Patents by Inventor Vera L. Lightle
Vera L. Lightle 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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Patent number: 7468406Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Patent number: 7449514Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Publication number: 20030104235Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Patent number: 6526588Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Publication number: 20020090530Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Patent number: 6406798Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Publication number: 20010046607Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2000Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Patent number: 6153128Abstract: A retroreflective article has first and second segments each comprising a binder layer and a multitude of microspheres partially embedded in the front surface of the binder layer. The first segment also has an opaque reflective metal layer disposed on the embedded portions of the microspheres; whereas, the second segment lacks such an opaque reflective metal layer and thereby allows the color of the underlying binder layer to be seen from the front side of the retroreflective article. The first and second segments display noticeably different colors under daytime lighting conditions, and each possesses a distinctly different retroreflective efficiency when viewed under retroreflective lighting conditions. The first and second segments therefore stand out in contrast to each other to enhance the conspicuity of the retroreflective article.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Vera L. Lightle, Britton G. Billingsley
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Patent number: 6110558Abstract: An article of clothing 10 bearing a retroreflective applique 12 that has a binder layer 14 onto which a retroreflective layer 19 is disposed. The retroreflective layer 19 includes a layer of optical elements 16 and a metal reflective layer 18, and the binder layer 14 includes a thermoplastic copolymer that includes units which contain carboxyl groups. A retroreflective applique, which uses such a binder layer in conjunction with aluminum-coated or silver-coated optical elements, demonstrates very good home laundering durability.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Vera L. Lightle
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Patent number: 6110566Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth M. White, Lee A. Pavelka, Vera L. Lightle, James C. Coderre
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Patent number: 6059915Abstract: A retroreflective applique (10) includes a supporting structure (12), a layer of optical lens elements (14), and a reflective material (16). The layer of optical lens elements (14) is partially embedded in the supporting structure (12), and the reflective material (16) is disposed on the embedded portion of the layer of optical lens elements (14). The supporting structure (12) may contain a binder layer (24) and a heat-activatable adhesive layer (26). The binder layer (24) includes a non-filamentary acrylic polymer layer. The use of such a supporting structure (12) eliminates the need for a release liner on the rear surface (20) of the heat-activatable adhesive layer (26), and it also enables a carrier web (28) to be separated from the polymeric supporting structure (12) before the applique (16) is permanently secured to a substrate. The separation step can be accomplished without causing substantial harm to the retroreflective performance of the applique (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Vera L. Lightle, Britton G. Billingsley
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Patent number: 5889615Abstract: Dual axis retroreflective articles and methods of using them are disclosed. The retroreflective articles may combine dual axis retroreflection with three axis retroreflection to provide a steady glow due to the three axis retroreflective portions of the article and also provide intermittent or flashing retroreflection as the plane of retroreflection from the dual axis retroreflector passes through or near the light source. The retroreflective articles may also include dual axis retroreflective structures in combination with sparkling reflective structures, as well as dual axis retroreflective structures in combination with both three axis retroreflective structures and sparkling reflective structures. Methods of use include moving the dual axis retroreflective structures to obtain intermittent or flashing retroreflection.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: John F. Dreyer, Kenneth M. White, Vera L. Lightle
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Patent number: 5738746Abstract: An article of clothing 10 bearing a retroreflective applique 12 that has a binder layer 14 onto which a retroreflective layer 19 is disposed. The retroreflective layer 19 includes a layer of optical elements 16 and a metal reflective layer 18, and the binder layer 14 includes a thermoplastic copolymer that includes units which contain carboxyl groups. A retroreflective applique, which uses such a binder layer in conjunction with aluminum-coated or silver-coated optical elements, demonstrates very good home laundering durability.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1995Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Vera L. Lightle
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Patent number: 5695853Abstract: A high visibility fabric includes a web of fibrous material and a fluorescent layer. The web has first and second major surfaces, and the fluorescent layer includes fluorescent pigment in a crosslinked resin. The resin penetrates into the web to surround the fibers and is bonded thereto, but the fluorescent pigment is concentrated at the first major surface at a level greater than at the second major surface. Because the pigment concentrates at the one surface, considerably less pigment is used in producing a fluorescent colored fabric. The fabric can be used to form a safety vest, and retroreflective sheeting can be placed on the vest to further enhance visibility.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Vera L. Lightle, David P. Swanson
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Patent number: 5691846Abstract: A method for manufacturing flexible cube corner retroreflective sheeting comprising the steps of:a) providing a tool having a molding surface;b) applying to the molding surface a volume of a flowable resin composition;c) contacting the resin composition with a first major surface of an overlay film;d) minimizing excess resin composition;e) curing the resin composition to form a sheeting comprising an array of cube corner elements bonded to the overlay film;f) removing the sheeting from the tool; andg) applying mechanical stress to the sheeting so as to cause a fractured separation of substantially each individual cube corner element from surrounding cube corner elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Olester Benson, Jr., Cheryl M. Frey, Jeanine M. Shusta, Susan K. Nestegard, Vera L. Lightle, Kenneth L. Smith, Chester A. Bacon, Jr.
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Patent number: 5478628Abstract: A high visibility fabric having a non-woven web material with a fluorescent layer. The fluorescent pigment concentration in the fabric is greater proximate a designated fabric outer surface than at other outer surfaces of the fabric. The fabric is used for manufacturing safety vests, signage, and other articles requiring high visibility.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Vera L. Lightle, David P. Swanson, Claus Jansen
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Patent number: 5378520Abstract: Encapsulated-lens retroreflective sheeting comprising (1) a layer of binder material having a layer of retroreflective elements partially embedded in its top surface; (2) a transparent cover sheet disposed in spaced relation from the layer of retroreflective elements; (3) a network of narrow intersecting bonds comprising binder material embossed from the layer of binder material into contact with the cover sheet so as to adhere the layer of binder material and cover sheet together and form a plurality of cells within which retroreflective elements are hermetically sealed; the embossing of the layer of binder material leaving the bottom surface of the layer of binder material with an embossed configuration; and (4) a support sheet lastingly and directly adhered to said bottom surface of the layer of binder material and embossed with the layer of binder material so as to follow the embossed configuration of said bottom surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1992Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Yoshiyuki Nagaoka, Vera L. Lightle
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Patent number: 5207852Abstract: Flexible, self-supporting, air-permeable retroreflective sheeting comprising a two-sided, self-supporting, air-permeable web of thermoplastic filaments with retroreflective elements partially embedded in the filaments on one side of the web. On the other side of the web, the surfaces of the filaments are substantially free of retroreflective elements. In some embodiments, the web may be used as a bonding agent to secure the sheeting to a desired substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1992Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Vera L. Lightle, Johann F. Petersen, Wallace K. Bingham
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Patent number: 5128804Abstract: Flexible, self-supporting, air-permeable retroreflective sheeting comprising a two-sided, self-supporting, air-permeable web of thermoplastic filaments with retroreflective elements partially embedded in the filaments on one side of the web. On the other side of the web, the surfaces of the filaments are substantially free of retroreflective elements. In some embodiments, the web may be used as a bonding agent to secure the sheeting to a desired substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1991Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Vera L. Lightle, Johann F. Petersen, Wallace K. Bingham