Christopher M Haas

US Patent:

6645618, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/132964

Inventors:

Terry R. Hobbs - Saint Paul MN
Philip P. Soo - Minneapolis MN
Mario A. Perez - Burnsville MN
Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN
Robert S. Kody - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

D01F 600

US Classification:

428359, 428397, 428399, 428395

Abstract:

The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.

US Patent:

6646019, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Aug 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/230539

Inventors:

Mario A. Perez - Burnsville MN
Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C08F21606

US Classification:

521142

Abstract:

A fibrillated foamed article and process for producing the same is described. The fibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.

US Patent:

6692823, Feb 17, 2004

Filed:

Dec 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027713

Inventors:

Robert S. Kody - Minneapolis MN
Mario A. Perez - Burnsville MN
Thomas P. Klun - Lakeland MN
Paul D. Graham - Woodbury MN
Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN
Ravi K. Sura - Woodbury MN
Diane R. Wolk - Woodbury MN
Julie S. Prudich - Woodbury MN
Larry R. Krepski - White Bear Lake MN
Terry R. Hobbs - Saint Paul MN
John M. Sebastian - Maplewood MN
Paul DeRoussel - Hudson WI

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 516

US Classification:

428323, 4283044, 428332, 428359, 428364

Abstract:

Described are hydrophilic fibrillated articles that include melt-processable polymer and hydrophilic component such as hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic polymer, as well as methods of preparing such articles.

US Patent:

6890649, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Aug 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/647525

Inventors:

Terry R. Hobbs - Saint Paul MN, US
Philip P. Soo - Minneapolis MN, US
Mario A. Perez - Burnsville MN, US
Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN, US
Robert S. Kody - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

D01F006/00

US Classification:

428365, 428359, 428362, 428397, 428399

Abstract:

The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.

US Patent:

7094463, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/334412

Inventors:

Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN, US
Mark D. Gehlsen - Eagan MN, US
Sara B. Mortenson - Somerville MA, US
Joan M. Strobel - Maplewood MN, US
Ravi K. Sura - Woodbury MN, US
David L. Vall - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3/26

US Classification:

4283157, 4283155, 4283166, 4283193, 4283197, 4283171, 521142, 521143

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a process for producing a polypropylene foam by mixing a high melt strength polypropylene and a blowing agent to form a melt mixture, reducing the temperature of the melt mixture at the exit of the apparatus to an exit temperature that is no more than 30 C. above the melt temperature of the neat polypropylene while maintaining the melt mixture at a pressure sufficient to prevent foaming; passing the mixture through said exit shaping orifice and exposing the mixture to atmospheric pressure, whereby the blowing agent expands causing cell formation resulting in foam formation, and orienting said foam. The foam is useful as tape backings, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays.

US Patent:

7655296, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/460436

Inventors:

Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN, US
Robert D. Taylor - Stacy MN, US
William B. Black - Eagan MN, US
James M. Jonza - Woodbury MN, US
Terrence E. Cooprider - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 27/00

US Classification:

4283193, 4283179, 4283197, 4283148, 4283166, 428131, 4281951

Abstract:

The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190 C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

US Patent:

7883769, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/464215

Inventors:

Jayshree Seth - Woodbury MN, US
Christopher K. Haas - Cottage Grove MN, US
Ravi K. Sura - Woodbury MN, US
Katherine A. S. Graham - Roseville MN, US
Janet A. Venne - Roseville MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3/26
B32B 3/06

US Classification:

4283148, 4283144, 4283166, 428 99, 428100

Abstract:

The invention is directed in part to an article that includes a polymer foam having a surface with surface microstructures, the surface microstructures have at least one extent or dimension of about 10 microns or more, preferably 50 microns or more. A maximum extent (unless it is a continuous rib-like structure) the microstructure is about 300 microns or less, preferably 200 microns or less, and generally a maximum height of 1000 microns or less, preferably 750 microns or less and a minimum height of 200 microns or more, preferably 300 microns or more. The foamed article may be provided in a variety of shapes, including a rod, a cylinder, a sheet, etc. In a preferred embodiment where the foam is provided in the form of a sheet, the foam has a pair of major surfaces, one or both of which can be provided with surface microstructures. The foam backing and microstructures include a plurality of voids, which voids are preferably of a mean size substantially less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension or extent of the microstructures.

US Patent:

20030232210, Dec 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/175020

Inventors:

Christopher Haas - Cottage Grove MN, US
Robert Taylor - Stacy MN, US
William Black - Eagan MN, US
James Jonza - Woodbury MN, US
Terrence Cooprider - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company

International Classification:

B32B003/26
B32B027/00
B32B027/08

US Classification:

428/500000, 428/515000, 428/516000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of of 25 to 60 cN at 190 C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.