Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Aqueous oral care solutions, methods, kits, and tooth surfaces having a coating derived from the oral care solution
    Patent number: 11318005
    Abstract: An aqueous oral care solution, a kit that includes such solution, a method of making such solution, a method of using such solution (e.g., a method of providing fluoride to a patient's tooth surface), and a tooth surface having a coating derived from the aqueous oral care solution, wherein the oral care solution includes: silver cations; thiocyanatc anions provided by a thiocyanatc source comprising Ca(SCN)2; fluoride anions; and water; wherein the molar ratio of silver to thiocyanatc ions is up to 0.40:1, and water is up to 57 wt-%, based on the total weight of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Yizhong Wang, Jie J. Liu, Richard P. Rusin, Melinda B. Gustafson, Ingo Haeberlein, Carola A. Carrera Vidal
  • Display systems and devices
    Patent number: 11320856
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to display systems, display devices, and methods of making and using them. Some exemplary display systems are capable of attaching a display device to a computer monitor. The exemplary display systems sought to create improved display systems and devices capable of displaying information to a user and attaching to a computer monitor and/or large format electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James K. Magargee, Jacob T. Lusson, Alonso M. Hernandez, Scott A. Spoo
  • Specific binding chemiluminescent assay
    Patent number: 11320424
    Abstract: Method of assaying for an analyte in a sample, and kits for performing the assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory W. Sitton
  • Optical coupling device with waveguide assisted registration
    Patent number: 11320603
    Abstract: A multi-piece optical coupling device comprises a first piece that includes one or more first receiving elements configured to receive and secure one or more optical waveguides. The first piece further includes one or more light affecting elements configured to affect one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguides while propagating the light within the optical coupling device. A second piece is separate from the first piece and includes one or more second receiving elements configured to receive the waveguides, the first receiving elements and the second receiving elements configured to align the second piece and the first piece using the optical waveguides. The second piece also includes one or more mating alignment features configured to engage with a mating optical coupling device and to align the optical coupling device with the mating optical coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, Terry L. Smith
  • Electrical conductors
    Patent number: 11324113
    Abstract: Electrical conductors are disclosed. More particularly, undulating electrical conductors are disclosed. Certain disclosed electrical conductors may be suitable to be disposed on flexible or stretchable substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas T. Gabriel, Ronald D. Jesme, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Ravi Palaniswamy, Andrew P. Bonifas, Alejandro Aldrin A. Narag, II, Robert M. Jennings, Robin E. Gorrell
  • Polymeric materials formed using initiators with a ketone group and two thiocarbonylthio-containing groups
    Patent number: 11319461
    Abstract: Controlled radical initiators, reaction mixtures containing the controlled radical initiators and various ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polymeric materials formed from the reaction mixtures, crosslinkable compositions containing the polymeric materials, crosslinked compositions formed from the crosslinkable compositions, and various articles are provided. The controlled radical initiators are bis-dithiocarbamate or bis-dithiocarbonate compounds having a carbonyl group between the two dithiocarbamate or dithiocarbonate groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Lewandowski, Stephen B. Roscoe, Babu N. Gaddam, Bryan T. Whiting, John L. Battiste
  • Rapid detection of in a thin film culture device
    Patent number: 11319573
    Abstract: A device for differentially enumerating colonies of coliform and Escherichia coli microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a water-impermeable first sheet; a water-impermeable second sheet attached to the first sheet; a dry, rehydratable culture medium comprising a lactose-fermentation indicator system, a ?-D-glucuronidase indicator system that comprises a plurality of compounds that enhance ?-glucuronidase enzyme activity in E. coli, a redox indicator system and a first cold-water soluble gelling agent adhered to the first sheet, the culture medium disposed in a microbial growth zone; and a second cold-water-soluble gelling agent adhered to the second sheet. The microbial growth zone is disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet. Methods of using the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Alec J. Teagarden, Haley A. Saddoris
  • Compositions including copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 11312802
    Abstract: A composition includes a thermoplastic fluoropolymer having vinylidene fluoride units in an amount of at least 30 mole percent and tetrafluoroethylene units in an amount of at least 5 mole percent. The thermoplastic fluoropolymer is free of hexafluoropropylene units or comprises less than 5 mole percent hexafluoropropylene units. The composition further includes at least one of a non-fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer as a major component of the composition or a polymer processing additive synergist. A method of reducing melt defects during the extrusion of a polymer is also provided. Use of the thermoplastic fluoropolymer as a polymer processing additive is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Dale E. Hutchens, Harald Kaspar, Karl D. Weilandt, Shireen A. Mamun
  • Optical system
    Patent number: 11314097
    Abstract: An optical system for displaying an object to a viewer is described. The optical system includes an integral first optical assembly, an integral second optical assembly, and an integral third optical assembly disposed between the integral first and second optical assemblies. The integral first optical assembly has a first focal length and includes one or more first optical lenses, and a reflective polarizer. The integral second optical assembly has a second focal length and includes one or more second optical lenses, and a partial reflector having an average optical reflectance of at least 30% for a desired plurality of wavelengths. The integral third optical assembly has a third focal length and includes a curved first phase retarder. The third focal length is greater than a smaller of the first and second focal lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun, Jo Anne Etter
