Patents Assigned to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
  • Publication number: 20020007014
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a blend of at least two components, wherein the first component is at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive and the second component is at least one thermoplastic material, wherein the components form a blended composition having more than one domain and, wherein one domain is substantially continuous (generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive) and the other domain is substantially fibrinous to schistose (generally, the thermoplastic material). The second component can be (a) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, (b) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin or (c) at least one elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Patrick D. Hyde, Dennis L. Krueger, Felix P. Lau, Eumi Pyun, Robert W. Shipman, Pamela S. Tucker, Roy Wong, David J. Yarusso
  • Publication number: 20010051116
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting article having reduced or relieved surface tension for pollution control devices which utilize a monolith structure within a metal housing. The mounting article comprises a sheet material having major top and bottom surfaces, a thickness, a length and a width, said sheet material having at least one score-line in a surface of said sheet material. The present invention also provides a pollution control device comprising a housing, a pollution control element disposed within the housing, and a mounting article of the invention disposed between the pollution control element and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: LOYD R HORNBACK III, JOSEPH C. PEISERT
  • Publication number: 20010049408
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions useful for bonding fluoropolymer to substantially non-fluorinated polymer. The compositions of the invention comprise a substantially non-fluorinated polymer or a mixture of said polymers, a di- or polyamine, preferably, an aliphatic diamine, and an onium catalyst, preferably, a phosphonium salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Naiyong Jing
  • Patent number: 6316149
    Abstract: An electrolyte composition is featured that includes a solid, ionically conductive polymer, organically modified oxide particles that include organic groups covalently bonded to the oxide particles, and an alkali metal salt. The electrolyte composition is free of lithiated zeolite. The invention also features cells that incorporate the electrolyte composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Hydro-Quebec Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Garbe, Radoslav Atanasoski, Steven J. Hamrock, Dinh Ba Le
  • Publication number: 20010036336
    Abstract: An optical splitter, having a stem and multiple branches integrally connected to the stem, has a junction between the stem and the multiple branches which is flexible. By controlling the angle between the stem and the multiple branches while maintaining a fixed angle between the multiple branches, i.e., by flexing the junction, the flux emitted from each of the multiple branches is adjustable based on the angle each branch makes with respect to the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cheryl Annette Vrieze
  • Publication number: 20010036529
    Abstract: A unitary polymer substrate having a plurality of microfibers projecting from a surface is provided. The presence of the microfibers greatly increases the surface area and can impart a cloth-like feel to the surface. The projecting microfibers may have a variety of forms, including frayed-end microfibers, tapered microfibers, microfibers having an expanded cross-sectional shape, and microfibers having a very high aspect ratio. A number of methods of producing unitary polymer structures with a plurality of projecting microfibers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: CLYDE D. CALHOUN, DAVID C. KOSKENMAKI, JAMES G. BERG, JENNIFER M. AAMODT
  • Publication number: 20010016985
    Abstract: A heat exchanger utilizing active fluid transport of a heat transfer fluid is manufactured with multiple discrete flow passages provided by a simple but versatile construction. The microstructured channels are replicated onto a film layer which is utilized in the fluid transfer heat exchanger. The surface structure defines the flow channels which are generally uninterrupted and highly ordered. These flow channels can take the form of linear, branching or dendritic type structures. A cover layer having favorably thermal conductive properties is provided on the structured bearing film surface. Such structured bearing film surfaces and the cover layer are thus used to define microstructure flow passages. The use of a film layer having a microstructured surface facilitates the ability to highly distribute a potential across the assembly of passages to promote active transport of a heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Raymond P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6254678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pressure sensitive adhesive to a substrate, in which the adhesive is deposited on a transfer surface, such as a circulating transfer belt, dried, and subsequently transferred to a plurality of overlapping sheets. The sheets are preferably coated with a primer or a low adhesion backsize, or both, prior to application of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Johannes A. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6254981
    Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for producing bulk, particulate material that includes solid, generally ellipsoidal particles. Irregularly shaped feed particles with average particle sizes of up to 25 microns on a volume basis are dispersed in at least a portion of a combustible gas mixture by application of force and/or fluidizing agents. The combustible mixture with particles in suspension is then delivered, while controlling agglomeration or re-agglomeration of the particles, to at least one flame front. There, the mixture and suspended particles are uniformly distributed across the surface(s) of and passed through the flame front(s) with a high concentration of particles in the mixture. This flame front and the resultant flame(s) with suspended particles are located in at least one “wall free” zone. In such zone(s) the flame(s) may expand while the particles are maintained in dispersion and heated, with controlled and highly efficient application of heating energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard B. Castle
  • Publication number: 20010002284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the formation of an organic coating on a substrate. The method includes: providing a substrate in a vacuum; providing at least one vaporized organic material comprising at least one component from at least one source, wherein the vaporized organic material is capable of condensing in a vacuum of less than about 130 Pa; providing a plasma from at least one source other than the source of the vaporized organic material; directing the vaporized organic material and the plasma toward the substrate; and causing the vaporized organic material to condense and polymerize on the substrate in the presence of the plasma to form an organic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gunter A. Kohler, William H. Esswein, Seth M. Kirk, Brian J. Gates
  • Publication number: 20010001053
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Richard L. Kooyer
  • Patent number: 6211100
    Abstract: A composite filter media (100) includes a meltblown/spunbond composite fiber material and a mixed fiber triboelectric material are preferably attached to each other by needling the mixed fiber material with the meltblown/spunbond composite fiber material. A netting (104) is then attached by preferably needling the mixed fiber triboelectric material and meltblown through the netting (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Pierre Legare
  • Patent number: 6206001
    Abstract: A respirator selection program contains a database and a non-standards based engine. The database includes at least a chemicals database, a health effects database, a standards database, and a respirator database. The chemicals database contains data on chemicals which may require the use of respirators. The chemicals database also contains pointers to the health effects database. The health effects database contains health effects resulting from exposure to the chemicals in the chemical database. The non-standards based engine, when executed, performs the steps of (a) accepting first and second chemicals which are entered by a user, (b) accepting corresponding first and second exposure amounts which are entered by the user, and (c) selecting a respirator based upon the chemicals database, the health effects database, the standards database, the respirator database, the first and second chemicals which are entered by the user, and the first and second exposure amounts which are entered by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Craig E. Colton, Larry L. Janssen
  • Patent number: 6207251
    Abstract: A composite article including a particle-loaded fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene web with a reinforcing screen or scrim partially embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William V. Balsimo, Lloyd R. White
  • Patent number: 6206942
    Abstract: Method for making alpha alumina-based abrasive grain, wherein during an impregnation step of the method, alpha alumina-based ceramic precursor particles conchoidally fracture. The abrasive grain can be incorporated into abrasive products such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, and non-woven abrasives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William P. Wood
  • Patent number: 6204299
    Abstract: Normally liquid, omega-hydrofluoroalkyl ether compounds (and selected mixtures thereof) have a saturated perfluoroaliphatic chain of carbon atoms interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms. The compounds can be prepared, e.g., by decarboxylation of the corresponding fluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and are useful, e.g., in cleaning and drying applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George G. I. Moore, Richard M. Flynn, Miguel A. Guerra, John G. Owens
  • Patent number: 6197485
    Abstract: A photographic assemblage comprising a silver halide photographic light-sensitive element comprising at least one sulfur and gold sensitized silver halide emulsion layer, said element comprising chlorinated s-triazine hardeners and photographically useful chemical compounds containing cyano groups, and a closed vessel in which the element is closed and stored at a constant relative humidity, is protected against HCN gas, which may evolve from photographic addenda included in the light-sensitive element to cause fog in the silver halide emulsion layers, by the addition of a palladium compound, in a silver halide emulsion layer and/or an adjacent layer thereto, as scavenger for HCN gas released from the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Luigi Cellone, Brunella Fornasari, Giovanni Giusto
  • Patent number: 6194106
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel surface release layers on temporary image receptors particularly suited to the requirements of liquid electrographic (both electrophotographic and electrostatic) printing on a variety of receptors. The inventive temporary image receptors are comprised of a surface release layer on a photoreceptive or dielectric substrate. The release layers are silicone copolymers which are chemically modified to improve imaging, drying or transfer performance when used in the simplified color electrophotography (SCE) or electrostatic printing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Terri L. Butler, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gay L. Herman, Larry D. Boardman, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 6194123
    Abstract: Water coatable and water developable negative-acting color proofing single sheet and overlay systems are described. The water-soluble photosensitive color layer employed in each type of proofing construction includes a photopolymerizable polymer having a weight-average molecular weight between 5,000 and 100,000; an alkaline soluble resin having a weight-average molecular weight between 1,000 and 200,000 and an acid number between 50 and 300; and a water-soluble photoinitiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gordon Christopher Smith, Hamid Barjesteh, James Alan Bonham
  • Patent number: RE37054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) as low temperature heat transfer media in secondary loop refrigeration systems. These materials exhibit a low, somewhat linear Temperature Difference Factor over the temperature range of −15° C. to −65° C., making them ideal for use as low temperature heat transfer media. The HFEs of the present invention are nonflammable, nontoxic, environmentally benign, and have a high heat transfer capacity and low viscosity over the required operating temperatures. Furthermore, since these materials have high boiling points and low freezing points, they are not prone to phase changes over the required operating temperatures, and do not require pressurized systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gregory J. Sherwood