Patents by Inventor Caleb T. Nelson

Caleb T. Nelson 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: 12372693
    Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Kevin W. Gotrik, Raymond J. Kenney, John A. Wheatley, Kenneth A. Epstein, Gary T. Boyd, Corey D. Balts
  • Publication number: 20250237793
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coated microstructured film. The coated microstructured film includes microstructures extending across a first surface of the microstructured film and a coating disposed on a first portion of at least some of the microstructures. The coating includes a polymer that is the reaction product of a composition comprising at least one of a phenol or a polyphenol. A second portion lacks some or all of the coating. A method of making the coated microstructured film is also provided. The method includes obtaining a microstructured film, applying a coating containing one or more polyelectrolytes to at least some of the microstructures, and removing at least a portion of the coating from a second portion of the coated microstructures to provide the coating disposed on a first portion of the coated microstructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Brylee David Tiu, Caleb T. Nelson, Kevin W. Gotrik
  • Publication number: 20250231330
    Abstract: A light control film includes a two-dimensional array of projections arranged across the light control film. A square of a magnitude of a Fourier transform frequency spectrum of the projections includes an annular continuous peak and a corresponding annular continuous full width (FW) at 15% maximum. The peak and the FW vary by no more than about respective factors of 10 and 3 along the annular continuous peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Raymond J. Kenney, Yehuda E. Altabet, John M. DeSutter, Kenneth A.P. Meyer, Nicholas C. Erickson, Martin B. Wolk, James M. Nelson, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 12343953
    Abstract: Nanostructured articles, materials for the nanostructured articles, and intermediate articles for use in making the nanostructured articles. The nanostructured articles can be formed on a flexible film and are useful for optical metasurface applications and possibly other applications. The articles can include nanoreplicated layers or pattern transfer layers of engineered nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, James M. Nelson, Karl K. Stensvad, Henrik B. van Lengerich, Christopher S. Lyons, Moses M. David, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Nicholas C. Erickson, Caleb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 12320993
    Abstract: Light control films comprise a light input surface and alight output surface opposite the light input surface and alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and are canted in the same direction. The alternating transmissive regions and absorbing regions have a maximum relative transmission at a viewing angle other than 0 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond J. Kenney, Owen M. Anderson, Kevin W. Gotrik, Nicholas A. Johnson, Kenneth A. P. Meyer, Caleb T. Nelson, Daniel J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 12313864
    Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface; and TIR cladding layers. The TIR cladding layer having a refractive index, nTIR. The transmissive regions alternate between high refractive index transmissive regions having a refractive index, n2, and low refractive index transmissive regions having a refractive index, n1. The absorptive regions comprise a core having a refractive index, ncore, adjacent an AR cladding layer; wherein n1<n2 and nTIR<n2. The TIR cladding layers are adjacent the high refractive index transmissive regions. The cores have an aspect ratio of at least 20. The high refractive index transmissive regions have a wall angle of 6 degrees or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Nicholas A. Johnson, Raymond J. Kenney, Caleb T. Nelson, Daniel J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 12287502
    Abstract: A light control film is described comprising a light input surface and alight output surface opposite the light input surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise light-absorbing or light-reflecting particles and a dried aqueous dispersion of an organic polymer. The light control film can have improved on-axis transmission in combination with sufficiently high sheet resistance such that the film does not detract from the responsiveness of a touch screen of an electronic device. Also described is a coated article and method of making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Kevin W. Gotrik, James E. Lockridge, Caleb T. Nelson, Bradley L. Givot, Morgan A. Priolo, Luke A. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20250130352
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coated microstructured film (100a-c). The coated film includes microstructures (110) extending across a first surface of the microstructured film (100a-e) and a coating (130) on a first portion of at least some of the microstructures (110). The coating (130) includes one or more polyelectrolytes and has an average thickness T. A second portion of the coated microstructures either lacks the coating or has the coating with an average thickness of no more than 50% of T. The coating (130) is essentially free of any light absorptive material. A method of making the coated microstructured film (100a-c) is also provided. The method includes obtaining a microstructured film (100a), applying a coating (130) containing one or more polyelectrolytes to at least some of the microstructures (110), and removing at least some of the coating (130) from a second portion of the coated microstructures. Additionally, the present disclosure provides a method of making a light control film (110d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Morgan A. Priolo, Caleb T. Nelson, Kevin W. Gotrik
  • Patent number: 12263656
    Abstract: Materials and methods useful in forming nano-scale features on substrates, and articles such as optical films incorporating such nano-scale patterned substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Karl K. Stensvad, Edwin L Kusilek, Matthew S. Stay, Caleb T. Nelson, Christopher S. Lyons, Moses M. David, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Martin B. Wolk, Nicholas C. Erickson, James Zhu, James M. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20250067914
    Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, an absorptive layer or reflective layer is disposed between the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions and the light input surface and/or light output surface. In another embodiment, the alternating transmissive regions comprise an absorptive material. The light control film can exhibit low transmission of visible light and high transmission of near infrared light. Also described is a light detection system comprising such light control films and a microstructured film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Kevin W. Gotrik, Raymond J. Kenney, Kenneth A. Epstein, Gary T. Boyd, Corey D. Balts, Morgan A. Priolo, John A. Wheatley, Elisa M. Cross
  • Patent number: 12235577
    Abstract: Methods of forming an array of patterns on a substrate are provided. An array of protective tiles formed from a protectant resin is provided to cover an array of sub-regions on the substrate. An array of patterns is formed on the substrate by sequentially repeating steps (i) and (ii) for each sub-region: (i) removing the protective tile from one of the sub-regions to expose the first major surface underneath; and (ii) forming a pattern on the exposed first major surface within the one of the sub-regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas J. Hunt, Ashley R. Sonnier, James Zhu, Edwin L. Kusilek, Paul B. Armstrong, William B. Kolb, Caleb T. Nelson, Jeffrey L. Solomon, James M. Nelson, Samuel R. Hei, David J. Tarnowski, Henrik B. van Lengerich
  • Patent number: 12201005
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical film curved about a first axis and a light control film curved about the first axis. The light control film can be disposed between a light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film can include a plurality of alternating optically transmissive and optically absorptive regions extending longitudinally along the first axis such that in a cross-section orthogonal to the first axis, for at least a majority of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
  • Patent number: 12174407
    Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, an absorptive layer or reflective layer is disposed between the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions and the light input surface and/or light output surface. In another embodiment, the alternating transmissive regions comprise an absorptive material. The light control film can exhibit low transmission of visible light and high transmission of near infrared light. Also described is a light detection system comprising such light control films and a microstructured film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Kevin W. Gotrik, Raymond J. Kenney, Kenneth A. Epstein, Gary T. Boyd, Corey D. Balts, Morgan A. Priolo, John A. Wheatley, Elisa M. Cross
  • Publication number: 20240411061
    Abstract: A light control film includes a two-dimensional array of projections arranged across the light control film. A square of a magnitude of a Fourier transform frequency spectrum of the projections includes a plurality of distinct peaks separated by one or more valleys. The peaks and the one or more valleys have respective averages Pavg and Vavg, Pavg/Vavg?5, such that when light from a substantially Lambertian light source is incident on the light control film, the light control film transmits the incident light with the transmitted light propagating along a transmission axis and having an intensity profile having a full width at half maximum of less than about 120 degrees in each cross-section of the intensity profile that comprises the transmission axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Raymond J. Kenney, Yehuda E. Altabet, John M. DeSutter, Kenneth A.P. Meyer, Nicholas C. Erickson, Martin B. Wolk, James M. Nelson, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20240342711
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides fluidic devices. A fluidic device includes a) a first bondable polymeric layer having a first major surface that is substantially planar; b) a second polymeric layer having a first major surface that is substantially planar; and c) a hydrophilic mask material disposed on a first portion of the first major surface of the first bondable polymeric layer. A surface of the hydrophilic mask material exhibits an advancing contact angle with water of less than 90 degrees. A second portion of the first major surface of the first bondable polymeric layer is bonded to a first portion of the first major surface of the second polymeric layer. The hydrophilic mask material and a second portion of the first major surface of the second polymeric layer are in direct contact with each other at at least one point. An open volume is defined by interstitial space located between the hydrophilic mask material and the second portion of the first major surface of the second polymeric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Steven P. Swanson, Kurt J. Halverson, Caleb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 12097498
    Abstract: An article includes a flexible structured film with a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein a first major surface of the flexible structured film has a plurality of posts separated by land areas, and the posts have an exposed surface. An anti-biofouling layer resides in the land areas, and the anti-biofouling layer has a methylated surface. An inorganic layer is on the exposed surfaces of the posts, wherein the inorganic layer includes a metal or a metal oxide. An analyte binding layer is on the inorganic layer, wherein the analyte binding layer is chosen from a reactive silane, a functionalizable hydrogel, a functionalizable polymer, and mixtures and combinations thereof. An exposed surface of the analyte binding layer includes at least one functional group selected to bind with a biochemical analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Caleb T. Nelson, Kayla C. Niccum, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Paul B. Armstrong, Joshua M. Fishman, Tonya D. Bonilla, Phillip D. Hustad, David J. Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20240276851
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical film curved about a first axis and a light control film curved about the first axis. The light control film can be disposed between a light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film can include a plurality of alternating optically transmissive and optically absorptive regions extending longitudinally along the first axis such that in a cross-section orthogonal to the first axis, for at least a majority of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
  • Patent number: 12043785
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to abrasive articles including conformable coatings, e.g. a hydrophobic coating, methods of making and polishing systems therefrom. The present disclosure provides an abrasive layer, having a hydrophobic exterior surface, including at least one of (i) a plurality of individual diamond particles and (ii) a plurality of engineered features having a conformable diamond layer and; a conformable hydrophobic layer in contact with and at least partially coating at least one of the plurality of individual diamond particles and the conformable diamond layer and, wherein the conformable hydrophobic layer includes diamond like glass and forms the hydrophobic exterior surface and the contact angle of the hydrophobic exterior surface is greater than 110 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Chi-Fan Chen, Caleb T. Nelson, Moses M. David
  • Publication number: 20240210600
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical film curved about a first axis and a light control film curved about the first axis and substantially coextensive with the optical film. The optical film includes a first layer including a microstructured first major surface where the microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart optically absorptive regions extending along the first axis and along a direction substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film. At least one of the optical film or at least one layer disposed between the optical film and the light control film includes at least one reflection mitigation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Shu-Ching Fan, Gary T. Boyd, David Scott Thompson, Caleb T. Nelson, Tri D. Pham, Adam T. Ringberg, Daniel J. Schmidt, Owen M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20240206076
    Abstract: Methods of making metal patterns on flexible substrates are provided. A releasable solid layer is selectively formed on a patterned surface of the flexible substrate by applying a liquid solution thereon. The releasable solid layer is transferred from the patterned surface to a transfer layer where the metal patterns are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Matthew S. Stay, Caleb T. Nelson, David J. Tarnowski, David J. Rowe, Edwin L. Kusilek