Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 11612548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-curable radiopaque dental composition comprising a resin matrix comprising cross-linkable component(s) as Component A, ethylenically unsaturated component(s) with acidic moiety as Component B, an initiator system comprising photoinitiator(s) as Component C, reducing agent(s) as Component D, Component A containing at least two (meth)acrylate moieties and a brominated aromatic moiety selected from brominated resorcinol, catechol, tyrosol, benzoic acid, or phenol moieties. The composition can be used for producing an x-ray visible dental adhesive composition, restoration primer or dental sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christoph H. Thalacker, Adrian S. Eckert, Henry Loll, Karsten Dede
  • Patent number: 11616268
    Abstract: An adapter for use with a battery compartment of an electronic device is provided. The adapter includes a first section adapted to receive a first portion of at least one first battery. The adapter also includes a second section disposed adjacent to the first section. The second section is adapted to receive a second portion of the at least one first battery. The adapter further includes an articulating joint disposed between the first section and the second section. The articulating joint is adapted to selectively articulate the first section relative to the second section to move the adapter between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the adapter is adapted to be aligned in the battery compartment. In the second position, the adapter is adapted to be removably secured in the battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Yoder
  • Patent number: 11609202
    Abstract: A technique may include applying a first electrical signal to a first pair of drive electrodes, and, while applying the first electrical signal to the first pair of drive electrodes, determining a first measured voltage using a first measurement electrode. The technique further may include applying a second electrical signal to a second pair of drive electrodes, and, while applying the second electrical signal to the second pair of drive electrodes, determining a second measured voltage using a second, different measurement electrode. The first pair of drive electrodes, the second pair of drive electrodes, the first measurement electrode, and the second, different measurement electrode may from a set of N electrodes electrically coupled to the material. The technique also may include determining whether the material includes a crack or other defect based on a comparison between the first measured voltage and the second measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David H. Redinger, Christopher R. Yungers, Eric M. Chinnock, Jennifer F. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11608287
    Abstract: Methods for making articles comprising crystalline material. Exemplary articles made by a method described herein include electronics enclosure (e.g., a watch case, cellular phone case, or a tablet case).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Jason D. Anderson, Noah O. Shanti, Fabian Stolzenburg, Jean A. Tangeman
  • Patent number: 11607635
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for obtaining data representative of the condition of an air filter media of an air filter installed in a powered air-handling system, and for using such data to present an indication of the air filter media condition to a user. The devices, systems and methods use pressure information representative of at least a downstream pressure of the powered air-handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Arthur, Karl W. Bloedorn, Jayant Chakravarty, Gene B. Portelli, Dennis M. Glass, Michael A. Meis, Lyle L. Luppes, Daniel W. Hennen, Douglas D. Fletcher, Eric O. Hemberg, Oscar M. Hemberg
  • Patent number: 11607775
    Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing having an outer circumference. An abrasive layer is disposed on the disc backing. The abrasive layer comprises triangular abrasive platelets secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The triangular abrasive platelets are outwardly disposed at regularly-spaced points along a spiral pattern extending outwardly toward the outer circumference. Each triangular abrasive platelet has respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of at least 90 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing, and at least 70 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed in a recurring sequential orientation having an oscillating Z-axis rotational orientation of the first respective sidewall relative to the tangents to the spiral pattern at regularly-spaced points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hanschen, Steven J. Keipert, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Erin D. Spring, Brant A. Moegenburg, Eric M. Moore, Thomas J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11609203
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for detecting a crack or defect in a material. The technique may include applying an electrical signal to a first electrode pair electrically coupled to the material. The technique also may include, while applying the electrical signal to the first electrode pair, determining a measured voltage between a second, different electrode pair. At least one electrode of the second, different electrode pair is electrically coupled to the material. The technique may further include determining a corrected measured voltage by suppressing a thermally induced voltage from the measured voltage and determining whether the material includes a crack or other defect based on the corrected measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David H. Redinger, Christopher R. Yungers, Jennifer F. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11607841
    Abstract: A method of forming a vitreous bond abrasive article is presented that includes receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying a plurality of layers of a vitreous bond abrasive article precursor. The vitreous bond abrasive article precursor includes abrasive particles bonded together by a vitreous bond precursor material and an organic compound. The vitreous bond abrasive article precursor further comprises at least one of: at least one tortuous cooling channel extending at least partially through the vitreous bond abrasive article precursor or at least one arcuate cooling channel extending at least partially through the vitreous bond abrasive article precursor. The method also includes generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the vitreous bond abrasive article precursor based on the digital object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Maiken Givot, Malte Korten, Robert L. W. Smithson, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Thomas J. Anderson, Brian A. Shukla, Michael C. Harper, Elizaveta Y. Plotnikov
  • Patent number: 11608399
    Abstract: Curable adhesive compositions are provided that can be cured using ultraviolet or visible light radiation. These curable adhesive compositions, which contain a curable (meth)acrylate copolymer, have a creep compliance that is less than 5(10?4) inverse Pascals at 25° C., a creep compliance that is greater than 1(10?3) inverse Pascals at 70° C., and a shear storage modulus greater than 40 kiloPascals when measured at 25° C. at a frequency of 1 radian/second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ross E. Behling, Jason D. Clapper, Albert I. Everaerts, Chun-Yi Ting, Mark F. Ellis, Karl E. Benson, Jianhui Xia
  • Patent number: 11607776
    Abstract: An abrasive agglomerate particle includes fused aluminum oxide mineral bonded in a vitreous matrix. The fused aluminum oxide mineral is present in a range from 70 percent by weight to 95 percent by weight and the vitreous matrix is present at least at five percent by weight, based on the weight of the abrasive agglomerate particle. The fused aluminum oxide mineral has an average particle size of up to 300 micrometers, and the abrasive agglomerate particle has a frusto-pyramidal shape with side walls having a taper angle in a range from 2 to 15 degrees and a dimension of at least 400 micrometers. The abrasive agglomerate particles are useful in abrasive articles. The method includes contacting the workpiece with an abrasive article and moving the workpiece and the abrasive article relative to each other to abrade the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Lukowski, Brian D. Goers, Negus B. Adefris, Scott W. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11602822
    Abstract: A method of making a coated abrasive article is disclosed. A backing has first and second opposed major surfaces. A make layer precursor is disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface. Magnetizable abrasive particles are disposed onto the make layer precursor while under the influence of an applied magnetic field. At least a majority the magnetizable abrasive particles extend away from the make layer precursor in an orientation substantially aligned with the applied magnetic field. Non-magnetizable particles are then disposed onto the make layer precursor while under the influence of the applied magnetic field. At least some of the non-magnetizable particles are disposed between the magnetizable abrasive particles. Then, the make layer precursor is at least partially cured to provide a make layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel
  • Patent number: 11604215
    Abstract: A sensor for a separable connector comprises a plug body comprising an insulating resin, the plug body configured to be inserted into the separable connector to encase a high voltage conductor disposed in the separable connector. The sensor also includes one or more high voltage capacitors encased by the insulating resin and configured to be electrically coupled to the separable connector at a first end portion when the plug body is inserted and one or more low voltage capacitors electrically coupled in series to the one or more high voltage capacitors to form a capacitive voltage divider. The sensor also includes a low voltage connection configured to provide a low voltage signal corresponding to a high voltage signal present in the separable connector, the low voltage connection comprising a coaxial contact having a first metal contact and a second metal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wilson, Laszlo Markos, Carl J. Wentzel, Richard D. Twigg
  • Patent number: 11602888
    Abstract: Continuous additive manufacturing apparatuses are provided. An apparatus includes an actinic radiation-transparent substrate having a major surface and an irradiation source configured to direct actinic radiation through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate at predetermined dosages at predetermined locations. The apparatus further includes a means for depositing a composition onto the major surface of the actinic radiation-transparent substrate and a means for conveying the actinic radiation-transparent substrate or the irradiation source with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Kenneth L. Smith, Jesse R. Behnke, Robert L. W. Smithson, Lucas D. Crestik, Olester Benson, Jr., Alexander J. Huffman
  • Patent number: 11602412
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a printable composition. The printable composition includes a polymer, a polymerizable component, a temporary solvent, a photoinitiator, and optionally an inhibitor. The present disclosure also provides an article including an integral blend of a thermoset polymer and a second polymer different from the thermoset polymer. Further, the present disclosure provides a method of making an article. The method includes (i) providing a printable composition; (ii) selectively curing the printable composition to form a gelled article; and (iii) removing at least a portion of the temporary solvent from the gelled article. The method may optionally include (iv) curing unpolymerized polymerizable component remaining before or after step (iii). Also, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying a plurality of layers of an article, the article including: an integral blend of 8 to 50 wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zeba Parkar, Alexander J. Huffman, Mahfuza B. Ali, Stephen A. Johnson, Victor Ho
  • Patent number: 11605499
    Abstract: A magnetic film includes iron and copper distributed between opposing first and second major surfaces of the magnetic film. The copper has a first atomic concentration C1 at a first depth d1 from the first major surface and a peak second atomic concentration C2 at a second depth d2 from the first major surface, d2>d1, C2/C1?5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Seong-Woo Woo, Jung Ju Suh, Charles L. Bruzzone, Jennifer J. Sokol, Sergei A. Manuilov
  • Patent number: 11602948
    Abstract: Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tadesse G. Nigatu, Suman K. Patel, Craig A. Schmidt, Lee A. Pavelka, Neeraj Sharma
  • Patent number: 11604218
    Abstract: Techniques, systems and articles are described for monitoring electrical equipment of a power grid and predicting likelihood failure events of such electrical equipment. In one example, a cable accessory is configured to couple to an electrical power cable and includes a partial discharge sensor and a communications unit. The partial discharge sensor is configured to detect partial discharge events and output data indicative of the partial discharge events. The communications unit is configured to output event data based at least in part on the partial discharge data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Connected Intelligence Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Gundel, Eyal Doron, Lior Embon, Udi Blich
  • Patent number: 11603610
    Abstract: A conformable noise control article useful reducing noise in a motor vehicle is provided. The article includes a nonwoven fiber web that is impregnated with a polymeric matrix composition having low (Tg) and high (Tg) polymers, additives and inorganic fillers. The density of the noise control article is at least ten times more than the density of the nonwoven fiber web. The article has an air flow resistivity that is at least ninety times greater than the air flow resistivity of a bare nonwoven web and exhibits a sound transmission loss in the frequency spectrum of 125 Hz to 5000 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Alex Varghese, Deval Yogendra SurendraKumar Vashistha, Dhritisunder Bhattacharya, Satish Palled
  • Patent number: 11598031
    Abstract: An article comprising hollow ceramic microspheres and multi-component fibers is disclosed. The multi-component fibers are adhered together, and the hollow ceramic microspheres are adhered to external surfaces of the multi-component fibers. A method of making the article and use of the article for insulation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael D. Crandall, Ignatius A. Kadoma, Andrew J. Peterson, Yong K. Wu
  • Patent number: 11597830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable composition for additive-manufacturing processes, the composition comprising (meth)acrylate component(s) not comprising an urethane moiety having a molecular weight Mw of at least 1,000 as Component A1, photo initiator as Component B, red, yellow or orange dye or combination thereof as Component C, blue dye having a light absorption band in the range of 350 to 420 nm as Component D, and optionally stabilizer as Component E. The invention further relates to a process of producing an elastomeric 3-dim article from the radiation curable composition in an additive-manufacturing process and the obtained elastomeric 3-dim article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joachim Zech, Hendrik Grupp, Malte Korten, Ralf Paehl, Dietmar Blees, Gioacchino Raia