Optical structures

Details Optical structures Optical structures

2008-04-29

2008-04-29

Phan, James (Department: 2872)

Optical: systems and elements

Signal reflector

3-corner retroreflective

C359S831000, C359S900000, C428S323000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10731416

ABSTRACT:
Optical structures and methods for manufacturing the same includes, in one embodiment, a substrate and a plurality of two-sided optical components disposed along the substrate. Each component includes optical microstructures on each side. At least a portion of one side of at least some of the components is air-backed and the other side of the at least some of the components is substantially wetted-out by a material. Retroreflective optical structures, threads, or fibers and manufacturing methods for forming same are also provided. Optical structures are provided that include a plurality of microstructures enclosed within an outer layer that is formed from a single substrate. An apparatus and method are also provided for forming an optical structure comprising injecting a material into a mold to form the optical structure, forming the optical structure into a desired geometric shape, and sealing ends of the optical structure.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2937668 (1960-05-01), Carey, Jr. et al.
patent: 3140340 (1964-07-01), Weber
patent: 3281396 (1966-10-01), Barnes
patent: 3684348 (1972-08-01), Rowland
patent: 3931115 (1976-01-01), Strassel
patent: 4004930 (1977-01-01), Tung
patent: 4025159 (1977-05-01), McGrath
patent: 4100625 (1978-07-01), Tung
patent: 4202600 (1980-05-01), Burke et al.
patent: 4211261 (1980-07-01), Mehta et al.
patent: 4254176 (1981-03-01), Müller et al.
patent: 4425468 (1984-01-01), Makhlouf et al.
patent: 4555161 (1985-11-01), Rowland
patent: 4576850 (1986-03-01), Martens
patent: 4618518 (1986-10-01), Pricone et al.
patent: 5039200 (1991-08-01), Michler et al.
patent: 5126170 (1992-06-01), Zwiener et al.
patent: 5182663 (1993-01-01), Jones
patent: 5236741 (1993-08-01), Zwiener et al.
patent: 5272562 (1993-12-01), Coderre
patent: 5300263 (1994-04-01), Hoopman et al.
patent: 5521725 (1996-05-01), Beeson et al.
patent: 5565151 (1996-10-01), Nilsen
patent: 5614286 (1997-03-01), Bacon, Jr. et al.
patent: 5657162 (1997-08-01), Nilsen et al.
patent: 5657408 (1997-08-01), Ferm et al.
patent: 5706132 (1998-01-01), Nestegard et al.
patent: 5805338 (1998-09-01), Janovec
patent: 5805339 (1998-09-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5835271 (1998-11-01), Stump et al.
patent: 5836674 (1998-11-01), Nishitani et al.
patent: 5840352 (1998-11-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 5840405 (1998-11-01), Shusta et al.
patent: 5905826 (1999-05-01), Benson, Jr. et al.
patent: 5936770 (1999-08-01), Nestegard et al.
patent: 5956818 (1999-09-01), Tsubata
patent: 5985444 (1999-11-01), Olson et al.
patent: 5995690 (1999-11-01), Kotz et al.
patent: 6036322 (2000-03-01), Nilsen et al.
patent: 6039909 (2000-03-01), Bernard et al.
patent: 6050691 (2000-04-01), Fellows et al.
patent: 6107436 (2000-08-01), Goeb et al.
patent: 6130730 (2000-10-01), Jannson et al.
patent: 6142643 (2000-11-01), Araki et al.
patent: 6143224 (2000-11-01), Bernard et al.
patent: 6163402 (2000-12-01), Chou et al.
patent: 6191200 (2001-02-01), Phillips
patent: 6197393 (2001-03-01), Jing et al.
patent: 6291586 (2001-09-01), Lasch et al.
patent: 6303058 (2001-10-01), Kelley et al.
patent: 6322236 (2001-11-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 6323266 (2001-11-01), Phillips
patent: 6350823 (2002-02-01), Goeb et al.
patent: 6372341 (2002-04-01), Jung et al.
patent: 6521718 (2003-02-01), Goeb et al.
patent: 6533961 (2003-03-01), Harelstad et al.
patent: 2001/0050356 (2001-12-01), Crano et al.
patent: 2002/0002929 (2002-01-01), Harelstad et al.
patent: 2002/0016421 (2002-02-01), Goeb et al.
patent: 2002/0018299 (2002-02-01), Daniell
patent: 0 478 178 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 0 675 148 (1995-10-01), None
patent: 0 835 348 (2001-10-01), None
patent: 05-209142 (1993-08-01), None
patent: 07-258370 (1995-10-01), None
patent: WO 97/01675 (1997-01-01), None
patent: WO 99/23151 (1999-05-01), None
patent: WO 00/14525 (2000-03-01), None
patent: WO 00/43813 (2000-07-01), None
patent: WO 03/098276 (2003-11-01), None
Cook, G., “No Assembly Required for These Tiny Machines,” Boston Globe, Oct. 16, 2001, http://web.mit.edu/lms/www/011016globe.shtml.
Dagani, R., “Self-Assembly Required,” Chemical & Engineering News Today: News of the Week, Apr. 12, 2002, http://pubsacs.org/cen/today/april12d.html.
Kirkland, C., “A First in Micromold Flow Analysis,” May 2003, http://www.immnet.com/articles?article=2130.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Optical structures does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Optical structures, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical structures will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3936861