Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Walker
Christopher B. Walker 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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Patent number: 11894164Abstract: A stretchable conductor includes a substrate with a first major surface, wherein the substrate is an elastomeric material. An elongate wire is on the first major surface of the substrate; the wire includes a first end and a second end, and further includes at least one arcuate region between the first end and the second end. At least one portion of the arcuate region of the wire in the region has a first surface area portion embedded in the surface of the substrate and a second surface area portion unembedded on the substrate and exposed in an amount sufficient to render at least an area of the substrate in the region electrically conductive. The unembedded second surface portion of the arcuate region may lie above or below a plane of the substrate. Composite articles including a stretchable conductor in durable electrical contact with a conductive fabric are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPNAYInventors: Ankit Mahajan, James Zhu, Saagar A. Shah, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Vivek Krishnan, Kevin T. Reddy, Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Michael A. Kropp, Kara A. Meyers, Teresa M. Goeddel, Thomas J. Metzler, Jonathan W. Kemling, Roger W. Barton
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Patent number: 11691381Abstract: Described herein is an article comprising (i) bead film comprising a binder resin layer and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded in the binder resin layer such that a portion of the microspheres outwardly protrude a first distance from the surface of the binder resin layer; (ii) a stabilizing layer disposed on the outwardly protruding microspheres opposite the binder resin layer, wherein the stabilizing layer intimately conforms to the protruding microspheres, and wherein the stabilizing layer has a Tg less than 100 C and a storage modulus at 150° C. of at least 1.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: 3M innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Matthew R. C. Atkinson, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Steven J. McMan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud
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Publication number: 20230131805Abstract: The invention provides a diaphragm for a microspeaker and a manufacturing method thereof. The diaphragm is a single-layer diaphragm or a multi-layer diaphragm and comprises at least one layer of a chemically cross-linked thermoplastic polyester elastomer, wherein: the chemically cross-linked thermoplastic polyester elastomer has a loss factor less than or equal to 0.4 at a temperature range not higher than a softening temperature of thermoplastic polyester elastomer before chemical crosslinking plus 40° C., as measured by a rheological curve; and the diaphragm further has a yield strain in the range of 7% to 30%. The diaphragm for a microspeaker according to the technical solution of the present invention is easy to be prepared by thermoforming, and has appropriate modulus, good strength, elasticity, and thermal stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Chao Yang, Christopher B. Walker, JR.
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Patent number: 11413846Abstract: Described herein is an article having a microsphere layer comprising a monolayer of microspheres, the monolayer of microspheres comprising a first area substantially free of microspheres and a second area comprising a plurality of randomly-distributed microspheres, wherein the monolayer of microspheres comprises a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern comprises at least one of (i) a plurality of the first areas, (ii) a plurality of the second areas, and (iii) combinations thereof; and (b) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in a first major surface of the bead bonding layer, wherein the article has a retroreflectivity (Ra) of less than 5.0 candelas/lux/square meter. Also disclosed herein are transfer carriers and methods of making the articles and transfer carriers.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Toheeb B. Alabi, Kui Chen-Ho, John C. Clark, Jeremy P. Gundale, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Chris A. Pommer, Matthew S. Stay
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Patent number: 11390059Abstract: Described herein is decorative article having a coefficient of friction less than 0.3 wherein the decorative articles comprises: (i) a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the microsphere layer comprises a monolayer of microspheres and wherein the plurality of microspheres are in a microscopic periodic pattern; and (ii) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in the bead bonding layer. Also disclosed herein are transfer articles and methods of making the decorative articles and transfer articles.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John C. Clark, Samad Javid, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Chris A. Pommer, Christopher B. Walker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210280337Abstract: A stretchable conductor includes a substrate with a first major surface, wherein the substrate is an elastomeric material. An elongate wire is on the first major surface of the substrate; the wire includes a first end and a second end, and further includes at least one arcuate region between the first end and the second end. At least one portion of the arcuate region of the wire in the region has a first surface area portion embedded in the surface of the substrate and a second surface area portion unembedded on the substrate and exposed in an amount sufficient to render at least an area of the substrate in the region electrically conductive. The unembedded second surface portion of the arcuate region may lie above or below a plane of the substrate. Composite articles including a stretchable conductor in durable electrical contact with a conductive fabric are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Ankit Mahajan, James Zhu, Saagar A. Shah, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Vivek Krishnan, Kevin T. Reddy, Christopher B. Walker, JR., Michael A. Kropp, Kara A. Meyers, Teresa M. Goeddel, Thomas J. Metzler, Jonathan W. Kemling, Roger W. Barton
