Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 8821621
    Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing and a optical analyte sensor also disposed within the housing in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium that changes at least one of its optical characteristics in response to an analyte. The filter system further includes an optical reader having at least one light source and at least one detector. The optical reader is attached to the housing such that at least a portion of light emitted by at least one light source is reflected from the optical analyte sensor and captured by at least one detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Dwyer, Thomas W. Holmquist-Brown, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Neal A. Rakow
  • Patent number: 8821214
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polishing pads with porous polishing elements, and to methods of making and using such pads in a polishing process. In one exemplary embodiment, the polishing pad includes a multiplicity of polishing elements, at least some of which are porous, each polishing element affixed to a support layer so as to restrict lateral movement of the polishing elements with respect to one or more of the other polishing elements, but remaining moveable in an axis normal to a polishing surface of the polishing elements. In certain embodiments, the polishing pad may include a guide plate positioned to arrange and optionally affix the plurality of polishing elements on the support layer, and additionally, a polishing composition distribution layer. In some embodiments, the pores are distributed throughout substantially the entire porous polishing element. In other embodiments, the pores are distributed substantially at the polishing surface of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William D. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8821680
    Abstract: The multilayer film serves as a laminate. In some embodiments, the film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. In some embodiments, the first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Hull, Joseph G. Walton, Maria P. Dillon, David B. Redmond, Mark W. Muggli, Thomas J. Blong
  • Patent number: 8820326
    Abstract: A respiratory protection composite facepiece includes a polymeric rigid facepiece body having a first surface and a second surface, and a silicone sealing facepiece element chemically bonded to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. Methods of forming a respiratory protection composite facepiece are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Flannigan, Johannes Hoogenraad, David P. Knivsland
  • Patent number: 8821770
    Abstract: Microstructured films comprising surface modified inorganic oxide particles and polymerizable resins are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clinton L. Jones, Brant U. Kolb, Taun L. McKenzie, David B. Olson, Nathaniel K. Naismith
  • Publication number: 20140242343
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films that include embedded nanostructures are disclosed. The articles include a sacrificial template layer having a first surface and a second surface having a structured surface opposite the first surface and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the second surface of the sacrificial template layer. The thermally stable backfill layer has a structured surface conforming to the structured surface of the sacrificial template layer and the sacrificial template layer comprises inorganic nanomaterials and sacrificial material. The sacrificial material in the sacrificial template layer is capable of being cleanly baked out while leaving a densified layer of inorganic nanomaterials on the structured surface of the thermally stable backfill layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Robert F. Kamrath, Terry O. Collier, Olester Benson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140240981
    Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector and a back reflector that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface is disclosed. The backlight further includes one or more light sources disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector includes an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 90% for visible light polarized in a first plane, and an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 25% but less than 90% for visible light polarized in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Hebrink, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley, Craig R. Schardt, Rolf W. Biernath, William J. Bryan, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David G. Freier, Myron K. Jordan, Kristopher J. Derks, Zhaohui Yang, Edward J. Kivel
  • Publication number: 20140237907
    Abstract: Abrasive particles comprising shaped abrasive particles each having a sidewall, each of the shaped abrasive particles comprising alpha alumina and having a first face and a second face separated by a sidewall and having a maximum thickness, T; and the shaped abrasive particles further comprising a plurality of grooves on the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Boden T. Boden, Dwight D. Erickson, Scott R. Culler, Negus B. Adefris, John D. Haas
  • Publication number: 20140242540
    Abstract: Methods of making an impression of dental tissue and dental articles (e.g. suitable for dental impression) are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a hardenable composition, comprising a resin system, a filler system, and an initiator system wherein the hardenable composition is a hardenable self-supporting material having sufficient malleability to be formed into a shape. The method further comprises placing said hardenable composition in contact with dental tissue such that an impression of at least a portion of the dental tissue is formed in the hardenable composition. The method further comprises curing the hardenable composition comprising the impression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Joachim W. Zech, Marc Peuker, Naimul Karim
  • Publication number: 20140244293
    Abstract: Methods and systems for propagating labels, such as “good” or “bad”, to unlabeled patient encounter data. Patient encounters, partially labeled but mostly unlabeled, is represented as nodes in a network, and labels are propagated from labeled nodes to unlabeled nodes based on the similarity of the unlabeled nodes to neighboring nodes. The resulting patient encounter data may be used for, for example, a training data set, or for other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Victor T. Jones, III
  • Publication number: 20140240829
