Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Engebretson

Joseph D. Engebretson 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: 20220177671
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Patent number: 11286368
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Publication number: 20210070962
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Patent number: 10858496
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Patent number: 10605967
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective elements including a core and a plurality of glass or glass-ceramic beads adjacent to the core. The retroreflective elements further include a plurality of particles having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the glass or glass ceramic beads in the retroreflective elements. The present disclosure also generally relates to articles (including, for example, retroreflective roadway liquid pavement markings) including these retroreflective elements and methods of making and using these retroreflective elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bachman, Jimmie R. Baran, Jr., Joseph D. Engebretson, James E. Garbe
  • Publication number: 20180291175
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Publication number: 20170242165
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective elements including a core and a plurality of glass or glass-ceramic beads adjacent to the core. The retroreflective elements further include a plurality of particles having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the glass or glass ceramic beads in the retroreflective elements. The present disclosure also generally relates to articles (including, for example, retroreflective roadway liquid pavement markings) including these retroreflective elements and methods of making and using these retroreflective elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: 3MINNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bachman, Jimmie R. Baran, JR., Joseph D. Engebretson, James E. Garbe
  • Publication number: 20080280034
    Abstract: A method of marking a pavement surface is described comprising applying a pavement marking on the pavement surface. The pavement marking comprises transparent microspheres partially embedded in a binder wherein the micropheres comprise a lanthanide series oxide or yttrium oxide and aluminum oxide, in cobination with zirconia, titania, or mixtures thereof. Retroreflective articles including pavement marking tapes and reflective elements are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Milt D. Mathis, Matthew H. Frey, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson, Billy J. Fredrick, JR.