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Patent number: 11112544Abstract: Described herein is a construction comprising a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the microspheres comprise glass, ceramic, and combinations thereof; a bead bonding layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres is partially embedded in the bead bonding layer forming a first surface comprising exposed microspheres, wherein the plurality of microspheres on the first surface are truncated. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising the construction and methods of making thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John C. Clark, John J. Gagliardi, Kevin W. Gotrik, Alexander J. Kugel, Jean A. Tangeman, Christopher B. Walker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210198543Abstract: Thin films are provided comprising a damping adhesive comprising a polysiloxane or mixture of polysiloxanes and exhibiting a tan delta of at least 0.42 for every temperature between 20° C. and 250° C. and a tan delta at 250° C. that is no more than 0.20 greater than the minimum tan delta measured in the range of 20° C. to 250° C.; in some cases exhibiting a tan delta of at least 0.42 for every temperature between 20° C. and 200° C. and a tan delta at 200° C. that is no more than 0.08 greater than the minimum tan delta measured in the range of 20° C. to 200° C.; in some cases obtained by crosslinking polysiloxane(s) by e-beam or peroxide. Microspeaker diaphragm materials, subassemblies and transfer tapes comprising such films are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Chao Yang, Christopher B. Walker, JR., Daniel J. O'Neal
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Patent number: 10854355Abstract: A stretchable conductor includes a substrate with a first major surface and an elongate wire, wherein the substrate is an elastomeric material, the elongate wire is on the first major surface of the substrate, the wire includes a first end and a second end, and further includes at least one arcuate region between the first end and the second end. At least one portion of the arcuate region of the wire in the region has a first surface area portion embedded in the surface of the substrate and a second surface area portion unembedded on the substrate and exposed in an amount sufficient to render at least an area of the substrate in the region electrically conductive. The unembedded second surface portion of the arcuate region may lie above or below a plane of the substrate. Additionally, different methods of preparing said stretchable conductor are disclosed. Composite articles including said stretchable conductor in durable electrical contact with a conductive fabric are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Ankit Mahajan, Jr., James Zhu, Saagar A. Shah, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Vivek Krishnan, Kevin T. Reddy, Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Michael A. Kropp, Kara A. Meyers, Teresa M. Goeddel, Thomas J. Metzler, Jonathan W. Kemling, Roger W. Barton
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Patent number: 10844160Abstract: There is provided an article a binder resin layer comprising an aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprising a plurality of soft segments, and a plurality of hard segments, where the soft segments comprise polycarbonate polyol; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a first major surface of the binder resin layer, wherein the specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer are sufficient to impart a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less in the article and a storage modulus in the article that changes less than 15 MPa from 25° C. to 175° C.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Alexander J. Kugel, Vivek Krishnan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud
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Publication number: 20200298526Abstract: Described herein is an article having a microsphere layer comprising a monolayer of microspheres, the monolayer of microspheres comprising a first area substantially free of microspheres and a second area comprising a plurality of randomly-distributed microspheres, wherein the monolayer of microspheres comprises a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern comprises at least one of (i) a plurality of the first areas, (ii) a plurality of the second areas, and (iii) combinations thereof; and (b) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in a first major surface of the bead bonding layer, wherein the article has a retroreflectivity (Ra) of less than 5.0 candelas/lux/square meter. Also disclosed herein are transfer carriers and methods of making the articles and transfer carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Toheeb B. Alabi, Kui Chen-Ho, John C. Clark, Jeremy P. Gundale, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Chris A. Pommer, Matthew S. Stay
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Publication number: 20200189226Abstract: Described herein is a construction comprising a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the microspheres comprise glass, ceramic, and combinations thereof; a bead bonding layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres is partially embedded in the bead bonding layer forming a first surface comprising exposed microspheres, wherein the plurality of microspheres on the first surface are truncated. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising the construction and methods of making thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2017Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: John C. Clark, John J. Gagliardi, Kevin W. Gotrik, Alexander J. Kugel, Jean A. Tangeman, Christopher B. Walker, JR.
