Patents by Inventor Michael A. Essien

Michael A. Essien 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).

  • Patent number: 6677028
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles having multilayer films are useful for commercial graphics and retroreflective products, such as roll-up signs for highway transportation safety. The articles comprise multilayer films having at least one layer of polyurethane and at least one layer of a copolymer of alkylene and at least one non-acidic, polar co-monomer. Articles having the new multilayer films provide the same or improved performance, are less expensive, and offer improved methods for manufacturing, when compared to prior articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James E. Lasch, Paul J. Wang, Raymond L. Lucking, Terry R. Bailey, Kanta Kumar, Michael A. Essien, Jeffrey D. Janovec, Jaime R. Ojeda, Michael D. Currens
  • Patent number: 5930040
    Abstract: A flexible, durable, cube-cornered retroreflective article capable of accommodating the expansion and contraction of the underlying polymeric substrate where such article has a pillowed or curved microstructured member bonded in a regular pattern to a sealing member. The retroreflective article has normal and stressed states. In the normal state, the microstructured member is substantially parallel with the sealing member. In the stressed state, the microstructured member is either compressed or elongated and the sealing member is substantially flat. The retroreflective article may be attached to traffic control devices, such as polymeric barrels, cones, or tubes to direct and guide motorists through road construction areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Michael A. Essien