Patents by Inventor Richard L. Severance
Richard L. Severance 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: 20030224128Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaged article comprising a substrate having a primed surface layer. The primed surface layer is comprised of a base polymer having a solubility parameter, molecular weight (Mw) and glass transition temperature within a specified range. The presence of the primer improves the overall image quality by improving at least one property including ink uptake, dot gain, color density and/or ink adhesion. Preferred primer compositions are soluble at least in part in the ink composition resulting in an increase in ink layer thickness that further improves the durability and/or day/night color balance. A variety of substrates may be primed including various sheeting for traffic control signage and commercial graphic films for advertising and promotional displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Bret W. Ludwig, David J. Kinning, Ernest M. Rinehart, Jennifer L. Lee, Oh Sang Woo, Richard L. Severance, Richard F. Theissen
-
Publication number: 20030158283Abstract: Radiation curable inks with moderate amounts of solvent with low surface tension provide unique processability characteristics that allow ink jetted features to be formed and cured with excellent flow, adhesion, dot gain, compatibility, weatherability, and curing characteristics. In a representative printing method, an ink jettable ink composition is provided that includes one or more oligo/resins, a radiation curable, reactive diluent having a surface tension and 1 to 15 weight percent of a solvent component comprising a solvent having a surface tension. The solvent surface tension is no more than about, and preferably at least 2 dynes/cm less than, the surface tension of the reactive diluent. The ink composition is ink jetted onto the substrate to form an ink jetted feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Richard L. Severance, Ronald K. Thery
-
Patent number: 6558753Abstract: Radiation curable inks with moderate amounts of solvent with low surface tension provide unique processability characteristics that allow ink jetted features to be formed and cured with excellent flow, adhesion, dot gain, compatibility, weatherability, and curing characteristics. In a representative printing method, an ink jettable ink composition is provided that includes one or more oligo/resins, a radiation curable, reactive diluent having a surface tension and 1 to 15 weight percent of a solvent component comprising a solvent having a surface tension. The solvent surface tension is no more than about, and preferably at least 2 dynes/cm less than, the surface tension of the reactive diluent. The ink composition is ink jetted onto the substrate to form an ink jetted feature.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Richard L. Severance, Ronald K. Thery
-
Publication number: 20030083396Abstract: Ink compositions having excellent imaging and a low tendency to foam are disclosed. The ink compositions may contain one or more fluorochemical surfactants. Methods of coating a substrate by printing the ink composition onto a substrate are also disclosed. Substrates coated with an ink composition are further disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Ronald K. Thery, Richard L. Severance
-
Patent number: 6554414Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a drum, a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate on the drum, and a curing device for directing radiation toward the ink that is received on the substrate. The curing device is selectively operable to direct radiation toward a certain portion of the ink received on the substrate only after that certain portion has moved with the substrate and the drum through an arc that is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, the ink on the substrate has sufficient time to spread and level and the resultant image is of high quality.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Bruce A. Nerad, Richard L. Severance
-
Publication number: 20030054139Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaged article comprising a substrate having a primed surface layer. The primed surface layer is comprised of a base polymer having a solubility parameter, molecular weight (Mw) and glass transition temperature within a specified range. The presence of the primer improves the overall image quality by improving at least one property including ink uptake, dot gain, color density and/or ink adhesion. Preferred primer compositions are soluble at least in part in the ink composition resulting in an increase in ink layer thickness that further improves the durability and/or day/night color balance. A variety of substrates may be primed including various sheeting for traffic control signage and commercial graphic films for advertising and promotional displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Bret W. Ludwig, David J. Kinning, Ernest M. Rinehart, Jennifer L. Lee, Oh Sang Woo, Richard L. Severance, Richard F. Theissen
-
Patent number: 6534128Abstract: Low viscosity, radiation curable urethane oligomer, preferably a radiation curable polyester urethane oligomer, that can be incorporated into radiation curable ink compositions. Preferred embodiments are suitable for ink jetting applications. The ink jettable embodiments are particularly well-suited for use in piezo ink jet printers. The viscosity characteristics of the compositions are such that conventional solvent is not required in order to satisfy the requisite low ink jet viscosity specifications. The oligomer generally is a reaction product of ingredients comprising an aliphatic polyisocyanate; and a radiation curable, polyester alcohol comprising one or more radiation curable moieties, one or more hydroxyl moieties, and one or more ester moieties.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James G. Carlson, Jeffrey T. Anderson, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Ronald K. Thery, Richard L. Severance, Jennifer L. Lee, Dong Wu, William J. Hunt
-
Publication number: 20030021961Abstract: The present invention relates to primed substrates comprising radiation cured ink jetted images and methods of ink jet printing radiation curable inks that employ applying a primer. The imaged articles are durable for outdoor usage. A variety of polymeric sheets may be primed including various sheeting for signage and commercial graphic films for advertising and promotional displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Jennifer L. Lee, Richard L. Severance, Oh Sang Woo, Eugene P. Janulis
-
Publication number: 20020175984Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a drum, a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate on the drum, and a curing device for directing radiation toward the ink that is received on the substrate. The curing device is selectively operable to direct radiation toward a certain portion of the ink received on the substrate only after that certain portion has moved with the substrate and the drum through an arc that is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, the ink on the substrate has sufficient time to spread and level and the resultant image is of high quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Bruce A. Nerad, Richard L. Severance
-
Publication number: 20020086914Abstract: Low viscosity, radiation curable fluid formulations that can be used advantageously as radiation curable, inks. The formulations are easily prepared for use in ink jet systems. The viscosity of the compositions is low enough so that conventional solvent is not required in order to satisfy the requisite low ink jet viscosity specifications. After curing, the compositions form durable, weatherable, abrasion resistant, printed images on a wide variety of porous and nonporous substrates. The formulations are very suitable for outdoor printing applications, especially for printing outdoor graphics onto a variety of surfaces, including vinyl or other polymer films commonly used for signage, retroreflective signage or other retroreflective items.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jennifer L. Lee, Ronald K. Thery, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Richard L. Severance, Dong Wu, Bruce A. Nerad, Verna J. LeMire, James G. Carlson, William J. Hunt
-
Patent number: 6036313Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Sharon R. Benjamin, Michael Govek, Patrick D. Hyde, John H. Ko, Philip G. Martin, Joel D. Oxman, William L. Parish, Jr., Carole Sedlock, Richard L. Severance, F. Andrew Ubel, Todd R. Williams
-
Patent number: 5827390Abstract: The present invention provides methods of holding ophthalmic lens blanks using thermoplastic lens blocking compositions. Preferred compositions either comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, or have a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one method, the composition is injected into the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another method, the surface of a lens block comprising the thermoplastic lens blocking composition is heated and formed against the lens blank. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Sharon R. Benjamin, Michael Govek, Patrick D. Hyde, John H. Ko, Philip G. Martin, Joel D. Oxman, William L. Parish, Jr., Carole Sedlock, Richard L. Severance, F. Andrew Ubel, Todd R. Williams
-
Patent number: 5754269Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsiloncaprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Sharon R. Benjamin, Michael Govek, Patrick D. Hyde, John H. Ko, Philip G. Martin, Joel D. Oxman, William L. Parish, Jr., Carole Sedlock, Richard L. Severance, F. Andrew Ubel, Todd R. Williams