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).

  • Publication number: 20250196430
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: John P. Purcell, James B. Svacha, Stephen A. Johnson, Timothy J. Lindquist, Grant F. Tiefenbruck, Chad R. Wold
  • Publication number: 20250135747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, William T. Fay, Atheen R. Johnson, Brian R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20250110261
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, John D. Le, Jacob D. Young, Brian R. Peterson, Kayla A. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20250091320
    Abstract: Articles are described comprising a first substrate and a second substrate. At least one adhesive layer is disposed between the first and second substrates. The article further comprises a multilayer film within at least a portion of the adhesive layer(s). Also described is a method of disassembly comprising providing an adhesively bonded article as described herein; and separating the first substrate from the second substrate by delaminating the (e.g. multilayer) film. In other embodiments, adhesive articles (e.g. tape) are described comprising a (e.g. multilayer) film and methods of making adhesively bonded articles that comprise a (e.g. multilayer) film. Also described are methods of reworking, repairing, repurposing, or recycling an article, and articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Jacob P. Podkaminer, Ashley J. Smith, Stephen A. Johnson, Christoph Kuesters, Zhou Jin, Yunshu Zhang, Matthew T. Johnson, Luis E. Sotelo Martin, William T. Fay, Jason C. Anderson, Joseph J. Benson
  • Publication number: 20250028103
    Abstract: A film includes a first layer having a substantially constant thickness. The first layer extends substantially uniformly along a length direction of the first layer and includes adjacent continuous first and second portions extending along the length direction. Each of the first and second portions includes a substantially constant thickness portion extending to an edge of the first layer along a width direction of the first layer, and a tapering portion adjacent the substantially constant thickness portion and having a thickness tapering in the width direction to a minimum thickness at an end of the tapering portion opposite the substantially constant thickness portion. The minimum thickness can be less than 20% of a thickness of the substantially constant thickness portion. The tapering portions of the first and second portions can have respective first and second major surfaces substantially conforming to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, William T. Fay, Michael Benton Free, Atheen R. Johnson, Derek W. Patzman
  • Publication number: 20250020837
    Abstract: A multilayer partial mirror includes a plurality of alternating first a second polymeric layers numbering at least 50 in total, disposed between, and integrally formed with, opposing first and second polymeric skin layers. For a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm and an incident light propagating in an incident plane that includes a x-direction, and for an s-polarized incident light, the multilayer partial mirror has an average reflectance Rs1 for a first incident angle of less than about 10 degrees, and an average reflectance Rs2 for a second incident angle of greater than about 45 degrees, and for a p-polarized incident light, the multilayer partial mirror has an average reflectance Rp1 for the first incident angle, and an average reflectance Rp2 for the second incident angle. Each of Rs2/Rs1 and Rp2/Rp1 is greater than about 1.15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Gilles J. Benoit, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Quinn D. Sanford, Lin Zhao, Robert D. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240383241
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20240375337
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, William T. Fay, Atheen R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12130455
    Abstract: A multilayer partial mirror includes a plurality of alternating first a second polymeric layers numbering at least 50 in total, disposed between, and integrally formed with, opposing first and second polymeric skin layers. For a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm and an incident light propagating in an incident plane that includes a x-direction, and for an s-polarized incident light, the multilayer partial mirror has an average reflectance Rs1 for a first incident angle of less than about 10 degrees, and an average reflectance Rs2 for a second incident angle of greater than about 45 degrees, and for a p-polarized incident light, the multilayer partial mirror has an average reflectance Rp1 for the first incident angle, and an average reflectance Rp2 for the second incident angle. Each of Rs2/Rs1 and Rp2/Rp1 is greater than about 1.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Gilles J. Benoit, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Quinn D. Sanford, Lin Zhao, Robert D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 12122872
    Abstract: Uncured aqueous composition comprising surfactant and a blend of (a) a first sulfonated polyester having a glass transition temperature not greater than 75° C. that is not sulfonated polyethylene naphthalate, (b) a second, sulfonated polyester that is a sulfonated polyethylene naphthalate, (c) melamine-formaldehyde crosslinker, and (d) an epoxy silane coupling agent; and cured composition thereof. Compositions described herein are useful, for example, for making primed film for release liners applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 12099222
