3m Innovative Properties Company

Steven Hin-Chung Kong

Steven J McMan

Gary Timothy Boyd

Robert A Yapel

Tri Dinh Pham

Steven D Solomonson

Mitchell A F Johnson

Fei Lu

Scott R Kaytor

Joseph T Aronson

Slah Jendoubi

Joseph A Zigal

John Allen Wheatley

Moses Mekala David

David B Olson

Daniel J Skamser

Douglas Scott Dunn

Kui Chen-Ho

Alexander J Kugel

Travis L Potts

Christopher K Haas

Judith M Invie

Vivek Krishnan

Przemyslaw Pawel Markowicz

Sharon Wang

Randy A Larson

Toheeb B Alabi

Matthew T Holbrook

Kyle E Kulseth

Stray light absorbing films are described. In particular, stray light films including a black substrate, and first and second sets of microstructures are described. The described films can reduce stray light reflections in sensor modules and other optical devices. The first set of microstructures can have an average largest diameter between 0.5 and 125 μm. The second set of microstructures can have an average largest diameter of less than ½ of the average largest diameter of the first set of microstructures. The stray light absorbing film can have a specular reflectance for 8° incidence for wavelengths from 350-1200 nm of less than 0.3%.

Stray light absorbing film

The present disclosure provides engineered surfaces that exhibit reduced specular reflection and gloss while still providing a high intensity of reflected light at multiple incident angles. The structured metal surfaces include engineered topography that increases diffuse reflection, leading to a greater intensity of light perceived at multiple viewing angles. A viewer engaging such surfaces is likely to perceive a stronger 'white' reflection of the incident light and an improvement, particularly in orthodontic and other oral applications, of aesthetic appearance. Methods of creating the engineered surfaces and orthodontic articles incorporating the engineered surfaces are also disclosed.

Methods for managing the scattering of incident light and articles created therefrom

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

Multilayer stacks that can be used as decorative microsphere articles. The decorative microsphere articles can be a durable and aesthetically pleasing substitute for anodized aluminum and other matte metallic surfaces. The decorative microsphere articles are durable and can have a bright diffused appearance of any desired color, for example white, gold, silver, red, or other colors, while being capable of being manufactured using a roll-to-roll process. The decorative microsphere articles can also provide novel optical effects than can change at different viewing angles, including, for example, changing color with view angle, changing sharpness or clarity of an image or icon with view angle, and the like, that may allow customers to differentiate their products.

Decorative microsphere articles with information layer

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

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.

Light redirecting film and display system incorporating same

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Steven Hin-Chung Kong