Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 11676468
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Eric C. Lobner, MIchael G. Wurm, Kenneth J. Gamberini
  • Patent number: 11673317
    Abstract: A core-sheath filament having a non-tacky sheath and a hot-melt processable adhesive core, the sheath exhibiting a melt flow index of less than 15 grams per 10 minutes, is provided. Methods of making the core-sheath filament and methods of using the core-sheath filament to print a hot-melt processable adhesive onto a primer-treated substrate surface to provide a structural bond are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alexander J. Kugel, Shantanu R. Ranade, Mark E. Napierala, Thomas Q. Chastek, Shaun M. West, Jacob D. Young, Ross E. Behling
  • Patent number: 11674003
    Abstract: A nanocomposite includes at least one polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the at least one polymer. Each polymer can have a number average molecular weight of at least 10000 grams/mole. The at least one polymer includes a first polymer including (meth)acrylic acid monomer units. The metal oxide nanoparticles are surface modified with a carboxylic acid silane surface modifying agent. An aqueous dispersion that can be used to make the nanocomposite and a method of making the nanocomposite is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter D. Condo, David Scott Thompson
  • Patent number: 11677130
    Abstract: A waveguide for receiving an incident electromagnetic wave (EMW) having an operating frequency ? includes an array of spaced apart unit cells arranged along the waveguide. The unit cells are configured to resonantly couple to the incident EMW and radiate an EMW at the operating frequency propagating inside and along the waveguide. Each unit cell is configured to couple to the incident EMW with a first coupling efficiency and includes a dielectric body configured to couple to the incident EMW with a second coupling efficiency and one or more metal layers disposed on and partially covering the dielectric body. The second coupling efficiency is substantially smaller than the first coupling efficiency. A communication system includes the waveguide and a transceiver configured to emit an EMW having the operating frequency ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Dipankar Ghosh, Craig W. Lindsay, Matthew S. Stay
  • Patent number: 11676401
    Abstract: In some examples, a method may include receiving retroreflected light that indicates at least one retroreflective property of a retroreflective article, wherein retroreflected light is captured at a first distance. The method may include determining a first set of information based at least in part on the at least one retroreflective property of the retroreflective article. The method may include receiving, from the light capture device, an image that includes at least one object, wherein the image is captured at a second distance. The method may include determining, based at least in part on the spatially resolvable property, a second set of information that corresponds to the object in the image. The method may include performing, by a computing device, at least one operation based at least in part on the second set of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Susannah C. Clear
  • Patent number: 11675117
    Abstract: Optical films are disclosed. More particularly, optical films including a collimating reflective polarizer are disclosed. The optical films are useful in backlights, and in particular backlight recycling cavities. Constructions suitable with both edge-lit and direct-lit backlights are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Jong-Seok Shin
  • Patent number: 11675191
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an optical element useful in an optical device for illuminating the pupil of an eye, particularly for use with a head mountable display that can include eye-tracking. The optical device includes a light source and an optical element that transmits light, where light emitted from the light source is directed by the optical element toward the pupil of the eye, and attributes of the eye can then be detected by an optical sensor such as a camera. The light source can emit infrared light that is not visible to the human eye, so that world view images and/or combined digital images of the head-mountable display are not compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Kandyce M. Bohannon, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 11676047
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for collecting distributed information regarding air quality and air management system performance, and providing recommendations for affecting the air quality, the air management system, or individuals subject to or in control of either the air quality or the air management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Amanda B. Dauphinais, Justine S. Fritz, Jessica B. Dugan, Brian L. Linzie, Julian A. Politis, Nicolas A. Echeverri, Rebecca L. Blakey, Patrick S. Hiner, Andrew M. Boyd, Niya P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11673861
    Abstract: A perfluorinated 1-alkoxypropene represented by general Formula (I), compositions that include such compounds, and methods and systems that include such compositions are provided, wherein Formula (I) is represented by: RfO—CF?CFCF3 wherein Rf is a linear, branched, or cyclic perfluoroalkyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally further including 1 to 3 nitrogen and/or 1 to 4 oxygen catenary heteroatoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean M. Smith, Michael G. Costello, Klaus Hintzer, Markus E. Hirschberg, William M. Lamanna
  • Patent number: 11670930
    Abstract: Devices are described that support, house, and protect an electrical cable monitoring system that is electrically coupled to an electrical cable. An example support structure includes an elongate body including an interior surface extending along and concentric to an axis of the electrical cable. The body is configured to engage a cable accessory disposed on the electrical cable. The support structure includes a first electrode attached to the interior surface and configured to operatively couple to the cable accessory. The support structure includes a second electrode attached to the body and configured to operatively couple to the shielding layer. The support structure includes a monitoring device attached to the interior surface and operatively coupled to the first and second electrodes. The monitoring device is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the electrical cable or the cable accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Connected Intelligence Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Gundel, Laszlo Markos, Lior Embon, Eyal Doron, Udi Blich
  • Patent number: 11666934
    Abstract: A liquid spray gun nozzle assembly is disclosed comprising a coating liquid inlet portion comprising a liquid connector for connection to an external liquid source; a coating liquid outlet portion comprising a liquid nozzle for spraying a coating liquid fed into the nozzle assembly through the coating liquid inlet portion, the liquid nozzle being disposed along a spray axis; a coating liquid flow path fluidly connecting the coating liquid inlet portion to the liquid nozzle; and a spray gun connection portion opposite the coating liquid outlet portion adapted to connect the liquid spray gun nozzle assembly to a compatible liquid spray gun body. The spray gun connection portion comprises a nozzle assembly sealing surface adapted to seal the liquid spray gun nozzle assembly to the compatible liquid spray gun body, the nozzle assembly sealing surface comprising first and second sealing members that are each circular and concentric with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Hayward, Brady P. Haislet, Brian E. Duncan, Alexander T. Ebertowski, Scott D. Gullicks, Anna M. Hegdahl, Stephen C. P. Joseph
  • Patent number: 11666486
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: a plurality of different articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) that are all controlled by a particular user, and a computing device. The computing device may include one or more computer processors configured to receive sets of data from each of the different articles of PPE, wherein each set of data is based at least in part on a type of each of the different articles of PPE; generate for display a user interface that contemporaneously includes a plurality of graphical elements that are based at least in part on at least two sets of data that correspond to at least two different articles of PPE of the plurality of different articles of PPE; and in response to receiving an indication of user input that corresponds to at least one of the plurality of graphical elements, perform at least one operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eric C. Lobner, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Micayla A. Johnson, Susan R. Johnson, Patric Anvegård, Emil R. Eriksson, Daniel E. G. Gullberg, Anton P. Backlund, Derek S. Baker, John M. Kruse
  • Patent number: 11666523
    Abstract: An aqueous oral care fluoride treatment composition, a method of providing fluoride to a patients tooth surface, and a method of reducing the incidence of dental caries, wherein the composition includes: 0.5 wt-% to 4.8 wt-% of a water-soluble cationic N-containing polymer; a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer; 1.0 wt-% to 2.5 wt-% of sodium fluoride; and at least 60 wt-% water; wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the aqueous composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Yizhong Wang, Tiffany T. Ton, Carola A. Carrera Vidal, Joel D. Oxman, Jennifer J. Post, Paul R. Klaiber
  • Patent number: 11667803
    Abstract: Curable ink compositions include a curable aromatic monomer composition, and surface treated metal oxide nanoparticles. The surface treated metal oxide nanoparticles are surface treated with a mixture of at least two silane-functional surface treatment agents, at least one aromatic-containing silane-functional surface treatment agent and at least one silane-functional surface treatment agent comprising a co-polymerizable group. The curable ink composition is inkjet printable, having a viscosity of 30 centipoise or less at a temperature of from room temperature to 60° C., and is free from solvents. The curable ink composition, when printed and cured, has a refractive index of 1.55 or greater, and is optically clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan L. Schwartz, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Sonja S. Mackey, Wayne S. Mahoney, Saswata Chakraborty, Kelly A. Volp
  • Patent number: 11668977
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display comprises a backlight module comprising a reflective polarizing film, a light control film and a liquid crystal panel disposed between the backlight module and the light control film. The light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface and alternating transmissive and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Encai Hao, Matthew M. Philippi
  • Patent number: 11666785
    Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to deliver a substantially uniform volumetric airflow to a user, the system comprising a fan powered by a battery in communication with a variable speed electric motor, the variable speed electric motor is controlled by an electronic control unit for delivering a forced flow of air through at least one filter to a user, comprising the steps of: (a) determining an estimated system run time by summing a battery run time remaining and a system run time; and (b) altering a speed of the variable speed electric motor when the estimated system run time is equal to or less than a desired system run time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Keith K. Mclaughlin, Douglas D. Jensen, Sean R. Kilmer, Andrew Murphy
  • Patent number: 11667807
    Abstract: A curable coating composition precursor comprising: (a) a first part (A) comprising (i) at least one amine epoxy curing agent based on a phenolic lipid, and (ii) inorganic microspheres; and (b) a second part (B) comprising (i) at least one epoxy resin, (ii) optionally, at least one reactive diluent, (iii) at least one epoxy reactive flexibilizer, and (iv) inorganic microspheres. The curable coating composition precursor comprises at least one fire retardant compound in part (A) and/or part (B), and the curable coating composition obtained by combining part (A) and part (B) has a density of less than 0.7 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Sohaib Elgimiabi
  • Patent number: 11666516
    Abstract: An aqueous oral care one-part composition (e.g., solution), a kit that includes such composition (e.g., solution), and methods (e.g., a method of providing fluoride to a patients tooth surface), wherein the oral care composition (e.g., solution) includes: silver cations; thiocyanate anions; fluoride anions; and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Yizhong Wang, Ta-Hua Yu, Joel D. Oxman, Richard P. Rusin
  • Patent number: 11667815
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adhesive film, and adhesive film includes: a photothermal conversion layer including a light absorbing agent and a pyrolytic resin; an adhesive base film layer disposed on the photothermal conversion layer; a buffer layer disposed on the adhesive base film layer; and an adhesive layer disposed on the buffer layer, and the buffer layer includes a polysiloxane resin, and the adhesive layer includes a silicon-based adhesive, and the silicon-based adhesive includes a silicon-based tackifier and a polysiloxane resin. The adhesive film according to the present disclosure can simplify a process of processing a substrate, and can prevent a damage of the substrate and a circuit or an element formed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kyosung Hwang, Yongsuk Yang, Ki-Sun Kim, Gyu Jin Jung
  • Patent number: D988377
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jing Zhang, Shane C. Pedersen