Patents by Inventor OWEN M. ANDERSON
OWEN M. ANDERSON 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).
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Patent number: 12201005Abstract: An optical system includes an optical film curved about a first axis and a light control film curved about the first axis. The light control film can be disposed between a light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film can include a plurality of alternating optically transmissive and optically absorptive regions extending longitudinally along the first axis such that in a cross-section orthogonal to the first axis, for at least a majority of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2024Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
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Publication number: 20240276851Abstract: An optical system includes an optical film curved about a first axis and a light control film curved about the first axis. The light control film can be disposed between a light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film can include a plurality of alternating optically transmissive and optically absorptive regions extending longitudinally along the first axis such that in a cross-section orthogonal to the first axis, for at least a majority of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
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Publication number: 20240210600Abstract: An optical system includes an optical film curved about a first axis and a light control film curved about the first axis and substantially coextensive with the optical film. The optical film includes a first layer including a microstructured first major surface where the microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart optically absorptive regions extending along the first axis and along a direction substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film. At least one of the optical film or at least one layer disposed between the optical film and the light control film includes at least one reflection mitigation element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2022Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Tao Liu, Shu-Ching Fan, Gary T. Boyd, David Scott Thompson, Caleb T. Nelson, Tri D. Pham, Adam T. Ringberg, Daniel J. Schmidt, Owen M. Anderson
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Patent number: 12004410Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, an optical film curved about a first axis, and a light control film curved about the first axis and disposed between the light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces the light control film. The light control film includes a plurality of alternating optically transmissive and optically absorptive regions extending longitudinally along the first axis such that in a cross-section orthogonal to the first axis, for at least a majority of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
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Publication number: 20240151880Abstract: An optical film includes a structured film and a light control film formed on the structured film. The structured film includes a substrate and a plurality of polymeric microstructures formed on a major surface of the substrate. Each microstructure includes an optical facet and a sidewall meeting the optical facet at a ridge of the microstructure. The light control film includes an optically transparent material disposed on and covering the plurality of polymeric microstructures, and a plurality of optically absorptive louvers formed in the optically transparent material opposite the structured film. The louvers extend along a longitudinal direction and are spaced apart along an orthogonal transverse direction. The louvers have an average depth D into the optically transparent material and have an average width W in the transverse direction. D/W can be greater than 2. The optical film is integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Tao Liu, Tri D. Pham, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson
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Publication number: 20240142673Abstract: An optical film has a major surface including a plurality of microstructures. Each microstructure includes an optical facet and a sidewall meeting the optical facet at a ridge of the microstructure. The optical facet and the sidewall define an oblique angle therebetween. For each microstructure in at least a majority of the microstructures, an optically absorptive layer is disposed on the sidewall. The optical film can include a polymeric layer having a microstructured surface at least partially coated with an inorganic optically transparent layer. The optically absorptive layer can an average thickness t where 100 nm<t<1 micrometer. A first layer can be disposed between the sidewall and the optically absorptive layer where the first layer has a lower extinction coefficient than the optically absorptive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham
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Publication number: 20240122043Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, an optical film curved about a first axis, and a light control film curved about the first axis and disposed between the light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Tao Liu, Gary T. Boyd, Daniel J. Schmidt, Caleb T. Nelson, Owen M. Anderson, Tri D. Pham, Encai Hao, Shu-Ching Fan
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Patent number: 11907447Abstract: A polymeric film including a major surface having a plurality of intersecting extended structures is described. For at least a majority of the structures in the plurality of extended structures: each structure extends along a length of the structure, has an average width along a direction transverse to the length and generally along the first major surface, and has an average height along a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface; and the average width of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, the average height of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, and the length may be at least 3 times the average width. The extended structures may be randomly or pseudorandomly oriented and may be formed by microreplicating a surface of a paper.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Brett J. Sitter, Dawn V. Muyres, Jonathan T. Kahl, Vivian W. Jones, Owen M. Anderson, Gordan A. Kuhnley, Joshua J. Loga, Erin A. McDowell
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Publication number: 20230374352Abstract: A film-based article including a release liner having first and second major sides, a film layer having first and second major sides, an adhesive layer disposed between the first major side of the release liner and the second major side of the film, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a first surface adjacent to the second major side of the film, and a second surface adjacent to the first major side of the release liner. The second surface of the adhesive layer comprises an irregular array of channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Guy M. Kallman, Sara Hemmer Frisco, Owen M. Anderson
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Publication number: 20230350262Abstract: An optical component includes a substrate and a plurality of structures formed on a first major surface of the substrate and extending from the first major surface along a thickness direction of the optical component. The optical component can be assembled with another optical component to form a light control film. A light control film includes first and second optical components including respective pluralities of first and second structures formed on, and extending from, respective first and second substrates. The first and second optical components are assembled so that the first and second structures are disposed between the first and second substrates and interleaved to form a plurality of pairs of adjacent first and second structures. For each of at least some of the pairs, the adjacent first and second structures define an optical cavity therebetween substantially filled with a light absorbing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Stephen J. Etzkorn, Adam T. Ringberg, Owen M. Anderson, Vivian W. Jones, Nicholas A. Johnson, Bharat R. Acharya
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Patent number: 11802792Abstract: A technique of determining the presence of a species in a sample may include passing light through an optical filter. In an example, the optical filter may include a spatially variant microreplicated layer optically coupled to a wavelength selective filter. The wavelength selective filter may have a light incidence angle-dependent optical band. The spatially variant microreplicated layer may be configured to transmit light to a first optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a first predetermined incidence angle and to a second optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a second predetermined incidence angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: John A Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Rolf W. Biernath, Sara Suzanne Merritt, James Hillis, Owen M. Anderson, Timothy J. Nevitt
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Patent number: 11686891Abstract: A detector system is described that includes a detector that is sensitive to wavelengths in a detection wavelength range. The detector system further includes a light control film that is disposed on the detector and includes a plurality of alternating first and second regions. Each first region has a width W and a height H, where H/W?1. Each first region has a substantially low transmission in a first portion of the detection wavelength range and a substantially high transmission in the remaining portion of the detection wavelength range. Each second region has a substantially high transmission in the detection wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Steven R. Anderson, Owen M. Anderson, David T. Yust, Rolf W. Biernath, Gary E. Gaides, Brian W. Lueck, Neeraj Sharma
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Patent number: 11640019Abstract: A retroreflective system is disclosed that includes a retroreflective sheet for retroreflecting light, and a light control film disposed on the retroreflective sheet. For a first wavelength, light incident on the light control film at each of a first and second angles of incidence is retroreflected. For a second wavelength, light incident on the light control film at the first, but not the second, angle of incidence is retroreflected.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Steven R. Anderson, Owen M. Anderson, David T. Yust, Rolf W. Biernath, Gary E. Gaides, Brian W. Lueck, Neeraj Sharma
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Publication number: 20220221624Abstract: Light control films comprise a light input surface and alight output surface opposite the light input surface and alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and are canted in the same direction. The alternating transmissive regions and absorbing regions have a maximum relative transmission at a viewing angle other than 0 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2020Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Raymond J. Kenney, Owen M. Anderson, Kevin W. Gotrik, Nicholas A. Johnson, Kenneth A. P. Meyer, Caleb T. Nelson, Daniel J. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220057258Abstract: A technique of determining the presence of a species in a sample may include passing light through an optical filter. In an example, the optical filter may include a spatially variant microreplicated layer optically coupled to a wavelength selective filter. The wavelength selective filter may have a light incidence angle-dependent optical band. The spatially variant microreplicated layer may be configured to transmit light to a first optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a first predetermined incidence angle and to a second optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a second predetermined incidence angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: John A. WHEATLEY, Gilles J. BENOIT, Guanglei DU, Rolf W. BIERNATH, Sara Suzanne MERRITT, James HILLIS, Owen M. ANDERSON, Timothy J. NEVITT
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Publication number: 20220050237Abstract: A light control film is disclosed that includes a plurality of spaced apart first regions. Each first region has a substantially low transmission in one or two of a first wavelength range from about 300 nm to about 400 nm, a second wavelength range from about 400 nm to about 700 nm, and a third wavelength range from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and a substantially high transmission in the remaining wavelength ranges. The light control film has a viewing angle of less than about 70 degrees along a predetermined first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Steven R. Anderson, Owen M. Anderson, David T. Yust, Rolf W. Biernath, Gary E. Gaides, Brian W. Lueck, Neeraj Sharma
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Publication number: 20220035464Abstract: A polymeric film including a major surface having a plurality of intersecting extended structures is described. For at least a majority of the structures in the plurality of extended structures: each structure extends along a length of the structure, has an average width along a direction transverse to the length and generally along the first major surface, and has an average height along a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface; and the average width of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, the average height of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, and the length may be at least 3 times the average width. The extended structures may be randomly or pseudorandomly oriented and may be formed by microreplicating a surface of a paper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Brett J. Sitter, Dawn V. Muyres, Jonathan T. Kahl, Vivian W. Jones, Owen M. Anderson, Gordan A. Kuhnley, Joshua J. Loga, Erin A. McDowell
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Patent number: 11187576Abstract: In an example, an example article may include a spatially variant microreplicated layer optically coupled to a wavelength selective filter. The wavelength selective filter may have a light incidence angle-dependent optical band. The spatially variant microreplicated layer may be configured to transmit light to a first optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a first predetermined incidence angle and to a second optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a second predetermined incidence angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Rolf W. Biernath, Sara Suzanne Merritt, James Hillis, Owen M. Anderson, Timothy J. Nevitt
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Patent number: 11163099Abstract: A light control film is disclosed that includes a plurality of spaced apart first regions. Each first region has a substantially low transmission in one or two of a first wavelength range from about 300 nm to about 400 nm, a second wavelength range from about 400 nm to about 700 nm, and a third wavelength range from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and a substantially high transmission in the remaining wavelength ranges. The light control film has a viewing angle of less than about 70 degrees along a predetermined first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Guanglei Du, Steven R. Anderson, Owen M. Anderson, David T. Yust, Rolf W. Biernath, Gary E. Gaides, Brian W. Lueck, Neeraj Sharma
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Publication number: 20210294003Abstract: A light control film includes a first portion and a second portion laminated to the first portion. The first portion includes a first functional substrate and a plurality of first louvers formed on the first functional substrate. The first functional substrate includes at least one of an optically active layer and a barrier layer. The second portion includes a second functional substrate disposed distal to the first functional substrate and a plurality of second louvers formed on the second functional substrate. The second functional substrate includes at least one of an optically active layer and a barrier layer. The plurality of first louvers extend along a first direction and the plurality of second louvers extend along a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are inclined to each other at an angle that lies within a range from about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2019Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Mark A. Roehrig, Zhaohui Yang, Tri Dinh Pham, Cynthia Y. Tamaki, Owen M. Anderson, Robert Bennett