Patents by Inventor Michael K. Gerlach

Michael K. Gerlach 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: 11111392
    Abstract: An optical device having a first optical member, a second optical member, and an antistatic layer disposed between the first optical member and the second optical member wherein the antistatic layer contains the reaction product of a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable onium salt having an anion and at least one non-onium polymerizable monomer, oligomer, or polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Brandt K. Carter, Michael K. Gerlach, Mahfuza B. Ali, Mark J. Pellerite, Thomas M. Snyder, William M. Lamanna
  • Publication number: 20180030281
    Abstract: An optical device having a first optical member, a second optical member, and an antistatic layer disposed between the first optical member and the second optical member wherein the antistatic layer contains the reaction product of a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable onium salt having an anion and at least one non-onium polymerizable monomer, oligomer, or polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Brandt K. Carter, Michael K. Gerlach, Mahfuza B. Ali, Mark J. Pellerite, Thomas M. Snyder, William M. Lamanna
  • Patent number: 9383482
    Abstract: The present invention concerns antireflective films comprising a high refractive index layer (60) and low refractive index layer (80) disposed on the high refractive index layer. The antireflective films have a microstructured surface (70) that can be derived from a microreplicated tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Christopher P. Tebow, Tri D. Pham, Steven H. Kong, Joseph T. Aronson, Kyle J. Lindstrom, Michael K. Gerlach, Michelle L. Toy, Taun L. McKenzie, Anthony M. Renstrom, Robert A. Yapel, Mitchell A. F. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130288052
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions, including pressure sensitive adhesives, are the reaction product of free radically polymerizable mixtures. The free radically polymerizable mixtures include a free radically polymerizable urethane-based or urea-based oligomer, a free radically polymerizable segmented siloxane-based copolymer, and an initiator. The free radically polymerizable mixture may contain additional reactive and/or unreactive additives. The adhesive compositions can be used to prepare a variety of adhesive articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Tapio, Joan M. Noyola, Michael K. Gerlach, Jeffrey A. Keith
  • Publication number: 20130038939
    Abstract: The present invention concerns antireflective films comprising a high refractive index layer (60) and low refractive index layer (80) disposed on the high refractive index layer. The antireflective films have a microstructured surface (70) that can be derived from a microreplicated tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, JR., Christopher P. Tebow, Tri D. Pham, Steven H. Kong, Joseph T. Aronson, Kyle J. Lindstrom, Michael K. Gerlach, Michelle L. Toy, Taun L. McKenzie, Anthony M. Renstrom, Robert A. Yapel, Mitchell A.F. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120288675
    Abstract: An optical device having a first optical member, a second optical member, and an antistatic layer disposed between the first optical member and the second optical member wherein the antistatic layer contains the reaction product of a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable onium salt having an anion and at least one non-onium polymerizable monomer, oligomer, or polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Brandt K. Carter, Michael K. Gerlach, Mahfuza B. Ali, Mark J. Pellerite, Thomas M. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20120064296
    Abstract: The present invention concerns antiglare films having a microstructured surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, JR., Christopher P. Tebow, Tri D. Pham, Steven H. Kong, Joseph T. Aronson, Kyle J. Lindstrom, Michael K. Gerlach, Michelle L. Toy, Taun L. McKenzie, Anthony M. Renstrom, Slah Jendoubi, Mitchell A.F. Johnson, Scott R. Kaytor, Robert A. Yapel, Joseph A. Zigal, Steven J. McMan, Steven D. Solomonson, Fei Lu, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 7846541
    Abstract: An optical element includes a polarizer having oriented vinylene segments; a substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and the substrate, the adhesive layer comprising aliphatic urethane(meth)acrylate oligomer, (meth)acryl monomer, silane, and crosslinker, the crosslinker comprising ethylene glycol diacrylate and/or pentaerythritol triacrylate. The optical element can have additional layers such as hardcoat layers, additional adhesive layers, and/or additional substrates. A method of making the optical element is also disclosed, as are optical devices including the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Xuequn Hu, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Michael K. Gerlach, James P. DiZio, Gregg S. Cannavo
  • Patent number: 7643211
