Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Bluem

Gregory L. Bluem 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: 20180010018
    Abstract: Provided are double-coated tapes that include, in the following order: a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; a first plastic skin layer; an elastic base layer; a second plastic skin layer; and a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The provided double-coated adhesive tapes can provide a combination of high bond strength, reworkability, and high impact and shock resistance, and can be easily converted using a die cutting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jingjing Ma, You-Hoon Kim, Christopher J. Rother, Gregory L. Bluem, Zhong Chen, Sarang V. Deodhar, Peter J. Klopp
  • Publication number: 20170315267
    Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include a first optical film, a second optical film and at least one rough strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films. Also disclosed are optical bodies including a strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films and including a first polymer and a second polymer that is substantially immiscible in the first polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of processing optical bodies that include stretching the optical bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Jeffrey N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks, Michael F. Weber, Anna A. Kobilansky, Joan M. Strobel, Barry S. Rosell, John P. Purcell, Kevin M. Hamer, Robert D. Taylor, William B. Black, Richard J. Thompson, Gregory L. Bluem
  • Patent number: 9709700
    Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include a first optical film, a second optical film and at least one rough strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films. Also disclosed are optical bodies including a strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films and including a first polymer and a second polymer that is substantially immiscible in the first polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of processing optical bodies that include stretching the optical bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Jeffery N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks, Michael F. Weber, Anna A. Kobilansky, Joan M. Strobel, Barry S. Rosell, John P. Purcell, Kevin M. Hamer, Robert D. Taylor, William B. Black, Richard J. Thompson, Gregory L. Bluem
  • Patent number: 9561629
    Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Carl A. Stover, Martin E. Denker, Jeffery N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks, Michael F. Weber, Anna A. Wetzels, Joan M. Strobel, Barry S. Rosell, John P. Purcell, Kevin M. Hamer, Robert D. Taylor, William B. Black, Richard J. Thompson, Gregory L. Bluem
  • Publication number: 20160056308
    Abstract: The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that elimination or reduction of the silver paste and/or silver busbars on the front and/or rear surfaces of solar cells and solar modules would advantageously lower the total cost of the solar cell and/or solar module. The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that the silver paste on the front and rear surface of solar cells or solar modules can be eliminated or the amount of silver paste reduced by replacing the silver busbars with a solderable tape including a conductive metal foil and a nonconductive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: NELSON T. ROTTO, GREGORY L. BLUEM, MARK J. VOTAVA, GRACE XAVIER
  • Publication number: 20160056307
    Abstract: The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that elimination or reduction of the silver paste and/or silver busbars on the front and/or rear surfaces of solar cells and solar modules would advantageously lower the total cost of the solar cell and/or solar module. The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that the silver paste on the front and rear surface of solar cells or solar modules can be eliminated or the amount of silver paste reduced by replacing the silver busbars with a solderable tape including a conductive metal foil and a nonconductive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: NELSON T. ROTTO, GREGORY L. BLUEM, MARK J. VOTAVA, GUOPING MAO, MARK K. NESTEGARD, DAVID V. MAHONEY, THOMAS A. STROZ, DMITRIY SALNIKOV
  • Patent number: 8798421
    Abstract: Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Joan M. Frankel, David C. Kramlich, Robert L. Brott, Shandon D. Hart, Lynn E. Lorimor, Patrick R. Fleming, William J. Kopecky, Bruce B. Wilson, James M. Jonza
  • Publication number: 20140027934
    Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. HEBRINK, Carl A. STOVER, Martin E. DENKER, Jeffery N. JACKSON, Kristopher J. DERKS, Michael F. WEBER, Anna A. WETZELS, Joan M. STROBEL, Barry S. ROSELL, John P. PURCELL, Kevin M. HAMER, Robert D. TAYLOR, William B. BLACK, Richard J. THOMPSON, Gregory L. BLUEM
  • Patent number: 8568869
    Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Carl A. Stover, Martin E. Denker, Jeffery N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks, Michael F. Weber, Anna A. Kobilansky, Joan M. Strobel, Barry S. Rosell, John P. Purcell, Kevin M. Hamer, Robert D. Taylor, William B. Black, Richard J. Thompson, Gregory L. Bluem
  • Publication number: 20110096395
    Abstract: Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Gregory L Bluem, Joan M. Frankel, David C. Kramlich, Robert L. Brott, Shandon D. Hart, Lynn E. Lorimor, Patrick R. Fleming, William J. Kopecky, Bruce B. Wilson, James M. Jonza
  • Patent number: 7773834
    Abstract: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Gregory L. Bluem, Robert L. Brott, Patrick R. Fleming, Joan M. Frankel, Shandon D. Hart, William J. Kopecky, Huiwen Tai, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Daniel J. Zillig
  • Publication number: 20090251776
    Abstract: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Gregory L. Bluem, Robert L. Brott, Patrick R. Fleming, Joan M. Frankel, Shandon D. Hart, William J. Kopecky, Huiwen Tai, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Daniel J. Zillig
  • Publication number: 20080055724
    Abstract: A display system has a display panel and at least one light source for producing light to illuminate the display panel. A polarizer film may be employed between the display panel and the light source. At least one of the polarizing fibers has multiple internal birefringent interfaces between a first polymer material and a second polymer material. In some embodiments, the polarizer substantially reflects normally incident light in a first polarization state and substantially transmits normally incident light, in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state, with a haze value of at least 10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Huiwen Tai, Patrick R. Fleming, Daniel J. Zillig, Joan M. Frankel, Robert L. Brott, William J. Kopecky, Shandon D. Hart, Kristin L. Thunhorst
  • Publication number: 20080057277
    Abstract: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber. The fibers are be embedded within a material having a lower refractive index than either the first or second polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Robert L. Brott, Patrick R. Fleming, Joan M. Frankel, Shandon D. Hart, William J. Kopecky, Huiwen Tai, Kristin L. Thunhorst, Daniel J. Zillig
  • Publication number: 20030236362
    Abstract: A screen-printable adhesive composition capable of being applied to a substrate at room temperature comprising at least one alkyl acrylate; at least one reinforcing comonomer, a polyepoxide resin, and a polyepoxide resin curing agent; wherein said composition is substantially solvent free and said composition has a yield point of greater than 3 Pascals and a viscosity of less than 6000 centipoise. In another aspect, the invention provides heat-curable electrically and/or thermally conductive adhesive films that are substantially solvent-free acrylic polymers further containing a polyepoxide resin, a polyepoxide resin curing agent, and an electrically conductive material and/or a thermally conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Christopher A. Haak, Fred B. McCormick, Stanley F. Tead
  • Publication number: 20010028953
    Abstract: A screen-printable adhesive composition capable of being applied to a substrate at room temperature comprising at least one alkyl acrylate; at least one reinforcing comonomer, a polyepoxide resin, and a polyepoxide resin curing agent; wherein said composition is substantially solvent free and said composition has a yield point of greater than 3 Pascals and a viscosity of less than 6000 centipoise. In another aspect, the invention provides heat-curable electrically and/or thermally conductive adhesive films that are substantially solvent-free acrylic polymers further containing a polyepoxide resin, a polyepoxide resin curing agent, and an electrically conductive material and/or a thermally conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Christopher A. Haak, Fred B. McCormick, Stanley F. Tead
  • Patent number: 6214460
    Abstract: A screen-printable adhesive composition capable of being applied to a substrate at room temperature comprising at least one alkyl acrylate; at least one reinforcing comonomer, a polyepoxide resin, and a polyepoxide resin curing agent; wherein said composition is substantially solvent free and said composition has a yield point of greater than 3 Pascals and a viscosity of less than 6000 centipoise. In another aspect, the invention provides heat-curable electrically and/or thermally conductive adhesive films that are substantially solvent-free acrylic polymers further containing a polyepoxide resin, a polyepoxide resin curing agent, and an electrically conductive material and/or a thermally conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bluem, Christopher A. Haak, Fred B. McCormick, Jr., Stanley F. Tead