Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Merton

Christopher A. Merton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11940651
    Abstract: A light guide comprising a polymeric layer at least 25 percent transmissive over at least a 30 nm bandwidth in a wavelength range from 180 to 280 nm over a distance of at least 100 micrometers and visible light transparent reflecting layers (UV-C mirror) that are at least 50 percent reflective over at least 30 nm bandwidth in a wavelength range from 180 to 280 nm over an incident light angle of 0 to 90 degrees and that are at least 25 percent transmissive of visible light over at least 30 nm bandwidth in a wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm over an incident light angle of 0 to 90 degrees. The light guide is useful, for example, for antimicrobial surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Stephen P. Maki, Michael E. Griffin, Anna C. Hamlin, Justin M. Mazzoni, Christopher A. Merton, Matthew T. Scholz
  • Publication number: 20220365260
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer and a discontinuous binder-borne reflective layer that is provided by a portion of a fractured binder-borne reflective sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Graham M. Clarke, Kevin W. Gotrik, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Aaron M. Nash, Shri Niwas, Anthony F. Schultz, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Ying Xia, Scott J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20220276417
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 11366252
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220177743
    Abstract: A method of making a release coated article is described comprising: providing a release coating comprising at least 50 wt. % of monomer(s) comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a terminal alkyl group with at least 18 (e.g. contiguous) carbon atoms based on the total amount of ethylenically unsaturated components; crosslinking components(s) comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups; and at least one polymerization initiator. The release coating is substantially solventless, comprising no greater than 1 wt. % of non-polymerizable organic solvent. The method further comprises applying the release coating to a major surface of a substrate; and polymerizing the monomer(s) and crosslinking component(s) of the release coating after applying the release coating to the substrate. Also described are release coating compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Junkang Jacob Liu, Christopher A. Merton, Shawn C. Dodds, Siwei Leng, Maria A. Appeaning, Garry W. Lachmansingh, Daniel J. Tipping
  • Publication number: 20220026633
    Abstract: A light guide comprising a polymeric layer at least 25 percent transmissive over at least a 30 nm bandwidth in a wavelength range from 180 to 280 nm over a distance of at least 100 micrometers and visible light transparent reflecting layers (UV-C mirror) that are at least 50 percent reflective over at least 30 nm bandwidth in a wavelength range from 180 to 280 nm over an incident light angle of 0 to 90 degrees and that are at least 25 percent transmissive of visible light over at least 30 nm bandwidth in a wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm over an incident light angle of 0 to 90 degrees. The light guide is useful, for example, for antimicrobial surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Stephen P. Maki, Michael E. Griffin, Anna C. Hamlin, Justin M. Mazzoni, Christopher A. Merton, Matthew T. Scholz
  • Patent number: 11225053
    Abstract: An article is provided. The article includes an acrylate layer; a substrate overlaying the acrylate layer; and an adhesive layer between the acrylate layer and the substrate, wherein the adhesive layer includes germanium; wherein a release value between the acrylate layer and the adhesive layer is more than 200 g/inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Owings, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher A. Merton
  • Publication number: 20220001644
    Abstract: A film including: a substrate; a first barrier layer on the substrate; a first resin layer on the first barrier layer; wherein the first resin layer includes a structured major surface and a plurality of features; a second barrier layer on the structured major surface of the first resin layer; and a second resin layer on the second barrier layer, wherein the second resin layer includes a structured major surface and a plurality of features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: David J. Rowe, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Christopher A. Merton, Scott J. Jones, Ta-Hua Yu, Brett J. Sitter, John P. Baetzold, Bill H. Dodge, Evan L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 11117358
    Abstract: A transfer article (100) is provided. The transfer article (100) includes a release layer (110), wherein the release layer (110) comprises a metal layer or a doped semiconductor layer; a first acrylate layer (120) overlaying the release layer (110); and a function layer (130) overlaying the first acrylate layer (120); wherein a release value between the release layer (110) and the first acrylate layer (120) is from 2 to 50 g/inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Christopher A. Merton, Scott J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20210146651
    Abstract: A film including: a substrate; a first barrier layer on the substrate; a resin layer on the first barrier layer; wherein the resin layer includes a structured major surface and a plurality of features; a second barrier layer on the structured major surface of the first resin layer; and an adhesive layer on the second barrier layer, wherein the adhesive layer includes a structured major surface and a plurality of features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: David J. Rowe, Christopher S. Lyons, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher A. Merton, Scott J. Jones, Ta-Hua Yu, Brett J. Sitter, Bill H. Dodge
  • Publication number: 20200376811
    Abstract: An article is provided. The article includes an acrylate layer; a substrate overlaying the acrylate layer; and an adhesive layer between the acrylate layer and the substrate, wherein the adhesive layer includes germanium; wherein a release value between the acrylate layer and the adhesive layer is more than 200 g/inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Robert R. Owings, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher A. Merton
  • Publication number: 20200341180
    Abstract: The disclosed light directing article has an optical element and a conformal retarder with predefined thickness that contours with the optical element. In one aspect, the light directing article is a retroreflective article, which further comprises a phase reversing optical reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Kui CHEN-HO, Michael A. MCCOY, John A. WHEATLEY, Susannah C. CLEAR, Michelle L. TOY, Alex P. PONGRATZ, Matthew E. SOUSA, Matthew B. JOHNSON, Gilles BENOIT, David J.W. AASTUEN, Guanglei DU, Tien Yi T.H. WHITING, Kevin W. GOTRIK, Christopher A. MERTON, Ying XIA, Olester BENSON, JR., Charles A. SHAKLEE, Travis L. POTTS, Carla S. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20200264350
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20200216950
    Abstract: A film including: a resin layer including a first structured major surface and a second structured major surface, wherein the first structured major surface includes a plurality of microscale features and the second structured major surface includes a plurality of nanoscale features; and a barrier layer on the first or second structured major surface of the resin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: David J. Rowe, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher A. Merton, Scott J. Jones, Ta-Hua Yu, Brett J. Sitter, Bill H. Dodge
  • Publication number: 20200136086
    Abstract: A transfer article (100) is provided. The transfer article (100) includes a release layer (110), wherein the release layer (110) comprises a metal layer or a doped semiconductor layer; and a first acrylate layer (120) overlaying the release layer (110); wherein the release value between the release layer (110) and the first acrylate layer (120) is from 2 to 50 g/inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Christopher A. Merton, Scott J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20200016879
    Abstract: A transfer article (100) is provided. The transfer article (100) includes a release layer (110), wherein the release layer (110) comprises a metal layer or a doped semiconductor layer; a first acrylate layer (120) overlaying the release layer (110); and a function layer (130) overlaying the first acrylate layer (120); wherein a release value between the release layer (110) and the first acrylate layer (120) is from 2 to 50 g/inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Christopher A. Merton, Scott J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20180169697
    Abstract: There is provided a barrier film having a substrate, a low thermal conductivity organic layer and an inorganic stack. The inorganic stack will include a low thermal conductivity non-metallic inorganic material layer and a high thermal conductivity metallic material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher A. Merton, Ta-Hua Yu, Christopher S. Lyons, Kam Poi Chia, Brent Beamer, Cedric Bedoya, Paul T. Engen, Amy Preszler Prince
  • Patent number: 7342738
    Abstract: The Invention Provides a Positioning System for a Linear Data Storage Medium, Such as magnetic tape or other data storage medium in which data is stored on parallel data tracks that extend along a length of the medium. The invention makes use of multiple actuators to control the positioning of sliders carrying read and write elements, e.g., separate sliders carrying the read and write elements, relative to the data storage medium with multiple degrees of freedom. The multiple degrees of freedom may include two or more of a vertical position, a horizontal position, a transverse position, an azimuth position, a zenith position, and a yaw position. In this manner, the invention can improve head-to-track alignment of read heads and write heads with linear data storage systems having very small track pitches, such as track pitches approximately 1 micron and especially less than 1 micron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: James S. Anderson, Todd W. Abrahamson, Saeed A. Fahimi, Richard E. Jewett, Christopher A. Merton, Joseph Skorjanec
  • Patent number: 6989204
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which includes a substrate having a front side and a backside, a longitudinal direction and a cross-web direction, with a particulate/binder or thin film magnetic layer formed over the front side of the substrate, wherein the magnetic medium has a cross-web dimensional difference from the magnetic recording head used therewith of less than 900 ?m/meter over a 35° C. temperature range, and over a 70% relative humidity range. Preferred substrates include thin metals, metal alloys, and thin glass films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Zwettler, Christopher A. Merton, Ramnath Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 6979501
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which includes a non-magnetic substrate having a front side and a backside, a longitudinal direction and a crossweb direction, with a particulate/binder magnetic layer formed over the front side of the substrate, wherein the magnetic medium has a cross web dimensional difference from the magnetic recording head used therewith of less than 900 microns/meter over a 35 degree temperature range, and over a 70% relative humidity range. In one embodiment, the substrate is a polymeric film which has been subjected to a biaxial tensilization process, thus having a lower coefficient of hygroscopic expansion and coefficient of thermal expansion than an otherwise identical film substrate which has not been biaxially tensilized. The magnetic recording medium formed using such a tensilized substrate has a Wyko Ra smoothness of less than about 10 nm, and a coefficient of thermal expansion from about 5 ppm/C to about 10 ppm/C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Merton