Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 11592622
    Abstract: A light coupling element including a groove and a light redirecting member is described. The groove is for receiving and aligning an optical waveguide and incudes an open front end and a back end. The light redirecting member includes an input side for receiving light from an optical waveguide received and supported in the groove and a light redirecting side for changing a direction of light received from the input side. The groove may include a bottom surface extending between the front and back ends of the groove and including a raised bottom surface portion raised upwardly relative to an unraised bottom surface portion. The unraised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface may be disposed between the raised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface and the input side of the light redirecting member. Optical coupling assemblies including the light coupling element and an optical waveguide are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Bing Hao, Changbao Ma, Terry L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11591541
    Abstract: Compositions are provided that include a matrix and a polymeric composite particles disposed in the matrix. The polymeric composite particles include a porous polymeric core and a fragrance positioned within the porous polymeric core. Polymeric composite particles are also provided including a porous polymeric core, a fragrance positioned within the porous polymeric core, and a coating layer around the porous polymeric core. Further, a method of determining a minimum temperature of a composition is provided including providing a composition including polymeric composite particles disposed in a matrix, heating the composition, releasing at least a portion of the fragrance as a vapor from the porous polymeric core of the polymeric composite particles at or above the minimum temperature, and detecting at least a portion of the fragrance vapor in a location outside of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Kobe, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Luke E. Heinzen, Hassan Sahouani
  • Patent number: 11584579
    Abstract: Disclosed are display packages allowing consumers to quickly and easily determine whether a given mounting article should be used to hang or otherwise retain a desired object. The display packages include a projection designed to tear or otherwise separate from a backing once an object exceeding a recommended weight is mounted on the projection. If the projection remains attached to the backing, the mounting article is appropriate for the object. If the projection separates, another mounting article should be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Julio M. Souza, Felipe S. R. Bizarria
  • Patent number: 11584827
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photopolymerizable composition comprising 50-90 wt % of at least one urethane component, 5-50 wt % of at least one reactive diluent, 0.1-5 wt % of a photoinitiator, and optionally an inhibitor, wherein said composition has a viscosity at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius of 10 Pa·s or less, as determined using a magnetic bearing rheometer using a 40 mm cone and plate measuring system at a shear rate of 0.1 l/s. The present disclosure also provides an article including the reaction product of the photopolymerizable composition, in which the article exhibits an elongation at break of 25% or greater. Further, the present disclosure provides a method of making an article including (i) providing a photopolymerizable composition and (ii) selectively curing the photopolymerizable composition to form an article. The method optionally also includes (iii) curing unpolymerized urethane component and/or reactive diluent remaining after step (ii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zeba Parkar, Daniel J. Skamser, Ahmed S. Abuelyaman, Tianyu Wu
  • Patent number: 11585762
    Abstract: System and methods used to inspect a moving web (112) include a plurality of image capturing devices (113) that image a portion of the web at an imaging area. The image data captured by each of the image capturing devices at the respective imaging areas is combined to form a virtual camera data array (105) that represents an alignment of the image data associated with each of the imaging areas to the corresponding physical positioning of the imaging areas relative to the web. The image output signals generated by each of the plurality of image capturing devices may be processed by a single image processor, or a number of image processors (114) that is less than the number of image capturing devices. The processor or processors are arranged to generate the image data forming the virtual camera array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Brittain, Steven P. Floeder
  • Patent number: 11585966
    Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael E. Lauters, Shannon L. Siefken, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11584869
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed related to sealant tape. The sealant tape can include a cured product of a sealant composition including a curable liquid that includes a polysulfide, a polythioether, a copolymer thereof, or a combination thereof. The sealant composition also includes a curing agent for curing the curable liquid. Various embodiments provide cured products of the sealant composition, sealant tapes including the cured product, and sealant tapes including any suitable material with an adhesive pattern thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Larry S. Hebert, Michael D. Swan
  • Patent number: 11584823
    Abstract: A curable, one-part epoxy/thiol resin composition comprising: an epoxy resin component comprising an epoxy resin having at least two epoxide groups per molecule; a thiol component comprising a polythiol compound having at least two primary thiol groups; a nitrogen-containing catalyst for the epoxy resin; and a substituted barbituric acid soluble in the one-part epoxy/thiol resin composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Kropp, Matthew J. Kryger
  • Patent number: 11584863
    Abstract: Curable ink compositions include at least one aromatic (meth)acrylate, at least one multifunctional (meth)acrylate with heteroaromatic groups, fused aromatic groups, heteroalkylene groups, or a group containing both heteroalkylene and aromatic groups, and a photoinitiator. The curable ink composition is Inkjet printable, having a viscosity of 30 centipoise or less at a temperature of from room temperature to 35° C., and is free from solvents. The ink composition, when printed and cured has a refractive index of 1.55 or greater, and is optically clear. The cured ink composition, when cured to a thickness of from 1-16 micrometers, has a surface roughness of less than or equal to 5 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan L. Schwartz, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Bryan V. Hunt, Brett J. Sitter, Kelly A. Volp, Saswata Chakraborty, Wayne S. Mahoney, Tabitha A. Silliman
  • Patent number: 11583373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coloured curable composition for use in an additive manufacturing process, the composition comprising a curable resin composition comprising radiation curable components, a photo initiator, a dye composition comprising a dye D1 and a dye D2, dye D1 having a light absorption maximum within a wave length range from 400 to 530 nm, dye D2 showing a light absorption maximum within a wave length range from 540 to 650 nm. The invention also relates to a 3-dim composite article obtained by processing the curable composition in an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gioacchino Raia, Adrian S. Eckert, Malte Korten, Martin Goetzinger
  • Patent number: 11584817
    Abstract: Orthodontic articles and polymerizable resin compositions are described. The orthodontic article comprises a cured composition comprising the reaction product of free-radically polymerizable resin comprising 30 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of at least one urethane component, and 25 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of reactive diluent(s) comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The polymerizable resin comprises no greater than 35 wt. % of reactive diluent(s) having a high affinity for water. Reactive diluent(s) such as monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers having a high affinity for water have low log P values. In one embodiment, the polymerizable resin comprises at least one acidic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tianyu Wu, Saswata Chakraborty, Benjamin C. MacMurray, Richard J. Pokorny, Thomas P. Klun, Wayne S. Mahoney, Chad M. Amb, Ahmed S. Abuelyaman, Robert S. Clough, John M. Riedesel, James D. Hansen, Ian Dailey, Daniel J. Skamser, Eric W. Nelson, George W. Griesgraber, Dana R. Reed
  • Patent number: 11585358
    Abstract: Provided are attachment devices including a fastener (102) and a clip (104) coupled to the fastener, along with methods related thereof. The clip has first and second members (110, 112) with respective first and second engagement surfaces (116, 118) that oppose each other and define a gap (120) sized to receive a portion of the rail. The clip further includes a bridging member (114) that connects the first and second members to each other. The bridging member can have at least one opening (130) aligned with the gap and providing access for a prying tool to resiliently deflect the first and/or second engagement surface and facilitate detachment of the clip from the rail. Optionally, the bridging member includes a third engagement surface (122) with a configuration that enables a rigid coupling between the clip and the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Matthew Kyle Wilcox
  • Patent number: 11586039
    Abstract: Vehicle projection assemblies are described. In particular, vehicle projection assemblies within a housing including a projection module, and selective reflective polarizing element are described. Particular selective reflective polarizing elements may enable advantageous configurations for such vehicle projection assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William F. Edmonds, Matthew B. Johnson, Carl A. Stover
  • Patent number: 11585990
    Abstract: An optical ferrule includes an optical coupling member with a light redirecting element that redirects input light from a waveguide toward an output window. The optical coupling member has a mating surface configured to slidably mate with a mating optical coupling member along a longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes at least one stacking member along a longitudinal edge of the optical coupling member. The stacking member has a distal end extending beyond one of the mating surface and a top surface opposed to the mating surface. The stacking member also has a contact surface opposed to the distal end. The contact surface is configured to rotatably interface with a corresponding distal end of a of an adjacently stacked optical ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11584113
    Abstract: A composite article includes a multilayer barrier assembly bonded to a substrate, and a top polymer layer bonded to the multilayer barrier assembly opposite the substrate. The multilayer barrier assembly comprises a base polymer layer and a base inorganic barrier layer. The base polymer layer comprises a polymerized reaction product of polymerizable components comprising at least one di(meth)acrylate represented by the formula: Formula (I) Each R1 independently represents H or methyl; each R2 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and z=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, with the provisos that at least one of x and z is not zero and 1?x+z?4. Methods of making the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert S. Clough, Joseph C. Spagnola, Christopher S. Lyons, Mark D. Weigel, Thomas P. Klun
  • Patent number: 11579452
    Abstract: Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun
  • Patent number: 11577367
    Abstract: A method of aligning abrasive particles on a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate. The method also comprises providing abrasive particles. The method also comprises generating a modulated electrostatic field. The modulated electrostatic field is configured to have a first effective direction at a first time and a second effective direction at a second time. The electrostatic field is configured to cause the abrasive particles to align rotationally in both a z-direction and a y-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Ronald D. Jesme, Aaron K. Nienaber
  • Patent number: 11577453
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system has a light permeable base, a build carrier for holding a workpiece and a light source which is arranged to emit light through the light permeable base. The light permeable base and the build carrier are positionable relative to each other in a build dimension in which the workpiece is built up. The system further has a resin vat in which the light permeable base forms a wall portion thereof. The system further comprises a plurality of resin supplies for supplying different light hardenable resins in direct contact with each other in said vat. The system facilitates the rapid manufacturing of a dental restoration having a color gradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Malte Korten, Helmar Mayr, Gioacchino Raia, Bernhard Hofmann, Adrian Eckert
  • Patent number: 11578162
    Abstract: Curable compositions, cured compositions, articles containing the curable or cured compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided. More particularly, the curable compositions contain a (meth)acrylate-based polymer having pendant (meth)acryloyl groups, at least one monomer having a single ethylenically unsaturated group, a photoinitiator that includes an acyl phosphine oxide, and a thixotropic agent. The curable compositions can be printed or dispensed, if desired, and the cured compositions are pressure-sensitive adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jayshree Seth, Mark F. Ellis, Eric W. Nelson, Janet A. Venne, Christopher C. Pope, Matthew H. Wessel
  • Patent number: D978443
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory G. Jager, Douglas D. Fletcher, Jason T. Lunn, Eric O. Hemberg, Oscar M. Hemberg, Anders P. Hellberg, Marco D'Adamo