Patents by Inventor Patrick W. Mullen
Patrick W. Mullen 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: 8567964Abstract: A waveband selective retroreflective article, comprising a body layer having a plurality of concave retroreflective elements, each said concave retroreflective element forming a cavity having open-face surfaces and an additional layer that includes particles of a wave-band selective material.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: ORAFOL Americas Inc.Inventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Patent number: 8411230Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Orafol Americas Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Nilsen, Patrick W. Mullen, Michael J. Hanrahan, Edward D. Phillips
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Patent number: 8277058Abstract: Optical structures and sheeting that include polyurea and method for forming same are proposed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. One and two-component layers can be used to form the optical structures. The optical structures can include microstructures formed from polyurea. The sheeting can include at least one of cube-corner prisms, open-faced cube-corner prisms, linear prisms, lenticular lenses, moth-eye structures, lenses, Fresnel lens arrays, lenses, and fish-eye lens arrays.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Dzu D. Luong, Patrick W. Mullen
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Publication number: 20120008207Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Robert B. Nilsen, Patrick W. Mullen, Michael J. Hanrahan, Edward D. Phillips
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Patent number: 8070303Abstract: Optical structures and sheeting that include polyurea and method for forming same are proposed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. One and two-component layers can be used to form the optical structures. The optical structures can include microstructures formed from polyurea. The sheeting can include at least one of cube-corner prisms, open-faced cube-corner prisms, linear prisms, lenticular lenses, moth-eye structures, lenses, Fresnel lens arrays, lenses, and fish-eye lens arrays.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Dzu D. Luong, Patrick W. Mullen
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Patent number: 8054416Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof. A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Robert B. Nilsen, Patrick W. Mullen, Michael J. Hanrahan, Edward D. Phillips
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Publication number: 20110181954Abstract: Optical structures and sheeting that include polyurea and method for forming same are proposed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. One and two-component layers can be used to form the optical structures. The optical structures can include microstructures formed from polyurea. The sheeting can include at least one of cube-corner prisms, open-faced cube-corner prisms, linear prisms, lenticular lenses, moth-eye structures, lenses, Fresnel lens arrays, lenses, and fish-eye lens arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: REFLEXITE CORPORATIONInventors: Dzu D. LUONG, Patrick W. MULLEN
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Publication number: 20110080637Abstract: A waveband selective retroreflective article, comprising a body layer having a plurality of concave retroreflective elements, each said concave retroreflective element forming a cavity having open-face surfaces and an additional layer that includes particles of a wave-band selective material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: REFLEXITE CORPORATIONInventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Publication number: 20110075258Abstract: A light control film including a polymer carrier film and a coating disposed on the carrier film and including dark colored or reflective particles dispersed within a cured resin matrix, the particles being aligned either perpendicular or parallel to a major surface of the carrier film, and method for making the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: REFLEXITE CORPORATIONInventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Publication number: 20100284080Abstract: A fabric-backed retroreflective article has improved visual appearance by combining the fabric and retroreflective layers. An article, comprises a retroreflective layer formed of a resin that partially interpenetrates a fabric layer. Manufacturing a retroreflective article includes a retroreflective layer partially interpenetrating a fabric layer. The method includes disposing a layer of curable resin on a fabric layer; causing the layer of curable resin to partially penetrate the fabric layer; and curing the layer of curable resin, thereby forming the retroreflective layer partially interpenetrating the fabric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: REFLEXITE CORPORATIONInventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Patent number: 7517205Abstract: A structure includes a layer which includes a first cured portion and a second cured portion which are formed from a same light curable material. The first cured portion is cured to a first amount, and the second cured portion is cured to a second amount. The first amount is sufficiently different than the second amount to result in a visible discontinuity on the surface of the structure. A method for forming a pattern in a radiation curable material includes providing between a radiation source and the radiation curable material, a pattern that can block a portion of the radiation from the radiation source. The material is cured with radiation from the radiation source to form a pattern in the radiation curable material.