3m Innovative Properties Company

Andrew W Chen

William P Klinzing

Patrick J Sager

James C Breister

Andrew R Fox

Scott A Jerde

Bradley K Kucera

Ming-Lai Lai

Douglas C Sundet

Matthew S Linabery

Marvin E Jones

Jennifer L Trice

Seth M Kirk

Gopal B Haregoppa

Steven John Pachuta

A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven webthat contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second locationremote from the first location. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different CFHto CFratio 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 filtersuitable for use in an air purifying respirator. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being 'aged' at high temperatures.

Remote fluorination of fibrous filter webs

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid

Methods and apparatus for orthodontic treatment planning that involve determining an initial position of an orthodontic structure, determining an altered position, and generating response surface data using a mathematical relationship between the positions. The mathematical relationship may be defined by a number of parameters useful for determining one or more of the stress, strain, force, and moment associated with movement of the orthodontic structure. The mathematical relationship between the initial position and the altered position may be defined using a finite element analysis, empirically determined, or using other computational methodologies such as a finite difference methodology. The mathematical relationship may also be defined using an analytical methodology, such as elasticity and/or plasticity methodologies. Response surface data may be generated as a teaching aid, treatment planning aid, table, or other useful form, which may be useful, for example, for designing an orthodontic appliance, verifying an orthodontic prescription, and/or planning the prescription.

Response surfaces for orthodontic treatment planning

Methods and apparatus for meltblowing utilize an auxiliary manifold to dispense a fluid between an orifice of a die that is expelling polymeric fibers and an exit of a duct that is dispensing a secondary flow of gas onto the fibers. The fluid dispensed from the auxiliary manifold reduces a recirculation zone of the secondary flow between the exit and the orifice that, absent the fluid from the manifold, results in errant fibers that are blown back into the face of the die by the recirculating secondary flow.

Methods and apparatus for meltblowing of polymeric material utilizing fluid flow from an auxiliary manifold

Manifolds are designed to deliver fluid through multiple orifices of the manifold such that for a given inlet fluid pressure the fluid being output from the multiple orifices has a desired mass flow profile. The desired mass flow profile includes a desired mass flow rate and a desired direction and distribution of flow in three-dimensional space. The manifold is first modeled as a two-dimensional representation to determine manifold parameters necessary to achieve the desired mass flow profile within the two dimensions. Then, the manifold is modeled as a three-dimensional representation based on the parameters previously determined for the two-dimensional representation to determine manifold parameters of the third dimension that are necessary to achieve the desired mass flow profile within the three dimensions.

Manifolds for delivering fluids having a desired mass flow profile and methods for designing the same

An effective orthodontic treatment is determined by storing an original position model of a patient's teeth. The patient's teeth are then displayed according to the original position model, and appliances are selected according to a proposed orthodontic treatment. A final position model of the patient's teeth is also stored, and the selected appliances are displayed based upon the final position model. A finite element analysis is performed based on the proposed orthodontic treatment and on a movement of the patient's teeth from the final position to the original position in order to determine stresses, strains, forces, and/or moments on the appliances and on the patient's teeth and bone. If the stresses, strains, forces, and/or moments are not optimized, a new orthodontic treatment is proposed and the process is repeated.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Andrew W Chen