Patents Assigned to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
  • Patent number: 6095143
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James F. Dyrud, Cynthia Y. Tamaki, Isao Kuniya
  • Patent number: 6090395
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Asmus, Matthew T. Scholz, Jill R. Charpentier
  • Patent number: 6091918
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Truman F. Kellie, Steven C. Jensen, Riyad Moe
  • Patent number: 6087080
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., James E. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 6088038
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Edge, Timothy A. Fischer, William A. Rozzi
  • Patent number: 6082864
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignees: Ed. Liesegang, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Paul A. Muller
  • Patent number: 6080482
    Abstract: Undrawn, tough, durably melt-bondable, macrodenier, thermoplastic, multicomponent filaments, such as sheath-core and side-by-side filaments, comprising a first plastic component and a second lower-melting component defining all or at least part of the material-air boundary of the filaments. The filaments can be made by melt-extruding thermoplastics to form hot filaments, cooling and solidifying the hot filaments, and recovering the solidified filaments without any substantial tension being placed thereon. Aggregations of the filaments can be made in the form of floor matting and abrasive articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Philip G. Martin, Gary L. Olson, Dennis G. Welygan
  • Patent number: 6074290
    Abstract: The present invention provides a block assembly for mounting an optical lens blank onto a lens processing machine, comprising a compliant lens block with a relatively thin double-sided adhesive tape having differential adhesion. This assembly affords a very cost efficient system for attaching a lens blank to a lens processing machine. In contrast to traditional thick adhesive pads, the tapes of the present invention do not suffer from shear displacements which may cause processing errors or inaccuracies. In addition, the double-sided adhesive tapes of the present invention achieve greater adhesion to the lens block than to the lens. This feature promotes and ensures a "clean" removal of the tape from the lens when the block is deblocked. The present invention also provides a method for mounting an optical lens blank onto a lens processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John H. Ko, James A. Weldon
  • Patent number: 6075913
    Abstract: An optical coupler. The coupler has an optical element for transferring an optical signal from an entrance region, external to the optical unit, to an exit region, also external to the optical unit. The coupling element has a first substantially planar transmitting surface lying in a first plane, a second substantially planar transmitting surface lying in a second plane not coplanar with the first plane, a first substantially planar reflecting surface substantially perpendicular to the first transmitting surface, and a second substantially planar reflecting surface substantially parallel to the first reflecting surface, and a shaped reflecting surface substantially perpendicular to and adjoining the first and second reflecting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Lexmark International, Inc., Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mitchell Simmons Cohen, Barbara A. De Baun, Gordon D. Henson, Glen Walden Johnson, Stephen Louis Spanoudis
  • Patent number: 6066188
    Abstract: A coated abrasive backing consisting of an endless, seamless, loop is provided. The backing loop includes about 40-99% by weight of an organic polymeric binder, based upon the weight of the backing; and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material. The endless, seamless backing loop includes a length with parallel side edges, and at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material such that there are regions of organic binder material free of fibrous reinforcing material on opposite surfaces of the layer of fibrous reinforcing material. The fibrous reinforcing material can be in the form of individual fibrous strands, a fibrous mat structure, or a combination of the these. A method for preparing the endless, seamless backing loop for a coated abrasive belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold Wayne Benedict, Diana Denise Zimny, Donna Wendeln Bange
  • Patent number: 6063556
    Abstract: A silver halide radiographic element comprising a polymeric film base, at least one silver halide emulsion layer, and at least one antistatic layer adhered to at least one side of said polymeric film base, wherein (1) said silver halide emulsion layer comprises tabular silver halide grains having an average diameter to thickness ratio of at least 3:1, and (2) said antistatic layer comprises a colloidal vanadium oxide and a sulfopolyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Alberto Valsecchi, Renzo Torterolo
  • Patent number: 6055108
    Abstract: Imaging articles and methods are disclosed that use dual-axis retroreflective elements such as 90 degree prisms and linear lenticular elements in which the imaging is either superimposed on the imaged object or displaced therefrom. If the imaging is superimposed on the imaged object, it is accomplished by retroreflection. If the imaging is displaced from the imaged object, it may be accomplished by dual axis retroreflection or retrotransmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John F. Dreyer
  • Patent number: 6055089
    Abstract: A sealed insulated glass unit is provided with an electrochromic device for modulating light passing through the unit. The electrochromic device is controlled from outside the unit by a remote control electrically unconnected to the device. Circuitry within the unit may be magnetically controlled from outside. The electrochromic device is powered by a photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cells may be positioned so that at least a part of the light incident on the cell passes through the electrochromic device, providing a form of feedback control. A variable resistance placed in parallel with the electrochromic element is used to control the response of the electrochromic element to changes in output of the photovoltaic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Schulz, Lech A. Michalski, Hermann N. Volltrauer, John E. Van Dine
  • Patent number: 6054091
    Abstract: A method of making a hook strip having J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener. The method includes using an initial substrate of material formed as an array of upstanding precursor stems having distal tips at their ends opposite a backing. In addition, a heat source adapted for heating and a mechanism for deforming stem tips is provided. The substrate is positioned relative to the heat source such that a portion of the upstanding stems on the array is heated. Subsequently, the substrate is moved to a position relative to the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip of J-shaped hooks from the heated portion of the upstanding stems. In addition, an article of manufacture, made in accordance with the method, is provided which includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop type of mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Philip Miller, William L. Melbye
  • Patent number: 6045913
    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: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard B. Castle
  • Patent number: 6044196
    Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n.sub.1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination .phi.. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n.sub.2. The first layer index n.sub.2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing, Co.
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Robert L. Holman, Benjamin A. Jacobson, Robert M. Emmons, Philip Gleckman
  • Patent number: 6043201
    Abstract: In one aspect, this invention provides a composition for the cutting and abrasive treatment of metals and ceramic materials comprising a hydrofluoroether. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of cutting and abrasively treating metals and ceramic materials comprising applying to the metal or ceramic workpiece and tool a composition comprising a hydrofluoroether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dean S. Milbrath, Mark W. Grenfell, Daniel D. Krueger, Richard M. Flynn, Frederick E. Behr
  • Patent number: 6041516
    Abstract: An article for cooling an imaging material which has been heated to a first temperature by a thermal processor. The article includes a first cooling section on which the imaging material rides after the imaging material exits the thermal processor. The first cooling section is at a lower temperature than the first temperature. The first cooling section has a curved shape such that the imaging material is curved when riding on and being cooled by the first cooling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing
    Inventors: Duane A. Preszler, Kent R. Struble, David J. McDaniel, George G. Lunde
  • Patent number: 6039850
    Abstract: Lithium is sputtered from a target with a metallic lithium surface using an alternating sputtering potential with a frequency between about 8 and about 120 kHz, preferably about 10-100 kHz or using a DC sputtering potential and a reverse cleaning potential applied intermittently. The process can be used to apply lithium to electrochromic materials such as coatings on window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Stephen C. Schulz
  • Patent number: RE36794
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Werner M. Grootaert