Patents Represented by Attorney Elizabeth A. Gallo
  • Patent number: 8133644
    Abstract: A method of forming an image having multiple phases is disclosed herein. The method includes forming exposed and unexposed areas, the exposed areas comprising a first polymer network exhibiting first and second phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase, and the unexposed areas comprising a second polymer network comprising third and fourth phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the third phase being continuous, and the fourth phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the third phase. The first and second polymer networks are chemically connected, and morphology formed by the first and second phases is different than that formed by the third and fourth phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Raymond P. Johnston, John E. Potts, Marc D. Radcliffe, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, Wendi J. Winkler
  • Patent number: 8133582
    Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising from about 2 to about 10 wt. % multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer, from about 2 to about 10 wt. % monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane macromer, and from about 85 to about 96 wt. % vinyl monomer is described. The adhesive composition is used to make adhesive articles that, when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Wendi J. Winkler, Erica J. Draheim, Larry A. Meixner
  • Patent number: 8092904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical article having a first optical layer; a second optical layer; and an antistatic layer disposed between the first and second optical layers, the antistatic layer having conducting particles having an aspect ratio greater than about 10. The conducting particles may comprise vanadium oxide particles or carbon nanotubes. The optical article may be a brightness enhancement film, a retro-reflecting film, or a reflective polarizer, and be used in a display device, for example, a liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Pellerite, Eileen M. Flaherty Haus, Tzu-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 8092735
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a light emitting device having an LED die and a molded encapsulant made by polymerizing at least two polymerizable compositions. The method includes: (a) providing an LED package having an LED die disposed in a reflecting cup, the reflecting cup filled with a first polymerizable composition such that the LED die is encapsulated; (b) providing a mold having a cavity filled with a second polymerizable composition; (c) contacting the first and second polymerizable compositions; (d) polymerizing the first and second polymerizable compositions to form first and second polymerized compositions, respectively, wherein the first and second polymerized compositions are bonded together; and (e) optionally separating the mold from the second polymerized composition. Light emitting devices prepared according to the method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: D. Scott Thompson, Larry D. Boardman, Catherine A. Leatherdale
  • Patent number: 8052506
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Patent number: 8034254
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes first and second opposing substrates having first and second opposing surfaces, respectively, at least one of the surfaces having a metal disposed thereon, the substrates bonded together with an adhesive in contact with the metal, the adhesive comprising a blend of: a pressure sensitive adhesive component comprising at least one polymer having acid or base functionality, a high Tg polymer having a weight average molecular weight greater than 100,000 and having an acid or base functionality, and a crosslinker, wherein the functionality of the pressure sensitive adhesive component and the functionality of the high Tg polymer form an acid-base interaction when mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Audrey A. Sherman
  • Patent number: 8034467
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a moisture-reactive composition having a moisture-reactive polysiloxane having a main chain and one or more side chains, wherein the main chain and/or the one or more side chains has a group represented by the formula: —MXmYn; and wherein M is selected from the group consisting of a multivalent metal atom, B, and P?O; X is a hydrogen atom, a substituted or nonsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy group; Y is a substituted or nonsubstituted alkoxy, siloxy, carboxyl, or diketolate group; m is from 1 to 3; and n is from 0 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jun Fujita, Takashi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8026115
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical bonding composition that may be used in optical applications. An LED light source that utilizes the composition is also disclosed, as well as a method of making it. The LED light source may comprise: an LED die; an optical element optically coupled to the LED die; and a bonding layer comprising surface-modified metal oxide nanoparticles in an amorphous silicate network, the bonding layer bonding the LED die and the optical element together. Efficiency of the LED light source may be increased when using an optical extractor as the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Amy S. Barnes, D. Scott Thompson, Brant U. Kolb, Todd A. Ballen, Jacqueline C. Rolf, Robert L. Brott
  • Patent number: 8013345
    Abstract: An optical bonding composition and LED light source comprising the composition are disclosed, as well as a method of making the LED light source. The LED light source may comprise: an LED die; an optical element optically coupled to the LED die; and a bonding layer comprising an amorphous organopolysiloxane network, the organopolysiloxane network comprising a silsesquioxane portion derived from (R1SiO1.5)n wherein R1 is an organic group and n is an integer of at least 10; the bonding layer bonding the LED die and the optical element together. Efficiency of the LED light source may be increased when using an optical extractor as the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Amy S. Barnes, D. Scott Thompson, Todd A. Ballen
