Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Lieder

Stephen L. Lieder 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: 20220177671
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Patent number: 11353640
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a highly durable core with an ionic copolymer and a plurality of beads. These disclosed retroreflective properties remain intact even after continued application of external forces and stresses. Further, the ionic copolymer allows for beads to be loaded into the ionic copolymer of the core, securely disposed around the perimeter of the core, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20220170218
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to non-conformable thermoplastic pavement marking tapes comprising a backing and an adhesive layer adjacent to the backing. In some embodiments, the backing includes an ionic copolymer. In other embodiments, the non-conformable backing has an inelastic deformation of less than 10% at 25° C. In some embodiments, the pavement marking tape is heat-moldable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, James P. Endle, Eugene H. Carlson, Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder
  • Patent number: 11286368
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Publication number: 20210070962
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Patent number: 10889947
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to non-conformable thermoplastic pavement marking tapes comprising a backing and an adhesive layer adjacent to the backing. In some embodiments, the backing includes an ionic copolymer. In other embodiments, the non-conformable backing has an inelastic deformation of less than 10% at 25° C. In some embodiments, the pavement marking tape is heat-moldable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, James P. Endle, Eugene H. Carlson, Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder
  • Patent number: 10858496
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Publication number: 20200241180
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a highly durable core with an ionic copolymer and a plurality of beads. These disclosed retroreflective properties remain intact even after continued application of external forces and stresses. Further, the ionic copolymer allows for beads to be loaded into the ionic copolymer of the core, securely disposed around the perimeter of the core, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20180371713
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to non-conformable thermoplastic pavement marking tapes comprising a backing and an adhesive layer adjacent to the backing. In some embodiments, the backing includes an ionic copolymer. In other embodiments, the non-conformable backing has an inelastic deformation of less than 10% at 25° C. In some embodiments, the pavement marking tape is heat-moldable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Gregg A. Patnode, James P. Endle, Eugene H. Carlson, Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder
  • Publication number: 20180291175
    Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew D. Wilding, Stephen L. Lieder, Eugene H. Carlson, Kenton D. Budd, Joseph D. Engebretson
  • Patent number: 6514892
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Patent number: 6511739
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Patent number: 6458512
    Abstract: Encapsulated electroluminescent phosphor particles and a method of making same. Each electroluminescent phosphor particle is encapsulated by a substantially transparent metal oxynitride coating. The coating provides the phosphor particle with reduced sensitivity to humidity accelerated decay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenton D. Budd, Moses M. David, Stephen L. Lieder, Kyung H. Moh
  • Patent number: 6335083
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Publication number: 20010030811
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono