3M

About: 3M is a company organization based out in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Layer (electronics) & Coating. The organization has 7603 authors who have published 7907 publications receiving 254227 citations. The organization is also known as: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company & 3M Company.

Orthodontic bracket with archwire slot liner.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket (120), such as a bracket made of ceramic material, is provided with a liner (126) that enhances sliding mechanics between the bracket and an archwire. A portion of the liner projects beyond the bracket body (122) and optionally includes an occlusal, gingival or lingual section (148, 150) that extends over a mesial or distal side (134, 135) of the bracket body. A bottom surface of the liner (126) is located a distance from a bottom wall of a channel receiving the liner, and the distance optionally varies along the length of the archwire slot in order to urge the attached tooth to rotate as needed about its long axis. The liner is bonded to the bracket body in such a manner that the bracket body is thereafter held by the liner in compression.

Retroreflective transfer sheet material

Abstract: A transfer sheet material for forming retroreflective graphic images on a substrate, the sheet material comprising a monolayer of transparent microspheres (12); a color layer (22) printed over the microspheres in a first graphic segment of the sheet material in an imagewise pattern, the color layer comprising a colorant in a transparent resin; a reflective layer printed over the microspheres in a second graphic segment of the sheet material in an imagewise pattern, the reflective layer comprising reflective flakes in a transparent binder, wherein the microspheres are partially embedded in at least one of the color layer and the reflective layer, individual microspheres having the reflective flakes arranged in cup-like fashion about their embedded portions; and a bonding layer (28) printed over the color layer and the reflective layer, the bonding layer being sufficiently thick to embed all exposed surfaces of the color layer and the reflective layer and being adapted for use in securing the sheet material to a substrate (30). Also, a method for making such a sheet material. Also, a sheet material having the color layer and the reflective layer combined as a single layer. Also, a sheet material having a graphic segment in which a specularly reflective metal layer is deposited over the microspheres.

Nonwoven abrasive article and method of making same

Abstract: An open low-density abrasive article comprising in combination: (a) a lofty, open, nonwoven three-dimensional fibrous web formed of a plurality of interentangled randomly-extending polyamide staple fibers including points of intersection and contact between the fibers, the points of intersection and contact between the fibers being bonded together to form a three-dimensionally integrated structure throughout the web, wherein the fibers comprise surfaces and a fiber tenacity of less than 5g/denier; (b) abrasive particles dispersed throughout the web and securely adhered to the surfaces of the fibers; and (c) resinous material dispersed throughout the web comprising (i) a hard phenolic resin formed as a cured product of a phenolic resin precursor distributed throughout the web and in contact with the fibers, and (ii) a modifier component of the type and in an amount effective to substantially prevent chemical degradation of the fibers while in contact with the phenolic resin precursor. The invention also relates to methods of making such an abrasive article and converted forms of the abrasive article.

Image receptor medium

Abstract: An image receptor medium including an image reception layer having two major opposing surfaces. The image reception layer comprises an acid- or acid/acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. Alternatively, the image receptor medium includes a substrate layer comprising a polymer substrate layer having two major opposing surfaces and an image reception layer on a first major surface of the substrate layer. The image reception layer has an outer surface for receiving images, and comprises an acid- or acid/acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. Either embodiment of the image receptor medium may further include an optional prime layer, an optional adhesive layer, and an optional inkjet layer.

Deagglomerators for dry powder inhalers

Abstract: The mouthpiece (30) comprises two parts (32 and 34), which are inserted into the mouth together. At low airflow rates, the air and powder stream through the channel (33, 36, 35) is forced to pass through the narrow gap (36) between protrusion (38) and the thin diaphragm (40), which seals region (42) off from the airflow. This narrow gap causes turbulence in the air stream, thereby deagglomerating the powder. At higher airflow rates, however, the pressure in region (42) is reduced with respect to the pressure in region (35) as the patient inhales harder. This causes the diaphragm (40) to bow upwards, widening the gap (36). The pressure drop across the channel (between the ends of the channel), and the turbulence through it, is thus lower than it would be if the variable geometry were not variable. The respirable fraction is thus more constant with airflow rated.