Patents by Inventor Paul J. Northey
Paul J. Northey 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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Publication number: 20190239675Abstract: The present disclosure includes a retrofit magnet strip kit and method for mating the vertical edges of two adjacent drapes (110, 120), the kit comprising a first magnet strip (200) and a second magnet strip (200). Each magnet strip (200) comprises a non-magnetic substrate (201) with two major surfaces, wherein the thickness of the substrate (201) is less than 1 cm, the width of the substrate (201) is between 1 cm and 8 cm and the length of the substrate (201) is greater than 20 centimeters (cm), and at least two magnets (210, 220) attached to a first major surface of the substrate (201). The two magnets (210, 220) are spaced apart from each other, and a first edge of the first magnet is at least 5 cm from the nearest edge of the second magnet. The first magnet (210) comprises magnetic material with maximum energy 3 product least 200 kj/m.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventor: Paul J. Northey
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Patent number: 8950877Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a first portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a first cube corner structure that creates a first visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting and a second portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a second cube corner structure that differs from the first cube structure and that creates a second visual feature in the sheeting. The second visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting forms a security mark.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Paul J. Northey, Bruce D. Orensteen
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Publication number: 20120229898Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a first portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a first cube corner structure that creates a first visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting and a second portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a second cube corner structure that differs from the first cube structure and that creates a second visual feature in the sheeting. The second visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting forms a security mark.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: Paul J. Northey, Bruce D. Orensteen
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Patent number: 7938334Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive element into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CopmpanyInventors: Ronald D. Jesme, Robert A. Sainati, Swagata R. Banerjee, Paul J. Northey, Nancy H. Phillips
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Publication number: 20110069317Abstract: The present application generally relates to retroviewers for use in viewing one or more retroreflective articles. One exemplary retroviewer for use in viewing a retroreflective article at a distance of between about 5 feet and about 30 feet includes a housing portion including a tubular body that forms a handle, the housing portion capable of holding at least one light source; and a viewing portion adjacent to the housing portion and including a viewing passageway having a longitudinal axis that perpendicularly intersects a longitudinal axis of the tubular body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventor: Paul J. Northey
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Publication number: 20110033696Abstract: The present application generally relates to the formation of a microsphere-based laser-receptive retroreflective sheeting having a thickness of less than 0. 161 mm that exhibits reduced incidence of curling during and after printing. The reduced incidence of curling results from placement of an anticurl coating on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. After curing, the anticurl coating includes a cross-linked acrylic acid resin. This resulting microsphere-based, laser-receptive retroreflective sheeting can, for example, be adhered or placed adjacent to a substrate to create a form.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: David J. Grubish, Thanh-Huong T. Do, Paul J. Northey
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Publication number: 20090321529Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple embodiments of a signage having radio-frequency responsive features, methods of making and using the signage, and the performance characteristics of the signage. These embodiments include a cutout, aperture, or opening in an electrically conductive element into which or adjacent to which is placed an RFID tag or chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Ronald D. Jesme, Robert A. Sainati, Swagata R. Banerjee, Paul J. Northey, Nancy H. Phillips
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Patent number: 6656307Abstract: A method of manufacturing retroreflective signs includes: coextruding a rigid substrate layer and an adhesive layer, the rigid substrate layer being suitable for use as a sign board; providing a cube corner sheeting having a structured surface including a plurality of cube corner elements, the cube corner elements having a specularly reflective material thereon; and applying the retroreflective sheeting to the adhesive layer. The method is useable with metalized cube corner sheeting in which the structured surface is formed in a back surface of the sheeting, wherein the cube corner element faces form pyramidal projections in such back surface. The method is also useable with metalized cube corner sheeting in which the structured surface is formed in a front surface of the sheeting, wherein the cube corner element faces form a cavity in such front surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Paul J. Northey
