US6741523B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microstructured time dependent indicators
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
•
Filing: 2000-05-15
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Granted: 2004-05-25
•
Expires: 2020-05-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides microstructured time dependent indicators including timers, time/temperature indicators, etc. The indicators are preferably highly accurate and easy to read. The invention also includes indicators which are game pieces, calendars, greeting cards, etc. The indicators function by flow of a material through channels of a microstructured substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Marco Bommarito
- 👤 Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
- 👤 Raymond P. Johnston
- 👤 David J. Yarusso
- 👤 Curtis L. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:35
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F1/00; G01; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/02; G01K3/04; G04F13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An article comprising: (a) a substrate having a microstructured surface, wherein the microstructured surface of the substrate defines a plurality of channels having a predetermined channel pattern; (b) a fluid wherein the fluid is separated from the substrate until activation of the article is desired; wherein the article is designed such that it can be manipulated at a desired point in time to allow contact of the fluid with at least some of the channels of the substrate in order to activate the article; and wherein the article is designed in such a manner as to provide an indication of the progress of fluid as it migrates through the channels of the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An article comprising: (a) a substrate having a microstructured surface, wherein the microstructured surface of the substrate defines a plurality of channels having a predetermined channel pattern; (b) a fluid wherein the fluid is separated from the substrate until activation of the article is desired; wherein the article is designed such that it can be manipulated at a desired point in time to allow contact of the fluid with at least some of the channels of the substrate in order to activate the article; and wherein the article is designed in such a manner as to provide an indication of the progress of fluid as it migrates through the channels of the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article comprises only one fluid and only one substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the channels of the substrate are interconnected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the fluid is selected from the group of consisting of viscous fluids, viscoelastic fluids, and combinations thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate is retroreflective.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate is cube-corner retroreflective sheeting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate is retroreflective and wherein the progress of the fluid as it migrates through the channels is evidenced by frustration of the total internal reflectance in the retroreflective substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is designed such that there is essentially no leakage of the fluid from the article prior to or subsequent to activation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the fluid has a fluid flow front as it migrates through the channels and wherein each fluid front variation is less than about 5 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the fluid has a fluid flow front as it migrates through the channels and wherein each fluid front variation is less than about 3 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the fluid has a fluid flow front as it migrates through the channels and wherein each fluid front variation is less than about 1 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer which according to the Capillary Action Test Method displays a time when in a vertical position that is within about ±50 percent of an identical timer in a horizontal position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer which according to the Capillary Action Test Method displays a time when in a vertical position within about ±25 percent of an identical timer in a horizontal position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer which according to the Capillary Action Test Method displays a time when in a vertical position that is within about ±10 percent of an identical timer in a horizontal position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer and wherein the article displays a time at an expiration point that is within about ±25 percent of the actual elapsed time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer and wherein the article displays a time at an expiration point that is within about ±10 percent of the actual elapsed time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a timer and wherein the article displays a time at an expiration point that is within about ±5 percent of the actual elapsed time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate has two opposing major surfaces, one being identified as the first major surface and the other being identified as the second major surface, wherein the second major surface has a series of essentially parallel channels therein, wherein the channels are essentially of uniform length and uniform shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the fluid is separated from the substrate by a barrier until activation of the article is desired, wherein the barrier can subsequently be manipulated at a desired point in time to allow contact of the fluid with at least some of the channels of the substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has diffractive properties.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has diffusive properties.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is partially internally reflective.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The article of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has optical characteristics and wherein the progress of the fluid as it migrates through the channels of the substrate is evidenced by the frustration of the optical characteristics of the substrate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-25 | 2007-11-24 | 2008-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-25 | 2011-11-24 | 2012-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-25 | 2015-11-24 | 2016-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |