Patents Assigned to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
  • Patent number: 5924420
    Abstract: A full face respirator mask (10) includes a face shield portion (12) with the seal (20) surrounding a lens portion (14). Inhalation ports (16) and an exhalation port (18) are formed at the lower portion of the lens (14). A center adapter (30) includes a nose cup (40) and an exhalation valve (38) in the center orifice (18). The inhalation ports (16,116) are placed at each side of the exhalation port (18) and include connector portions (50,150) formed with the lens (14) or ultrasonically welded to the lens (14). The connector portions (50) include male connectors (58) in a first embodiment and female connectors (150) in a second embodiment receiving complementary formed connectors of a breathable air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Reischel, Vaughn B. Grannis, David P. Knivsland
  • Patent number: 5924983
    Abstract: An electrical conductor and a biomedical electrode using the electrical conductor are disclosed. The electrical conductor has a flexible, non-conductive film and two different carbon-containing coatings on a major surface of the film. The electrical conductor coatings are a low porous carbon-containing coating and a high porous carbon-containing coating. The low porous carbon-containing coating contacts the film and the high porous carbon-containing coating contacts the low porous carbon-containing coating. A tab/pad style of biomedical electrode using the electrical conductor has a field of ionically conductive media containing electrolyte contacting the high porous carbon-containing coating. The electrolyte diffuses into the high porous carbon-containing coating for electrochemical advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shunsuke Takaki, Masanao Shikano
  • Patent number: 5924917
    Abstract: Methods for preparing abrasive articles and novel methods of making abrasive articles are presented. One method includes inserting a fibrous material adjacent an interior surface of a drum. A composition comprising an organic binder precursor material is then placed in the drum, and the drum is rotated such that centrifugal forces distribute the composition, including the organic binder precursor material, uniformly about the fibrous material. The composition is exposed to conditions sufficient to solidify the organic binder precursor material such that an endless, flexible, seamless substrate is formed having an outer surface formed adjacent the interior surface of the drum, an inner surface opposite the outer surface and the fibrous material embedded therein. Coated abrasives formed by this method, as well as other methods, are provided wherein an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material is engulfed within an organic polymeric binder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold W. Benedict, Donna W. Bange, Gary L. Heacox, Timothy J. Trudeau
  • Patent number: 5921787
    Abstract: An interconnection providing multiple electrical interconnections at a fine pitch can be formed in a pluggable and unpluggable form having a pitch on the order of 0.8 mm, using four rows of contact elements in each of the plug and socket which are in a continuous row and not staggered along the row with other contact elements, making the interconnection easier to manufacture and utilize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Pope, Guenter Ploehn, Thomas M. Cherney, Juergen K. Schmidt, David S. Hardcastle, Adalberto Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5922665
    Abstract: A composition capable of removing hydrophobic soils is provided that includes a nonionic surfactant; a very slightly water soluble organic solvent; water; and an optional additive. Improved hydrophobic soil removal is achieved wherein an amount of the slightly water soluble solvent with respect to an amount of the surfactant is sufficient to achieve a haze point in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Augustine Liu
  • Patent number: 5922793
    Abstract: Sulfonic acid salts of compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X, Y, Z and R1 are as defined in the specification are useful as clarifying and/or nucleating agents for polyolefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen E. Amos, Markus A. Wicki, Kent E. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5922170
    Abstract: The horn includes an outer cylinder and an inner shaft connected by a disk. The shaft has an axial input end, and receives vibrational energy at the axial input end and transmits the vibrational energy to the cylinder. The cylinder is hollow and has an inner surface, an outer surface, and first and second opposing end surfaces. The second end surface serves as a welding surface which applies vibrational energy to an object. The welding surface moves with the application of vibrational energy to the input end of the shaft. The disk portion connects the inner shaft to the cylinder and transmits the vibrational energy from the inner shaft to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Gerdes, Haregoppa S. Gopalakrishna
  • Patent number: 5922784
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprises a backing, a first binder (i.e., a make coat) on the backing, and a plurality of abrasive particles in the first binder. The first binder precursor is an energy-curable melt-processable resin containing an epoxy resin, a polyester component, a polyfunctional acrylate component, and a curing agent for crosslinking the epoxy resin that is cured to provide a crosslinked make coating. The invention also relates to a method of producing such coated abrasive articles and a surface-treated porous cloth material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. DeVoe, Gregg D. Dahlke, Kimberly K. Harmon, Craig A. Masmar
  • Patent number: 5922592
    Abstract: The present specification describes a sterility indicator device which comprises a container means and a cover means. The container means comprises a plurality of discrete zones, wherein each zone contains biologically active substrate useful in determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. Each zone is in effect an individual sterility indicator. The device results in increased reliability and accuracy due to the increased number of discrete zones. The number of discrete zones may be of sufficient size so as to provide statistically significant predictive values at the ninety-five percent or better confidence interval for lower numbers of surviving spores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kestutis J. Tautvydas
  • Patent number: 5922786
    Abstract: A multiple-part dental adhesive primer composition is provided in at least two parts, A and B. Part A comprises an acidic polymerizable compound and a polymerizable diluent. This part is selected such that if water is present the pH of Part A is greater than about 2. Part B comprises an acidic material such that the pH of Part B is below about 2. Methods of bonding substrates are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sumita B. Mitra, Robert D. Kuehn
  • Patent number: 5922425
