Patents by Inventor Larry A. Lien

Larry A. Lien 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).

  • Publication number: 20040001912
    Abstract: A method of slot extrusion coating is provided that can be used to apply thin coatings using liquid compositions having high percent solids. A window of operability advantageously identifies the limits of a process to provide these thin high solids coatings. The window of operability is determined by obtaining a first graphical curve representing actual values of wet thickness as a function of percent solids level. The critical wet thickness is then identified on the first graphical curve. The window of operability is identified as an area defined by the boundaries: percent solids greater than the point at which critical wet thickness occurs, an actual wet thickness greater than all points above the first graphical curve and equal to or less than the critical thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Wayne P. Ray, David J. Scanlan, Larry A. Lien, Charles W. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6646088
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical compositions comprising one or more urethane oligomers of at least two repeating units selected from the group consisting of fluorine-containing urethane oligomers and long-chain hydrocarbon-containing urethane oligomers. These urethane oligomers comprise the reaction product of (a) one or, more polyfunctional isocyanate compounds; (b) one or more polyols; (c) one or more monoalcohols selected from the group consisting of fluorochemical monoalcohols, optionally substituted long-chain hydrocarbon monoalcohols, and mixtures thereof; (d) one or more silanes; and optionally (e) one or more water-solubilizing compounds comprising one or more water-solubilizing groups and at least one isocyanate-reactive hydrogen containing group. The chemical compositions of the present invention can be applied as coatings and these coatings can impart stain-release characteristics and resist being worn-off due to wear and abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Wayne W. Fan, Steven J. Martin, Zai-Ming Qiu, Michael S. Terrazas, Linda G. Coté, Mitchell T. Johnson, Larry A. Lien
  • Publication number: 20030149218
    Abstract: Fluorochemical urethane compositions comprising one or more fluorochemical urethane compounds, and one or more auxiliary compounds for treatment of a fibrous substrate are described. The fluorochemical compositions are capable of improving one or more of the oil- and/or water repellency, stain- and/or soil repellency and stain and/or soil release properties, with improved durability, of the fibrous substrate treated with the fluorochemical composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Linda G. Cote', Mitchell T. Johnson, Larry A. Lien, Richard S. Buckanin
  • Publication number: 20030105263
    Abstract: This invention relates to chemical compositions comprising one or more urethane oligomers of at least two repeating units selected from the group consisting of fluorine-containing urethane oligomers and long-chain hydrocarbon-containing urethane oligomers. These urethane oligomers comprise the reaction product of (a) one or more polyfunctional isocyanate compounds; (b) one or more polyols; (c) one or more monoalcohols selected from the group consisting of fluorochemical monoalcohols, optionally substituted long-chain hydrocarbon monoalcohols, and mixtures thereof; (d) one or more silanes; and optionally (e) one or more water-solubilizing compounds comprising one or more water-solubilizing groups and at least one isocyanate-reactive hydrogen containing group. The chemical compositions of the present invention can be applied as coatings and these coatings can impart stain-release characteristics and resist being worn-off due to wear and abrasion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne W. Fan, Steven J. Martin, Zai-Ming Qiu, Michael S. Terrazas, Linda G. Cote, Mitchell T. Johnson, Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 6004464
    Abstract: A method of reclaiming spent aqueous brine solutions used in the regeneration of water-softening resins. An aqueous solution chloride or other brine is acidified with HCl to a pH of between about 0.5 and 6 and a soluble sulfate salt, preferably Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is added, together with a precipitation inhibitor of the type polyacrylamide. Following such treatment, the spent brine is pumped at high pressure axially through a spirally-wound nanofiltration-type membrane device which is effective to remove at least about 90% of the divalent hardness while allowing passage therethrough of at least about 90% of the monovalent cations. As a result of such treatment, about 90 to 95% of the volume of spent brine can be efficiently and effectively reclaimed in a form in which it is suitable for use again in regenerating water-softening resins or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 5998549
    Abstract: Novel polymeric compounds having pendent fluoroaliphatic groups, pendent organic-solubilizing groups, and pendent groups capable of reacting with an epoxy silane; which have been reacted with an epoxy silane have been discovered. These compounds are easy to apply, abrasion and impact resistant, and provide durable, low surface energy, streak reducing surfaces on coating dies, edge guides, and other coating and fluid contacting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Milbourn, John F. Kistner, Larry A Lien
  • Patent number: 5149433
    Abstract: Apparatus for the supply of decontaminated fuel to a diesel engine including two filtering stages, the first being a spiral wound, cross flow ultrafiltration unit and the second being a spiral wound deadheaded ultrafiltration unit with a pressure operated alarm connected to respond to the build-up of contaminants in said second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4902417
    Abstract: Disclosed are spiral-wound membrane cartridge constructions for use in ultrafiltration and reverse-osmosis separation equipment, each of which include a feed layer, a membrane layer and a permeate carrier layer. By using a feed layer in the form of a channel material having a plurality of parallel ribs extending in an axial direction, interconnected by a matrix of smaller filaments which may be generally perpendicular thereto, this construction advantageously reduces resistance to liquid frlow axially through the cartridge, registering only very low pressure drops. Such cartridges of 40 to 70 inches in length and 8 inches in diameter may be employed in series, even within a single outer casing or pressure vessel. Such constructions are especially useful in separating liquids having high levels of particulate contamination using ultrafiltration membranes where clogging of the cartridge is a common problem and also in concentrating solutions of fairly viscous water-soluble polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4802982
    Abstract: Disclosed are spiral-wound membrane cartridge constructions for use in ultrafiltration and reverse-osmosis separation equipment. The membrane constructions include a membrane layer directly bonded to a permeate carrier layer characterized by a channel material having a plurality of parallel ribs extending in a transverse permeate-carrying direction, interconnected by a relatively thin matrix of smaller fibrils. It advantageously reduces resistance to permeate flow to a central collection point, and can be employed to separate both liquid and gaseous fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4780211
    Abstract: Membranes of highly crystalline PTFE having an average pore size between about 0.01 micron and about 0.5 micron ordinarily reject any passage of water while allowing an organic nonpolar liquid to flow therethrough. By thoroughly wetting an expanded polytetrafluroethylene membrane with isopropyl alcohol, such a membrane will selectively allow the passage of a polar liquid, for example water, therethrough while rejecting other components, including nonpolar organic liquids, such as oil, kerosene or the like, and dissolved components of fairly large molecular size. Such IPA-wetted membranes are used to separate oil-water mixtures by allowing the water to selectively permeate through the membrane. The membrane may include a 5 mil thick backing layer of nonwoven synthetic fibers. The mixture is supplied to the membrane at a pressure not greater than about 90 psig., and often very low pressures of about 5-20 psig. can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4316949
    Abstract: A long running printing press can be obtained by use of a photopolymerizable composition comprised of an ethylenically unsaturated oligomer, a solvent soluble diazonium resin, an organic film forming binder, and a photoinitiator system in described ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Pano C. Petrellis, Larry A. Lien, Wesley E. Zarr
  • Patent number: 4304806
    Abstract: An information carrying element comprising a substrate having adhered to at least one surface thereof a separate layer having a thickness of 1.0 to 100 microns and a circular or spiral pattern of surface variations provides a particularly useful element when said separate layer comprises an abrasion resistant polymer layer derived from 30 to 100% by weight of an epoxy-terminated silane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger J. Anderson, Donald J. Kerfeld, Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4293606
    Abstract: Imaged transparent film which is carried by machinery is provided with a low friction, abrasion resistant coating which prevents the film from causing unnecessary drag when used with the machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: J. Lamar Zollinger, Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4156046
    Abstract: Abrasion resistant coatings based on epoxy-terminated silanes can reduce the transmission of ultraviolet radiation by at least 90% with the addition of ultraviolet radiation absorbers and 10-70% by weight of an aliphatic, polyepoxide, comonomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Lien, Ashwani K. Mehta, Kathryn A. Soine, J. Lamar Zollinger
  • Patent number: 4130690
    Abstract: Abrasion resistant coatings derived from epoxy-terminated silanes are desirable when formed by curing in the presence of PF.sub.5, SbF.sub.5, or HSbF.sub.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Lien, J. Lamar Zollinger