Robert E Watkins

US Patent:

7048989, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Apr 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/417642

Inventors:

Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US
Terry R. Bailey - Woodbury MN, US
Joey L. Reule - Cottage Grove MN, US
Scott A. Boyd - White Bear Lake MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3/18
G02B 5/12

US Classification:

428143, 428522, 428149, 428325, 4281951, 359539, 359540, 359541

Abstract:

The invention relates to retroreflective articles such as retroreflective sheeting that comprises a core sheet comprising retroreflective elements and a topcoat wherein the topcoat comprises certain water-borne acrylic polymer(s).

US Patent:

8012550, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Oct 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/538606

Inventors:

Caroline M. Ylitalo - Stillwater MN, US
Scott A. Boyd - White Bear Lake MN, US
Joseph C. Carls - Austin TX, US
Eugene H. Carlson - Apple Valley MN, US
Christopher K. Haas - St. Paul MN, US
James M. Jonza - Woodbury MN, US
Mark J. Pellerite - Woodbury MN, US
Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

B41M 5/40

US Classification:

428 3213, 428 3226, 428 3234, 428 32238, 4283044, 4283077, 4283084, 428327, 428331, 428916

Abstract:

An ink receptive article including a substrate having on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an antistatic layer, and wherein the antistatic layer has on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an ink receptive layer, wherein the ink receptive layer includes a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, polyacrlylics, polyureas, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof.

US Patent:

8534849, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Apr 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/760738

Inventors:

William D. Coggio - Hudson WI, US
John S. Huizinga - White Bear Lake MN, US
Michael L. Steiner - New Richmond WI, US
Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US
Encai Hao - Woodbury MN, US
William B. Kolb - West Lakeland MN, US
Peiwang Zhu - Woodbury MN, US
Michael Benton Free - St. Paul MN, US
Brant U. Kolb - Afton MN, US
Kui Chen-Ho - Woodbury MN, US
Paul E. Humpal - Stillwater MN, US
Kenneth L. Smith - White Bear Lake MN, US
Scott M. Tapio - Falcon Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 5/124

US Classification:

359530, 428161

Abstract:

Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

US Patent:

55081053, Apr 16, 1996

Filed:

Feb 2, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/186751

Inventors:

Bruce D. Orensteen - St. Paul MN
Thomas F. Look - Ham Lake MN
Robert F. Watkins - Roseville MN
Joseph M. McGrath - Lake Elmo MN
Robert V. O'Keefe - New Brighton MN
Joseph R. Zwack - Roseville MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 516

US Classification:

428323

Abstract:

Polymeric sheeting materials directly thermally printed upon with a thermal printing system and a resin-based colorant/binder. The polymeric sheeting materials comprise a core sheet and a thermally print receptive surface on the core sheet. The thermally print receptive surface may be formed from compositions comprising a polyurethane dispersion. The thermally print receptive surface is smooth, transparent, durable, and weatherable. Signage articles made from the polymeric sheeting materials of the invention may be configured to have the desired combination of frangibility, durability, retroreflectivity and/or low production cost. Frangible, retroreflective signage articles may be produced from the polymeric sheeting materials and may have durable variable information thermally and variably printed directly on the articles.

US Patent:

20210088695, Mar 25, 2021

Filed:

Dec 8, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/114821

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
Jay M. Jennen - Forest Lake MN, US
Robert D. Hamann - Eagan MN, US
Ryan M. Braun - Saint Paul MN, US
Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US
Joseph D. Rule - Woodbury MN, US
Todd D. Jones - Saint Paul MN, US
Charlie C. Ho - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02B 1/14
G02B 5/124
G02B 5/12
C08J 5/18
G02B 26/08

Abstract:

The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110 C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130 C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170 C. and a Tg greater than 35 C. and less than 70 C.

US Patent:

20190302317, Oct 3, 2019

Filed:

Jun 5, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/307875

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
Bimal V. Thakkar - St. Paul MN, US
Duane D. Fansler - Dresser WI, US
Anthony F. Schultz - Forest Lake MN, US
Jonathan E. Janoski - Woodbury MN, US
David C. Lueneburg - Austin TX, US
Carla S. Thomas - Woodbury MN, US
Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US

Assignee:

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 1/14
G02B 5/124
G02B 5/128
C08L 33/06
C08L 29/14
B29D 11/00

Abstract:

A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30 C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.

US Patent:

20180203163, Jul 19, 2018

Filed:

Jun 24, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/742322

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
Jay M. Jennen - Forest Lake MN, US
Robert D. Hamann - Eagan MN, US
Ryan M. Braun - Saint Paul MN, US
Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US
Joseph D. Rule - Woodbury MN, US
Todd D. Jones - Saint Paul MN, US
Charlie C. Ho - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02B 1/14
G02B 26/08
C08J 5/18

Abstract:

The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110 C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130 C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170 C. and a Tg greater than 35 C and less than 70 C.

US Patent:

20160209558, Jul 21, 2016

Filed:

Aug 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/913269

Inventors:

- Saint Paul MN, US
Stephen A. Johnson - Woodbury MN, US
Robert F. Watkins - White Bear Lake MN, US
Bimal V. Thakkar - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02B 5/124
B29D 11/00

Abstract:

The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles include a substantially amorphous polymeric layer between the body layer and the discrete truncated cube corner elements. The substantially amorphous polymeric layer absorbs, dissipates, and/or accommodates at least some of the stress forces placed on the retroreflective article during processing. As a result, discrete truncated cube corner elements with increased fidelity can be formed. Consequently, retroreflective sheeting including a substantially amorphous polymeric layer has increased brightness compared to similarly made and composed sheeting lacking the substantially amorphous polymeric layer