Patents by Inventor Susannah C. Clear

Susannah C. Clear 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: 20250257248
    Abstract: Adhesive articles a methods of use are described comprising a layer of a curable adhesive composition that comprises 20 wt. % to 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic block copolymer; 5 wt. % to 60 wt. % of an epoxy resin; and 1 wt. % to 60 wt. % of a polyol; and inorganic particles disposed on a major surface of the article. In some embodiments, the block copolymer is an acrylic block copolymer. Typical inorganic particles include reflective (e.g. retroreflective) particles, traction particles (e.g. skid-resistance particles, anti-slip particles), and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: Chelsea M. Lambert, Jonathan E. Janoski, Todd D. Jones, Andrew Satrijo, Matthew J. Bruzek, Susannah C. Clear, Gregg A. Patnode
  • Publication number: 20250164675
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to reflective microstructures where at least part of the reflective surface of the microstructure is radially symmetric around a given axis. The disclosure is also directed to articles comprising the reflective microstructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Susannah C. Clear, Travis L. Potts, Jincy Jose, Kenneth L. Smith, John M. DeSutter
  • Patent number: 12113278
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radar retroreflective articles comprising one or more dielectric layers adjacent to a reflective layer, wherein the dielectric layer or layers aids in increasing the radar cross section of the radar retroreflective articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Mohsen Salehi, Michael A. McCoy, Susannah C. Clear
  • Patent number: 12001038
    Abstract: The disclosed patterned wavelength-selective material and process for making the patterned wavelength-selective material uses patterned applied adhesive and a structurally weak wavelength-selective material that includes portions that contact the adhesive and break to remain in contact with the adhesive. In one embodiment, the wavelength-selective material comprises an array of sections with cuts at least partially through a wavelength-selective film at each section secured to the adhesive. In another embodiment, the wavelength-selective film comprises a transfer stack of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Douglas S. Dunn, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Bryan T. Whiting, Taylor J. Kobe, Anthony F. Schultz, Duane D. Fansler, Jonah Shaver, John A. Wheatley, Susannah C. Clear, Daniel J. Theis, John T. Strand, Thomas J. Metzler, Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones
  • Patent number: 11676401
    Abstract: In some examples, a method may include receiving retroreflected light that indicates at least one retroreflective property of a retroreflective article, wherein retroreflected light is captured at a first distance. The method may include determining a first set of information based at least in part on the at least one retroreflective property of the retroreflective article. The method may include receiving, from the light capture device, an image that includes at least one object, wherein the image is captured at a second distance. The method may include determining, based at least in part on the spatially resolvable property, a second set of information that corresponds to the object in the image. The method may include performing, by a computing device, at least one operation based at least in part on the second set of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Susannah C. Clear
  • Patent number: 11514659
    Abstract: In some examples, a retroreflective article may include a retroreflective substrate, and an optical pattern embodied on the retroreflective substrate. The optical pattern may include a first optical sub-pattern and a second optical sub-pattern, wherein the optical pattern represents a set of information that is interpretable based on a combination of the first optical sub-pattern that is visible in a first light spectrum and the second optical sub-pattern that is visible in a second light spectrum. The first and second light spectra may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Susannah C. Clear
  • Publication number: 20220324454
    Abstract: Predicting future infrastructure performance of a pathway article based on data for infrastructure performance features that influence predicted infrastructure performance at a future point in time. To predict infrastructure performance at a future point in time, a computing device receives one or more sets of infrastructure performance data for a pathway article that correspond respectively to infrastructure performance features. The infrastructure performance features may influence predicted infrastructure performance of the pathway article at a future point in time and the infrastructure performance data may correspond to a roadway portion. The computing device may generate, based at least in part on applying the one or more sets of infrastructure performance data to a model, at least one infrastructure performance prediction value that indicates predicted infrastructure performance of the pathway article at the future point in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Panagiotis D. Stanitsas, Payas Tikotekar, Kenneth L. Smith, Richard A. Fundakowski, Susannah C. Clear, Onur Sinan Yordem
  • Publication number: 20220216616
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radar retroreflective articles comprising one or more dielectric layers adjacent to a reflective layer, wherein the dielectric layer or layers aids in increasing the radar cross section of the radar retroreflective articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Mohsen Salehi, Michael A. McCoy, Susannah C. Clear
  • Publication number: 20220206196
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to retroreflective articles to increase visibility of a vehicle, wherein the retroreflective article comprises one or more retroreflective markings arranged in a given pattern and at least a portion of the article has a curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Shawn T. Brovold, Susannah C. Clear, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Justin M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11354880
    Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods for detecting changes in polarization states are described. Example systems may include a light receiving unit including a sensor and a receiving polarizer. The sensor is configured to sense light from a polarized light source deflected through the receiving polarizer by a light directing article. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative a received polarization state of light deflected by the light directing articles. Such systems may be coupled to vehicles and may be useful for sensor-detectable signs, indicia, and markings to facilitate automated or assisted vehicular transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonah Shaver, Susannah C. Clear, John A. Wheatley, Kui Chen-Ho
  • Publication number: 20220119692
    Abstract: Dust suppression compositions include at least one cationic or zwitterionic (meth)acrylate-based copolymer and at least one solvent, where the solvent can be water, an aqueous mixture, or one or more non-water solvents. The dust suppression composition can also include a plasticizer, generally glycerol. The dust suppression compositions are suitable for use with sand mixtures, especially silica sand mixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Susannah C. Clear, Mahfuza B. Ali, Vasav Sahni
  • Publication number: 20220113457
    Abstract: The disclosed patterned wavelength-selective material and process for making the patterned wavelength-selective material uses patterned applied adhesive and a structurally weak wavelength-selective material that includes portions that contact the adhesive and break to remain in contact with the adhesive. In one embodiment, the wavelength-selective material comprises an array of sections with cuts at least partially through a wavelength-selective film at each section secured to the adhesive. In another embodiment, the wavelength-selective film comprises a transfer stack of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Kui CHEN-HO, Douglas S. DUNN, Tien Yi T.H. WHITING, Bryan T. WHITING, Taylor J. KOBE, Anthony F. SCHULTZ, Duane D. FANSLER, Jonah SHAVER, John A. WHEATLEY, Susannah C. CLEAR, Daniel J. THEIS, John T. STRAND, Thomas J. METZLER, Kevin W. GOTRIK, Scott J. JONES
  • Publication number: 20220055264
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first thermoplastic elastomer layer. The thermoplastic elastomer is a styrenic thermoplastic. The polymeric membrane can further include an optional second thermoplastic elastomer layer in contact with the first polyolefin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Meree, Jeffrey P. Kalish, Joshua M. Fishman, Susannah C. Clear, John S. Edwards, Duane D. Fansler, David S. Hays, Anthony F. Schultz, Thomas J. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20220055263
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first thermoplastic elastomer layer that comprises a styrenic thermoplastic. The thermoplastic elastomer layer has a foam structure. The polymeric membrane can further include an optional second thermoplastic elastomer layer in contact with the first polyolefin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Meree, Jeffrey P. Kalish, Joshua M. Fishman, Susannah C. Clear, John S. Edwards, Duane D. Fansler, David S. Hays, Anthony F. Schultz, Thomas J. Gilbert, Michael Kempf, Thomas Apeldorn
  • Publication number: 20220048231
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymeric membrane. The polymeric membrane includes a first thermoplastic elastomer layer. The thermoplastic elastomer layer includes a filler component that is at least about 30 wt % of the thermoplastic elastomer layer. The polymeric membrane can further include an optional second thermoplastic elastomer layer in contact with the first polyolefin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Caitlin E. Meree, Jeffrey P. Kalish, Joshua M. Fishman, Susannah C. Clear, John S. Edwards, Duane D. Fansler, David S. Hays, Anthony F. Schultz, Thomas J. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11124933
    Abstract: The disclosed pavement marking system provides information about the arrangement of the pavement marking to a sensor on a vehicle for to identify a particular lane on a roadway. The pavement marking system comprises a sensor placed on a vehicle and at least a first pavement marking and a second pavement marking, wherein each of the first pavement marking a second pavement marking comprising different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Susannah C. Clear, Thomas P. Hedblom
  • Publication number: 20210279489
    Abstract: In some examples, a method may include receiving retroreflected light that indicates at least one retroreflective property of a retroreflective article, wherein retroreflected light is captured at a first distance. The method may include determining a first set of information based at least in part on the at least one retroreflective property of the retroreflective article. The method may include receiving, from the light capture device, an image that includes at least one object, wherein the image is captured at a second distance. The method may include determining, based at least in part on the spatially resolvable property, a second set of information that corresponds to the object in the image. The method may include performing, by a computing device, at least one operation based at least in part on the second set of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Susannah C. Clear
  • Publication number: 20210264186
    Abstract: In some examples, a retroreflective article may include a retroreflective substrate, and an optical pattern embodied on the retroreflective substrate. The optical pattern may include a first optical sub-pattern and a second optical sub-pattern, wherein the optical pattern represents a set of information that is interpretable based on a combination of the first optical sub-pattern that is visible in a first light spectrum and the second optical sub-pattern that is visible in a second light spectrum. The first and second light spectra may be different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Susannah C. Clear
  • Publication number: 20210180274
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present application relates to dark-colored retroreflective pavement markings. The dark-colored retroreflective pavement markings may be used in a system that provides information about the arrangement of pavement markings to a sensor on a vehicle. This arrangement may be used to aid in the identification of a particular lane on a roadway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Susannah C. Clear, Thomas P. Hedblom, Kenton D. Budd
  • Publication number: 20210168269
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an example vehicle assistance system including a light sensor, a pixelated filter array adjacent the light sensor, and a full-field optically-selective element adjacent the pixelated filter array. The optically-selective element is configured to selectively direct an optical component of light incident on the optically-selective element across the pixelated filter array to the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: John A. WHEATLEY, Gilles J.B. BENOIT, John D. LE, Zhisheng YUN, Jonah SHAVER, Susannah C. CLEAR, Timothy J. NEVITT, Kui CHEN-HO, Kenneth L. SMITH, David J.W. AASTUEN