Patents by Inventor Serge Wetzels
Serge Wetzels 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).
-
Patent number: 8968629Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Jeremy K. Larsen, Michael Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
-
Patent number: 8857028Abstract: A virtual image (VI) device displays an image that appears to lie above or below the plane of the device. A method of manufacturing a VI display device includes calculating an initial VI flux pattern based on an object and then fabricating a substrate having a VI array pattern based on the initial VI flux pattern. A plurality of lenses may then be applied over the VI array pattern. The VI substrate may be static or dynamic, and may show grey scale information. A photomask may be used as an intermediate element in the manufacture of the VI substrate, or may act as the VI substrate itself. A method of producing the initial VI flux pattern includes virtually tracing rays generated by different points of the object to an image plane and ii) summing the rays from the different points. The rays may be traced through a lens array.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Brian J. Gates, Charles A. Marttila, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
-
Patent number: 8740599Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M. Benton Free, David W. Kuhns, Samual W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter
-
Patent number: 8586285Abstract: A sheeting and a method of forming a sheeting from a master tool are described where the sheeting has a composite image that floats above or below the sheeting. The method includes providing a first sheeting comprising a first array of microlenses and a photopolymerizable first material layer adjacent to the first array of microlenses. Another step is exposing the first sheeting to a radiation source to form a master tool comprising a plurality of polymerized first structured areas in the first material layer, wherein at least some of the first structured areas include a portion shape in common with at least some of the first structured areas and wherein each first structured area is associated with one of the first array of microlenses. Yet another step is replicating the plurality of first structured areas using a substance that conforms to the plurality of structured areas to form a second material layer having a plurality of replicated structured areas.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Brian J. Gates, Robert T. Krasa, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
-
Publication number: 20110179631Abstract: A virtual image (VI) device displays an image that appears to lie above or below the plane of the device. A method of manufacturing a VI display device includes calculating an initial VI flux pattern based on an object and then fabricating a substrate having a VI array pattern based on the initial VI flux pattern. A plurality of lenses may then be applied over the VI array pattern. The VI substrate may be static or dynamic, and may show grey scale information. A photomask may be used as an intermediate element in the manufacture of the VI substrate, or may act as the VI substrate itself. A method of producing the initial VI flux pattern includes virtually tracing rays generated by different points of the object to an image plane and ii) summing the rays from the different points. The rays may be traced through a lens array.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Brian J. Gates, Charles A. Marttila, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
-
Patent number: 7931841Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes an opaque web having first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. The first microreplicated structure and the second microreplicated structure retain registration within 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samuel W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter, legal representative, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King
-
Patent number: 7893410Abstract: A method including providing a substrate having thereon a layer including a multiphoton polymerizable composition, applying a light beam to at least one region of the layer, wherein the light beam cures or initiates cure of the multiphoton curable photoreactive composition; and processing a portion of the light beam reflected off the substrate to obtain a location signal of an interface between the layer and the substrate at each region.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Craig R. Sykora, Steven C. Reed, Serge Wetzels, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Matthew R. C. Atkinson
-
Publication number: 20100316959Abstract: A sheeting and a method of forming a sheeting from a master tool are described where the sheeting has a composite image that floats above or below the sheeting. The method includes providing a first sheeting comprising a first array of microlenses and a photopolymerizable first material layer adjacent to the first array of microlenses. Another step is exposing the first sheeting to a radiation source to form a master tool comprising a plurality of polymerized first structured areas in the first material layer, wherein at least some of the first structured areas include a portion shape in common with at least some of the first structured areas and wherein each first structured area is associated with one of the first array of microlenses. Yet another step is replicating the plurality of first structured areas using a substance that conforms to the plurality of structured areas to form a second material layer having a plurality of replicated structured areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Brian J. Gates, Robert T. Krasa, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
-
Publication number: 20100285231Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W.S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samual W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Oiester Benson, JR., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M.Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
-
Patent number: 7830368Abstract: A keypad having a virtual floating image that appears to a user to be in a plane other than the apparent plane of the keypad surface. More particularly, the indicia on the keypad appear to float above or below the surface of the device. The keypad can be, for example, the keypad on a cell phone. For such an application there would be more than one array of indicia present on the keypad. For example, there might be ten arrays of indicia, which provide the numerals from 0 to 9 and two more arrays to provide virtual images of the * and # keys. In some embodiments, the keypad is integrated with an illumination source that light up the indicia. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a key pad with a virtual floating image.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Charles A. Marttila, John T. Strand, Alan G. Hulme-Lowe, M. Benton Free, John S. Huizinga, James N. Dobbs, Serge Wetzels, Glen A. Jerry, Jennifer R. Yi, William R. Dudley
-
Patent number: 7767273Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samual W. Hunter, legal representative, Thelma E. Hunter, legal representative, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M. Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
-
Publication number: 20090250635Abstract: A method including providing a substrate having thereon a layer including a multiphoton polymerizable composition, applying a light beam to at least one region of the layer, wherein the light beam cures or initiates cure of the multiphoton curable photoreactive composition; and processing a portion of the light beam reflected off the substrate to obtain a location signal of an interface between the layer and the substrate at each region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2006Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: Craig R. Sykora, Steven C. Reed, Serge Wetzels, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Matthew R. C. Atkinson
-
Patent number: 7444932Abstract: A roll to roll microreplication apparatus is described. This apparatus forms a microreplicated article including a web having first and second opposed surfaces. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, first nip roll and first coating die; the first coating die is disposed adjacent the web substrate first side and the web substrate is disposed between the first patterned roll and first nip roll. The first nip roll touches the web substrate second side and the first patterned roll touches the web substrate first side. The apparatus includes, a second patterned roll, second nip roll and second coating die, the second coating die is disposed adjacent the web substrate second side and the web substrate is disposed between the second patterned roll and second nip roll. The second nip roll touches the web substrate first side and the second patterned roll touches the web substrate second side.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John T. Strand, Serge Wetzels
-
Publication number: 20070279391Abstract: A keypad having a virtual floating image that appears to a user to be in a plane other than the apparent plane of the keypad surface. More particularly, the indicia on the keypad appear to float above or below the surface of the device. The keypad can be, for example, the keypad on a cell phone. For such an application there would be more than one array of indicia present on the keypad. For example, there might be ten arrays of indicia, which provide the numerals from 0 to 9 and two more arrays to provide virtual images of the * and # keys. In some embodiments, the keypad is integrated with an illumination source that light up the indicia. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a key pad with a virtual floating image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Charles Marttila, John Strand, Alan Hulme-Lowe, M.Benton Free, John Huizinga, James Dobbs, Serge Wetzels, Glen Jerry, Jennifer Yi, William Dudley
-
Publication number: 20060251803Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes an opaque web having first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. The first microreplicated structure and the second microreplicated structure retain registration within 100 micrometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Inventors: John Huizinga, Vincent King, John Strand, James Dobbs, Thomas Hunter, William Dower, Daniel Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Samual Hunter, Thelma Hunter
-
Publication number: 20060236877Abstract: An apparatus for producing a microreplicated article is disclosed. This apparatus includes a first patterned roll having a first diameter and a second patterned roll having a second diameter. A drive assembly is included and is configured to rotate the first patterned roll and the second patterned roll such that the first and second rolls maintain a continuous registration within about 100 micrometers. The second diameter may be about 0.01 to about 1 percent larger than the first diameter. A method of making a microreplicated article are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: John Strand, Serge Wetzels
-
Publication number: 20060210714Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2006Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: John Huizinga, Vincent King, John Strand, James Dobbs, Thomas Hunter, William Dower, Daniel Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory King, Olester Benson, Brian Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy Larsen, M. Free, David Kuhns, Samual Hunter, Thelma Hunter