Patents by Inventor Peter C. Foller
Peter C. Foller 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: 10619018Abstract: Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, David Park, Declan Devine, C. W. M. Bastiaansen, J. P. Teunissen, Martin Cloonan, Clement L. Higginbotham
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Patent number: 10007038Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements, such as but not limited to ophthalmic elements, comprising an alignment facility for an optical dye. The optical elements include a substrate; and an alignment facility for an optical dye connected to at least a portion of the substrate, where the alignment facility is an at least partial coating of an at least partially ordered liquid crystal material having at least a first general direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Jiping Shao
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Patent number: 9207177Abstract: Methods and systems to determine a concentration of bromide ions in an aqueous sample are disclosed. The method involves the oxidation of bromide ions to bromine, followed by bromination of a colored or fluorescent reporter compound which may be detected by spectrophotometric means. The relative change in color or fluorescence upon bromine binding to the reporter compound may then be used to determine a quantitative concentration of bromide ions in the sample. The system utilizes a photocatalytic coating in a sample chamber, a source of reporter compound in fluid communication with the sample chamber, light sources that may activate the photocatalyst and excite the reporter compound, an optical detection unit capable of receiving a light signal from the second light source after it has passed through the sample chamber, and various pumps, valves or injection syringes that regulate the flow of sample and reporter compound into and out of the sample chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Sensevere, LLCInventors: Jason Gu, Peter C. Foller, Jacob Melby
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Publication number: 20150274910Abstract: Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, David Park, Declan Devine, C.W.M. Bastiaansen, J.P. Teunissen, Martin Cloonan, Clement L. Higginbotham
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Patent number: 9128343Abstract: A method of forming an optical element which includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current is disclosed. The apodized aperture includes a body including an area defining the clear aperture area wherein a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: Forrest R. Blackburn, Jonathan Bork, John A. Charny, Stefan C. Dehaseth, Peter C. Foller, Andrew J. Lamb, Kevin W. Seybert, Michael A. Steimle, Robert H. Tang, Robert W. Walters
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Patent number: 9096014Abstract: Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, David Park, Declan Devine, Cornelis Wilhelmus Maria Bastiaansen, Jean-Pierre Teunissen, Martin Cloonan, Clement L. Higginbotham
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Publication number: 20150138492Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements, such as but not limited to ophthalmic elements, comprising an alignment facility for an optical dye. The optical elements include a substrate; and an alignment facility for an optical dye connected to at least a portion of the substrate, where the alignment facility is an at least partial coating of an at least partially ordered liquid crystal material having at least a first general direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Jiping Shao
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Patent number: 8926091Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements, such as but not limited to ophthalmic elements, comprising an alignment facility for an optical dye. The optical elements include a substrate; and an alignment facility for an optical dye connected to at least a portion of the substrate, where the alignment facility is an at least partial coating of an at least partially ordered liquid crystal material having at least a first general direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Jiping Shao
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Patent number: 8828507Abstract: Provided are phase-separating polymer systems including a cured polymeric liquid crystal matrix phase and a guest phase including at least one photoactive material where the guest phase separates from the matrix phase during the curing process. Optical elements, including ophthalmic elements and other articles of manufacture including the phase-separating polymer systems are also disclosed. Methods of forming a liquid crystal phase-separating photoactive polymer system are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Meng He, Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Chenguang Li, Ruisong Xu, Jiping Shao
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Publication number: 20140087476Abstract: Methods and systems to determine a concentration of bromide ions in an aqueous sample are disclosed. The method involves the oxidation of bromide ions to bromine, followed by bromination of a colored or fluorescent reporter compound which may be detected by spectrophotometric means. The relative change in color or fluorescence upon bromine binding to the reporter compound may then be used to determine a quantitative concentration of bromide ions in the sample. The system utilizes a photocatalytic coating in a sample chamber, a source of reporter compound in fluid communication with the sample chamber, light sources that may activate the photocatalyst and excite the reporter compound, an optical detection unit capable of receiving a light signal from the second light source after it has passed through the sample chamber, and various pumps, valves or injection syringes that regulate the flow of sample and reporter compound into and out of the sample chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Jason Gu, Peter C. Foller, Jacob Melby
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Patent number: 8649081Abstract: Photochromic-dichroic articles are provided, which include a substrate, a first photochromic-dichroic layer over the substrate, and a second photochromic-dichroic layer over the first photochromic-dichroic layer. The first photochromic-dichroic layer includes a first photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the first photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a first polarization axis of the first photochromic-dichroic layer. The second photochromic-dichroic layer includes a second photochromic-dichroic compound that is laterally aligned within the second photochromic-dichroic layer, and which defines a second polarization axis of the second photochromic-dichroic layer. The first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are oriented relative to each other at an angle of greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Rachael L. DeMeio, David Park, Anil Kumar, Truman Wilt, Peter C. Foller, Jiping Shao
