Patents by Inventor Ian J. Ferguson

Ian J. Ferguson 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: 5385997
    Abstract: Novel, linear, film-forming polymers and copolymers can be coated on certain metal surfaces, which polymers or copolymers are derived from one or more classes of ethylenically-unsaturated monomers and include at least one novel monomer having a bidentate chelating moiety. The polymers which contain bidentate chelating groups provide significant and varied chemical modification to a metal surface. When coated on a metal surface the polymers are useful as a protective coating or a priming layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gavin M. Buchan, Ian J. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5026860
    Abstract: Novel, linear, film-forming polymers and copolymers can be coated on certain metal surfaces, which polymers or copolymers are derived from one or more classes of ethylenically-unsaturated monomers and include at least one novel monomer having a bidentate chelating moiety. The polymers which contain bidentate chelating groups provide significant and varied chemical modification to a metal surface. When coated on a metal surface the polymers are useful as a protective coating or a priming layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gavin M. Buchan, Ian J. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 4861697
    Abstract: An optical data storage element in which information can be recorded and read directly afterwards by means of laser light comprising, as a recording medium a dye dissolved or dispersed in a binder in which at least 25% by weight of the binder comprises a polymer in which at least 50% of the units have the general formula: ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1 to R.sup.8 are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms, an aromatic group of up to 12 carbon atoms, halogen, ether, carboxylic acid, ketone, nitro, amino and hydroxy groups of any two adjacent groups of R.sup.1 to R.sup.8 may comprise the necessary atoms to complete a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, and there are at least 10 units of formula (I) within the polymer chain.The dye-polymer system possesss high sensitivity acceptable CNR and particularly good stability to repeated read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan G. Hulme-Lowe, Vivien L. Bell, Ian J. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 4769459
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive element capable of recording an image upon image-wise exposure to radiation of selected wavelength, the element comprising, as the image-forming components, an effective amount of a bleachable dye in reactive association with an iodonium ion. Suitable dyes include polymethine dyes having an oxidation potential between 0 and +1 volt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Ian J. Ferguson, Herbert J. Pennicott
  • Patent number: 4701402
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive element capable of recording an image upon image-wise exposure to radiation of selected wavelength, the element comprising, as the image-forming components, an effective amount of a bleachable dye in reactive association with an iodonium ion. Suitable dyes include polymethine dyes having an oxidation potential between 0 and +1 volt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ranjan C. Patel, Ian J. Ferguson, Herbert J. Pennicott
  • Patent number: 4547444
    Abstract: An optical recording element in which information can be recorded and read directly afterwards by means of laser light, comprises a substrate having on at least one side a recording layer including an effective amount of one or more compounds selected from a certain class of trimethine and longer chain aryl polymethine dyes associated with specific counter-ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Vivien L. Bell, Ian J. Ferguson, Mark J. Weatherley