Patents by Inventor Olester Benson

Olester Benson 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).

  • METHOD FOR MAKING MICROSTRUCTURED TOOLS HAVING DISCONTINUOUS TOPOGRAPHIES, AND ARTICLES PRODUCED THEREFROM
    Publication number: 20140087140
    Abstract: A method for making a microstructured tool having interspersed topographies, and for producing articles therefrom, includes modifying a molding tool, by coating a radiation curable resin (430) on the first microstructured surface of the molding tool (490), contacting a second molding tool (480) having a second microstructured surface against the radiation curable resin (430) coated on the first microstructured surface of the first molding tool (490), exposing the radiation curable resin to a patterned (450,451,452) irradiation (440), separating the second molding tool (480) from the partially cured resin, and then removing non-irradiated radiation curable resin (region 432) from the molding tool (490) to provide a modified microstructured surface (region 431) on the molding tool. Articles having discontinuous or different microstructural features are also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Olester Benson
  • CUBE CORNER SHEETING HAVING OPTICALLY VARIABLE MARKING
    Publication number: 20140078587
    Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting having a structured layer of cube corner elements and an at least one optically variable mark therein, and methods of making same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce D. Orensteen, Kathryn M. Spurgeon, Olester Benson, JR., Joseph V. Crimando
  • RETROREFLECTIVE ARTICLES HAVING COMPOSITE CUBE-CORNERS AND METHODS OF MAKING
    Publication number: 20140078586
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles and methods of making the same, wherein the retroreflective articles (10) include composite cube-corner elements (12) having a first light transmissive polymeric layer (30), a second light transmissive polymeric layer (32), and an interface therebetween, wherein the first light transmissive polymeric layer has a first index of refraction, the second light transmissive polymeric layer has a second index of refraction, and the first and second indices of refraction have an absolute difference of at least 0.0002.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kathryn M. Spurgeon, Olester Benson, JR., Randy S. Bay
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING A FILM HAVING A MATTE FINISH
    Publication number: 20140057058
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, JR., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A.F. Johnson, Leslie A. Todero, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • STRUCTURED LAMINATION TRANSFER FILMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140021492
    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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    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
  • System and method for making a film having a matte finish
    Patent number: 8623140
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A. F. Johnson, Leslie A. Kreilich, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • IMAGES AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20130251945
    Abstract: An article having a first major surface with at least first and second regions, the first region comprising a plurality of first structures having a first surface roughness, the second region comprising a plurality of second structures having a second surface roughness, wherein at least a portion of the at least first and second regions have a surface roughness difference between them that together exhibit at least a portion of a first image. Exemplary uses of the articles include tool-less macro-patterning of transflectors, customized appearance for retroreflective sheeting, incorporation of security features, decorative patterns for lighting diffusers, images or logos in medical films without inks or contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Randy S. Bay, James A. Docken, JR., Brian K. Nelson, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Ilyess H. Romdhane, Daniel J. Theis, Olester Benson, JR.
  • MICROWELL ARRAY ARTICLES AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20130004967
    Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Raymond J. Kenney, Olester Benson, JR., Raymond P. Johnston, Guoping Mao, Patrick R. Fleming, George Van Dyke Tiers, Naiyong Jing
  • COMPOSITE WITH NANO-STRUCTURED LAYER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20130003179
    Abstract: Nano-structured layers having a random nano-structured anisotropic major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kalc C. Vang, Olester Benson, JR., Ta-Hua Yu
  • FRESNEL LENS
    Publication number: 20120204566
    Abstract: Fresnel lenses are prepared from a transparent substrate and a structured polyurethane layer. The structured polyurethane layer includes a curable reaction mixture. The curable reaction mixture includes a polyol, a polyisocyanate, a catalyst, and at least one UV stabilizer. The Fresnel lenses may be used in panel arrays and in solar power generation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew K. Hartzell, James M. Jonza, Michael A. Johnson, Olester Benson
  • POST-FORMABLE MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS AND METHODS OF FORMING
    Publication number: 20120105957
    Abstract: Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, James M. Jonza, Olester Benson, JR., Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Janet T. Keller, Roger J. Stumo
  • Interference films having acrylamide layer and method of making same
