3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Lori P Engle

Patrick R Fleming

Caroline M Ylitalo

Steven Joseph Hamrock

Todd R Williams

Robert T Fehr

Mark J Pellerite

James M Jonza

Dong-Wei Zhu

Mark F Schulz

Alan G Miller

David W Tweeten

Verna J LeMire

Nagraj Koneripalli

Thomas Edward Wood

George G Moore

Rolf W Biernath

Jeffrey L Solomon

Zhiming Zhou

Paul D Graham

Steven J Martin

Robert J Wolf

Brian Edward Spiewak

George J Clements

Shou-Lu G Wang

Douglas A Huntley

Willem V Bastiaens

Christine A Burbach

Joseph F Sarageno, Jr

Mark P Dolan

The invention provides methods for providing improved image quality and water resistance of dye based ink images on substrates using aqueous dispersed mordants and dispersed hydrophobic materials.

Methods of fixing ink

A receptor medium with a sheet having an optically transmissive microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects but also provides sufficient optical transmissivity to be useful as overhead transparency media, backlit signage, and the like. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.

Method of making an optically transparent inkjet printing medium

An image retaining card is disclosed. An image retaining card in accordance with the present invention may be utilized as an identification card, a driver's license, a passport, and the like. An image retaining card in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate structure, a cover, and an image receptive material disposed between the substrate structure and the cover. The substrate structure comprises a substrate layer and a substrate tie layer.

Polypropylene card construction

Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, and adhesive articles based thereon, crosslinked using a bis-amide crosslinking agent that are thermally stable, yet cleanly removable from a variety of substrates following exposure to high temperatures.

Crosslinked pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, and adhesive articles based thereon, useful in high temperature applications

Ink fixing materials and methods of fixing ink

A receptor medium with a sheet having a random microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, electrically, thermally, or magnetically modifiable materials, and combinations thereof. The random microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.

Random microembossed receptor media

Optically transmissive microembossed receptor media

A flexible cover for protecting a splice of a conveyor belt, in particular, for protecting the belt fastener that forms the splice. The splice cover includes a body having a first surface and an opposite second surface, with a plurality of first reclosable fasteners extending from the first surface. The first reclosable fasteners engage with a plurality of second reclosable fasteners, which are attached to the belt. The second reclosable fasteners can be secured to the belt by the belt fastener, by adhesive or other attachment means, by being integral with the belt fastener, or by being integral with the belt web. The second reclosable fastener can be any structure that engages, interlocks, mates, or otherwise attaches to first reclosable fastener. Also provided are methods for making the splice cover, and methods for placing and removing the splice cover over the belt fastener.

Conveyor belt splice cover, and methods

Assemblies containing a substrate with pockets for electromagnetically responsive particles can be made for a variety of uses, including, for example, display media, lenses, and color-changing fabric. The arrangement of these pockets can be selected to provide higher particle density than previously realized. The assembly includes an assembly substrate, particles, and a top coat layer.

Electromagnetically responsive particle assembly and methods and articles for manufacture and use

A receptor medium with a sheet having an embossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The embossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained, Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.

Embossed receptor media

A method for treating carpets is provided which obviates the need for scouring. In accordance with the method, an unscoured carpet is treated topically, and by means of a low wet pickup method, with a solution comprising particles of silica or a similar inorganic additive and a fluorochemical or other optional organic additive. Carpets treated in accordance with this method are found to have excellent soil resistance properties which do not decrease noticeably with subsequent wear or cleaning. Furthermore, since the method involves a low wet pickup, the required drying times are significantly reduced as compared to conventional aqueous bath immersion methods.

Topical carpet treatment

A fluorochemical treatment composition comprises (a) a sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of substantially discrete, substantially monodisperse in size, polymer-grafted, inorganic microparticles in liquid; and (b) at least one fluorochemical. The composition can be used to impart durable water and oil repellency, stain release, and dry soil resistance to a variety of substrates.

Composition and process for imparting durable repellency to substrates

Water-based coating compositions comprise an aqueous solution, emulsion, or dispersion of (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one anionic moiety which is capable of reacting with an oxazoline or oxazine moiety; (b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one oxazoline or oxazine moiety; and (c) a sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of surface-modified, inorganic microparticles in liquid; at least one of the components (a), (b), and (c) further comprising at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety. The compositions can be used to form hard coatings having low surface energy and high abrasion resistance.

Aqueous fluorochemical compositions and abrasion-resistant coatings

Growing community of inventors

Little Canada, MN, United States of America

Lori P Engle