Patents by Inventor Shri Niwas

Shri Niwas 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).

  • Publication number: 20230337758
    Abstract: A breathable, high-visibility garment comprising discrete islands of unsupported, retroreflective laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ying Xia, Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Lok-Man Ng
  • Patent number: 11752731
    Abstract: Articles that include at least one application layer; at least one bead bond layer (10); a layer of optical elements (20) that are partially embedded in the at least one bead bond layer (10); and at least one reflective layer (30) that is located functionally between the layer of optical elements (20) and the bead bond layer (10), wherein the at least one bead bond layer (10), the at least one application layer, or both comprise a cured product of an adhesive compositions that include polymerized units of one or more (meth)acrylate ester monomers derived from an alcohol containing 1 to 14 carbon atoms; at least one of urethane acrylate polymer or at least one acrylic copolymer; and at least one initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ying Xia, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Shri Niwas, Duane D. Fansler, Carla S. Thomas, Anthony F. Schultz, Alexander J. Kugel, Corinne E. Lipscomb, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Jonathan E. Janoski
  • Publication number: 20230276881
    Abstract: A breathable, high-visibility garment comprising an apertured fabric and a non-occlusive, unsupported, retroreflective laminate that is adhesively bonded to an outer major surface of at least one region of the apertured fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Lok-Man NG, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Xing Xia
  • Publication number: 20230142645
    Abstract: Described herein is a multilayered article and methods of making and using such articles. The multilayered article comprises: · (a) a microsphere layer comprising a plurality of microspheres (11) disposed in a monolayer; · (b) a bead bonding layer (12) comprising a first major surface and a second opposing major surface wherein the plurality of microspheres is at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the bead bonding layer, and wherein the bead bonding layer comprises a thermoset polyurethane, and wherein the thermoset polyurethane is derived from one or more liquid polyols; and · (c) an elastomeric layer (14) disposed on the second opposing major surface of the bead bonding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Yongshang Lu, Charlie C. Ho, Ryan M. Braun, John J. Jaros, Shri Niwas, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20230105298
    Abstract: Articles that include at least one application layer; at least one bead bond layer (10); a layer of optical elements (20) that are partially embedded in the at least one bead bond layer (10); and at least one reflective layer (30) that is located functionally between the layer of optical elements (20) and the bead bond layer (10), wherein the at least one bead bond layer (10), the at least one application layer, or both comprise a cured product of an adhesive compositions that include polymerized units of one or more (meth)acrylate ester monomers derived from an alcohol containing 1 to 14 carbon atoms; at least one of urethane acrylate polymer or at least one acrylic copolymer; and at least one initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ying Xia, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Shri Niwas, Duane D. Fansler, Carla S. Thomas, Anthony F. Schultz, Alexander J. Kugel, Corinne E. Lipscomb, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Jonathan E. Janoski
  • Publication number: 20230031047
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ann M. Gilman, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Daniel M. Lentz, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220365260
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer and a discontinuous binder-borne reflective layer that is provided by a portion of a fractured binder-borne reflective sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Graham M. Clarke, Kevin W. Gotrik, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Aaron M. Nash, Shri Niwas, Anthony F. Schultz, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Ying Xia, Scott J. Jones
  • Patent number: 11493674
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ann M. Gilman, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Daniel M. Lentz, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220276417
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 11415731
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a reflective-particle-containing binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a primary reflective layer that covers a portion of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere, and a secondary reflective layer provided by portions of the reflective-particle-containing binder layer that are adjacent to portions of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere that are not covered by the primary reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Ying Xia, Lok-Man Ng, Shri Niwas, Scott J. Jones, Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho
  • Publication number: 20220214478
    Abstract: A retroreflective article comprises a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements, each retroreflective element comprising a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a first locally laminated layer and a second locally laminated layer that may be reflective layers. A transfer article comprises a disposable carrier layer in which the retroreflective article is detachably disposed with at least some of the transparent microspheres in contact with the disposable carrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Graham M. Clarke, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, David J. Rowe, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220206195
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a first layer that is disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer and a second layer that is disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least one of the first layer and the second layer is a reflective layer; and, the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer differ in reflectivity. For at least some of the retroreflective elements, at least a portion of the second reflective layer is positioned in-parallel to the first reflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ying Xia, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, David J. Rowe, Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Scott J. Jones, Kevin W. Gotrik, Graham M. Clarke, Lok-Man Ng
  • Patent number: 11366252
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20220073795
    Abstract: There is provided adhesive compositions comprising a styrenic block copolymer and at least one tackifier, where the at least one tackifier contains non-carbon hetero-atom functionality, and where the adhesive composition is wash durable when bonded to a substrate. There is also provided articles made using these adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Ying Xia, Justin M. Bolton, Kui Chen-Ho, Shri Niwas, Jonathan E. Janoski, Anthony F. Schultz, Gregg A. Patnode, Carla S. Thomas, Duane D. Fansler
  • Publication number: 20220056320
    Abstract: There is provided retroreflective articles comprising a binder layer comprising an adhesive composition comprising at least one tackifier and at least one elastomer selected from at least one of natural rubbers and synthetic rubbers, and a layer of optical elements at least partially embedded in a major surface of the binder layer. There are also provided articles of clothing using the presently disclosed retroreflective articles and methods for preparing the retroreflective articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Ying Xia, Justin M. Bolton, Kui Chen-Ho, Shri Niwas, Jonathan E. Janoski, Anthony F, Schultz, Gregg A. Patnode, Carla S. Thomas, Duane D. Fansler
  • Publication number: 20210102100
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions that include polymerized units of one or more (meth)acrylate ester monomers derived from an alcohol containing 1 to 14 carbon atoms; polyvinyl acetal resin; and at least one initiator; and articles containing such compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Ying Xia, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Carla S. THOMAS, Anthony F. Schultz, Shri Niwas, Duane D. Fansler, Daniel J. O'Neal, Corinne E. LIPSCOMB, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Alexander J. Kugel
  • Patent number: 10845514
    Abstract: Provided herein are retroreflective colored article having a predetermined pattern of beaded and unbeaded regions and at least one polymeric color layer (130) covering at least a portion of the beaded and unbeaded regions, a reflector layer (140) covering the colour layer, and a carrier (150). Also disclosed are methods for making the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Matthew S. Stay, Ying Xia, Syud M. Ahmed, Cordell M. Hardy, Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Publication number: 20200264352
    Abstract: An exposed-lens retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a reflective layer disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer and at least one localized color layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the reflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Anne C. Gold, Silvia G. B. Guttmann, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20200264349
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Ann M. Gilman, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Daniel M. Lentz, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20200264350
    Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho, Scott J. Jones, Michael A. McCoy, Christopher A. Merton, Shri Niwas, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy, Ying Xia