Patents by Inventor Gilles J. B. Benoit

Gilles J. B. Benoit 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: 20240115746
    Abstract: A device including a housing that is substantially impermeable to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of from 280 nm to 400 nm, and at least one window defined in the housing, the window including a UV-C radiation band-pass mirror film having a multiplicity of alternating first and second optical layers collectively transmitting UV-C radiation at a wavelength from at least 100 nm to less than 280 nm and not transmitting UV-A and UV-B radiation at a wavelength of from 280 nm to 400 nm, and an ultraviolet radiation source positioned within the housing, the ultraviolet radiation source being capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation at one or more wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. The device optionally further includes an ultraviolet mirror film positioned within the housing so as to reflect ultraviolet radiation emitted by the ultraviolet radiation source. A method of disinfecting a material is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, John A. Wheatley, Bharat R. Acharya, Tao Liu, Stephen P. Maki, Gilles J.B. Benoit, Sean M. Sweetnam
  • Publication number: 20230314676
    Abstract: A display includes a pixelated emission surface including a plurality of blue, green and red light emitting pixels having emission peaks at respective blue, green and red peak wavelengths. The display includes a plurality of blue light emitting sources aligned to the plurality of blue, green and red light emitting pixels in a one-to-one correspondence. An optical film is disposed between the emission surface and the plurality of blue light emitting sources. Each region of the optical film that is disposed between a blue light emitting source and the corresponding blue light emitting pixel transmits at least 70% of substantially normally incident light having the blue peak wavelength. Each region of the optical film that is disposed between a blue light emitting source and the corresponding green or red light emitting pixel reflects at least 50% of substantially normally incident light having the blue peak wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen M. Menke, Gilles J.B. Benoit, Adam D. Haag, Kevin W. Gotrik, Nicholas C. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20210168269
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an example vehicle assistance system including a light sensor, a pixelated filter array adjacent the light sensor, and a full-field optically-selective element adjacent the pixelated filter array. The optically-selective element is configured to selectively direct an optical component of light incident on the optically-selective element across the pixelated filter array to the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: John A. WHEATLEY, Gilles J.B. BENOIT, John D. LE, Zhisheng YUN, Jonah SHAVER, Susannah C. CLEAR, Timothy J. NEVITT, Kui CHEN-HO, Kenneth L. SMITH, David J.W. AASTUEN
  • Patent number: 10348239
    Abstract: Multi-layered solar cell devices covered with partially transmissive graphic films. The multi-layered solar cell devices include at least one solar cell, a graphics layer over the solar cell, and a reflective layer. The reflective layer can be behind the solar cell for recycling light or between the partially transmissive graphic film and the solar cell for improved appearance. The multi-layered solar cell devices have a high efficiency and a customizable appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Onur S. Yordem, Gilles J. B. Benoit, Jingfei Chen, Guanglei Du, Yan Yan Zhang, Jiao Liu, Bo Guo, Timothy J. Hebrink
  • Publication number: 20150330600
    Abstract: A reflector and a light fixture that includes the reflector are provided, where the reflector has a reflecting surface having a shape which closely approximates a determined surface which is series of ellipsoidal section segments, wherein each ellipsoidal section segment has a first focus A and a second focus B, wherein first focus A is the same point for each ellipsoidal section segment, and wherein, for successive ellipsoidal section segments, focus B is at a successive location along a line. In some embodiments, the light fixture additionally comprises a light source, typically located at focus A. The present disclosure enables the projection of a visually striking, linearly extended pattern of light on a wall from a fixture mounted on that same wall, where the fixture may furthermore have very little depth, i.e., orthogonal extension outward from that wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Gina M. Albanese, Todd E. Bracher, Gilles J.B. Benoit, Zhaohui Yang
  • Publication number: 20150205139
    Abstract: First and second optical films in a stack each has a structured surface defining extended Fresnel lenses. First and second Fresnel lenses of the respective first and second films extend generally parallel to different first and second in-plane axes respectively. The films may be attached together such that light transmitted by one film is intercepted by the other. The film stack may also include a diffuser disposed to scatter light transmitted by the optical film(s). Other decorative articles include an individual optical film having a structured surface with transmissive facets arranged in a cyclic slope sequence from substantially zero to a maximum positive slope to substantially zero to a maximum negative slope and back to substantially zero, the sequence repeating over some or all of the structured surface. The slope sequence may define alternating focusing and defocusing Fresnel lenses, and the Fresnel lenses may be extended and linear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Tommie W. Kelley, Gilles J.B. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20140326292
    Abstract: Multi-layered solar cell devices covered with partially transmissive graphic films. The multi-layered solar cell devices include at least one solar cell, a graphics layer over the solar cell, and a reflective layer. The reflective layer can be behind the solar cell for recycling light or between the partially transmissive graphic film and the solar cell for improved appearance. The multi-layered solar cell devices have a high efficiency and a customizable appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: ONUR S. YORDEM, GILLES J.B. BENOIT, JINGFEI CHEN, GUANGLEI DU, YAN YAN ZHANG, JIAO LIU, BO GUO, TIMOTHY J. HEBRINK
  • Publication number: 20140009838
    Abstract: First and second optical films in a stack each have a structured surface defining extended Fresnel lenses. First and second Fresnel lenses of the respective first and second films extend generally parallel to different first and second in-plane axes respectively. The films may be attached together such that light transmitted by one film is intercepted by the other. The film stack may also include a diffuser disposed to scatter light transmitted by the optical film(s). Other disclosed decorative articles include an individual optical film having a structured surface with transmissive facets arranged in a cyclic slope sequence from substantially zero to a maximum positive slope to substantially zero to a maximum negative slope and back to substantially zero, the sequence repeating over some or all of the structured surface. The slope sequence may define alternating focusing and defocusing Fresnel lenses, and the Fresnel lenses may be extended and linear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Tommie W. Kelley, Gilles J.B. Benoit, Byron E. Trotter, Lynn E. Lorimor, Charles A. Shaklee, James M. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140009836
    Abstract: A decorative film having a wood-like 3-dimensional appearance includes a plurality of Fresnel mirrors extending generally parallel to an in-plane axis, a diffuser disposed to scatter light reflected by the Fresnel mirrors, and wood-grain indicia disposed to cover the Fresnel mirrors. Embodiments of the film can be made to simulate highly figured wood such as flame maple, also called fiddleback maple. Other decorative articles that utilize Fresnel mirrors are also disclosed. At least some of these other articles do not have a wood-like appearance, and they may include a Fresnel mirror film in combination with other components such as a Fresnel lens film or other light-transmissive film(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Tommie W. Kelley, Lynn E. Lorimor, Gilles J.B. Benoit, James M. Nelson
  • Patent number: D646825
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William A. Tolbert, Thomas R. Corrigan, Gilles J. B. Benoit