  • Orthodontic bracket and an orthodontic appliance
    Patent number: 11311352
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket that forms a slot for receiving an archwire. The slot extends through the orthodontic bracket along an archwire axis. The slot is delimited in directions radially of the archwire axis by a slot base surface, an opposite slot cover surface and two opposite slot side surfaces. Further, the slot has an open side that is provided by a gap within one of the slot side surfaces in a dimension along the archwire axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Golcher, Ralf M. Paehl
  • Flexible filter element having an end outlet
    Patent number: 11311752
    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: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John S. Huberty, Ryan D. Kracht, Michael J. Svendsen
  • Article with microstructured layer
    Patent number: 11312100
    Abstract: Article comprising a first microstructured layer comprising a first material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, the first major surface being a microstructured surface, and the microstructured surface having peaks and valleys, wherein the peaks are microstructural features each having a height defined by the distance between the peak of the respective microstructural feature and an adjacent valley; and a second layer comprising an adhesive material, and having a first and second opposed major surfaces, the adhesive material comprising a reaction product of a mixture comprising (meth)acrylate and epoxy in the presence of each other, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface of the second layer is directly attached to at least a portion of the first major microstructured surface of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Solomon, Saswata Chakraborty, Robert J. Devoe, Wayne S. Mahoney, Eric W. Nelson, Kundapur Raveesh Shenoy
  • Personal protective equipment management system using optical patterns for equipment and safety monitoring
    Patent number: 11314971
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for a personal protective equipment (PPE) management system (PPEMS) that uses images of optical patterns embodied on articles of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to identify safety conditions that correspond to usage of the PPEs. In one example, an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a first optical pattern embodied on a surface of the article of PPE; a second optical pattern embodied on the surface of the article of PPE, wherein a spatial relation between the first optical pattern and the second optical pattern is indicative of an operational status of the article of PPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul L. Acito, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, James B. Snyder, Travis L. Potts, James W. Howard, James L. C. Werness, Jr., Suman K. Patel, Charles A. Shaklee, Katja Hansen, Glenn E. Casner, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven T. Awiszus, Neeraj Sharma
  • Lightguide having opening and surrounding channel
    Patent number: 11314008
    Abstract: An optical system includes a lightguide having opposing top and bottom major surfaces. A round through opening extends between the two surfaces of the lightguide. An elongated channel is formed in one of the surfaces and at least partially surrounds and is substantially concentric with the opening. The channel has a depth (d) that varies along its length. Light extractors extract light that would otherwise propagate within and along the lightguide. The features of the lightguide can be varied to optimize performance of the lightguide for various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Yongshang Lu, David C. Mercord, Brian W. Ostlie
  • Patient comfort apparatus and system
    Patent number: 11311411
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and a method for thermally comforting a patient include pneumatic, convective device providing thermal treatment for persons or animals, which is adapted for use in combination with a clinical garment such as a hospital gown, robe, bib, and other equivalents. The pneumatic convective device provides convective warming focused or directed primarily on the thorax or body core. The pneumatic convective device includes at least one inlet for being accessed through a clinical garment, a region in distribution with the inlet for distributing a stream of pressurized, thermally treated air, and a permeable member for emitting pressurized, thermally treated air from the distribution region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Thomas P. Anderson, Randall C. Arnold
  • TUBE SECUREMENT DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE SIZE
    Publication number: 20220118227
    Abstract: The disclosed tube securement device (100) is adjustable in size to fit varying sizes and shapes of a part of the body. The tube securement device (100) comprises a backing (110) forming a first end section (120), a second end section (130), and a midsection (140). A first adhesive (122) is on at least a portion of the first major surface (112) of the first end section (120). A second adhesive (132) is on at least a portion the second end section (130). A first perforation line (123) is through the first end section (120) to form a first removable portion (124). In use, the first removable portion (124) can be separated from the first end section (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: DIANE J. ZIEMANN, JEFFREY D. COTTON, AMANDA C. ENGLER, KIMBERLY A. SCHOMMER, JAMES M. SIERACKI, MICHAEL J. TURNBULL, JENER DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA MARTINS
  • Sponge with surface pattern
    Patent number: D950870
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, Louis D. Hibbard, John L. Thiele, Kyle C. Bryson, Mark W. Baldwin
  • Surface pattern on sponge
    Patent number: D950871
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, Louis D. Hibbard, John L. Thiele, Kyle C. Bryson, Mark W. Baldwin
  • Sponge with surface pattern
    Patent number: D950872
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, Louis D. Hibbard, John L. Thiele, Kyle C. Bryson, Mark W. Baldwin
  • Sponge with surface pattern
    Patent number: D950873
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, Louis D. Hibbard, John L. Thiele, Kyle C. Bryson, Mark W. Baldwin