Patents by Inventor Jeffery N. Jackson
Jeffery N. Jackson 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).
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Patent number: 10913199Abstract: A stretcher for processing a film is described. In particular, stretcher receives a film, graps edge portions of the film, conveys the film in a machine direction, and moves the opposing edge portions along diverging; substantially parabolic paths to form a stretched film.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
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Patent number: 10583603Abstract: A film (50) processing apparatus (20) including a film stretching device (22) and a take-away device (24) and a film processing method using the apparatus. The take-away device receives the film after the stretching device and transports the film along a conveying region in a direction of transport (X). The take-away device includes opposing, first and second conveyor assemblies. The first conveyor assembly has a continuous belt driving a plurality of discrete pads (180a, 180b). Each pad forms a contact face (194a, 194b) extending between leading (200b) and trailing edges (202a). The pads are configured and arranged such that the trailing edge (202a) of a first pad (180a) overlaps the leading edge (200b) of an immediately adjacent second pad (180b) as the first and second pads traverse the conveying region. The overlap is characterized by a line (322) perpendicular to the direction of transport passing at any given moment through the first and second pads.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventor: Jeffery N. Jackson
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Patent number: 10228502Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical bodies including a first optical film, a second optical film and one or more strippable boundary layers disposed between the first and second optical films. Each major surface of a strippable boundary layer may be disposed adjacent to an optical film or another strippable boundary layer. At least one of the first and second optical films may include a reflective polarizer. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of processing such optical bodies.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Jeffery N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks
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Publication number: 20170361520Abstract: A film (50) processing apparatus (20) including a film stretching device (22) and a take-away device (24). The take-away device receives the film after the stretching device and transports the film along a conveying region in a direction of transport (X). The take-away device includes opposing, first and second conveyor assemblies. The first conveyor assembly has a continuous belt driving a plurality of discrete pads (180a, 180b). Each pad forms a contact face (194a, 194b) extending between leading (200b) and trailing edges (202a). The pads are configured and arranged such that the trailing edge (202a) of a first pad (180a) overlaps the leading edge (200b) of an immediately adjacent second pad (180b) as the first and second pads traverse the conveying region. The overlap is characterised by a line (322) perpendicular to the direction of transport passing at any given moment through the first and second pads.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventor: Jeffery N. Jackson
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Publication number: 20170227699Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical bodies including a first optical film, a second optical film and one or more strippable boundary layers disposed between the first and second optical films. Each major surface of a strippable boundary layer may be disposed adjacent to an optical film or another strippable boundary layer. At least one of the first and second optical films may include a reflective polarizer. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of processing such optical bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Jeffery N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks
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Patent number: 9709700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9561629Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20160229111Abstract: A roll of multilayer optical film is described. The roll includes a substantially uniaxially-oriented multilayer optical film, where at least one layer of the multilayer optical film has indices of refraction in a length direction and a thickness direction that are substantially the same, but substantially different from an index of refraction in a width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
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Patent number: 9314961Abstract: A roll of multilayer optical film is described. The roll includes a substantially uniaxially-oriented multilayer optical film, where at least one layer of the multilayer optical film has indices of refraction in a length direction and a thickness direction that are substantially the same, but substantially different from an index of refraction in a width direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
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Publication number: 20140027934Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8568869Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20100254002Abstract: A stretcher for substantially uniaxially orienting a film includes a plurality of gripping members to hold opposing edge portions of the film, paths along which the gripping members travel to stretch the film in a stretching region, and a drive mechanism to convey the film and gripping members along a machine direction. At least a portion of the paths in the stretching region define diverging, curvilinear courses disposed in-plane. The paths are configured such that during the stretching an extent of uniaxial character, U, is between zero and unity and a minimum value of an extent of uniaxial character, U, is at least 0.70 over a final portion of the stretching after achieving a TDDR of 2.5. U is defined as U=(1/MDDR?1)/(TDDR1/2?1), wherein TDDR is greater than 4 at an end of the stretching region.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
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Patent number: 7740470Abstract: A stretcher for substantially uniaxially orienting a film includes a plurality of gripping members to hold opposing edge portions of the film, paths along which the gripping members travel to stretch the film in a stretching region, and a drive mechanism to convey the film and gripping members along a machine direction. At least a portion of the paths in the stretching region define diverging, curvilinear courses disposed in-plane. The paths are configured such that during the stretching an extent of uniaxial character, U, is between zero and unity and a minimum value of an extent of uniaxial character, U, is at least 0.70 over a final portion of the stretching after achieving a TDDR of 2.5. U is defined as U=(1/MDDR?1)/(TDDR1/2?1), wherein TDDR is greater than 4 at an end of the stretching region.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
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Publication number: 20080217799Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical bodies including a first optical film, a second optical film and one or more strippable boundary layers disposed between the first and second optical films. Each major surface of a strippable boundary layer may be disposed adjacent to an optical film or another strippable boundary layer. At least one of the first and second optical films may include a reflective polarizer. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of processing such optical bodies.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Jeffery N. Jackson, Kristopher J. Derks
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Patent number: 7316558Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A. Harvey
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Patent number: 7229271Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
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Patent number: 7153122Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffery N. Jackson, William Ward Merrill, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, Dennis L. Krueger
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Patent number: 7153123Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Take-away systems can be used to receive the film after stretching. The configuration of the take-away system can, in at least some instances, influence final film properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffery N. Jackson, William Ward Merrill, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson
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Patent number: 7104776Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A Harvey
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Patent number: 7037461Abstract: A method of stretching films in which all or a portion of the width of the film is cooled during or just after stretching so as to improve the uniformity of the film. The includes stretching a polymeric film in a tenter that grasps the film with a plurality of clips along the opposing edges of the film and propels the clips to thereby stretch the film. The tenter includes driven clips and idler clips, with at least one idler clip between respective pairs of driven clips. The cooling is done so as to improve the uniformity of the clip spacing relative to the spacing obtained at otherwise identical process conditions without such cooling.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Martin E. Denker, Joseph T. Bartusiak, Anthony B. Ferguson, Thomas P. Hanschen, Jeffery N. Jackson, William Ward Merrill, Susan J. Newhouse, Fred J. Roska, Richard J. Thompson, Chiu Ping Wong