    Abstract: A multi-layer composition comprises (a) a first layer comprising semi-crystalline copolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic hydrogen-containing olefin monomer (e.g., propylene), wherein less than 10% of the total heat of fusion is attributable to a secondary melt-transition above 300.degree. C. as shown by the heating curve from Differential Scanning Calorimetry; and (b) a second layer comprising melt-processable polymer (e.g., polyethylene) which is both substantially thermally stable and capable of being melt-processed at temperatures below the decomposition temperature of the semi-crystalline copolymer. The multi-layer composition can be used to form shaped articles (e.g., films, sheets, tubing, coated wires, cable jacketing, or bottles) for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael P. Greuel
  • Patent number: 5920429
    Abstract: A fluorescent yellow article containing a blend of an N,N'-disubstituted 3,4:9,10-perylenebis(dicarboximide) dye and a fluorescent yellow-green dye soluble in a polymeric matrix and meeting the chromaticity requirements of CIE and ASTM and having a fluorescence luminance factor of greater than 5, as well as a method of preparing such articles is described. Also described is a fluorescent retroreflective article containing a color layer having first and second sides, wherein the article includes retroreflective elements on one side of the color layer or a retroreflective base sheet disposed on one side of the color layer, where the color layer includes the above-mentioned fluorescent yellow article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David M. Burns, David B. Olson, Lee A. Pavelka
  • Patent number: 5919563
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conformable tape for bonding a lens block comprising a thermoplastic lens blocking composition to an ophthalmic lens blank. Preferred tapes have a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a polymer backing that comprises a polar moiety and a non-polar moiety. Preferred thermoplastic lens blocking compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William L. Parish, Jr., Philip G. Martin, Patrick D. Hyde
  • Patent number: 5919866
    Abstract: The toner particles of this invention comprise pigment and a resin. The resin comprises a novel polymer formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, macromeric moieties that render the resin dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents, and a surface-release promoting moiety. When used for toner particles the polymer further comprises charge directing chelating moieties. The toner particles also include a charge director, preferably a metal cation. The toner particles, when dispersed in a carrier liquid, are useful as liquid toners for electrographic or electrophotographic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Prabhakara S. Rao, Valdis Mikelsons
  • Patent number: 5919393
    Abstract: A process for controlling or extinguishing fires comprises introducing to a fire or flame (e.g., by streaming or by flooding) a non-flammable extinguishment composition comprising at least one mono- or dialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms in its perfluorinated portion and preferably having a boiling point in the range of from about 0.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The compounds exhibit good extinguishment capabilities while being environmentally acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5919847
    Abstract: A composition comprising a blend of a thermoplastic resin and at least one compound or oligomer which is ##STR1## wherein R.sub.f is a perfluorinated moiety which may contain one or more catenary ether oxygen atoms, Q is a linking group selected from alkylene groups having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, sulfonamido groups or combinations thereof, R is an alkyl group, R.sup.1 is a perfluoroalkyl group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group which may be straight chain or branched and n is a number of from 2 to 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Seyed A. Angadjivand
  • Patent number: 5919571
    Abstract: Electrochromic devices are disclosed in which the counterelectrode layer is a gamma phase Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5 layer in which x is between about 0.7 and 2.0. In addition, methods of producing electrochromic devices are disclosed including such counterelectrode layers which are heat treated at temperatures of greater than about 260.degree. C. to convert the counterelectrode layer into such a gamma phase Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5 layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Badding, Stephen C. Schulz, L. Charles Hardy
  • Patent number: 5919549
    Abstract: Abrasive articles and a method for the manufacture of the articles are described. The articles comprise a backing having a first major surface and a second major surface; a first resin layer comprising a first hardened resin, the first resin layer extending over the first major surface of the backing; abrasive particles adhered within the first resin layer; a second resin layer applied over the first resin layer, the second resin layer comprising a second hardened resin; and a lofty, three dimensional, nonwoven web of fibers bonded to one another at their mutual contact points and extending through the first and second resin layers. The dry coating weights of the first and second hardened resins are about 400 g/m.sup.2 or greater and preferably greater than about 600 g/m.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Loc X. Van, Eugene J. Miller, Leonard E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5917326
    Abstract: The guidance system of the invention includes at least two spaced, permanently magnetized regions that each produce a magnetic field. The two permanently magnetized regions can be provided at either side of another region that produces a magnetic field of less intensity than the permanently magnetized regions, and in one embodiment, the former region produces no magnetic field. The system may also include portable means for detecting the magnetic fields produced by the permanently magnetized regions, and that sensor may be mounted to a cane for use by a person. In another embodiment, the permanently magnetized regions contrast with either each other or the region that produces a magnetic field of less intensity, or have different surface characteristics, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bernard A. Gonzalez, Richard L. Patten
  • Patent number: 5915508
    Abstract: An apparatus for damping dynamic response in a primary structure in one, two or three dimensions, includes a secondary mass, and a spring and a viscoelastic element, the spring and viscoelastic element interposed between the primary structure and the secondary mass. The apparatus may include a housing for the secondary mass, the spring and the viscoelastic element, should the spring, viscoelastic element, or both the spring and viscoelastic element, be interposed between the secondary mass and the housing. A method for damping dynamic response in a primary structure in one, two or three dimensions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ming-Lai Lai