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Patent number: 6645331Abstract: A retroreflective sign includes a rigid sign board and a retroreflective sheeting having a structured surface. The structured surface has cube corner elements formed therein, and is bonded to a surface of the sign board to define a plurality of cells. The cells protect the cube corner elements from moisture and dirt, which could adversely impact the retroreflective performance of the film. By sealing the structured surface directly to the sign board, rather than to an intermediate seal film and then to the sign board, a simpler prefabricated sign construction is achieved. In some embodiments, interconnected raised sections are used to define the seal cells. The raised sections can be incorporated into the structured surface of the retroreflective sheeting or into the surface of the sign board. Methods for making the disclosed sign boards are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Paul J. Northey
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Publication number: 20030006005Abstract: A retroreflective sign includes a rigid sign board and a retroreflective sheeting having a structured surface. The structured surface has cube corner elements formed therein, and is bonded to a surface of the sign board to define a plurality of cells. The cells protect the cube corner elements from moisture and dirt, which could adversely impact the retroreflective performance of the film. By sealing the structured surface directly to the sign board, rather than to an intermediate seal film and then to the sign board, a simpler prefabricated sign construction is achieved. In some embodiments, interconnected raised sections are used to define the seal cells. The raised sections can be incorporated into the structured surface of the retroreflective sheeting or into the surface of the sign board. Methods for making the disclosed sign boards are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Paul J. Northey
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Patent number: 6470610Abstract: A retroreflective sign includes a rigid sign board and a retroreflective sheeting having a structured surface. The structured surface has cube corner elements formed therein, and is bonded to a surface of the sign board to define a plurality of cells. The cells protect the cube corner elements from moisture and dirt, which could adversely impact the retroreflective performance of the film. By sealing the structured surface directly to the sign board, rather than to an intermediate seal film and then to the sign board, a simpler prefabricated sign construction is achieved. In some embodiments, interconnected raised sections are used to define the seal cells. The raised sections can be incorporated into the structured surface of the retroreflective sheeting or into the surface of the sign board. Methods for making the disclosed sign boards are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Paul J. Northey
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Publication number: 20020084022Abstract: A method of manufacturing retroreflective signs includes: coextruding a rigid substrate layer and an adhesive layer, the rigid substrate layer being suitable for use as a sign board; providing a cube corner sheeting having a structured surface including a plurality of cube corner elements, the cube corner elements having a specularly reflective material thereon; and applying the retroreflective sheeting to the adhesive layer. The method is useable with metalized cube comer sheeting in which the structured surface is formed in a back surface of the sheeting, wherein the cube corner element faces form pyramidal projections in such back surface. The method is also useable with metalized cube corner sheeting in which the structured surface is formed in a front surface of the sheeting, wherein the cube corner element faces form a cavity in such front surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 1999Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventor: PAUL J. NORTHEY
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Patent number: 5688523Abstract: A method of making a pressure sensitive skin adhesive sheet material whereby a coating medium involving a liquid and a polymer is applied to a base layer of a polymer, and the liquid is allowed to diffuse into the base layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1995Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James E. Garbe, Paul J. Northey, Timothy A. Peterson
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Patent number: 5643992Abstract: A water-based pressure sensitive adhesive formulation is provided with one or more high molecular weight linear aliphatic polymers. The resulting composition can be used to form stable filaments or delivered from the coating die of a premetered coater in the form of a stable sheet at a flow rate substantially less than the minimum delivery flow rate achievable using the formulation without polymer. Low levels of polymer can provide dramatic improvement in the viscosity of such compositions, without detrimental effect on the adhesive and other desireable qualities of the composition.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Paul J. Northey
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Patent number: 5244525Abstract: A method for bonding, cutting and printing sheets of polymeric material is provided which comprises the steps of: (a) forming first, second and third patterns of an infrared-absorbing material on one of the sheets, the first pattern corresponding to the locations at which the sheets are to be bonded together, the second pattern corresponding to the locations at which the sheets are to be cut, and the third pattern corresponding to the locations at which the sheets are to be printed; (b) contacting the sheets with one another; (c) exposing the contacted sheets to infrared energy; (d) applying pressure to the sheets; and (e) cooling the sheets. The amount of infrared energy to which the sheets are exposed and the distribution of the infrared-absorbing material are chosen so that 1) the sheets bond to one another in the areas of the first pattern, 2) the sheets are cut in the areas of the second pattern, and 3) the sheets are neither bonded nor cut in the areas of the third pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1992Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Kimberly-Clark CorporationInventors: Joseph G. Neuwirth, Paul J. Northey