Patents by Inventor Lars Smeenk
Lars 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).
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Patent number: 11086083Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
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Publication number: 20200284996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, James M. Nelson, Terry L. Smith, Michael A. Haase, Lars A. Smeenk
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Patent number: 9731314Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
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Publication number: 20150151322Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
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Patent number: 8986786Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
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Publication number: 20150070900Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Lars A. Smeenk, Thomas R. Hoffend, JR.
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Patent number: 8789981Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael R. Harms, Lance E. Behymer, Justin W. Wilhelm, Lars A. Smeenk, Mark H. Smith, Luis A. Aguirre, Felix Bierbaum, Karl K. Stensvad
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Publication number: 20130095244Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Gary W. Maier, Lars A. Smeenk
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Patent number: 8172738Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Lars A. Smeenk
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Publication number: 20120081908Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Michael R. Harms, Lance E. Behymer, Justin W. Wilhelm, Lars A. Smeenk, Mark H. Smith, Luis A. Aguirre, Felix Bierbaum, Karl K. Stensvad
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Publication number: 20090011912Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventor: Lars A. Smeenk
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Patent number: 7401396Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lars A. Smeenk, Conrad V. Anderson, Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith
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Publication number: 20070107191Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Lars Smeenk, Conrad Anderson, Nelson Sewall, Kenneth Smith
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Patent number: 7174619Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lars A. Smeenk, Conrad V. Anderson, Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith
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Publication number: 20040175541Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lars A. Smeenk, Conrad V. Anderson, Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith