Patents by Inventor Michael Alan Meis

Michael Alan Meis 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: 6427034
    Abstract: A preformed fiber optic applique having a backing layer is provided. The backing layer or film has an adhesive coating applied thereon. At least one optical fiber is routed and bonded to the adhesive layer providing a continuous optical signal path from one end to another. A releasable liner is releasably attached to the adhesive layer and positioned to cover the backing layer including the at least one optical fiber. Microstructures are provided on the backing layer in one embodiment. The microstructures are crushable structures that prevent the adhesive from immediately adhering to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Meis, Gordon Dwight Henson, Terry Lee Smith, Robert Travis Smith, Dewain Robert Goff
  • Patent number: 6390690
    Abstract: A connector assembly for optically coupling a first optical waveguide array mounted to a first substrate to an optical device on an intersecting second substrate. The first waveguide array includes a plurality of parallel optical waveguides having a minimum desired bend radius. The first and the second substrate define a first and a second plane respectively and the longitudinal direction of the first waveguide array defines a first axis. The intersection of the two planes defines an intersection axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. The first waveguide array has a substrate portion mounted to the first substrate, a midspan portion, and an end portion. The connector assembly includes a first connector adapted to be detachably connected to the second substrate and aligned along a second axis generally perpendicular to the intersection axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Meis, Scott Anthony Igl, Nicholas Anthony Lee
  • Patent number: 5902435
    Abstract: A preformed fiber optic applique having a backing layer is provided. The backing layer or film, has an adhesive coating applied thereon. At least one optical fiber is routed and bonded to the adhesive layer providing a continuous optical signal path from one end to another. A releasable liner is releasably attached to the adhesive layer and positioned to cover the backing layer including the at least one optical fiber. Microstructures are provided on the backing layer in one embodiment. The microstructures are crushable structures that prevent the adhesive from immediately adhering to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Meis, Gordon Dwight Henson, Terry Lee Smith, Robert Travis Smith, Dewain Robert Goff