Patents by Inventor Michael Benton

Michael Benton 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: 9790732
    Abstract: Pillar delivery films for vacuum insulated glass units are disclosed. The delivery films include a support film or pocket tape, a sacrificial material on the support film, and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are at least partially embedded in the sacrificial material or formed within sacrificial material molds, and the sacrificial material is capable of being removed while leaving the pillars substantially intact. Methods of transferring pillars to a substrate using the pillar delivery films are disclosed. In order to make an insulated glass unit, the delivery films are laminated to a receptor such as a glass pane, and the support film and sacrificial material are removed to leave the pillars remaining on the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 9791604
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Bimal V. Thakkar, Kenneth L. Smith, Suman K. Patel, William D. Coggio, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 9780335
    Abstract: Lamination transfer films and methods for transferring a structured layer to a receptor substrate. The transfer films include a carrier substrate having a releasable surface, a sacrificial template layer applied to the releasable surface of the carrier substrate and having a non-planar structured surface, and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer is capable of being removed from the backfill layer, such as via pyrolysis, while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Sergey Lamansky, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Vivian W. Jones, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael Benton Free, Evan L. Schwartz, Randy S. Bay, Graham M. Clarke
  • Patent number: 9776384
    Abstract: Inorganic multilayer lamination transfer films, methods of forming these lamination transfer films, and methods of using these lamination transfer films. These inorganic multilayer lamination transfer films can have alternating layers including inorganic nanoparticles, sacrificial materials, and optionally inorganic precursors that can be densified to form an inorganic optical stack. Receptor substrates, such as glass or metal, are laminated to the multilayer lamination transfer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Mark J. Pellerite, Robert F. Kamrath, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Haefa Mansour
  • Patent number: 9761844
    Abstract: A transfer film is provided which includes a sacrificial template layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a non-planar structured surface and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the second surface of the sacrificial template layer, wherein the backfill layer has a structured surface corresponding with and applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer comprises oriented dimensionally anisotropic inorganic nanomaterials and is capable of being removed from the backfill layer while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer and the oriented dimensionally anisotropic inorganic nanomaterials substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Terry O. Collier, Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Justin P. Meyer, Evan L. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20170239931
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form an electrical stack are disclosed. The transfer films (100) may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers (22, 23, 24) forming an electrical protolayer stack (20), at least selected or each electrical protolayer independently comprising at least 25 wt % sacrificial material and a thermally stable material and having a uniform thickness of less than 25 micrometers. The transfer films may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers forming an electrical protolayer stack, at least selected or each protolayer independently exhibiting a complex viscosity of between 103 and 104 Poise at a shear rate of 100/s when heated to a temperature between its Tg and Tdec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Justin P. Meyer, Mark J. Pellerite, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Xiaohua Ma
  • Patent number: 9731473
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form bridged nanostructures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan L. Schwartz, Justin P. Meyer, Olester Benson, Jr., Terry O. Collier, Michael Benton Free, Robert F. Kamrath, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, David B. Olson, K. Raveesh Shenoy, Martin B. Wolk
  • Publication number: 20170227682
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films that include antireflective structures are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Justin P. Meyer, Olester Benson, JR., Terry O. Collier, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Martin B. Wolk, Moses M. David
  • Patent number: 9711744
    Abstract: A transfer tape is disclosed that includes a carrier, a template layer having a first surface applied to the carrier and having a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a non-planar structured surface, a release coating disposed upon the non-planar structured surface of the template layer, and a backfill layer disposed upon and conforming to the non-planar structured surface of the release coating. In some embodiments, the backfill layer includes a silsesquioxane such as polyvinyl silsesquioxane. The disclosed transfer tape can be used to transfer replicated structures to a receptor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Publication number: 20170190161
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form an inorganic optical stack are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Mark J. Pellerite, Robert F. Kamrath, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Haefa Mansour
