Micro-optical assemblies including transparent substrates having graphic layer and method of making thereof

US11086056B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Martin B. Wolk · Woodbury, US
• Thomas J. Metzler · Okabena, US
• Samuel J. Carpenter · Shoreview, US
• Denis Terzic · Minnetonka, US
• Mitchell T. Nommensen · Oak Creek, US
• Suman K. Patel · Woodbury, US
• Mikhail L. Pekurovsky · Bloomington, US
• Donald G. Peterson · Shoreview, US
• Terry O. Collier · Woodbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 2016
• Grant date: Aug 10, 2021
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10K59/879
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to micro-optical assemblies containing at least one optical element adhered to a receptor substrate, e.g. a transparent receptor substrate, the receptor substrate contains at least one graphics layer. The micro-optical assemblies include both functional micro-optical structures that can alter, for example, incident light, and a graphic layer, which includes at least one graphic, e.g. a graphic design, which may include color, patterns, imagery, indicia and the like. The combination of the micro-optical elements with the graphic of the graphics layer can provide unique light altering assemblies that have graphic designs that may be functional, e.g. to display a message, and/or have aesthetic value. The micro-optical assemblies of the present disclosure are useful in a variety of applications which include, but are not limited to, display and graphics applications and architectural glass applications. The present disclosure also provides a method of making the micro-optical assemblies of the present disclosure.