Patents by Inventor Robert C. Fitzer
Robert C. Fitzer 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: 20170204295Abstract: A dampening structure includes a polymer layer having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a plurality of micro-structures, wherein each of the micro-structures has a width of less than about 400 microns. An elastic modulus of the polymer layer is greater than about 0.1 MPa and less than about 5 GPa at 25° C. The polymer layer is non-tacky.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Sunil K. Pillalamarri, Robert C. Fitzer
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Publication number: 20150077873Abstract: Provided are adhesive articles and display components that include a film substrate and an adhesive. The film substrate includes a reflecting layer and an opaque layer. The adhesive may be disposed on at least one major surface of the reflecting layer and opaque layer. The inclusion of the film substrate in the adhesive articles enables the adhesive article to inhibit the transmission of visible light through the film substrate. The film substrate includes at least one cavity extending from the first major surface of the reflecting layer to the first major surface of the opaque layer, wherein the cavity volume is at least partially filled by the adhesive. The display component includes at least one display element adhered to an adhesive article via the adhesive. Methods of making adhesive articles and display components are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Harry E. Johnson, Robert C. Fitzer, Jeffry T. Omland
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Publication number: 20140251662Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive, optically clear adhesive including an optically clear adhesive layer and an interconnected, electrically conductive network layer positioned over the optically clear adhesive layer. The electrically conductive, optically clear adhesive has a conductivity of between about 0.5 and about 1000 ohm/sq, haze of less than about 10%, and a transmittance of at least about 80%.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: 3MM Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Nelson T. Rotto, Robert C. Fitzer, John D. Le
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Patent number: 8630040Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The optical display filters include a multi-layer stack that contains at least one organic layer. The filters have high visible light transmittance, low visible light reflection, and provide electromagnetic interference shielding.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Clark I. Bright, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki, Christopher S. Lyons, Hun Jeong
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Patent number: 8350451Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The films include a transparent substrate, a nucleation layer, an electrically-conductive layer, a barrier layer, and a dielectric layer. The films can provide high visible transmission, are corrosion-resistant, and can provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding). The optical display filters are useful as components of active optical devices such as display panels including liquid crystal display panels such as those used on mobile hand-held phones.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Clark I. Bright, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki
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Publication number: 20120328829Abstract: Nano-structured layers having a random nano-structured anisotropic major surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Kalc C. Vang, John D. Le, Moses M. David, Brant U. Kolb, Ta-Hua Yu, Robert C. Fitzer
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Publication number: 20120236528Abstract: A flexible multilayer electromagnetic shield is provided that includes a flexible substrate, a thin film layer of a first ferromagnetic material with high magnetic permeability disposed upon the substrate and a multilayer stack disposed upon the first ferromagnetic material. The multilayer stack includes pairs of layers, each pair comprising a polymeric spacing layer and a thin film layer of at least a second ferromagnetic material disposed on the spacing layer. At least one or more of the spacing layers includes an acrylic polymer. Also methods of making the flexible multilayer electromagnetic shield are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen P. Maki, Bradley L. Givot, David A. Sowatzke
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Publication number: 20120127578Abstract: Antireflective transparent EMI shielding optical filters are provided that can be laminated to optical display devices using optically clear adhesives. The provided filters include electrically-conductive metal or metal alloy layers that can be continuous and patterned or unpatterned. Also included are methods of making the provided filters and touch sensors made using the provided filters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Clark I. Bright, Robert C. Fitzer, John D. Le
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Patent number: 8173453Abstract: Patterning an organic light emitting diode (OLED) after it has been encapsulated by permanently changing the light emissivity of the diodes. The OLED includes an intervening layer between a source of laser treatment and a light emitting layer. Depending on the composition of the light emitting layer, the laser treatment will enhance or diminish brightness.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Fred B. McCormick, Robert C. Fitzer, Hung T. Tran
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Publication number: 20090303602Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The films include a transparent substrate, a nucleation layer, an electrically-conductive layer, a barrier layer, and a dielectric layer. The films can provide high visible transmission, are corrosion-resistant, and can provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding). The optical display filters are useful as components of active optical devices such as display panels including liquid crystal display panels such as those used on mobile hand-held phones.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: CLARK I. BRIGHT, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki
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Publication number: 20090201606Abstract: Internally replenished gas-containing enclosures and methods of internally replenishing an enclosure are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventors: Ellen Burts-Cooper, Robert C. Fitzer, Daniel B. Pendergrass, JR.
