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: 20200264351
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Ying Xia, Lok-Man Ng, Shri Niwas, Scott J. Jones, Kevin W. Gotrik, Kui Chen-Ho
  • Patent number: 10545268
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a bead bond layer (140). The optical elements include transparent microspheres (110), a transparent polymeric polyurethane layer (120), and at least one reflective layer (130), where the transparent polymeric polyurethane layer (120) comprises a dried layer prepared from an aqueous polyurethane dispersion. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ying Xia, Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Yongshang Lu
  • Patent number: 10451780
    Abstract: Provided is a retroreflective article comprising a fibrous material and a perforated retroreflective material attached to said fibrous material. Embodiments of the article achieve desirable values under the ASTM F2731-11 Transmitted and Stored Energy Test, the E96/E96M-12 Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate Test, and ASTM E810-03 (2013) Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David B. Running, Shri Niwas, Matthew R. Lehmann, Douglas J. Hall, Kenneth L. Hanzalik, Denise A. Barrera, Alyson C. Phillips, Loretta L. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10386550
    Abstract: Methods for preparing retroreflective articles include providing a thermoplastic polymeric carrier layer, partially embedding transparent microspheres into the surface of the carrier layer so that the beads partially protrude from the surface of the carrier layer, depositing a metal reflective layer on the microspheres, applying a treatment solution to the metal layer, and applying a bead bond layer to the treated metal layer, to form an intermediate article. Upon removal of the carrier layer, the deposited metal layer not in contact with the surface of the microspheres remains present on the carrier layer, to form retroreflective articles with a discontinuous layer of reflective metal disposed only on the surface of the transparent microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce H. Edwards, Shri Niwas, Cheryl S. Elsbernd
  • Patent number: 10345495
    Abstract: Retroreflective article and precursor articles formed during the preparation of the retroreflective articles are provided. Also, methods of making both the precursor articles and the retroreflective articles are provided. The retroreflective articles and the precursor articles contain a reflective layer that includes both a reflective metal and a polymeric blend. The polymeric blend includes both a fluorinated polymer and a (meth)acrylate polymer. The retroreflective articles typically have anti-staining properties, anti-corrosion properties, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruby Chakraborty, Cheryl S. Elsbernd, Shri Niwas, Bruce H. Edwards, Chih-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 10281623
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements (110,120,130), embedded in a bead bond layer (140). The optical elements include transparent microspheres (110), at least one colored polymeric layer (120) covering the transparent microspheres, and a reflective layer (130) covering the colored polymeric layer. The polymeric layer includes at least one nanopigment. The transparent microspheres have a diameter range of 80-120 micrometers, with at least 75% of the transparent microspheres having a diameter range of 85-105 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas
  • Patent number: 10261222
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a polyurethane bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres, and at least one reflective layer. The polyurethane bead bond layer is the reaction product of a reaction mixture of at least one aliphatic polycarbonate polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and the reaction mixture is free of polyols containing unsaturated groups. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce H. Edwards, Shri Niwas, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 10215894
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include transparent microspheres (120) protruding from a bead bond layer (140), with reflective metal layers (130) coated on a portion of the transparent microspheres. Retroreflective articles with anti-staining properties have bead bond layers that contain one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds. At least a portion of the one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds migrates through the reflective metal layer to passivate the exposed metal surface of the reflective metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ruby Chakraborty, Cheryl L. S. Elsbernd, Shri Niwas
  • Patent number: 10197714
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, the layer of optical elements being divided into at least a first segment (110) and second segment (120), and a bead bond layer (170) containing a colorant. The optical elements are partially embedded in the bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres (140), a transparent polymeric layer (180), and at least one reflective layer. In the first segment of optical elements, the reflective layer is a dielectric reflective layer (150), and in the second segment of optical elements, the reflective layer is a reflective metallic layer (160). The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 10054724
    Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article (100), transfer articles comprising same, and methods of making same. The retroreflective article can include a binder layer (114); a layer of transparent microspheres (108) partially embedded in the binder layer; and reflective layer (110) disposed between the binder layer and the microspheres. The reflective layer (110) can include a dielectric mirror, which can include a first stack (115) and a second stack (111) positioned in planar contact with the first stack, wherein each of the first stack and the second stack comprises at least one bilayer (119), wherein each bilayer comprises a first material with a first bonding group and a second material with a complementary second bonding group. The transfer article can include the retroreflective article and a carrier web. The method can include partially embedding transparent microspheres in a carrier web; applying the reflective layer to the microspheres, and applying a binder layer composition to the reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Daniel J. Schmidt, Shri Niwas, Ying Xia
  • Patent number: 9856254
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline compounds with an alkoxy substituent at the 6, 7, 8, or 9-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing or inhibiting cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral, and neoplastic, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kyle J. Lindstrom, Bryon A. Merrill, Chad A. Haraldson, Michael J. Rice, Tushar A. Kshirsagar, Philip D. Heppner, Joshua R. Wurst, Shri Niwas, Sarah J. Slania
  • Publication number: 20170363784
    Abstract: Retroreflective article and precursor articles formed during the preparation of the retroreflective articles are provided. Also, methods of making both the precursor articles and the retroreflective articles are provided. The retroreflective articles and the precursor articles contain a reflective layer that includes both a reflective metal and a polymeric blend. The polymeric blend includes both a fluorinated polymer and a (meth)acrylate polymer. The retroreflective articles typically have anti-staining properties, anti-corrosion properties, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Ruby Chakraborty, Cheryl S. Elsbernd, Shri Niwas, Bruce H. Edwards, Chih-Chung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20170293056
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    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: 20170276844
    Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article (100), transfer articles comprising same, and methods of making same. The retroreflective article can include a binder layer (114); a layer of transparent microspheres (108) partially embedded in the binder layer; and reflective layer (110) disposed between the binder layer and the microspheres. The reflective layer (110) can include a dielectric mirror, which can include a first stack (115) and a second stack (111) positioned in planar contact with the first stack, wherein each of the first stack and the second stack comprises at least one bilayer (119), wherein each bilayer comprises a first material with a first bonding group and a second material with a complementary second bonding group. The transfer article can include the retroreflective article and a carrier web. The method can include partially embedding transparent microspheres in a carrier web; applying the reflective layer to the microspheres, and applying a binder layer composition to the reflective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Daniel J. Schmidt, Shri Niwas, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20170192142
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, the layer of optical elements being divided into at least a first segment (110) and second segment (120), and a bead bond layer (170) containing a colorant. The optical elements are partially embedded in the bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres (140), a transparent polymeric layer (180), and at least one reflective layer. In the first segment of optical elements, the reflective layer is a dielectric reflective layer (150), and in the second segment of optical elements, the reflective layer is a reflective metallic layer (160). The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Shri Niwas, Michael A. McCoy, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20170146704
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a polyurethane bead bond layer. The optical elements include transparent microspheres, and at least one reflective layer. The polyurethane bead bond layer is the reaction product of a reaction mixture of at least one aliphatic polycarbonate polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and the reaction mixture is free of polyols containing unsaturated groups. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce H. Edwards, Shri Niwas, Ying Xia
  • Publication number: 20170131444
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements, and a bead bond layer (140). The optical elements include transparent microspheres (110), a transparent polymeric polyurethane layer (120), and at least one reflective layer (130), where the transparent polymeric polyurethane layer (120) comprises a dried layer prepared from an aqueous polyurethane dispersion. The retroreflective articles have improved wash durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Ying XIA, Shri NIWAS, Michael A. MCCOY, Yongshang LU
  • Publication number: 20170059751
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include transparent microspheres (120) protruding from a bead bond layer (140), with reflective metal layers (130) coated on a portion of the transparent microspheres. Retroreflective articles with anti-staining properties have bead bond layers that contain one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds. At least a portion of the one or more corrosion inhibiting compounds migrates through the reflective metal layer to passivate the exposed metal surface of the reflective metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ruby Chakraborty, Cheryl L.S. Elsbernd, Shri Niwas
  • Publication number: 20160349416
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements (110,120,130), embedded in a bead bond layer (140). The optical elements include transparent microspheres (110), at least one colored polymeric layer (120) covering the transparent microspheres, and a reflective layer (130) covering the colored polymeric layer. The polymeric layer includes at least one nanopigment. The transparent microspheres have a diameter range of 80-120 micrometers, with at least 75% of the transparent microspheres having a diameter range of 85-105 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas
  • Publication number: 20160280707
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline compounds with an alkoxy substituent at the 6, 7, 8, or 9-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing or inhibiting cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral, and neoplastic, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kyle J. Lindstrom, Bryon A. Merrill, Chad A. Haraldson, Michael J. Rice, Tushar A. Kshirsagar, Philip D. Heppner, Joshua R. Wurst, Shri Niwas, Sarah J. Slania