Lisa Ann Nelson

US Patent:

7727617, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Jun 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/425615

Inventors:

Jennifer L. Lee - Eagan MN, US
Mark W. Leverty - Lakeland MN, US
Scott A. Boyd - White Bear Lake MN, US
Eugene H. Carlson - Apple Valley MN, US
Lisa Flatt Nelson - Inver Grove Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B41M 5/00
B44C 1/17
G03G 7/00

US Classification:

4281951, 428480, 428500, 428913, 4289133, 359529, 359530, 359534, 359536, 359542

Abstract:

Retroreflective sheeting is described comprising a viewing surface and a non-viewing surface and a thermal mass transferred image disposed in the optical path of the viewing surface wherein the thermal mass transferred image comprises a homogeneous unreactive thermoplastic composition. In one embodiment, the unreactive thermoplastic composition comprises at least one acrylic resin and at least one colorant, wherein the composition has less than 3 wt-% of components that are opaque at ambient temperature. The percent maximum diffuse luminous transmittance to total luminous transmittance of the composition is less than 50%.

US Patent:

7964269, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Nov 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/562507

Inventors:

Jennifer L. Lee - Eagan MN, US
Mark W. Leverty - Roberts WI, US
Scott A. Boyd - White Bear Lake MN, US
Eugene H. Carlson - Apple Valley MN, US
Lisa Flatt Nelson - Inver Grove Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B41M 5/00
B44C 1/17
G03G 7/00

US Classification:

4281951, 428480, 428500, 428913, 4289133, 428914, 359529, 359530, 359534, 359536, 359542

Abstract:

Retroreflective sheeting articles comprising a colorless thermal mass transferred image, methods of thermal mass transfer printing substrate such as polymeric films with a colorless thermal mass transferable composition, and thermal mass transfer ribbon articles comprising a colorless thermal mass transferable composition are described. The thermal mass transfer composition comprises a homogeneous unreactive thermoplastic composition comprising at least one acrylic resin and less than 3 wt-% of components that are opaque at ambient temperature.

US Patent:

57061335, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Feb 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/386280

Inventors:

Bruce D. Orensteen - St. Paul MN
Lisa Flatt Nelson - Inver Grove Heights MN
Thomas F. Look - Ham Lake MN
Joseph R. Zwack - Roseville MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 5128
B32B 300

US Classification:

359530

Abstract:

Retroreflective signage articles comprise a colorant layer directly thermally transferred to a top layer of a reretroreflective sheeting, the top layer devoid of priming treatments and extraneous print-receptive layers. Systems or kits are also described comprising a retroreflective base sheeting in combination with a thermal mass transfer donor element, the donor elements comprising a carrier and a colorant layer adhered thereto, the colorant layer of the signage articles and the donor elements comprising a binder and a colorant. Methods of producing the signage articles employing the systems or kits are also presented.

US Patent:

6190757, Feb 20, 2001

Filed:

Feb 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/386279

Inventors:

Lisa Flatt Nelson - Inver Grove Heights MN
Hsin-Hsin Chou - Woodbury MN
Christopher E. Kunze - Highland Park MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B41M 540

US Classification:

428195

Abstract:

Coatable thermal mass transfer precursor compositions, suitable for producing thermal mass transfer donor elements, are described, the coatable compositions comprising a polyalkylene binder precursor; an acrylic binder precursor; an effective amount of a pigment to provide the desired color to a thermal mass transfer composition using the coatable composition; and d) a diluent (preferably water) in which the polyalkylene binder precursor, acrylic binder precursor, and pigment are all dispersed therein. Signage articles produced using the donor elements are also described.