Patents by Inventor Denise R. Rutherford

Denise R. Rutherford 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: 6579814
    Abstract: An alkali dispersible article comprises a sheath-core microfiber. The sheath layer comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer, and the core layer comprises another polymer that is different than the sheath polymer. The core polymer may be a hydrolytically degradable polymer or more preferably a water soluble polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Lindquist, Gregg A. Patnode, Denise R. Rutherford, Dietmar Schlei
  • Patent number: 6007407
    Abstract: An abrasive construction for modifying a surface of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer. The abrasive construction comprises: a three-dimensional, textured, fixed abrasive element; at least one resilient element generally coextensive with the fixed abrasive element; and at least one rigid element generally coextensive with and interposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, wherein the rigid element has a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, Exclusive Design Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, Douglas P. Goetz, Cristina U. Thomas, Richard J. Webb, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, James D. Buhler, William J. Hollywood
  • Patent number: 5814404
    Abstract: Degradable multilayer melt blown microfibers are provided. The fibers comprise (a) at least one layer of polyolefin resin and at least one layer of polycaprolactone resin, at least one of the polyolefin or polycaprolactone resins containing a transition metal salt; or (b) at least one layer of polyolefin resin containing a transition metal salt and at least one layer of a degradable resin or transition metal salt-free polyolefin resin. Also provided is a degradable web comprising the multilayer melt blown microfibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, Eugene G. Joseph
  • Patent number: 5763065
    Abstract: Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, Denise R. Rutherford, Dietmar Schlei
  • Patent number: 5753364
    Abstract: The present invention provides pressure sensitive adhesives, compositions from which the pressure sensitive adhesives are formed, and articles having therein these pressure sensitive adhesives. The pressure sensitive adhesives, which have a Tg of less than about 20.degree. C., include a poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate) or mixture thereof. Preferably, these poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate)s include monomeric units of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein a minor amount (preferably no greater than about 20 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; and a major amount (preferably at least about 80 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 4-30 (preferably 4-20) carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, W. James Hammar, Gaddam N. Babu
  • Patent number: 5692950
    Abstract: An abrasive construction for modifying a surface of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer. The abrasive construction comprises: a three-dimensional, textured, fixed abrasive element; at least one resilient element generally coextensive with the fixed abrasive element; and at least one rigid element generally coextensive with and interposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, wherein the rigid element has a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, Douglas P. Goetz, Cristina U. Thomas, Richard J. Webb, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, James D. Buhler, William J. Hollywood
  • Patent number: 5630972
    Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. The article can be made from multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, Denise R. Rutherford, Dietmar Schlei
  • Patent number: 5614576
    Abstract: The present invention provides pressure sensitive adhesives, compositions from which the pressure sensitive adhesives are formed, and articles having therein these pressure sensitive adhesives. The pressure sensitive adhesives, which have a Tg of less than about 20.degree. C., include a poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate) or mixture thereof. Preferably, these poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate)s include monomeric units of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: a minor amount (preferably no greater than about 20 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; and a major amount (preferably at least about 80 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 4-30 (preferably 4-20) carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, W. James Hammar, Gaddam N. Babu
  • Patent number: 5567510
    Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or nonwoven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, John E. Bruno, Denise R. Rutherford, Walter B. Sandison, Dietmar Schlei
  • Patent number: 5508101
    Abstract: Aqueous-alkali disposable articles are disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, John E. Bruno, Denise R. Rutherford, Walter B. Sandison, Dietmar Schlei
  • Patent number: 5472518
    Abstract: Method of disposing aqueous-alkali disposable articles is disclosed. The articles are made from films or non-woven webs or composites of films and webs where the film or non-woven web comprises a hydrolytically degradable polymer and preferably also comprises a water soluble polymer. Multilayer microfibers of at least one layer of a hydrolytically degradable polymer and at least one layer of a water soluble polymer are particularly disclosed. The articles have water resistance during preparation, storage, and use with mammals but are dispersible when submersed in water at conditions of elevated temperature, elevated pH, and during a single commercial laundry cycle. The articles solve both the problem of solid waste disposal prevalent with single use garments and the problem of repeated cleansing and recycling of multiple use garments. Contamination associated with the articles of the invention after their use will be disinfected during the commercial laundry cycle that is utilized to disperse the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, John E. Bruno, Denise R. Rutherford, Walter B. Sandison, Dietmar Schlei
  • Patent number: 5470526
    Abstract: The invention provides a compostable thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a transition metal salt selected from cobalt, manganese, copper, cerium, vanadium and iron, and a fatty acid or ester having 10 to 22 carbon atoms providing unsaturated species and free acid. The composition will oxidatively degrade to an embrittled state within at least 14 days at 60.degree. C. and a relative humidity of at least eighty percent. The invention also provides degradable multilayered polyolefin structures incorporating a transition metal in the form of a salt, degradable and compostable multilayered barrier films, degradable, radiation-resistant compositions and articles, and methods of forming and using such compositions, structures and articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Debra L. Wilfong, Denise R. Rutherford, Richard J. Rolando
  • Patent number: 5216043
    Abstract: The invention provides a compostable thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a transition metal salt selected from cobalt, manganese, copper, cerium, vanadium and iron, and a fatty acid or ester having 10 to 22 carbon atoms providing unsaturated species and free acid. The composition will oxidatively degrade to an embrittled state within at least 14 days at 60.degree. C. and a relative humidity of at least eighty percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan J. Sipinen, Jobst T. Jaeger, Denise R. Rutherford, Elizabeth C. Edblom