Patents by Inventor Bimal V. Thakkar

Bimal V. Thakkar 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).

  • Patent number: 11567239
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35° C. and less than 70° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Patent number: 11397286
    Abstract: A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30° C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Bimal V. Thakkar, Duane D. Fansler, Anthony F. Schultz, Jonathan E. Janoski, David C. Lueneburg, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Robert F. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20210088695
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35° C. and less than 70° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10884163
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35 C and less than 70 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10859738
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Bimal V. Thakkar, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 10690819
    Abstract: The relates to multi-layer sealing films for microstructured articles. The multi-layer sealing film may include two or more layers. The multi-layer sealing film has an elastic modulus of at least 3.5×105 kPa and the flexural rigidity of the microstructured article is less than about 4.0×10?8 N·m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Bryan C. Feisel
  • Patent number: 10598823
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to EAA films including at least one triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. The present application also generally relates to retroreflective sheeting including an EAA film including a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. One embodiments of the present application relates to a film, comprising poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA. Another embodiment of the present application relates to retroreflective sheeting, comprising: a plurality of cube corner elements; and a body layer adjacent to the cube corner elements, the body layer including poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David W. Meitz, Bimal V. Thakkar, David M. Burns, David B. Olson, Lee A. Pavelka
  • Patent number: 10557976
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20190302317
    Abstract: A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30° C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Bimal V. Thakkar, Duane D. Fansler, Anthony F. Schultz, Jonathan E. Janoski, David C. Lueneburg, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Robert F. Watkins
  • Patent number: 10379271
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Publication number: 20190086590
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 10132969
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20180203163
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35 C and less than 70 C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Publication number: 20180180779
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Patent number: 9971074
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles include a substantially amorphous polymeric layer between the body layer and the discrete truncated cube corner elements. The substantially amorphous polymeric layer absorbs, dissipates, and/or accommodates at least some of the stress forces placed on the retroreflective article during processing. As a result, discrete truncated cube corner elements with increased fidelity can be formed. Consequently, retroreflective sheeting including a substantially amorphous polymeric layer has increased brightness compared to similarly made and composed sheeting lacking the substantially amorphous polymeric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Reema Chatterjee, Stephen A. Johnson, Robert F. Watkins, Bimal V. Thakkar
  • Patent number: 9910194
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Publication number: 20180003868
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: MICHAEL BENTON FREE, MIECZYSLAW H. MAZUREK, BIMAL V. THAKKAR, KENNETH L. SMITH, SUMAN K. PATEL, WILLIAM D. COGGIO, MIKHAIL L. PEKUROVSKY, RAYMOND C. CHIU
  • Publication number: 20170357037
    Abstract: The relates to multi-layer sealing films for microstructured articles. The multi-layer sealing film may include two or more layers. The multi-layer sealing film has an elastic modulus of at least 3.5×105 kPa and the flexural rigidity of the microstructured article is less than about 4.0×10?8 N·m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Bryan C. Feisel
  • Patent number: 9791604
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Bimal V. Thakkar, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20170254926
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to EAA films including at least one triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. The present application also generally relates to retroreflective sheeting including an EAA film including a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. One embodiments of the present application relates to a film, comprising poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA. Another embodiment of the present application relates to retroreflective sheeting, comprising: a plurality of cube corner elements; and a body layer adjacent to the cube corner elements, the body layer including poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: David W. Meitz, Bimal V. Thakkar, David M. Burns, David B. Olson, Lee A. Pavelka