Patents by Inventor Carl Stover
Carl Stover 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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Publication number: 20050244646Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2005Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventors: Timothy Hebrink, William Merrill, Carl Stover
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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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Publication number: 20050161840Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventors: Carl Stover, Timothy Hebrink, Yaoqi Liu, William Merrill, Bruce Nerad, John Wheatley
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Publication number: 20050122587Abstract: A reflective polarizer and a dichroic polarizer are combined to provide an improved optical polarizer. The dichroic and reflective polarizers are typically in close proximity to each other, and are preferably bonded together to eliminate the air gap between the polarizers. The combination of the two polarizers provides a high reflectivity of one polarization and high transmission for the perpendicular polarization from the reflective polarizer side of the combined polarizer, and high absorption and transmission for light of orthogonal polarization from the dichroic polarizer side. The combination also reduces iridescence as seen in transmission and when viewed in reflection from the dichroic polarizer side. The increased extinction ratio and low reflectivity of the optical polarizer allows use of a lower extinction ratio dichroic polarizer in applications requiring a given extinction ratio and high transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: Andrew Ouderkirk, Michael Weber, James Jonza, Carl Stover
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Publication number: 20050110175Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventor: Carl Stover
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Publication number: 20050078371Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2004Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Richard Allen, Arthur Kotz, Lockwood Carlson, Timothy Nevitt, Andrew Ouderkirk, Carl Stover, Michael Weber, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 6808658Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6760157Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix in combination with light directing materials to enable control of light emitted from a lighting fixture or display. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film, and the light directing materials are chosen to control the direction of polarized light reflected from or transmitted by the optical film.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Lockwood W. Carlson, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Arthur L. Kotz, Timothy J. Nevitt, Carl A. Stover, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Publication number: 20040086690Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill, Carl A. Stover
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Publication number: 20040043205Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, multilayer films having high reflectivity (for both planes of polarization for any incident direction in the case of mirrors, and for the selected direction in the case of polarizers) over a wide bandwidth, can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James M. Jonza, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover
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Publication number: 20040012855Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Arthur L. Kotz, Lockwood W. Carlson, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 6641900Abstract: 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: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6635337Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, multilayer films having high reflectivity (for both planes of polarization for any incident direction in the case of mirrors, and for the selected direction in the case of polarizers) over a wide bandwidth, can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James M. Jonza, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover
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Publication number: 20030164914Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Sanford Cobb, James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6613421Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, mirror films with high reflectivity in two different planes of polarization for any incident direction over a wide bandwidth can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James M. Jonza, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6590705Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Arthur L. Kotz, Lockwood W. Carlson, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 6543153Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6459514Abstract: A multilayer optical film comprising: (a) an optical stack comprising alternating layers of at least a first polymer and a second polymer; and (b) a holographic image.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Laurence R. Gilbert, James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, William W. Merrill
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Patent number: 6450004Abstract: A press brake punch holder provides a single actuation assembly to apply symmetrically opposed, lateral forces to a series of otherwise independent punch clamps for securing a corresponding series of punches within the clamps. The clamps are each pivotally secured to the holder assembly by a series of generally centrally disposed bolts therethrough, with the clamps rotating through a limited arc on spherical bearings between the clamps and the holder body. The laterally acting actuator urges the upper ends of the clamps apart, thereby urging their opposite lower ends together to clamp the punches therebetween, or between each clamp and a central structure. Release of lateral pressure allows the punches to be removed as desired, with light spring pressure holding the punches in place when, lateral pressure is removed. Actuation may be provided by a laterally acting wedge assembly, or by laterally acting fluid pressure (hydraulics or pneumatics).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventors: Douglas E. Edmondson, Carl Stover
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Publication number: 20020064671Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill, Carl A. Stover