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).

  • Publication number: 20060141219
    Abstract: A roll of an article, such as a film, comprising a body portion and a surface portion is provided. The body portion has (i) a first and a second surface, and (ii) first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axis in a thickness direction of the body. The surface portion comprises a geometric feature. The roll preferably has a cushioning layer between the plies of the article in the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Olester Benson, Andrew Ouderkirk, David Kowitz, William Merrill, Rolf Biernath
  • Publication number: 20060138702
    Abstract: A process for uniaxially orienting articles having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process comprises a step of orienting the article in a direction substantially parallel to a first in-plane axis of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Biernath, David Kowitz, Olester Benson, Andrew Ouderkirk, William Merrill
  • Publication number: 20060138694
    Abstract: Method of Making a Polymeric Film Having Structured Surfaces Via Replication A method of making a polymeric film via a replication process is disclosed. The process provides a tool that has a negative version of a desired structured surface; contacting the negative surface of the tool to a polymeric material to form the desired surface in the polymeric material; removing the polymeric material having the desired structured surface from the tool; and uniaxially stretching the polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Biernath, Daniel Hennen, William Black, Olester Benson, William Merrill, Andrew Ouderkirk, Robert Brott, John Huizinga
  • Publication number: 20060138686
    Abstract: A process for uniaxially stretching films having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process provides a film in which the cross sectional shape of the feature after stretching is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of the feature prior to stretching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Ouderkirk, Rolf Biernath, William Merrill, Olester Benson, David Kowitz
  • Publication number: 20060141220
    Abstract: A process for uniaxially stretching films having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process provides a film in which the cross sectional shape of the feature after stretching is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of the feature prior to stretching. Structured surface articles are also described. The articles have substantially the same uniaxial orientation throughout the film, including the geometric structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: William Merrill, Olester Benson, Andrew Ouderkirk, Rolf Biernath, David Kowitz, Robert Brott
  • Publication number: 20060094322
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a light emitting array utilizes a precisely shaped patterned abrasive to abrade optical material. One or more patterned abrasives contact and abrade along one or more intersecting axes of the optical material. The resulting precisely shaped and located optical elements are aligned with and bonded to an array of light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Ouderkirk, Catherine Leatherdale, Olester Benson
  • Publication number: 20060094340
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an array of precisely shaped and located shaped elements utilizes a precisely shaped patterned abrasive to form channels in a workpiece. One or more patterned abrasives contact and abrade along one or more intersecting axes to define the shaped elements. The shaped elements may include optical elements, semiconductor elements, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Ouderkirk, Paul Lugg, Olester Benson, Catherine Leatherdale, William Joseph
  • Patent number: 7038745
    Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
  • Publication number: 20050270439
    Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Weber, Olester Benson, Sanford Cobb, James Jonza, Andrew Ouderkirk, David Wortman, Carl Stover
  • Patent number: 6952264
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for collecting radiation. An electromechanical radiation collection device is disposed in a roll to collect radiation directed at the roll. The invention is also an apparatus comprising a roll having an outer surface. An electromechanical radiation collection device is disposed in the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David W. Kuhns, Thomas M. Clausen, Olester Benson, Jr., Steven R. Vanhoose
  • Publication number: 20050124713
    Abstract: Polymerizable compositions particularly useful for brightness enhancing films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Clinton Jones, David Olson, Judith Invie, Olester Benson, Richard Pokorny, Scott Kaytor, Tetsuya Toma, Scott Tapio, Bert Chien, Daniel Hennen, Jung-Sheng Wu
  • Patent number: 6858253
    Abstract: A composite article having large scale predictable dimensional stability comprises a metal foil backing having adhered thereto a layer of cured polymer having an exposed surface bearing a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities. The article is made by depositing a layer of a radiation curable composition onto a metal foil backing, contacting a master with a pattern capable of imparting a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities into the layer of radiation curable composition, while the layer of radiation curable composition is in contact with the master, exposing the curable composition to radiation to cure the composition, and separating the cured polymer layer on the metal foil backing from the surface of the master. Either the metal foil backing or the master may be radiation transmissive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Williams, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050024726
    Abstract: A brightness enhanced reflective polarizer includes a reflective polarizer and a structured surface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Ouderkirk, Michael Weber, Olester Benson
  • Publication number: 20050019530
    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: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: William Merrill, James Jonza, Olester Benson, Andrew Ouderkirk, Michael Weber, Roger Stumo
  • Publication number: 20040229187
    Abstract: Dental articles including at least one optical surface formed of a multilayer optical film including layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material are disclosed. The multilayer optical films included in the dental articles is preferably post-formed into desired non-planar shapes in manners that result in some deformation of the optical stack of the multilayer optical films. A variety of dental implements can be constructed with multilayer optical film including dental mirrors, light guides for use in connection with photo-curing dental materials, and matrix bands for use in molding photo-curing dental restoratives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Sumita B. Mitra, Olester Benson, James M. Jonza, William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Janis R. Gust
  • Patent number: 6811841
    Abstract: An assembly including a polymeric film and an effective amount of an ultraviolet light-absorbing compound in an inert environment. The inert environment is bounded on at least one side by a pane, which is at least partially transparent to ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light-absorbing compound includes a triazine. The structure may also include resin, adhesive and primer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephanie B. Castiglione, Olester Benson, Jr., Richard M. Fischer, Jr., Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040209020
    Abstract: An assembly including a polymeric film and an effective amount of an ultraviolet light-absorbing compound in an inert environment. The inert environment is bounded on at least one side by a pane, which is at least partially transparent to ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light-absorbing compound includes a triazine. The structure may also include resin, adhesive and primer layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephanie B. Castiglione, Olester Benson, Richard M. Fischer, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6804058
    Abstract: A light source comprises an electroluminescent panel and a reflective polarizer that is preferably polymeric, birefringent, or both. The reflective polarizer is positioned to receive light generated by the light generating layer. The reflective polarizer transmits light of a first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization back to the light generating layer. The light generating layer diffusely reflects and randomizes the polarization state of the reflected light and recirculates the reflected light back to the reflective polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6801276
    Abstract: An optical component including a mirror surface, a structured polymer layer including one side having structured elements, and a filler layer adjacent to the side of the structured polymer layer having the structured elements. The filler layer fills in the structured elements and has one substantially planar side. The filler layer has a refractive index Nf, the structured polymer layer has a refractive index of Ns, and Ns is different from Nf. The optical component is useful to direct backreflected ambient light to a peak angle that is different than a glare peak. A display device is also described including a first and second polarizer, a liquid crystal layer below the first polarizer, a mirror surface below the liquid crystal layer, and a structured polymer layer comprising one side having structured elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 6788463
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, James M. Jonza, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber