Patents Assigned to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
  • Ostomy pouch having non-tacky fastener system
    Patent number: 5912059
    Abstract: A low profile, two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed that has a contact responsive non-tacky fastener system comprising a fastener that is attached to the ostomy appliance and a landing zone component that is attached to the peristomal area of the user. The fastening layer of the fastener system is preferably multiply releasable and refastenable against the non-tacky target, and preferably has a 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 3 kN/m and a dynamic shear strength of greater than 2 kN/m.sup.2 when in contact with the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Cheryl D. Jones, James J. Kobe
  • Method for fabrication of in-line optical waveguide index grating of any length
    Patent number: 5912999
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for writing apodized Bragg gratings into an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of providing a photosensitive optical fiber and a writing beam. A periodic intensity distribution of period .LAMBDA. is created from the writing beam and the optical fiber is translated relative to the intensity distribution at a velocity v(t). The intensity of the writing beam is modulated as a function of time at a frequency f(t), where ##EQU1## The intensity of the writing beam is varied further to control the envelope of the refractive index profile to write apodized gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James F. Brennan, III, Dwayne LaBrake, Gerard A. Beauchesne, Ronald P. Pepin
  • Abrasive article for providing a clear surface finish on glass
    Patent number: 5910471
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided which comprises a backing; and at least one three-dimensional abrasive coating comprising diamond particles dispersed within a binder bonded to a surface of the backing, the binder comprising a cured binder precursor including a urethane acrylate oligomer. The abrasive article is capable of rapid glass stock removal coupled with reducing the surface finish as indicated by reduced Ra values using an RPP test procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Todd J. Christianson, David D. Nguyen, Robert G. Visser
  • Optical recording medium with antistatic hard coating
    Patent number: 5910517
    Abstract: The present invention concerns perfluoro-based antistatic compositions comprising 0.5 to 5.0 parts by weight of an ionic perfluoro surfactant and 0.5 to 5.0 parts by weight of a nonionic perfluoro surfactant in admixture with 100 parts by weight of nonfluorinated, copolymerizable, radiation curable prepolymers as well as antistatic hard coatings prepared from these compositions. The present invention also concerns optical recording media having such antistatic hard coatings provided on at least one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward J. Woo
  • Membrane electrode assemblies
    Patent number: 5910378
    Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark K. Debe, James M. Larson, William V. Balsimo, Andrew J. Steinbach, Raymond J. Ziegler
  • Fluorochemical polyurethanes, providing good laundry air-dry performance
    Patent number: 5910557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorochemical polyurethane compounds of the formula (I) according to claim 1, a method for their preparation and to compositions comprising that fluorochemical polyurethane compound. The compound and the composition comprising that compound are suitable to impart durable oil- and water-repellency and good laundry air-dry performance to substrates, such as fibers, woven or non-woven fabrics, carpets, leather and paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Frans A. Audenaert, Kathy E.M.L.A. Allewaert, Gert Hooftman, Makoto Nagase, Hugo R. Lens
  • Retroreflective sheeting with coated back surface
    Patent number: 5910858
    Abstract: The present invention provides a retroreflective sheeting having a front surface and a back surface, the retroreflective sheeting retroreflecting light entering through the front surface, wherein the retroreflective sheeting comprises encapsulated-lens retroreflectors. The retroreflective sheeting includes a plurality of indentations in the back surface of the retroreflective sheeting and seal coat at least partially filling the indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Cheryl M. Frey, Bruce B. Wilson
  • Negative-acting no-process printing plates
    Patent number: 5910395
    Abstract: A photosensitive composition is prepared containing a polymer of the formula B(X)(Y) wherein B represents an organic backbone, each X independently is an acidic group or salt thereof and each Y independently is a photocurable group and a photoinitating compound or compounds. Preferably, free-radically polymerizable multi-functional monomer and/or oligomer is added to the photosensitive composition. The photosensitive composition can be coated on a suitable substrate for planographic printing plate applications. Imagewise irradiation causes the light struck regions to photocure, becoming insoluble in aqueous and organic mediums, while the non-light struck regions remain highly soluble/dispersable. Printing plates of this construction do not require processing prior to being run on a press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Minyu Li, James P. Gardner, John E. Kluge, Sumita B. Mitra
  • Multiple releasable contact responsive fastener
    Patent number: 5908695
    Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable contact responsive non-tacky fastener system and method of use with a field of a contact responsive fastening layer having essentially no surface tack. The fastening layer is multiply releasable and refastenable against a non-tacky target surface, and has substantially constant 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 5 kN/m when in contact with the target surface. A mounting layer comprises a field of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto which the field of the contact responsive layer is directly attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James J. Kobe, Maurice E. Freeman, Bradley D. Zinke, Shih-Lai Lu, Robert G. Shaw
