Patents by Inventor Seth M. Kirk
Seth M. Kirk 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).
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Publication number: 20240009606Abstract: Described herein is the use of a cyclotriphosphazene core substituted with at least three amino-cyclic carbon groups used as a charge-enhancing additive in a thermoplastic resin. Such compositions may be used in filtering applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Kelly A. Volp, Nathan E. Schultz, Daniel C. Duan, Seth M. Kirk, Fuming B. Li, John M. Sebastian
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Publication number: 20230390678Abstract: Described herein is a thermoplastic core-sheath fiber. The thermoplastic core-sheath fiber comprises a core having a coextensive sheath layer disposed thereon, wherein the core comprises a first polymeric resin and an electrostatic charge enhancing additive, and the sheath layer comprising a second polymeric resin, with the proviso that if the second polymeric resin comprises poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), then the second polymeric resin does not comprise 100 wt % of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene). These thermoplastic core-sheath fibers can be used in filtering applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Zackary J. Becker, Daniel C. Duan, Himanshu Jasuja, Seth M. Kirk, Fuming B. Li, John M. Sebastian, Georgiy Teverovskiy
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Publication number: 20230233968Abstract: A pleated multilayer air filter assembly including a primary filtration layer and a prefilter layer that are bonded to each other and are co-pleated with each other. The primary filtration layer includes meltblown electret fibers. The prefilter layer includes meltspun, spunbonded electret fibers that comprise a radially outer surface comprising polymethylpentene. The ratio of Effective Fiber Diameter of the fibers of the primary filtration layer to Effective Fiber Diameter of the fibers of the primary filtration layer is at least 1.5.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: HIMANSHU JASUJA, Nathan E. Schultz, Seth M. Kirk, Bryan L. Gerhardt, Daniel C. Duan, Michael R. Berrigan
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Publication number: 20220372666Abstract: A thermoplastic core-sheath fiber comprises: a polymer fiber core having a coextensive sheath layer disposed thereon, and an electrostatic charge enhancing additive. The sheath layer may comprise poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and the fiber core and the sheath layer have different compositions. At least one of the fiber core or the sheath layer comprises an electret charge. A nonwoven fibrous web comprising the core-sheath fibers and a respirator including the nonwoven fibrous web are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Daniel C. Duan, Seth M. Kirk, Michael R. Berrigan, Zackary J. Becker, Fuming B. Li, John M. Sebastian
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Publication number: 20220323890Abstract: A filter assembly comprises an air filter medium and a prefilter medium. The prefilter medium comprises a second nonwoven fibrous web comprising poly(4-methylpentene) and an electrostatic charging additive and has a second electret charge. The filter assembly is configured such that air passing through the prefilter is directed through the air filter medium. A respirator includes the filter assembly. A prefilter assembly comprises a third nonwoven fibrous web retained by a prefilter frame. The third nonwoven fibrous web comprises: core-sheath fiber comprising a fiber core having a poly(4-methylpentene) sheath layer disposed thereon; and an electrostatic charging additive, wherein the electrostatic charging additive is contained in at least one of the fiber core or the sheath layer. The third nonwoven fibrous web has a third electret charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Nathan E. Schultz, Daniel C. Duan, Seth M. Kirk, Michael R. Berrigan, Zackary J. Becker, Fuming B. Li, John M. Sebastian
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Patent number: 10807046Abstract: Asymmetric articles are described including a porous substrate with two opposing major surfaces and a porous structure extending between the surfaces, and a polymeric coating on one of the major surfaces and extending into the porous structure to a depth of the porous structure. Methods for making an asymmetric composite article are also provided, including providing a porous substrate, treating the porous substrate with a plasma treatment or a corona treatment from one major surface to a depth of the porous structure between the two major surfaces. The method further includes applying a coating solution to the treated porous substrate and drying the coating solution to form a composite asymmetric composite article having a polymeric coating on one major surface and extending into the porous structure to the depth of the treated porous structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michelle M. Mok, Kannan Seshadri, Moses M. David, Seth M. Kirk, Daniel Carvajal
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Publication number: 20200023299Abstract: A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C3F4H+ to C2F5+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being “aged” at high temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Seth M. Kirk, Marvin E. Jones, Steven J. Pachuta, Andrew W. Chen, William P. Klinzing, Patrick J. Sager
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Patent number: 10464001Abstract: A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C3F4H+ to C2F5+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being “aged” at high temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Seth M. Kirk, Marvin E. Jones, Steven J. Pachuta, Andrew W. Chen, William P. Klinzing, Patrick J. Sager
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Patent number: 10312001Abstract: A composite layer including first and second layers is described. The first layer includes a plurality of metallic nanowires and the second layer includes a polymeric overcoat disposed on the nanowires. In top plan view, the composite layer has at least one first region and at least one second region, where the nanowires in each first region form an interconnected network of the nanowires, and each second region includes a plurality of nanotrenches through the second layer into the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Mark J. Pellerite, Seth M. Kirk, Hyacinth L. Lechuga
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Patent number: 10036831Abstract: Material comprising sub-micrometer particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The materials are useful in article, for example, for numerous applications including display applications (e.g., liquid crystal displays (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) displays, or plasma displays); light extraction; electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, ophthalmic lenses; face shielding lenses or films; window films; antireflection for construction applications; and construction applications or traffic signs.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Ta-Hua Yu, Moses M. David, Douglas S. Dunn, Seth M. Kirk, Brant U. Kolb, William Blake Kolb, Mark A. Strobel, Jun-Ying Zhang
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Publication number: 20180141080Abstract: Discontinuous coatings and methods of forming such coatings including transiting a substrate through a vaporization area, providing a reactant vapor comprising at least one vaporized monomer or oligomer to the vaporization area, and chemically reacting the at least one vaporized monomer or oligomer to form a discontinuous layer on the substrate, optionally wherein chemically reacting further includes polymerization. The discontinuous layer may be a patterned, semi-patterned, or random discontinuous layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Seth M. Kirk, Jayshree Seth, Christopher S. Lyons, Brandon R. Pietz
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Publication number: 20170278594Abstract: A composite layer including first and second layers is described. The first layer includes a plurality of metallic nanowires and the second layer includes a polymeric overcoat disposed on the nanowires. In top plan view, the composite layer has at least one first region and at least one second region, where the nanowires in each first region form an interconnected network of the nanowires, and each second region includes a plurality of nanotrenches through the second layer into the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Mark J. Pellerite, Seth M. Kirk, Hyacinth L. Lechuga
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Patent number: 9711263Abstract: A method comprising: providing a transparent electrically conductive film comprising: a transparent substrate (14); a composite layer (18) comprising: an electrically conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of a major surface of the transparent substrate (14) and comprising a plurality of interconnecting metallic nanowires (12); and a polymeric overcoat layer disposed on a portion of the electrically conductive layer, to provide a coated area of the electrically conductive layer; and patternwise exposing the coated area of the electrically conductive layer to a corona discharge to provide a patternwise exposed electrically conductive film comprising (1) an un exposed region (122) of the coated region having a first electrical resistivity, and (2) an exposed region (121) having a second electrical resistivity; wherein the exposed region is less electrically conductive than the unexposed region, and wherein there is a ratio of the second electrical resistivity over the first electrical resistivity of atType: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Mark J. Pellerite, Seth M. Kirk, Hyacinth L. Lechuga
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Publication number: 20170144111Abstract: Asymmetric articles are described including a porous substrate with two opposing major surfaces and a porous structure extending between the surfaces, and a polymeric coating on one of the major surfaces and extending into the porous structure to a depth of the porous structure. Methods for making an asymmetric composite article are also provided, including providing a porous substrate, treating the porous substrate with a plasma treatment or a corona treatment from one major surface to a depth of the porous structure between the two major surfaces. The method further includes applying a coating solution to the treated porous substrate and drying the coating solution to form a composite asymmetric composite article having a polymeric coating on one major surface and extending into the porous structure to the depth of the treated porous structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Michelle M. Mok, Kannan Seshadri, Moses M. David, Seth M. Kirk, Daniel Carvajal
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Publication number: 20170080369Abstract: A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C3F4H+ to C2F5+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being “aged” at high temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Seth M. Kirk, Marvin E. Jones, Steven J. Pachuta, Andrew W. Chen, William P. Klinzing, Patrick J. Sager
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Publication number: 20170044709Abstract: Surface treated fibers and methods of treating individual fiber surfaces. One exemplary method includes subjecting a precursor gas to a plasma-generating discharge within an atmospheric plasma generator to generate a reactive species flow including reactive oxygen species, and exposing a reinforcing fiber to the reactive species flow for a treatment time sufficient to functionalize the reinforcing fiber with oxygen such that at least one of a composite matrix interfacial adhesion of the reinforcing fiber or a composite matrix interfacial strength of the reinforcing fiber, increases. The precursor gas preferably includes a carrier gas and an oxidative gas, the oxidative gas being contained in an amount of up to 25% by volume of the precursor gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Zeba Parkar, Seth M. Kirk, Moses M. David, Craig A. Miller, Derrick M. Poirier
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Patent number: 9127363Abstract: An article having at least one fluorinated porous layer having a basis weight of about 10 to about 300 grams per square meter and a thickness of about 0.20 to about 20 millimeters. The porous layer also exhibits a Q200 of greater than about 1.1.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Moses M. David, Gina M. Buccellato, John S. Huberty, Seth M. Kirk
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Publication number: 20150076106Abstract: A method comprising: providing a transparent electrically conductive film comprising: a transparent substrate (14); a composite layer (18) comprising: an electrically conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of a major surface of the transparent substrate (14) and comprising a plurality of interconnecting metallic nanowires (12); and a polymeric overcoat layer disposed on a portion of the electrically conductive layer, to provide a coated area of the electrically conductive layer; and patternwise exposing the coated area of the electrically conductive layer to a corona discharge to provide a patternwise exposed electrically conductive film comprising (1) an un exposed region (122) of the coated region having a first electrical resistivity, and (2) an exposed region (121) having a second electrical resistivity; wherein the exposed region is less electrically conductive than the unexposed region, and wherein there is a ratio of the second electrical resistivity over the first electrical resistivity of atType: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Mark J. Pellerite, Seth M. Kirk, Hyacinth L. Lechuga
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Publication number: 20150024148Abstract: A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C3F4H+ to C2F5+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being “aged” at high temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Seth M. Kirk, Marvin E. Jones, Steven J. Pachuta, Andrew W. Chen, William P. Klinzing, Patrick J. Sager
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Publication number: 20140193612Abstract: Material comprising sub-micrometer particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The materials are useful in article, for example, for numerous applications including display applications (e.g., liquid crystal displays (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) displays, or plasma displays); light extraction; electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, ophthalmic lenses; face shielding lenses or films; window films; antireflection for construction applications; and construction applications or traffic signs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventors: Ta-Hua Yu, Moses M. David, Douglas S. Dunn, Seth M. Kirk, Brant U. Kolb, William Blake Kolb, Mark A. Strobel, Jun-Ying Zhang