Patents by Inventor William W. Merrill
William W. Merrill 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: 7345137Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Bert T. Chien, Matthew B. Johnson, Richard J. Thompson, Kristopher J. Derks, William W. Merrill, Fuming B. Li
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Patent number: 7316558Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A. Harvey
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Publication number: 20070297747Abstract: An article for use in light spreading includes a body having first and second surfaces, and first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body. A portion of the first surface is a birefringent structured surface. The portion is structured such that, when the article receives a light signal within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting the light signal into a plurality of divergent light signals. The article can be used for color mixing such as in a cavity providing a backlight for LCD devices or other display devices requiring a backlight.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2006Publication date: December 27, 2007Inventors: Rolf W. Biernath, William W. Merrill, Robert L. Brott, David A. Kowitz
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Patent number: 7261418Abstract: A projection engine uses a first polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that substantially reflects light incident along a first input direction in a first polarization state and substantially transmits light incident in the first input direction in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The first PBS demonstrates an angularly dependent reflectivity for light in the second polarization state that is asymmetric about the first input direction. At least two imager devices are positioned to receive light reflected and transmitted by the first PBS respectively. The imager devices modulate the incident light with an image. The image light from the imagers is combined and projected.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jiaying Ma, David J. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, William W. Merrill, Timothy J. Hebrink, Harry E. Johnson, Fuming B. Li
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Patent number: 7150907Abstract: A multilayered polymer film includes a first set of optical layers and a second set of optical layers. The first set of optical layers is made from a polyester which is often birefringent. The polyesters of the first set of optical layers typically have a composition in which 70–100 mol % of the carboxylate subunits are first carboxylate subunits and 0–30 mo1 % are comonomer carboxylate subunits and 70 to 100 mol % of the glycol subunits are first glycol subunits and 0 to 30 mol % of the glycol subunits are comonomer glycol subunits, where at least 0.5 mol % of the combined carboxylate and glycol subunits are comonomer carboxylate or comonomer glycol subunits. The multilayered polymer film may be used to form, for example, a reflective polarizer or a mirror.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 7132065Abstract: A process for making an optical film includes stretching a polyolefin film in a first direction and stretching the polyolefin film in a second direction different than the first direction forming a biaxially stretched polyolefin film. At least a portion of the stretching of the polyolefin film in the second direction occurs simultaneous with the stretching of the polyolefin film in the first direction. The biaxially stretched polyolefin film has a length and a width and substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The biaxially stretched polyolefin film has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance being 50 nm or greater.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, John M. Klaeser, Sebastian F. Zehentmaier
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Patent number: 7110072Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxially stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an absolute value for an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Fred J. Roska, Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, Gregory E. Gilligan
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Patent number: 7104776Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A Harvey
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Patent number: 7099083Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an absolute value of an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Richard C. Allen, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
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Patent number: 7077649Abstract: Dental articles including at least one optical surface formed of a multilayer optical film including layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material are disclosed. The multilayer optical films included in the dental articles is preferably post-formed into desired non-planar shapes in manners that result in some deformation of the optical stack of the multilayer optical films. A variety of dental implements can be constructed with multilayer optical film including dental mirrors, light guides for use in connection with photo-curing dental materials, and matrix bands for use in molding photo-curing dental restoratives.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Sumita B. Mitra, Olester Benson, Jr., James M. Jonza, William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Janis R. Gust
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Patent number: 6965474Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance of 50 nm or greater.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Richard C. Allen, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
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Patent number: 6949212Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A. Harvey
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Patent number: 6946188Abstract: A multilayered polymer film includes a first set of optical layers and a second set of optical layers. The first set of optical layers is made from a polyester which is often birefringent. The polyesters of the first set of optical layers typically have a composition in which 70-100 mol % of the carboxylate subunits are first carboxylate subunits and 0-30 mol % are comonomer carboxylate subunits and 70 to 100 mol % of the glycol subunits are first glycol subunits and 0 to 30 mol % of the glycol subunits are comonomer glycol subunits, where at least 0.5 mol % of the combined carboxylate and glycol subunits are comonomer carboxylate or comonomer glycol subunits. The multilayered polymer film may be used to form, for example, a reflective polarizer or a mirror.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6926410Abstract: The present invention provides a unique polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that is suitable for use in projection systems and displays. The PBS contains at least one prism having at least one major surface and having a refractive index of at least about 1.6 and a birefringent film disposed on the major surface of the prism. The birefringent film is a multi-layer film having at layers of at least a first material and a second material. After uniaxial stretching, the film exhibits a refractive index difference of less than about 0.15 units in the stretched direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Charles L. Bruzzone, Peter D. Condo, Kevin M. Hamer, Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill
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Publication number: 20040265575Abstract: A simultaneously biaxially stretched polypropylene film having unique properties is disclosed. The properties result from the unique method of making the film and include: a tensile elongation to break in the first stretch direction of at least 110%; a tensile volumetric energy to break in the first stretch direction of at least 18,000 in-lb/in3; and, a variability in film thickness along the first stretch direction, as measured by the standard deviation relative to the average, of less than 10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Chiu Ping Wong, Thomas P. Hanschen, Anthony B. Ferguson, William W. Merrill, Fred J. Roska, Jeffery N. Jackson
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Publication number: 20040229187Abstract: Dental articles including at least one optical surface formed of a multilayer optical film including layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material are disclosed. The multilayer optical films included in the dental articles is preferably post-formed into desired non-planar shapes in manners that result in some deformation of the optical stack of the multilayer optical films. A variety of dental implements can be constructed with multilayer optical film including dental mirrors, light guides for use in connection with photo-curing dental materials, and matrix bands for use in molding photo-curing dental restoratives.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Sumita B. Mitra, Olester Benson, James M. Jonza, William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Janis R. Gust
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Publication number: 20040227994Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) includes a first multilayer reflective polarizing film and a second multilayer reflective polarizing film disposed between two covers. The two multilayer reflective polarizing films can be the same or different. The PBS can be used in a variety of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Jiaying Ma, Charles L. Bruzzone, William W. Merrill, David J. W. Aastuen
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Publication number: 20040184150Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an absolute value of an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Richard C. Allen, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
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Publication number: 20040183973Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxially stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an absolute value for an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Fred J. Roska, Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, Gregory E. Gilligan
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Patent number: 6788463Abstract: Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, James M. Jonza, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber