Patents by Inventor James G. Berg
James G. Berg 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: 7070727Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, David C. Koskenmaki, James G. Berg, Jennifer M. Aamodt
-
Patent number: 6696286Abstract: A method for detecting a microorganism in a test sample is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of microcompartments of a culture device, incubating for a time sufficient to permit at least one cell division cycle of the microorganism, then detecting the presence or absence of the microorganism in the microcompartments. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Ai-Ping Wei, Jean Qiu, Clyde D. Calhoun, James G. Berg, James G. Bentsen, Raymond P. Johnston
-
Publication number: 20040005434Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, David C. Koskenmaki, James G. Berg, Jennifer M. Aamodt
-
Patent number: 6605332Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, David C. Koskenmaki, James G. Berg, Jennifer M. Aamodt
-
Patent number: 6470540Abstract: A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
-
Patent number: 6391578Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael G. Williams, Kurt J. Halverson, Gary E. Krejcarek, Ai-Ping Wei, James G. Berg, Peter D. Wickert, Clyde D. Calhoun, Mark K. Debe, Jean Qiu
-
Publication number: 20010052170Abstract: A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2001Publication date: December 20, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
-
Publication number: 20010036529Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 1997Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: CLYDE D. CALHOUN, DAVID C. KOSKENMAKI, JAMES G. BERG, JENNIFER M. AAMODT
-
Patent number: 6303062Abstract: A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
-
Publication number: 20010024805Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael G. Williams, Kurt J. Halverson, Gary E. Krejcarek, Ai-Ping Wei, James G. Berg, Peter D. Wickert, Clyde D. Calhoun, Mark K. Debe, Jean Qiu
-
Patent number: 5984988Abstract: A method of making abrasive particles having a specified shape and abrasive articles containing abrasive particles having a specified shape.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Minning & Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Todd A. Berg, Donley D. Rowenhorst, James G. Berg, William K. Leonard
-
Patent number: 5657516Abstract: A fastener and a method of fastening articles employing the fastener are provided. The fastener includes a fastener element adapted to be mated in an interlocking arrangement to a complementary fastener element. The fastener element has a plurality of mating cavities. The mating cavities include a mating surface which is adapted to interlockingly engage a mating element projecting from the complementary fastener element.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James G. Berg, Jennifer M. Aamodt, Clyde D. Calhoun, Harlan L. Krinke
-
Patent number: 5643668Abstract: A tape for adhering to rough surfaces in which an adhesive layer is adhered to a backing in a manner to allow discontinuities of adhesion between the backing and the adhesive layer. The backing is deformable and recoverable to form a generally smooth surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1994Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, James G. Berg
-
Patent number: 5558326Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving hockey sticks. The method includes the steps of applying a heat shrinkable film cover member to the blade of the hockey stick and exposing the cover member to a source of heat sufficiently hot to shrink it relative to the blade. The cover member is generally tubular, taking the form of an open-ended sleeve, and may include a thickened, textured portion for providing a puck contacting surface. The invention is intended to include a hockey stick carrying a shrunken heat shrinkable cover member.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: T3 Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Tamara J. Adamson, James G. Berg
-
Patent number: 5201916Abstract: A method of making abrasive particles having a specified shape and abrasive articles containing abrasive particles having a specified shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Todd A. Berg, Donley D. Rowenhorst, James G. Berg, William K. Leonard
-
Patent number: 5087494Abstract: An edhesive tape has a flexible carrier web that has a low-adhesion face formed with a predetermined pattern of dimples, each of which contains a plurality of electrically conductive particles that can either be loose or bound together into clusters by a binder. An adhesive layer covers said face and deposited particles and can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a heat-activatable adhesive. When the adhesive layer is separated from the carrier web, it carries along the particles. When the particle-bearing adhesive layer is used to bond together two arrays of electrodes, facing pairs of the electrodes are electrically interconnected either by single particles or by clusters of the particles. When a binder is used to bind the electrically conductive particles into clusters, the binder can add to the strength of the adhesive bond between the electrode-bearing surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1991Date of Patent: February 11, 1992Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, James G. Berg, David C. Koskenmaki, Robert M. Swinehart
-
Patent number: 5049085Abstract: An anisotropically conductive polymeric matrix comprising a polymeric layer having conductive members extending substantially through the thickness thereof, said conductive members comprising a coating of a conductive material, and a process for making same.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1991Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert S. Reylek, James G. Berg
-
Patent number: 4960490Abstract: Multiple-connector tape has a flexible backing carrying a pattern of longitudinally electrically conductive stripes, each having an overlying adhesive band, each edge of which precisely follows an edge of the underlying conductive stripe. The adhesive bands may contain silver particles having thicknesses exceeding that of the adhesive between particles so that the terminals of an electrical device can be electrically connected through the particles to the longitudinally conductive stripes when the tape is adhered by its adhesive to the device. Electrical connections can be made in the absence of such particles when the stripes are metal foil having embossings which protrude through the adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1988Date of Patent: October 2, 1990Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James G. Berg, Robert S. Reylek
-
Patent number: 4610908Abstract: Insulated sheet material useful for making bonded electrical connections, especially to sets of small side-by-side terminal pads. In one typical form, the sheet material is an elongated tape comprising an elongated insulating web; a plurality of narrow spaced parallel elongated electrically conductive stripes on the web; electrically conductive adhesive disposed over the stripes comprising a layer of adhesive material in which are dispersed a monolayer of rather thick electrically conductive particles; and a thin electrically insulating layer disposed over the conductive adhesive and which is nontacky or poorly tacky at room temperature, provides high electrical resistance throughout the layer to the conductive particles, softens to an adhesive and flowable condition upon heating to an elevated temperature, and upon cooling to room temperature assumes a firm and substantially nonflowable condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1985Date of Patent: September 9, 1986Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert S. Reylek, James G. Berg
-
Patent number: RE35570Abstract: An abrasive article comprising a binder and abrasive grits, wherein the abrasive grits comprise abrasive particles having specified shapes. Coated abrasive articles of this invention comprise a backing having at least one layer of abrasive material adhered thereto by means of a binder. A portion of this layer contains abrasive particles having specified shapes. It is preferred that the geometric shape of these abrasive particles be triangular. For triangular-shaped particles, about 35% to about 65% of the particles are oriented with a vertex pointing away from the backing and a base in contact with the binder, with about 35% to about 65% of the particles being oriented with a base pointing away from the backing and a vertex in contact with the binder.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Donley D. Rowenhorst, Todd A. Berg, David E. Broberg, James G. Berg