Patents by Inventor Patrick R. Fleming

Patrick R. Fleming 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: 20230271396
    Abstract: Dispenser with bearings for dispensing a roll of tension activated expandable sheet material, as well as methods for using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Jacob T. Lusson, James E. Nash
  • Publication number: 20230241876
    Abstract: Conformable sheet article made from paper and useful, for example, in packaging, tapes, and craft article, and methods of making and using such sheet articles are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Mary L. Brown, Kimberly C.M. Schultz, Mitchell A.F. Johnson, Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Stephen M. Sanocki, Jimmy M. Le, Steven L. Mahoney, Charles E. Jansen, Matt R. Branscomb, Yaohua Gao, Elizabeth R. Bright, Ignatius A. Kadoma, Jeffrey E. Zelinsky
  • Publication number: 20230022987
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles that include single slit patterns. In some embodiments, these articles are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Anne C.F. Gold, Silvia G. Guttmann, Nicholas K. Lee, Dylan T. Cosgrove, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20230020226
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles that include compound slit patterns. In some embodiments, these articles are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20230017683
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets including a multi-slit pattern. In some embodiments, these articles, films, and/or sheets are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Anne C.F. Gold, Silvia G. Guttmann, Nicholas K. Lee, Dylan T. Cosgrove, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20220380107
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets. In some embodiments, these articles, films, and/or sheets are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Dylan T. Cosgrove, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20220379576
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles that include a plurality of patterned slits. At least some of the plurality of slits include curved terminal ends. In some embodiments, these articles are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Dylan T. Cosgrove, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20220379575
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles that include a plurality of patterned slits. At least some of the plurality of slits are multibeam slits that, when the material into which the slits are formed is tension-activated form one or more multibeams. In some embodiments, these articles are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Anne C.F. Gold, Silvia G. Guttmann, Nicholas K. Lee, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
  • Publication number: 20220009690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to crush resistant packaging materials and/or constructions and to methods of making and using them. Many embodiments provide crush resistance in addition to customizability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Manoj Nirmal, Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Lisa M. Miller, James R. Prell, Sithya S. Khieu, Daniel J. Hoyord, Connor M. Pelletier-Sutton
  • Patent number: 10532704
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles comprise a substrate and a bar code provided on the substrate. The bar code comprises at least one human-readable information which provides framing information and a machine-readable information which provides variable information. The human-readable information is visible under a first condition and invisible under a second condition, and the machine-readable information is invisible under the first condition and visible under the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Publication number: 20180370458
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles comprise a substrate and a bar code provided on the substrate. The bar code comprises at least one human-readable information which provides framing information and a machine-readable information which provides variable information. The human-readable information is visible under a first condition and invisible under a second condition, and the machine-readable information is invisible under the first condition and visible under the second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Patent number: 10081314
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles comprise a substrate and a bar code provided on the substrate. The bar code comprises at least one human-readable information which provides framing information and a machine-readable information which provides variable information. The human-readable information is visible under a first condition and invisible under a second condition, and the machine-readable information is invisible under the first condition and visible under the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Publication number: 20180222173
    Abstract: Methods of preparing adhesive-backed articles and methods of applying adhesives backed articles are described. The adhesive-backed articles include a compliant film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a microstructured surface opposite the compliant film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Haruyuki Mikami, Patrick R. Fleming, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 10035339
    Abstract: Laser conversion of multilayer optical film bodies comprising polyester and polycarbonate materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Pingfan Wu, Edward J. Woo, Ian R. Owen, Bruce E. Tait, Frederick P. LaPlant, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Patent number: 10036517
    Abstract: A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light, and can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light. Such shapes include linear wedges and twisted wedges. Optical films can be included on the light input and output surfaces of the lightguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Robert L. Brott, Patrick R. Fleming, Karl J. L. Geisler, Kayla A. Hagens, Steven G. Lucht, Charles N. Devore, Joseph W. Woody, V, David Scott Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180104945
    Abstract: Laser conversion of multilayer optical film bodies comprising polyester and polycarbonate materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Pingfan Wu, Edward J. Woo, Ian R. Owen, Bruce E. Tait, Frederick P. LaPlant, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9937879
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of high contrast, wavelength independent retroreflective sheeting made by including a light scattering material on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. The light scattering material reduces the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting without substantially changing the appearance of the retroreflective sheeting when viewed under scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin, Thomas V. Kusilek, Robert L. Smithson
  • Patent number: 9880102
    Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Raymond J. Kenney, Olester Benson, Jr., Raymond P. Johnston, Guoping Mao, Patrick R. Fleming, George Van Dyke Tiers, Naiyong Jing
  • Patent number: 9878530
    Abstract: Laser cutting of multilayer optical film bodies comprising polyester and polycarbonate materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Pingfan Wu, Edward J. Woo, Ian R. Owen, Bruce E. Tait, Frederick P. Laplant, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20170363545
    Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Raymond J. Kenney, Olester Benson, JR., Raymond P. Johnston, Guoping Mao, Patrick R. Fleming, George Van Dyke Tiers, Naiyong Jing