Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Johnson
Stephen A. Johnson 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: 20260259355Abstract: An optically diffusive film includes a plurality of particles dispersed in a binder. The particles and the binder have respective indices n1b and n2b along a same in-plane block-direction of the optically diffusive film, and respective indices n1p and n2p along an in-plane pass-direction orthogonal to the block-direction, such that for at least a first wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm: a magnitude of a difference between n1b and n2b is greater than about 0.04; and a magnitude of a difference between n1p and n2p is less than about 0.05. For a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light, for the visible wavelength range, and polarization states along the block- and the pass-directions, the optically diffusive film can have respective total optical transmittances TT(B) and TT(P) and respective diffuse optical transmittances TD(B) and TD(P), where TD(B)/TT(B)?0.7 and TD(P)/TT(P)?0.15.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2023Publication date: September 3, 2026Inventors: Benjamin F. Forsythe, David A. Rosen, Stephen A. Johnson, Carl A. Stover
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Publication number: 20260251832Abstract: Polyester copolymeric materials include 40 to 51 mol % substituted naphthalate units, such as dimethyl-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate units, 10 to 40 mol % ethylene units, and 10 to 40 mol % hexane units. The polyester copolymers can be used to prepare multi-layer optical films by coextrusion and/or co-stretching. The copolyester polymeric materials have desirable optical properties and permit thermal processing at lower temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2026Publication date: August 27, 2026Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Richard Yufeng Liu
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Publication number: 20260251833Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of optical repeat units. Each of the optical repeat units includes at least four sequentially arranged first through fourth layers including first and third layers having respective f-ratios f1 and f3. The optical film has a first order reflection band having a reflection peak height Rp1 and any second order reflection band has a reflection peak height Rp2, where Rp1/Rp2?5. Rp1/Rp2 may remain at least 5 when changing at least one of the f-ratios f1 and f3 continuously by 0.2. A thickness of each of the second and fourth layers can be less than a thickness of each of the first and third layers by at least a factor of 2, or a thickness of a same one of the first and third layers can differ from a thickness of each other layer by at least a factor of 2.5.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2026Publication date: August 27, 2026Inventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Lin Zhao, William T. Fay, Robert L. Brott, Gilles J. Benoit
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Patent number: 12710576Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of optical repeat units which may number less than about 175 in total and which may have a combined average thickness of less than about 20 micrometers. Each of the optical repeat units includes at least four individual layers which may include at least one polymeric A layer, at least two B layers, and at least one polymeric C layer. At least one layer in the at least four individual layers can have an average thickness of less than about 50 nm. An interlayer adhesion of the individual layers in the plurality of optical repeat units can be at least about 14 grams per inch when measured at a 90 degree peel angle. The multilayer optical film may be a reflective polarizer or a multilayer optical mirror.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: August 18, 2026Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Lin Zhao, William T. Fay, David T. Yust, Adam D. Haag
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Publication number: 20260166799Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of polymeric layers disposed between, and coextruded with, first and second skin layers. The optical film includes non-overlapping substantially parallel first and second regions extending along a length, and arranged along a width, of the optical film. Each of the polymeric layers and the first and second skin layers extend seamlessly and continuously between and across the first and second regions. Each of the polymeric layers has average thicknesses h1 and h2 in the respective first and second regions, where h1 greater than h2 by at least about 5%. Average separations between outermost first major surfaces of the first and second skin layers are s1 and s2 in the respective first and second regions, where s1 and s2 are within less than about 5% of each other. An optical sensing system includes a windshield including the optical film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: June 18, 2026Inventors: Samuel A. Minno, William T. Fay, Stephen A. Johnson, Lin Zhao, John A. Wheatley, Raghunath Padiyath
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Publication number: 20260160932Abstract: Multi-layer optical films that can be utilized as polarizer or mirror films and can be incorporated into optical stacks. The optical film includes a plurality of alternating polymeric first and second interference layers numbering greater than 50 and disposed between, and integrally formed with, first and second skin layers, each of the first and second interference layers has an average thickness less than 250 nm. The first and second interference layers and the first and second skin layers are compositions that include polyester.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2025Publication date: June 11, 2026Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Stephen A. Johnson, Benjamin J. Forsythe