    Patent number: 8120854
    Abstract: A method for forming a color shifting film on a support, the film comprising a reflective stack disposed adjacent to the support and an image is disclosed. The reflective stack comprises an at least partially transparent spacer layer comprising a substituted acrylamide polymer disposed between a partially reflective first layer and a reflective second layer. The acrylamide layer has a thickness sufficient to produce an interference color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Endle, Christopher S. Lyons, Douglas S. Dunn, Robert J. Devoe, James M. Jonza, Stephen P. Maki, Albert I. Everaerts, George G. I. Moore, Robin E. Wright, Mark A. Roehrig, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • Dicing tape and die attach adhesive with patterned backing
    Patent number: 8008783
    Abstract: Provided are a tape, apparatus, and method that relate generally to a single layer adhesive which functions as a dicing tape and also as a die attach adhesive for dicing thinned wafers and subsequent die attach operations of the diced chips in semiconductor device fabrication. The tape, apparatus, and method include a backing with a surface modification that includes a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Plaut, Eric G. Larson, Joel A. Getschel, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • STRUCTURED COMPOSITE OPTICAL FILMS
    Publication number: 20110149554
    Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Shandon D. Hart, Olester Benson, JR., Patrick R. Fleming, Kristin L. Thunhorst
  • DICING TAPE AND DIE ATTACH ADHESIVE WITH PATTERNED BACKING
    Publication number: 20110064948
    Abstract: Provided are a tape, apparatus, and method that relate generally to a single layer adhesive which functions as a dicing tape and also as a die attach adhesive for dicing thinned wafers and subsequent die attach operations of the diced chips in semiconductor device fabrication. The tape, apparatus, and method include a backing with a surface modification that includes a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: David J. PLAUT, Eric G. Larson, Joel A. Getschel, Olester Benson, JR.
  • METHOD OF FORMING COMPOSITE OPTICAL FILM
    Publication number: 20110048621
    Abstract: Methods of forming composite optical film (100) are disclosed. The methods include exposing a composite film to a first energy source (340) to cure the composite film to (321) a first cure state. The composite film includes reinforcing (102) fibers dispersed within a curable resin (104). Then the method includes removing the first energy source from the first cure state composite film and then exposing the first cure state composite film to a second energy source (341) to further cure the composite film to a second cure state. The method includes 10 combining the composite film with an optical element to from the composite optical film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Kristin L. Thunhorst, Noreen G. Detwiler, Olester Benson, JR.
  • Dicing tape and die attach adhesive with patterned backing
    Patent number: 7858499
    Abstract: Provided are a tape, apparatus, and method that relate generally to a single layer adhesive which functions as a dicing tape and also as a die attach adhesive for dicing thinned wafers and subsequent die attach operations of the diced chips in semiconductor device fabrication. The tape, apparatus, and method include a backing with a surface modification that includes a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Plaut, Eric G. Larson, Joel A. Getschel, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • Display incorporating reflective polarizer
    Patent number: 7852560
    Abstract: A display includes a liquid crystal display panel, an optical cavity producing substantially collimated light and a birefringent reflective polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael F. Weber, Carl A. Stover, David I. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Jr.
  • METHODS OF FORMING MOLDS AND METHODS OF FORMING ARTICLES USING SAID MOLDS
    Publication number: 20100308509
    Abstract: A method of forming a working mold including: placing a substrate (610) on an electrode in a chamber, the substrate having at least a first structured surface (620) and the substrate including a thermoset polymeric material; introducing a release (630) layer forming gas into the chamber, wherein the release layer forming gas includes silicon containing gas and oxygen gas in an atomic ratio of not greater than about 200; providing power to the electrode to create a plasma of the release layer forming gas within the chamber; and depositing a release layer formed from the release layer forming gas on at least the first structured surface of the substrate to form a working mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Moses M. David, Gouping Mao, Olester Benson, JR., Robert J. DeVoe, Jennifer J. Sahlin
  • METHODS OF FORMING MOLDS AND METHODS OF FORMING ARTICLES USING SAID MOLDS
    Publication number: 20100239783
    Abstract: A method of forming a working mold including placing a substrate near an electrode in a chamber, the substrate (610) having at least a first structured surface (620); providing power to the electrode to create a plasma, —introducing vapor of liquid silicone molecules into the plasma; and depositing a release layer (630), the release layer (630) including a silicone containing polymer, the release layer (630) being deposited on at least a portion of the first structured surface of the substrate to form the working mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Gouping Mao, Moses M. David, Olester Benson, JR., Robert J. DeVoe, Jennifer J. Sahlin