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Publication number: 20130215489Abstract: An optical element includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current. The apodized aperture includes an aperture body including an area defining the clear aperture area, the body having a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.Inventors: Forrest R. Blackburn, Jonathan Bork, John A. Charny, Stefan C. Dehaseth, Peter C. Foller, Andrew J. Lamb, Kevin W. Seybert, Michael A. Steimle, Robert H. Tang, Robert W. Walters
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Publication number: 20130206323Abstract: A method of forming an optical element which includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current is disclosed. The apodized aperture includes a body including an area defining the clear aperture area wherein a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.Inventors: Forrest R. Blackburn, Jonathan Bork, John A. Charny, Stefan C. Dehaseth, Peter C. Foller, Andrew J. Lamb, Kevin W. Seybert, Michael A. Steimle, Robert H. Tang, Robert W. Walters
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Patent number: 8373919Abstract: Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: Peter C. Foller, Robert H. Tang, Forrest R. Blackburn, Robert W. Walters, Kevin W. Seybert
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Patent number: 8089678Abstract: The present invention provides optical elements comprising a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer that circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element comprises a substrate and either: (1) a coating comprising an aligned, thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound having an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in an activated state, and being operable for switching from a first absorption state to a second absorption state in response to actinic radiation, to revert back to the first absorption state in response to thermal energy, and to linearly polarize transmitted radiation in at least one of the two states; or (2) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet connected to the substrate; and a thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in the activated state.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Transitions Optical, IncInventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Elizabeth Furar, Forrest R. Blackburn
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Patent number: 8077373Abstract: The present invention provides composite optical elements including a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer such that composite optical element circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element is formed from (i) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet; and (ii) a reversible photochromic-dichroic material that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in the activated state. The birefringent layer includes a polymeric coating or a polymeric sheet connected to the photochromic linear polarizing element.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Elizabeth Furar, Forrest R. Blackburn
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Patent number: 8003005Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein provide phase-separating polymer systems including a cured polymeric liquid crystal matrix phase and a guest phase including at least one photoactive material where the guest phase separates from the matrix phase during the curing process. Optical elements, including ophthalmic elements and other articles of manufacture including the phase-separating polymer systems are also disclosed. Methods of forming a liquid crystal phase-separating photoactive polymer system are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Meng He, Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Chenguang Li, Ruisong Xu, Jiping Shao
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Patent number: 7978391Abstract: A liquid crystal cell including a first substrate having a first surface; a second substrate having a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate is opposite and spaced apart from the first surface of the first substrate so as to define a region; and within the region defined by the first surface and the second surface, a liquid crystal material adapted to be at least partially ordered and at least one thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound adapted to be at least partially aligned and having an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in an activated state.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Forrest R. Blackburn, Jiping Shao, Meng He, Terry A. Kellar, II
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Publication number: 20110128457Abstract: Provided are phase-separating polymer systems including a cured polymeric liquid crystal matrix phase and a guest phase including at least one photoactive material where the guest phase separates from the matrix phase during the curing process. Optical elements, including ophthalmic elements and other articles of manufacture including the phase-separating polymer systems are also disclosed. Methods of forming a liquid crystal phase-separating photoactive polymer system are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.Inventors: Meng He, Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Chenguang Li, Ruisong Xu, Jiping Shao
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Publication number: 20110080628Abstract: The present invention provides composite optical elements including a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer such that composite optical element circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element is formed from (i) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet; and (ii) a reversible photochromic-dichroic material that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in the activated state. The birefringent layer includes a polymeric coating or a polymeric sheet connected to the photochromic linear polarizing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Elizabeth Furar, Forrest R. Blackburn