Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 8840837
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and method of using same. The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a first fluid path positioned to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second fluid path positioned to allow displaced gas to move out of the second chamber. The method can include moving displaced gas out of the second chamber via the second fluid path as a sterilant is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path and/or as the liquid is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Sailaja Chandrapati, RuthAnn R. Duda
  • Patent number: 8841399
    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 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 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yu Yang, Michael A. Semonick, George G. I. Moore, Larry D. Boardman, John L. Battiste, Maria A. Appeaning
  • Patent number: 8841555
    Abstract: Various high speed shielded cables are used in combination with a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical terminations in electrical contact with the conductor sets of the cable at a first end of the cable, the electrical terminations configured to make electrical contact with corresponding mating electrical terminations of a mating connector and at least one housing configured to retain the plurality of electrical terminations in a planar, spaced apart configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas B. Gundel, William V. Ballard, Alexander W. Barr, Joseph N. Castiglione, William J. Lee, Mark M. Lettang, Jesse A. Mann, Richard J. Scherer, Charles F. Staley
  • Patent number: 8840840
    Abstract: Illumination apparatus for illuminating growth plates in a biological growth plate (122) scanner are described herein, the apparatus including one or more illumination modules (140) for illuminating the front surface of the biological growth plate located (122) on a plate support surface (120) in the scanner. The illumination modules may include a plurality of light emitters (142), a homogenization cavity (141), an extraction element and a concentration element to (144), e.g., improve uniformity in the illumination delivered to the biological growth plate (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Phillip A. Bolea
  • Patent number: 8839788
    Abstract: Respirator attachment components are described and include a polymeric rigid respirator attachment body portion having a first surface and a second surface and a silicone sealing element chemically bonded to the first or second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James R. Betz, Sean M. Burke, Paul J. Flannigan
  • Publication number: 20140259318
    Abstract: An elongated guide that is removably attachable to a hardhat and a visor that is removably mountable to the elongated guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Björn Daniels, Niklas Lilenthal, Marcus T. R. Wiederkehr, Jonas N. A. Frejd, Mats U. Sernfält, Oskar Juhlin, Arne O. Linderstrand, Stefan G. Strandberg
  • Publication number: 20140272407
    Abstract: Adhesives compositions and methods of preparing adhesive compositions are described. The methods generally comprise a) providing a syrup composition comprising i) a free-radically polymerizable solvent monomer; and ii) a solute (meth)acrylic copolymer; and b) radiation curing the syrup composition in the absence of an ionic photoacid generator. In one embodiment, the solute (meth)acrylic copolymer as provided or during curing comprises repeat units derived from at least one alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an acid-functional group; and at least one (meth)acryloyl monomer comprising an epoxy-functional group; and the acid-functional groups crosslink with the epoxy-functional groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Arlin L. Weikel, Babu N. Gaddam, Larry R. Krepski, Wayne S. Mahoney, Jason D. Clapper
  • Publication number: 20140267129
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive device that includes a touch surface circuit that facilitates a change in a coupling capacitance in response to a capacitance-altering touches occurring at the touch surface. The device includes a sense circuit that provides a signal, in response thereto, having transient portions for characterizing positive-going transitions towards an upper signal level and negative-going transitions towards a lower signal level. An amplification circuit is then used for amplifying and processing the signals, in response to the time-varying input parameters. The amplification circuit adjusts the gain for the transient portions relative to gain for portions of the response signals between the transient portions, and thereby suppresses RF interference, such as in the form of signal odd and/or even harmonics, to provide a noise filtered output for determining positions of capacitance-altering touches on the touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIRES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rebeschi, Craig A. Cordeiro, William Farlow
  • Publication number: 20140265301
    Abstract: An article may include a flexible hinge comprising a first optical feature. The article also may include a biodata page comprising a second optical feature. The flexible hinge may be attached to a surface of the biodata page, and the second optical feature is substantially aligned with the first optical feature. The combination of the first optical feature and the second optical feature provides an optical effect, which may be destroyed or damaged if the flexible hinge is moved relative to the biodata page, e.g., if the flexible hinge is separated from the biodata page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher K. Haas, Todd D. Jones, Kui Chen-Ho
  • Publication number: 20140262002
    Abstract: A micro-structured optically clear adhesive, including a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein at least one of the first and second major surfaces comprises a micro-structured surface of interconnected micro-structures in at least one of the planar dimensions (x-y), is disclosed. The micro-structured optically clear adhesive has a tan delta value of at least about 0.3 at a lamination temperature and is non-crosslinked or lightly crosslinked. The micro-structured surface may include indentations having a depth of between about 5 and about 80 microns. A method of laminating a first substrate and a second substrate without the use of a vacuum is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Toshihiro Suwa, Albert I. Everaerts, Haruyuki Mikami, Yasuhiro Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20140267725
    Abstract: An average speed detection camera system. The system includes a first automatic license plate reader (ALPR) camera having an infrared camera for capturing identification information from a vehicle passing an entrance point. A first communication module is coupled to the first ALPR camera for transmitting the identification information and either an entrance timestamp or an exit timestamp for the vehicle. A second ALPR camera includes an infrared camera and an overview camera is coupled to a second communication module. The second communication module receives the vehicle identification information and the reference time stamp from the first communication module. The infrared camera of the second ALPR camera captures identification information from the vehicle as it passes the exit point, and if the time at which the vehicle passes an exit point is prior to an exit timestamp for the vehicle, the overview camera flash illuminates the vehicle with visible light and captures an image of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Publication number: 20140267987
    Abstract: A display device comprising a Spatial Light Modulator assembly including active display elements for displaying an image, a patterned color layer including at least one color pixel array, a reflector for reflecting ambient incident light, and a light absorbing layer, wherein the color pixel array comprises a first pixel group including at least three contiguously arranged pixels capable of transmitting a first color, and a second pixel group including at least three contiguously arranged pixels capable of transmitting a second color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Kelly Reed Ingham
  • Publication number: 20140259961
    Abstract: A method of applying particles to a backing having a make layer on one of the backing's opposed major surfaces. The method including the steps of: supporting the particles on a feeding member having a feeding surface such that the particles settle into one or more layers on the feeding surface; the feeding surface and the backing being arranged in a non-parallel manner; and translating the particles from the feeding surface to the backing and attaching the particles to the make layer by an electrostatic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Louis S. Moren, Brian G. Koethe, John T. Boden
  • Publication number: 20140268346
    Abstract: A broadband partial reflector includes a first multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units from a first side to a second side of the first multilayer polymeric optical film and a second multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units from a first side to a second side of the second multilayer polymeric optical film and an intermediate layer on the second side of the multilayer polymeric optical film separates the first multilayer polymeric optical film from the second multilayer polymeric optical film. The first multilayer polymeric optical film has a first baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile and a first apodized optical repeating unit thickness profile monotonically deviating from the first baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile and defining the second side of the first multilayer polymeric optical film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20140272750
    Abstract: Provided are orthodontic appliances including a bonding base, a body extending outwardly from the base and an elongated slot thereon extending along a generally mesial-distal direction, and first and second protrusions disposed on the body on opposite sides of the slot. A clip is slidably engaged to the body and movable between open and closed positions. When operating the clip, the first protrusion extends into the clip to retain the clip to the body in an interference fit while the second protrusion extends into the clip when in its closed position. Optionally, the clip comprises at least one deflectable portion aligned along a reference plane extending over the slot, where the deflectable portion resiliently bends out of the reference plane to traverse the second protrusion as the clip moves between open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Ming-Lai Lai
  • Publication number: 20140267728
    Abstract: A vehicle detection and image capture system that detects a vehicle at the location of a radio frequency identification tag when a radio frequency identification reader fails to receive a response from the radio frequency identification tag during interrogation, and captures an image of the vehicle with a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Publication number: 20140268792
    Abstract: Flexible lighting assemblies (100) are disclosed. Specifically, flexible lighting assemblies that are made up of a flexible cable (102), a plurality of light emitting diodes (112), and a plurality of transparent light distribution segments (116) that distribute light along the length of the cable by deflectors positioned over the light emitting diodes. The lighting assembly allows for flexible lighting without the glare and non-uniformity problems often associated with flexible lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott M. Schnobrich, Bing Hao, David A. Ender
  • Publication number: 20140262013
    Abstract: Methods of adhering graphic film on an irregular substrate are disclosed. The methods includes providing a polymer film composite having two or more layers with at least one layer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 40° C., the polymer film composite having a first side and a second side, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second side. Then the method includes, positioning the adhesive layer against the irregular substrate, heating the polymer film composite, and pressing the heated polymer film against the irregular substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, John A. Nielsen, Frank T. Sher
  • Publication number: 20140265295
    Abstract: An article may include a biodata page defining a perimeter including an edge and a hinge layer attached to at least a portion of the biodata page. The hinge layer comprises a cross-linked polyurethane. In some examples, the hinge layer may include a cross-linked thermoset polyurethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven J. Rhyner, Christopher K. Haas, Todd D. Jones, Kui Chen-Ho, Krystal K. Hunt, Ryan E. Marx
  • Patent number: D713875
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joy A. Packard, Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Johannes Bayer, Martin E. Broen