3M Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Robert K Galkiewicz

Mieczyslaw H Mazurek

Gerald M Benson

Audrey A Sherman

Brian Edward Spiewak

Graham M Clarke

Ronald Wayne Ausen

Wendi J Winkler

Haiyan Zhang

James R Starkey

Jeffrey M Olofson

Charles M Leir

Steven S Kantner

William J Bryan

Yvan A Bogaert

Jeffrey O Emslander

Scott D Pearson

James L Bries

Ronald S Steelman

Ronald Carl Johansson

John R David

Mark Edward Fagan

Danny Leroy Fleming

Janet R Kirkman

Stefan O Dietrich

Ned B Johnson

Dennis R Nichols

A shape memory polymer article is disclosed. The article may include a surface having a microstructure and it may include a shape memory polymer. The shape memory polymer may include a copolymer network. The copolymer network may be formed from the reaction product of a free radically polymerizable siloxane having greater than one functional free radically polymerizable group and at least one (meth)acrylate monomer.

Shape memory polymer articles with a microstructured surface

Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.

Methods for changing the shape of a surface of a shape memory polymer article

The present application is related to substrates having light transmitting areas and light shielding areas. The application discloses methods of manufacturing the substrates, including modifying a light shielding layer be contact to a structured surface.

Methods of manufacturing substrates

The invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated articles, including tapes and transfer coatings, having microstructured surfaces and methods of making pressure-sensitive adhesive articles bearing such microstructured surfaces. The performance properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive articles can be tailored by independently varying the microstructure and the rheological properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives having microstructured surfaces

A bearing assembly is disclosed, which comprises at least two slidable fasteners interengaged with at least two bearing pieces such that the slidable fasteners have substantially unrestricted biaxial motion relative to one another. The bearing pieces are comprised of self-closable fastener film comprising a base sheet and a multiplicity of ribs projecting from the base sheet, wherein the flat side of the first bearing piece is attached to the flat side of the second bearing piece such that the ribs of the first bearing piece are not parallel relative to the ribs of the second bearing piece.

Slidable fastener bearing assembly

The present invention provides an article including a microstructured release liner having a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions associated with an adhesive layer such that the protrusions penetrate the adhesive layer.

Microstructed release liner

The invention is a mating film. The mating film comprises a base sheet having a first major surface. A plurality of generally parallel ridges project from the first major surface. The ridges comprise a stem portion attached to the base sheet and generally upright from the base sheet. A head portion of each ridge is spaced from the first major surface and extends generally laterally from the stem portion so as to define a lateral distance. The center of each stem portion of each ridge is spaced from the center of each adjacent ridge stem portion by a distance greater than about 2 times lateral distance defined by the head portion.

Mating film and method for bundling and wrapping

A stretch releasing tape article useful for bundling items such as cables, wires, or the like includes a stretch releasing adhesive tape strip, a rigid base plate for attachment with the tape strip, and an elongate flexible strap attached to the base plate that can be arranged around the items and attached to itself to form a closed loop.

Stretch releasing adhesive tape article with bundling strap

A new method of binding at least one article, and a new binding strap for use in binding an article or articles is taught. The new binding strap for preferred use in practicing the new method comprises an elongate base sheet having an array of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting integrally from the base sheet; the ribs comprising a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and a flange attached to at least one side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet; the array of ribs establishing a first fastening surface that can be pressed against and thereby interconnected with an identical fastening surface; the underside surface of the outer portion of at least some flanges projecting downwardly toward the base sheet; and the flange having a substantial thickness over most of its width such that the stem portion deforms in preference to the flange during peel-type disengagement from an identical fastening surface; and the strap having a length and width adapting the strap to be wrapped around one or more articles to apply a binding action on the article(s).

Self-mating reclosable binding strap and fastener

A new self-mating mechanical fastener is disclosed, which comprises a base sheet and a multiplicity of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting from the base sheet. The ribs comprise a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and at least one flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. At least the outer portions of the flanges desirably project toward the base sheet. The cross-sectional profile formed by the ribs is substantially uniform over the length of the ribs, but in the direction transverse to the ribs has a regularly repeated deviation from the profile that would be formed by a full population of equally spaced, identical, undivided, symmetric ribs. An individual rib has a width that is accommodated between the stem portions of adjacent ribs but is greater than the gap between the facing flanges of adjacent ribs, whereby the ribbed surface of the fastener can be interengaged with and connected to an identical ribbed surface. The fastener can take various forms, but fasteners in elongated strap form are particularly advantageous for use as a binding strap. A method for binding at least one article is also disclosed.

Self-mating reclosable mechanical fastener and binding strap

A new self-mating mechanical fastener is disclosed, which comprises a base sheet and a multiplicity of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting from the base sheet. The ribs comprise a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and at least one flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. At least the outer portions of the flanges desirably project toward the base sheet. The cross-sectional profile formed by the ribs is substantially uniform over the length of the ribs, but in the direction transverse to the ribs has a regularly repeated deviation from the profile that would be formed by a full population of equally spaced, identical, undivided, symmetric ribs. An individual rib has a width that is accommodated between the stem portions of adjacent ribs but is greater than the gap between the facing flanges of adjacent ribs, whereby the ribbed surface of the fastener can be interengaged with and connected to an identical ribbed surface.

Growing community of inventors

Roseville, MN, United States of America

Robert K Galkiewicz