Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Nevitt

Timothy J. Nevitt 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: 20210215865
    Abstract: Optical films, such as reflective polarizer films, and optical systems including the optical films are described. An optical system includes one or more optical lenses having at least one curved major surface, a partial reflector, and a reflective polarizer. For a substantially normally incident light in a predetermined wavelength range extending at least from about 450 nm to about 600 nm: the partial reflector has an average optical reflectance of at least 30%, and the reflective polarizer has an average optical reflectance Rs for a first polarization state, an average optical transmittance Tp for an orthogonal second polarization state, and an average optical reflectance Rp for the second polarization state, where Tp?80%, Rp?1%, and 50%?Rs?95%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: John D. Le, Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Timothy J. Nevitt, Adam D. Haag, Arthur L. Kotz
  • Patent number: 11029455
    Abstract: Broadband visible reflectors are disclosed. In particular, broadband visible reflectors with reduced on-axis blue reflectivity are described. Broadband visible reflectors that appear yellow in reflection are described. Such broadband visible reflectors may be used in backlights and displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Kivel, Ryan T. Fabick, Timothy J. Nevitt
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11009638
    Abstract: Polymeric multilayer optical films are described. More particularly, polymeric multilayer optical films having a first optical packet and a second optical packet are described. The second optical packet is disposed on the first optical packet. How the configuration of the layers of the optical packets affect hemispheric reflectivity of the overall film is also described. The polymeric multilayer optical film reflects more than 95% of light from 400 nm to 700 nm at normal incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Ryan T. Fabick, Laurence R. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20210116747
    Abstract: Optical films are disclosed that include a plurality of interference layers. Each interference layer reflects or transmits light primarily by optical interference. The total number of the interference layers is less than about 1000. For a substantially normally incident light in a predetermined wavelength range, the plurality of interference layers has an average optical transmittance greater than about 85% for a first polarization state, an average optical reflectance greater than about 80% for an orthogonal second polarization state, and an average optical transmittance less than about 0.2% for the second polarization state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Carl A. Stover, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Robert D. Taylor, Zhaohui Yang
  • Publication number: 20210098546
    Abstract: An OLED display including a display panel and a color-correction component is described. A plurality of comparative display panels otherwise equivalent to the display panel but having one or more different optical thicknesses of OLED layers have a maximum white-point color shift from 0 to 45 degrees of WPCSC45 and a white-point axial efficiency of WPAEC. The plurality of comparative display panels defines a performance curve along a boundary of performance points. The OLED display and the display panel have respective maximum white-point color shifts from 0 to 45 degrees of WPCS45 and WPCS045 and respective white-point axial efficiencies of WPAE and WPAE0. WPCS045 and WPAE0 defines a performance point of the display panel to the right of the performance curve and WPCS45 and WPAE defines a performance point of the OLED display above or to the left of the performance curve. Methods of making the OLED display are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Erickson, David G. Freier, Robert L. Brott, Bing Hao, David A. Rosen, Stephen M. Menke, Bert T. Chien, Song Taek Lee, Encai Hao, Zhaohui Yang, Albert I. Everaerts, Yongshang Lu, William Blake Kolb, Keith R. Bruesewitz, Adam D. Haag, Sun-Yong Park, Timothy J. Nevitt (Deceased), Brianna N. Wheeler, Jody L. Peterson, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 10948644
    Abstract: An optical film including alternating polymeric layers and having distinct first, second and third reflection bands is described. The first, second and third reflection bands are each visible reflection bands at normal incidence for at least one polarization state. At least two of the first, second and third reflection bands are third order or higher order harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Edward J. Kivel, William B. Black
  • Patent number: 10928571
    Abstract: Hybrid polarizers are described. More particularly, hybrid polarizers including reflective polarizer portions and hybrid polarizing portions, including embedded absorbing polarizing elements are described. The hybrid polarizers may be used in backlights or display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Quinn D. Sanford, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
  • Publication number: 20210048571
    Abstract: Multilayer optical film reflective polarizers previously considered to have excessive off-axis color can provide adequate performance in an LC display without any high haze light diffusing layer or air gap between the reflective polarizer and the back absorbing polarizer of the display. The reflective polarizer has only one packet of microlayers, and is oriented using a standard tenter such that birefringent microlayers in the film are biaxially birefringent. The microlayers in the packet have a layer thickness profile suitably tailored to avoid excessive perceived color at normal and oblique angles. A laminate made by combining this type of reflective polarizer with an absorbing polarizer, without an air gap or any high haze light diffusing layer or structure between the polarizers, can be used and incorporated into a liquid crystal display or the like with adequate color performance both at normal incidence and oblique incidence up to a polar angle of 60 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Timothy J. Nevitt, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20210033766
    Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
  • Publication number: 20200387003
    Abstract: An optical stack including a first reflective polarizer adhered to a second reflective polarizer is described. For normally incident light and each wavelength in a same predetermined wavelength range, each reflective polarizer transmits at least 80% of light polarized along a pass axis of the reflective polarizer and reflects at least 90% of light polarized along an orthogonal block axis of the reflective polarizer. Each reflective polarizer includes a plurality of polymeric interference layers reflecting and transmitting light primarily by optical interference in the predetermined wavelength range. A separation between the two polymeric interference layers in the plurality of polymeric interference layers farthest from each other are d1 and d2 for the respective first and second reflective polarizers, d1 is at least 20% less than d2. Polarizing beam splitters including the optical stack and optical systems including the polarizing beam splitter are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, John D. Le, Timothy J. Nevitt, Susan L. Kent
