film may have a first thickness in the first zone that is substantially the same as a second thickness in the second zone. Alternatively, the second thickness may be substantially less than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Ward Merrill, Douglas S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8979054
    Abstract: A wall mountable storage assembly including a storage device, at least one mounting plate, and at least one double-faced adhesive. The storage device includes a coupling bracket forming a first engagement feature. The mounting plate forms a second engagement feature. The first and second engagement features have a complimentary construction configured to provide a releasable snap fit connection in which the mounting plate can articulate relative to the coupling bracket. The adhesive is configured to be arranged between the mounting plate and a wall, with the mounting plate articulating relative to the coupling bracket to facilitate complete contact between the adhesive and the wall. The storage device can include two spaced-apart coupling brackets. Two of the mounting plates are provided, each carrying adhesive. The mounting plates can articulate independent of one another, accommodating variations in flatness of the wall to which the storage assembly is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Craig D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8978820
    Abstract: The invention provides a fall protection system for an individual maneuvering about a structure, the structure having structure sections disposed equidistant from each other and at least one transverse section extending between the equidistant sections, the system generally including a first cable support disposed on one of the equidistant structure sections, a second cable support disposed on another of the equidistant structure sections, a transverse cable support extending between the first and second cable supports, a rigid member operably associated with the transverse cable support and configured to span the distance between the first and second cable supports, and a personal fall arrest assembly attached to and movable relative to the transverse cable support, the transverse cable support and the rigid member are further configured to move relative to the equidistant and transverse structure sections and relative to the first and second cable supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Solomon Marini
  • Patent number: 8980622
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and a method of using same for assaying the lethality of a sterilization process. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion, which can be movable with respect to the first portion between a first and second position. The BI can further include a frangible container comprising a liquid. The BI can further include a spore reservoir and a projection positioned in the housing. The projection can be configured to fracture the container when the second portion of the housing is moved from the first position to the second position. The method can include maintaining a minimal cross-sectional area of space around the container when the second portion of the housing is in the first position, and fracturing the container in response to moving the second portion between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Sailaja Chandrapati
  • Patent number: 8981255
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for securely fixing a connecting element on a metal workpiece by welding involving the formation of locally confined weld points that permits the friction-increasing, play-free, reversible connection of joined workpieces for applications in assembly and transportation. The connecting element includes a metal foil having hard material particles fixed on the joining surfaces by a metallic binding layer. Similarly, a component having a metal workpiece and the connecting element, which is suitable for the connection of workpieces to be joined in machine, plant, and motor vehicle construction, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Franz Berger, Daniel Burtsche, Jürgen Meyer, Sven Schreiner
  • Patent number: 8981151
    Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Naiyong Jing, Richard J. Pokorny, Zai-Ming Qiu, Mark J. Pellerite, William D. Coggio, Christopher B. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8982463
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed color combiners include at least two tilted dichroic plates having at least two reflectors configured with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun, Xiaohui Cheng