Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Blong
Thomas J. Blong 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: 20230256704Abstract: This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Robert M. Biegler, Mark A. Hoisington, Craig R. Hoff, Anton F. Jachim, Jeffrey M. Maki, Derek W. Patzman, Thomas J. Blong, Jay M. Jennen, Erik A. Aho, David V. Mahoney
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Patent number: 11618237Abstract: This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Robert M. Biegler, Mark A. Hoisington, Craig R. Hoff, Anton F. Jachim, Jeffrey M. Maki, Derek W. Patzman, Thomas J. Blong, Jay M. Jennen, Erik A. Aho, David V. Mahoney
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Patent number: 11292934Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Naiyong Jing, Kevin M. Hamer, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Michael Juergens, Mark W. Muggli, Gezahegn D. Damte
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Patent number: 10948734Abstract: A light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel first light absorbing regions arranged along a first direction, each first light absorbing region having a width and a height, the plurality of first light absorbing regions including nonoverlapping first and second sub-pluralities of the plurality of first light absorbing regions, the first sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a first viewing angle, the second sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a different second viewing angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert R. Kieschke, Kenneth L. Smith, Olester Benson, Jr., Gary E. Gaides, Tao Liu, Thomas J. Blong, Gary T. Boyd
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Publication number: 20200282691Abstract: This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Robert M. Biegler, Mark A. Hoisington, Craig R. Hoff, Anton F. Jachim, Jeffrey M. Maki, Derek W. Patzman, Thomas J. Blong, Jay M. Jennen, Erik A. Aho, David V. Mahoney
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Patent number: 10723868Abstract: A polymer composition includes a non-fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer and a minor amount of a fluoropolymer combined with the non-fluorinated polymer. A polymer processing additive composition that includes a fluoropolymer and a polymer processing additive synergist is also disclosed. The fluoropolymer includes diads represented by formula —CF2-CF(R)—CH(R?)—CF(R?)— in a range from about 23 mole percent to about 50 mole percent. Each R is independently —CF3, —Rf, or —ORf, each R? and R? are independently H, F, CF3, or —Rf, and each Rf is independently a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted by one or more —O— groups. A method of reducing melt defects during the extrusion of a polymer is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Claude Lavallée, Peter J. Scott, Denis Duchesne, Dale E. Hutchens, Larry A. Last, Kirsten J. Fronek, Thomas J. Blong
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Publication number: 20200095450Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kevin M. Hamer, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Michael Juergens, Mark W. Muggli, Gezahegn D. Damte
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Patent number: 10526503Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Naiyong Jing, Kevin M. Hamer, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Michael Juergens, Mark W. Muggli, Gezahegn D. Damte
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Publication number: 20190283385Abstract: A composition comprising a fluoropolymer additive in an acid- or anhydride grafted olefinic (co)polymer is described. The composition may be used as a tie layer in multilayer films for dissimilar polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Shannon S. Le Blanc, Jenny B. Werness, Thomas J. Blong
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Publication number: 20190284451Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a self-priming adhesive layer comprising a polyfunctional aziridine compound and an olefinic polymer that may be used as a tie layer in multilayer films for dissimilar polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Jenny B. Werness, Shannon S. Le Blanc, Thomas J. Blong, Thomas E. Muehle
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Patent number: 10208223Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Naiyong Jing, Kai H. Lochhaas, Kevin M. Hamer, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Zhigang Yu, Michael Juergens
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Publication number: 20180371289Abstract: Polyurethane polymers are described comprising polymerized units comprising a hydroxy functional aromatic group wherein the hydroxy group has been functionalized with an adhesion promoting group. In some embodiments, the polyurethane polymer comprises polymerized units have the general structure wherein L1 and L2 are independently divalent linking groups comprising an urethane group; and RA is an adhesion promoting group bonded to the oxygen atom by means of an ionic or covalent bond. In other embodiments, film articles, laminates are described and methods of making functionalized polyurethane polymers are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Yu Yang, Jiyoung Park, Suresh S. Iyer, Timothy D. Fletcher, Thomas E. S. Muehle, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong
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Patent number: 10160829Abstract: Polyester polymers are described comprising polymerized units comprising a hydroxy functional aromatic group wherein the hydroxy group has been functionalized with an adhesion promoting group. In some embodiments, the polyester polymer comprises polymerized units have the general structure (A) wherein L1 and L2 are independently divalent linking groups comprising an ester group; and RA is an adhesion promoting group bonded to the oxygen atom by means of an ionic or covalent bond. In other embodiments, film articles, laminates are described and methods of making functionalized polyester polymers are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Yu Yang, Jiyoung Park, Suresh S. Iyer, Christopher W. A. Krohe, Kyle P. Starkey, Timothy D. Fletcher, Dong-Wei Zhu, Thomas E. S. Muehle, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong
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Publication number: 20180312673Abstract: A polymer composition includes a non-fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer and a minor amount of a fluoropolymer combined with the non-fluorinated polymer. A polymer processing additive composition that includes a fluoropolymer and a polymer processing additive synergist is also disclosed. The fluoropolymer includes diads represented by formula —CF2-CF(R)—CH(R?)—CF(R?)— in a range from about 23 mole percent to about 50 mole percent. Each R is independently —CF3, —Rf, or —ORf, each R? and R? are independently H, F, CF3, or —Rf, and each Rf is independently a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted by one or more —O— groups. A method of reducing melt defects during the extrusion of a polymer is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Peter J. Scott, Denis Duchesne, Dale E. Hutchens, Larry A. Last, Kirsten J. Fronek, Thomas J. Blong
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Publication number: 20180237654Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kai H. Lochhaas, Kevin M. Hamer, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Zhigang Yu, Michael Juergens
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Publication number: 20180201727Abstract: Polyester polymers are described comprising polymerized units comprising a hydroxy functional aromatic group wherein the hydroxy group has been functionalized with an adhesion promoting group. In some embodiments, the polyester polymer comprises polymerized units have the general structure (A) wherein L1 and L2 are independently divalent linking groups comprising an ester group; and RA is an adhesion promoting group bonded to the oxygen atom by means of an ionic or covalent bond. In other embodiments, film articles, laminates are described and methods of making functionalized polyester polymers are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Yu Yang, Jiyoung Park, Suresh S. Iyer, Christopher W. A. Krohe, Kyle P. Starkey, Timothy D. Fletcher, Dong-Wei Zhu, Thomas E. S. Muehle, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong
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Patent number: 9976045Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Naiyong Jing, Kai H. Lochhaas, Kevin M. Hamer, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Zhigang Yu, Michael Juergens
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Publication number: 20180120581Abstract: A light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel first light absorbing regions arranged along a first direction, each first light absorbing region having a width and a height, the plurality of first light absorbing regions including nonoverlapping first and second sub-pluralities of the plurality of first light absorbing regions, the first sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a first viewing angle, the second sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a different second viewing angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert R. Kieschke, Kenneth L. Smith, Olester Benson, JR., Gary E. Gaides, Tao Liu, Thomas J. Blong, Gary T. Boyd
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Publication number: 20180120580Abstract: A light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel first light absorbing regions arranged along a first direction, each first light absorbing region having a width and a height, the plurality of first light absorbing regions including nonoverlapping first and second sub-pluralities of the plurality of first light absorbing regions, the first sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a first viewing angle, the second sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a different second viewing angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert R. Kieschke, Kenneth L. Smith, Olester Benson, JR., Gary E. Gaides, Tao Liu, Thomas J. Blong, Gary T. Boyd
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Publication number: 20180065350Abstract: A multilayer optical film is provided comprising first optical layers of a first fluoropolymeric material and second optical layers of a second fluoropolymeric material wherein at least a portion of the first layers and at least a portion of the second layers are in intimate contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Sebastian F. Zehentmaier, Ludwig Mayer, Thomas J. Blong