Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Janovec
Jeffrey D. Janovec 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).
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Patent number: 10586446Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael R. Duoos, Todd A. Ballen, Travis L. Potts, James Howard, Thomas J. Dahlin
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Publication number: 20190304303Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael R. Duoos, Todd A. Ballen, Travis L. Potts, James Howard, Thomas J. Dahlin
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Patent number: 10339804Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael R. Duoos, Todd A. Ballen, Travis L. Potts, James Howard, Thomas J. Dahlin
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Publication number: 20170372607Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey D. JANOVEC, Kenneth L. SMITH, Michael R. DUOOS, Todd A. BALLEN, Travis L. POTTS, James HOWARD, Thomas J. DAHLIN
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Patent number: 8267138Abstract: The present application generally relates to methods, materials, and equipment for manufacturing a signs. Some embodiments of the present application relate to methods of manufacturing a digitally printed, multi-panel sign. Some embodiments of the present application relate to a laminator for use in laminating optically active sheeting to a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Mark D. Zender
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Publication number: 20100071240Abstract: The present application generally relates to methods, materials, and equipment for manufacturing a signs. Some embodiments of the present application relate to methods of manufacturing a digitally printed, multi-panel sign. Some embodiments of the present application relate to a laminator for use in laminating optically active sheeting to a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Mark D. Fiegen, Mark D. Zender, Jeffrey D. Janovec, David H. Deiss, David R. Kniffin
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Publication number: 20100006230Abstract: The present application generally relates to methods, materials, and equipment for manufacturing a signs. Some embodiments of the present application relate to methods of manufacturing a digitally printed, multi-panel sign. Some embodiments of the present application relate to a laminator for use in laminating optically active sheeting to a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Mark D. Zender
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Patent number: 6677028Abstract: Retroreflective articles having multilayer films are useful for commercial graphics and retroreflective products, such as roll-up signs for highway transportation safety. The articles comprise multilayer films having at least one layer of polyurethane and at least one layer of a copolymer of alkylene and at least one non-acidic, polar co-monomer. Articles having the new multilayer films provide the same or improved performance, are less expensive, and offer improved methods for manufacturing, when compared to prior articles.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James E. Lasch, Paul J. Wang, Raymond L. Lucking, Terry R. Bailey, Kanta Kumar, Michael A. Essien, Jeffrey D. Janovec, Jaime R. Ojeda, Michael D. Currens
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Publication number: 20010024324Abstract: A method for cutting and edge sealing cells of cellular retroreflective sheeting is disclosed using a specially designed apparatus and tool. Sheeting having a thickness T is heated to a thermoforming temperature to form a heated sheeting. Pressing the unheated tool, the heated sheeting, and a substrate together results in cutting and edge sealing of the heated sheeting. The tool has a radiused ridge for cutting and edge sealing with the shape of the ridge similar to the shape desired for the edge seal. A height H of the ridge is defined relative to the thickness of the sheeting. The fraction of the ridge height to the thickness of the sheeting is less than one and more than 0.2. The tools may be mounted on a perimeter of a wheel for continuously slitting and edge sealing strips of cellular sheeting. The retroreflectivity of the sheeting is maximized by (1) minimizing the width of the sealed edges while (2) maximizing the number of closed cells along the sealed edges that can withstand a water holdout test.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jeffrey D. Janovec
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Patent number: 6224792Abstract: A method for cutting and edge sealing cells of cellular retroreflective sheeting is disclosed using a specially designed apparatus and tool. Sheeting having a thickness T is heated to a thermoforming temperature to form a heated sheeting. Pressing the unheated tool, the heated sheeting, and a substrate together results in cutting and edge sealing of the heated sheeting. The tool has a radiused ridge for cutting and edge sealing with the shape of the ridge similar to the shape desired for the edge seal. A height H of the ridge is defined relative to the thickness of the sheeting. The fraction of the ridge height to the thickness of the sheeting is less than one and more than 0.2. The tools may be mounted on a perimeter of a wheel for continuously slitting and edge sealing strips of cellular sheeting. The retroreflectivity of the sheeting is maximized by (1) minimizing the width of the sealed edges while (2) maximizing the number of closed cells along the sealed edges that can withstand a water holdout test.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jeffrey D. Janovec
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Patent number: 6004422Abstract: Microstructured articles of the invention comprising, in order: a) a retroreflective microstructured member; b) a sealing layer melt-bonded to the microstructured member; and c) a backing member. The backing member is a fibrous web comprising a plurality of multifilament strands and is melt-bonded to the second surface of the sealing layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, James C. Coderre, James E. Lasch, Kenneth L. Smith
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Patent number: 5962108Abstract: A process and article for a retroreflective polymeric coated flexible fabric material having a retroreflective layer and a polymeric compatibilizing layer welded to a polymeric coated outer surface of a flexible fabric material. The compatibilizing layer provides an intermediate layer between the retroreflective layer and the flexible fabric material creating suitable bond strength between dissimilar polymers.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1995Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Susan K. Nestegard, Tzu Li Huang, James C. Coderre, James E. Lasch, Jeffrey D. Janovec, Michael Ruehlemann
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Patent number: 5930040Abstract: A flexible, durable, cube-cornered retroreflective article capable of accommodating the expansion and contraction of the underlying polymeric substrate where such article has a pillowed or curved microstructured member bonded in a regular pattern to a sealing member. The retroreflective article has normal and stressed states. In the normal state, the microstructured member is substantially parallel with the sealing member. In the stressed state, the microstructured member is either compressed or elongated and the sealing member is substantially flat. The retroreflective article may be attached to traffic control devices, such as polymeric barrels, cones, or tubes to direct and guide motorists through road construction areas.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Michael A. Essien
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Patent number: 5805338Abstract: A flexible, durable, cube-cornered retroreflective article capable of accommodating the expansion and contraction of the underlying polymeric substrate where such article has a pillowed or curved microstructured member bonded in a regular pattern to a sealing member. The retroreflective article has normal and stressed states. In the normal state, the microstructured member is substantially parallel with the sealing member. In the stressed state, the microstructured member is either compressed or elongated and the sealing member is substantially flat. The retroreflective article may be attached to traffic control devices, such as polymeric barrels, cones, or tubes to direct and guide motorists through road construction areas.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Minning and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Jeffrey D. Janovec