Patents by Inventor Peter F. Cullen

Peter F. Cullen 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).

  • Patent number: 6636355
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rear projection screen that includes a plurality of tapered waveguides and a light absorbing layer disposed over the tops of the waveguides, but that does not completely fill the spaces between the waveguides, thereby forming an interstitial low index region under the light absorbing layer and between the waveguides. The low index interstitial region can include air or a material that has a lower index of refraction than the waveguide material. This rear projection screen construction can give rise to increased efficiency and higher contrast, as well as allow for more design freedom in constructing screens that have desired characteristics such as viewing angle, viewing asymmetry, and the like. Also disclosed are methods for making the described microstructured rear projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Steven J. Rhyner, Peter F. Cullen, Patrick A. Thomas, Richard J. Pokorny, John C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6470540
    Abstract: A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
  • Publication number: 20020080484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rear projection screen that includes a plurality of tapered waveguides and a light absorbing layer disposed over the tops of the waveguides, but that does not completely fill the spaces between the waveguides, thereby forming an interstitial low index region under the light absorbing layer and between the waveguides. The low index interstitial region can include air or a material that has a lower index of refraction than the waveguide material. This rear projection screen construction can give rise to increased efficiency and higher contrast, as well as allow for more design freedom in constructing screens that have desired characteristics such as viewing angle, viewing asymmetry, and the like. Also disclosed are methods for making the described microstructured rear projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Steven J. Rhyner, Peter F. Cullen, Patrick A. Thomas, Richard J. Pokorny, John C. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20010052170
    Abstract: A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
  • Patent number: 6303062
    Abstract: A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
  • Patent number: 5825526
    Abstract: A tape that includes an electronically conductive flexible substrate, a release layer, and an adhesive comprising an ion-intercalating material, and electrochromic devices and glazing units prepared using this tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Silvia L. Bommarito, Kejian Chen, Peter F. Cullen, L. Charles Hardy, Paul S. Lugg