Patents by Inventor Michael F. Weber

Michael F. Weber 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: 12078833
    Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
  • Patent number: 11435616
    Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Encai Hao, Fei Lu, William Blake Kolb, Brian W. Ostlie, Adam D. Haag, Michael Benton Free, William D. Coggio, Michael L. Steiner, Soemantri Widagdo, Kui Chen-Ho, Lan H. Liu, Robert F. Kamrath, Scott M. Tapio, John A. Wheatley, Charles D. Hoyle, Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 11237312
    Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
  • Patent number: 10962806
    Abstract: Optical lenses are described and include a polymeric interference filter disposed on a curved polymeric substrate. The optical lens has an average light transmission of less than 2% across a band of blue light from 400 nm to at least 420 and up to 440 nm and substantially transmits blue light greater than 450 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, James E. Watson, Mark R. Strenger, Stephen A. Johnson, Chad R. Wold
  • Publication number: 20210033766
    Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
  • Patent number: 10838127
    Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
  • Publication number: 20200233268
    Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Encai HAO, Fei LU, William Blake KOLB, Brian W. OSTLIE, Adam D. HAAG, Michael Benton FREE, William D. COGGIO, Michael L. STEINER, Soemantri WIDAGDO, Kui CHEN-HO, Lan H. LIU, Robert F. KAMRATH, Scott M. TAPIO, John A. WHEATLEY, Charles D. HOYLE, Michael F. WEBER
  • Patent number: 10649274
    Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Encai Hao, Fei Lu, William Blake Kolb, Brian W. Ostlie, Adam D. Haag, Michael Benton Free, William D. Coggio, Michael L. Steiner, Soemantri Widagdo, Kui Chen-Ho, Lan H. Liu, Robert F. Kamrath, Scott M. Tapio, John A. Wheatley, Charles D. Hoyle, Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 10634832
    Abstract: Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William D. Coggio, William B. Black, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai
  • Publication number: 20200073038
    Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
  • Patent number: 10444546
    Abstract: An optical filter including a polymeric multilayer optical film is provided. The optical film has a reflection band having a reflection band edge that is, independent of location, one of a short wavelength band edge at a short wavelength side of the reflection band and a long wavelength band edge at a long wavelength side of the reflection band. The reflection band edge has a normal incidence reflection band edge wavelength that varies with location and that is a first wavelength at a first location and a second wavelength at a second location different from the first location. The first wavelength may be higher than the second wavelength by at least 2 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chad R. Wold, Michael F. Weber, Myron K. Jordan
  • Patent number: 10162218
    Abstract: A backlight includes a front and back reflector forming a light recycling cavity and one or more light source members disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector being partially reflective to provide an output illumination area. The front reflector has a blue sloped transmission spectra, at normal incidence with a range among bin values from 15% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Tao Liu
  • Publication number: 20180292588
    Abstract: Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: William D. Coggio, William B. Black, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai
  • Publication number: 20180239171
    Abstract: An optical filter including a polymeric multilayer optical film is provided. The optical film has a reflection band having a reflection band edge that is, independent of location, one of a short wavelength band edge at a short wavelength side of the reflection band and a long wavelength band edge at a long wavelength side of the reflection band. The reflection band edge has a normal incidence reflection band edge wavelength that varies with location and that is a first wavelength at a first location and a second wavelength at a second location different from the first location. The first wavelength may be higher than the second wavelength by at least 2 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Chad R. Wold, Michael F. Weber, Myron K. Jordan
  • Patent number: 10054803
    Abstract: Certain filters have been found to enhance color discrimination for individuals with color vision deficiency (CVD), aka color-blind individuals. The filters generally include a multilayer optical film with a strong, narrow reflection band in part of the green region of the visible spectrum. The film has an average internal transmission from 420-680 nm of at least 50%, 60%, or 70%, and an average internal transmission?10%, 5%, 2%, or 1% over a 10 nm wide range that includes 550 nm associated with a reflection band having a width (FWHM) of 60 nm or 50 nm or less. The filter may include a magenta layer disposed on a viewer side of the multilayer optical film to reduce glare, the magenta layer selectively absorbing green light. The magenta layer combined with the multilayer optical film may provide a rejection band whose width (FWHM) is 60 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Chad R. Wold, Michael F. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180164483
    Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
  • Publication number: 20180164482
    Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
  • Patent number: 9995861
    Abstract: Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William D. Coggio, William B. Black, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai
  • Publication number: 20180113328
    Abstract: Optical lenses are described and include a polymeric interference filter disposed on a curved polymeric substrate. The optical lens has an average light transmission of less than 2% across a band of blue light from 400 nm to at least 420 and up to 440 nm and substantially transmits blue light greater than 450 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, James E. Watson, Mark R. Strenger, Stephen A. Johnson, Chad R. Wold
  • Patent number: 9891362
    Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky