Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 11193522
    Abstract: A shear bolt including a head portion and a shaft portion extending along an axis from the head portion is described. The shaft portion has a threaded outer surface and a stepped bore where the stepped bore has a plurality of regions along the axis and a plurality of steps. Each step in the plurality of steps separates adjacent regions in the plurality of regions and an inner diameter of the stepped bore is constant in each region in the plurality of regions and changes discontinuously at each step in the plurality of steps. The inner diameter increases from a first region in the plurality of regions closest to the head portion to a second region in the plurality of regions farthest from the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Natarajan Veerapathiran, Sanjay Jha, Rajapanth Srinivasa Murthy Madhava Murthy, Permeet Singh, Manoj Prabhaker Patil
  • Patent number: 11192059
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to air filters. More particularly, it relates to air filters including pleated filter media that can be uniformly expanded and contracted. In some embodiments, the air filters are adjustably sized air filter systems. In some embodiments, the air filters can be used in a window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Glen O. Gregerson, Bryan L. Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 11193016
    Abstract: Curable compositions, cured compositions formed from the curable compositions, and articles containing the cured compositions are provided. The curable compositions include (a) a curable component that includes (1) an epoxy resin, (2) a polyamide composition, (3) a multifunctional amine compound, and (4) a multifunctional (meth)acrylate compound and (b) an optional inorganic filler. The curable composition can result in the formation of cured compositions with properties such as good tensile strength, good elongation at break, good overlap shear strength, good adhesion to substrates such as metal substrates, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Li Yao, Rajdeep S. Kalgutkar, Mario A. Perez, Wayne S. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 11192989
    Abstract: Compositions of matter described as urea (multi)-urethane (meth)acrylate-silanes having the general formula RA—NH—C(O)—N(R4)—R11—[O—C(O)NH—RS]n, or RS—NH—C(O)—N(R4)—R11—[O—C(O)NH—RA]n. Also described are articles including a substrate, a base (co)polymer layer on a major surface of the substrate, an oxide layer on the base (co)polymer layer; and a protective (co)polymer layer on the oxide layer, the protective (co)polymer layer including the reaction product of at least one urea (multi)-urethane (meth)acrylate-silane precursor compound. The substrate may be a (co)polymer film or an electronic device such as an organic light emitting device, electrophoretic light emitting device, liquid crystal display, thin film transistor, or combination thereof. Methods of making such urea (multi)-urethane (meth)acrylate-silane precursor compounds, and their use in composite films and electronic devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Alan K. Nachtigal, Joseph C. Spagnola, Mark A. Roehrig, Jennifer K. Schnobrich, Guy D. Joly, Christopher S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 11194100
    Abstract: An optical fiber connection system (600) configured to interconnect a plurality of first and second optical fibers (54, 54?) is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Shonkwiler, Richard L. Simmons, Donald K. Larson, William J. Clatanoff, Janet A. Kling
  • Patent number: 11186697
    Abstract: Composite particles are provided including a chemical blowing agent particle encapsulated within a shell including an uncrosslinked thermoplastic material. The uncrosslinked thermoplastic material exhibits at least a certain minimum complex viscosity at a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent particle. Also described are compositions and foam compositions containing the composite particles. Further, articles are provided including the foam compositions, such as a sheet, tape, or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are additionally described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Fishman, Ying Lin, Hassan Sahouani, Caitlin E. Meree, Jeffrey P. Kalish, Aaron T. Hedegaard
  • Patent number: 11186751
    Abstract: Unified multilayer articles comprising alternating layers including: a) at least two elastomeric foam interior layers, which are interior layers of the unified multilayer article, and which comprise: i) a first elastomeric material, and distributed therein: ii) expanded polymeric microspheres; where the elastomeric foam interior layers alternate with: b) at least two alternate layers directly bound to adjacent elastomeric foam interior layers; and wherein at least one of the alternate layers is an interior layer of the unified multilayer article. Adhesive films comprising the unified multilayer articles of the present disclosure are also provided, which additionally comprises at least one pressure sensitive adhesive attachment layer, which is an outermost PSA layer directly bound to a first face of the unified multilayer article and available for attachment of the adhesive film to an adherend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Ross J. DeVolder
  • Patent number: 11185392
    Abstract: A custom tool for forming a dental restoration in a mouth of a patient includes a one-piece mold body providing for a customized fit with at least one tooth of the patient, the one-piece mold body including an occlusal portion forming an occlusal surface corresponding with an occlusal surface of the tooth, a mesial proximal portion forming a mesial proximal surface corresponding with a mesial proximal surface of the tooth, and a distal proximal portion forming a distal proximal surface corresponding with a distal proximal surface of the tooth. The mold body is configured to combine with the tooth of the patient to form a mold cavity encompassing missing tooth structure of the tooth. The occlusal portion, the mesial proximal portion, and the distal proximal portion are based on three-dimensional scan data of the mouth of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James D. Hansen, Joseph C. Dingeldein, Mary C. Doruff
  • Patent number: 11185722
    Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) with an active heating system. The PAPR includes a powered air component designed to be carried by a user of the PAPR, the powered air component including a fan and a filter, wherein the fan draws air from a user's environment through the filter. The PAPR further includes an electronically controlled active heating element and a control system. The control system varies the power provided to the heating element and further disables the heating element when potential overheating of the heating element is detected. The present invention further includes a heating module for use with a PAPR. The heating module includes an electronically controlled active heating element. The heating element is disabled when the fan in the PAPR is not rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mats Ulrik Sernfält, Fredrik A. Nisser, Michal S. Szulmanowicz
  • Patent number: 11187847
    Abstract: Backlights are described. In particular, backlights including wide-web turning films and reflective polarizers having quarter-wave retarders are disclosed. Such configurations can provide turning film systems with improved luminance uniformity for large format displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Quinn D. Sanford, Kenneth A. Epstein, Matthew B. Johnson, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11189898
