Patents by Inventor Michael A. McCoy

Michael A. McCoy 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: 12271010
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 12228755
    Abstract: A retroreflective article comprises a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements, each retroreflective element comprising a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a first locally laminated layer and a second locally laminated layer that may be reflective layers. A transfer article comprises a disposable carrier layer in which the retroreflective article is detachably disposed with at least some of the transparent microspheres in contact with the disposable carrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Graham M. Clarke, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, David J. Rowe, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 12169748
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective elements that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Glenn E. Casner, Anne C. Gold, Silvia Geciova-Borovova Guttmann, Charles A. Shaklee, Robert W. Shannon, Gautam Singh, Guruprasad Somasundaram, Andrew H. Tilstra, John A. Wheatley, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Arash Sangari, Alexandra R. Cunliffe, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Kui Chen-Ho, Travis L Potts, Maja Giese, Andreas M. Geldmacher, Katja Hansen, Markus G. W. Lierse, Neeraj Sharma
  • Patent number: 12159177
    Abstract: Optical articles including a spatially defined arrangement of a plurality of data rich retroreflective elements, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties and at least two different optical contrasts with respect to a background substrate when observed within an ultraviolet spectrum, a visible spectrum, a near-infrared spectrum, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Anne C. Gold, Silvia Geciova-Borovova Guttmann, Glenn E. Casner, Timothy J. Gardner, Steven H. Kong, Gautam Singh, Jonathan T. Kahl, Nathan J. Anderson, Catherine L. Aune, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley, Muhammad J. Afridi, Kui Chen-Ho, Travis L. Potts, Robert W. Shannon, Guruprasad Somasundaram
  • Patent number: 12113278
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radar retroreflective articles comprising one or more dielectric layers adjacent to a reflective layer, wherein the dielectric layer or layers aids in increasing the radar cross section of the radar retroreflective articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Mohsen Salehi, Michael A. McCoy, Susannah C. Clear
  • Patent number: 12099220
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ann M. Gilman, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Daniel M. Lentz, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 11890835
    Abstract: Electrochromic device laminates and their method of manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Neil L. Sbar, John E. Van Dine, Michael A. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20230404285
    Abstract: The sauna seat 4 is three flat wooden pegs held together by three holes drill in the middle side of each peg holding it together, with sting like cable made of tough vinyl, which is heat resistance. The pegs are of the same wood that most conventional sauna are design with worldwide. The pegs can slide together enabling the seat to become a flat surface to sit on and thus making more room for other goers if necessary. It can be transported by any of the strings. The pegs are smooth to allow a towel place on top of the seat, if desired. It does not keep the towel dry from other sauna goers if exposed to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20230394644
    Abstract: A personal protective equipment (PPE) interrogation device that uses auditory or visual data to ascertain a readiness state of the article of PPE. The auditory or visual data come from an inspection of the article of personal protective equipment in advance of determining whether the article ready for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Marie D. Manner, Lydia R. Carlson, Joseph P. Kronzer, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Longin J. Kloc, Shane A. Hainey, Matthew J. Blackford, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Muhammad J. Afridi, Michael A. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20230337758
    Abstract: A breathable, high-visibility garment comprising discrete islands of unsupported, retroreflective laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ying Xia, Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Lok-Man Ng
  • Publication number: 20230306222
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective elements that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Glenn E. Casner, Anne C. Gold, Silvia Geciova-Borovova Guttmann, Charles A. Shaklee, Robert W. Shannon, Gautam Singh, Guruprasad Somasundaram, Andrew H. Tilstra, John A. Wheatley, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Arash Sangari, Alexandra R. Cunliffe, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Kui Chen-Ho, Travis L. Potts, Maja Giese, Andreas M. Geldmacher, Katja Hansen, Markus G.W. Lierse, Neeraj Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230276881
    Abstract: A breathable, high-visibility garment comprising an apertured fabric and a non-occlusive, unsupported, retroreflective laminate that is adhesively bonded to an outer major surface of at least one region of the apertured fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Lok-Man NG, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Xing Xia
  • Patent number: 11651179
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective meats that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Glenn E. Casner, Anne C. Gold, Silvia Geciova-Borovova Guttmann, Charles A. Shaklee, Robert W. Shannon, Gautam Singh, Guruprasad Somasundaram, Andrew H. Tilstra, John A. Wheatley, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Arash Sangari, Alexandra R. Cunliffe, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Kui Chen-Ho, Travis L. Potts, Maja Giese, Andreas M. Geldmacher, Katja Hansen, Markus G. W. Lierse, Neeraj Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230031047
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ann M. Gilman, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Daniel M. Lentz, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220365260
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer and a discontinuous binder-borne reflective layer that is provided by a portion of a fractured binder-borne reflective sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Graham M. Clarke, Kevin W. Gotrik, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Aaron M. Nash, Shri Niwas, Anthony F. Schultz, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Ying Xia, Scott J. Jones
  • Patent number: 11493674
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ann M. Gilman, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Daniel M. Lentz, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220276417
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220269917
    Abstract: Optical articles including a spatially defined arrangement of a plurality of data rich retroreflective elements, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties and at least two different optical contrasts with respect to a background substrate when observed within an ultraviolet spectrum, a visible spectrum, a near-infrared spectrum, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Anne C. Gold, Silvia Geciova-Borovova Guttmann, Glenn E. Casner, Timothy J. Gardner, Steven H. Kong, Gautam Singh, Jonathan T. Kahl, Nathan J. Anderson, Catherine L. Aune, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Britton G. Billingsley, Muhammad J. Afridi, Kui Chen-Ho, Travis L. Potts, Robert W. Shannon, Guruprasad Somasundaram
  • Patent number: 11415731
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a reflective-particle-containing binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a primary reflective layer that covers a portion of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere, and a secondary reflective layer provided by portions of the reflective-particle-containing binder layer that are adjacent to portions of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere that are not covered by the primary reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Ying Xia, Lok-Man Ng, Shri Niwas, Scott J. Jones, Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho
  • Publication number: 20220216616
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radar retroreflective articles comprising one or more dielectric layers adjacent to a reflective layer, wherein the dielectric layer or layers aids in increasing the radar cross section of the radar retroreflective articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Mohsen Salehi, Michael A. McCoy, Susannah C. Clear