Patents by Inventor David J. Lundin

David J. Lundin 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).

  • Publication number: 20020056928
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: DAVID J. LUNDIN, KEVIN M. ELIASON
  • Patent number: 6379592
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof. The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article. The expandable mold may be used to make seamless articles having microstructured features, such as an illumination device comprising a fiber core having a plurality of microstructured light extraction structures on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Publication number: 20020030999
    Abstract: An illumination device that is relatively bright and uniform in appearance includes a light guide, which has a light guide core having an optically smooth surface for propagating light therethrough. A light emitting region, which extends along a portion of the core, includes at least one light extraction structure located along the optically smooth surface of the light guide core. The light extraction structure, which includes an optically reflective surface extending into the light guide core, is oriented to reflect light at an angle less than a critical angle necessary for light to propagate through the light guide core. A diffuse reflective material is disposed around at least a portion of the light guide. The diffuse reflective material directs at least a portion of the light reflected by the light extraction structure back through the light guide so that light is emitted through the light emitting region of the optically smooth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: DAVID J. LUNDIN
  • Patent number: 6267492
    Abstract: Side emitting light guides are provided in connection with illumination devices, light guide systems, and tasklight illumination kits. The side emitting light guides may be provide bright directional light, or they may be provide diffuse light. The side emitting light guides may be flexible to allow for insertion into tortuous passageways. The light guides may also have a relatively small profile and/or a solid core. The light guides may also include shades that allow an operator to convert the light guides from side emitting to end emitting in order to provide brighter, more focused illumination in a particular area to perform some tasks. When completed, the user has the option of re-configuring the light guides for side emission to provide general area illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 6259855
    Abstract: An illumination device and a method for making the same are provided. The illumination device comprises a light guide having a non-circular cross-sectional shape which is defined by a first region, and a light extracting material or element having a cross-sectional shape which is defined by a second region. The first and second region are contiguous and define a third region which may, for example, be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventor: David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 6126360
    Abstract: A pavement marker has an unpotted upper shell and a lower base plate that together define a housing. A number of ribs are disposed in the housing interior oriented substantially perpendicular to the inner wall of the base plate. The upper shell has inclined end faces, an upper face, and is made of a plastic material having moderate to high flexural modulus and a high impact strength. The lower base plate has a planar inner wall and an opposed planar, pavement-engaging outer wall, and is made of a material having a Young's modulus of at least approximately 300,000 PSI (20.7.times.10.sup.8 Pascal). The ribs are formed unitarily with the inner wall of either the upper shell or the base plate, and extend upwardly from the inner wall of the base plate to the inner wall of the shell. A retroreflective lens is positioned on at least one of the first and second opposed side faces of the marker. The pavement marker resists delamination from a roadway surface when secured to the road with a soft adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David C. May, Sithya S. Khieu, Cristina U. Thomas, Warren J. Johnson, Ronald W. Gerdes, David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 6077462
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof. The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article. The expandable mold may be used to make seamless articles having microstructured features, such as an illumination device comprising a fiber core having a plurality of microstructured light extraction structures on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 6039553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding an illumination device using an open mold are provided which allow for the addition of light extraction structures to a prefabricated light guide using a curable material. A mold containing the extraction structures is first provided. Curable molding material and the prefabricated light guide are placed into the mold, and an overlay comprising light extraction structures is cured onto the light guide, providing a functional illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 6033604
    Abstract: A method of molding an illumination device using an open mold is provided. The method allows for the addition of light extraction structures to a prefabricated light guide using a curable material. A mold containing the extraction structures is first provided. Curable molding material and the prefabricated light guide are placed into the mold, and an overlay comprising light extraction structures is cured onto the light guide, providing a functional illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 5905826
    Abstract: A conspicuity marking system includes a light guide which has at least one optically reflective surface for propagating light through the light guide and a retroreflective light extractor for extracting light propagating through the light guide and for retroreflecting light from an external light source incident upon the system. Light propagating through the light guide which is transmitted into the light extractor is reflected back through the light guide such that it exits the light guide at a location displaced from the retroreflective light extractor. Light from an external light source which is incident on the system passes through the light guide and is retroreflected toward the light source by the retroreflective light extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Olester Benson, Jr., David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 5898810
    Abstract: An illumination waveguide that includes: a core having a cross-section in which the shortest dimension of the cross-section is at least one millimeter; and a cladding surrounding the core that includes a polymer having an optically smooth inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Douglas A. Devens, Jr., David J. Lundin, Craig R. Hoff, Paul F. Tuckner
  • Patent number: 5869412
    Abstract: A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material selected from polymeric films and fibrous webs having the capability of becoming porous when thermoformed, having a metal mat at least partially embedded therein, comprising a plurality of fine, randomly-oriented metal fibers, the carrier material having a softening temperature lower than the highest temperature reached during the thermoforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Donald M. Yenni, Jr., Robert L. Lambert, Jr., Clyde D. Calhoun, David C. Koskenmaki, David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 5631994
    Abstract: A light extraction overlay for extracting light from a desired location on a light guide includes a substantially optically transparent substrate which has a base surface and a structured surface opposite the base surface. The structured surface includes optical elements which have optically smooth surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the base surface. Preferably, the optical elements are coated with a specularly reflective material. The optical elements may be separated by substantially planar portions of the structured surface.In use, the base surface is optically coupled with a portion of a surface of a light guide such that light may be transmitted from the optical fiber into the substrate. Light rays which strike a planar portion of the structured surface are reflected back into the fiber at an angle which is greater than the critical angle necessary for continued propagation in the light guide and, accordingly, continue to propagate along the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger H. Appeldorn, David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 4988006
    Abstract: A device for partitioning a container into a plurality of flexible pockets. A single sheet is draped over several parallel rods which are supported by two side rails. Each rod is slidably attached to the side rails by means of a novel rod support. The rod support has a collar for receiving one end of a rod, a boss for engaging one side of the rail, and a beam terminating in a flange for engaging the other side and bottom of the rail. A hinged clip may be added to the rod support for securing the sheet to the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David J. Lundin