3m Innovative Properties Company

William A Hibbard

Keith Michael Kotchick

Hassan Sahouani

Kim Marie Vogel

Robert S Moshrefzadeh

Mark B O'Neill

Kenneth A Epstein

Sanford Cobb, Jr

Mark E Gardiner

Clinton P Waller, Jr

Scott R Kaytor

Kazuhiko Toyooka

Neal T Strand

Stephen J Pojar

John C Harvey

David R Gagnon

A polarizer construction is disclosed that includes a reflective polarizer disposed on a first side of the construction to transmit light having one polarization and reflect light having an orthogonal polarization, and one or more colored dichroic polarizers disposed on a second side of the construction. The one or more colored dichroic polarizers are arranged so that when the construction is illuminated from the first side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a first spectral distribution of visible light, and when the construction is illuminated from the second side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a second spectral distribution of visible light different from the first spectral distribution. Various display constructions using colored polarizers to achieve color changing and image reversal effects are also disclosed.

Polarizer constructions and display devices exhibiting unique color effects

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

The present invention includes a structured optical film with variable pitch peaks and/or grooves to reduce the visibility of moire interference patterns and optical displays incorporating one or more layers of the film. The pitch variations can be over groups of adjacent peaks and/or valleys or between adjacent pairs of peaks and/or valleys.

Variable pitch structured optical film

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

William A Hibbard