Patents by Inventor Michelle L. Toy

Michelle L. Toy 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: 11933998
    Abstract: A film stack includes an oriented first layer including polyvinyl alcohol disposed on an oriented second layer including naphthalene dicarboxylate containing copolyester resin. The oriented second layer has in-plane birefringence ?nxy<0.02.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Michael A. Johnson, Michelle L. Toy, Brianna N. Wheeler, David T. Yust
  • Patent number: 11921373
    Abstract: A backlight includes an extended light source adapted to emit light. A reflective polarizer is disposed on the extended light source, such that for substantially normally incident light and for at least a first wavelength in a range from about 420 nanometer (nm) to about 650 nm, the reflective polarizer reflects at least 60% of the incident light having a first polarization state and transmits at least 60% of the incident light having an orthogonal second polarization state. A first prismatic film is disposed between the extended light source and the reflective polarizer. A retarder layer is disposed between the reflective polarizer and the first prismatic film, such that for substantially normally incident light at a wavelength of about 550 nm, the retarder layer has a retardance nW, where n is an integer ?1 and W is a wavelength between about 160 nm and about 300 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristy A. Gillette, Michelle L Toy, William Blake Kolb, Jonah Shaver, Jason S. Petaja
  • Publication number: 20230066094
    Abstract: A backlight includes an extended light source adapted to emit light. A reflective polarizer is disposed on the extended light source, such that for substantially normally incident light and for at least a first wavelength in a range from about 420 nanometer (nm) to about 650 nm, the reflective polarizer reflects at least 60% of the incident light having a first polarization state and transmits at least 60% of the incident light having an orthogonal second polarization state. A first prismatic film is disposed between the extended light source and the reflective polarizer. A retarder layer is disposed between the reflective polarizer and the first prismatic film, such that for substantially normally incident light at a wavelength of about 550 nm, the retarder layer has a retardance nW, where n is an integer ?1 and W is a wavelength between about 160 nm and about 300 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kristy A. Gillette, Michelle L. Toy, William Blake Kolb, Jonah Shaver, Jason S. Petaja
  • Publication number: 20230025509
    Abstract: A film stack comprises an oriented first layer comprising polyvinyl alcohol disposed on an oriented second layer comprising naphthalene dicarboxylate containing copolyester resin. The oriented second layer has in-plane birefringence ?nxy<0.02.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Michael A. Johnson, Michelle L. Toy, Brianna N. Wheeler, David T. Yust
  • Patent number: 11520092
    Abstract: Optical stacks are described. In particular, optical stacks including reflecting-absorbing polarizers and quarter-wave plates are disclosed. The optical core of the optical stack—which includes a reflecting-absorbing polarizer with at least one skin layer including polarizing dye—may be co-extruded or co-stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Seong Taek Lee, Brianna N. Nieson, Kristy A. Gillette, Michelle L. Toy
  • Publication number: 20220373728
    Abstract: Optical bodies are described. In particular, optical bodies having a birefringent multilayer optical film and a continuous adhesive layer with a thickness less than 20 micrometers are described. Optical bodies described herein exhibit reduced occurrence and severity of a non-uniformity defect known as “orange peel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Karissa L. Eckert, Michelle L. Toy, Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Albert I. Everaerts, Quinn D. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20220236466
    Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of alternating first and second polymeric layers, such that the first polymeric layers have a smaller average in-plane index of refraction than the second polymeric layers and the first polymeric layers have a glass transition temperature of at least 107 deg. C. The optical film may be a reflective polarizer. An optical stack includes a linear absorbing polarizer and the reflective polarizer disposed on, and bonded to, the absorbing polarizer. The reflective polarizer has an optical reflectance of at least 60% for a first polarization state and an optical transmittance of at least 60% for an orthogonal second polarization state. When heated at 105 deg. C. for 15 minutes, a difference in shrinkage of the reflective polarizer and the absorbing polarizer along the first and second polarization states is greater than about zero and 0.2%, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Yi-Chen Chen, Tze Yuan Wang, Hiroki Matsuda, Michelle L. Toy, Ryan J. Eismin, John F. VanDerlofske, III, David J. McDaniel, Matthew B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220187521
    Abstract: An optical stack includes an optical film (200) and an optical adhesive (500) disposed on the optical film. The optical adhesive has a major structured surface facing away from the optical film that includes a plurality of channels formed therein. The channels define a plurality of substantially flat land regions therebetween. The land regions include at least about 50% of a total surface area of the major structured surface. When the optical stack is placed on a support surface with the major structured surface of the optical adhesive contacting the support surface, the optical stack bonds to the support surface and may be removed from, or slidingly repositioned on, the support surface without damage to the optical adhesive or the support surface, and upon application of at least one of heat and pressure, the optical stack substantially permanently bonds to the support surface and the plurality of channels substantially disappear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michelle L. Toy, Kristy A. Gillette, Matthew B. Johnson, Eileen M. Franey, Carley A. Haroldson, Joseph P. Attard, Guy M. Kallman, William Blake Kolb
  • Publication number: 20200341180
