Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Hearing protector having a unidirectional sound inlet
    Patent number: 11744738
    Abstract: There is provided a hearing protector that has an earmuff (2) formed by a cup-shaped shell and a cushion. The hearing protector has a sound inlet (5) formed of at least one acoustic membrane that replaces a portion of the shell or by a hole into the cushion. The sound inlet locally reduces the sound barrier of the hearing protector predominantly with respect to sound originating from an anterior direction (11) that is defined in accordance to on the anatomic directions of a wearer when the hearing protector is worn. The present disclosure helps enabling directional hearing with a hearing protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Per Ove Almeflo
  • Radar standing wave dampening components and systems
    Patent number: 11749900
    Abstract: Radar standing wave dampening systems and components are described. In particular, systems and components including an absorber composite including at least one of ceramic filler, magnetic filler, or conductive filler materials are described. Such components can reduce the intensity of standing waves and may also be combined in systems with one or more gradient permittivity tapes or films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Dipankar Ghosh, Jaewon Kim, Stephen J. Etzkorn, Ronald D. Jesme, Mohsen Salehi, Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley
  • Polymer matrix composites comprising functional particles and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 11745167
    Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of functional particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, and wherein the polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance at 25° C., as measured by the “Air Flow Resistance Test,” of less than 300 seconds/50 cm3/500 micrometers; and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jerald K. Rasmussen, Derek J. Dehn, Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Bharat R. Acharya, Satinder K. Nayar
  • Light redirecting film
    Patent number: 11749769
    Abstract: A light redirecting film includes a first layer disposed on a second layer with structured major surfaces of the first and second layers facing each other. An optically reflective layer or a metal layer is disposed between the first and second layers. The first layer can be a hot melt adhesive layer and the second layer can be a polymeric layer. The first and second layers can be unitary layers. The first layer can be a first polymeric layer having a softening temperature T1 and the second layer can be a second polymeric layer having a softening temperature T2 greater than T1. Heating and/or applying pressure to the film changes an optical characteristic of the film by less than about 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Vivian W. Jones, Gary E. Gaides, Stephen A. Johnson, Nathaniel I. Lehn, Jiaying Ma, Adam T. Ringberg, Tianyu Wu, Fuming B. Li
  • Automated inspection for sheet parts of arbitrary shape from manufactured film
    Patent number: 11748874
    Abstract: An example system is described herein. The example system may include an inspection device comprising at least one image capture device, the at least one image capture device configured to capture a reference image of a sheet part. Additionally, the example system may include a processing unit configured to identify at least one primary point in the reference image and identify at least one secondary point in a mask image. The processing unit may transform the mask image based on the at least one primary point and the at least one secondary point. The processing unit may apply the transformed mask image to the reference image to identify an inspection region within the reference image, process the inspection region of the reference image to determine the quality of the sheet part, and output information indicative of the quality of the sheet part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, James A. Masterman, Xin Yu, Nathaniel S. Rowekamp, Jeffrey P. Adolf
  • Protection film
    Patent number: 11745468
    Abstract: Provided is a protection film including a plurality of layers, including a first carrier layer having a plurality of electrically conductive fibers; a metal layer; and a second carrier layer having a plurality of electrically conductive fibers. Each of the first and second carrier layers has a void volume at least partially filled with a hardenable composition. Also provided is a protection film including a first metal layer, a carrier layer, and a second metal layer, in which the carrier layer is at least partially filled with a hardenable composition. These films can provide lightning strike protection with suitable tensile, rigidity and tack properties for automatic tape layup and automatic fiber placement applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Larry S. Hebert, Scott A. Boyd
  • Diagnostic device
    Patent number: 11744915
