Patents by Inventor Ralph R. Roberts

Ralph R. Roberts 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: 20230279271
    Abstract: A B-stage thermoset adhesive composition comprises components a) and b) in respective amounts of 10 to 40 percent by weight to 60 to 90 percent by weight. Component a) comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer comprising a styrenic block copolymer. Component b) comprises a polymerized reaction product of at least one capable of undergoing ring-opening metathesis polymerization and at least one ring-opening olefin metathesis catalyst. A composite article including the B-stage thermoset adhesive and methods of making the composite article are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Ralph R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140218695
    Abstract: A system for projecting changeable electronic content across multiple display surfaces. The system includes display surfaces arranged at a non-zero angle with respect to one another, such as three orthogonal display surfaces in the corner of a rectangular shaped product container. Changeable electronic content, including video and digital still images, is converted such that, when the projector receives and projects the content to the multiple display surfaces, the content is displayed undistorted to a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Glenn E. Casner, Brett J. Sitter, Robert W. Shannon
  • Publication number: 20140210322
    Abstract: A transparent display booth for displaying products and providing product-related information. The display booth includes a bottom panel, a back panel, a transparent front plate opposite the back panel, and a transparent display device located co-extensive with the front plate. The bottom and back panels have reflective inner surfaces. The transparent display device can electronically display product-related information, and products located in an interior of the display booth are viewable through the transparent display device to showcase the products and offer them for sale. Multiple transparent display booths can be combined to form a networked retail system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Jane K. Wardhana, Patrick A. Thomas, Rolf W. Biernath, Brian T. Weber
  • Publication number: 20140132883
    Abstract: Optical stacks are described. More specifically, optical stacks including a lightguide, a light extraction layer having first and second regions, and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer having third and fourth regions are described. One or more of the first and second regions of the light extraction layer may be in registration with one or more of the third and fourth regions of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: RALPH R. ROBERTS, BRIAN T. WEBER
  • Publication number: 20140132909
    Abstract: A transparent display is disclosed that includes a display screen. The display screen includes a first film that includes a first transparent conductor disposed upon a first transparent substrate and a second film that includes a second transparent conductor disposed upon a second transparent substrate. A first polymeric liquid crystal composition containing spacer beads is disposed between the first film and the second film. At least one of the first transparent conductor and the second transparent conductor is shaped, or at least one of the first transparent conductor and the second transparent conductor is patterned. Also, disclosed is a display system that includes the disclosed display screen and an illumination device for projecting light onto or through the display screen. Finally, a method of constructing a display screen is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: JANE K. WARDHANA, AMY J. HITE, JOHN A. WHEATLEY, RALPH R. ROBERTS, GLENN E. CASNER, MARK J. PELLERITE, QUINN D. SANFORD, BRIAN T. WEBER
  • Patent number: 8562145
    Abstract: A system for projecting changeable electronic content, such as video or digital still images, onto a curved surface. The system includes a housing, a reflector within the housing, and a projector. The housing has an exterior surface and an interior space. At least a portion of the exterior surface is a curved display surface capable of displaying electronic content projected upon it, and at least one portion of the exterior surface has an aperture through the exterior surface to the interior space. The projector is located proximate the aperture for projecting content through the aperture to the reflector. When the projector receives converted content and projects the converted content through the aperture to the reflector, the curved display surface displays the converted content undistorted to a viewer. The system can also provide for display of branded content on a product container having a shape corresponding with the brand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Glenn E. Casner, Brett J. Sitter, Jane K. Wardhana, Brian T. Weber, Kenneth A. Epstein, Martin B. Wolk, Patrick A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130033650
    Abstract: A system for projecting changeable electronic content, such as video or digital still images, onto multiple surfaces. The system includes a projector, one or more reflectors, and at least two display surfaces. The projector via a reflector projects content onto one of the display surfaces and either directly or via another reflector projects content onto the other display surface. The display surfaces can be multiple curved surfaces, multiple planar surfaces in different viewing planes, or a curved surface and a planar surface. For the curved surfaces, the projector receives converted content and projects the converted content such that the curved surface displays the converted content undistorted to a viewer. The system can also provide for display of branded content on a product container having a shape corresponding with the brand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Brian T. Weber, Jane K. Wardhana, Glenn E. Casner, Brett J. Sitter, Patrick A. Thomas, Steven T. Berg
  • Publication number: 20120327297
    Abstract: A system for projecting changeable electronic content, such as video or digital still images, onto a curved surface. The system includes a housing, a reflector within the housing, and a projector. The housing has an exterior surface and an interior space. At least a portion of the exterior surface is a curved display surface capable of displaying electronic content projected upon it, and at least one portion of the exterior surface has an aperture through the exterior surface to the interior space. The projector is located proximate the aperture for projecting content through the aperture to the reflector. When the projector receives converted content and projects the converted content through the aperture to the reflector, the curved display surface displays the converted content undistorted to a viewer. The system can also provide for display of branded content on a product container having a shape corresponding with the brand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Glenn E. Casner, Brett J. Sitter, Jane K. Wardhana, Brian T. Weber, Kenneth A. Epstein, Martin B. Wolk, Patrick A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8179587
