Patents by Inventor Donald V. Flatt

Donald V. Flatt 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: 6083335
    Abstract: A paint film assembly which includes a thermoformable paint film having a high gloss and DOI and a thermoformable masking film which is removably bonded to the paint film so as to better protect the paint film during shipping and handling, and during subsequent forming and processing (e.g., thermoforming and/or insert molding) of the paint film onto an article or part, while substantially retaining the surface finish of the paint film, particularly the gloss and DOI. The masking film comprises a urethane layer that is laminated or otherwise bonded to the paint film to form a masked paint film. The masking film is thermoformable and/or moldable with the paint film so as to form a thermoformable and/or moldable masked paint film. After the masked paint film is thermoformed and/or molded, the masking film is still readily removable from the paint film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles T. Scullin, Donald V. Flatt, Frederick E. Duhme
  • Patent number: 5968657
    Abstract: A paint film assembly which includes a thermoformable paint film having a high gloss and DOI and a thermoformable masking film which is removably bonded to the paint film so as to better protect the paint film during shipping and handling, and during subsequent forming and processing (e.g., thermoforming and/or insert molding) of the paint film onto an article or part, while substantially retaining the surface finish of the paint film, particularly the gloss and DOI. The masking film comprises a urethane layer that is laminated or otherwise bonded to the paint film to form a masked paint film. The masking film is thermoformable and/or moldable with the paint film so as to form a thermoformable and/or moldable masked paint film. After the masked paint film is thermoformed and/or molded, the masking film is still readily removable from the paint film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles T. Scullin, Donald V. Flatt, Frederick E. Duhme
  • Patent number: 4454179
    Abstract: A dry transfer article comprising a carrier film bearing a graphic design in the form of one or more layers of ink and an actinic radiation responsive adhesive overlapping the design, the ink serving as a mask to actinic radiation such that only adhesive in non-ink areas is exposed to radiation creating a differential adhesive tack which allows the article to be positioned on the substrate and the carrier film and exposed adhesive to be selectively removed leaving the graphic design and underlying unexposed adhesive bonded to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bennett, Donald V. Flatt