    Abstract: Diagnostic devices for quantitative or qualitative analysis of a sample fluid including an analyte include at least two portions made from a hydrophilic material. The planar portions are stacked on each other and each occupy a different and substantially parallel plane to form a three-dimensional structure. At least one of the planar portions includes a hydrophobic region formed by applying a low surface energy material that extends through a thickness of the substrate portion from a first major surface to a second major surface thereof. The hydrophilic regions in the overlying substantially parallel substrate portions can be aligned with each other such that a fluid is passively transported between adjacent hydrophilic regions to provide a sample flow path between adjacent substrate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Matthew S. Stay, Hannah J. Loughlin, Kevin T. Reddy, Henrik B. Van Lengerich, Ann M. Gilman, Matthew R.D. Smith
  • Flexible filter element having an end outlet
    Patent number: 11738218
    Abstract: The present description provides a filter element that includes an end or side portion attached breather tube. One exemplary filter element described herein includes filter media having front and rear walls each including a proximal end and a distal end, a side portion at the proximal ends of the front and rear walls, and an outlet. The filter element further includes a breather tube attached to the filter media in fluid communication with the outlet. The outlet is positioned at least partially on the side portion, and the front and rear walls of the filter media are joined together at least partially along a perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John S. Huberty, Ryan D. Kracht, Michael J. Svendsen
  • Removable orthodontic appliance system
    Patent number: 11737854
    Abstract: A dental appliance includes a first polymeric shell portion having one or more cavities shaped therein to removably conform to one or more teeth. The dental positioning appliance further includes at least one spacer. At least one spacer is coupled to the first polymeric shell portion. The dental appliance can also have a first arch member coupled to the at least one spacer and configured to provide at least some of a force needed to reposition one or more teeth from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard E. Raby
  • System for washing a 3D-printed object
    Patent number: 11738372
    Abstract: A system (1) for washing a 3D-printed object (4). The system (1) has a washing device (2) and a workpiece (3) that includes the 3D-printed object (4). The washing device (2) has a container (7) that forms a process chamber (8) for receiving a liquid cleaning agent (9), and the container (7) has an inlet (10) into the process chamber (8). The workpiece (3) further has a support structure (6) that supports the 3D-printed object (4) and a base (5) supporting the support structure (6). The base (5), in a mating relationship with the inlet (10), forms a restraint preventing the workpiece (3) from passing through the inlet (10) in a situation in which the workpiece (3) is placed with the 3D-printed object (4) located within the process chamber (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Anja Friedrich, Michael Jahns, Malte Korten, Christian A. Richter, Bastian P. Kirchner, Gallus Schechner, Daniel D. Oberpertinger, Wolfgang Weinmann
  • Electrically conductive multilayer film and gasket
    Patent number: 11744055
    Abstract: An electrically conductive multilayer film for providing an electrical path between two conductive surfaces includes a plastic backing layer, an electrically conductive layer disposed on a first side of the plastic backing layer, and a recovery layer disposed on an opposite second side of the plastic backing layer. An average thickness of the multilayer film is less than about 100 microns. A hollow gasket can be formed from the multilayer film by winding or bending the multilayer film into a flexible hollow closed loop. When the multilayer film is wound to form a flexible closed loop having an outside diameter of no more than about 7 mm with the conductive layer forming an outside layer of the loop, a resistance of the closed loop across a diameter of the closed loop remains less than about 2? when the loop is compressed across the diameter by at least 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bing Huang, Su Zhang, Xin Zhang, Jing Fang, Fan Gao
  • Removable dental appliance with interproximal reinforcement
    Patent number: 11737855
    Abstract: A removable dental appliance may include an appliance body at least partially surrounding a plurality of teeth and an interproximal reinforcement. The appliance body may include a first shell shaped to engage a first tooth and a second shell shaped to engage a second tooth. The interproximal reinforcement extends from a first gingival edge on a labial side of the appliance body along an interproximal region between the first tooth and the second tooth to a second gingival edge on a lingual side of the appliance body. The interproximal reinforcement is configured to engage at least one of a lingual surface or labial surface of the first tooth below a height of contour to enable the appliance body to cause movement of the first tooth toward a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael K. Domroese, David K. Cinader, Jr., Richard E. Raby
  • Polarization beam splitter and hot mirror for heads up display
    Patent number: 11740480
    Abstract: An optical system for displaying a virtual image to a viewer includes stacked integral first reflective polarizer and integral second reflective polarizer, a display, and a mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Craig R. Schardt, Adam D. Haag, Stephen J. Willet
  • Conducting multivariate experiments
    Patent number: 11741494
    Abstract: Systems and methods for organizing and controlling the display of content, then measuring the effectiveness of that content in modifying behavior, within a particular temporal and special dimension, so as to minimize or eliminate confounding effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederick J. Arsenault, Brian E. Brooks
  • Composition including monomer with a carboxylic acid group, monomer with a hydroxyl group, and crosslinker and related articles and methods
    Patent number: 11739172
    Abstract: The composition includes an acrylic monomer having a carboxylic acid group, an acrylic monomer having a hydroxyl group, and a compound composed of divalent segments L and at least two X groups. The divalent segments L are represented by the formula Each divalent segment L is respectively directly bonded to two secondary N atoms, two tertiary N atoms, or a secondary and a tertiary N atom. Each R1 represents an alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and at least some of the R1 groups are —CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—. Each X group is independently represented by the formula CH2?C(R)—C(O)—O—V-W—C(O)—. The acrylic monomer having a carboxylic acid group is present in an amount of at least 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of acrylic-functional compounds. Articles and a method of using the composition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nelson T. Rotto, Wayne S. Mahoney, Michael A. Kropp, Anthony J. Ostlund, Kristine Klimovica, Carol-Lynn Spawn
  • Removable dental appliance with gingival ridges
    Patent number: 11737856
    Abstract: An example removable dental appliance includes an appliance body configured to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth of a dental arch of a patient. The appliance body includes a shell shaped to engage a tooth in an initial position and a gingival ridge extending from a mesial interproximal region along a gingival edge of the shell to a distal interproximal region. The gingival ridge is configured to engage a lingual or labial surface of the tooth below a height of contour of the tooth to enable the appliance body to apply a force vector at a contact point on the tooth to cause movement of the tooth toward a desired position of the tooth when the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael K. Domroese, David K. Cinader, Jr., Richard E. Raby, James D. Hansen
  • Air and water barrier articles
    Patent number: 11731394
    Abstract: There are provided rolls comprising an air and water barrier article having opposing first and second major surfaces, a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on at least the first major surface of the article, and a liner having a first major surface that contacts the opposing second major surface of the article, and at least two adhesion modifying zones disposed between the second major surface of the article and the first major surface of the liner, wherein both of a first and second adhesion modifying zones contact the first major surface of the liner, and wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive contacts a second major surface of the liner when wound in the roll. There are also provided films made using these air and water barrier articles and building envelopes made using such films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Taylor M. Seabaugh, Martin J. Widenbrant, Daniel R. Fronek, Alan J. Hollo, Jayshree Seth
  • Multilayer film and method of making the same
    Patent number: 11731408
    Abstract: A multilayer film comprises first, second, and third layers. The first layer comprises at least one aromatic polyester, and has a loss modulus at 1 hertz and 25° C. of at least 70 megapascals. The second layer is thermoplastic and has a loss modulus at 1 hertz and 25° C. of less than or equal to 60 megapascals and comprises a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyamide. The third layer contacts the second layer opposite the first layer and has a loss modulus at 1 hertz and 25° C. of at least 70 megapascals. The second layer is sandwiched between the first and third layers. A method of making the multilayer film by coextrusion is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Mary E. Johansen, Sebastian Goris, Lesbia E. Giron, Rajdeep S. Kalgutkar, Ta-Hua Yu, Paul T. Hines, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Furniture pad for floor protection
    Patent number: D996201
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Christina D. Cowman-Eggert
  • Air filter
    Patent number: D998126
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Glen O. Gregerson, Jonathan M. Lise