Patents by Inventor Sanford Cobb, Jr.
Sanford Cobb, Jr. 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: 8588574Abstract: A backlight includes a lightguide, a light source disposed with respect to the lightguide to introduce light into the lightguide and a turning film. Optical structures are formed in one of an output surface and a back surface of the lightguide. The optical structures are arranged to extract light from the lightguide. A back reflector is disposed adjacent the back surface. The optical structures are formed to include a varying pattern arranged to mask non-uniformities in the output of the lightguide.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mark E. Gardiner, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Kenneth A. Epstein, Wade D. Kretman
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Patent number: 7873256Abstract: A backlight includes a lightguide, a light source disposed with respect to the lightguide to introduce light into the lightguide and a turning film. Optical structures are formed in one of an output surface and a back surface of the lightguide. The optical structures are arranged to extract light from the lightguide. A back reflector is disposed adjacent the back surface. The optical structures are formed to include a varying pattern arranged to mask non-uniformities in the output of the lightguide.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mark E. Gardiner, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Kenneth A. Epstein, Wade D. Kretman
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Patent number: 7852560Abstract: A display includes a liquid crystal display panel, an optical cavity producing substantially collimated light and a birefringent reflective polarizer.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael F. Weber, Carl A. Stover, David I. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Jr.
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Patent number: 7833593Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 7423708Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 7147903Abstract: Optical devices such as backlight assemblies, according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 7038745Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6934082Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Elisa M. Cross, Susan L. Kent, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Ronald J. Tabar, David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6924014Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: 3MInnovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6905220Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David L. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
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Patent number: 6888675Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6641883Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr.
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Patent number: 6598328Abstract: A lighted sign housing is provided having a sign face with both light-transmissive portions and light-blocking portions; and a reflective film applied to at least a portion of the light-blocking portions toward the interior of the sign housing. A method of using the reflective film is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1998Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ellen O. Aeling, Frank L. Deyak, Sanford Cobb, Jr.
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Patent number: 6581286Abstract: An optical film having structures that vary in height along their length where the variations have a nominal period of less than forty times the nominal height of the structures is taught. In some embodiments of the invention the variation is random.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan B. Campbell, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Wade D. Kretman, Marvin J. Niezgocki, Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6576887Abstract: A light guide including a light guide body having a light re-directing side positioned opposite from a light output side. A plurality of elongate prisms are located adjacent the light output side of the light guide body. The prisms extend side-by-side relative to one another along lengths. The prisms include upper edges defining heights of the prisms. The upper edges extend along the lengths of the prisms. Each upper edge includes a plurality of edge segments having different magnitudes of slope. The light guide also includes a plurality of light extraction structures located adjacent the light re-directing side of the light guide body for reflecting light toward the light output side. The light extraction structures include elongated projections each having a plateau segment and first and second facets. The elongated projections are separated by lands that are recessed relative to the plateau segments. The first and second facets extend from the plateau segments to the lands.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leland R. Whitney, Gary T. Boyd, Keith M. Kotchick, Kenneth A. Epstein, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Philip E Watson, David J. Lamb, Mark E. Gardiner
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Patent number: 6543153Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6515785Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polaizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6354709Abstract: An optical film having structures that vary in height along their length where the variations have a nominal period of less than forty times the nominal height of the structures is taught. In some embodiments of the invention the variation is random.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan B. Campbell, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Wade D. Kretman, Marvin J. Niezgocki, Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6322236Abstract: An optical film has surface that reduces the occurrence of optical defects in a display using the film. In particular, the surface has randomized characteristics that reduce such defects as wet-out, Newton's rings, and Moiré effects. The film has a first surface free of regular structure, the first surface having a plurality of local height maxima, a characteristic measure of the first surface having a random value within a predetermined range. The film also has a second surface opposing the first surface. A method of making an optical film includes embossing a pattern lacking regular structure onto a first surface of a film, wherein the first surface has a plurality of local height maxima, a characteristic measure of the first surface having a random value within a predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan B. Campbell, Andrew McKee, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Wade D. Kretman
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Patent number: RE40227Abstract: A thin, flexible film made of a transparent polymeric material including a structured surface and an opposite smooth surface, wherein light striking either surface, within certain angular ranges, is totally internally reflected. The structured surface includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angled isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. In addition, the perpendicular sides of the prims make an angle of approximately 45° with the smooth surface, and when the film is curled the smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve without materially affecting the performance of the film. Because of the film's flexibility and its ability to totally internally reflect light, it may be utilized in a variety of ways, for example, as a collector of solar energy or as a light conduit. The performance of the film may be manipulated to permit controlled light leakage.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Sanford Cobb, Jr.