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. 24, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 31, 2002
Daniel E. Meyer, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Karen J. Calverley, Stillwater, MN (US);
Paul S. Engelen, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Michael A. Johnson, Stillwater, MN (US);
Daniel E. Meyer, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Karen J. Calverley, Stillwater, MN (US);
Paul S. Engelen, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Michael A. Johnson, Stillwater, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A thermoforming method and objects prepared using the thermoforming method are described. Non-self-supporting, polymeric films are initially formed into a three-dimensional shaped film on a male mold and then transferred to a female mold while being supported by the male mold. The three-dimensional shaped film can be further thermoformed, reinforced, or a combination thereof on the female mold. The resulting object has a substantially uniform thickness across a major surface. The method can preserve the surface quality of the polymeric film used to prepare the three-dimensional objects.