  • Patent number: 10859741
    Abstract: Multilayer optical film reflective polarizers previously considered to have excessive off-axis color can provide adequate performance in an LC display without any high haze light diffusing layer or air gap between the reflective polarizer and the back absorbing polarizer of the display. The reflective polarizer has only one packet of microlayers, and is oriented using a standard tenter such that birefringent microlayers in the film are biaxially birefringent. The microlayers in the packet have a layer thickness profile suitably tailored to avoid excessive perceived color at normal and oblique angles. A laminate made by combining this type of reflective polarizer with an absorbing polarizer, without an air gap or any high haze light diffusing layer or structure between the polarizers, can be used and incorporated into a liquid crystal display or the like with adequate color performance both at normal incidence and oblique incidence up to a polar angle of 60 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carl A. Stover, Kristopher J. Derks, Timothy J. Nevitt, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 10838127
    Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
  • Publication number: 20200355859
    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 combiner applications, including automotive heads up display applications with demanding ambient environments. Layers are made of PET and PETG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt, William F. Edmonds, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200326461
    Abstract: An optical film including alternating polymeric layers and having distinct first, second and third reflection bands is described. The first, second and third reflection bands are each visible reflection bands at normal incidence for at least one polarization state. At least two of the first, second and third reflection bands are third order or higher order harmonics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Edward J. Kivel, William B. Black
  • Publication number: 20200319388
    Abstract: An optical system including a first optical element having a curved first major surface and an optical stack bonded and conforming to the curved first major surface of the first optical element is described. The optical stack includes a reflective polarizer substantially transmitting light having a first polarization state and substantially reflecting light having an orthogonal second polarization state and a non-adhesive flexible optical layer bonded to the reflective polarizer and comprising substantially parallel opposing first and second major surfaces. At least one location on the non-adhesive flexible optical layer has an optical retardance of less than about 100 nm or greater than about 200 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Gregg A. Ambur, Jo A. Etter, Adam D. Haag, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt, Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong
  • Publication number: 20200319389
    Abstract: Optical films and polarizing beam splitters including the optical films are described. In some cases, the optical film includes a first optical stack disposed on, and spaced apart by one or more spacer layers from, a second optical stack, each optical stack comprising a plurality of polymeric interference layers reflecting and transmitting light primarily by optical interference in a same predetermined wavelength range. Each optical stack has interference layers closer to the one or more spacer layers that reflect longer wavelengths and interference layers farther from the one or more spacer layers that reflect shorter wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy J. Nevitt, John D. Le, Susan L. Kent
  • Patent number: 10754073
    Abstract: Optical stacks including a first reflective polarizer and a partially reflective component are described. The partially reflective component may be a second reflective polarizer or a collimating reflector. The first reflective polarizer has a first average visible light reflectance for light polarized along the first block axis at normal incidence of at least 90 percent and a first average visible light transmittance for light polarized along the first pass axis at normal incidence of at least 85 percent. The second reflective polarizer has a second block axis and a second average visible light reflectance for light polarized along the second block axis at normal incidence being no more than the first average visible light reflectance minus 10 percent. The first and second block axes are not parallel and the first and second reflective polarizers have different f-ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gilles J. Benoit, Timothy J. Nevitt, Matthew B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200257028
    Abstract: A partial reflector including a plurality of optical repeat units where each optical repeat unit includes first and second polymer layers is described. A refractive index difference between the first and second polymer layers along a first axis may be Any, a refractive index difference between the first and second polymer layers along an orthogonal second axis may be ?ƒ?, where |???| is at least 0.1 and |?ny| is no more than 0.04. The optical repeat units may have a smallest optical thickness T1 proximate a first side of the optical stack and a largest optical thickness T2 proximate an opposite second side of the optical stack, where (T2?T1)/(T2+T1) is in a range of 0.05 to 0.2, and T2 is at least 350 nm and no more 1250 nm. The partial reflector may be used in a circular polarizer for correcting color shift with view angle in a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Sun-Yong Park, Timothy J. Nevitt, Brianna N. Nieson, Jody L. Huston
  • Patent number: 10712486
    Abstract: Optical stacks including a first reflective polarizer and a partially reflective component are described. The partially reflective component may be a second reflective polarizer or a collimating reflector. The first reflective polarizer has a first average visible light reflectance for light polarized along the first block axis at normal incidence of at least 90 percent and a first average visible light transmittance for light polarized along the first pass axis at normal incidence of at least 85 percent. The second reflective polarizer has a second block axis and a second average visible light reflectance for light polarized along the second block axis at normal incidence being no more than the first average visible light reflectance minus 10 percent. The first and second block axes are not parallel and the first and second reflective polarizers have different f-ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gilles J. Benoit, Timothy J. Nevitt, Matthew B. Johnson