Patents by Inventor Danny L. Fleming

Danny L. Fleming 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: 9567458
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mixture of a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide-containing material and an organic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, David S. Hays, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Hebrink, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9486982
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of manufacturing an adhesive article. The method comprises providing a first extrudable feedstock comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive and providing a second extrudable feedstock comprising a polyolefin polymer having a density of no greater than 0.91 g/cc. The first extrudable feedstock and the second extrudable feedstock are coextruded in contact with each other to form a coextruded film. The method also comprises cooling the coextruded film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming, George J. Clements
  • Publication number: 20160177095
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mixture of a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide-containing material and an organic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, David S. Hays, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Hebrink, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20160154148
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles including a beaded retroreflective article and a multilayer seal film adjacent thererto. The multilayer film includes a polymeric sealing layer and an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the multilayer film includes a release liner. In some embodiments, seal legs extend through all layers of the multilayer film In some embodiments, the retroreflective article is retroreflective sheeting. In some embodiments, the retroreflective sheeting and the multilayer film are laminated, embossed, and/or sealed in a single processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Reema Chatterjee, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9353294
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an article comprising a base substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface and a structured surface comprising a deposited material adhered to a portion of the first major surface of the base substrate, wherein the material has a height over the first major surface of at least 3 micrometers. The structured surface is defined, in part, by the deposited material and the structured surface has at least one continuous structure from one edge of the base substrate to a second edge of the base substrate. The application is additionally directed to a method of manufacturing the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Danny L. Fleming, Frank T. Sher
  • Publication number: 20160139306
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles including a plurality of microreplicated retroreflective elements (prismatic elements and lenslets) and a multilayer seal film adjacent to the retroreflective elements. The multilayer film includes a polymeric sealing layer and an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the multilayer film includes a release liner. Seal legs extend through all layers of the multilayer film In some embodiments, the retroreflective article is retroreflective sheeting. In some embodiments, the retroreflective sheeting and the multilayer film are laminated, embossed, and/or sealed in a single processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Reema Chatterjee, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9303157
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mixture of a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide-containing material and an organic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, David S. Hays, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Hebrink, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20150267044
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mixture of a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide-containing material and an organic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, David S. Hays, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Hebrink, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9132506
    Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article having a release layer and an adhesive layer, using a laser to produce markings within more than one layer of the article. The process includes providing a multilayered article including a laser-markable release liner having a release layer, and a laser-markable adhesive film; and marking the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film by directing laser radiation from at least a first source of laser radiation into the multilayered article through at least the first release layer to induce an interaction between a first light-sensitive pigment and a first organic polymer in the laser-markable release liner, and a second light-sensitive pigment and a second organic polymer in the laser-markable adhesive film, to form at least one visually perceptible marking in each of the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film. The release layer is substantially transparent to the laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. W. Smithson, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20130337213
    Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article having a release layer and an adhesive layer, using a laser to produce markings within more than one layer of the article. The process includes providing a multilayered article including a laser-markable release liner having a release layer, and a laser-markable adhesive film; and marking the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film by directing laser radiation from at least a first source of laser radiation into the multilayered article through at least the first release layer to induce an interaction between a first light-sensitive pigment and a first organic polymer in the laser-markable release liner, and a second light-sensitive pigment and a second organic polymer in the laser-markable adhesive film, to form at least one visually perceptible marking in each of the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film. The release layer is substantially transparent to the laser radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. W. Smithson, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20130004723
    Abstract: Composite layer having a length and width and comprising a first plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures having peaks and valleys, comprising a first polymeric material and a second plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures having peaks and valleys that is adjacent to, and the inverse of, the first plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures, and comprising a second polymeric material. There is a distance between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material. There is an average of said distances between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material. Any of said distances between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material is within 20 percent of said average distance between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, William J. Kopecky, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20120263906
    Abstract: An extrusion die (20) and method for co-extruding a first molten polymeric material and a second molten polymeric material. The die includes a first die portion (20), a second die portion and a shim separating the first die portion and the second die portion. The shim has a first side and a second side, the first side of the shim forming a boundary of the first die portion and defining a first die cavity (38), the second side of the shim forming a boundary of the second die portion and defining a second die cavity (40). A dispensing edge (36) is provided having a plurality of first and second extrusion openings, a plurality of first feed channels connecting the first die cavity to the first extrusion openings along the dispensing edge, and a plurality of second feed channels connecting the second die cavity to the second extrusion openings along the dispensing edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, William J. Kopecky, Danny L. Fleming, David J. Yarusso, Gibson L. Batch, Jeffrey O. Emslander, James M. Jonza
  • Patent number: 8268428
    Abstract: The present application is directed to adhesive articles and release liners. Namely, the present application is directed to an article comprising an adhesive layer with a structured surface. The structured surface comprises a first groove and a second groove recessed into the adhesive layer from a reference plane defined by the adhesive surface on either rim of the groove. In some embodiments, the second groove is contained within the first groove, and in other embodiments the grooves are separate. The first groove and the second groove have walls. The wall angle of the first groove with respect to the reference plane is non-zero and is smaller than the wall angle of the second groove with respect to the reference plane. The application is also directed to release liners for the adhesive article, wherein the surface of the release liner is the inverse of the adhesive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Danny L. Fleming, Michael R. Kesti, John A. Nielsen, Richard L. Peloquin, Frank T. Sher, David J. Yarusso
  • Publication number: 20110316203
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of manufacturing an adhesive article. The method comprises providing a first extrudable feedstock comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive and providing a second extrudable feedstock comprising a polyolefin polymer having a density of no greater than 0.91 g/cc. The first extrudable feedstock and the second extrudable feedstock are coextruded in contact with each other to form a coextruded film. The method also comprises cooling the coextruded film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming, George J. Clements
  • Publication number: 20100143654
    Abstract: The present application is directed to adhesive articles and release liners. Namely, the present application is directed to an article comprising an adhesive layer with a structured surface. The structured surface comprises a first groove and a second groove recessed into the adhesive layer from a reference plane defined by the adhesive surface on either rim of the groove. In some embodiments, the second groove is contained within the first groove, and in other embodiments the grooves are separate. The first groove and the second groove have walls. The wall angle of the first groove with respect to the reference plane is non-zero and is smaller than the wall angle of the second groove with respect to the reference plane. The application is also directed to release liners for the adhesive article, wherein the surface of the release liner is the inverse of the adhesive surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Danny L. Fleming, Michael R. Kesti, John A. Nielsen, Richard L. Peloquin, Frank T. Sher, David J. Yarusso
  • Patent number: 7687126
    Abstract: The present application is directed to adhesive articles and release liners. Namely, the present application is directed to an article comprising an adhesive layer with a structured surface. The structured surface comprises a first groove and a second groove recessed into the adhesive layer from a reference plane defined by the adhesive surface on either rim of the groove. In some embodiments, the second groove is contained within the first groove, and in other embodiments the grooves are separate. The first groove and the second groove have walls. The wall angle of the first groove with respect to the reference plane is non-zero and is smaller than the wall angle of the second groove with respect to the reference plane. The application is also directed to release liners for the adhesive article, wherein the surface of the release liner is the inverse of the adhesive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Danny L. Fleming, Michael R. Kesti, John A. Nielsen, Richard L. Peloquin, Frank T. Sher, David J. Yarusso
  • Patent number: 7594976
    Abstract: The present application is related to substrates having light transmitting areas and light shielding areas. The application discloses methods of manufacturing the substrates, including modifying a light shielding layer be contact to a structured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey O. Emslander, John R. David, Ronald S. Steelman, Danny L. Fleming, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Graham M. Clarke
  • Publication number: 20080318065
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mixture of a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide-containing material and an organic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, David S. Hays, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Hebrink, Jeffrey O. Ernslander, Danny L. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6872268
    Abstract: Films are closely conformed to substrates by reducing the air pressure to a subatmospheric level in at least one airflow pathway that is present in the film or the substrate. The reduced air pressure enables the film to tightly contact the substrate in locations where protrusions or depressions on the substrate are present. The method is particularly useful for conforming film containing graphics to a variety of substrates such as the sides of semi-trailers or concrete block walls, even in instances where the semi-trailer sides include rivets and/or grooves and where the concrete block wall is relatively rough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John R. David, Jeffrey O. Emslander, Danny L. Fleming, Michael R. Kesti, Larry A. Meixner, Frank T. Sher, Ronald S. Steelman, David J. Yarusso
  • Patent number: 6803072
    Abstract: A method for coating includes applying an adhesive to a surface, wherein the surface comprises an arrangement of structures thereon, wherein the structures extend upward from a plane of the surface and have at least one sidewall that makes an angle with respect to the plane of the surface of greater than 0° and less than 90° selected to reduce air bubble formation for a coating solution of a selected rheology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frank T. Sher, Danny L. Fleming, Mung-Lin S. Tan