Patents by Inventor John C. Clark

John C. Clark 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).

  • Publication number: 20190388911
    Abstract: Methods of making nozzles are disclosed. More specifically, methods of making nozzles that may be used as components of a fuel injection system are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Jun-Ying Zhang, Michael R. Gorman, Haiyan Zhang, Raymond P. Johnston, Barry S. Carpenter, John C. Clark
  • Patent number: 10513626
    Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having a fluorine-containing polymeric binder resin layer and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded in a first major surface of the binder resin layer and adhered thereto; wherein the fluorine-containing polymer is derived in part from at least one partially fluorinated, or non-fluorinated, monomer; and wherein the article exhibits a stain resistance to yellow mustard at elevated temperature and humidity as measured by the change in b* of less than 50. There are also provided such articles wherein the fluorine-containing polymer is derived in part from at least one partially fluorinated, or non-fluorinated, monomer; and wherein the fluorine content along the polymeric backbone of the fluorine-containing polymer is from about 27% to 72% by weight. There are also provided such articles wherein the article is a thermoformable article exhibiting chemical resistance according to ASTM D5402-06.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Tatsuo Fukushi, Thomas P. Klun, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Lan H. Liu, Jingjing Ma, Steven J. McMan
  • Patent number: 10486932
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a web using an engagement cover comprising resilient looped pile engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Newhouse, Bruce E. Tait, John C. Clark
  • Patent number: 10406537
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a nozzle that includes casting and curing a first material using a patterned nip roller to form a first microstructured pattern of discrete microstructures, deforming at least one of the discrete microstructures; replicating the first microstructured pattern, including the at least one deformed discrete microstructure, in a second material different than the first material to make a replicated structure comprising a plurality of blind holes formed in the second material, removing second material of the replicated structure to expose tops of microstructures in the first microstructured pattern, and removing the first material from the replicated structure, resulting in a nozzle having a plurality of through-holes in the second material and corresponding to the first microstructured pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jun-Ying Zhang, Michael R. Gorman, Haiyan Zhang, Raymond P. Johnston, Barry S. Carpenter, John C. Clark
  • Patent number: 10245812
    Abstract: There is provided a thermoformable article comprising at least a first surface having a binder resin layer comprising a fluorine-containing polymer, where the binder resin layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres partially and adhered to the first major surface of the binder resin layer; where the fluorine-containing polymer is a partially fluorinated polymer derived from at least one fluorine containing monomer and two or more non-fluorinated monomers having at least one active hydrogen functional group, and further wherein at least one but not all of the active hydrogen functional groups are reacted with at least one curing agent having latent functionality. In some instances the curing agent comprises polyisocyanate. There is also provided a thermoset article derived from such thermoformable articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Thomas P. Klun, Steven J. McMan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud, Alexander J. Kugel, Vivek Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10239277
    Abstract: There is provided an article a binder resin layer comprising an aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprising a plurality of soft segments, and a plurality of hard segments, where the soft segments comprise poly(alkoxy) polyol, and where the poly(alkoxy) polyol is essentially free of crosslinker; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a first major surface of the binder resin layer, wherein the specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer are sufficient to impart a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less in the article and a storage modulus in the article that changes less than 15 MPa from 25° C. to 175° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alexander J. Kugel, John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Christopher B. Walker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180319204
    Abstract: Described herein is decorative article having a coefficient of friction less than 0.3 wherein the decorative articles comprises: (i) a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the microsphere layer comprises a monolayer of microspheres and wherein the plurality of microspheres are in a microscopic periodic pattern; and (ii) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in the bead bonding layer. Also disclosed herein are transfer articles and methods of making the decorative articles and transfer articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Clark, Samad Javid, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Chris A. Pommer, Christopher B. Walker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180085897
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring particles by the use of a transfer tool to at least a portion of which is applied a vacuum to cause particles to jump from a particle source to the transfer tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Logan J. Klaers, John C. Clark
  • Publication number: 20180072529
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a web using an engagement cover comprising resilient looped pile engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin B. Newhouse, Bruce E. Tait, John C. Clark
  • Publication number: 20180044465
    Abstract: There is provided an article a binder resin layer comprising an aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprising a plurality of soft segments, and a plurality of hard segments, where the soft segments comprise polycarbonate polyol; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a first major surface of the binder resin layer, wherein the specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer are sufficient to impart a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less in the article and a storage modulus in the article that changes less than 15 MPa from 25° C. to 175° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Alexander J. Kugel, Vivek Krishnan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud
  • Patent number: 9868832
    Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having a first binder layer selected from at least one of linear resins and resins having low cross link densities, where the first binder layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the first binder layer. There is also provided an article comprising a first surface having a first binder layer selected from at least one of linear resins and resins having low cross link densities; and a plurality of microspheres at least partially embedded a the first major surface of the first binder layer, where for at least a portion of the first major surface the plurality of microspheres covers 30% to 50% of that portion, and the microspheres are substantially uniformly spaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Joseph D. Rule, Vivek Krishnan, John C. Clark, Steven J. McMan, Toheeb B Alabi, Charlie C. Ho, Ryan E. Marx, Alexander J. Kugel