    Abstract: The disclosed light directing article has an optical element and a conformal retarder with predefined thickness that contours with the optical element. In one aspect, the light directing article is a retroreflective article, which further comprises a phase reversing optical reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Kui CHEN-HO, Michael A. MCCOY, John A. WHEATLEY, Susannah C. CLEAR, Michelle L. TOY, Alex P. PONGRATZ, Matthew E. SOUSA, Matthew B. JOHNSON, Gilles BENOIT, David J.W. AASTUEN, Guanglei DU, Tien Yi T.H. WHITING, Kevin W. GOTRIK, Christopher A. MERTON, Ying XIA, Olester BENSON, JR., Charles A. SHAKLEE, Travis L. POTTS, Carla S. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20200142115
    Abstract: Optical bodies are described. In particular, optical bodies having a birefringent multilayer optical film and a continuous adhesive layer with a thickness less than 20 micrometers are described. Optical bodies described herein exhibit reduced occurrence and severity of a non-uniformity defect known as “orange peel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Karissa L. Eckert, Michelle L. Toy, Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Albert I. Everaerts, Quinn D. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20200041707
    Abstract: Optical stacks are described. In particular, optical stacks including reflecting-absorbing polarizers and quarter-wave plates are disclosed. The optical core of the optical stack—which includes a reflecting-absorbing polarizer with at least one skin layer including polarizing dye—may be co-extruded or co-stretched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Seong Taek Lee, Brianna N. Nieson, Kristy A. Gillette, Michelle L. Toy
  • Patent number: 10466398
    Abstract: Optical stacks are described. In particular, optical stacks including reflecting-absorbing polarizers and quarter-wave plates are disclosed. The optical core of the optical stack—which includes a reflecting-absorbing polarizer with at least one skin layer including polarizing dye—may be co-extruded or co-stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Seong Taek Lee, Brianna N. Nieson, Kristy A. Gillette, Michelle L. Toy
  • Patent number: 10185058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to protection films comprising an optical film suitably sized for an illuminated display device, the optical film having perimeter surface portions defining a central region. The protection film further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive layer at the perimeter surface portions of the optical film. The optical film and/or pressure sensitive adhesive layer has been adapted such that the at least the central region of the optical film contacts the illuminated display device or the central region of the optical film is bonded to the illuminated display device by means of a self-wetting layer. The protection film may be preassembled or may be provided as a kit, the kit comprising an optical film and a double-faced pressure sensitive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Snyder, Michelle L. Toy, Scott M. Tapio, Audrey A. Sherman, Joan M. Noyola, Patrick E. Bisek, John P. Baetzold, John J. Stradinger
  • Publication number: 20180172888
    Abstract: Optical stacks are described. In particular, optical stacks including reflecting-absorbing polarizers and quarter-wave plates are disclosed. The optical core of the optical stack—which includes a reflecting-absorbing polarizer with at least one skin layer including polarizing dye—may be co-extruded or co-stretched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Seong Taek Lee, Brianna N. Nieson, Kristy A. Gillette, Michelle L. Toy
  • Patent number: 9803042
    Abstract: Additives comprising a low surface energy group and one or more hydroxyl groups are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Mahfuza B. Ali, Richard J. Pokorny, Daniel R. Cremons, Michelle L. Toy
  • Patent number: 9701850
    Abstract: A coating composition is described comprising a polymerizable resin composition, a non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant having an hydrophilic lipophilic balance ranging from 2 to 6, and a polymerizable surfactant. The surfactants are present at a concentration of greater than 10 wt-% solids. The non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant and polymerizable surfactant are present at a weight ratio of less than 1.5:1. Also described are articles comprising the cured coating composition. The cured coating exhibits a property of an initially visible simulated fingerprint reducing in visibility within 60 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Pokorny, Thomas P. Klun, Mahfuza B. Ali, Daniel R. Cremons, Michelle L. Toy
  • Publication number: 20160340457
    Abstract: Additives comprising a low surface energy group and one or more hydroxyl groups are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Mahfuza B. Ali, Richard J. Pokorny, Daniel R. Cremons, Michelle L. Toy
  • Publication number: 20160326383
    Abstract: Presently described are hardcoat compositions comprising at least one first (meth)acrylate monomer comprising at least three (meth)acrylate groups and C2-C4 alkoxy repeat units wherein the monomer has a molecular weight per (meth)acrylate group ranging from about 220 to 375 g/mole and at least one second (meth)acrylate monomer comprising at least three (meth)acrylate groups. The hardcoat composition further comprises inorganic oxide nanoparticles such as silica that comprises a copolymer izable surface treatment and a non-copolymerizable silane surface treatment. Also described are articles, such as protective films, displays, and touch screens comprising such cured hardcoat compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Richard J. Pokorny, Robert F. Kamrath, Michelle L. Toy, Steven D. Solomonson, Elisa M. Cross, Anthony M. Renstrom, Roger W. Barton, Craig R. Sykora
  • Patent number: 9441135
    Abstract: Coating compositions are described comprising a non-ionic surfactant and an additive wherein the additive comprises a low surface energy group and one or more hydroxyl groups. The cured coating can exhibit reduced fingerprint visibility and low cellulose surface attraction. Also described are copolymer compositions useful as additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Mahfuza B. Ali, Richard J. Pokorny, Daniel R. Cremons, Michelle L. Toy
  • 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