Patents Assigned to 3M
  • 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
  • Adaptive signal routing in a personal protective equipment network
    Patent number: 11744739
    Abstract: A control unit for a worker wearing personal protective equipment is presented. The control unit includes a PPE network creator that, when activated, creates a network. The control unit also includes a PPE device identifier configured to detect a first PPE associated with the worker and a second PPE associated with the worker. The first PPE has a first speaker and a first microphone. The second PPE has a second speaker and a second microphone. The control unit also comprises a PPE network joiner that facilitates the first and second PPE joining the network. The control unit also comprises a preferred configuration selector that automatically selects a preferred speaker for the worker and a preferred microphone for the worker. The preferred speaker is the first or second speaker. The preferred microphone is the first or second microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Paul D. Henry
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Polymer matrix composites comprising dielectric particles and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 11732104
    Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of dielectric particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the dielectric particles are present in a range from 5 to 98 weight percent, based on the total weight of the dielectric particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a dielectric constant in a range from 1.05 to 80; and methods for making the same. Polymer matrix composites comprising dielectric particles are useful, for example, as electric field insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Badri Veeraraghavan, Derek J. Dehn, Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Bharat R. Acharya, Satinder K. Nayar
  • 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
  • Epoxy casting resin formulation
    Patent number: 11732155
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a curable casting resin precursor, comprising (a) a first part (A) comprising: (a1) at least one epoxy resin; (b) a second part (B) comprising: (b1) at least one first amine-based epoxy curing agent; (b2) optionally, at least one second amine-based epoxy curing agent; (b3) at least one mineral filler; (b4) at least one phenolic lipid; wherein part (A) and/or part (B) comprise at least one triphenylmethane dye. The curable casting resin precursor is suited for encapsulating metal parts such as cable joints and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mathis A. Muth, Michael Petry, Adrian T. Jung
  • 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
  • Visibly transparent, infrared radiation retroreflective articles
    Patent number: 11726243
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a retroreflective layer including a structured surface that is opposite a major surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive that contacts at least a portion of the structured surface to form an optically inactive area that does not substantially retroreflect incident light and at least one low refractive index layer forming an optically active area that retroreflects incident light, wherein the optically active area comprises about 25% or less of the structured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David J. Lamb, Guanglei Du, Scotty A. Kopp, Suman K. Patel, John A. Wheatley
  • Safety apparatus comprising mechanical command interface
    Patent number: 11724136
    Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus that includes a computing device configured to detect a mechanical command signal, and methods of using such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Ronald D. Jesme, Eric C. Lobner
  • Optical film and polarizing beam splitter
    Patent number: 11726246
    Abstract: Optical films and polarizing beam splitters including the optical films are described. In some cases, the optical film includes a first optical stack disposed on, and spaced apart by one or more spacer layers from, a second optical stack, each optical stack comprising a plurality of polymeric interference layers reflecting and transmitting light primarily by optical interference in a same predetermined wavelength range. Each optical stack has interference layers closer to the one or more spacer layers that reflect longer wavelengths and interference layers farther from the one or more spacer layers that reflect shorter wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy J. Nevitt, John D. Le, Susan L. Kent
  • Mounting hook
    Patent number: D996195
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Pei-Chun Chang
  • 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