Patents by Inventor Vera Lightle

Vera 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).

  • STABILIZATION OF FLUORESCENT DYES IN VINYL ARTICLES USING HINDERED AMINE LIGHT STABILIZERS
    Publication number: 20060292347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth White, Lee Pavelka, Vera Lightle, James Coderre
  • Stabilization of fluorescent dyes in vinyl articles using hindered amine light stabilizers
    Publication number: 20050213213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth White, Lee Pavelka, Vera Lightle, James Coderre
  • Method of making a retroreflective article and a retroreflective article having an aluminum reflector
    Patent number: 6663246
    Abstract: A process for making a retroreflective article that includes the steps of providing a device (tool or a mold) having a first structured surface; applying a reflective layer on the first structured surface resulting in a first adhesion value between the reflective layer and the first structured surface, the reflective layer having an exposed surface; applying a molding polymer to the exposed surface of the reflective layer resulting in a second adhesion value between the reflective layer and the molding polymer. The second adhesion value is higher than the first adhesion value. The device is separated from the molding polymer to yield a retroreflective article that has a second structured surface that is the reverse image of the first structured surface. The separation causes a transfer of the reflective layer from the first structured surface to the retroreflective article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Currens, Vera Lightle
  • Method of making a retroreflective article and a retroreflective article having an aluminum reflector
    Publication number: 20020157776
    Abstract: A process for making a retroreflective article that includes the steps of providing a device (tool or a mold) having a first structured surface; applying a reflective layer on the first structured surface resulting in a first adhesion value between the reflective layer and the first structured surface, the reflective layer having an exposed surface; applying a molding polymer to the exposed surface of the reflective layer resulting in a second adhesion value between the reflective layer and the molding polymer. The second adhesion value is higher than the first adhesion value. The device is separated from the molding polymer to yield a retroreflective article that has a second structured surface that is the reverse image of the first structured surface. The separation causes a transfer of the reflective layer from the first structured surface to the retroreflective article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Currens, Vera Lightle
  • Method of making a retroreflective article
    Patent number: 6440334
    Abstract: A process for making a retroreflective article that includes the steps of providing a device (tool or a mold) having a first structured surface; applying a reflective layer on the first structured surface resulting in a first adhesion value between the reflective layer and the first structured surface, the reflective layer having an exposed surface; applying a molding polymer to the exposed surface of the reflective layer resulting in a second adhesion value between the reflective layer and the molding polymer. The second adhesion value is higher than the first adhesion value. The device is separated from the molding polymer to yield a retroreflective article that has a second structured surface that is the reverse image of the first structured surface. The separation causes a transfer of the reflective layer from the first structured surface to the retroreflective article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Currens, Vera Lightle
  • METHOD OF MAKING A RETROREFLECTIVE ARTICLE AND A RETROREFLECTIVE ARTICLE HAVING AN ALUMINUM REFLECTOR
    Publication number: 20010047846
    Abstract: A process for making a retroreflective article that includes the steps of providing a device (tool or a mold) having a first structured surface; applying a reflective layer on the first structured surface resulting in a first adhesion value between the reflective layer and the first structured surface, the reflective layer having an exposed surface; applying a molding polymer to the exposed surface of the reflective layer resulting in a second adhesion value between the reflective layer and the molding polymer. The second adhesion value is higher than the first adhesion value. The device is separated from the molding polymer to yield a retroreflective article that has a second structured surface that is the reverse image of the first structured surface. The separation causes a transfer of the reflective layer from the first structured surface to the retroreflective article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: MICHAEL D. CURRENS, VERA LIGHTLE