Patents by Inventor John W. Franks

John W. Franks 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: 7915338
    Abstract: An adhesive composition includes 5 to 40% wt polyvinylpyrrolidone; 3 to 20% wt alkanoate blend including a first Cn carboxylic acid salt and a second Cm carboxylic acid salt, where n and m are integers in a range from 12 to 22; 20 to 60% wt of a water-soluble or water-dispersable solid material; 0.5 to 30 wt % of a liquid polyhydric alcohol; and 15 to 60% wt water. The adhesive composition can be clear and in glue stick form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cordell M. Hardy, Kurt C. Melancon, John W. Frank, Scott D. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20100151241
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a 2-octyl(meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic acid copolymer and optional crosslinking agents is described. The adhesive composition may be derived from renewable resources and provides good peel, shear and high temperature stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Cordell M. Hardy, John W. Frank, Chi-Ming Tseng
  • Publication number: 20090312472
    Abstract: A glue stick composition includes 5 to 40 % wt polyvinylpyrrolidone; 3 to 20 % wt alkanoate blend including a first Cn carboxylic acid salt and a second Cm carboxylic acid salt, where n and m are integers in a range from 12 to 22; 20 to 60 % wt of a water-soluble or water-dispersable solid material; 0.5 to 30 wt % liquid monohydric alcohol; and 15 to 60% wt water. The glue stick composition includes less than 0.5% wt liquid polyhydric alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Cordell M. Hardy, John W. Frank
  • Publication number: 20090132284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for assisting users in developing a customized health, wellness and prevention plan and making health related decisions. A health assessment-intervention component collects and screens diagnostic and demographic data from clients and assists in forming health-care related decisions, action plans and treatment plans. An analytical component analyzes blood and other test information to derive a hierarchy of health risks. A scheduling component manages tests, screenings, and reminders for the customized plan. A plan manager component assists in accumulating information compiled through the other components, as well as presenting a customized prevention plan, dashboard and other interfaces to users. The invention collects and maintains health-related data from third parties such as physicians, researchers, universities and the like, and provides user accessible personal health records and health decision assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher T. Fey, John W. Franks
  • Patent number: 7413124
    Abstract: Techniques are described for performing a one-touch search to locate a selected item associated with an RFID tag. The techniques allow, for example, an RFID reader to perform a search where a user selects an item from a list, and the RFID reader, without any further input from the user, interrogates one or more RFID tags until an RFID tag associated with the selected item is found. The RFID reader may also allow a user to associate items with an RFID tag, view items associated with an RFID tag, and edit item lists associated with an RFID tag. In this way, an RFID reader may associate any number of items to an RFID tag, repeatedly edit existing item lists associated with an RFID tag, and quickly search multiple RFID tags until a desired item associated with a particular RFID tag is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John W. Frank, Scott D. Pearson, Christopher R. Yungers
  • Publication number: 20040032081
    Abstract: A board game which combines traditional board game elements with an unrelated activity, that of preparing a meal. The board has three paths of serially arranged spaces along which player tokens travel. A chance device determines the number of spaces moved. Upon alighting on any particular space, a card is drawn, which card is color coordinated to the space just occupied. The card specifies an interactivity such as a question to be answered or a musical theme to be tapped, hummed or whistled. The player must interactively respond. Upon completion of the first path, players select, on a first-to-arrive basis, a task associated with meal preparation, serving, and cleanup. An example is mixing and serving of a beverage, or cooking the entree. One option is to be relieved of any task. Upon completion of the path by his or her token, each player receives an instructional card advising details of the associated task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: John W. Franks
  • Patent number: 6652954
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate and an article comprising a retroreflective layer having a retroreflective viewing surface and an opposing surface and a tear resistant film disposed on the retroreflective layer. The finished article is preferably flexible and suitable for use as roll-up signs, flags, banners and other retroreflective articles requiring similar flexibility including other traffic warning and personal safety items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven M. Nielsen, Raymond L. Lucking, John W. Frank, James E. Lasch, Gregg A. Patnode
  • Publication number: 20030187688
    Abstract: A health data management system is provided. Specifically, the invention includes a system and method for collecting screening, diagnostic, and demographic data from clients, processing and analyzing health data from health risk assessments and screening tests, generating custom reports, maintaining heath data, pre-populating data into user accessible personal health records and aggregate data for scientific research and clinical studies. The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a device, a method, or a computer readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher T. Fey, Fred W. Fey, Kathy M. Fleming, John W. Franks, Paul S. Kasinski, Heather L. Staves, Eduardo J. Balbona, Noel C. Khirsukhani, Kevin M. Oyler, Enrico A. Discacciati, Danielle C. Renfro, Leah M. Nelms, Staci J. Presley, Scott Coster
  • Patent number: 6613819
    Abstract: The invention provides, generally, light stable article containing at least one single or multiple layer polyester film and an effective amount of a light absorbing composition comprising one or more of an ultraviolet light absorbing compound, a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) composition, and a phosphonate stabilizing compound. Generally, the weight ratio of the light absorbing compound to the HALS composition is at least about 2:1. Various composite articles and constructions made utilizing the above light stable articles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Daniel J. McGurran, Terry R. Bailey, John W. Frank
  • Publication number: 20020106486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate and an article comprising a retroreflective layer having a retroreflective viewing surface and an opposing surface and a tear resistant film disposed on the retroreflective layer. The finished article is preferably flexible and suitable for use as roll-up signs, flags, banners and other retroreflective articles requiring similar flexibility including other traffic warning and personal safety items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Nielsen, Raymond L. Lucking, John W. Frank, James E. Lasch, Gregg A. Patnode
  • Publication number: 20020102389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate and an article comprising a retroreflective layer having a retroreflective viewing surface and an opposing surface and a tear resistant film disposed on the retroreflective layer. The finished article is preferably flexible and suitable for use as roll-up signs, flags, banners and other retroreflective articles requiring similar flexibility including other traffic warning and personal safety items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Steven M. Nielsen, Raymond L. Lucking, John W. Frank, James E. Lasch, Gregg A. Patnode
  • Publication number: 20020052761
    Abstract: A genetic health data management system and method is provided. Specifically, the invention relates to a method, system, and computer program for collecting genetic screening and demographic data from clients, storing client's data and DNA/genetic material samples, processing and analyzing genetic testing data in conjunction with other relevant health data, generating custom reports, maintaining life-long health records and pre-populating data into user accessible personal health records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher T. Fey, Fred W. Fey, Kathy M. Fleming, John W. Franks, Paul S. Kasinski, Eduardo J. Balbona, Leah M. Nelms, Staci J. Presley
  • Publication number: 20020038227
    Abstract: A centralized health screening and data mangement system is provided. Specifically, the invention includes a method, system, and computer program for maintaining a centralized health screening and data mangement system in communication with a plurality of screening facilities, such screening facilities including mobile units for dispatch. The screening facilities (and mobile units) provide for collecting health data and conducting tests. The data and test results are transmitted to the centralized health screening and data mangement system for analysis and storage in a manner that is accessible for report generation and aggregate information analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher T. Fey, Fred W. Fey, Kathy M. Fleming, John W. Franks, Paul S. Kasinski, Eduardo J. Balbona, Leah M. Nelms, Staci J. Presley
  • Publication number: 20020028862
    Abstract: The invention provides, generally, light stable article containing at least one single or multiple layer polyester film and an effective amount of a light absorbing composition comprising one or more of an ultraviolet light absorbing compound, a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) composition, and a phosphonate stabilizing compound. Generally, the weight ratio of the light absorbing compound to the HALS composition is at least about 2:1. Various composite articles and constructions made utilizing the above light stable articles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Daniel J. McGurran, Terry R. Bailey, John W. Frank
  • Patent number: 6325515
    Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a transparent film, a pigmented layer having pigmented indicia thereon, and a retroreflective cube layer. The cube layer includes a number of cube corner elements bounded by at least two sets of intersecting grooves. A metallic film is disposed on at least some of the cube corner elements. The pigmented layer is interposed between the transparent film and the cube layer, and has pigmented indicia aligned with at least one of the sets of intersecting grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James C. Coderre, Dennis J. Chirhart, John W. Frank, Stephen A. Johnson, Daniel J. McGurran
  • Patent number: 6303058
    Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective article comprising on the top surface thereof a retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in a contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a substantially planar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michele H. Kelley, Terry Bailey, Bruce B. Wilson, John W. Frank, Dave G. Schueler, Thanh-Huong Thi Nguyen, Naoki Nakayama, Larry K. Stump, Dale H. Haunschild
  • Patent number: 6161558
    Abstract: A portable clean-in-place apparatus for a batch processing system. The present invention provides a clean-in-place system on a movable frame adapted to move about a batch processing facility such as a dairy, brewery, pharmaceutical plant, or the like, and clean any or all portions of the batch processing system. Since the CIP system is provided on a movable frame, it can be moved without requiring fixed piping to and from the batch processing line, and since it is relatively small in dimension, it can fit through a standard size doorway to facilitate storage. Moreover, through appropriately sizing and orienting the equipment the apparatus is not only kept relatively small, but can be manufactured at a relatively low cost as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Electrol Specialties Company
    Inventors: John W. Franks, Dale A. Seiberling
  • Patent number: 6090461
    Abstract: A sheet material for mounting on a substrate such as a wall, and displaying an article such as a greeting card, comprising a film backing, a first repositionable adhesive coating on one surface, and a second repositionable coating on the other surface. The sheet material permits the article to be adhered to, repositioned on, and removed from the sheet material without removing the sheet material from the substrate to which it has been adhered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John W. Frank, Charles A. Mathna
  • Patent number: 5604268
    Abstract: The glue crayons comprising acrylate polymers, tackified acrylate polymers, acrylate polymers containing specific, pendent, macromeric units, acrylate polymers containing high chain length alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers, acrylate polymers containing both macromeric and high chain length alkyl groups and acrylate polymers containing crystalline additives and includes (a) an acrylate-based adhesive polymer, (b) a tackifier; (c) a crystalline additive; and (d) at least one filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Neil A. Randen, John W. Frank, Patrick J. Hager
  • Patent number: 4991990
    Abstract: A photo album held together by attachment assemblies, each including (1) a barrel part having an internally threaded tubular portion and a plate at one end that will not pass through the openings in the pages and attachment portions of covers for the album; and (2) a screw part comprising an externally threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the tubular portion, and a head at one end that also will not pass through the openings in the pages and the attachment portions. The plates have projections received in sockets in the attachment portion of the rear cover to restrict rotation of the barrel parts; and the heads on the screw parts have ridges along their peripheries and large diameters that afford easy manual engagement with them to engage or disengage the screw parts with respect to the barrel parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John W. Frank, Bruce E. Samuelson, Troy R. Weich