Patents by Inventor Lars A. Smeenk

Lars A. Smeenk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11086083
    Abstract: An optical connector (100) includes a housing (112) configured to contain one or more optical ferrules (121) disposed within the housing and accessible through an opening at a mating end of the housing. A cover (130) is disposed at the mating end, the cover configured to be rotated about a pivoting axis between a closed position an open position. An actuator (135, 136) is configured to cause the cover to rotate about the pivoting axis from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Publication number: 20200284996
    Abstract: An optical connector (100) includes a housing (112) configured to contain one or more optical ferrules (121) disposed within the housing and accessible through an opening at a mating end of the housing. A cover (130) is disposed at the mating end, the cover configured to be rotated about a pivoting axis between a closed position an open position. An actuator (135, 136) is configured to cause the cover to rotate about the pivoting axis from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Patent number: 9731314
    Abstract: A coating system and method including a web path moving a substrate past a contacting element including a distribution manifold having a cavity, and a multiplicity of needle tubes in fluid communication with the cavity, the needle tubes each having a needle tip dispensing a coating material towards a point of contact between the substrate and the contacting element. In some embodiments, the distribution manifold separates into a manifold containing the internal cavity, and a removable cartridge having the plurality of needle tubes. The coating system and method can be used to apply a pre-metered coating material to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Publication number: 20150151322
    Abstract: A coating system and method including a web path moving a substrate past a contacting element including a distribution manifold having a cavity, and a multiplicity of needle tubes in fluid communication with the cavity, the needle tubes each having a needle tip dispensing a coating material towards a point of contact between the substrate and the contacting element. In some embodiments, the distribution manifold separates into a manifold containing the internal cavity, and a removable cartridge having the plurality of needle tubes. The coating system and method can be used to apply a pre-metered coating material to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Patent number: 8986786
    Abstract: A distribution manifold having a manifold and a removable cartridge with a plurality of needle tubes extending from the removable cartridge is disclosed. The distribution manifold can be used with a pre-metered coating system to apply coating material to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Publication number: 20150070900
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a compact spotlight that can change the area which it illuminates. The spotlight incorporates a wide angle light source, a catadioptric lens, and a bearing system for moving the catadioptric lens, the light source, or both. Movement of the light source relative to the catadioptric lens along the optical axis can change the beam diameter of the spotlight, while providing an acceptable illumination pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Lars A. Smeenk, Thomas R. Hoffend, JR.
  • Patent number: 8789981
    Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable envelope that comprises a light directing film this both transmits and reflects light. In its inflated form and along with a light source, the envelope forms a light balloon that due to the light directing film provides directed light to an area surrounding the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Harms, Lance E. Behymer, Justin W. Wilhelm, Lars A. Smeenk, Mark H. Smith, Luis A. Aguirre, Felix Bierbaum, Karl K. Stensvad
  • Publication number: 20130095244
    Abstract: A distribution manifold having a manifold and a removable cartridge with a plurality of needle tubes extending from the removable cartridge is disclosed. The distribution manifold can be used with a pre-metered coating system to apply coating material to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
  • Patent number: 8172738
    Abstract: A dead-shaft roller having a shaft and a roll with a fluid circulation passage therein, and at least two bearings support the roll on the shaft. A rotary union is positioned at at least one end of the roll, possibly both. The rotary union has a rotatable sleeve and a non-rotating sleeve. The rotatable sleeve has a fluid conducting path therein, such that the fluid conducting path is in fluid communication with the fluid circulation passage in the roll. The non-rotating sleeve is positioned adjacent and internal to the rotatable sleeve. The non-rotating sleeve has a first fluid port therein such that the fluid conducting path is in fluid communication with the first fluid port at a first fluid transfer zone. At least two air bearings are present, mounted between the rotatable sleeve and the non-rotating sleeve, such that the air bearings are on opposite sides of the first fluid transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Lars A. Smeenk
  • Publication number: 20120081908
    Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable envelope that comprises a light directing film this both transmits and reflects light. In its inflated form and along with a light source, the envelope forms a light balloon that due to the light directing film provides directed light to an area surrounding the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Michael R. Harms, Lance E. Behymer, Justin W. Wilhelm, Lars A. Smeenk, Mark H. Smith, Luis A. Aguirre, Felix Bierbaum, Karl K. Stensvad
  • Publication number: 20090011912
    Abstract: A dead-shaft roller having a shaft and a roll with a fluid circulation passage therein, and at least two bearings support the roll on the shaft. A rotary union is positioned at least one end of the roll, possibly both. The rotary union has a rotatable sleeve and a non-rotating sleeve. The rotatable sleeve has a fluid conducting path therein, such that the fluid conducting path is in fluid communication with the fluid circulation passage in the roll. The non-rotating sleeve is positioned adjacent and internal to the rotatable sleeve. The non-rotating sleeve has a first fluid port therein such that the fluid conducting path is in fluid communication with the first fluid port at a first fluid transfer zone. At least two air bearings are present, mounted between the rotatable sleeve and the non-rotating sleeve, such that the air bearings are on opposite sides of the first fluid transfer zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Lars A. Smeenk
  • Patent number: 7401396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making microstructured laminae for replication and apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to machining V-shaped grooves on individual lamina forming cube-corner microstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lars A. Smeenk, Conrad V. Anderson, Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20070107191
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making microstructured laminae for replication and apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to machining V-shaped grooves on individual lamina forming cube-corner microstructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Lars Smeenk, Conrad Anderson, Nelson Sewall, Kenneth Smith
  • Patent number: 7174619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making microstructured laminae for replication and apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to machining V-shaped grooves on individual lamina forming cube-corner microstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lars A. Smeenk, Conrad V. Anderson, Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040175541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making microstructured laminae for replication and apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to machining V-shaped grooves on individual lamina forming cube-corner microstructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lars A. Smeenk, Conrad V. Anderson, Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith