3M Innovative Properties Company

Thomas L Wood

Mario Alberto Perez

Lloyd S Vasilakes

Salvatore M Attaguile

Ronald Wayne Ausen

Thomas P Hanschen

William J Kopecky

Wei Zhang

Keith D Solomon

Michael C Faust

Satishkumar Chamyvelumani

Keith M Martin

Edward M Czausz

Aleksander Medved

Polymeric layer having first and second, generally opposed major surfaces, comprising an array of openings extending between the first and second major surfaces. The polymeric layers are useful, for example, as components in personal care garments such as diapers and feminine hygiene products. They can also be useful for filtering (including liquid filtering) and acoustic applications.

Methods of making films comprising an array of openings

A method of forming a filter element is disclosed comprising introducing a mixture into a feeder, the mixture comprising a plurality of susceptor particles and a plurality of polymeric binder particles. The mixture is advanced through the feeder and into a die comprising an excitation portion where eddy currents are induced in the susceptor particles by subjecting the mixture to a high-frequency electromagnetic field, the eddy currents being sufficient to elevate the temperature of the susceptor particles to cause adjacent polymeric binder particles to be heated to at least a softening point. The susceptor particles bind with the heated polymeric binder particles in the die to form a coherent mass. The coherent mass is advanced out of the die and cooled to form the filter element.

Method of forming filter elements

A method for joining sections of coated pipe comprises providing two sections of metal pipe, each section of metal pipe having at least a first polymeric coating on its outer surface. The first polymeric coating comprises a first polymer coating selected from the group consisting of a first epoxy/olefin interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) layer, a thermoplastic layer, and a thermosetting layer. The sections of metal pipe are aligned end-to-end and bonded together to form a desired closure. A second polymeric coating comprising a layer of epoxy/olefin semi- or full-IPN is applied to the closure and to any desired additional area of coated pipe to form a seam and to secure the joint. A method for patching a damaged coated pipe using a patch comprising a polyolefin/epoxy semi- or full IPN is also disclosed. A kit comprises a semi-IPN and/or full-IPN repair stick, sheet-like patch, melt, or powder, which is useful to repair damage to a polymer coated metal pipe or to girth weld together ends of two sections of a polymer coated metal pipe.

Interpenetrating polymer network as coating for metal substrate and method therefor

A coated article and method therefor comprises a metal substrate comprising a layered coating composition on at least one surface thereof, the coating composition comprising a layer of epoxy on one or more of the surfaces of the substrate. The coating composition further comprises an overcoat layer comprising a combination of polyolefin and epoxy resins, the overcoat layer optionally being free of added epoxy curative. The article can be a pipe, vessel, conduit, rod, profile-shaped article, or tube. A preferred overcoat layer comprises a semi- or full-epoxy/polyolefin interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). In another embodiment, the coated article comprises a polyolefin/epoxy layer that is directly coated on at least one surface of a metal substrate, the polyolefin/epoxy coating being overcoated with a thermoplastic top coating, the coated article being free of added adhesive. The metal article preferably is a pipe, vessel, conduit, rod, profile shaped article or tube.

An apparatus for printing on a continuous web of linerless tape defined by a print side for subsequent application to an article. The apparatus includes a support, a rotatably driven platen roller, a print head, and a stripping apparatus. The support is configured to maintain a continuous web of linerless tape. The rotatably driven platen roller is located downstream of the support. The print head is associated with the platen roller. More particularly, the platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof. Finally, the stripping apparatus is positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for directing the web of linerless material from the platen roller. In this regard, the stripping apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller is positioned to receive and contact the print side of the linerless tape. Conversely, the second roller is positioned to receive and contact the adhesive side of the linerless tape. The first and second rollers form a nip for engaging the linerless tape and operate in tandem to strip the linerless tape from the platen roller during use thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the second roller is configured to minimize adhesion with the adhesive side of the tape, and is rotated at a speed greater than that of the platen roller so as to impart a tension on the web of linerless tape. In another preferred embodiment, a hot ribbon wire cutter is provided to sever a label segment from a remainder of the web.

Method and apparatus for handling linerless label tape within a printing device

Variably printed tape and system for printing and applying tape onto surfaces

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, WI, United States of America

Thomas L Wood