3m Innovative Properties Company

John C Harvey

William Ward Merrill

Kenneth A Epstein

Clinton P Waller, Jr

Scott R Kaytor

Fred J Roska

Neal T Strand

Michael W Mills

Stephen J Pojar

William A Hibbard

Reney R Langlois

Rosalind E Peebles

David R Gagnon

An assembly comprising a film bounded by a frame, the film having a first thermal expansion coefficient along a first direction parallel to the film and a second thermal expansion coefficient along a second direction parallel to the film, wherein thermal expansion of the film compared to that of the frame is greater along the first direction than along the second direction, and wherein the film has a shape at an ambient reference temperature different from that of the frame, the shape of the film being selected to reduce clearance while allowing sufficient room between the film and the frame for thermal expansion in the first direction for temperatures up to a predetermined elevated reference temperature.

Film confined to a frame having relative anisotropic expansion

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.

Diffuse reflective articles

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Woodbury, MN, United States of America

John C Harvey