Patents by Inventor Sara S. Merritt

Sara S. Merritt 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).

  • Microstructured diffuser comprising first microstructured layer and coating, optical stacks, and method
    Patent number: 10928563
    Abstract: A microstructured diffuser is described comprising a light transmissive film comprising a first microstructured surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys. A coating is disposed on the first microstructured surface. The coating partially fills the valleys forming a second microstructured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, William F. Edmonds, Jason S. Petaja, Brandt K. Carter, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Sara S. Merritt, Tri D. Pham
  • Graded diffuser
    Patent number: 10698138
    Abstract: A diffuser including opposing structured first and second major surfaces is described. The first major surface includes a first plurality of surface structures providing a uniform first haze. The second major surface includes a first portion adjacent an edge and a second portion adjacent the first portion. The first portion includes a first region and a second region between the first region and the second portion. The second major surface includes a second plurality of surface structures providing a uniform second haze over the second portion and providing a third haze in the first portion. The third haze in the first region is higher than the second haze, and the third haze in the second region is monotonically decreasing. The second portion has a surface area of at least 90 percent of a surface area of the second major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Tri D. Pham, Nicholas A. Johnson, Oanh V. Pham, Sara S. Merritt, Stephen J. Etzkorn, Haiyan Zhang, Corey D. Balts, Joseph T. Aronson
  • GRADED DIFFUSER
    Publication number: 20180217300
    Abstract: A diffuser including opposing structured first and second major surfaces is described. The first major surface includes a first plurality of surface structures providing a uniform first haze. The second major surface includes a first portion adjacent an edge and a second portion adjacent the first portion. The first portion includes a first region and a second region between the first region and the second portion. The second major surface includes a second plurality of surface structures providing a uniform second haze over the second portion and providing a third haze in the first portion. The third haze in the first region is higher than the second haze, and the third haze in the second region is monotonically decreasing. The second portion has a surface area of at least 90 percent of a surface area of the second major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Tri D. Pham, Nicholas A. Johnson, Oanh V. Pham, Sara S. Merritt, Stephen J. Etzkorn, Haiyan Zhang, Corey D. Balts, Joseph T. Aronson
  • MICROSTRUCTURED DIFFUSER COMPRISING FIRST MICROSTRUCTURED LAYER AND COATING, OPTICAL STACKS, AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160216413
    Abstract: A microstructured diffuser is described comprising a light transmissive film comprising a first microstructured surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys. A coating is disposed on the first microstructured surface. The coating partially fills the valleys forming a second microstructured surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, William F. Edmonds, Jason S. Petaja, Brandt K. Carter, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Sara S. Merritt, Tri D. Pham