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Patent number: 12643275Abstract: A polymeric film has an orthogonal length and width. The polymeric film includes a substrate and a plurality of fins extending away from the substrate and substantially coextensive with the substrate along the length. The fins are arranged across the width. Each fin in at least a majority of the fins includes a first portion extending from the substrate to a tip of the fin opposite the substrate; and a second portion extending from the tip of the fin toward or to the substrate. The second portion is attached to the first portion proximate the tip and separated from the first portion proximate the substrate along at least a portion of the length. The first and second portions have different respective first and second compositions.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 2, 2026Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Stephen A. Johnson, William T. Fay, Atheen R. Johnson
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Publication number: 20260140292Abstract: An integral multilayer optical film includes a plurality of interference layers; a structured layer disposed on the interference layers and including a plurality of particles dispersed in a binder; and a barrier layer disposed between the structured layer and the interference layers and co-extruded with the interference layers and the structured layer. The structured layer has a first major surface facing away from the interference layers and a second major surface facing the interference layers. The barrier layer causes the particles to impart a greater surface roughness to the first major surface than the second major surface so that when the optical film is illuminated with a light source, the optical film has a first average effective transmission T1 when the first major surface faces the light source and a second average effective transmission T2 when the first major surface faces away from the light source, where T1-T2?5%.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2026Publication date: May 21, 2026Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Benjamin J. Forsythe, Stephen A. Johnson, Derek W. Patzman, David T. Yust, Steven H. Kong
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Publication number: 20260140295Abstract: Multilayer reflective polarizers are described. In particular, multilayer reflective polarizers that include both crystalline high index layers and low index layers are disclosed. These reflective polarizers may be particularly suitable for combiner applications, including automotive heads up display applications with demanding ambient environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2026Publication date: May 21, 2026Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt, William F. Edmonds, Stephen A. Johnson
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Patent number: 12629925Abstract: Multi-layer films, and processes to make the films, that enable the delivery of a substrate featuring a peelable thin layer of low haze, amorphous, isotropic film with the desired properties of high modulus, high usage temperature, UV blockage, and toughness. The films are made using a co-extrusion, co-orientation and annealing process to enable the delivery of a thin isotropic, UV blocking layer on top of a release layer and support substrate. These film constructions can be kept together during additional processing steps such as coating and converting. The release and dimensionally stable substrate layer can be easily removed once processing steps are completed.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2024Date of Patent: May 19, 2026Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Derek W. Patzman, Richard Yufeng Liu, Victor Ho, Timothy J. Hebrink, Kevin T. Huseby, John F. VanDerlofske, III, John P. Purcell, William T. Fay, James B. Svacha, Richard J. Thompson, Timothy J. Lindquist, Kristopher J. Derks
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Patent number: 12631812Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of optical repeat units. Each of the optical repeat units includes at least four sequentially arranged first through fourth layers including first and third layers having respective f-ratios f1 and f3. The optical film has a first order reflection band having a reflection peak height Rp1 and any second order reflection band has a reflection peak height Rp2, where Rp1/Rp2?5. Rp1/Rp2 may remain at least 5 when changing at least one of the f-ratios f1 and f3 continuously by 0.2. A thickness of each of the second and fourth layers can be less than a thickness of each of the first and third layers by at least a factor of 2, or a thickness of a same one of the first and third layers can differ from a thickness of each other layer by at least a factor of 2.5.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 19, 2026Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Lin Zhao, William T. Fay, Robert L. Brott, Gilles J-B Benoit
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Patent number: 12625313Abstract: Polyester copolymeric materials include 40 to 51 mol % substituted naphthalate units, such as dimethyl-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate units, 10 to 40 mol % ethylene units, and 10 to 40 mol % hexane units. The polyester copolymers can be used to prepare multi-layer optical films by coextrusion and/or co-stretching. The copolyester polymeric materials have desirable optical properties and permit thermal processing at lower temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 12, 2026Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Richard Yufeng Liu
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Patent number: 12554052Abstract: An integral multilayer optical film includes a plurality of interference layers; a structured layer disposed on the interference layers and including a plurality of particles dispersed in a binder; and a barrier layer disposed between the structured layer and the interference layers and co-extruded with the interference layers and the structured layer. The structured layer has a first major surface facing away from the interference layers and a second major surface facing the interference layers. The barrier layer causes the particles to impart a greater surface roughness to the first major surface than the second major surface so that when the optical film is illuminated with a light source, the optical film has a first average effective transmission T1 when the first major surface faces the light source and a second average effective transmission T2 when the first major surface faces away from the light source, where T1-T2?5%.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 17, 2026Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Benjamin J. Forsythe, Stephen A. Johnson, Derek W. Patzman, David T. Yust, Steven H. Kong