  • Patent number: 9845216
    Abstract: A method for conveying a web using an engagement cover (10) comprising resilient looped pile (16) engagement surface. Also, web conveying roller (12) having an engagement cover thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Newhouse, Bruce E. Tait, John C. Clark
  • Publication number: 20170204234
    Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having a first binder layer selected from at least one of linear resins and resins having low cross link densities, where the first binder layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the first binder layer. There is also provided an article comprising a first surface having a first binder layer selected from at least one of linear resins and resins having low cross link densities; and a plurality of microspheres at least partially embedded a the first major surface of the first binder layer, where for at least a portion of the first major surface the plurality of microspheres covers 30% to 50% of that portion, and the microspheres are substantially uniformly spaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, JR., Joseph D. Rule, Vivek Krishnan, John C. Clark, Steven J. McMan, Toheeb B. Alabi, Charlie C. Ho, Ryan E. Marx, Alexander J. Kugel
  • Publication number: 20170174854
    Abstract: There is provided an article having a compliant article where the compliant article comprises an polymer layer and a first layer disposed along a first major surface of the polymer layer; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a major surface of the first layer opposite the surface that is disposed along the first major surface of the polymer layer, wherein the article has a compression modulus of less than or equal to 0.5 MPa. There is also provided an article having a compliant article where the compliant article comprises a polymer layer; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a major surface of the compliant article, where the article has a compression modulus of less than or equal to 0.5 MPa, and further where the article is a decorative article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: John C. Clark, Alexander J. Kugel, Benjamin R. Coonce, Vivek Krishnan, Christopher B. Walker, JR.
  • Patent number: 9650499
    Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having a first binder layer selected from at least one of linear resins and resins having low cross link densities, where the first binder layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the first binder layer. For at least a portion of the first major surface, the plurality of micro spheres may cover 30% to 50% of that portion, and the microspheres may be substantially uniformly spaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Joseph D. Rule, Vivek Krishnan, John C. Clark, Steven J. McMan, Toheeb B. Alabi, Charlie C. Ho, Ryan E. Marx, Alexander J. Kugel
  • Publication number: 20160347026
    Abstract: There is provided an article a binder resin layer comprising an aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprising a plurality of soft segments, and a plurality of hard segments, where the soft segments comprise poly(alkoxy) polyol, and where the poly(alkoxy) polyol is essentially free of crosslinker; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a first major surface of the binder resin layer, wherein the specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer are sufficient to impart a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less in the article and a storage modulus in the article that changes less than 15 MPa from 25° C. to 175° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVAVTIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander J. Kugel, John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Christopher B. Walker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160347042
    Abstract: There is provided a thermoformable article comprising at least a first surface having a binder resin layer comprising a fluorine-containing polymer, where the binder resin layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres partially and adhered to the first major surface of the binder resin layer; where the fluorine-containing polymer is a partially fluorinated polymer derived from at least one fluorine containing monomer and two or more non-fluorinated monomers having at least one active hydrogen functional group, and further wherein at least one but not all of the active hydrogen functional groups are reacted with at least one curing agent having latent functionality. In some instances the curing agent comprises polyisocyanate. There is also provided a thermoset article derived from such thermoformable articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Thomas P. Klun, Steven J. McMan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud, Alexander J. Kugel, Vivek Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20160145458
    Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having a fluorine-containing polymeric binder resin layer and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded in a first major surface of the binder resin layer and adhered thereto; wherein the fluorine-containing polymer is derived in part from at least one partially fluorinated, or non-fluorinated, monomer; and wherein the article exhibits a stain resistance to yellow mustard at elevated temperature and humidity as measured by the change in b* of less than 50. There are also provided such articles wherein the fluorine-containing polymer is derived in part from at least one partially fluorinated, or non-fluorinated, monomer; and wherein the fluorine content along the polymeric backbone of the fluorine-containing polymer is from about 27% to 72% by weight. There are also provided such articles wherein the article is a thermoformable article exhibiting chemical resistance according to ASTM D5402-06.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, JR., John C. Clark, Tatsuo Fukushi, Thomas P. Klun, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Lan H. Liu, Jingjing Ma, Steven J. McMan
  • Publication number: 20160096195
    Abstract: Described herein is a bead-coated sheet and methods of making wherein a sheet substrate selected from a metal, a glass, and/or a glass-ceramic, comprises a layer of microspheres that are partially embedded into the surface of the sheet substrate such that a portion of each of the microspheres projects outwardly from the surface of the sheet substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Amy S. Barnes, John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Steven D. Theiss
  • Publication number: 20150343502
    Abstract: Described herein is a construction comprising a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres wherein the microspheres comprise glass, ceramic, and combinations thereof; a first polymer layer comprising a first polymer, wherein the plurality of microspheres is partially embedded in the first polymer layer; and an undercoat layer therebetween the microsphere layer and first polymer layer, wherein the undercoat layer comprises a plurality of silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising the construction and methods of making thereof. In one embodiment, the constructions of the present disclosure have good anti-soiling and abrasion resistant properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Christopher B. Walker, JR.