Patents by Inventor Steven R. Austin

Steven R. Austin 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: 20220126548
    Abstract: Provided are adhesive articles and related methods that use a foam layer including an acrylic polymer or silicone polymer and having a pair of opposing major surfaces. An adhesive surface is disposed on each of the opposing major surfaces and a plurality of channels extend across at least one adhesive surface. The adhesive surface defining the channels contains a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a rheology enabling the plurality of channels to essentially disappear over time when the adhesive article is compressed. Advantageously, the provided articles and methods enable high immediate bond and handling strength, a high degree of wet out, weatherability, and superior aesthetics when used with transparent or translucent substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Steven R. Austin, Jayshree Seth
  • Publication number: 20200238670
    Abstract: Provided are adhesive articles and related methods that use a foam layer including an acrylic polymer or silicone polymer and having a pair of opposing major surfaces. An adhesive surface is disposed on each of the opposing major surfaces and a plurality of channels extend across at least one adhesive surface. The adhesive surface defining the channels contains a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a rheology enabling the plurality of channels to essentially disappear over time when the adhesive article is compressed. Advantageously, the provided articles and methods enable high immediate bond and handling strength, a high degree of wet out, weatherability, and superior aesthetics when used with transparent or translucent substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Steven R. Austin, Jayshree Seth
  • Publication number: 20180257346
    Abstract: Provided are adhesive articles and related methods that use a foam layer including an acrylic polymer or silicone polymer and having a pair of opposing major surfaces. An adhesive surface is disposed on each of the opposing major surfaces and a plurality of channels extend across at least one adhesive surface. The adhesive surface defining the channels contains a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a rheology enabling the plurality of channels to essentially disappear over time when the adhesive article is compressed. Advantageously, the provided articles and methods enable high immediate bond and handling strength, a high degree of wet out, weatherability, and superior aesthetics when used with transparent or translucent substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Austin, Jayshree Seth
  • Patent number: 9222299
    Abstract: An article for securing a window film to a window frame includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, a first portion having a first attachment surface extending from the first end to the second end, a connecting portion extending outwardly from the first portion opposite the first attachment surface, and a second portion joined with the end of the connecting portion opposite the first portion. Methods of anchoring an applied window film to a window frame using the article are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher A. Haak, Ryan B. Prince, Mario A. Perez, Steven R. Austin
  • Publication number: 20090151255
    Abstract: An article for securing a window film to a window frame includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, a first portion having a first attachment surface extending from the first end to the second end, a connecting portion extending outwardly from the first portion opposite the first attachment surface, and a second portion joined with the end of the connecting portion opposite the first portion. Methods of anchoring an applied window film to a window frame using the article are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher A. Haak, Ryan B. Prince, Mario A. Perez, Steven R. Austin
  • Patent number: 6761943
    Abstract: An image receptor medium is disclosed as having a base medium, a hot melt layer adjacent to the base medium, and a porous imaging layer. An image may be imparted to the imaging layer, and heat and pressure may then be applied to the image receptor medium. A substantial number of the pores in the porous imaging layer are filled by the material of the hot melt layer, thereby fixing the image. The image receptor medium can be backed with an adhesive/release liner combination or mechanical fasteners to provide securing means or can be left without such means for “drop-in” backlit or other nonadhesive uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Warner, Steven R. Austin
  • Patent number: 6677007
    Abstract: An image receptor medium is disclosed as having a non-porous base medium and an imaging layer. The imaging layer includes a solvent-soluble multivalent cationic salt coated from an organic solvent. A water-insoluble binder holds the imaging layer together. The imaging layer also includes organic-solvent insoluble particulates. The image receptor medium can be backed with an adhesive/release liner combination or mechanical fasteners to provide securing means or can be left without such means for “drop-in” backlit uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Warner, Steven R. Austin
  • Patent number: 6660352
    Abstract: Electrostatically charged graphic sheets are additionally provided with a preapplied activatable adhesive. Such sheets may be oriented on a display substrate using the electrostatically induced adhesion, and more securely fastened to the display substrate using the activatable adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Hsu, Steven R. Austin, Charles C. Lee, Terry L. Morris
  • Publication number: 20020090480
    Abstract: Electrostatically charged graphic sheets are additionally provided with a preapplied activatable adhesive. Such sheets may be oriented on a display substrate using the electrostatically induced adhesion, and more securely fastened to the display substrate using the activatable adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Hsu, Steven R. Austin, Charles C. Lee, Terry L, Morris
  • Patent number: 6171707
    Abstract: Polymeric film may be provided with an antistatic coating comprising an oleophilic polymeric film forming binder and a fluorinated ionic polyoxyalkylene antistatic agent in an organic solvent system. The coated film base with the antistatic layer is particularly useful in preventing static problems in photothermographic elements when thermally developed in heated rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles W. Gomez, Steven R. Austin
  • Patent number: 5398458
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a process of and apparatus for manufacturing tile mosaics from at least two stone slabs, such as marble or granite slabs. The process comprises the steps of: a) cutting each of the two slabs into a matrix of pieces while maintaining the original orientation of the pieces, b) classifying the pieces of each matrix into two or more sets of pieces, c) intermixing a first set of pieces of one slab with a second set of pieces of another slab while maintaining the original orientation of the pieces, thereby forming the mosaic. The cutting apparatus comprises: a) a platen having a resilient layer for supporting the slab, b) a gantry table saw having a plurality of blades and a rotatable table for supporting the platen, and c) a hold-down rack for securing the slab and platen during cutting. At least two grippers are use to intermix at least one set of pieces from one slab with at least one set of pieces from a second slab to form the mosaic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Craftsman Marble, Granite & Tile Co.
    Inventors: Lars E. Henriksen, Steven R. Austin, Ronald S. Allen, Michael J. Sutfin