    Abstract: An electrode that includes a transparent substrate having a first and second surface; a conductive layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and an electrode layer disposed on the conductive layer, wherein the electrode layer includes doped tin oxide nanoparticles and an organic binder, and wherein the electrode layer is transparent. Also disclosed is a method of making such an electrode and electrochromic articles including such an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brian T. Weber, Erich C. Walter, Eileen M. Haus, Ralph R. Roberts, Kao Vang
  • Patent number: 7929106
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed, including first and second opposing substrates separated by a cell gap. The cell gap has an inner liquid crystal region including a liquid crystal composition, an outer sealant region including a sealant that bonds the first and second opposing substrates together, and a void region between the inner liquid crystal region and the outer sealant region. The sealant may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display assembly including at least two light reflecting liquid crystal displays is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the displays comprises the liquid crystal display disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Amy J. Hite, Jane K. Wardhana, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7648645
    Abstract: A pre-polymer/liquid crystal composition is disclosed and includes, a liquid crystal component, a photo polymerization initiator, and a polymer precursor component. The polymer precursor component includes at least, a silane monomer, reactive (meth)acryloxy monomer or oligomer, and an ester, urethane, or (meth)acrylate based polymer or oligomer, bearing one or more reactive (meth)acrylate groups. Methods of forming a bistable electro-optical device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Amy J. Hite, Jane K. Wardhana, Kevin M. Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20090174925
    Abstract: An electrode that includes a transparent substrate having a first and second surface; a conductive layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and an electrode layer disposed on the conductive layer, wherein the electrode layer includes doped tin oxide nanoparticles and an organic binder, and wherein the electrode layer is transparent. Also disclosed is a method of making such an electrode and electrochromic articles including such an electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Brian T. Weber, Erich C. Walter, Eileen M. Haus, Ralph R. Roberts, Kao Vang
  • Publication number: 20090153756
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed, including first and second opposing substrates separated by a cell gap. The cell gap has an inner liquid crystal region including a liquid crystal composition, an outer sealant region including a sealant that bonds the first and second opposing substrates together, and a void region between the inner liquid crystal region and the outer sealant region. The sealant may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display assembly including at least two light reflecting liquid crystal displays is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the displays comprises the liquid crystal display disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Amy J. Hite, Jane K. Wardhana, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20080306252
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 7445825
    Abstract: In a method of making an organic electroluminescent device, a transfer layer is solution coated on a donor substrate. The transfer layer includes a polymerizable, amorphous matrix with a light emitting material disposed in the matrix. The transfer layer is then selectively patterned on a receptor. The polymerizable, amorphous matrix is then polymerized. Examples of patterning methods include laser thermal transfer or thermal head transfer. The method and associated materials can be used to form, for example, organic electroluminescent devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Erika Bellmann, Yingbo Li, Ralph R. Roberts, James G. Bentsen
  • Patent number: 7442760
    Abstract: Electroactive polymeric arylenes and intermediates useful for making such polymers are disclosed. The present invention also provides electroactive compositions comprising the electroactive polymeric arylenes, organic electronic devices which comprise these polymers and compositions, and methods of fabricating these devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, James G. Bentsen, Yingbo Li
  • Patent number: 7442421
    Abstract: Light emitting polymers can include a plurality of arylene monomeric units and a plurality of soft segment units independently selected from soft segment end caps; soft segment side chains coupled to a portion, but not all, of the arylene monomeric units; internal soft segment monomeric units; and combinations thereof. These light emitting polymers can be used in forming electroluminescent devices or other articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yingbo Li, John P. Baetzold, Terence D. Spawn, Ralph R. Roberts, James G. Bentsen, John S. Staral
  • Publication number: 20080108727
    Abstract: A pre-polymer/liquid crystal composition is disclosed and includes, a liquid crystal component, a photo polymerization initiator, and a polymer precursor component. The polymer precursor component includes at least, a silane monomer, reactive (meth)acryloxy monomer or oligomer, and an ester, urethane, or (meth)acrylate based polymer or oligomer, bearing one or more reactive (meth)acrylate groups. Methods of forming a bistable electro-optical device are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Amy J. Hite, Jane K. Wardhana, Matthew S. Stay, Kevin M. Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 7282275
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions, organic electronic devices, and methods for preparing organic electronic devices. The compositions include a small molecule that is combined with at least one other material selected from a charge transporting material, a charge blocking material, a light emitting material, a color conversion material, or a combination thereof. The first compound has an aromatic core and two to four identical end capping groups attached to the aromatic core. The second compound has at least some structural similarities to the first compound of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, James G. Bentsen, Ralph R. Roberts, John S. Staral, Yingbo Li
  • Patent number: 7271406
    Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided that can be used as electron transport agents in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices. The compounds are non-polymeric and have an aromatic core conjugated to end capping groups. The aromatic core contains a phenylene group arylene or naphthalene group arylene having a pendant heteroaryl group that includes a —C?N— unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James G. Bentsen, Nicholas P. Goplen, Yingbo Li, Ralph R. Roberts