Patents by Inventor Clark I. Bright

Clark I. Bright 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: 9822454
    Abstract: A conductive film is formed on a flexible polymer support by applying a seed layer comprising gallium oxide, indium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide or mixture (including mixed oxides) thereof to the flexible polymer support, and applying an extensible, visible light-transmissive metal layer over the seed layer. The seed layer oxide desirably promotes deposition of the subsequently-applied metal layer in a more uniform or more dense fashion, or promotes earlier formation (viz., at a thinner applied thickness) of a continuous metal layer. The resulting films have high visible light transmittance and low electrical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Walter Stoss, Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 9557859
    Abstract: Method of making a touch sensor including one or more multilayer electrodes and an underlayer disposed on a substrate. The underlayer is disposed between the multilayer electrodes and the substrate. The multilayer electrodes including at least two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clark I. Bright, Nancy S. Lennhoff, Mark E. Flanzer, Dennis M. Brunner
  • Patent number: 9481927
    Abstract: A method for forming an inorganic or hybrid organic/inorganic barrier layer on a substrate, comprising condensing a vaporized metal alkoxide to form a layer atop the substrate, and contacting the condensed metal alkoxide layer with water to cure the layer is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Clark I. Bright, Christopher S. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20160309583
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 9402305
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Publication number: 20160083839
    Abstract: A method for forming an inorganic or hybrid organic/inorganic layer on a substrate, which method comprises vaporizing a metal alkoxide, condensing the metal alkoxide to form a layer atop the substrate, and contacting the condensed metal alkoxide layer with water to cure the layer is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Clark I. Bright, Stephen P. Maki, Christopher S. Lyons, Alan K. Nachtigal, Maria L. Zelinsky, Judith M. Invie, Andrew D. Dubner, Mark J. Pellerite, Thomas E. Wood, Kenton D. Budd
  • Patent number: 9034459
    Abstract: Solar control films containing a visible light-transmissive flexible support, a first nucleating oxide seed layer, a first metal layer, an organic spacing layer, a second nucleating oxide seed layer, a second metal layer and a polymeric protective layer. The thicknesses of the metal layers and spacing layer are such that the films are visible light-transmissive and infrared-reflective. The films have high visible light transmittance, high Reflected Energy and low Total Solar Heat Transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter D. Condo, Janet R. Kirkman, Clark I. Bright, Walter Stoss
  • Patent number: 9012044
    Abstract: A process of forming optically clear conductive metal or metal alloy thin films is provided that includes depositing the metal or metal alloy film on a polycrystalline seed layer that has been deposited directly on a nucleation layer of metal oxide comprising zinc oxide. Also conductive films made by this process are provided. In some embodiments, the metal alloy thin films include silver/gold alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Clark I. Bright
  • Publication number: 20150008023
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 8854589
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 8630040
    Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The optical display filters include a multi-layer stack that contains at least one organic layer. The filters have high visible light transmittance, low visible light reflection, and provide electromagnetic interference shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clark I. Bright, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki, Christopher S. Lyons, Hun Jeong
  • Patent number: 8541942
    Abstract: A lightweight, flexible, plastic substrate is coated with at least one layer, such that the substrate has desired barrier and electrode characteristics useful in constructing OLED displays. The layer has both a low enough resistance to function as an electrode for the display, and low oxygen and moisture permeability. The display is thereby protected from oxygen and moisture degradation. For lower permeability and/or higher conductivity, multiple alternating layers of barrier materials and conductive materials may be applied. The barrier material includes at least one of a thin metallic film, an organic polymer, a thin transparent dielectric, a thin transparent metal nitride, and a thin transparent conductive oxide. The conductive material includes at least one of a thin transparent conductive oxide, a thin transparent metallic film, and a thin transparent metal nitride. Preferably, a multilayer polymer base coat is deposited over the substrate to exclude moisture and atmospheric gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 8350451
    Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The films include a transparent substrate, a nucleation layer, an electrically-conductive layer, a barrier layer, and a dielectric layer. The films can provide high visible transmission, are corrosion-resistant, and can provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding). The optical display filters are useful as components of active optical devices such as display panels including liquid crystal display panels such as those used on mobile hand-held phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clark I. Bright, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki
  • Publication number: 20120315383
    Abstract: Method of making a touch sensor including one or more multilayer electrodes and an underlayer disposed on a substrate. The underlayer is disposed between the multilayer electrodes and the substrate. The multilayer electrodes including at least two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Clark I. BRIGHT, Nancy S. Lennhoff, Mark E. Flanzer, Dennis M. Brunner
  • Publication number: 20120313873
    Abstract: A touch sensor including one or more multilayer electrodes and an underlayer disposed on a substrate. The underlayer is disposed between the multilayer electrodes and the substrate. The multilayer electrodes including at least two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Clark I. BRIGHT, Nancy S. LENNHOFF, Mark E. FLANZER, Dennis M. BRUNNER
  • Patent number: 8298032
    Abstract: A multifunctional optical film for enhancing light extraction includes a flexible substrate, a structured layer, and a backfill layer. The structured layer effectively uses microreplicated diffractive or scattering nanostructures located near enough to the light generation region to enable extraction of an evanescent wave from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device. The backfill layer has a material having an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the structured layer. The backfill layer also provides a planarizing layer over the structured layer in order to conform the light extraction film to a layer of an OLED lighting device such as solid state lighting devices or backlight units. The film may have additional layers added to or incorporated within it to an emissive surface in order to effect additional functionalities beyond improvement of light extraction efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John E. Potts, Fred B. McCormick, Martin B. Wolk, Jun-Ying Zhang, Terry L. Smith, James M. Battiato, Ding Wang, William A. Tolbert, Mark A. Roehrig, Clark I. Bright
  • Publication number: 20120262056
    Abstract: A lightweight, flexible, plastic substrate is coated with at least one layer, such that the substrate has desired barrier and electrode characteristics useful in constructing OLED displays. The layer has both a low enough resistance to function as an electrode for the display, and low oxygen and moisture permeability. The display is thereby protected from oxygen and moisture degradation. For lower permeability and/or higher conductivity, multiple alternating layers of barrier materials and conductive materials may be applied. The barrier material includes at least one of a thin metallic film, an organic polymer, a thin transparent dielectric, a thin transparent metal nitride, and a thin transparent conductive oxide. The conductive material includes at least one of a thin transparent conductive oxide, a thin transparent metallic film, and a thin transparent metal nitride. Preferably, a multilayer polymer base coat is deposited over the substrate to exclude moisture and atmospheric gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Clark I. Bright
  • Publication number: 20120229746
    Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Stephen P. Maki, Jason C. Radel, Robert L. Brott, Donald J. McClure, Clark I. Bright
  • Patent number: 8241752
    Abstract: A lightweight, flexible, plastic substrate is coated with at least one layer, such that the substrate has desired barrier and electrode characteristics useful in constructing OLED displays. The layer has both a low enough resistance to function as an electrode for the display, and low oxygen and moisture permeability. The display is thereby protected from oxygen and moisture degradation. For lower permeability and/or higher conductivity, multiple alternating layers of barrier materials and conductive materials may be applied. The barrier material includes at least one of a thin metallic film, an organic polymer, a thin transparent dielectric, a thin transparent metal nitride, and a thin transparent conductive oxide. The conductive material includes at least one of a thin transparent conductive oxide, a thin transparent metallic film, and a thin transparent metal nitride. Preferably, a multilayer polymer base coat is deposited over the substrate to exclude moisture and atmospheric gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Clark I. Bright
  • Publication number: 20120125660
    Abstract: A process of forming optically clear conductive metal or metal alloy thin films is provided that includes depositing the metal or metal alloy film on a polycrystalline seed layer that has been deposited directly on a nucleation layer of metal oxide comprising zinc oxide. Also conductive films made by this process are provided. In some embodiments, the metal alloy thin films include silver/gold alloys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Clark I. Bright