    Abstract: A waveguide and a communication system including the waveguide are described. The waveguide is configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave having an operating frequency along the waveguide. The waveguide includes a substrate having a first dielectric constant, and an array of spaced apart unit cells at least partially embedded in the substrate and arranged along the waveguide. Each of a plurality of the unit cells in the array of spaced apart unit cells has a first transmission parameter S121 having a lowest resonant frequency ?1 and includes a dielectric body and one or more electrically conductive layers disposed on and partially covering the dielectric body. The dielectric body has a second dielectric constant greater than the first dielectric constant at the operating frequency and has a second transmission parameter S221 having a lowest resonant frequency ?2 greater than ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Dipankar Ghosh, Craig W. Lindsay, Matthew S. Stay
  • Patent number: 11185804
    Abstract: A filter unit that includes a slide assembly and a head assembly. The slide assembly is moveably mounted to the head assembly. The head assembly is configured to receive an end portion of a filter cartridge in releasable engagement. The slide assembly is movable between a first position in which the slide assembly prevents disengagement of the filter cartridge from the head assembly, and a second position in which the filter cartridge is permitted to disengage from the head assembly. In the second position, the slide assembly maintains engagement with the head assembly until an external force is applied by engagement of the filter cartridge with the slide assembly when removing the filter cartridge from the head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Laurence W. Bassett, Andrew M. Candelora, Robert E. Astle
  • Patent number: 11185391
    Abstract: A mixer assembly with a static mixing element arranged within a mixing channel. The mixer assembly has an inlet end, for receiving components of a substance and a dispensing end for dispensing a mixture from the components. The inlet end comprises for each component an inlet and an associated non-return valve. Each of the inlets is connectable for fluid communication with the mixing channel via the associated non-return valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Andreas J. Boehm
  • Patent number: 11187576
    Abstract: In an example, an example article may include a spatially variant microreplicated layer optically coupled to a wavelength selective filter. The wavelength selective filter may have a light incidence angle-dependent optical band. The spatially variant microreplicated layer may be configured to transmit light to a first optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a first predetermined incidence angle and to a second optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a second predetermined incidence angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Rolf W. Biernath, Sara Suzanne Merritt, James Hillis, Owen M. Anderson, Timothy J. Nevitt
  • Patent number: 11179698
    Abstract: Polymeric sorbents for carbon dioxide are provided. More particularly, the polymeric sorbents are a reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound. The nitrogen-containing compound is covalently attached to the polymeric sorbents. Additionally, methods of sorbing carbon dioxide on the polymeric sorbents and compositions resulting from sorbing carbon dioxide on the polymeric sorbents are provided. The polymeric sorbents typically are porous and can selectively remove carbon dioxide from other gases such as methane or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Wendland, Michael W. Kobe
  • Patent number: 11180662
    Abstract: Ultraviolet absorbing hardcoat and precursor therefore comprising a binder and nanoparticles in a range from 1 to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the hardcoat, wherein at least a portion of the ZnO nanoparticles are surface modified with L-lysine and have a silica coating thereon. Hardcoats described herein are useful, for example, for optical displays (e.g., cathode ray tube (CRT) and light emitting diode (LED) displays), personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, touch-sensitive screens, removable computer screens, window film, and goggles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Taiki Ihara, Naota Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11181498
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a crack or defect in a material are described. An example method may include determining, by a computing device, for each respective adjacent pair of electrodes of a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the material, a respective electrode pair voltage. The method also may include determining, by the computing device, for each respective adjacent pair of electrodes, a respective temperature-corrected electrode pair value based on the respective electrode pair voltage and at least one of a respective control voltage associated with the respective adjacent pair of electrodes or a temperature correction factor. The method may further include determining, by the computing device, whether the material includes a crack or defect based on the plurality of respective temperature-corrected electrode pair values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David H. Redinger, Christopher R. Yungers, Jennifer F. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11179665
    Abstract: A nestable framed pleated air filter, including a non-self-supporting, compressible, pleated air filter media with a plurality of oppositely-facing pleats and with a plurality of upstream pleat tips and downstream pleat tips and downstream pleat valleys, the pleated air filter media further including a plurality of bridging filaments that are bonded to at least some of the upstream pleat tips. The filter includes a frame with sidewalls that are angled so that the framed pleated air filter is nestable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovation Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Jonathan M. Lise, John J. Rogers, Stephen M. Sanocki, Kannan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 11180417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a porous zirconia article in particular for use in the dental or orthodontic field, the porous zirconia article comprising ZrO2: 80 to 87 wt. %, Y2O3: 3 to 5 wt. %, Al2O3: 10 to 14 wt. %, wt. % with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia article, the porous zirconia article being characterized by a BET surface from 15 to 100 m2/g. The invention also relates to a sintered zirconia article in particular for use in the dental or orthodontic field, the sintered zirconia article comprising ZrO2: 80 to 87 wt. %, Y2O3: 3 to 5 wt. %, Al2O3: 10 to 14 wt. %, wt. % with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia article, the sintered zirconia article being characterized by a corundum crystal phase content of 7 to 12 wt. % and a flexural strength of at least 2,000 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bjorn Theelke, Rainer K. Dittmann
  • Patent number: D937968
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anna M. Hegdahl, Brett A. Howell, William P. Atwood, Jade L. Perren, Ryan D. Erickson, Steven J. Tarnowski, Stephen C. P. Joseph, Mark S. Menzenski, Sean M. Cory, Dean E. Sitz