Patents by Inventor Drew J. Buoni

Drew J. Buoni 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: 20230364870
    Abstract: An article, including a substrate having a surface with a groove pattern including microprisms thereon. The groove pattern includes a first set of first grooves intersecting with a second set of second grooves, the first grooves are parallel to each other along a same first direction across the groove pattern, and each of the first grooves include a plurality of repeating variable depth zones. Each of the variable depth zones include: a dive section having a first maximum depth, ZD2, and a rise section having a second maximum depth, ZR2. The second grooves are parallel to each other along a same second direction across the surface, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 11691365
    Abstract: An article, including a transparent sheet having a first side with a structured surface The structured surface includes microprisms thereon, the microprisms being part of a microprism array on the structured surface. Each one of the microprisms are part of adjacent pairs of the microprisms, such that for each one of the adjacent pairs: the first microprism has a first lateral face, a second lateral face, and a third lateral face, the second microprism has a first lateral face, a second lateral face, and a third lateral face, and there is a continuous surface transition with a maintenance of surface continuity between the second lateral face of the first microprism and the third lateral face of the second microprism, without the presence of a seam, ridge, gap or tooling line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Publication number: 20220266555
    Abstract: An article, including a transparent sheet having a first side with a structured surface The structured surface includes microprisms thereon, the microprisms being part of a microprism array on the structured surface. Each one of the microprisms are part of adjacent pairs of the microprisms, such that for each one of the adjacent pairs: the first microprism has a first lateral face, a second lateral face, and a third lateral face, the second microprism has a first lateral face, a second lateral face, and a third lateral face, and there is a continuous surface transition with a maintenance of surface continuity between the second lateral face of the first microprism and the third lateral face of the second microprism, without the presence of a seam, ridge, gap or tooling line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 11351745
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing articles, including providing a substrate having a surface, forming first and second sets of first and second grooves in the surface, respectively, the first grooves parallel to each other along a same first direction across the surface and each of the first grooves including a repeating interleaved pattern of at least two first zones and at least two second zones and a maximum depth of the first zones greater than a maximum depth of the second zones, and the second grooves parallel to each other along a same second direction across the surface, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the second grooves passing through second zones of the first grooves, where a groove pattern is thereby formed on the surface, the groove pattern including microprisms. Articles including a substrate surface with such groove patterns or inverted groove patterns including microprisms or inverted microprisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Publication number: 20220063219
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing articles, including providing a substrate having a surface, forming first and second sets of first and second grooves in the surface, respectively, the first grooves parallel to each other along a same first direction across the surface and each of the first grooves including a repeating interleaved pattern of at least two first zones and at least two second zones and a maximum depth of the first zones greater than a maximum depth of the second zones, and the second grooves parallel to each other along a same second direction across the surface, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the second grooves passing through second zones of the first grooves, where a groove pattern is thereby formed on the surface, the groove pattern including microprisms. Articles including a substrate surface with such groove patterns or inverted groove patterns including microprisms or inverted microprisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 10866346
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a black microprismatic retroreflective film. The black microprismatic retroreflective film comprises a body layer and a black color layer. The body layer includes microprismatic optical elements. The black color layer gives the black microprismatic retroreflective film a daytime color of black. The black microprismatic retroreflective film has a coefficient of retroreflectivity greater than 50 cd/lx/m2 at a ?4 degree entrance angle and 0.2 degree observation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Publication number: 20180188425
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a black microprismatic retroreflective film. The black microprismatic retroreflective film comprises a body layer and a black color layer. The body layer includes microprismatic optical elements. The black color layer gives the black microprismatic retroreflective film a daytime color of black. The black microprismatic retroreflective film has a coefficient of retroreflectivity greater than 50 cd/lx/m2 at a ?4 degree entrance angle and 0.2 degree observation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 9658371
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides microprismatic retroreflective film that includes a substrate and metalized microprisms located on the substrate. At least a portion of the metalized microprisms are forward-tilted microprisms, and at least a portion of the forward-tilted microprisms are arranged in matched pairs and are aligned with the plane of optical axis tilting aligned at an angle ranging from about 10 to 80 degrees with an edge of the microprismatic retroreflective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Publication number: 20170068022
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides microprismatic retroreflective film that includes a substrate and metalized microprisms located on the substrate. At least a portion of the metalized microprisms are forward-tilted microprisms, and at least a portion of the forward-tilted microprisms are arranged in matched pairs and are aligned with the plane of optical axis tilting aligned at an angle ranging from about 10 to 80 degrees with an edge of the microprismatic retroreflective film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 9529125
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides microprismatic retroreflective film that includes a substrate and metalized microprisms located on the substrate. At least a portion of the metalized microprisms are forward-tilted microprisms, and at least a portion of the forward-tilted microprisms are aligned with the plane of optical axis tilting aligned at an angle ranging from about 10 to 80 degrees with an edge of the microprismatic retroreflective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J Buoni
  • Publication number: 20150362640
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides microprismatic retroreflective film that includes a substrate and metalized microprisms located on the substrate. At least a portion of the metalized microprisms are forward-tilted microprisms, and at least a portion of the forward-tilted microprisms are aligned with the plane of optical axis tilting aligned at an angle ranging from about 10 to 80 degrees with an edge of the microprismatic retroreflective film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J BUONI
  • Patent number: 8360586
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure and wherein the polymeric film as a Vicat softening point of about 90° or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 8267533
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Publication number: 20110013282
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure and wherein the polymeric film as a Vicat softening point of about 90° or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AURA OPTICAL SYSTEMS, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 7618709
    Abstract: Articles are provided which have fluorescent properties and which are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least two film layers, each film layer including a colorant dye. The multiple film layer sheeting exhibits excellent resistance to weathering and overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. A method of preparing the articles is provided. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are fluorescent yellow signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Guang-Xue Wei, Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 7618710
    Abstract: Articles are provided which have fluorescent properties and which are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least two film layers, each film layer including a colorant dye. The multiple film layer sheeting exhibits excellent resistance to weathering and overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. A method of preparing the articles is provided. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are informational for safety signage articles such as pedestrian crossing and school safety fluorescent yellow green signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Guang-Xue Wei, Drew J. Buoni, Kimberly A. Dockus
  • Publication number: 20090246465
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R—S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 7264880
    Abstract: Articles are provided which have fluorescent properties and which are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least two film layers, each film layer including a colorant dye. The multiple film layer sheeting exhibits excellent resistance to weathering and overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. A method of preparing the articles is provided. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are informational for safety signage articles such as pedestrian crossing and school safety fluorescent yellow green signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Guang-Xue Wei, Drew J. Buoni, Kimberly A. Dockus
  • Patent number: 6972147
    Abstract: A fluorescent article is disclosed comprising a polymer matrix comprising a polymer having in its backbone repeating units of a U.V. light absorbing moiety, or a moiety capable of being transformed by photo-Fries rearrangement into a U.V. light absorbing moiety, the matrix further comprising a fluorescent dye. The matrix affords surprisingly improved fluorescence protection as compared to prior fluorescent articles having only U.V. light absorbing additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Guang-Xue Wei, Drew J. Buoni, Kimberly A. Dockus
  • Publication number: 20030203211
    Abstract: Articles are provided which have fluorescent properties and which are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least two film layers, each film layer including a colorant dye. The multiple film layer sheeting exhibits excellent resistance to weathering and overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. A method of preparing the articles is provided. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are informational for safety signage articles such as pedestrian crossing and school safety fluorescent yellow green signs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Guang-Xue Wei, Drew J. Buoni, Kimberly A. Dockus