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Patent number: 12545817Abstract: Article comprising, in order: a first polymeric film having first and second, opposed major surfaces; a first primer layer having first and second opposed, major surfaces on the first major surface of the first polymeric film, wherein for a distance of at least 25 nm starting from the first major surface of the first 5 primer layer toward the second major surface of the first primer layer there is an average Si content, on a theoretical elemental basis, not greater than 15 atomic percent; and a first release layer having first and second opposed, major surfaces, wherein the second major surface of the first release layer is in direct contact with the first major surface of the first primer layer, wherein the first release layer comprises, on a theoretical elemental basis, Si. Articles described herein are useful, for example, as a release liner for 10 casting pressure sensitive adhesives thereon.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 10, 2026Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey A. Peterson, Maria A. Appeaning, Christopher P. Gerlach, David J. Kinning, Madison P. Bennett, Marie A. Boulos, Anna M. Clausen, Victor Ho, Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Scott M. LeBow
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Publication number: 20250339241Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polyester blends featuring an amorphous first polyester and a second, semi-crystalline polyester elastomer. The first and second polyesters are miscible, in that the first and second polyesters form a homogenous, single-phase blend. The homogenous blend will exhibit a transparent melt and a single glass transition temperature. When used to form a sheet or film, the polyester blends demonstrate a low haze and enhanced force persistence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: November 6, 2025Inventors: Ta-Hua YU, Stephen A. JOHNSON, Timothy J. HEBRINK, Bruce R. BROYLES, Pamela A. PERCHA, Li YU, Michael R. BERRIGAN, Junkang J. LIU, Troy J. ANDERSON
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Publication number: 20250306257Abstract: An optical film includes a polarizer including an absorbing polarizer layer: an olefin layer disposed on the polarizer; and a bonding layer disposed between, and bonding together, the olefin layer and the polarizer. For substantially normally incident light, for orthogonal first and second polarization states, and for at least one wavelength in a wavelength range of about 420 nm to about 680 nm, the polarizer substantially transmits the incident light having the first, but not the second, polarization state. The bonding, olefin and absorbing polarizer layers are coextruded and co-stretched with one another. The olefin layer can have an unstructured major surface opposite the polarizer. An optical lens includes a lens substrate and the optical film disposed on, and substantially conforming to, a major surface of the lens substrate with the olefin layer facing the lens substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2023Publication date: October 2, 2025Inventors: John D. Le, Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Kayla A. McGrath, Brian R. Peterson, Jacob D. Young
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Publication number: 20250271605Abstract: A light control film has opposing substantially planar substantially parallel first and second major surfaces spaced apart along a thickness direction of the light control film, and a plurality of substantially parallel optically transparent polymeric columns disposed in, and substantially surrounded by, a light absorbing polymeric material. Each of the polymeric columns has a first column end at the first major surface and an opposite second column end at the second major surface, such that the first column ends are arranged to define a plurality of substantially parallel alternating substantially linear rows of the first column ends and substantially linear rows of continuous light absorbing polymeric material. Methods of fabricating the light control film are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 28, 2025Inventors: William T. Fay, Timothy J. Lindquist, Garth V. Antila, Stephen A. Johnson, Li Yu, Tri D. Pham
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Publication number: 20250196430Abstract: A method for making low shrink polyester films wherein the films are arranged in stacks, tentered, heat treated, and relaxed in unison. Also, polyester films produced by such method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2025Publication date: June 19, 2025Inventors: John P. Purcell, James B. Svacha, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Lindquist, Grant F. Tiefenbruck, Chad R. Wold
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Publication number: 20250135747Abstract: A polymeric film has an orthogonal length, width and thickness. The polymeric film includes first and second substrates spaced apart along the thickness and a plurality of crumpled elements extending between the first and second substrates and along the length. The crumpled elements are substantially coextensive with the first and second substrates along the length and are spaced apart along the width.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2022Publication date: May 1, 2025Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, William T. Fay, Atheen R. Johnson, Brian R. Peterson
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Publication number: 20250110261Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of alternating first and second polymeric layers disposed on a first protective layer. Each of the first and second polymeric layers has an average thickness less than about 500 nm and the first protective layer has an average thickness greater than about 750 nm. An olefin layer can be disposed on the first protective layer opposite the plurality of alternating first and second polymeric layers. The olefin layer includes cyclic olefin copolymer, cyclic olefin polymer, or a blend thereof. The olefin layer can have an unstructured major surface opposite the first protective layer. A bonding layer is disposed between, and bonds together, the olefin layer and the first protective layer. The optical film is integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, John D. Le, Jacob D. Young, Brian R. Peterson, Kayla A. McGrath