Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Multi-layer articles capable of forming color images and method of forming color images
    Patent number: 8975011
    Abstract: Multi-layer articles are described that are capable of forming color images. The articles may contain at least two layers, a thermally activatable layer and a blocking layer, or at least three layers with two thermally activatable layers and a blocking layer between. The thermally activatable layers absorb light of a write wavelength and have an absorption threshold for activation. The blocking layer blocks light of the write wavelength at certain incident angles or polarization states and permits light of the write wavelength and certain incident angles or polarization states to pass through. The thermally activatable layers may be layers with a light to heat convertor composition and a color changing compound or they may be a group of layers arranged to change its reflective characteristic upon exposure to light while maintaining the structural integrity of the group of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dunn, William Ward Merrill, Przemyslaw P. Markowicz
  • Optical shutter applicable in stereoscopic viewing glasses
    Patent number: 8976327
    Abstract: Optical shutter (50), e.g. fort-stereoscopic shutter glasses, is disclosed. The optical shutter includes a light source, e.g. LCD, CRT or plasma display, that emits polarized light (12) that has a first polarization state, a first polymeric substrate (100) that receives the polarized light and transmits the polarized light without substantially changing the first polarization state of the polarized light, a second polymeric substrate (107) that faces the first polymeric substrate, and an optical stack (60) that is disposed between the first and second polymeric substrates. The optical stack includes first and second electrically conductive layers (101, 102), first and second oriented chromonics alignment layer (103, 106), and an oriented liquid crystal layer (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jiaying Ma, Hassan Sahouani, Feng Bai, Vadim N. Savvateev, Jesus R. Ramos, Hugo B. Montano
  • Color indicating epoxy resins and methods thereof
    Patent number: 8975312
    Abstract: Described herein is an epoxy composition comprising: a first component comprising an amine-based curing agent and a first dye, having a first color; and a second component comprising a curable epoxy resin and a second dye, having a second color. Also described herein is a shelf-life-indicating composition comprising: an amine-based curing agent; and a dye selected from (i) a cationic triarylmethane dye, wherein the cationic triarylmethane dye reversibly reacts with a primary amine; (ii) a halochromic dye having a color transition range between 7-12 when measured in an aqueous solution; or (iii) combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Adrian T. Jung
  • Methods of making multi-chromatic dental appliances
    Patent number: 8973268
    Abstract: A method of making a multi-chromatic dental appliance. A first article can be formed of a first material based on a first digital surface representation having a desired outer shape of the dental appliance. A portion of the first article can then be removed to form an outer layer of the dental appliance comprising a cavity dimensioned to accommodate an inner layer. A second article can be formed by filling the cavity of the first article with a second material. The second material can have at least one different optical property than the first material. The second article can be further processed, as desired. For example, a desired inner shape of the dental appliance can be formed in the second article. Such a desired inner shape can be based on a second digital surface representation of a dental object configured to receive the dental appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ryan E. Johnson, Naimul Karim
  • RETROREFLECTIVE ARTICLES HAVING A MACHINE-READABLE CODE
    Publication number: 20150060551
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles comprise a substrate and a bar code provided on the substrate. The bar code comprises at least one human-readable information which provides framing information and a machine-readable information which provides variable information. The human-readable information is visible under a first condition and invisible under a second condition, and the machine-readable information is invisible under the first condition and visible under the second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE ROPERTIECOMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • FILTERING FACE-PIECE RESPIRATOR WITH STIFFENING MEMBER INTEGRAL WITH FILTERING STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20150059771
    Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 having a mask body 12 formed of a filtering structure 16. The mask body 12 has at least one transversely extending stiffening member 50, formed by an s-shaped or tri-fold pleat permanently connected, such as by welding. The at least one stiffening member 50 increases the integrity of the mask body 12, when in the opened cup-shaped configuration, inhibiting collapse of the mask body, due to, for example, increased pressure drop across the mask body 12 due to dirty or moisture laden air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • POLYTHIOETHER SEALANTS
    Publication number: 20150065600
    Abstract: Compositions are provided that are radiation curable to polythioether polymers, which in some embodiments may be useful as sealants. In some embodiments, the composition comprises: a) at least one dithiol monomer; b) at least one diene monomer; c) at least one multifunctional monomer having at least three ethenyl groups; and d) at least one photoinitiator. In some embodiments, the composition comprises: f) at least one dithiol monomer; g) at least one diene monomer; h) at least one multifunctional monomer having at least three thiol groups; and i) at least one photoinitiator. In some embodiments, the composition comprises: k) at least one thiol terminated polythioether polymer; l) at least one multifunctional monomer having at least three ethenyl groups; and m) at least one photoinitiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sheng Ye, Susan E. DeMoss, Jonathan D. Zook, Robin E. Wright
  • ONE PART, FAST-SETTING, AQUEOUS ADHESIVE EMULSIONS
    Publication number: 20150064489
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to acrylic adhesive emulsions comprising a core-shell polymeric component comprising an inner core and an outer shell containing at least one pendent functional group; a polyfunctional component capable of reacting with at least one of the pendent functional groups on the outer shell; wherein the inner core is free of functional groups reactive with the pendent functional groups on the outer shell; and wherein the pH of the emulsion is 6.5 or less; and wherein the emulsion is a fast-setting, one part, aqueous, adhesive. Bonded articles made therefrom, and methods of bonding articles using these emulsions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lili Qie, Alison K. Graske, Glenn S. Prementine, David J. Drath, Biing-Huei D. Su
  • FILTERING FACE-PIECE RESPIRATOR HAVING DARTED MASK BODY
    Publication number: 20150059772
    Abstract: A cup-shaped filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that has a multi-layer filtering structure 16. The mask body 12 includes at least one dart 60 permanently bonded in the filtering structure 16, the dart 60 tapering from a center plane 32 of the mask body 12 to a side edge of the mask body. The dart 60 inhibits collapse of the cup-shaped form of the respirator 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • FILTERING FACE-PIECE RESPIRATOR HAVING NOSE CUSHIONING MEMBER
    Publication number: 20150059773
    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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • FILTERING FACE-PIECE RESPIRATOR HAVING NOSE NOTCH
    Publication number: 20150059774
    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 mask body 12 includes an upper interior perimeter segment 24a formed from the filtering structure 16 and configured to fit against the face of the respirator wearer. Present in the upper interior perimeter segment 24a is a nose notch 52, 62, which is an area void of filtering structure 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • METHOD OF FINISHING A STONE SURFACE AND ABRASIVE ARTICLE
    Publication number: 20150065012
    Abstract: A structured abrasive article comprises a structured abrasive layer adhered to a major surface of a backing, the structured abrasive layer comprising shaped abrasive composites adhered to the major surface, the shaped abrasive composites comprising milled polycrystalline ceramic abrasive particles retained in a polymeric binder, wherein the milled polycrystalline ceramic abrasive particles have a median particle size D50 of from 3 to 30 microns. In a method of finishing a stone surface, the structured abrasive layer is frictionally contacting with the stone surface; and moved relative to the stone surface under conditions sufficient to finish the stone surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: James L. McArdle
  • Zirconia-based material doped with yttrium and lanthanum
    Patent number: 8969227
    Abstract: Sintered bodies containing zirconia-based ceramic materials and partially sintered bodies that are intermediates in the preparation of the sintered bodies are described. The zirconia-based ceramic material is doped with lanthanum and yttrium. The grain size of the zirconia-based ceramic material can be controlled by the addition of lanthanum. The crystalline phase of the zirconia-based ceramic material can be influenced by the addition of yttrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Mathers, Kathleen M. Humpal, Brant U. Kolb, Mark J. Hendrickson, Myles L. Brostrom, Holger Hauptmann
  • Therapeutic dental composition and related methods
    Patent number: 8968709
    Abstract: Dental compositions are provided comprising a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein n is an integer from about 2 to about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, Sumita B Mitra, Alphonsus V. Pocius, John J. Stofko, Jr., Jeremy M. Yarwood
  • Touch screen sensor and patterned substrate having overlaid micropatterns with low visibility
    Patent number: 8970515
    Abstract: Presently described are articles such as antennas, EMI shields, and touch screen sensors as well as patterned substrates having overlaid micropatterns with low visibility. Also described are methods of determining the visibility of a patterned substrate. In one embodiment, a patterned substrate is described comprising a visible light transparent substrate; and at least two overlaid electrically conductive mesh micropatterns, wherein each mesh has a repeating cell geometry and the combination of overlaid micropatterns has a spatial contrast threshold at a distance of 30000 units of greater than ?35 decibels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cristin E. Moran, Matthew H. Frey, Brian L. Linzie, Billy L. Weaver
  • Biological sterilization indicator, system, and methods of using same
    Patent number: 8969029
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator, system, and methods of determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The biological sterilization indicator can include a locus of spores, a reservoir containing a liquid, and a sterilant path positioned to provide fluid communication between ambience and the locus of spores. The reservoir can have a closed state in which the reservoir is not in fluid communication with the locus of spores and an open state in which the reservoir is in fluid communication with the locus of spores. The biological sterilization indicator system can include the biological sterilization indicator and a detection device adapted to be coupled to the biological sterilization indicator. In some embodiments, the method can include assaying the spores for a detectable change in a characteristic, and detecting substantially all of the detectable change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Heather M. Webb, Jeffrey D. Smith, Kurt J. Halverson, Bryan S. Behun, Peter D. Ludowise
  • Curable-on-demand composition comprising dual reactive silane functionality
    Patent number: 8968868
    Abstract: A curable composition comprises (a) at least one inorganic or organic compound comprising reactive silane functionality comprising at least one hydrosilyl moiety; (b) at least one inorganic or organic compound comprising reactive silane functionality comprising at least one hydroxysilyl moiety, the hydroxysilyl moiety optionally being generated in situ by hydrolysis of at least one hydrosilyl moiety; and (c) at least one photoactivatable composition that, upon exposure to radiation, generates at least one base selected from amidines, guanidines, phosphazenes, proazaphosphatranes, and combinations thereof; with the proviso that, when component (a) is an organic polymer, then component (b) is different from component (a) and is not generated in situ by hydrolysis of component (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yu Yang, Michael A. Semonick, George G. I. Moore, Larry D. Boardman, John L. Battiste
  • Method of making a hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive
    Patent number: 8969456
    Abstract: A method of making a pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive. The method includes extruding a melt composition that includes a polymer, wherein the polymer has acidic groups covalently attached thereto, and a metal salt hydrate, wherein the metal salt hydrate has a melting point that is less than the maximum processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew Satrijo, Megan P. Lehmann, Michael D. Crandall, Craig E. Hamer, Robert D. Waid
  • Method of coagulating an amorphous fluoropolymer latex
    Patent number: 8969469
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of coagulating a fluoropolymer latex comprising: providing an amorphous fluoropolymer latex; providing unmodified inorganic nanoparticles; contacting the amorphous fluoropolymer latex with a sufficient amount of unmodified inorganic nanoparticles to coagulate the amorphous fluoropolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3m Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terri A. Shefelbine, Eric W. Adair, Werner M. Grootaert, Naiyong Jing, Brant U. Kolb
  • Solid state light with features for controlling light distribution and air cooling channels
    Patent number: 8967837
    Abstract: A solid state light having a shell forming an interior volume and with surface texture for redirecting light. A light section is coupled to the shell, and a light source board in the light section includes at least one solid state light source such as an LED. The shell, light section, and light source board have apertures for providing an air cooling channel through the light. The solid state light source transmits light into the interior volume, and the light exits from the shell and is redirected by the surface texture, providing for various light distribution curves of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alexander C. Tsuei, James F. Poch, Paul E. Humpal, Hamid R. Mortazavi, Robert L. Brott, Raymond P. Johnston