  • Hydroalcoholic compositions thickened using surfactant/polymer complexes
    Patent number: 5908619
    Abstract: Hydroalcoholic compositions and methods of preparation are provided. The composition includes a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of at least about 20:80 and a thickener system comprising a complex of at least one charged polymer and at least one oppositely charged surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Matthew T. Scholz
  • Abrasive articles including an antiloading composition
    Patent number: 5908477
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided that includes a bond system formed from a binder precursor and about 15% by weight or less of a wax-containing modifier. An abrasive article that includes the bond system exhibits an increase of workpiece surface abraded in a Woodsanding Normal Force Test as compared to an abrasive article including a bond system formed from a composition containing substantially no wax-containing modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Walter L. Harmer, Don H. Kincaid, Alan R. Kirk, Eric G. Larson
  • Hydroxyl groups-terminated macromonomer grafted on polyurethane
    Patent number: 5908700
    Abstract: A moisture-curable, hot melt composition comprising a graft polyurethane prepolymer made by reacting a macromonomer, polyol, polyisocyanate and optional silane reagent is provided. The composition advantageously provides adhesives having initial creep resistance, short set times, and long open times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yoshinori Shimizu, Gaddam N. Babu, Albert I. Everaerts
  • Fibrous webs having enhanced electret properties
    Patent number: 5908598
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fibrous electret material which includes the steps of (1) forming a fibrous web of nonconductive thermoplastic fibers from a blend of nonconductive thermoplastic resin and an additive which is (a) a thermally stable organic compound or oligomer containing at least one perfluorinated moiety or (b) a thermally stable organic triazine compound or oligomer containing at least one nitrogen atom in addition to those in the triazine group or (c) a combination thereof; (2) impinging jets of water or a stream of water droplets onto the web at a pressure sufficient to provide the web with filtration enhancing electret charge; and (3) drying the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan D. Rousseau, Marvin E. Jones, Seyed A. Angadjivand
  • Method for making abrasive grain using impregnation, and abrasive articles
    Patent number: 5908478
    Abstract: Method for making alpha alumina-based abrasive grain from a dispersion comprising boehmite, wherein the method involves the impregnation of an alpha alumina-based ceramic precursor material. The abrasive grain can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, and non-woven abrasives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William P. Wood
  • Replaceable roll covers with repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive
    Patent number: 5908680
    Abstract: A textile pull roll cover is disclosed which has an exterior side with desired frictional characteristics for engagement with an advancing textile web. On its opposite side, the pull roll cover is affixed to a cylindrical outer surface of a textile pull roll by a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive disposed therebetween. A method for making a textile pull roll is disclosed, as well as a method for changing a pull roll cover using repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Louis S. Moren, David E. Johnson, Dennis G. Welygan
  • Low trauma wound dressing with improved moisture vapor permeability
    Patent number: 5908693
    Abstract: We have discovered a low trauma wound dressing including a moisture-vapor permeable backing and a contiguous particulate adhesive layer comprised of tacky, substantially solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, acrylate-based, elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joaquin Delgado, Richard J. Goetz, Spencer F. Silver, Donald H. Lucast
  • Encapsulated electroluminescent phosphor and method for making same
    Patent number: 5908698
    Abstract: Encapsulated electroluminescent phosphor particles and method for making same. The phosphor particles are encapsulated in a very thin oxide layer to protect them from aging due to moisture intrusion. The particles are encapsulated via a vapor phase hydrolysis reaction of oxide precursor materials at a temperature of between about 25.degree. C. and about 170.degree. C., preferably between about 100.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. The resultant encapsulated particles exhibit a surprising combination of high initial luminescent brightness and high resistance to humidity-accelerated brightness decay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kenton D. Budd
  • Topical carpet treatment
    Patent number: 5908663
    Abstract: A method for treating carpets is provided which obviates the need for scouring. In accordance with the method, an unscoured carpet is treated topically, and by means of a low wet pickup method, with a solution comprising particles of silica or a similar inorganic additive and a fluorochemical or other optional organic additive. Carpets treated in accordance with this method are found to have excellent soil resistance properties which do not decrease noticeably with subsequent wear or cleaning. Furthermore, since the method involves a low wet pickup, the required drying times are significantly reduced as compared to conventional aqueous bath immersion methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shou-Lu G. Wang, Lori P. Engle, Steven J. Hamrock, Dong-Wei Zhu, Thomas E. Wood, Steven J. Martin
  • Stethoscope chestpiece
    Patent number: D410285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joy A. Packard, Thomas J. Packard
  • Top load socket for ball grid array devices
    Patent number: RE36217
    Abstract: A test socket for temporary connection of a ball grid array integrated circuit device to a test circuit includes an array of contacts each including two cantilever arms biased toward each other and terminating in tips adapted to capture one ball of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kurt H. Petersen