    Abstract: Photochromic article having first and second opposed major surfaces comprising a first, transparent layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, the first layer comprising thermoplastic, a second, transparent layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, the second layer comprising photochromic dye and amorphous copolyester, wherein the first major surface of the second layer is adjacent to the second major surface of the first layer, and a third layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, wherein the first major surface of the third layer is adjacent to the second major surface of the second layer. Embodiments of photochromic article described herein are useful, for example in eyewear, window films, security films, decorative films, electronic devices (i.e., having a display with a photochromic article).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Michael Benton Free, Victor Ho, Stephen A. Johnson, Christopher W. A. Krohe
  • Publication number: 20240302583
    Abstract: Multilayer optical films are described. In particular, multilayer optical films that include both birefringent high index layers and low index layers are disclosed. The low index layers can be a glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate. These optical films can be reflective polarizers and may be particularly suitable for automotive, architectural, and industrial applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt, William F. Edmonds, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240264339
    Abstract: A multilayer partial mirror includes a plurality of alternating first a second polymeric layers numbering at least 50 in total, disposed between, and integrally formed with, opposing first and second polymeric skin layers. For a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm and an incident light propagating in an incident plane that includes a x-direction, and for an s-polarized incident light, the multilayer partial mirror has an average reflectance Rs1 for a first incident angle of less than about 10 degrees, and an average reflectance Rs2 for a second incident angle of greater than about 45 degrees, and for a p-polarized incident light, the multilayer partial mirror has an average reflectance Rp1 for the first incident angle, and an average reflectance Rp2 for the second incident angle. Each of Rs2/Rs1 and Rp2/Rp1 is greater than about 1.15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Gilles J. Benoit, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Quinn D. Sanford, Lin Zhao, Robert D. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240255678
    Abstract: An optically diffusive film (200) includes a plurality of particles (10) dispersed in a binder (20). The particles (10) and the binder (20) have respective indices n1b and n2b along a same in-plane block-direction of the optically diffusive film (200), 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 first wavelength range extending from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm: a magnitude of a difference between n1b and n2b is greater than about 0.05; and a magnitude of a difference between n1p and n2p is less than about 0.05. For substantially normally incident light and for at least the first wavelength, the optically diffusive film (200) may be more optically diffuse for a light polarized along a block-direction (b) and less optically diffusive for light polarized along an orthogonal pass-direction (p).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Benjamin J. Forsythe, David A. Rosen, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12019258
    Abstract: 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 automotive, architectural, and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Adam D. Haag, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt, William F. Edmonds, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240201427
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of polymeric first layers numbering at least 10 in total where each of the first layers has an average thickness less than about 500 nm. For a p-polarized incident light, and for each of a first incident angle and a second incident angle greater than the first incident angle by at least about 40 degrees: a reflectance of each of the optical film and the plurality of polymeric first layers versus wavelength has a reflection band having a left band edge (LBE) at a short wavelength side of the reflection band and a right band edge (RBE) at a long wavelength side of the reflection band. A separation between the RBEs is less than a separation between the LBEs for the first incident angle, and a separation between the RBEs is greater than a separation between the LBEs for the second incident angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240184030
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Lin Zhao, William T. Fay, David T. Yust, Adam D. Haag
  • Publication number: 20240151889
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin T. Huseby, Stephen A. Johnson, Samuel A. Minno, Lin Zhao, William T. Fay, Robert L. Brott, Gilles J-B Benoit
  • Publication number: 20230358934
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Benjamin J. Forsythe, Stephen A. Johnson, Derek W. Patzman, David T. Yust, Steven H. Kong
  • Patent number: 11749769
    Abstract: A light redirecting film includes a first layer disposed on a second layer with structured major surfaces of the first and second layers facing each other. An optically reflective layer or a metal layer is disposed between the first and second layers. The first layer can be a hot melt adhesive layer and the second layer can be a polymeric layer. The first and second layers can be unitary layers. The first layer can be a first polymeric layer having a softening temperature T1 and the second layer can be a second polymeric layer having a softening temperature T2 greater than T1. Heating and/or applying pressure to the film changes an optical characteristic of the film by less than about 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Vivian W. Jones, Gary E. Gaides, Stephen A. Johnson, Nathaniel I. Lehn, Jiaying Ma, Adam T. Ringberg, Tianyu Wu, Fuming B. Li