Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Rule

Joseph D. Rule 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: 11306431
    Abstract: Articles are provided, including a substrate having a first major surface, the substrate including a nonwoven material, a woven material, or a foam. The article further includes microcapsules having an outer surface and a plasticizer encapsulated in the microcapsules, where the plurality of microcapsules is attached to the first major surface of the substrate with a polymeric material. A method of making an article is also provided, including providing a substrate having a first major surface and providing microcapsules having an outer surface and a plasticizer encapsulated in the microcapsules. The method further includes attaching the microcapsules to the first major surface of the substrate with a polymeric material, thereby forming a polymeric matrix attached to the first major surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Anne N. De Rovere, Lili Qie
  • Patent number: 11292870
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric material including a reaction product of a polymerizable composition and having a solids content of 90% or greater. The polymerizable composition includes a uretdione-containing material including a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself, a first hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group, and a second hydroxyl-containing compound having more than one OH group. The first hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol, plus the second hydroxyl-containing compound is a diol and the reaction product contains 0.2 to 0.5, inclusive, of diol equivalents relative to isocyanate equivalents. The present disclosure also provides a two-part composition, in which the polymeric material is included in the first part and the second part includes at least one amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Zachary J. Thompson, Michael A. Kropp, Kolby L. White
  • Patent number: 11207690
    Abstract: Sample partitioning devices and methods of making and using the same are described. A sample partitioning device includes a first film having an array of discrete stems each extending from a first major surface thereof, and a second film having an array of discrete wells formed into a second major surface thereof. The stems of the first film and the wells of the second film are mated with each other. The mated stems and wells are separable from each other, and during the removal of the stems from the wells, one or more voids are created inside the wells to suction an aqueous test sample into the wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan D. Brutinel, Joseph D. Rule, Jonathan E. Janoski, Anthony F. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20210388152
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric material including a polymerized reaction product of a polymerizable composition including components and has a solids content of 90% or greater. The components include a uretdione-containing material including a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself; a first hydroxyl-containing compound; an optional second hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group; an epoxy component; and an accelerator. The first hydroxyl-containing compound has more than one OH group and the optional second hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol. The present disclosure also provides a two-part composition, in which a polymeric material is included in the first part and the second part includes at least one thiol-containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Michael A. Kropp, Matthew J. Kryger, Susan E. DeMoss, Jonathan D. Zook, Zachary J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11173069
    Abstract: A hearing-protective earplug (1) with a resilient polymeric foam body (10) and with a grippable stem (110) that includes a forward portion (111) with an annular sleeve (112) that at least partially defines an open-ended, front-facing cavity (114) within which a rearward portion (21) of the resilient polymeric foam body resides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Meree, James P. Endle, Joshua M. Fishman, Hannah L. Mathers, Travis L. Potts, Joseph D. Rule, Richard J. Webb, Caroline M. Ylitalo
  • Publication number: 20210340309
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric material including a polymerized reaction product of a polymerizable composition including components and has a solids content of 90% or greater. The components include a uretdione-containing material including a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself; a first hydroxyl-containing compound; an optional second hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group, wherein; and an epoxy component. The epoxy component is present in an amount of 35% by weight or greater, based on the total weight of the polymerizable composition. The first hydroxyl-containing compound has more than one OH group and the optional second hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol. The present disclosure also provides a two-part composition, in which the polymeric material is included in the first part and the second includes at least one amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Matthew J. Kryger, Michael A. Kropp, Jay S. Schlechte, Zachary J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210322227
    Abstract: An article. The article includes a polymer foam having a first major surface and a second major surface; and discrete domains of a therapeutic composition at least partially surrounded by the polymer foam; wherein an exterior surface of each discrete domain substantially conforms to a portion of the first major surface of the polymer foam; wherein the article comprises a first major surface and a second major surface; and wherein a portion of the first major surface of the polymer foam and the exterior surfaces of discrete domains form the first major surface of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Petra L. Kohler Riedi, Joseph D. Rule, Naimul Karim, Semra Colak Atan, Wei Zhang, Andrew W. Vail
  • Publication number: 20210324250
    Abstract: A one-part thermally curable composition comprises at least one polyuretdione, thermally activatable amine curative; optional epoxy resin; optional polythiol having an average sulfhydryl group functionality of at least 2; and optional acid stabilizer. The at least one polyuretdione has an average uretdione ring functionality of at least 1.2, and is a reaction product of components comprising: a uretdione-containing material comprising a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself; a first hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group, wherein the first hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol; and a second hydroxyl-containing compound having more than one OH group, wherein the second hydroxyl-containing compound is a polyol and the reaction product comprises 0.2 to 0.5, inclusive, of hydroxyl equivalents relative to isocyanate equivalents. Cured compositions and assemblies including them are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Matthew J. Kryger, Michael A. Kropp
  • Publication number: 20210317258
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric material including a polymerized reaction product of a polymerizable composition including components, a polythiol having an average sulfhydryl group functionality of 2 or greater, and an acidic stabilizer. The components include a uretdione-containing material including a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself; a first hydroxyl-containing compound having more than one OH group; and an optional second hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group. The second hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol. The present disclosure also provides a two-part composition, in which a polymeric material is included in the first part and the second part includes at least one accelerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Matthew J. Kryger, Michael A. Kropp
  • Publication number: 20210317254
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric material including a polymerized reaction product of a polymerizable composition including components and has a solids content of 90% or greater. The components include a uretdione-containing material including a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself; a first hydroxyl-containing compound; an optional second hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group, wherein; and an epoxy component. The first hydroxyl-containing compound has more than one OH group and the optional second hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol. The present disclosure also provides a two-part composition, in which the polymeric material is included in the first part and the second part includes at least one amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Michael A. Kropp, Matthew J. Kryger, Zachary J. Thompson, Richard B. Ross
  • Publication number: 20210317252
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric material including a polymerized reaction product of a polymerizable composition including components, and a thermally activatable amine curative, and has a solids content of 90% or greater. The components include a uretdione-containing material including a reaction product of a diisocyanate reacted with itself; a first hydroxyl-containing compound; and an optional second hydroxyl-containing compound having a single OH group. The first hydroxyl-containing compound has more than one OH group and the optional second hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary alcohol or a secondary alcohol. The present disclosure also provides a two-part composition, in which a polymeric material is included in the first part and the second part includes at least one liquid amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Matthew J. Kryger, Joseph D. Rule, Michael A. Kropp, Adrian T. Jung
  • Publication number: 20210213255
    Abstract: The disclosed securement device for medical tubing has a polymeric film and adhesive. The polymer film has a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a first flat portion, a second flat portion, a formed bend between the first flat portion and second flat portion, the bend defining a channel, and a notch formed through the polymer film adjacent the bend and between the first flat portion and second flat portion, such that the notch is aligned with the channel. Then adhesive is on at least a portion of the second major surface of the polymer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: JOSEPH D. RULE, JENNIFER N. HANSON, DONE DEMIRGOZ
  • Patent number: 11020567
    Abstract: Medical article securement systems comprising a viscoelastic polymer and optionally a base layer for securing a medical article to the body of a patient, and particularly, for securing various catheter systems, tubes, or other elongated medical devices to the body of a patient and methods of making and using such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Jennifer N. Hanson, Done Demirgoz
  • Patent number: 10973692
