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: 9910194
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Patent number: 9878954
    Abstract: Vacuum insulated glass units having layered pillars. The glass units include two glass panes and an edge seal between the glass panes with a substantial vacuum gap between them. A plurality of pillars are located between the glass panes as spacers to maintain the vacuum gap. The pillars have a sintered ceramic, alpha alumina, or zirconia body with a tapered sidewall and a functional layer on a surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Olester Benson, Jr., Evan L. Schwartz, Robert F. Kamrath, Brant U. Kolb, Kathleen M. Humpal, Mark J. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9864120
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film (130) 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 elements (122) can physically contact the film to deliver heat to the packet through the stabilizing layer by thermal conduction, at altered regions of the film, such that the first reflective characteristic changes to an altered reflective characteristic in the altered regions 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: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 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: 20180002973
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin
  • Publication number: 20180003868
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: MICHAEL BENTON FREE, MIECZYSLAW H. MAZUREK, BIMAL V. THAKKAR, KENNETH L. SMITH, SUMAN K. PATEL, WILLIAM D. COGGIO, MIKHAIL L. PEKUROVSKY, RAYMOND C. CHIU
  • Patent number: 9855730
    Abstract: Methods of making articles using structured tapes are disclosed. The structured tapes may include a structured template layer having a structured surface and an opposed second surface and an uncured backfill layer, the uncured backfill layer has a lower refractive index than the structured template layer, and the uncured backfill layer has a structured surface conforming to the structured surface of the structured template layer and an opposed second surface. The structured tapes may include a structured template layer having a structured surface and an opposed second surface and an uncured backfill layer, the uncured backfill layer has a higher refractive index than the structured template layer, and the uncured backfill layer has a structured surface conforming to the structured surface of the structured template layer and an opposed second surface. The structure tapes may be laminated via the uncured backfill layer to a receptor substrate to form an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Publication number: 20170368569
    Abstract: A microstructured article includes a nanovoided layer having opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being microstructured to form prisms, lenses, or other features. The nanovoided layer includes a polymeric binder and a plurality of interconnected voids, and optionally a plurality of nanoparticles. A second layer, which may include a viscoelastic layer or a polymeric resin layer, is disposed on the first or second major surface. A related method includes disposing a coating solution onto a substrate. The coating solution includes a polymerizable material, a solvent, and optional nanoparticles. The method includes polymerizing the polymerizable material while the coating solution is in contact with a microreplication tool to form a microstructured layer. The method also includes removing solvent from the microstructured layer to form a nanovoided microstructured article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, William Blake Kolb, Michael Benton Free, Audrey A. Sherman, John A. Wheatley, David S. Thompson, Matthew S. Stay, Encai Hao
  • Publication number: 20170365818
    Abstract: Lamination transfer films and methods for transferring a structured layer to a receptor substrate. The transfer films include a carrier substrate having a releasable surface, a sacrificial template layer applied to the releasable surface of the carrier substrate and having a non-planar structured surface, and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer is capable of being removed from the backfill layer, such as via pyrolysis, while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer substantially intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Sergey Lamansky, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Vivian W. Jones, Olester Benson, JR., Michael Benton Free, Evan L. Schwartz, Randy S. Bay, Graham M. Clarke
  • Publication number: 20170307789
    Abstract: Articles and methods of making light redirecting film constructions including a micro structured optical film bonded in selected areas to another film, and including a diffuser are described. The diffuser has an optical haze in the range of (20) to (85) percent and an optical clarity of no greater than (50) percent. The diffuser may be a surface diffuser and may be an asymmetric surface diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Bing Hao, Erik A. Aho, John F. Reed, Charles A. Marttila, Michael Benton Free, John P. Baetzold
  • Patent number: 9791604
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Bimal V. Thakkar, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 9790732
    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: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 9776384
    Abstract: Inorganic multilayer lamination transfer films, methods of forming these lamination transfer films, and methods of using these lamination transfer films. These inorganic multilayer lamination transfer films can have alternating layers including inorganic nanoparticles, sacrificial materials, and optionally inorganic precursors that can be densified to form an inorganic optical stack. Receptor substrates, such as glass or metal, are laminated to the multilayer lamination transfer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Mark J. Pellerite, Robert F. Kamrath, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Haefa Mansour
  • Patent number: 9780335
    Abstract: Lamination transfer films and methods for transferring a structured layer to a receptor substrate. The transfer films include a carrier substrate having a releasable surface, a sacrificial template layer applied to the releasable surface of the carrier substrate and having a non-planar structured surface, and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer is capable of being removed from the backfill layer, such as via pyrolysis, while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Sergey Lamansky, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Vivian W. Jones, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael Benton Free, Evan L. Schwartz, Randy S. Bay, Graham M. Clarke
  • Patent number: 9761844
    Abstract: A transfer film is provided which includes a sacrificial template layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a non-planar structured surface and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the second surface of the sacrificial template layer, wherein the backfill layer has a structured surface corresponding with and applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer comprises oriented dimensionally anisotropic inorganic nanomaterials and is capable of being removed from the backfill layer while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer and the oriented dimensionally anisotropic inorganic nanomaterials substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Terry O. Collier, Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Justin P. Meyer, Evan L. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20170239931
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form an electrical stack are disclosed. The transfer films (100) may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers (22, 23, 24) forming an electrical protolayer stack (20), at least selected or each electrical protolayer independently comprising at least 25 wt % sacrificial material and a thermally stable material and having a uniform thickness of less than 25 micrometers. The transfer films may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers forming an electrical protolayer stack, at least selected or each protolayer independently exhibiting a complex viscosity of between 103 and 104 Poise at a shear rate of 100/s when heated to a temperature between its Tg and Tdec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Justin P. Meyer, Mark J. Pellerite, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Xiaohua Ma
  • Patent number: 9731473
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form bridged nanostructures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan L. Schwartz, Justin P. Meyer, Olester Benson, Jr., Terry O. Collier, Michael Benton Free, Robert F. Kamrath, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, David B. Olson, K. Raveesh Shenoy, Martin B. Wolk
  • Publication number: 20170227682
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films that include antireflective structures are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Justin P. Meyer, Olester Benson, JR., Terry O. Collier, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Martin B. Wolk, Moses M. David
  • Patent number: 9711744
    Abstract: A transfer tape is disclosed that includes a carrier, a template layer having a first surface applied to the carrier and having a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a non-planar structured surface, a release coating disposed upon the non-planar structured surface of the template layer, and a backfill layer disposed upon and conforming to the non-planar structured surface of the release coating. In some embodiments, the backfill layer includes a silsesquioxane such as polyvinyl silsesquioxane. The disclosed transfer tape can be used to transfer replicated structures to a receptor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Publication number: 20170190161
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form an inorganic optical stack are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Mark J. Pellerite, Robert F. Kamrath, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Haefa Mansour
  • Publication number: 20170184763
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu