Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Patent number: 11154894
    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: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    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: 11154959
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polishing pads which include a polishing layer, a porous substrate and an interfacial region. The present disclosure relates to a method of making the polishing pads. The present disclosure relates to a method of polishing a substrate, the method of polishing including: providing a polishing pad according to any one of the previous polishing pads; providing a substrate, contacting the working surface of the polishing pad with the substrate surface, moving the polishing pad and the substrate relative to one another while maintaining contact between the working surface of the polishing pad and the substrate surface, wherein polishing is conducted in the presence of a polishing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Duy K. Lehuu, David F. Slama
  • Patent number: 11157808
    Abstract: A system including a confidence assessment module that implements a neural network to assess the likelihood that codes associated with a patient's encounter with a healthcare organization are accurate. The confidence assessment module may also be incrementally trained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Andrew C. Wetta
  • Publication number: 20210324150
    Abstract: The invention includes a forced-air blanket for providing a profusion of air to a patient, comprising a bottom layer with a plurality of openings configured to allow a profusion of air to pass through the bottom layer and an upper layer bonded to the bottom layer around a periphery, wherein the upper layer is also bonded to bottom layer by a plurality of linear seals and a plurality of staked seals. In an embodiment, at least one of more of the linear seals have one end which is joined to a portion of the periphery. In another embodiment, the forced-air blanket may further include at least one elongated seal that is positioned proximate to the inlet. The arrangement of the plurality of staked seals, elongated seals and linear seals assists in providing a blanket that is of a low-profile with even air distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason W. Bjork, AMY S. DETERMAN, JONATHAN J. O'HARE, ROBERT A. ASMUS, JAMES P. DIZIO, ZHICHENG TIAN
  • Publication number: 20210322742
    Abstract: An applicator (100) including a hollow body (110), the hollow body including a distal portion (112), a proximal portion (114), an exterior surface (118), an interior surface (116), and an activation region (120), where the hollow body includes at least two longitudinal grooves (122) on at least one of the exterior surface and the interior surface in the activation region of the applicator, and where the hollow body has a first radial groove (124) in the activation region that is on at least one of the exterior surface or the interior surface. The applicator includes a frangible ampoule (160) inside the hollow body, the frangible ampoule configured to contain a solution. The applicator may include a head (140) having an absorbent component (150) capable of absorbing the contents of the frangible ampoule when the ampoule is fractured and can aid in application of the ampoule contents to the desired surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: ALAN R. DOMBROWSKI, ROBERT A. ASMUS
  • Patent number: 11148361
    Abstract: Provided are method of producing a shaped fluoroelastomer articles. The methods include subjecting a composition comprising a fluoroelastomer to additive processing in an additive processing device. Also provided are articles obtained with the methods and 3D-printable compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Xuan Jiang, Jeffrey N. Bartow, Dirk H. C. Arren, Fee Zentis, Klaus Hintzer, Gabriele H. Gottschalk-Gaudig
  • Patent number: 11148349
    Abstract: Film articles with dual-sided structures are ones in which both of the major surfaces of the film have a structured surface. The structured film articles have a first major surface and second major surface, where each surface has a plurality of spaced apart protrusions forming a repeating pattern. Each repeating pattern has a major axis, where the major axis is one of the major axes in the translational direction of the repeating pattern. The major axis of the repeating pattern on the second major surface forms an oblique angle with the major axis on the first major surface, where the angle is in the range of 10-90% of the angle of rotational symmetry of the repeating pattern. The structured film is a unitary substrate. The structured film articles are prepared by providing a flowable material composition having two major surfaces and simultaneously contacting the major surfaces with a first microstructuring tool, and a second microstructuring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Graham M. Clarke, Randy S. Bay, Raymond J. Kenney, Kurt J. Halverson, Brent R. Hansen, Michael R. Plumb
  • Patent number: 11149194
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite particle that includes: a fluorescent semiconductor core/shell nanoparticle (preferably, nanocrystal); and a stabilizing homo- or copolymer combined with the core/shell nanoparticle, the stabilizing (co)polymer comprising styrene monomer units and functionalized with phosphine, arsine or stibine groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carl A. Laskowski, Saswata Chakraborty, Wayne S. Mahoney, Guy D. Joly, Michael C. Palazzotto
  • Patent number: 11150416
    Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Nelson, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11150393
    Abstract: Thermoplastic birefringent multilayer optical films are described. More particularly, thermoplastic multilayer films having alternating first and second layers having a linear layer profile where both outer layers are thinner than 350 nm but thicker than 150 nm are described. Thermoplastic birefringent multilayer optical films with thinner outer protective boundary layers are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Martin E. Denker
  • Patent number: 11150209
    Abstract: A measurement system may include an electrical signal source; a plurality of electrical contacts electrically coupled to a tested material; a respective resistor associated with each electrical contact; a common node to which the respective resistors are electrically connected; and a control module. The control module may cause the electrical signal source to be electrically connected to a selected electrical contact as an input electrical contact. The remaining electrical contacts are electrically connected to a return node of the electrical signal source as extraction electrical contacts. The control module also may cause the electrical signal source to output an electrical signal to an input electrical contact; cause a respective electrical signal parameter to be determined at the respective resistor associated with each respective extraction electrical contact; and determine whether the tested material includes a crack or other defect based on the respective electrical signal parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher R. Yungers, David H. Redinger, Eric M. Chinnock, Jennifer F. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11141835
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of making an abrasive article is disclosed. The method can comprise: providing a surface; disposing magnetizable abrasive particles on the surface; and varying a magnetic field relative to the magnetizable abrasive particles to impart a non-random orientation and/or alignment to the magnetizable abrasive particles relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Jesme, Thomas J. Nelson, Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Vincent R. Jansen, Samad Javid
  • Patent number: 11143220
    Abstract: A tether clip for interconnecting an anchor structure and an accessory comprises an upper clamping member, a lower clamping member, and a biasing member. The lower clamping member is pivotally connected to the upper clamping member, and the biasing member biases the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member in a closed position. A lower lanyard receiving end and an upper lanyard receiving end are adapted to receive a lanyard connected to the accessory. When the lanyard is under a tensile load, a lateral force is exerted on the lower lanyard receiving end and the upper lanyard receiving end, which translates to a torsional load on the upper clamping end and the lower clamping end to place a stronger clamping force on the anchor structure in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Travis P. Betcher, Matthew P. Thoms, Matthew J. Blackford
  • Patent number: 11143685
    Abstract: The present subject matter enables early or real-time detection of anomalies in electric networks. In various applications, the system detects anomalies, such as electricity theft, electricity surge, etc. It solves the difficult-to-detect problems in an electrical network, where anomalies like electricity theft or electrical surge may not be found until it has raised numerous concerns or complaints, or has created a significant impact on infrastructure functionality, service quality, or cost. In addition, the present subject matter decreases the requirement for large number of sensors and provides more cost effective and scalable solutions. The present subject matter provides a method for determining where a detected anomaly is occurring within an electrical network. Variations of the present subject matter include anomaly identification systems for addressing anomalies in large networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Golshan Golnari, Saber Taghvaeeyan, Jennifer F. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11143590
    Abstract: A time-domain terahertz (THz) measurement system includes a single reference surface. A reference beam providing the single reference surface is supported at two mounting points, at least one of which is a non-fixed mounting point to allow for thermal expansion of the reference beam. The system acquires an air scan profile of the single reference surface with no sample present at a first time, and a sample scan profile with the sample present at a second time. The system further performs a linear correction of the air scan profile using distance measurements at two reference points outside the boundaries of the sample collected at the time of acquisition of the air scan profile and the sample scan profile. The system measures one or more properties of a sample, including, for example, a thickness profile of the sample and an effective refractive index profile of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: David L. Hofeldt
  • Publication number: 20210308318
    Abstract: A wound dressing system comprising a drape and a hydrogel sealant. The drape comprises a film and an adhesive on a first major surface of the film. The hydrogel comprises at least 30% by weight water, a crosslinked hydrophilic absorbent polymer; and a swelling agent. The hydrogel can create a seal between the drape and a surface (e.g., a patient's skin), making the disclosed systems suitable for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: DAVID R. HOLM, ROBERT A. ASMUS
  • Publication number: 20210311002
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-contained biological indicators wherein a single type of indicator is capable of being used for various sterilization conditions, including sterilization with steam and/or ethylene oxide. In some embodiments, a single type of biological indicator is capable of being used for different steam sterilization conditions having varied temperatures and sterilization cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, KELVIN J. WITCHER, NAIYONG JING, TONYA D. BONILLA, G. MARCO BOMMARITO
  • Patent number: 11135554
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multilayer article. The multilayer article includes a) a microfiltration membrane substrate, the microfiltration membrane substrate having a first major surface; and b) a first layer having a first major surface and a second major surface disposed opposite the first major surface. The first major surface of the first layer is directly attached to the first major surface of the microfiltration membrane substrate. The first layer includes a first polymeric binder and a plurality of acid-sintered interconnected first silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The multilayer article further includes c) a second layer attached to the second major surface of the first layer. The second layer includes i) a metal coating or ii) a composite coating comprising a second polymeric binder and at least one of metal nanoparticles or metal nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chunjie Zhang, Ta-Hua Yu, Hongying Jiang, Xuan Jiang, Kevin M. Casey
  • Patent number: 11135460
    Abstract: There is provided a respirator 10 having a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that is air permeable. The mask body 12 has a sinus region 40 and a primary filtering region 44 and includes at least one nonwoven fibrous web, which web includes a layer of filter media. The sinus region 40 of the mask body 12 exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region 44. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region 40 without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Patent number: D934433
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James M. Sieracki, Krystal J. Scheibel