Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Larsen

Thomas E. Larsen 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: 5533690
    Abstract: Magnetic tape is wound onto a roll at high speeds. Each strand of tape wound onto the roll is precisely superimposed over the previously wound strand by alignment devices including a pre-wrap alignment roller, a packwheel, and a post-winding final alignment guide roller. The final alignment guide roller locates the edges of the strand being wound in positions which are coplanar with the edges of the previously wound strands on the outside of the roll. The tape is aligned and locked in place on the roll by a combination of air removal and alignment and re-alignment steps during air removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Kline, Thomas E. Larsen, Mark A. Schiesl, Bruce E. Tait
  • Patent number: 5375791
    Abstract: A rotary chuck for winding magnetic tape aligns the winding hub in both the axial and radial directions relative to the axis of winding rotation. This allows higher winding speeds to be used and produces finished rolls of improved quality. Alignment occurs upon application of air pressure to the rotary chuck. The rotary chucks can be placed side-by-side on a single mandrel for winding multiple strands simultaneously. Winding hubs can be easily slipped on and off the rotary chucks to improve winding productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Kline, Thomas E. Larsen, Mark A. Schiesl, Bruce E. Tait
  • Patent number: 5242891
    Abstract: The invention described here concerns the unique utility of fatty acids and their derivatives to act as fruit thinning agents. Proper use of the methods and compositions will result in the advantageous thinning of fruit which can improve the quality of the harvested fruit and result in more consistent crops from one year to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Larsen, Kenneth D. Abercrombie, R. Hugh Crowley
  • Patent number: 4393804
    Abstract: Apparatus to apply offset preventing liquid to a fixing roller. A web member is moved from a supply core to a take-up core via a pressure roller positioned to establish a contact nip for the web member with the fixing roller. The web member is supplied with the liquid from an offset preventing liquid applicator positioned to contact the web member between the supply core and the contact nip on the surface of the web member that is brought into contact with the fixing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James C. Nygard, Melvin P. Weiss, Thomas E. Larsen