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).

  • Publication number: 20230256704
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11618237
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11292934
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kevin M. Hamer, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Michael Juergens, Mark W. Muggli, Gezahegn D. Damte
  • Patent number: 10948734
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20200282691
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10723868
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Peter J. Scott, Denis Duchesne, Dale E. Hutchens, Larry A. Last, Kirsten J. Fronek, Thomas J. Blong
  • Publication number: 20200095450
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kevin M. Hamer, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Michael Juergens, Mark W. Muggli, Gezahegn D. Damte
  • Patent number: 10526503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kevin M. Hamer, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Michael Juergens, Mark W. Muggli, Gezahegn D. Damte
  • Publication number: 20190283385
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Shannon S. Le Blanc, Jenny B. Werness, Thomas J. Blong
  • Publication number: 20190284451
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jenny B. Werness, Shannon S. Le Blanc, Thomas J. Blong, Thomas E. Muehle
  • Patent number: 10208223
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kai H. Lochhaas, Kevin M. Hamer, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Zhigang Yu, Michael Juergens
  • Publication number: 20180371289
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Yu Yang, Jiyoung Park, Suresh S. Iyer, Timothy D. Fletcher, Thomas E. S. Muehle, Jeffrey A. Peterson, Thomas J. Blong
  • Patent number: 10160829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180312673
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Peter J. Scott, Denis Duchesne, Dale E. Hutchens, Larry A. Last, Kirsten J. Fronek, Thomas J. Blong
  • Publication number: 20180237654
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kai H. Lochhaas, Kevin M. Hamer, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Zhigang Yu, Michael Juergens
  • Publication number: 20180201727
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 9976045
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Kai H. Lochhaas, Kevin M. Hamer, Thomas J. Blong, Timothy D. Fletcher, Zhigang Yu, Michael Juergens
  • Publication number: 20180120581
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180120580
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20180065350
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Sebastian F. Zehentmaier, Ludwig Mayer, Thomas J. Blong