Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Florczak

Jeffrey M. Florczak 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: 20020172887
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 6410201
    Abstract: Disclosed are thermal transfer elements and processes for patterning solvent-coated layers and solvent-susceptible layers onto the same receptor substrate. These donor elements and methods are particularly suited for making organic electroluminescent devices and displays. The donor elements can include a substrate, an optional light-to-heat conversion layer, and a single or multicomponent transfer layer that can be imagewise transferred to a receptor to form an organic electroluminescent device, portions thereof, or components therefor. The methods offer advantages over conventional patterning techniques such as photolithography, and make it possible to fabricate new organic electroluminescent device constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 6399258
    Abstract: Patterned articles, such as RFID antenna, are made by subablation, a process comprising the steps of: A. providing a substrate having a coating, such as a metal or metal oxide, and an interface comprising the thin region where the coating and the substrate are closest to each other; B. exposing at least one part of the total area of the coating to a flux of electromagnetic energy, Such as a focused excimer laser beam, sufficient to disrupt the interface but insufficient to ablate the coating, and C. removing the parts of the coating in registry with the portion of the interface area that was disrupted, by means such as ultrasonic agitation. The process has advantages over photo-resist processes in that there is no residual chemical resist left on the product and no undercutting of the pattern or image. It has advantages over laser ablation processes in that higher throughput is possible at the same energy level and there is no microscopic debris left on the product surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis P. O'Brien, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Robert L. W. Smithson
  • Publication number: 20020054434
    Abstract: Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting, including by the application of radiation to a radiation sensitive material layer adjacent the microlenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Florczak, Robert T. Krasa, Stephen P. Maki, Richard M. Osgood
  • Publication number: 20020015907
    Abstract: Disclosed are thermal transfer elements and processes for patterning solvent-coated layers and solvent-susceptible layers onto the same receptor substrate. These donor elements and methods are particularly suited for making organic electroluminescent devices and displays. The donor elements can include a substrate, an optional light-to-heat conversion layer, and a single or multicomponent transfer layer that can be imagewise transferred to a receptor to form an organic electroluminescent device, portions thereof, or components therefor. The methods offer advantages over conventional patterning techniques such as photolithography, and make it possible to fabricate new organic electroluminescent device constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010036561
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 6288842
    Abstract: Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting, including by the application of radiation to a radiation sensitive material layer adjacent the microlenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Florczak, Robert T. Krasa, Stephen P. Maki, Richard M. Osgood, III
  • Patent number: 6270944
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010006766
    Abstract: Patterned articles, such as RFID antenna, are made by subablation, a process comprising the steps of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis P. O'Brien, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Robert L. W. Smithson
  • Patent number: 6221553
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 6214520
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 6203952
    Abstract: Patterned articles, such as RFID antenna, are made by subablation, a process comprising the steps of: A. providing a substrate having a coating, such as a metal or metal oxide, and an interface comprising the thin region where the coating and the substrate are closest to each other; B. exposing at least one part of the total area of the coating to a flux of electromagnetic energy, such as a focused excimer laser beam, sufficient to disrupt the interface but insufficient to ablate the coating; and C. removing the parts of the coating in registry with the portion of the interface area that was disrupted, by means such as ultrasonic agitation. The process has advantages over photo-resist processes in that there is no residual chemical resist left on the product and no undercutting of the pattern or image. It has advantages over laser ablation processes in that higher throughput is possible at the same energy level and there is no microscopic debris left on the product surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis P. O'Brien, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Robert L. W. Smithson
  • Patent number: 6114088
    Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Paul F. Baude, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Fred B. McCormick, Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 5702876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographic film base comprising a transparent support base and a binderless layer of magnetic material coated thereon.According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a color photographic material comprising a photographic film base and at least one light-sensitive layer coated thereon, wherein said photographic film base comprises a transparent support base and a binderless layer of magnetic material coated thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Phillip A. Taylor, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Mark A. Peterson, Paul R. Iverson, Joseph Skorjanec, Robert D. Lorentz
  • Patent number: 5640382
    Abstract: A dual layer pre-recorded optical disc includes a transparent substrate, a partially reflective layer, a transparent spacer layer, and a highly reflective layer. One pattern of data pits is provided on the substrate, adjacent the partially reflective layer, and another pattern of data pits is provided on the spacer layer, adjacent the highly reflective layer. The partially reflective layer may be made of an alloy of gold and silver having a general formula Au.sub.x Ag.sub.y, where 15<x<40 and 60<y<85. A substrate-incident beam can be used to read data encoded in either data pit pattern depending on which layer the laser is focused upon. The dual layer disc has twice the data storage capacity of conventional single layer discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Florczak, Michael B. Hintz