  • Patent number: 8003217
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ceramic comprising: at least two different metal oxides, the at least two different metal oxides comprising TiO2 and La2O3 or TiO2 and BaO; less than 20% by weight SiO2; less than 20% by weight B2O3; and less than 40% by weight P2O5; the ceramic having a glass transition temperature, Tg, and a crystallization onset temperature, Tx, and the difference between Tg and Tx is at least 5K. The ceramic may comprise additional metal oxides. Also disclosed herein is a method of making an article using the ceramic; typically, the ceramic is heated above the Tg, shaped, and then cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz
  • Patent number: 7998587
    Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Robert L. Brott, David J. Kinning, Yufeng Liu, John E. Potts, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, Wendi J. Winkler
  • Patent number: 7960192
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light emitting device including an LED die and a photopolymerizable composition comprising a silicon-containing resin comprising silicon-bonded hydrogen and aliphatic unsaturation, and from about 0.5 to about 30 parts per million of a platinum catalyst. The photopolymerizable composition may be free of catalyst inhibitor. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David Scott Thompson, Larry D. Boardman, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 7951319
    Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, William J Bryan, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, James R. Starkey, Wendi J. Winkler, Haiyan Zhang, Jeffrey M. Olofson
  • Patent number: 7929106
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed, including first and second opposing substrates separated by a cell gap. The cell gap has an inner liquid crystal region including a liquid crystal composition, an outer sealant region including a sealant that bonds the first and second opposing substrates together, and a void region between the inner liquid crystal region and the outer sealant region. The sealant may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display assembly including at least two light reflecting liquid crystal displays is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the displays comprises the liquid crystal display disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Amy J. Hite, Jane K. Wardhana, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7892649
    Abstract: An adhesive article comprising a first substrate having thereon an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a cured adhesive composition of a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer; and the first substrate comprises a polymer film, paper, a metal film, glass, ceramic, or a combination thereof; and wherein the adhesive layer has a microstructured surface that is substantiously continuous, and wherein the microstructured surface forms an array or pattern. The adhesive article is used to make laminated articles that spontaneously wet, and when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Wendi J. Winkler, Erica J. Draheim, Larry A. Meixner
  • Patent number: 7862898
    Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer, a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane macromer, and a vinyl monomer is described. The adhesive composition is used to make adhesive articles that, when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Wendi J. Winkler, Erica J. Draheim, Larry A. Meixner
  • Patent number: 7854716
    Abstract: A compression bandaging system comprising a) an inner skin facing, elongated, elastic bandage comprising: (i) an elongated, elastic substrate and (ii) an elongated layer of foam, said foam layer being affixed to a face of said substrate and extending 33% or more across said face of substrate in transverse direction and 67% or more across said face of substrate in longitudinal direction; and b) an outer, elongated, self-adhering elastic bandage; said bandage having a compressive force when extended; wherein, in use, said foam layer of the inner bandage faces the skin and the outer bandage overlies the inner bandage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joannes F. H. M. Schuren, Eva-Maria Graf, John J. Rogers, Gregory R. Lambach, Robert J. Maki, Kay Mohr
  • Patent number: 7815997
    Abstract: An assembly, method, and kit particularly adapted for use in mounting a window film structure in spaced apart and juxtaposed relationship to a window of a window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert J Reuter
  • Patent number: 7806961
    Abstract: A variable speed fan device includes a housing, a motor, a fan blade, a controller, and a first plurality of discrete light sources. The motor is maintained by the housing and the fan blade is connected to the motor. The controller is electronically coupled to the motor and manages an operational status of the variable speed fan device. The light sources are adapted to emit light from the display panel along a discontinuous perimeter at the exterior face. In an activated state, the light emitted by each light source is visually perceptible an exterior face of the display panel. The controller is programmed to individually activate and deactivate the light sources in a predetermined pattern creating a perception of movement of light about the discontinuous perimeter at the exterior face of the display panel corresponding with an operational status of the variable speed fan device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: EM Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Casey L. Carlson, Glendon D. Kappel, H. Aaron Christmann
  • Patent number: D649854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joy A. Packard, Scott D. Gullicks, Michael C. Molinet, Martin E. Broen, Johannes Bayer