Patents by Inventor Mark E. Napierala

Mark E. Napierala 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: 20150362152
    Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, a light source, an outer light cover having a first color zone and a second, different color or clear zone, and an inner lens with a transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy V. Stagg, David A. Ender, Mark E. Napierala, Barry S. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9200775
    Abstract: Light assembly (10) having reflector (16), light source (18), an outer light cover (12), and a curved transflective surface (15). Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9151460
    Abstract: Light assembly having reflector (17), a light source (22), an outer light cover (12) having a first color zone (15) and a second, different color or clear zone (16), and an inner lens (19) with a transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy V. Stagg, David A. Ender, Mark E. Napierala, Barry S. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20120268940
    Abstract: Transflective articles comprising a first layer having a first, outer major surface having a plurality of apertures therein; and a second layer having a major transflective surface. The transflective articles are useful, for example, in light assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Jennifer J. Sahlin, Mark E. Napierala
  • Publication number: 20120120672
    Abstract: Light assembly having reflector (17), a light source (22), an outer light cover (12) having a first color zone (15) and a second, different color or clear zone (16), and an inner lens (19) with a transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy V. Stagg, David A. Ender, Mark E. Napierala, Barry S. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20120039084
    Abstract: Light assembly (10) having reflector (16), light source(18), an outer light cover(12), and a curved transflective surface (15). Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 7691932
    Abstract: A mixture of layered silicate, block copolymer having at least one block that is compatible with the first layered silicate, and a solvent is sheared while the solvent is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James M. Nelson, Ryan E. Marx, John W. Longabach, Kenneth J. Hanley, Mark E. Napierala, Myles L. Brostrom, Jeffrey J. Cernohous
  • Patent number: 7498662
    Abstract: Briefly, the present invention provides an electronic device, typically a transistor or a capacitor, comprising at least one electrically conductive electrode and, adjacent to the electrode, a dielectric layer; wherein the dielectric layer comprises a polymeric matrix and, dispersed in the polymeric matrix, metal oxide particles; wherein the metal oxide particles have organic functional groups covalently bound to their surface, and wherein the organic functional groups are not covalently bound to the polymeric matrix. In another aspect, the present invention provides a printable dispersion, typically a jet-printable dispersion, comprising: a) a curable composition and b) metal oxide particles; wherein the metal oxide particles have organic functional groups covalently bound to their surface, and wherein the organic functional groups are not covalently bound to any part of the curable composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Mark E. Napierala
  • Patent number: 7495051
    Abstract: A composition comprising exfoliated silicate platelets; a thermoplastic polymer; and a block copolymer and method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James M. Nelson, Ryan E. Marx, John W. Longabach, Kenneth J. Hanley, Mark E. Napierala, Terri A. Shefelbine, Myles L. Brostrom, Jeffrey J. Cernohous
  • Patent number: 7247796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filler material useful for communication cables, such as electrical cables and optical cables. In one embodiment, (a) from about 50 to 95 percent by weight mineral oil; (b) less than about 10 percent by weight block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene/butylene, styrene-ethylene/propylene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, and combinations thereof; (c) less than about 35 percent by weight petroleum wax; (d) less than about 20 percent by weight hollow glass microspheres; and (e) less than about 10 percent by weight thixotropic agent selected from the group consisting of clay, colloidal metal oxide, fumed metal oxide, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nathan K. Hagen, David R. Hague, Chad D. Mistele, Mark E. Napierala, Mario A. Perez, Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, James K. Young
  • Patent number: 6531214
    Abstract: A blend comprising polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that a film made from the blend is substantially vinyl-like and non-elastomeric. Some of the films are also conformable, drapable or affinely deformable by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brandt K. Carter, Buren R. Ree, Osei A. Owusu, Mark E. Napierala
  • Publication number: 20030015819
    Abstract: An elastic web of material has a multiplicity of stems extending from at least one side of the web. The web includes a first continuous layer of elastic material having a first side and a second side and a second layer of material. The second layer of material has a first side which faces the first side of the first layer and a second side from which the stems extend. The first and second layers of material are joined together. The second layer of material can be formed of thermoplastic material or melt processable polymeric material. The first and second layers of material are melt formed. They are joined by coextrusion or lamination to form a multiple layer sheet on which a multiplicity of stems are formed on at least the second layer by a process such as embossing the stems into the heated web using a patterned roll or mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leon Levitt, Robert D. Kampfer, Michael D. Delmore, Stephen E. Krampe, Brandon T. Berg, Alan J. Sipinen, Mark E. Napierala, Victor P. Thalacker
  • Patent number: 6489003
    Abstract: An elastic web of material has a multiplicity of stems extending from at least one side of the web. The web includes a first continuous layer of elastic material having a first side and a second side and a second layer of material. The second layer of material has a first side which faces the first side of the first layer and a second side from which the stems extend. The first and second layers of material are joined together. The second layer of material can be formed of thermoplastic material or melt processable polymeric material. The first and second layers of material are melt formed. They are joined by coextrusion or lamination to form a multiple layer sheet on which a multiplicity of stems are formed on at least the second layer by a process such as embossing the stems into the heated web using a patterned roll or mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leon Levitt, Robert D. Kampfer, Michael D. Delmore, Stephen E. Krampe, Brandon T. Berg, Alan J. Sipinen, Mark E. Napierala, Victor P. Thalacker
  • Publication number: 20020155283
    Abstract: A blend comprising polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that a film made from the blend is substantially vinyl-like and non-elastomeric. Some of the films are also conformable, drapable or affinely deformable by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brandt K. Carter, Buren R. Ree, Osei A. Owusu, Mark E. Napierala
  • Patent number: 5567783
    Abstract: Polyphosphazene polymers having crown ether and related podand side groups have been prepared. The polymers are useful as solid solvents for ionic conduction. Branched polyphosphazene polymers having the formula [NP(OCH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m R)(O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m R)).sub.2 ].sub.n, as well as the corresponding crown ether polyphosphazenes, were synthesized where m=0-3 and R is C1-C4 alkyl. The physical properties of these polymers were compared with the related polymer poly[bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethoxy)phosphazene], MEEP. Also, a series of poly(organophosphazenes) which bear oligoethylenoxy side groups has been synthesized and characterized. The polymers have the general formula [NP(O(CH.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.3).sub.x (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3).sub.y ].sub.n, where x and y are approximately 1 and m ranges from 1-20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Harry R. Allcock, Stephen J. M. O'Connor, Mark E. Napierala, Charles G. Cameron, David Olmeijer