The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 02, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
David J Lundin, Woodbury, MN (US);
Kevin M Eliason, St. Paul, MN (US);
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company, St, Paul, MN (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B29C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
425115 ; 425122 ; 425127 ; 425470 ; 425471 ; 264-124 ; 264-131 ; 264-16 ; 264-27 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for molding an illumination device using an open mold are provided which allow for the addition of light extraction structures to a prefabricated light guide using a curable material. A mold containing the extraction structures is first provided. Curable molding material and the prefabricated light guide are placed into the mold, and an overlay comprising light extraction structures is cured onto the light guide, providing a functional illumination device.