Patents by Inventor Robert J. Fleming
Robert J. Fleming 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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Patent number: 6357880Abstract: The present invention is a display apparatus that provides protection against damage for a metallic layer. The display apparatus includes a light modulating layer, a polarizer, and a light directing film. The light directing film includes a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces and a metal layer on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A tilt angle of the tilted surfaces offsets an optimal viewing angle for the display from a glare angle for the display. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing film of the display apparatus further includes an inorganic protective layer formed on the metal layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer inhibits molecular transfer to the metal layer and balances the color of reflected and transmitted light. The light directing film further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer between a polarizer and the inorganic protective layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Robert J. Fleming, Timothy J Gardner, Christopher S. Lyons, Stephen P. Maki, Mark D. Nachbor
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Patent number: 6350034Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Fleming, Joseph M. McGrath, Christopher S. Lyons
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Patent number: 6306459Abstract: Exposed lens retroreflective article 10 that comprises a colored layer 14 and a layer of optical elements 12 that are partially embedded in the colored layer 14. The colored layer 14 comprises reflective flakes 16 and a dye that is covalently bonded to a polymer 18. The articles can retain their color after multiple industrial wash cycles. The use of a reactive dye, reflective flakes, and/or polymer precursor during the preparation of the colored layer enables a launderably-durable colored retroreflective article to be made without the use of a solvent and without the use of a temporary carrier.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Robert J. Fleming
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Publication number: 20010019452Abstract: The present invention is a display apparatus that provides protection against damage for a metallic layer. The display apparatus includes a light modulating layer, a polarizer, and a light directing film. The light directing film includes a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces and a metal layer on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A tilt angle of the tilted surfaces offsets an optimal viewing angle for the display from a glare angle for the display. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing film of the display apparatus further includes an inorganic protective layer formed on the metal layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer inhibits molecular transfer to the metal layer and balances the color of reflected and transmitted light. The light directing film further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer between a polarizer and the inorganic protective layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2001Publication date: September 6, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Robert J. Fleming, Timothy J. Gardner, Christopher S. Lyons, Stephen P. Maki, Mark D. Nachbor
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Patent number: 6264336Abstract: The present invention is a display apparatus that provides protection against damage for a metallic layer. The display apparatus includes a light modulating layer, a polarizer, and a light directing film. The light directing film includes a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces and a metal layer on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A tilt angle of the tilted surfaces offsets an optimal viewing angle for the display from a glare angle for the display. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing film of the display apparatus further includes an inorganic protective layer formed on the metal layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer inhibits molecular transfer to the metal layer and balances the color of reflected and transmitted light. The light directing film further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer between a polarizer and the inorganic protective layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Robert J. Fleming, Timothy J. Gardner, Christopher S. Lyons, Stephen P. Maki, Mark D. Nachbor
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Patent number: 6245150Abstract: Vapor coating apparatus comprising a chamber having a liquid inlet, atomization means, and chilled substrate support. Carrier gas and coating liquid (e.g. monomer or polymer) are contacted under conditions that vaporize the liquid. Nozzle near chamber inlet has liquid and carrier gas inlets, outlets, and passageways through which liquid and gas streams flow. The outlets and passageways are shaped so that the liquid and carrier gas streams collide outside the nozzle, and the liquid is atomized and then vaporized due to conditions within the chamber. The vapor flows to a substrate at the chamber outlet where it is condensed. The gas discharged from the nozzle is at high velocity and can be shaped as a cone surrounding the liquid discharged from the nozzle in the interior of the gas stream cone.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher S. Lyons, Constantin I. Ruta, Robert J. Fleming, Russell E. Blette
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Patent number: 6243201Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Fleming, Joseph M. McGrath, Christopher S. Lyons
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Patent number: 6224219Abstract: A method for making retroreflective articles that have a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has at least one polymer layer made by condensing a curing a pre-polymer vapor.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Fleming, Joseph M. McGrath, Christopher S. Lyons
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Patent number: 6172810Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert J. Fleming, Joseph M. McGrath, Christopher S. Lyons
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Patent number: 6045864Abstract: Coating system and method that allows coatings to be formed from a wide variety of coatable compositions that are entirely free of any solvents or, alternatively, have relatively little solvent in minor amounts effective to help dissolve one or more components of such compositions. A fluid composition is atomized and contacted with a carrier gas. The contacting occurs under conditions such that vaporization of substantially all of the atomized fluid composition occurs so as to form a vapor having a condensation temperature. The vapor is caused to flow to the surface of the substrate. The surface is at a temperature below the condensation temperature of the vapor. Consequently, the vapor condenses onto the surface to form the coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher S. Lyons, Constantin I. Ruta, Robert J. Fleming, Russell E. Blette, Robin E. Wright, Jeffrey H. Tokie
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Patent number: 6012647Abstract: Apparatus suitable for atomizing and vaporizing at least a first liquid by colliding at least one gas with the first liquid. The apparatus includes a gas inlet through which the gas enters the apparatus and a first liquid inlet through which the first liquid enters the apparatus. A discharge end of the apparatus includes at least one first liquid discharge outlet through which at least one stream of the first liquid is discharged from the apparatus. The discharge end also includes at least one gas discharge outlet through which at least one stream of gas is discharged from the apparatus to collide with and thereby atomize the discharged stream of the first liquid. A first liquid passageway interconnects the first liquid inlet with the first liquid discharge outlet. A gas passageway interconnects the gas inlet with the at least one gas discharge outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Constantin I. Ruta, Russell E. Blette, Christopher S. Lyons, Robert J. Fleming
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Patent number: 6004924Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of Serrate genes, and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. In a specific embodiment, the Serrate protein is a human protein. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of Serrate which comprise one or more domains of the Serrate protein, including but not limited to the intracellular domain, extracellular domain, DSL domain, cysteine rich domain, transmembrane region, membrane-associated region, or one or more EGF-like repeats of a Serrate protein, or any combination of the foregoing. Antibodies to Serrate, its derivatives and analogs, are additionally provided. Methods of production of the Serrate proteins, derivatives and analogs, e.g., by recombinant means, are also provided. Therapeutic and diagnostic methods and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignees: Imperial Cancer Research Technology, Ltd., Yale UniversityInventors: David Ish-Horowicz, Domingos Manuel Pinto Henrique, Julian Hart Lewis, Anna Mary Myat, Robert J. Fleming, Spyridon Artavanis-Tsakonas, Robert S. Mann, Grace E. Gray
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Patent number: 5976669Abstract: A retroreflective article (10) has retroreflective elements (12) partially embedded in a binder layer (14) that contains a solid polyurethane. The polyurethane includes soft segments, hard segments, silicon moieties, and urethane moieties. The specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties are sufficient to impart desired high elongation and low modulus to the polymer. The inventive retroreflective article is capable of demonstrating extraordinary laundering durability under industrial wash conditions and tumble and tunnel drying.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Robert J. Fleming
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Patent number: 5869282Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of Serrate genes, and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. In a specific embodiment, the Serrate protein is a human protein. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of Serrate which comprise one or more domains of the Serrate protein, including but not limited to the intracellular domain, extracellular domain, DSL domain, cysteine rich domain, transmembrane region, membrane-associated region, or one or more EGF-like repeats of a Serrate protein, or any combination of the foregoing. Antibodies to Serrate, its derivatives and analogs, are additionally provided. Methods of production of the Serrate proteins, derivatives and analogs, e.g., by recombinant means, are also provided. Therapeutic and diagnostic methods and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1995Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignees: Imperial Cancer Research Technology, Ltd., Yale UniversityInventors: David Ish-Horowicz, Domingos Manuel Pinto Henrique, Julian Hart Lewis, Anna Mary Myat, Robert J. Fleming, Spyridon Artavanis-Tsakonas, Robert S. Mann, Grace E. Gray
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Patent number: 5812317Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article 10 has in sequence a layer of microspheres 12, a polymeric intermediate layer 18, a metal reflective layer 16, and a polymeric binder layer 14. Microspheres 12 are partially embedded in the binder layer 14, and the intermediate layer 18 and the metal reflective layer 16 are disposed between the microspheres 12 and the binder layer 14 such that the intermediate layer 18 is in contact with microspheres 12. Retroreflective articles of this construction provide improved laundering durability.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Robert J. Fleming
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Patent number: 5209815Abstract: A method of forming patterned film onto a substrate includes the steps of: depositing a polyether sulfone release layer 50; depositing a photoresist underlayer 52; patterning a predetermined film pattern through the underlayer 52 and the polyether sulfone layer 50; depositing a film layer 60 onto the wafer, thereby forming a patterned film 62 on the substrate 10; weakening the mechanical bonding strength to the polyether sulfone release layer 50 by immersing it in NMP; stripping off layers 54 and 60 by applying an adhesive backed tape 64 to the top of the film layer and applying a pulling force; and, removing the polyether sulfone release layer 50 by immersing the wafer in a NMP bath.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1991Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert J. Fleming, Margaret J. Lawson, Edward J. Leonard, Bryan N. Rhoads
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Patent number: 4973532Abstract: A battery separator includes a porous substrate and a thermal fuse material adhered to at least one surface of said porous substrate. The thermal fuse material is adhered to the substrate surface in a predetermined geometric array thereupon so as to establish open areas of the at least one substrate surface to thereby allow ionic migration therethrough. The thermal fuse material forming the geometric array on the substrate surface may itself define open pores to further facilitate such ionic migration. The thermal fuse material melts at or near a predetermined threshold temperature so that the substrate's permeability irreversibly becomes significantly decreased and thus interrupts the chemical reaction in an electrochemical battery. In such a manner, batteries of improved safety may be provided using the separators of this invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1989Date of Patent: November 27, 1990Assignee: Hoechst Celanese CorporationInventors: Henry T. Taskier, Steven M. Mullins, Ellen A. Langford, Robert J. Fleming
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Patent number: 4508755Abstract: Electret transducers, for example microphones, have a backplate which is metallized on one surface, the metallized surface forming one side of a capacitor. A frame sits on the metallized tape to hold the tape taut over the backplate. Metal connections are made to the backplate and frame to complete the circuit. The metallization is conventionally formed by vapor deposition of aluminum. This is a lengthy and relatively expensive process. Also the metallization can give rise to galvanic problems. The invention prints a pattern of conductive ink on the various parts. Good contact is obtained, galvanic action avoided and a reduction in manufacturing costs occurs. Simplified assembly is also obtained.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1983Date of Patent: April 2, 1985Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventors: Anthony B. Reintjes, Robert J. Fleming, Bev W. T. Gumb
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Patent number: 4427875Abstract: An electric steam radiator unit for heating residential and commercial spaces comprises an elongated vertical stack having a cylindrical central bore. The top of the stack communicates with one end of a generally horizontal heat exchange tube slightly downwardly inclined from the stack and having a plurality of heat radiating fins. A downwardly inclined condensate return tube connects the other end of the heat exchange tube to the bottom portion of the stack. The heat exchange tube, stack and condensate tube are joined in series to form a closed fluid circuit. An elongated cylindrical electric heating element disposed concentrically in the central bore extends the length of the stack to define a thin annular vaporization space. A small quantity of vaporizable liquid fills the lower part of the space and is converted to a vapor by action of the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1981Date of Patent: January 24, 1984Inventor: Robert J. Fleming
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Patent number: D390903Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1997Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Inventor: Robert J. Fleming