3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Imation Corporation

Robert A Yapel

Aparna V Bhave

Thomas M Milbourn

Lawrence B Wallace

Mitchell A F Johnson

Robert B Secor

William Blake Kolb

Tri Dinh Pham

Joseph T Aronson

Gary Timothy Boyd

Steven D Solomonson

Steven J McMan

Fei Lu

Scott R Kaytor

Steven H Kong

Jennifer L Trice

Keith R Bruesewitz

William J Kopecky

Kristopher K Biegler

James M Nelson

Raghunath Padiyath

Peter T Benson

William R Dudley

Timothy J Edman

Richard John Pokorny

Olester Benson, Jr

John P Baetzold

Thomas J Ludemann

Terence D Neavin

Andrew J Henderson

Matthew R C Atkinson

David L Phillips

Naiyong Jing

Moses Mekala David

Kyle J Lindstrom

Mikhail L Pekurovsky

Matthew S Stay

Christopher Bland Walker, Jr

Yu Yang

Lan Hong Liu

David M Mahli

Joan M Noyola

Caleb T Nelson

Justin A Riddle

Charles W Simpson

Anthony M Renstrom

Taun L McKenzie

Michelle Lund Toy

Charles N DeVore

Gary Lee Huelsman

David D Nguyen

Slah Jendoubi

Pentti K Loukusa

Paul C Thomas

Michael J Tichy

Bruce D Shalles

Bernard A Scheller

Daniel V Norton

Joseph A Zigal

Francis M Aguirre

Steven Hin-Chung Kong

Roger K Yonkoski

Jason W Balich

Richard J Foss

Wayne P Ray

Kent D Nelson

Alan Paul Miller

Leslie A Kreilich

Gregory D Kostuch

Larry A Lien

Leslie A Todero

Garth V Antila

Brian L Strobush

Shannon K Hughes

Hans E Iverson

Richard M Jendrejack

Mark J Stevenson

Alberto Goenaga

Omar D Brown

Frederick J Gustafson

Nirmal K Jain

Andrzej P Jaworski

Jerry L Warren

David J Lundberg

Michael K Gerlach

Glen A Jerry

Christopher P Tebow

David J Scanlan

Norman L Rogers, Jr

James L Capps

Eldon E Lightner

Tom M Milbourn

David A Wallack

Ronald A Hanke

Mark E Ebensperger

Thomas J Lundemann

Manley C Marcellus

Mitchelle A F Johnson

Nicholas F Galassi

Tobias Holtkamp

Optical films for redirecting light are described, and optical systems, such as display systems, incorporating such optical films are described. The optical film may include a first structured surface including a plurality of prismatic structures, and a second structured surface opposing the first structured surface and including a plurality of microstructures. An effective transmission of the optical film is not more than 1% less than a film with a comparable construction except for a smooth, non-structured second surface.

Light redirecting film and display system incorporating same

An optical film having a structured surface is described. At least 90% of the structured surface has a slope magnitude that is less than about 5 degrees. The optical film may have an optical haze of less than about 10% and an optical clarity of less than about 50%, or may have an optical haze of less than about 7.5% and an optical clarity of less than about 60%, or may have an optical haze of less than about 3% and an optical clarity of less than about 65%.

A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.

Slot die position adjustment and return to baseline

Optical films, optical stacks including the optical films, and display systems including the optical films are described. The optical film includes a first major surface that may include a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The optical film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%.

Optical film and display system incorporating same

A system comprises a slot die including an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The system further comprises a controller configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings for operation of the slot die. The controller is further configured to, using fluid dynamics and a digital model of the die, predict a set of discrete settings from the plurality of discrete settings corresponding to a preselected cross-web profile for the extrudate.

Slot die position adjustment control

A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish is described. A coatable material is applied to a substrate. The viscosity of the coatable material is changed and a face-side roller having patterned features thereon contacts the coatable material to impart a matte finish thereon; and hardening the coatable material.

System and method for making a film having a matte finish

Cleanable articles having overcoats with hydrophilic front surfaces and which are siloxane-bonded to an underlying body member. Also, methods of making and using such articles.

Cleanable articles and methods for making and using same

The present invention concerns antireflective films comprising a high refractive index layer () and low refractive index layer () disposed on the high refractive index layer. The antireflective films have a microstructured surface () that can be derived from a microreplicated tool.

Antireflective films comprising microstructured surface

Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75.

A method of controlling a slot die comprises positioning actuators of the slot die with a controller according to a first set of discrete settings, operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings, and while passing the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate.

Slot die position adjustments to facilitate patterned products

Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is in a range from about 4% to about 20% and an optical clarity that is in a range from about 20% to about 60%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.55.

A light redirecting film () includes a first major surface () that includes first microstructures () that extend along a first direction and a second major surface (), which may form part of a matte layer, the second major surface being opposite to the first major surface and including second microstructures (). The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75. The light redirecting film () may comprise particles. The second microstructures may have a slope distribution.

A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material. The method of the invention includes the steps of (1) providing a coated substrate comprising a coatable material disposed on a substrate, the coatable material providing a first major surface of the coated substrate; (2) changing the viscosity of the coatable material from the initial viscosity to a second viscosity; (3) contacting the first major surface of the coated substrate with at least one face-side roller to impart a matte finish; and (4) optionally, hardening the coatable material to provide the film.

Methods of altering charge on a dielectric material involve application of an at least weakly conductive liquid to at least a portion of the dielectric material. The liquid is then at least partially removed from the dielectric material leaving a substantially uniform electrostatic charge on at least the portion of the dielectric material. Some methods provide a dielectric material that is both net neutral and completely neutral. Other methods generate a charge pattern that is used for subsequent processing.

Apparatus and methods for altering charge on a dielectric material

Growing community of inventors

Oakdale, MN, United States of America

Robert A Yapel