3M Innovative Properties Company

Erik A Aho

John C Schultz

Audrey A Sherman

Michael Alan Meis

Kevin R Schaffer

William J Bryan

Martin B Wolk

Manoj Nirmal

Scott Melvyn Tapio

Michael J Sykora

Mieczyslaw H Mazurek

Robert L Brott

Bing Hao

Patrick A Thomas

John F Reed

Martin Kristoffersen

Raghunath Padiyath

Charles A Marttila

Owen M Anderson

Jonathan F Mansheim

Thomas J Blong

Robert M Biegler

Jay M Jennen

Jeffrey M Maki

Derek W Patzman

David V Mahoney

Anton F Jachim

Mark A Hoisington

Craig R Hoff

David A Harper

Michael H Hansberry

Mikhail L Pekurovsky

Ronald David Jesme

Craig R Schardt

John P Baetzold

Andrew P Bonifas

Suman K Patel

Stephen J Willett

Mohsen Salehi

Ronald K Thery

Patrick M Campbell

Denis Terzic

Amy J Hite

Shannon S Le Blanc

Eileen M F Haus

This disclosure describes co-extruded multilayer articles including at least one continuous layer and one discontinuous layer, as well as systems and techniques for the manufacture of co-extruded multilayer articles. For example, a co-extruded multilayer article is described that includes a body having a plurality of layers, where a first layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a first material and is continuous along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a second layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a second material and is discontinuously co-extruded along the longitudinal axis.

Co-extruded multilayer articles including continuous layer and discontinuous layer

The disclosed light directing article comprises a structured layer, an adhesive sealing layer, and barrier elements. The structured layer comprises multiple microstructured elements that are opposite a major surface. The adhesive sealing layer has a first region and a second region. The second region is in contact with the structured layer. The barrier element are at the first region. The first region with the barrier element and second region have sufficiently different properties to form a low refractive index layer between the adhesive sealing layer and the structured layer. The barrier element comprises a crosslinked polymeric matrix having a modulus of elasticity less than 4.4 GPa.

Barrier elements on a microstructured article having adhesive sealing layer and specified modulus of elasticity

A system for use in wirelessly monitoring a pipeline such as a natural gas pipe. The system includes a locator configured to wirelessly transmit power and a subsoil sensor marker located adjacent the pipe and configured to wirelessly communicate with the locator. The sensor marker includes a microcontroller, a memory module, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a gas, and a power module. The power module is configured to harvest a sufficient amount of the power wirelessly transmitted from the locator in order to operate the microcontroller to take a measurement via the sensor, save the measurement in the memory module, and wirelessly transmit the measurement to the locator.

Wireless power transfer and sensing for monitoring pipelines

Light redirecting film articles include a microstructured optical film, such as a daylight redirecting film, bonded to another film. This type of assembly may serve various purposes. For example, the assembly may protect the structured film, provide additional functionality, such as diffusion or infrared reflection, and/or facilitate attachment of the microstructured optical film to a mounting surface, such as a glazing or window pane.

Light redirecting film with multi-peak microstructured prismatic elements and methods of making them

The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.

Sun-facing light redirecting films with reduced glare

The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of room-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.

Room-facing light redirecting films with reduced glare

An optical article, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The optical article includes a lightguide, a viscoelastic layer disposed on the light guide and a nanovoided polymeric layer disposed on the viscoelastic layer. The nanovoided polymeric layer comprises a plurality of interconnected nanovoids and at least some of the interconnected nanovoids are connected to one another by hollow passages. The lightguide may be optically coupled to a light source, and the viscoelastic layer and the nanovoided polymeric layer may be used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Optical article having viscoelastic layer

Self illuminated back and front lit shaped and two-sided signage. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light and a diffuser providing for diffusion. The shape of the signage from a viewer's perspective provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer. Two-sided signage includes two signs arranged back-to-back, each including a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light, a diffuser providing for diffusion, and a printed graphic. In the two-sided signage, the turning films receive light from an ambient light source and direct the light via the structured surfaces toward viewers of the two graphics in order to passively illuminate the signage. The two-sided signage can be shaped to provide content via the shape and graphics.

Self illuminated shaped and two-sided signage for printed graphics

An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Illumination device having viscoelastic lightguide

An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Illumination device having viscoelastic layer

Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.

Hybrid self illuminated and actively back lit signage for printed graphics

Self illuminated back and front lit signage for a printed graphic. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light, a diffuser providing for diffusion, and a printed graphic. The turning film receives light from an ambient light source and directs the light via the structured surface toward a viewer of the graphic in order to passively illuminate the signage.

Self illuminated signage for printed graphics

Growing community of inventors

North Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Erik A Aho