Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Pierre H LePere

Curtis L Larson

Gaddam N Babu

Craig S Chamberlain

George F Vesley

Chris A Minick

James R Peterson

Patrick G Zimmerman

William C Tait

Glen Connell

Charlotte M Palmgren

Susan S Christopher

Kurt J Halverson

Jeffrey O Emslander

Daniel C Duan

Robert D Waid

Robert Charles Fitzer

Sanjay L Patil

Haitao Huang

Rodger J Pereyra

Theresa A McCarthy

Joseph F Garvey

Theresa A McCarthy-Pohl

Wayne K Morris

Victoria S Stenkamp

Articles, such as high density arrays, on heat-relaxable substrates that can be relaxed by exposure to thermal energy are disclosed, along with methods of manufacturing the arrays, and systems/apparatus for relaxing arrays using electromagnetic energy. The arrays may themselves include electromagnetic energy sensitive material in their construction, in which case exposure of the arrays to suitable electromagnetic energy can provide the thermal energy required to cause the arrays to relax. In other embodiments, the arrays may not include an electromagnetic energy sensitive material in their construction, in which case the arrays may be heated indirectly, i.e., by locating the arrays within a system or apparatus that includes an electromagnetic energy sensitive material and transferring the thermal energy from the electromagnetic energy sensitive material to the array by, e.g., conduction.

Heat-relaxable substrates and arrays

A method of imaging an article comprising a metal/metal oxide imageable layer with a laser beam. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for imparting a color image on the article. The method includes: a) providing an article including a substrate and an imageable layer, the imageable layer comprising a metal/metal oxide layer; b) imagewise applying a laser beam to the article; and c) in the portion of the article having the laser applied thereto, imparting a color to the metal/metal oxide layer different from the color in the non-imaged portion. Preferably, the imageable layer comprises aluminum/aluminum oxide. Also presented are imageable articles, and the resulting imaged articles.

Method of imaging an article

Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, said susceptors comprising a particulate substrate substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and a coating capable of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. Susceptors are typically particles having a thin-film coating thereon. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Microwave heatable composites

A piece of microwave-active tape which is odor-free and physiologically inert can be adhered to a food package and remains strongly adhered during cooking at temperatures of at least 200.degree. C. The tape has layers of microwave-active material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is a polymeric .alpha.-olefin that has been cured to afford a 'Peel Value' of at least 5 N/dm and a 'Shrink Back' at 220.degree. C. of less than 5%. The tape can have a flexible backing such as a low-adhesion carrier web which can be stripped off from a piece of the tape that has been applied to a microwave food package, or when the backing is heat-resistant, it can be left in place.

Microwave-active tape having a cured polyolefin pressure-sensitive

A microwave susceptor having projections such as linear ridges which define circulation channels such as linear grooves. The susceptor may include apertures at the ridge apexes and the groove nadirs for allowing food secretions such as grease and steam, to pass through the susceptor. A strut may be releasably coupled to the susceptor for increasing the structural integrity of the susceptor.

Configured microwave susceptor

Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. The susceptors comprise a particulate substrate having a thin-film coating thereon. The particulate substrate is substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and the coating is capable of absorbing microwave energy. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

A multilayer innerseal having a grip tab extending across the innerseal. Force applied to the grip tab is concentrated at the base of the grip tab and promotes a complete failure of the innerseal. In use, a substantial portion of the original innerseal remains adhered to the container to providing evidence of tampering and to frustrate efforts to reseal the container.

Tamper evident top tab innerseal

A microwave food package having a chamber for receipt of a foodstuff. An orifice is formed in the package for dispensing the foodstuff in a flowable state after heating in a microwave oven. The package is insulated to permit handling of the package immediately after heating of the foodstuff.

Microwave food package

A package of food containing a substantial amount of water and solidified grease that can be cooked within the package in a microwave oven. A pad adjacent the food comprises microwave radiation transparent generally hydrophobic liquid grease absorbing materials that are capable of holding the amount of grease in the food when it is melted; and a vapor tight microwave radiation transparent enclosure surrounding the pad and food includes means for venting steam from the enclosure as the food is cooked. Preferably, the pad is produced from microfibers constructed of a composition comprising a blend containing substantially equal parts by weight of propylene and poly 4-methylpentene-1.

Microwave food package and grease absorbent pad therefor

Microwave absorbing composite comprising at least two zones of material capable of absorbing microwave energy, each set of said two zones being separated by one zone of material transparent to or transmissive of microwave energy. The microwave energy absorbing zones are selected such that the composite is incapable of arcing in a microwave oven whereof the maximum power output does not exceed 2000 watts at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The composite of this invention can be used for such purposes as crisping, browning, or otherwise heating food products, as a material for packaging, or as a package venting material.

Microwave absorbing composite

A package of food containing a substantial amount of water and solidified grease that can be cooked within the package in a microwave oven. A pad adjacent the food comprises microwave radiation transparent generally hydrophobic liquid grease absorbing materials that are capable of holding the amount of grease in the food when it is melted; and a vapor tight microwave radiation transparent enclosure surrounding the pad and food includes means for venting steam from the enclosure as the food is cooked. Preferably, the pad is produced from microfibers constructed of a composition comprising a blend containing substantially equal parts by weight of polypropylene and poly 4-methylpentene-1.

Growing community of inventors

Cottage Grove, MN, United States of America

Pierre H LePere