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Patent number: 7250122Abstract: A structure includes a layer which includes a first cured portion and a second cured portion which are formed from a same light curable material. The first cured portion is cured to a first amount, and the second cured portion is cured to a second amount. The first amount is sufficiently different than the second amount to result in a visible discontinuity on the surface of the structure. A method for forming a pattern in a radiation curable material includes providing between a radiation source and the radiation curable material, a pattern that can block a portion of the radiation from the radiation source. The material is cured with radiation from the radiation source to form a pattern in the radiation curable material.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Patent number: 7230764Abstract: A light-redirecting optical structure includes a first side and a second side, the first side including plurality of linear prisms having a visibly random shaped surface on the prisms and a plurality of cross-cut prisms on first side which are oriented at an angle such that it is greater than zero degrees but less than 180 degrees. A backlight wedge includes a stepped structure on a bottom side that decreases in size traversing the wedge away from a light source which is positioned at an end and having a visibly random shaped surface on said wedge.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Patrick W. Mullen, Robert B. Nilsen, William P. Rowland
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Patent number: 6967053Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting and a method for making the same includes a plurality of open-faced cube-corner surfaces formed from a substantially rigid material to keep the cube-corner surfaces from flexing. An optical coating is formed on the surfaces, and a fill layer is attached to at least a portion of the optical coating. A plurality of voids form the open-faced cube-corner surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Patrick W. Mullen, Gus Bernard, Robert B. Nilsen
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Patent number: 6891677Abstract: A waveguide for use in a back lighting device includes a moth-eye structured surface. A back lighting system includes a lighting device, a display panel, and a waveguide for redirecting light generated by the light source toward the display panel. A first light-redirecting film, which can include a plurality of moth-eye structures, can be positioned between the waveguide and the display panel. The first light-redirecting film can also include a plurality of linear prisms. A second light-redirecting film is also provided that can include a plurality of moth-eye structures and a plurality of linear prisms. The second light-redirecting film can be positioned between the first light-redirecting film and the display panel. A diffuser can be positioned between the first light-redirecting film and the waveguide and/or between the second light-redirecting film and the display panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Robert B. Nilsen, Patrick W. Mullen, Xiao-Jing Lu
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Patent number: 6880946Abstract: A light collimating film includes a sheet having a first side and a second side. The first side can include a series of optical elements and the second side includes a series of stepped plateaus and a series of base planes that run along a first axis. The plateaus and base planes alternate along a second axis and the plateaus have an elevation different than the base planes.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventor: Patrick W. Mullen
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Publication number: 20040190102Abstract: An optical structure and method for forming same includes a plurality of first cured portions and a plurality of second cured portions that are formed from a same light-curable material. The first plurality of cured portions is cured to a first amount. The plurality of second cured portions is cured to a second amount. The first amount is sufficiently different than the second amount to result with discontinuities on the surface of the structure. The lenticular layer can include a prism layer having random discontinuities on the peaks. The discontinuities can also be formed on a window side of the prisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Patrick W. Mullen, Robert B. Nilsen
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Publication number: 20040169791Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof. A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Robert B. Nilsen, Patrick W. Mullen, Michael J. Hanrahan, Edward D. Phillips
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Publication number: 20040105154Abstract: Optical structures and sheeting that include polyurea and method for forming same are proposed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. One and two-component layers can be used to form the optical structures. The optical structures can include microstructures formed from polyurea. The sheeting can include at least one of cube-corner prisms, open-faced cube-corner prisms, linear prisms, lenticular lenses, moth-eye structures, lenses, Fresnel lens arrays, lenses, and fish-eye lens arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Dzu D. Luong, Patrick W. Mullen
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Patent number: 6699567Abstract: A stain resistant film construction that includes a polyvinyl film laminated to a polyolefin film by an adhesive. The stain resistant film construction can be formed into a retroreflective product that includes a polyolefin layer, an adhesive layer and a polyvinyl layer attached to the polyolefin layer by the adhesive on the first side of polyvinyl layer. Retroreflective prisms can be attached to the second side of polyvinyl layer, and a backing layer can be attached to the second side of polyvinyl film through the prism layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Reflexite CorporationInventors: Patrick W. Mullen, Michael J. Hanrahan