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Publication number: 20200105440Abstract: A stretchable conductor includes a substrate with a first major surface and an elongate wire, wherein the substrate is an elastomeric material, the elongate wire is on the first major surface of the substrate, the wire includes a first end and a second end, and further includes at least one arcuate region between the first end and the second end. At least one portion of the arcuate region of the wire in the region has a first surface area portion embedded in the surface of the substrate and a second surface area portion unembedded on the substrate and exposed in an amount sufficient to render at least an area of the substrate in the region electrically conductive. The unembedded second surface portion of the arcuate region may lie above or below a plane of the substrate. Additionally, different methods of preparing said stretchable conductor are disclosed. Composite articles including said stretchable conductor in durable electrical contact with a conductive fabric are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Ankit Mahajan, Jr., James Zhu, Saagar A. Shah, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Vivek Krishnan, Kevin T. Reddy, Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Michael A. Kropp, Kara A. Meyers, Teresa M. Goeddel, Thomas J. Metzler, Jonathan W. Kemling, Roger W. Barton
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Publication number: 20200031092Abstract: Described herein is an article comprising (i) bead film comprising a binder resin layer and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded in the binder resin layer such that a portion of the microspheres outwardly protrude a first distance from the surface of the binder resin layer; (ii) a stabilizing layer disposed on the outwardly protruding microspheres opposite the binder resin layer, wherein the stabilizing layer intimately conforms to the protruding microspheres, and wherein the stabilizing layer has a Tg less than 100 C and a storage modulus at 150° C. of at least 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Matthew R.C. Atkinson, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Steven J. McMan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud
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Patent number: 10513626Abstract: There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having a fluorine-containing polymeric binder resin layer and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded in a first major surface of the binder resin layer and adhered thereto; wherein the fluorine-containing polymer is derived in part from at least one partially fluorinated, or non-fluorinated, monomer; and wherein the article exhibits a stain resistance to yellow mustard at elevated temperature and humidity as measured by the change in b* of less than 50. There are also provided such articles wherein the fluorine-containing polymer is derived in part from at least one partially fluorinated, or non-fluorinated, monomer; and wherein the fluorine content along the polymeric backbone of the fluorine-containing polymer is from about 27% to 72% by weight. There are also provided such articles wherein the article is a thermoformable article exhibiting chemical resistance according to ASTM D5402-06.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Tatsuo Fukushi, Thomas P. Klun, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Lan H. Liu, Jingjing Ma, Steven J. McMan
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Patent number: 10442967Abstract: There is provided an article having at least a first surface having: a binder resin layer comprising an actinic radiation reactive polyurethane dispersion, where the binder resin layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to the first major surface of the binder resin layer. There is also provided a thermoset article derived from such thermoformable articles.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Abdullahi A. Mohamud, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Benjamin G. Sonnek
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Patent number: 10245812Abstract: There is provided a thermoformable article comprising at least a first surface having a binder resin layer comprising a fluorine-containing polymer, where the binder resin layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres partially and adhered to the first major surface of the binder resin layer; where the fluorine-containing polymer is a partially fluorinated polymer derived from at least one fluorine containing monomer and two or more non-fluorinated monomers having at least one active hydrogen functional group, and further wherein at least one but not all of the active hydrogen functional groups are reacted with at least one curing agent having latent functionality. In some instances the curing agent comprises polyisocyanate. There is also provided a thermoset article derived from such thermoformable articles.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., John C. Clark, Thomas P. Klun, Steven J. McMan, Abdullahi A. Mohamud, Alexander J. Kugel, Vivek Krishnan
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Patent number: 10239277Abstract: There is provided an article a binder resin layer comprising an aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprising a plurality of soft segments, and a plurality of hard segments, where the soft segments comprise poly(alkoxy) polyol, and where the poly(alkoxy) polyol is essentially free of crosslinker; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a first major surface of the binder resin layer, wherein the specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer are sufficient to impart a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less in the article and a storage modulus in the article that changes less than 15 MPa from 25° C. to 175° C.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alexander J. Kugel, John C. Clark, Vivek Krishnan, Christopher B. Walker, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180319204Abstract: Described herein is decorative article having a coefficient of friction less than 0.3 wherein the decorative articles comprises: (i) a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres, wherein the microsphere layer comprises a monolayer of microspheres and wherein the plurality of microspheres are in a microscopic periodic pattern; and (ii) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in the bead bonding layer. Also disclosed herein are transfer articles and methods of making the decorative articles and transfer articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: John C. Clark, Samad Javid, Vivek Krishnan, Alexander J. Kugel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Chris A. Pommer, Christopher B. Walker, JR.
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Publication number: 20180223142Abstract: There is provided an article having at least a first surface having: a binder resin layer comprising an actinic radiation reactive polyurethane dispersion, where the binder resin layer has a first major surface opposite a second major surface; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to the first major surface of the binder resin layer. There is also provided a thermoset article derived from such thermoformable articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Abdullahi A. Mohamud, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Benjamin G. Sonnek