    Abstract: An intrinsic polarizer, including a sheet of PVA-type matrix that includes vinylene polymer blocks, the sheet defining a pass polarization axis and a block polarization axis perpendicular to the pass polarization axis, light having an electrical vector parallel to the pass polarization axis being substantially transmitted through the sheet and light having an electrical vector parallel to the block polarization axis being substantially absorbed by the vinylene blocks, the sheet exhibiting a dichroic ratio of more than 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Michael K. Gerlach, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Jonathan M. Mack, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Philip J. Ralli
  • Patent number: 7573637
    Abstract: An improved method of forming an intrinsic polarizer, referred to as a K-type polarizer, includes stretching a polymeric film a first stretching step. The polymeric film comprises a hydroxylated linear polymer which is converted after the first stretching step to form dichroic, copolymer polyvinylene blocks aligned in the polymeric film. The polymeric film is stretched in a second stretching step while converting the hydroxylated linear polymer. This method produces an improved K-type polarizer with excellent polarizing and color characteristics. For example, the dichroic ratio is higher than 100, the color shift for light passed through the polarizer in a crossed configuration is low, and the absorption of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum is more than one half of the absorption for light in the middle of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Michael K. Gerlach, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Jonathan M. Mack, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Philip J. Ralli
  • Publication number: 20090163686
    Abstract: An integrated wet stretch method of making an intrinsic polarizer includes the following steps in order: providing a polymeric film comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) and having an original length; immersing the polymeric film in a first bath comprising a first solution having a pH of less than about 3; uniaxially stretching the first polymeric film in the machine direction thereby forming a stretched polymeric film; removing the stretched polymeric film from the first bath; removing excess first solution from the stretched polymeric film; and uniaxially stretching the stretched polymeric film in the machine direction, at a temperature of at least about 120° C., thereby forming a further stretched polymeric film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Michael K. Gerlach, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Giorgio B. Trapani, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Phillip J. Ralli
  • Publication number: 20090134535
    Abstract: An improved method of forming an intrinsic polarizer, referred to as a K-type polarizer, includes stretching a polymeric film a first stretching step. The polymeric film comprises a hydroxylated linear polymer which is converted after the first stretching step to form dichroic, copolymer polyvinylene blocks aligned in the polymeric film. The polymeric film is stretched in a second stretching step while converting the hydroxylated linear polymer. This method produces an improved K-type polarizer with excellent polarizing and color characteristics. For example, the dichroic ratio is higher than 100, the color shift for light passed through the polarizer in a crossed configuration is low, and the absorption of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum is more than one half of the absorption for light in the middle of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael K. Gerlach, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Jonathan M. Mack, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Philip J. Ralli
  • Publication number: 20090135482
    Abstract: An intrinsic polarizer, including a sheet of PVA-type matrix that includes vinylene polymer blocks, the sheet defining a pass polarization axis and a block polarization axis perpendicular to the pass polarization axis, light having an electrical vector parallel to the pass polarization axis being substantially transmitted through the sheet and light having an electrical vector parallel to the block polarization axis being substantially absorbed by the vinylene blocks, the sheet exhibiting a dichroic ratio of more than 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael K. Gerlach, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Jonathan M. Mack, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Philip J. Ralli
  • Publication number: 20090117378
    Abstract: An optical element includes a polarizer having oriented vinylene segments; a substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and the substrate, the adhesive layer comprising aliphatic urethane(meth)acrylate oligomer, (meth)acryl monomer, silane, and crosslinker, the crosslinker comprising ethylene glycol diacrylate and/or pentaerythritol triacrylate. The optical element can have additional layers such as hardcoat layers, additional adhesive layers, and/or additional substrates. A method of making the optical element is also disclosed, as are optical devices including the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Xuequn Hu, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Gerald N. Nkwantah, Michael K. Gerlach, James P. Dizio, Gregg S. Cannavo