Patents by Inventor Allen L. Noreen

Allen L. Noreen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6372954
    Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an optional liquid permeable topsheet, an optional, sometimes liquid impermeable, backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, if any, and at least one liquid management member which comprises a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes rapid directional spreading of liquids, the liquid management member and core being in contact. Also, liquid management members which comprise a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes directional spreading of liquids. The surface has a plurality of V-shaped grooves having an angular width of Alpha, Alpha being between about 10° and about 120°. The hydrophilic surface has a contact angle with water of Theta, Theta being equal to or less than (90°−Alpha/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Leigh E. Wood, Allen L. Noreen
  • Patent number: 5514120
    Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an optional liquid permeable topsheet, an optional, sometimes liquid impermeable, backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet, if any, and at least one liquid management member which comprises a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes rapid directional spreading of liquids, the liquid management member and core being in contact. Also, liquid management members which comprise a film having at least one microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface that promotes directional spreading of liquids. The surface has a plurality of V-shaped grooves having an angular width of Alpha, Alpha being between about 10.degree. and about 120.degree.. The hydrophilic surface has a contact angle with water of Theta, Theta being equal to or less than (90.degree.-Alpha/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Leigh E. Wood, Allen L. Noreen
  • Patent number: 5158557
    Abstract: A refastenable adhesive closure is provided. The closure has a pressure-sensitive adhesive-bearing fastening tab and a target portion, or target strip, having a working face for contact with the adhesive-bearing fastening tab. The working face of the target strip is formed with peaks and valleys, the height of the peaks above the valleys being substantially uniform and from about 40 to 300 .mu.m, the spacing between adjacent peaks being from about 50 to 500 .mu.m, the back face of the target portion being substantially flat, and the thickness of the adhesive layer of the tab being no more than about 90% of the height of the peaks above the valleys. The closure is resistant to contamination by dust and other fine particulate matter and is especially useful for refastenable disposable diaper closures and refastenable envelope closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Allen L. Noreen, Dean R. Crissinger, William L. Melbye, Eric G. Rodgers, Alan J. Sipinen, Leigh E. Wood
  • Patent number: 4983174
    Abstract: A refastenable adhesive closure is provided. The closure has a pressure-sensitive adhesive-bearing fastening tab and a target portion, or target strip, having a working face for contact with the adhesive-bearing fastening tab. The working face of the target strip is formed with peaks and valleys, the height of the peaks above the valleys being substantially uniform and from about 40 to 300 .mu.m, the spacing between adjacent peaks being from about 50 to 500 .mu.m, the back face of the target portion being substantially flat, and the thickness of the adhesive layer of the tab being no more than about 90% of the height of the peaks above the valleys. The closure is resistant to contamination by dust and other fine particulate matter and is especially useful for refastenable disposable diaper closures and refastenable envelope closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Allen L. Noreen, Dean R. Crissinger, William L. Melbye, Eric G. Rodgers, Alan J. Sipinen, Leigh F. Wood
  • Patent number: 4981727
    Abstract: Normally liquid peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compositions comprising a mixture of peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compounds, derivatives of the poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compositions comprising a mixture of non-peroxidic polyfluoropolyether compounds, and derivatives of the polyfluoropolyether compositions comprising functional and non-functional derivatives of the polyfluoropolyether compositions are provided. Each peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compound comprises a backbone of randomly distributed perfluorooxyalkylene units, represented by the formulas ##STR1## which when bonded to an --O-- of any of the perfluorooxyalkylene units, forms a peroxy group, --O--O--, which imparts the peroxidic characteristics to the material, and backbone-pendant perfluoroalkoxy groups or perfluoroalkoxy groups substituted with one or more ether oxygen atoms, the terminal ether oxygen atoms of which are bonded to carbon atoms of the ##STR2## backbone units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Brinduse, Anthony B. Clinch, Daniel K. McIntyre, Allen L. Noreen
  • Patent number: 4959265
    Abstract: An article can be releasably attached to a fabric or other foraminous substrate by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape fastener, the backing of which has an array of bluntly pointed stems protruding beyond the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The back face of the fastener can have an adhesive layer by which it can be adhered to a sanitary napkin, and the napkin can be releasably attached to an undergarment by allowing the stems to penetrate into openings in the fabric of the undergarment until the pressure-sensitive adhesive becomes releasably bonded to the fabric. The fastener can be more supple and less obtrusive than are "Velcro" fasteners and can be produced at significantly lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Allen L. Noreen
  • Patent number: 4820588
    Abstract: Normally liquid peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compositions comprising a mixture of peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compounds, derivatives of the poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compositions comprising a mixture of non-peroxidic polyfluoropolyether compounds, and derivatives of the polyfluoropolyether compositions comprising functional and non-functional derivatives of the polyfluoropolyether compositions are provided. Each peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compound comprises a backbone of randomly distributed perfluorooxyalkylene units, represented by the formulas ##STR1## which when bonded to an --O-- of any of the perfluorooxyalkylene units, forms a peroxy group, --O--O--, which imparts the peroxidic characteristics to the material, and backbone-pendant perfluoroalkoxy groups or perfluoroalkoxy groups substituted with one or more ether oxygen atoms, the terminal ether oxygen atoms of which are bonded to carbon atoms of the ##STR2## backbone units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Brinduse, Anthony B. Clinch, Daniel K. McIntyre, Allen L. Noreen, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 4743300
    Abstract: Normally liquid peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compositions comprising a mixture of peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compounds, derivatives of the poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compositions comprising a mixture of non-peroxidic polyfluoropolyether compounds, and derivatives of the polyfluoropolyether compositions comprising functional and non-functional derivatives of the polyfluoropolyether compositions are provided. Each peroxidic poly(perfluorooxyalkylene) compound comprises a backbone of randomly distributed perfluorooxyalkylene units, represented by the formulas --CF.sub.2 O--, ##STR1## and --O--, which when bonded to and --O-- of any of the perfluorooxyalkylene units, forms a peroxy group, --O--O--, which imparts the peroxidic characteristics to the material, and backbone-pendant perfluoroalkoxy groups or perfluoroalkoxy groups substituted with one or more ether oxygen atoms, the terminal ether oxygen atoms of which are bonded to carbon atoms of the ##STR2## backbone units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Brinduse, Anthony B. Clinch, Daniel K. McIntyre, Allen L. Noreen, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 4614667
    Abstract: Composite low surface energy liner provided by an inner layer of insoluble polymer made from a polymerizable, film-forming monomer and an outer layer of insoluble polymer made from a polymerizable perfluoropolyether monomer copolymerizable with said film-forming monomer, which layers are in-situ polymerized. The compposite low surface energy liner is especially useful as a low-adhesion backsize coating in a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James M. Larson, Allen L. Noreen
  • Patent number: 4567073
    Abstract: Composite low surface energy liner provided by an inner layer of insoluble polymer made from a polymerizable, film-forming monomer and an outer layer of insoluble polymer made from a polymerizable perfluoropolyether monomer copolymerizable with said film-forming monomer, which layers are in-situ polymerized. The composite low surface energy liner is especially useful as a low-adhesion backsize coating in a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James M. Larson, Allen L. Noreen