Kristin L Thunhorst

6462100, Oct 8, 2002

Jul 23, 2001

09/911230

Kristin LaVelle Thunhorst - Stillwater MN
Douglas Alan Hanggi - Woodbury MN

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

C08J 928

521 53, 521 64, 521153, 522 81, 522 83, 522 84

The invention discloses methods for making foams comprising functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles by photopolymerizing or thermally polymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are also disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.

2010023, Sep 16, 2010

May 24, 2010

12/785798

Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN,
Olester Benson, JR. - Woodbury MN,
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN,
Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN,
Yeun-Jong Chou - Woodbury MN,
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI,
Diane North - Inver Grove Heights MN,
Roger J. Stumo - Shoreview MN,
Kristin L. Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,
Bruce B. Wilson - Woodbury MN,

B29D 11/00

264 16

A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

2007023, Oct 11, 2007

Mar 31, 2006

11/278258

Andrew Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN,
Shandon Hart - Maplewood MN,
Olester Benson - Woodbury MN,
Patrick Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,
Kristin Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,

F21V 5/02

362339000

Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

2007023, Oct 11, 2007

Mar 31, 2006

11/278336

Andrew Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN,
Shandon Hart - Maplewood MN,
Olester Benson - Woodbury MN,
Patrick Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,
Kristin Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,

F21V 5/02

362339000

Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

2007023, Oct 11, 2007

Mar 31, 2006

11/278346

Andrew Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN,
Shandon Hart - Maplewood MN,
Olester Benson - Woodbury MN,
Patrick Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,
Kristin Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,

D04H 3/00

428292100

Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. A second layer having a structured surface, for providing an optical function to light passing therethrough, is attached to the first layer. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

2008005, Mar 6, 2008

Aug 30, 2006

11/468737

Gregory L. Bluem - St. Paul MN,
Huiwen Tai - Woodbury MN,
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,
Daniel J. Zillig - Cottage Grove MN,
Joan M. Frankel - Woodbury MN,
Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN,
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI,
Shandon D. Hart - Maplewood MN,
Kristin L. Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,

G02B 5/30

359497

A display system has a display panel and at least one light source for producing light to illuminate the display panel. A polarizer film may be employed between the display panel and the light source. At least one of the polarizing fibers has multiple internal birefringent interfaces between a first polymer material and a second polymer material. In some embodiments, the polarizer substantially reflects normally incident light in a first polarization state and substantially transmits normally incident light, in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state, with a haze value of at least 10%.

2008005, Mar 6, 2008

Aug 30, 2006

11/468740

Gregory L. Bluem - St. Paul MN,
Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN,
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,
Joan M. Frankel - Woodbury MN,
Shandon D. Hart - Maplewood MN,
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI,
Huiwen Tai - Woodbury MN,
Kristin L. Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,
Daniel J. Zillig - Cottage Grove MN,

G02B 5/30

428212, 359500

A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber. The fibers are be embedded within a material having a lower refractive index than either the first or second polymer material.

2008015, Jun 26, 2008

Mar 13, 2008

12/047571

Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN,
Olester Benson - Woodbury MN,
Timothy J. Hebrink - Scandia MN,
Shandon D. Hart - Maplewood MN,
Kristin L. Thunhorst - Stillwater MN,
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN,

G02B 5/30
B29D 11/00

359488, 264 134

An optical film has a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers each include fibers embedded within respective polymeric matrices. A third layer having a reflective polarizer layer is mounted between the first and second layers.