Patents by Inventor Michael B. Free

Michael B. Free 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: 9726792
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles and constructions are disclosed. One exemplary retroreflective article or construction includes a retroreflective layer and a low refractive index layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the low refractive index layer is adjacent to at least a portion of a retroreflective structured major surface of the retroreflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael B. Free, William B. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20150369975
    Abstract: Retroreflective article having tailored optical properties and method for making the same. Retroreflective articles according to the present application comprise deformed cube corner elements having reduced optically active volume and reduced active volume height. Exemplary retroreflective articles have at least one of minimized contrast caused by seam welds, tiling lines or defects under retroreflective conditions, markings discernible at different viewing conditions and reduced overall retroreflectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael B. Free, Martin B. Wolk, Rolf W. Biernath
  • Publication number: 20150346400
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles and constructions are disclosed. One exemplary retroreflective article or construction includes a retroreflective layer and a low refractive index layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the low refractive index layer is adjacent to at least a portion of a retroreflective structured major surface of the retroreflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael B. Free, William B. Kolb
  • Publication number: 20150049384
    Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William D. Coggio, John S Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael B. Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Scott M. Tapio
  • Publication number: 20090115004
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a surface acoustic wave sensor assembly that makes use of a Z-axis conductive layer, such as a Z-axis conductive elastomer, or the like. In particular, a Z-axis conductive elastomer couples a circuit layer to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor in order to form a SAW sensor assembly. For example, a plurality of electrical contacts of the circuit layer can be coupled to a plurality of electrodes of the SAW sensor via the Z-axis conductive elastomer. The Z-axis conductive elastomer provides electrical coupling between the electrical contacts and the electrodes, and also forms a hermetic barrier between the circuit layer and the SAW sensor. In addition, elastic properties of the Z-axis conductive elastomer may reduce pressure exerted on the SAW sensor during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Chad J. Carter, Michael B. Free, John S. Huizinga, Raymond P. Johnston