Patents by Inventor Michael Benton Free

Michael Benton Free 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: 10253551
    Abstract: Pillar delivery films for vacuum insulated glass units are disclosed. The delivery films include a support film or pocket tape, a sacrificial material on the support film, and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are at least partially embedded in the sacrificial material or formed within sacrificial material molds, and the sacrificial material is capable of being removed while leaving the pillars substantially intact. Methods of transferring pillars to a substrate using the pillar delivery films are disclosed. In order to make an insulated glass unit, the delivery films are laminated to a receptor such as a glass pane, and the support film and sacrificial material are removed to leave the pillars remaining on the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin
  • Patent number: 10254460
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film has a packet of microlayers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic. At least some of the microlayers are birefringent. A stabilizing layer attaches to and covers the microlayer packet proximate an outer exposed surface of the film. Heating element(s) can physically contact the film to deliver heat to the packet through the stabilizing layer by thermal conduction, at altered region(s) of the film, such that the first reflective characteristic changes to an altered reflective characteristic in the altered region(s) to pattern the film. The stabilizing layer provides sufficient heat conduction to allow heat from the heating elements to change (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Rolf W. Biernath, Stephen A. Johnson, William W. Merrill, William F. Edmonds, Claire A. Jalbert
  • Publication number: 20190086590
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 10220600
    Abstract: Transfer films comprising a carrier film, a sacrificial template layer deposed on the carrier film and comprising reentrant forming template features, and a thermally stable backfill layer having a first surface conforming to the reentrant forming template features and forming reentrant features and an opposing planar second surface; and methods of making transfer films are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Olester Benson, Jr., Terry O. Collier, Michael Benton Free, Adam J. Meuler, Justin P. Meyer, Evan L. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20190023950
    Abstract: Methods of forming laminating adhesive articles include providing a multi-layer article, and a tool with a structured surface. The multi-layer articles include a substrate, an adhesive layer, and a liner. The multi-layer article is placed between the structured surface of the tool and a support surface that is hard and the tool is embossed against the liner by applying pressure or pressure/heat. The embossing causes the tool structures to distort the liner and the adhesive layer, and causes permanent topological changes in a portion of the adhesive layer, but does not distort the substrate. The distortion in the liner is retained upon release of the applied pressure. The portions of topologically changed adhesive can form convex structures that are permanent. Upon removal of the liner from the adhesive layer, the concave structures on the adhesive layer are unstable, but the convex structures are stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Benton Free
  • Publication number: 20190016086
    Abstract: Article comprising a first, microstructured layer comprising a first material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, the first major surface being a microstructured surface, and the microstructured surface having peaks and valleys, wherein the peaks are microstructural features each having a height defined by the distance between the peak of the respective microstructural feature and an adjacent valley; and a second layer comprising at least one of a crosslinkable or crosslinked composition, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface of the second layer is directly attached to at least a portion of the first major surface of the first, microstructured layer. Articles described herein are useful, for example, for optical film applications. For example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Solomon, Michael Benton Free, Steven J. McMan, Martin B. Wolk, Elisa M. Cross
  • Publication number: 20180354225
    Abstract: Article comprising a first microstructured layer comprising a first material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, the first material comprising at least one of a crosslinkable or crosslinked composition, the first major surface being a microstructured surface; a second layer comprising an adhesive material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface of the second layer is directly attached to at least a portion of the first major microstructured surface of the first layer; and a third polymeric layer comprising a third material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface of the third polymeric layer is directly attached to at least a portion of the first major surface of the second layer, and wherein any polymeric material attached either directly or indirectly to the second major surface of the first layer contains no more than 75 percent by volume collectively of no
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Solomon, Michael Benton Free, Steven J. McMan, Martin B. Wolk, Elisa M. Cross
  • Publication number: 20180351119
    Abstract: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices are disclosed that include a first layer; a backfill layer having a structured first side and a second side; a planarization layer having a structured first side and a second side; and a second layer; wherein the second side of the backfill layer is coincident with and adjacent to the first layer, the second side of the planarization layer is coincident with and adjacent to the second layer, the structured first side of the backfill layer and structured first side of the planarization layer form a structured interface, the refractive index of the backfill later is index matched to the first layer, and the refractive index of the planarization layer is index matched to the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 10132969
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20180313992
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film has a packet of microlayers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic. At least some of the microlayers are birefringent. A stabilizing layer attaches to and covers the microlayer packet proximate an outer exposed surface of the film. Heating element(s) can physically contact the film to deliver heat to the packet through the stabilizing layer by thermal conduction, at altered region(s) of the film, such that the first reflective characteristic changes to an altered reflective characteristic in the altered region(s) to pattern the film. The stabilizing layer provides sufficient heat conduction to allow heat from the heating elements to change (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Rolf W. Biernath, Stephen A. Johnson, William W. Merrill, William F. Edmonds, Claire A. Jalbert
  • Patent number: 10106707
    Abstract: Methods of forming laminating adhesive articles include providing a multi-layer article, and a tool with a structured surface. The multi-layer articles include a substrate, an adhesive layer, and a liner. The multi-layer article is placed between the structured surface of the tool and a support surface that is hard and the tool is embossed against the liner by applying pressure or pressure/heat. The embossing causes the tool structures to distort the liner and the adhesive layer, and causes permanent topological changes in a portion of the adhesive layer, but does not distort the substrate. The distortion in the liner is retained upon release of the applied pressure. The portions of topologically changed adhesive can form convex structures that are permanent. Upon removal of the liner from the adhesive layer, the concave structures on the adhesive layer are unstable, but the convex structures are stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael Benton Free
  • Publication number: 20180294317
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes nanostructured light extraction color filter laminates, and articles and methods of using nanostructured light extraction color filter laminates for the fabrication of an OLED including a nanostructure, using lamination techniques. Nanostructured OLED devices can exhibit enhanced light extraction efficiency. The methods involve transfer and/or replication of a film, layer, or coating in order to form a nanostructured surface that is in optical contact with the emitting surface of an OLED in, for example, a top emitting or a bottom emitting active matrix OLED (TE-AMOLED or BE-AMOLED) device. The articles having enhanced light extraction efficiency can be of particular use in color-by-white (CBW) OLED displays, which use white-light spectrum OLEDs with a color filter array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Seong Taek Lee, Michael Benton Free, Nicholas C. Erickson
  • Patent number: 10052856
    Abstract: A method of making patterned structured solid surfaces is disclosed that includes filling a structured template with backfill material to produce a structured transfer film, patternwise curing the backfill material to produce cured areas and uncured areas in the structured transfer film, and laminating the structured transfer film to a receptor substrate. The structured template is capable of being removed to form structured and unstructured backfill layers. The structured and unstructured backfill layers may then be blanket cured. The backfill layer can include at least two different materials, one of which can be an adhesion promotion layer. In some embodiments the backfill layer includes a silsesquioxane such as polyvinyl silsesquioxane. The structured transfer film is a stable intermediate that can be covered temporarily with a release liner for storage and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Evan L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10018762
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film has a packet of microlayers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic. At least some of the microlayers are birefringent. A stabilizing layer attaches to and covers the microlayer packet proximate an outer exposed surface of the film. Heating element(s) can physically contact the film to deliver heat to the packet through the stabilizing layer by thermal conduction, at altered region(s) of the film, such that the first reflective characteristic changes to an altered reflective characteristic in the altered region(s) to pattern the film. The stabilizing layer provides sufficient heat conduction to allow heat from the heating elements to change (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Rolf W. Biernath, Stephen A. Johnson, William W. Merrill, William F. Edmonds, Claire A. Jalbert
  • Publication number: 20180180779
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Publication number: 20180164475
    Abstract: Microoptical layers, glazing units including the microoptical layers, and transfer tapes that may be used to provide the microoptical layers are provided. The transfer tape includes a removable template layer having a structured surface, a backfill layer having a first surface disposed on at least a portion of the structured surface of the template layer, and a microstructured surface opposite the structured surface. The microstructured surface together with a layer disposed on the microstructured surface is an anisotropic diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Justin P. Meyer, Martin B. Wolk, Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., Steven J. McMan, Daniel W. Hennen, Evan L. Schwartz, Michael Benton Free, Manoj Nirmal, Bing Hao, John F. Reed, Charles A. Marttila
  • Patent number: 9997573
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes nano-structured light extraction color filter laminates, and articles and methods of using nanostructured light extraction color filter laminates for the fabrication of an OLED including a nanostructure, using lamination techniques. Nanostructured OLED devices can exhibit enhanced light extraction efficiency. The methods involve transfer and/or replication of a film, layer, or coating in order to form a nanostructured surface that is in optical contact with the emitting surface of an OLED in, for example, a top emitting or a bottom emitting active matrix OLED (TE-AMOLED or BE-AMOLED) device. The articles having enhanced light extraction efficiency can be of particular use in color-by-white (CBW) OLED displays, which use white-light spectrum OLEDs with a color filter array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Seong Taek Lee, Michael Benton Free, Nicholas C. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20180134010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compressible, multilayer articles useful in force sensing capacitors. The compressible multilayer articles include a silicone polymer layer having a first major surface and a second major surface and a first primer layer having a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein the thickness of the first primer layer is from about 100 nanometers to about 100 microns and at least a portion of the first major surface of the first primer layer is adhered to and in contact with the first major surface of the silicone polymer. The multilayer articles may include at least one of a first electrode and second primer layer. Methods of making the compressible, multilayer articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Margot A. BRANIGAN, Michael Benton FREE, David T. AMOS, Robert F. KAMRATH, Stephen A. JOHNSON, John D. LE
  • Publication number: 20180128954
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film has a packet of microlayers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic. At least some of the microlayers are birefringent. A stabilizing layer attaches to and covers the microlayer packet proximate an outer exposed surface of the film. Heating element(s) can physically contact the film to deliver heat to the packet through the stabilizing layer by thermal conduction, at altered region(s) of the film, such that the first reflective characteristic changes to an altered reflective characteristic in the altered region(s) to pattern the film. The stabilizing layer provides sufficient heat conduction to allow heat from the heating elements to change (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Rolf W. Biernath, Stephen A. Johnson, William W. Merrill, William F. Edmonds, Claire A. Jalbert
  • Publication number: 20180104941
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compressible, multilayer articles useful in force sensing capacitors. The compressible, multilayer articles include a cured, silicone elastomer layer having a first major surface and a second major surface and at least one of a first and second tie-layer, each having a first major surface and a second major surface, comprising a silicone polyoxamide, wherein the first major surface of the first tie-layer is in contact with and adhered to the first major surface of the cured, silicone elastomer layer and/or the first major surface of the second tie-layer is in contact with and adhered to the second major surface of the cured, silicone elastomer layer. The multilayer articles may include at least one of a first electrode and first primer layer and a second electrode and second primer layer. Methods of making the compressible, multilayer articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Benton FREE, Margot A. BRANIGAN, Robert F. KAMRATH, Stephen A. JOHNSON, John D. LE, Kanta KUMAR