  • Publication number: 20170184763
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 9618663
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Michael Benton Free, Bimal V. Thakkar, Raymond C. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20170084669
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes nano-structured light extraction color filter laminates, and articles and methods of using nanostructured light extraction color filter laminates for the fabrication of an OLED including a nanostructure, using lamination techniques. Nanostructured OLED devices can exhibit enhanced light extraction efficiency. The methods involve transfer and/or replication of a film, layer, or coating in order to form a nanostructured surface that is in optical contact with the emitting surface of an OLED in, for example, a top emitting or a bottom emitting active matrix OLED (TE-AMOLED or BE-AMOLED) device. The articles having enhanced light extraction efficiency can be of particular use in color-by-white (CBW) OLED displays, which use white-light spectrum OLEDs with a color filter array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Seong Taek Lee, Michael Benton Free, Nicholas C. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20170073550
    Abstract: Multilayer adhesive tapes including at least one microstructured elastomeric layer and at least one layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the microstructured elastomeric layer, and articles that include such multilayer adhesive tapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos A. Barrios, Michael Benton Free, Jason D. Clapper, Robert M. Jennings
  • Patent number: 9587425
    Abstract: Pillar delivery films for vacuum insulated glass units. The delivery films include a support film or pocket tape, a sacrificial material on the support film, and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are at least partially embedded in the sacrificial material or formed within sacrificial material molds, and the sacrificial material is capable of being removed while leaving the pillars substantially intact. In order to make an insulated glass unit, the delivery films are laminated to a receptor such as a glass pane, and the support film and sacrificial material are removed to leave the pillars remaining on the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin
  • Patent number: 9586385
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to inorganic multilayer lamination transfer films, methods of forming these lamination transfer films and methods of using these lamination transfer films. These inorganic multilayer lamination transfer films can have alternating layers including inorganic nanoparticles, sacrificial materials and optionally inorganic precursors that can be densified to form an inorganic optical stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Mark J. Pellerite, Robert F. Kamrath, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Haefa Mansour
  • Patent number: 9562998
    Abstract: Tags are made from optical films to provide a pattern that is inconspicuous to ordinary observers, but that is detectable by a camera or other imaging device. The pattern is provided by first and second portions of a patterned layer, the first portions selectively filtering at least a portion of blue visible light from other visible light wavelengths. Filtering in the portion of the blue region helps make the pattern inconspicuous. The tags may also include an indicia layer configured to mark a location of the pattern, and a contrast enhancing layer disposed behind the patterned layer and configured to enhance a contrast of the pattern. In some cases, the first portions of the patterned layer may filter optical wavelengths other than blue, such as near-infrared light. The pattern may comprise machine-readable information, e.g., a linear bar code or a 2-D bar code. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William F. Edmonds, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, William W. Merrill, David T. Yust, John F. Van Derlofske, III, Jun Xiao, Albert T. Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20170028693
    Abstract: Pillar delivery films for vacuum insulated glass units are disclosed. The delivery films include a support film or pocket tape, a sacrificial material on the support film, and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are at least partially embedded in the sacrificial material or formed within sacrificial material molds, and the sacrificial material is capable of being removed while leaving the pillars substantially intact. Methods of transferring pillars to a substrate using the pillar delivery films are disclosed. In order to make an insulated glass unit, the delivery films are laminated to a receptor such as a glass pane, and the support film and sacrificial material are removed to leave the pillars remaining on the glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin
  • Patent number: 9557827
    Abstract: A digitizer system including a substrate having a position-unique photoluminescent indicia pattern. A stylus component receives optical signals indicative of the indicia pattern and determines therefrom the position of the stylus relative to the substrate. Methods of disposing indicia on the substrate, and styli suitable for sensing photoluminescent indicia are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bernard O. Geaghan, Michael Benton Free, Edward S. Hagermoser, Rachael P. Marino, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Martin B. Wolk
  • Patent number: 9551816
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: 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 Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Scott M. Tapio, Kenneth L. Smith