Patents by Inventor William A. Hibbard

William A. Hibbard 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).

  • Patent number: 6768586
    Abstract: A polarizer construction is disclosed that includes a reflective polarizer disposed on a first side of the construction to transmit light having one polarization and reflect light having an orthogonal polarization, and one or more colored dichroic polarizers disposed on a second side of the construction. The one or more colored dichroic polarizers are arranged so that when the construction is illuminated from the first side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a first spectral distribution of visible light, and when the construction is illuminated from the second side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a second spectral distribution of visible light different from the first spectral distribution. Various display constructions using colored polarizers to achieve color changing and image reversal effects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hassan Sahouani, Kim Marie Vogel, Keith M. Kotchick, Mark B. O'Neill, William A. Hibbard, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
  • Publication number: 20030184862
    Abstract: A polarizer construction is disclosed that includes a reflective polarizer disposed on a first side of the construction to transmit light having one polarization and reflect light having an orthogonal polarization, and one or more colored dichroic polarizers disposed on a second side of the construction. The one or more colored dichroic polarizers are arranged so that when the construction is illuminated from the first side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a first spectral distribution of visible light, and when the construction is illuminated from the second side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a second spectral distribution of visible light different from the first spectral distribution. Various display constructions using colored polarizers to achieve color changing and image reversal effects are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hassan Sahouani, Kim Marie Vogel, Keith M. Kotchick, Mark B. O'Neill, William A. Hibbard, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
  • Patent number: 6574044
    Abstract: A polarizer construction is disclosed that includes a reflective polarizer disposed on a first side of the construction to transmit light having one polarization and reflect light having an orthogonal polarization, and one or more colored dichroic polarizers disposed on a second side of the construction. The one or more colored dichroic polarizers are arranged so that when the construction is illuminated from the first side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a first spectral distribution of visible light, and when the construction is illuminated from the second side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a second spectral distribution of visible light different from the first spectral distribution. Various display constructions using colored polarizers to achieve color changing and image reversal effects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hassan Sahouani, Kim Marie Vogel, Keith M. Kotchick, Mark B. O'Neill, William A. Hibbard, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
  • Patent number: 5976686
    Abstract: Diffuse reflective materials attached to a structure formed by thermally induced phase separation of a thermoplastic polymer and a diluent providing enhanced flexibility and reflectivity especially in the visible wavelengths of 380-730 nanometers are described. Such materials find a wide variety of application among combinations with other reflective layers. The diffuse reflective articles are useful in backlight units of liquid crystal displays, lights, copy machines, projection system displays, facsimile apparatus, electronic blackboards, diffuse white standards, photographic lights and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Kaytor, Kenneth A. Epstein, John C. Harvey, Stephen J. Pojar, Neal T. Strand, Clinton P. Waller, Jr., William A. Hibbard, David R. Gagnon
  • Patent number: 5919551
    Abstract: The present invention includes a structured optical film with variable pitch peaks and/or grooves to reduce the visibility of moire interference patterns and optical displays incorporating one or more layers of the film. The pitch variations can be over groups of adjacent peaks and/or valleys or between adjacent pairs of peaks and/or valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sanford Cobb, Jr., Mark E. Gardiner, Keith M. Kotchick, Kazuhiko Toyooka, William A. Hibbard