3m Innovative Properties Company

Gemalto Sa

Christopher K Haas

Mario Alberto Perez

James M Jonza

Kui Chen-Ho

Terry R Hobbs

Robert Steven Kody

Ravi K Sura

David B Olson

Mark J Pellerite

Caroline M Ylitalo

Douglas Scott Dunn

Robert D Taylor

David Loren Vall

Philip P Soo

William B Black

Randy A Larson

Thomas P Klun

Larry R Krepski

Matthew H Frey

William M Lamanna

Duane Douglas Fansler

Jayshree Seth

Encai Hao

Kenton D Budd

Jun-Ying Zhang

Dong-Wei Zhu

Joseph Clark Carls

Todd D Jones

Diane R Wolk

Ryan E Marx

Mark David Gehlsen

Chester A Bacon, Jr

Steven H Kong

Paul D Graham

Jay M Jennen

Gregory J Marszalek

Janet A Venne

Jianhui Xia

Travis L Potts

John M Sebastian

Timothy D Filiatrault

Vivek Krishnan

Joan M Strobel

Eugene H Carlson

Steven J Rhyner

Robert F Watkins

Terrence E Cooprider

Scott A Boyd

Roger J Stumo

Steven Hin-Chung Kong

Sara B Mortenson

Katherine A S Graham

Paul DeRoussel

Krystal K Hunt

Julie S Prudich

Krystal Garringer

Paul F Jaeger

An article may include a biodata page defining a perimeter including an edge and a hinge layer attached to at least a portion of the biodata page. The hinge layer comprises a cross-linked polyurethane. In some examples, the hinge layer may include a cross-linked thermoset polyurethane.

Flexible hinge material comprising cross-linked polyurethane material

Laser-personalizable security articles include multi-layer security documents. The multi-layer security document includes an optically transparent cover layer, a composite image and an imagable layer adjacent to the cover layer. The first surface of the cover layer is at least partially a microstructured surface, where the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface. The composite image is made by a collection of complete or partial images viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer. The composite image is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer. The imagable layer is a laser imagable layer. When imaged, a personalized second composite three dimensional image is created on or in the imagable layer.

Laser-personalizable security articles

Laser engravable films are disclosed. In one aspect, the laser engravable film of the present invention includes a monolayer film, preferably comprising polycarbonate, having a laser engraving additive and an antistatic composition mixed within the layer of polycarbonate. In another aspect, the laser engravable film of the present invention includes a first layer, preferably comprising polycarbonate, having an antistatic composition mixed within the first layer, and a second layer, preferably comprising polycarbonate, with laser engraving additives mixed within the second layer.

Static dissipating laser engravable film

Laser-personalizable security articles include a multi-layer security document and an optically transparent processing tape. The multi-layer security document includes an optically transparent cover layer, a composite image and an imagable layer adjacent to the cover layer. The first surface of the cover layer is at least partially a microstructured surface, where the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface. The composite image is made by a collection of complete or partial images viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer. The composite image is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer. The imagable layer is a laser. The optically transparent processing tape sufficiently wets out on the misconstructured surface to render the microstructured surface invisible to a writing laser.

Retroreflective elements and articles that include such elements. The retroreflective elements () include a solid spherical core () having an outer surface. A first complete concentric optical interference layer () overlays the outer surface of the core providing a first interface between the core and the first optical interference layer, and a second complete concentric optical interference layer () overlays the first optical interference layer to provide a second interface between the first optical interference layer and the second optical interference layer. In some embodiments, a third complete concentric optical interference layer overlays the second optical interference layer to provide a third interface between the second optical interference layer and the third optical interference layer. The retroreflective articles include a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface with a plurality of the retroreflective elements affixed along the first major surface of the substrate.

Retroreflective articles and retroreflective elements comprising a spherical core and two concentric optical interference layers

An ink receptive article including a substrate having on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an antistatic layer, and wherein the antistatic layer has on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an ink receptive layer, wherein the ink receptive layer includes a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, polyacrlylics, polyureas, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof.

Ink receptive article

An ink receptive article including a substrate having applied on at least a portion thereof a layer of an ink receptive coating, wherein the ink receptive coating layer includes a cross-linked polymer and an ink absorbing polymer, wherein the ink absorbing polymer has a solubility parameter of equal to or less than 9 (cal/cm).

The invention is directed in part to an article that includes a polymer foam having a surface with surface microstructures, the surface microstructures have at least one extent or dimension of about 10 microns or more, preferably 50 microns or more. A maximum extent (unless it is a continuous rib-like structure) the microstructure is about 300 microns or less, preferably 200 microns or less, and generally a maximum height of 1000 microns or less, preferably 750 microns or less and a minimum height of 200 microns or more, preferably 300 microns or more. The foamed article may be provided in a variety of shapes, including a rod, a cylinder, a sheet, etc. In a preferred embodiment where the foam is provided in the form of a sheet, the foam has a pair of major surfaces, one or both of which can be provided with surface microstructures. The foam backing and microstructures include a plurality of voids, which voids are preferably of a mean size substantially less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension or extent of the microstructures.

Integrally foamed microstructured article

The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an integral security element, and a method of making the article. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Foam security substrate

The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190&#xb0; C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Ink-receptive foam article

The present invention is directed to a process for producing a polypropylene foam by mixing a high melt strength polypropylene and a blowing agent to form a melt mixture, reducing the temperature of the melt mixture at the exit of the apparatus to an exit temperature that is no more than 30&#xb0; C. above the melt temperature of the neat polypropylene while maintaining the melt mixture at a pressure sufficient to prevent foaming; passing the mixture through said exit shaping orifice and exposing the mixture to atmospheric pressure, whereby the blowing agent expands causing cell formation resulting in foam formation, and orienting said foam. The foam is useful as tape backings, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays.

Foam and method of making

The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.

Aliphatic polyester microfibers, microfibrillated articles and use thereof

Described are hydrophilic fibrillated articles that include melt-processable polymer and hydrophilic component such as hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic polymer, as well as methods of preparing such articles.

Microfibrillated articles comprising hydrophillic component

A fibrillated foamed article and process for producing the same is described. The fibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.

Fibrillated foam article

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Christopher K Haas