    Abstract: A viscoelastic wound closure dressing. The dressing can include a viscoelastic backing having a first major surface configured to face skin when in use, a first end, a second end, and a middle section located between the first end and the second end. The wound closure dressing can further include a skin-contact adhesive on the first major surface of the viscoelastic backing adjacent the first end and the second end. A majority of the first major surface of the middle section can be free of the skin-contact adhesive. The viscoelastic backing can recover, at room temperature: (i) no more than 40% of its deformation after 10 seconds, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes, and (ii) at least 70% of its deformation after 48 hours, after being strained to 50% elongation for 30 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Döne Demirgöz, Jennifer N. Hanson, James M. Jonza, Gregory J. Anderson, Raha A. Been, David R. Holm
  • Patent number: 10962688
    Abstract: A display film includes a transparent cross-linked polyurethane layer. The transparent cross-linked polyurethane layer having a glass transition temperature of 10 degrees Celsius or less and a Tan Delta peak value of 0.5 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David S. Thompson, Ryan M. Braun, Joseph D. Rule, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Steven D. Solomonson, Peter D. Condo, John J. Stradinger, Michael A. Johnson, Richard J. Pokorny, Derek W. Patzman, Peihui Zhang, Evan L. Breedlove
  • Publication number: 20210088695
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35° C. and less than 70° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10918537
    Abstract: Absorbent articles are described comprising a first absorbent layer comprising a polymeric foam. In one embodiment, the polyurethane foam comprises the reaction product of a polymeric polyisocyanate component having an equivalent weight of no greater than 250 g/equivalent; and a polyol component. The polyol component comprises one or more polyether polyols such that the polyol component comprises an average equivalent weight ranging from 500 to 2000 g/equivalent; an ethylene oxide content ranging from 15-30 wt.-%; a secondary hydroxyl content of at least 55 wt.-% and less than 80 wt.-% of the total hydroxyl content of the polyol component; and less than 5 wt-% water. Also described are various composites comprising the polyurethane foam described herein in combination with another substrate such as a second absorbent layer, a fluid impervious backsheet, and/or a fluid pervious topsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Delton R. Thompson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210024793
    Abstract: A two-part curable composition comprises a Part A and a Part B. The Part A composition includes polyuretdione having an average uretdione ring functionality of at least 1.2. Part B composition includes polythiol having an average sulfhydryl group functionality of at least 1.2. At least one of the Part A composition and the Part B composition may further comprise accelerator for addition of the polythiol to the polyuretdione. The accelerator comprises a basic salt having the formula M+Zb?x y wherein M+ is a cation having a single positive charge a, wherein a is 1, 2, or 3; Zb? is an oxide anion having a negative charge b?, wherein b is 1 or 2; and x and y are positive integers, wherein x equals y times b. Cured compositions, methods of making them and articles including them are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Michael A. Kropp, Zachary J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210017432
    Abstract: A two-part curable composition comprises a Part A and a Part B. Part A composition includes uretdione-containing compound having an average uretdione ring functionality of at least 1.2. Part B composition includes polythiol having an average sulfhydryl group functionality of at least 2. At least one of the Part A composition and the Part B composition may further comprise accelerator for addition of the polythiol to the uretdione-containing compound. The accelerator comprises a nonacidic amine curative. The amine curative does not comprise a substituted or unsubstituted amidine group. Cured compositions, methods of making them and articles including them are also disclosed. A two-part composition without accelerator is disclosed wherein the uretdione-containing compound has at least one pendant —CH2NR42 groups, wherein each R4 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or two R4 groups taken together form an alkylene group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kolby L. White, Joseph D. Rule, Michael A. Kropp, Zachary J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10888463
    Abstract: A medical article and methods of using same. The medical article can include a machine direction (MD) and a cross-machine direction (CMD); a support layer; and a viscoelastic layer. The viscoelastic layer can be coupled to the support layer, and the viscoelastic layer can be discontinuous in the MD and/or the CMD. The viscoelastic layer can recover at least 70% of its deformation after 48 hours at room temperature after being strained to 50% elongation, such that the medical article has a first tensile stiffness T1 at a first strain rate S1, and a second tensile stiffness T1 at a second strain rate S1. The ratio of S1/S2 can be at least 100, and the ratio of T1/T2 can be at least 1.5. The method can include wrapping the medical article around a body part; applying the first strain rate S1; and applying the second strain rate S2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Naimul Karim, John J. Rogers, Guido Hitschmann