Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

John H Ko

Michael Govek

Carole Sedlock

Joel D Oxman

Todd R Williams

F Andrew Ubel

Sharon R Benjamin

Patrick Darby Hyde

Philip G Martin

William L Parish, Jr

Richard L Severance

Walton J Hammar

Dan L Fanselow

James A Weldon

Lester B Odegaard

Dong-Wei Zhu

Craig S Chamberlain

Kurt C Melancon

Simon S Fung

Ching-Long Tsai

Bettie C Fong

Debra L Wilfong

Tzu-Li J Huang

Daryl D Dressler

Charlotte M Palmgren

Jon M Nornberg

Raymond L Ferguson

James R Boardman

Anita L Schulz

James C Margl

The present invention provides silicone-based adhesives, preferably pressure sensitive adhesives, adhesive articles, and methods. Preferably, the articles are cover tapes for analytical receptacles, such as microtiter plates, microfluidic devices, and continuous multi-reservoir carriers, or other analytical receptacles or biosensors, for example. Typically, such analytical receptacles are used in bioanalytical applications and are designed for containing solids and fluids, including liquids, gases, powders, and gels, which may include biological samples or organic solvents, for example.

Silicone adhesives, articles, and methods

An article is disclosed that has a patterned surface containing alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface regions. The hydrophobic regions may be sufficiently narrow such that under dew conditions moisture accumulated on the hydrophobic region migrates to the hydrophilic region, thus preventing the accumulation of water droplets. In frost conditions, the hydrophobic region remains relatively frost-free, thus maintaining at least partial transparency of the surface. Inorganic oxide particles on the surfaces of the hydrophobic regions may provide abrasion resistance. A method for making the patterned surfaces is disclosed in which a treatment removes organic binder to expose inorganic oxide particles at the surface of the hydrophilic regions.

Patterned article having alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface regions

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone with a modifier selected from the group consisting of carboxylic; straight chain monohydric alcohols; branched chain monohydric alcohols; polyethylene glycols; and polyethylene glycol ethers. The composition may also comprise one or more fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Modified polycaprolactone composition

The present invention provides a block assembly for mounting an optical lens blank onto a lens processing machine, comprising a compliant lens block with a relatively thin double-sided adhesive tape having differential adhesion. This assembly affords a very cost efficient system for attaching a lens blank to a lens processing machine. In contrast to traditional thick adhesive pads, the tapes of the present invention do not suffer from shear displacements which may cause processing errors or inaccuracies. In addition, the double-sided adhesive tapes of the present invention achieve greater adhesion to the lens block than to the lens. This feature promotes and ensures a 'clean' removal of the tape from the lens when the block is deblocked. The present invention also provides a method for mounting an optical lens blank onto a lens processing machine. This method comprises the steps of: disposing a compliant block assembly in close proximity to an optical lens blank (the block assembly comprising a base structure having a compliant receiving surface adapted to conform to a surface on an optical lens blank to be processed in a lens processing machine and a mounting means for mounting the block onto a chuck of a lens processing machine, wherein at least a portion of said compliant receiving surface is covered with a thin double-sided adhesive tape having differential adhesion); adhesively attaching the optical lens blank to the compliant block by applying the block to the optical lens blank with sufficient pressure to conform the receiving surface to the surface of the optical lens blank while the adhesive tape joins the block and optical lens blank together; and mounting the block and the adhesive tape joined optical lens blank onto the lens processing machine.

Compliant lens block and tape

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Thermoplastic lens blocking material

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a blend of (i) a hydrocarbon resin, preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon resin; (ii) a side chain crystallizable hydrocarbon polymer or copolymer; and (iii) optionally an modifier or mixture of modifiers, preferably straight chain alcohols. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

An article comprising substrate having a surface and a coating on the surface of the substrate, the coating comprising a fluoropolymer and a fluorochemical surfactant. The fluoropolymer and the fluorochemical surfactant are selected such that the article is anti-reflective, abrasion resistant and anti-fogging. Methods of making the same are also described.

Anti-reflective, abrasion resistant, anti-fogging coated articles and

The present invention provides methods of holding ophthalmic lens blanks using thermoplastic lens blocking compositions. Preferred compositions either comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, or have a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one method, the composition is injected into the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another method, the surface of a lens block comprising the thermoplastic lens blocking composition is heated and formed against the lens blank. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Method of holding an ophthalmic lens blank

Polycaprolactone lens blocking material

The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsiloncaprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Tubing and tubing assemblies are provided that are made from a blend of an ionic and a non-ionic polymer. The tubing may be made by blending and extruding the polymers. The assemblies may be made by bonding the tubing to a plastic fluid transporting component such as a cassette or bag.

Medical tubing and assemblies

Multilayered film and film based assembly which are environmentally-compatible, and which exhibit one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and film based assemblies, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, are provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such film and film based assembly.

Medical device assemblies constructed from multilayered films

Multilayered tubing which exhibits one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubings, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such tubing.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

John H Ko