Patents by Inventor Shih-Lai Lu
Shih-Lai Lu 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: 20080009819Abstract: A knitted loop tape comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive layer; a film backing layer located above the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and bonded thereto; and a loop fabric layer located above the film backing layer and bonded thereto, the loop fabric layer having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and comprising a plurality of parallel warp yarns, each warp yarn being formed with a plurality of loops thereon; wherein each loop is respectively oriented toward the first side to define a first angle with respect to the film backing layer and the first angle ranges from about 10° to about 80°.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2005Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Jackson Liu, Thomas Kuo, Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 6120882Abstract: An article is disclosed having both holographic and retroreflective features. The article includes a holographic layer that is perceptible under normal lighting conditions and substantially imperceptible to the unaided eye under retroreflective lighting conditions, a retroreflective layer perceptible under retroreflective lighting conditions, and means for bonding the two layers together.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Faykish, Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 6110864Abstract: A security card comprising a backing, a cover film, and a security image, the security image being located between the backing and the cover film, the backing and the cover film being laminated together without an intermediate adhesive layer, wherein the backing comprises an amorphous copolyester or polyvinyl chloride, and the cover film comprises the other of polyvinyl chloride or an amorphous copolyester. Also, a method for making such security cards.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 6004670Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable contact responsive non-tacky fastener system and method of use with a field of a contact responsive fastening layer having essentially no surface tack. The fastening layer is multiply releasable and refastenable against a non-tacky target surface, and has substantially constant 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 5 kN/m when in contact with the target surface. A mounting layer comprises a field of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto which the field of the contact responsive layer is directly attached.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James J. Kobe, Maurice E. Freeman, Bradley D. Zinke, Shih-Lai Lu, Jason A. Chesley, Eric V. Malmberg, Robert G. Shaw
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Patent number: 5908695Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable contact responsive non-tacky fastener system and method of use with a field of a contact responsive fastening layer having essentially no surface tack. The fastening layer is multiply releasable and refastenable against a non-tacky target surface, and has substantially constant 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 5 kN/m when in contact with the target surface. A mounting layer comprises a field of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto which the field of the contact responsive layer is directly attached.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James J. Kobe, Maurice E. Freeman, Bradley D. Zinke, Shih-Lai Lu, Robert G. Shaw
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Patent number: 5888335Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable contact responsive non-tacky fastener system and method of use with a field of a contact responsive fastening layer having essentially no surface tack. The fastening layer is multiply releasable and refastenable against a non-tacky target surface, and has substantially constant 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 5 kN/m when in contact with the target surface. A mounting layer comprises a field of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto which the field of the contact responsive layer is directly attached.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James J. Kobe, Maurice E. Freeman, Bradley D. Zinke, Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5866236Abstract: An article is disclosed having both holographic and retroreflective features. The article includes a holographic layer that is perceptible under normal lighting conditions and substantially imperceptible to the unaided eye under retroreflective lighting conditions, a retroreflective layer perceptible under retroreflective lighting conditions, and means for bonding the two layers together.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Faykish, Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5743981Abstract: Optical security articles and methods of making same are described comprising a first layer substantially transparent to visible light and having a first refractive index, the first layer having a relief pattern on a first surface thereof and a substantially smooth second surface, and an adhesive layer coterminating with the first layer. The adhesive layer substantially completely fills and makes contact with a first portion of the plurality of geometric concavities, the adhesive layer having a second refractive index which is substantially similar to the first refractive index of the first layer. A second portion of the plurality of geometric concavities are precluded from contact with the adhesive layer by a corresponding plurality of separation layers, each separation layer having a separation layer refractive index which is different from the refractive index of the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5688738Abstract: A security card comprising a backing, a cover film, and a security image, the security image being located between the backing and the cover film, the backing and the cover film being laminated together without an intermediate adhesive layer, wherein the backing comprises an amorphous copolyester or polyvinyl chloride, and the cover film comprises the other of polyvinyl chloride or an amorphous copolyester. Also, a method for making such security cards.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5670096Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a transparent base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the microlenses being wider and shorter than portions of true spheres, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face, wherein the second face has a coating of a nacreous pigment composition thereon. The article can include an optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer to permit the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for making such base sheets, and a method for making a forming master.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5656360Abstract: An article is disclosed having both holographic and retroreflective features. The article includes a holographic layer that is perceptible under normal lighting conditions and substantially imperceptible to the unaided eye under retroreflective lighting conditions, a retroreflective layer perceptible under retroreflective lighting conditions, and means for bonding the two layers together.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1996Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Lynn E. Faykish, Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5591527Abstract: Optical security articles and methods of making same are described comprising a first layer substantially transparent to visible light and having a first refractive index, the first layer having a relief pattern on a first surface thereof and a substantially smooth second surface, and an adhesive layer coterminating with the first layer. The adhesive layer substantially completely fills and makes contact with a first portion of the plurality of geometric concavities, the adhesive layer having a second refractive index which is substantially similar to the first refractive index of the first layer. A second portion of the plurality of geometric concavities are precluded from contact with the adhesive layer by a corresponding plurality of separation layers, each separation layer having a separation layer refractive index which is different from the refractive index of the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1994Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5468540Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a transparent base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the microlenses being wider and shorter than portions of true spheres, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face, wherein the second face has a coating of a nacreous pigment composition thereon. The article can include an optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer to permit the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for making such base sheets, and a method for making a forming master.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5316849Abstract: A reclosable mechanical fastener comprising a fastening component having a surface structure by which two such fastening components can become releasably attached. The novel fastening component is a composite of a tough substrate and a fastening layer that forms said surface structure, which fastening layer is formed from a cured oligomeric resin composition having one or more like or different hard segments, one or more like or different soft segments, and one or more like or different monovalent moieties containing a radiation-sensitive, addition-polymerizable, function group. The novel fastener forms stronger linkages than were possible with similar fasteners of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1992Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shih-Lai Lu, James J. Kobe, John D. Moon, Maurice E. Freeman, Forrest J. Rouser, Robert V. Heiti, Thomas E. Boettcher
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Patent number: 5254390Abstract: An article comprising a transparent plano-convex base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face. The article optionally further comprising a specularly reflective layer on the second face which renders the base sheet retroreflective. An optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer permits the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for forming such articles.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1990Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5196266Abstract: A reclosable mechanical fastener comprising a fastening component having a surface structure by which two such fastening components can become releasably attached. The novel fastening component is a composite of a tough substrate and a fastening layer that forms said surface structure, which fastening layer is formed from a cured oligomeric resin composition having one or more like or different hard segments, one or more like or different soft segments, and one or more like or different monovalent moieties containing a radiation-sensitive, addition-polymerizable, function group. The novel fastener forms stronger linkages than were possible with similar fasteners of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1990Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shih-Lai Lu, James J. Kobe, John D. Moon, Maurice E. Freeman, Forrest J. Rouser, Robert V. Heiti, Thomas E. Boettcher
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Patent number: 5183597Abstract: A microstructure-bearing composite plastic article can be superior, both in microstructure and in physical properties, when it is a composite of a tough, flexible substrate, at a surface of which is microstructure formed of a cured oligomeric resin having hard segments and soft segments, which cured resin is substantially confined to the microstructure portion of the composite. Such a composite plastic article can be made by depositing an uncured oligomeric resin composition onto a master negative molding surface, filling the cavities by moving a bead of the composition between a substrate and the master, and curing the deposited composition by ultraviolet radiation while keeping the temperature during curing from rising not more than about 30.degree. C. above a typical use temperature of the finished composite plastic article.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 5175030Abstract: A microstructure-bearing composite plastic article can be superior, both in microstructure and in physical properties, when it is a composite of a tough, flexible substrate, at a surface of which is microstructure formed of a cured oligomeric resin having hard segments and soft segments, which cured resin is substantially confined to the microstructure portion of the composite. Such a composite plastic article can be made by depositing an uncured oligomeric resin composition onto a master negative molding surface in an amount barely sufficient to fill the cavities of the master, filling the cavities by moving a bead of the composition between a substrate and the master, and curing the deposited composition by ultraviolet radiation while keeping the temperature during curing to not more than 50.degree. C. above the typical use temperature of the finished composite plastic article.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1989Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shih-Lai Lu, Todd R. Williams
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Patent number: 4977003Abstract: Adhesive tape, the adhesive layer of which comprises a copolymer of (a) acrylonitrile and (b) butadiene and/or isoprene. Even though such an adhesive copolymer layer is usually substantially nontacky, it forms under moderate pressure bonds to many substrates which become stronger than the substrates. The bonds become strong more quickly when heated while the pressure is being applied. For a usefully long period of time after initiating a bond, the tape usually is repositionable.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1985Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert C. Brown, Shih-Lai Lu
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Patent number: 4853267Abstract: An end portion for a container having a preformed opening therein and an easy-open closure system therefor, the closure system comprising an exterior tape over the opening which is manually removable, the tape being adhered by an adhesive which comprises the reaction mixture of an aryl isocyanate, an aliphatic glycol, and a defined mixture of hydroxy terminated polyesters.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1984Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shih-Lai Lu, Andrew H. Wong