Patents Assigned to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
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Patent number: 6134808Abstract: A gap drying system moves a substrate having a coated side and a non-coated side between a heated platen disposed on the non-coated side of the substrate and a condensing platen disposed on the coated side of the substrate. An insulation layer is disposed between the heated platen and the non-coated side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Gary Lee Huelsman, Tom M. Milbourn, William Blake Kolb
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Patent number: 6135781Abstract: An interconnection providing multiple electrical interconnections at a fine pitch can be formed in a pluggable and unpluggable form using multiple connector channels and rows of contact elements in each of a plug and socket. The contacts may be a mixture of active and passive contacts. Furthermore, a contact support structure may provide improve spring characteristics in the contacts. The contacts may be formed in a number of configurations including vertical staggering, alternating or offset patterns, mulit-level tail exit designs, rotated contacts, staggered or nonalign retention features and dedicated power contacts. Anchors or permanent latches, separable latches, and polarization keys may also be utilized. Alternative embodiments may include straddlemount and attachment clip embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard A. Pope, Thomas M. Cherney, David S. Hardcastle
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Patent number: 6132849Abstract: Articles having a complex geometric configuration have hydrophilicity imparted to at least a portion of surfaces of the articles while substantially retaining the complex geometric configuration. The hydrophilicity is imparted by an extremely thin, self-interlocking shell of tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) enveloping the surfaces. A tactic poly(vinyl alcohol) precursor applied to surfaces of the supporting structure is reacted in situ on the surfaces with a hydrolysis reagent to prepare the tactic, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) shell. The article having the hydrophilic shell is highly resistant to solvent washout. Hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be reversibly provided on regio-specific surfaces of the article. Membranes to form permanent and undistorted images, and methods of preparing such images from image-forming substances in receptive media are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: David R. Gagnon
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Patent number: 6132835Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Jason L. Edgar, Andrew J. Callinan, Dean A. Ersfeld, Worku A. Mindaye, Andrew J. Mahler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6134406Abstract: A mechanism for steering a photoconductor belt in an electrophotographic imaging system is disclosed. The photoconductor belt is moved about a support roller system of the imaging system to form a continuous transport path. The photoconductor belt tends to deviate from this continuous transport path in a direction substantially perpendicular to the path. The belt steering mechanism includes a support carriage, a steering carriage, a support roller and a belt steering drive assembly. The steering roller is mounted to the steering carriage, and the steering carriage is connected to the support carriage so as to be pivotable about a steering axis. The belt steering drive assembly is operably coupled to the steering carriage to pivotally move the steering carriage about the steering axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Riyad E. Moe, Robert E. Brenner
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Patent number: 6129540Abstract: An abrasive article is provided having a sheet-like structure having a major surface having deployed in fixed position thereon a plurality of abrasive three-dimensional abrasive composites, each of the composites comprising abrasive particles dispersed in a binder and having a precise shape defined by a distinct and discernible boundary which includes specific dimensions, wherein the precise shapes are not all identical.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Nelson D. Sewall
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Patent number: 6123442Abstract: An article configured for emitting diffuse light in a predetermined set of directions when coupled with a light source includes a light fiber and a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by the light fiber toward the predetermined set of directions. The light fiber has a light receiving end for coupling to the light source and the light fiber emitting light when coupled to the light source. A variety of diffuse reflective sheet materials can be used including, for example, microvoided sheet materials, such as those made by the TIPS ("thermally induced phase separation") method, and microporous sheet materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David George Freier, Cheryl Annette Vrieze
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Patent number: 6119691Abstract: An electret filter media, and mask, that is made of a nonwoven web of thermoplastic microfibers. The thermoplastic microfibers are of substantially the same composition, are nonconductive, and have an effective fiber diameter less than about 15 micrometers. The nonwoven web also has sufficient unpolarized trapped charge to exhibit an initial filtration quality factor of at least 0.31 when measured under the DOP Penetration and Pressure Drop Test.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Seyed A. Angadjivand, Marvin E. Jones, Daniel E. Meyer
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Patent number: 6119692Abstract: A respirator 15 has a harness 10 that allows the respirator body 20 to be conveniently disposed beneath a wearer's chin when not in use. The harness 10 includes a substantially flat, flexible strap 14 and an element 12 that contains a curved elongated slot 16. The substantially flat, flexible strap 14 is threaded through the curved elongated slot 16. The curved configuration of the slot 16 causes the flat flexible strap 14 to be deformed to assume the curved configuration of the slot. This deformation of the strap 14 allows the strap 14 to frictionally engage element 12, and the frictional engagement allows the respirator body 20 to be incrementally withdrawn from the wearer's face so that it can be temporarily stored beneath the wearer's chin, and allows the respirator body 20 to be conveniently repositioned over the nose and mouth of the wearer by simply pulling on free ends 34 of each strap 14 and joining a buckle 32 behind the wearer's neck.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: David C. Byram
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Patent number: 6109767Abstract: A light trap for a projector, such as an integrated LCD projector, is provided for placement in ventilation channels to prevent escape of light through the channels while allowing free flow of cooling fluid through the channels. The light trap is constructed of material having a honeycomb-like structure, with conduits in the light trap being preferably disposed obliquely between the light source and the duct opening. The light trap may be coated or treated to increase absorption of visible and infrared radiation. A light trap according to this invention not only prevents escape of extraneous light from the projector's ventilation openings, but it assists in controlling the heat load generated by the light source, and it provides less resistance to air flow than does a louvered panel that is typically used to cover a ventilation opening in a projector thus reducing the amount of noise associated with the ventilation system.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Ernesto M. Rodriguez
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Patent number: 6108442Abstract: Characterizing a color imaging system involves generating color values representing colors of output samples of the color imaging system. The color values are converted into a device-independent color coordinate system using an adjustable white reference vector and a black reference vector. The white reference vector is calculated using the black reference vector. Color values can be transformed between color imaging systems using the device-independent color coordinate system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Christopher J. Edge, Timothy A. Fischer
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Patent number: 6103818Abstract: A resin composition containing components (A), (B), (C) and (D) wherein component (A) is a resin composition containing a thermoplastic polyimide resin, component (B) is carbon fiber, component (C) is mica, component (D) is an internal mold-releasing agent, and relative to 100 parts by weight of component (A), component (B) is from 1 to 80 parts by weight, component (C) 1 to 100 parts by weight, and component (D) is 0.1 to 50 parts by weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignees: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Atsushi Morita, Masaji Yoshimura, Hiroyasu Kido, Tomoaki Sato, Kouichi Sano, Denis Dean Springer, Daniel Patrick Sheehy
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Patent number: 6100217Abstract: A retroreflective graphic article bearing a fluorescent legend comprising a retroreflective base sheet, an image layer containing one or more pigments and one or more fluorescent dyes and a dye-receiving layer containing fluorescent dye which migrated from the image layer. Also, a method for making such articles is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Yoshiyuki Nagaoka
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Patent number: 6095143Abstract: A face mask (10) covers the nose and mouth of the wearer and includes a band (24) to retain the mask member (12) in position. The band attaches at the sides (20) of the mask and extends around the ears of the wearer and loops through orifices (32). The band (24) extends around the back of the neck and provides for retaining the mask (10) at the front of the wearer when not worn. Ends (26) of the band (24) are elastic to provide a snug fit for the mask (10).Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James F. Dyrud, Cynthia Y. Tamaki, Isao Kuniya
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Patent number: 6090395Abstract: A hydroalcoholic lotion is disclosed which comprises (a) a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 35:65 to 100:0, and (b) between at least 0.5% and 8% by weight thickener system comprised of at least one emulsifier present in at least 0.05% by weight wherein the composition in a polymer free state has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 23 degrees C. and wherein the emulsifier is comprised of at least one hydrophobic group and at least one hydrophilic group. The hydroalcoholic composition is useful as a hand preparation such as a lotion or as a presurgical scrub replacement.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1997Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert A. Asmus, Matthew T. Scholz, Jill R. Charpentier
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Patent number: 6091918Abstract: A squeegee apparatus and method for removing excess developer liquid from an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system make use of a squeegee roller having a core with a crowned profile. With determination of a proper loading force, the squeegee apparatus and method achieve substantially uniform loading force along the length of the squeegee roller, and thus along the width of a nip formed along an the imaging region of the imaging substrate. As a result, the squeegee apparatus and method provide substantially uniform removal of developer liquid from the imaging substrate, enhancing quality of an ultimate printed image.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Truman F. Kellie, Steven C. Jensen, Riyad Moe
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Patent number: 6088038Abstract: A color mapping method is used in transforming colors between color imaging systems. The method includes using forward transformation profiles that characterize the color imaging systems to generate respective sets of device-independent color values for the color imaging systems. Color conversions are calculated by recursively reducing differences between the respective sets of device-independent color values. Based on these color conversions, a color map is constructed that describes a relationship between the color imaging systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Christopher J. Edge, Timothy A. Fischer, William A. Rozzi
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Patent number: 6087080Abstract: A negative-acting silver halide photographic element comprising a hydrophilic colloidal binder containing a silver halide emulsion and from 50 to 1000 milligrams of an anthraquinone per mole of silver halide.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1995Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., James E. Lindquist
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Patent number: 6082864Abstract: A liquid crystal display projector for projecting images on a screen. The projector includes a projector body and an optical projection system positioned generally within the projector body. A releasable first self-aligning lamp socket for receiving a first end of a longitudinal replaceable bulb and a releasable second self-aligning lamp socket for receiving a second end of a longitudinal replaceable bulb are mounted on a hinged platform coupled to the projector body. The platform has a first position where the platform swings the bulb outside of the projector body and a second position where the platform swings the bulb into an interior position inside the projector body optically aligned with respect to the optical projection system.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignees: Ed. Liesegang, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Paul A. Muller
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Patent number: RE36794Abstract: Group IV organometallic compounds, e.g. alkylsilane, or alkylsiloxane compounds, are used as chain transfer agent in the radical initiated polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, to give polymers comprising non-ionic end groups.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Werner M. Grootaert