Patents by Inventor Allan R. Martens

Allan R. Martens 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).

  • Process and materials for imagewise placement of uniform spacers in flat panel displays
    Patent number: 5976698
    Abstract: Process and materials are described for selectively placing uniform spacers on a receptor. Spacer elements are placed on a receptor by selectively irradiating a thermal transfer donor sheet comprising a transferable spacer layer. The transferable spacer layer may include particles or fibers to form a composite. The particles may have a spacing dimension either greater than or less than the thickness of the transferable layer. When the spacing dimension of the particle is greater than the thickness of the transferable layer, then the spacing dimension of the particles control the spacing distance. The process and materials are useful in the manufacture of flat panel displays, particularly, liquid crystal display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John S. Staral, Claire A. Jalbert, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Allan R. Martens, Thomas A. Isberg
  • Process and materials for imagewise placement of uniform spacers in flat panel displays
    Patent number: 5710097
    Abstract: Process and materials are described for selectively placing uniform spacers on a receptor. Spacer elements are placed on a receptor by selectively irradiating a thermal transfer donor sheet comprising a transferable spacer layer. The transferable spacer layer may include particles or fibers to form a composite. The particles may have a spacing dimension either greater than or less than the thickness of the transferable layer. When the spacing dimension of the particle is greater than the thickness of the transferable layer, then the spacing dimension of the particles control the spacing distance. The process and materials are useful in the manufacture of flat panel displays, particularly, liquid crystal display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John S. Staral, Claire A. Jalbert, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Allan R. Martens, Thomas A. Isberg