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Patent number: 7538972Abstract: Internally replenished gas-containing enclosures are described. Such enclosures include a replenishing gas source internal to the enclosure, wherein the gas source comprises a gas contained within a permeable membrane. Exemplary gas sources include a plurality of bubbles and pouches. Materials useful for the permeable membrane include glass, glass ceramics, metals, metal oxides, polymeric films, as well as combinations of such materials. The gas source may be located within the enclosure or it may be incorporated into a resin (e.g., an adhesive or a gasket) positioned between sections of an enclosure. Methods of internally replenishing an enclosure are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ellen Burts-Cooper, Robert C. Fitzer, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090109537Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The optical display filters include a multi-layer stack that contains at least one organic layer. The filters have high visible light transmittance, low visible light reflection, and provide electromagnetic interference shielding.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Clark I. BRIGHT, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki, Christopher S. Lyons, Hun Jeong
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Publication number: 20080160789Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of laser patterning organic light emitting diodes by permanently changing the light emissivity of the diodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Fred B. McCormick, Robert C. Fitzer, Hung T. Tran
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Patent number: 7219619Abstract: A shock indicator is described comprising (A) a base having a first side and a second side; (B) an indicator associated with the first side of the base, the indicator comprising a plurality of indicator subparts, the subparts comprising solid material arranged (i) in a first configuration when the shock indicator is in a first state prior to a shock event, and (ii) in a second configuration when the shock indicator is in a second state following a shock event; and (C) means associated with the second side of the base for attachment of the shock indicator to a surface. A method of manufacture is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert C. Fitzer, G. Marco Bommarito, Richard L. Crone, Jeffrey W. McCutcheon, Kevin W. Anderson, Russell D. Birkholz, Zhiming Zhou
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Patent number: 6396616Abstract: A laser imaging system for direct imaging with high optical power density a series of pixels forming an image on a media surface, The laser imaging system includes a laser light source, wherein the laser light source emits a laser beam representative of the image on the media surface. An optical path is defined between the laser light source and the media surface. A scanner is provided having a mirrored surface positioned along the optical path. An optical assembly is positioned along the optical path for shaping and focusing the laser beam at the media surface, including an F-Theta lens assembly positioned along the optical path between the scanner and the media surface. The F-Theta lens assembly includes a spheric lens, an aspheric lens and a toric lens, providing an increase in optical power density at the media surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert C. Fitzer, Hung Thien Tran, Biljana Tadic-Galeb, Sherman L. Bartz, Donald C. Grillo
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Patent number: 6180318Abstract: A method of imaging an article comprising a metal/metal oxide imageable layer with a laser beam. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for imparting a color image on the article. The method includes: a) providing an article including a substrate and an imageable layer, the imageable layer comprising a metal/metal oxide layer; b) imagewise applying a laser beam to the article; and c) in the portion of the article having the laser applied thereto, imparting a color to the metal/metal oxide layer different from the color in the non-imaged portion. Preferably, the imageable layer comprises aluminum/aluminum oxide. Also presented are imageable articles, and the resulting imaged articles.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert C. Fitzer, Haitao Huang, Pierre H. LePere, Theresa A. McCarthy-Pohl, Robert D. Waid
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Patent number: 6045920Abstract: A polymeric imaging medium comprising a receptor layer and an optional backing layer particularly useful in electrophotographic printing processes with liquid toners comprising thermoplastic toner particles in a liquid carrier that is not a solvent for the particles at a first temperature and that is a solvent for the particles at a second temperature, methods of imaging such a medium, and such an imaged medium. In one preferred embodiment, the receptor layer comprises a polymer of ethylene, n-butylacrylate, and methacrylic acid. In another preferred embodiment, the receptor layer comprises a blend of 60 to 90 percent by weight of a polymer comprising ethylene, n-butylacrylate, and methacrylic acid and about 10 to 40 percent by weight of a neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David T. Ou-Yang, Robert C. Fitzer
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Patent number: 5728502Abstract: A polymeric imaging medium comprising a receptor layer and an optional backing layer particularly useful in electrophotographic printing processes with liquid toners comprising thermoplastic toner particles in a liquid carrier that is not a solvent for the particles at a first temperature and that is a solvent for the particles at a second temperature, methods of imaging such a medium, and such an imaged medium. In one preferred embodiment, the receptor layer comprises a polymer of ethylene, n-butylacrylate, and methacrylic acid. In another preferred embodiment, the receptor layer comprises a blend of 60 to 90 percent by weight of a polymer comprising ethylene, n-butylacrylate, and methacrylic acid and about 10 to 40 percent by weight of a neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David T. Ou-Yang, Robert C. Fitzer
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Patent number: 5591530Abstract: Flexible optically uniform sign face substrate comprising at least one layer of durable thermoplastic sheeting and an optically uniform dimensionally stable scrim film, and more particularly a sign face substrate comprising at least one layer of optically uniform dimensionally stable multilayer scrim film laminated between at least two layers of durable thermoplastic sheeting for use in areas such as awning, canopy, fascia or sign material construction.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert W. Warner, Robert C. Fitzer, David B. Redmond, Ronald J. Tabar