Patents by Inventor Richard Sutherland
Richard Sutherland 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: 20060159864Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octancic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2006Publication date: July 20, 2006Inventors: Lalgudi Natarajan, Richard Sutherland, Vince Tondiglia, Timothy Bunning, Bob Epling, Donna Brandelik
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Publication number: 20060119914Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Richard Sutherland, Bill Hagan, William Kelly, Bob Epling
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Publication number: 20060119917Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Richard Sutherland, William Hagan, William Kelly, Bob Epling
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Publication number: 20060119916Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Richard Sutherland, Bill Hagan, William Kelly, Bob Epling
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Publication number: 20060114564Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Richard Sutherland, Bill Hagan, William Kelly, Bob Epling
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Publication number: 20060114533Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Richard Sutherland, William Hagan, William Kelly, Bob Epling
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Patent number: 7027623Abstract: A method and system for providing owners, potential buyers and other users of autographed items such as sports and other entertainment memorabilia visual evidence for verifying the authenticity of the autograph are described. A method of the present invention involves capturing an image of the signature as it is being placed on the item. The image so captured is then stored on a computer readable medium. In addition to the item itself, the owner of the item may be provided with a computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions for accessing the image and other information about the item, the signing process, the autographer, etc. The image may be captured by a camera mounted on a pen or other writing instrument.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: The Upper Deck Company, LLCInventors: Richard P. McWilliam, G. Lynn Hagen, Robert G. Andrews, Matthew Hoerr, Adam Christianson, Brenton Demko, William B. Abrahams, Richard Sutherland
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Publication number: 20050099662Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2004Publication date: May 12, 2005Inventors: Richard Sutherland, Bill Hagan, William Kelly, Bob Epling
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Publication number: 20050007639Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octancic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventors: Lalgudi Natarajan, Richard Sutherland, Vince Tondiglia, Timothy Bunning, Bob Epling, Donna Brandelik
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Patent number: 6839453Abstract: A method and system for providing owners, potential buyers and other users of autographed items such as sports and other entertainment memorabilia visual evidence for verifying the authenticity of the autograph are described. A method of the present invention involves capturing an image of the signature as it is being placed on the item. The image so captured is then stored on a computer readable medium. In addition to the item itself, the owner of the item may be provided with a computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions for accessing the image and other information about the item, the signing process, the autographer, etc. The image may be captured by a camera mounted on a pen or other writing instrument.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: The Upper Deck Company, LLCInventors: Richard P. McWilliam, G. Lynn Hagen, Robert G. Andrews, Matthew Hoerr, Adam Christianson, Brenton Demko, William B. Abrahams, Richard Sutherland
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Publication number: 20030198365Abstract: A method and system for providing owners, potential buyers and other users of autographed items such as sports and other entertainment memorabilia visual evidence for verifying the authenticity of the autograph are described. A method of the present invention involves capturing an image of the signature as it is being placed on the item. The image so captured is then stored on a computer readable medium. In addition to the item itself, the owner of the item may be provided with a computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions for accessing the image and other information about the item, the signing process, the autographer, etc. The image may be captured by a camera mounted on a pen or other writing instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: THE UPPER DECK COMPANY, LLC.Inventors: Richard P. McWilliam, G. Lynn Hagen, Robert G. Andrews, Matthew Hoerr, Adam Christianson, Brenton Demko, William B. Abrahams, Richard Sutherland
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Patent number: 5902024Abstract: A storage system is described, for receipt in an aperture in an item of furniture. The storage system comprises at least four sides, and pegs protruding outwardly from at least two opposite sides and interengageable with respective openings in the aperture by inwardly flexing the peg bearing sides. It further comprises at least two spaced rails bearing receiving formations, the receiving formations of the at least two rails being aligned such that plurality of items may be stored generally parallel to each other between them.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: McKechnie UK LimitedInventors: Richard Sutherland, George Kerr
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Patent number: 5653423Abstract: A knife gate valve comprises a body member to which two aligned conduits are attached. The body member has a U-shaped internal recess of predetermined length formed within it. A removable sealing member fits within the recess and extends along its entire length. The sealing member is comprised of rubber which has been cured about a threaded or irregularly surfaced rod that reinforces the seat, helping to keep it in the correct position and orientation in the recess. The rod protrudes from both lengthwise ends of the rubber and is operatively connected with the body of the valve. This prevents the sealing member from being dislodged by the flow of slurry through the valve or the opening action of the valve in the presence of a sticky slurry.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1996Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Technaflow, Inc.Inventors: Calvin L. Young, David L. Gambetta, Jon A. Hansen, Nolan D. King, Darrel J. DesRochers, Richard A. Sutherland