Patents by Inventor Matthew B. Johnson

Matthew B. Johnson 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: 20090067048
    Abstract: Films having a structured surface with an engineered feature, such as prism grooves, to be used in displays having a backlight. The films can be arranged in a stack having one or more of the following: birefringent brightness enhancement films, non-birefringent brightness enhancement films, polarizers, diffusers, birefringent turning films, and non-birefringent turning films. Those films can be arranged in any order from the backlight to a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: James M. Battiato, William W. Merrill, Leland R. Whitney, Kenneth A. Epstein, Robert L. Brott, Rolf W. Biernath, Mitsuko T. O'Neill, Stephen A. Johnson, Matthew B. Johnson, Daniel W. Hennen, William B. Black, Mark B. O'Neill, William J. Bryan, Dennis W. Wilson, Martin E. Denker, David A. Kowitz
  • Patent number: 7468204
    Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Bert T. Chien, Matthew B. Johnson, Richard J. Thompson, Kristopher J. Derks, William W. Merrill, Fuming B. Li
  • Publication number: 20080268219
    Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Bert T. Chien, Matthew B. Johnson, Richard J. Thompson, Kristopher J. Derks, William W. Merrill, Fuming B. Li
  • Patent number: 7405784
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxally stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance being 50 nm or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fred J. Roska, Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, Gregory E. Gilligan
  • Publication number: 20080145666
    Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Bert T. Chien, Matthew B. Johnson, Richard J. Thompson, Kristopher J. Derks, William W. Merrill, Fuming B. Li
  • Publication number: 20080083999
    Abstract: Exemplary methods include includes providing a film comprising at least one polymeric material; widening the film under a first set of processing conditions in a first draw step along the crossweb direction such that in-plane birefringence, if any, created in the film is low; and drawing the film in a second draw step along a downweb direction, while allowing the film to relax along the crossweb direction, under a second set of processing conditions, wherein the second set of processing conditions creates in-plane birefringence in at least one polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Matthew B. Johnson, Mark B. O'Neill, Martin E. Denker, Timothy J. Hebrink
  • Publication number: 20080085481
    Abstract: An exemplary roll of film includes an oriented optical film comprising a birefringent material characterized by an effective orientation axis and a normalized difference between a refractive index for light polarized along TD and a refractive index for light polarized along ND being less than 0.06. The optical film has a width of greater than 0.3 m and a length a length greater than 10 m, and the effective orientation axis is aligned along the length of the optical film (MD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Matthew B. Johnson, Mark B. O'Neill, Martin E. Denker, Timothy J. Hebrink
  • Patent number: 7345137
    Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Martin E. Denker, Bert T. Chien, Matthew B. Johnson, Richard J. Thompson, Kristopher J. Derks, William W. Merrill, Fuming B. Li
  • Publication number: 20080020186
    Abstract: A method of making an optical film includes calendering at least one polymeric material and stretching the at least one polymeric material along a downweb (MD) direction, thereby creating birefringence in the polymeric material. A roll of optical film includes an oriented optical film characterized by an effective orientation axis, the oriented optical film including a birefringent polymeric material, the optical film having a width of greater than 0.3 m, a thickness of at least 200 microns and a length a length of at least 10 m, wherein the effective orientation axis is aligned along the length of the optical film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Matthew B. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Carl A. Stover
  • Patent number: 7132065
    Abstract: A process for making an optical film includes stretching a polyolefin film in a first direction and stretching the polyolefin film in a second direction different than the first direction forming a biaxially stretched polyolefin film. At least a portion of the stretching of the polyolefin film in the second direction occurs simultaneous with the stretching of the polyolefin film in the first direction. The biaxially stretched polyolefin film has a length and a width and substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The biaxially stretched polyolefin film has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance being 50 nm or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, John M. Klaeser, Sebastian F. Zehentmaier
  • Patent number: 7110072
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxially stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an absolute value for an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fred J. Roska, Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, Gregory E. Gilligan
  • Patent number: 7099083
    Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an absolute value of an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Richard C. Allen, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
  • Patent number: 6965474
    Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance of 50 nm or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Richard C. Allen, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
  • Publication number: 20040219198
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a transdermal device comprising a backing material that has low moisture transmission, moderate to high oxygen transmission, good resistance to component diffusion, and good flexibility. In one aspect, the invention comprises a transdermal drug delivery device comprising a reservoir and a multilayer polymeric film backing. The reservoir comprises a pharmaceutically active agent. The multilayer polymeric film backing comprises an outer shell layer, an inner shell layer, and an inner core between the outer shell layer and the inner shell layer comprised of 11 or more alternating layers of a thermoplastic elastomer and an olefinic polymer, wherein the weight ratio of thermoplastic elastomer to olefinic polymer in the core is below about 85:15 and above about 5:95. The inner shell layer is adjacent to the reservoir and interposed between the outer shell layer and the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, James B. Barnhart
  • Publication number: 20040184150
    Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an absolute value of an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Richard C. Allen, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
  • Publication number: 20040183973
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxially stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an absolute value for an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fred J. Roska, Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, Gregory E. Gilligan
  • Publication number: 20040155372
    Abstract: A process for making an optical film includes stretching a polyolefin film in a first direction and stretching the polyolefin film in a second direction different than the first direction forming a biaxially stretched polyolefin film. At least a portion of the stretching of the polyolefin film in the second direction occurs simultaneous with the stretching of the polyolefin film in the first direction. The biaxially stretched polyolefin film has a length and a width and substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The biaxially stretched polyolefin film has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance being 50 nm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, John M. Klaeser, Sebastian F. Zehentmaier
  • Publication number: 20040156106
    Abstract: An optical film includes a layer of simultaneous biaxially stretched polyolefin film that is substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The layer has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal. The layer has an in-plane retardance of 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance of 50 nm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Fred J. Roska, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer
  • Publication number: 20040156000
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxally stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardance being 50 nm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Fred J. Roska, Richard C. Allen, Matthew B. Johnson, Steven J. Rhyner, William W. Merrill, Joan M. Strobel, Kevin M. Hamer, Gregory E. Gilligan
  • Patent number: 6113252
    Abstract: Architectural luminaries utilize a common optical engine having a lamp coupled to an ellipsoidal reflector, a field stop aperture, and image-projecting lenses A color wheel, gobo wheel, and mechanical dimmer may also be included. A microlens element converts a spotlight optical engine into a wash light optical system. A multiple lens array provides variable diffusion. The optical engine is combined with an X-Y scanning mirror beam direction system in a substantially recessed housing for mounting in the ceiling of a building. The optical engine is combined with a pan-and-tilt yoke for greater range of coverage with an exposed luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Vari-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Arlitt, William J. Luetkemeyer, Matthew B. Johnson, Bryan S. McNatt, Mark Richards, Richard K. Steele