    Abstract: A broadband partial reflector includes a multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units that monotonically increases in thickness value from a first side to a second side of the multilayer polymeric optical film. A baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile is defined by a first plurality of optical repeating units and having a first average slope, and a first apodized thickness profile of the multilayer polymeric optical film is defined by a second plurality of optical repeating units having a second average slope being at least 5 times greater than the first average slope. The second plurality of optical repeating units define the first side of the multilayer polymeric optical film and join the first plurality of optical repeating units. The second plurality of optical repeating units are in a range from 3-15% of the total number of optical repeating units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20140242346
    Abstract: A method for painting a complex or compound curved three-dimensional surface of a portion of an article. The method comprises providing a paint film (24); providing sheet metal (26) having opposite major surfaces; laminating the paint film onto a major surface of the sheet metal to form a painted sheet metal laminate (22) comprising a first portion and a second portion; permanently deforming the first portion of the painted sheet metal laminate into a formed portion of the article having a complex or compound curved three-dimensional shape; applying an initial force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during an initial stage of said permanently deforming step; and applying a later force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during a later stage of said permanently deforming step. The later applied force is greater than the initially applied force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: McMaster University, 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kent E. Nielsen, Mukesh K. Jain, Mohamed Elnagmi, Moisei Bruhis
  • Publication number: 20140238731
    Abstract: An interdigitated electrode film co-extruded with bus bars for thin film electronics or other devices. First electrode layers are located between first and second major surfaces of the film with a first bus bar electrically connecting and integrated with the first electrode layers. Second electrode layers are located between the first and second major surfaces with a second bus bar electrically connecting and integrated with the second electrode layers. The first electrode layers are interdigitated with the second electrode layers, and insulating layers electrically isolate the first bus bar and electrode layers from the second bus bar and electrode layers. The electrode films include multilayer films with vertical bus bars and multilane films with horizontal bus bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tommie W. Kelley, Martin B. Wolk, Terence D. Neavin, Stephen A. Johnson, Arthur L. Fry, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20140239148
    Abstract: Abrasive particles comprising shaped abrasive particles each having a sidewall, each of the shaped abrasive particles comprising alpha alumina and having a first face and a second face separated by a sidewall and having a maximum thickness, T; and the shaped abrasive particles further comprising a plurality of grooves on the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John T. Boden, Dwight D. Erickson, Scott R. Culler, Negus B. Adefris, John D. Haas
  • Patent number: 8814112
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed an article support device capable of being attached to a mounting surface using a stretch-releasable adhesive tape, the device comprising a base and a support body that is rotatably and non-detachably connected to the base, wherein the support body is rotatable relative to the base, between a first position in which the base and the stretch-releasable adhesive tape are hidden, and at least one second position in which at least a portion of a pull tab of the stretch-releasable adhesive tape is visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Craig D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8814009
    Abstract: An aerosol metering valve comprising: (a) a valve stem movable between a rest position and a firing position comprising: a body portion comprising a circumferential sealing surface (b) a valve body comprising: a body wall, and an internal chamber defined at least in part by the body wall; and (c) a metering gasket having an inner periphery defining an aperture, being disposed near the most interior end of the internal chamber and being configured to be able to form a transient, substantially fluid-tight face seal against the circumferential sealing surface of the valve stem, where at the rest position of the valve stem, the body portion of the valve stem is located within the internal chamber and as the valve stem is moved from its rest position towards its firing position the circumferential sealing surface of the valve stem contacts the metering gasket to form a face seal thereby closing a metering chamber and thereafter further movement of the valve stem towards its firing position causes the metering gask
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Hodson, Matthew A. Goring, Stephen J. Howgill, John Fielding, Richard D. Brewer, Rachael V. Shaw, Paul A. Charnock, Stuart A. McGlasson, Stephen D. Helm, Graham V. Jackson, Anthony W. Balkwill, Jason A. Graves
  • Patent number: 8813583
    Abstract: A particulate monitor includes a housing, an air-moving device coupled to the housing, and an air passageway disposed at least partially within the housing. The air-moving device is operable to create an airflow through the air passageway. The particulate monitor may include a real-time measuring device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway and a particulate collection device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway. A collection device may be positioned downstream of the real-time measuring device. At least one impactor may be movably coupled to the housing to be movable between a first position adjacent the air passageway and a second position displaced from the air passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick J. Kilps, Michael G. Wurm, Thomas E. King, Paul E. James, Steven E. Michalski
  • Patent number: 8814738
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a dental composition comprises a piston for extruding a component of the dental composition from a container. The device has a roller drive for displacing the first piston. The roller drive comprises cooperating first and second rollers, and each of the rollers have a roller surface with a radial rib profile. The rollers are arranged for rolling with their roller surfaces on one another. The invention may help providing for a relatively reliable and compact device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jens Gramann, Manfred Harre, Ralf Kelz, Christian A. Richter, Karin Watzek, Oezcan Doenmez
  • Patent number: D712231
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig D. Thompson, Angela L. Pan
  • Patent number: D712443
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Theo L. Simon