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US 10,241,252 B1Granted
Processed slab with embedded optical elements
AssigneeCambria Company LLC
InventorsJon Louis Grzeskowiak, II, Matthew R. LaBrosse, Martin E. Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This document describes systems and process for forming processed slabs having embedded optical elements.
Claims27
A processed slab, comprising:
- a front major surface and a rear major surface, the front and rear major surfaces at least 2 feet wide by at least 6 feet long and extending perpendicularly to a slab thickness defined by a particulate mineral mix;
- and
- a plurality of optical elements each having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first and second ends;
- wherein all of the optical elements are surrounded by the particulate mineral mix between the first and second ends such that the entire length of each optical element is directly contacted by the particulate mineral mix.
1 more element
A processed article, comprising:
- a processed slab having a front major surface and a rear major surface, the front and rear major surfaces at least 2 feet wide by at least 6 feet long and extending perpendicularly to a slab thickness defined by a particulate mineral mix;
- a plurality of optical elements having a length between first and second ends;
- and
- a carrier web connected to the processed slab at least partially by the plurality of optical elements;
- wherein the optical elements are each attached to the carrier web in a fixed array proximate the first ends, and extend through the slab thickness;
- wherein the carrier web is configured to be separable from the processed slab.
3 more elements
A process of forming a processed slab, comprising:
- dispensing a particulate mineral mix into a slab mold;
- positioning a plurality of optical elements within the slab mold;
- contemporaneously vibrating and compacting the particulate mineral mix and plurality of optical elements arranged in the slab mold so as to form a processed slab that is generally rectangular and has a front major surface and a rear major surface;
- and
- polishing the front major surface of the slab;
- wherein the plurality of optical elements each have a length between first and second ends, and wherein each optical element is surrounded by the particulate mineral mix between the first and second ends such that the entire length of each optical element is directly contacted by the particulate mineral mix, and the first end is visible at the front major surface and the second end is visible at the rear major surface.
3 more elements
A process of forming a processed slab, comprising:
- dispensing a particulate mineral mix into a slab mold;
- positioning a plurality of optical elements within the slab mold;
- contemporaneously vibrating and compacting the particulate mineral mix and plurality of optical elements arranged in the mold so as to form a processed slab that is generally rectangular and has a front major surface and a rear major surface;
- and
- polishing the front major surface of the slab;
- wherein the plurality of optical elements each have a length between first and second ends, and wherein each optical element is surrounded by the particulate mineral mix between the first and second ends, and the first end is visible at the front major surface and the second end is visible at the rear major surface;
- wherein positioning the plurality of optical elements in the mold comprises inserting the optical elements into the particulate mineral mix within the mold;
- and
- further comprising inserting a projection into the particulate mineral mix to form a hole in the particulate mix, and wherein the step of positioning the plurality of optical elements in the mold comprises inserting an optical element into the hole.
6 more elements
A processed slab, comprising:
- a front major surface and a rear major surface, the front and rear major surfaces at least 2 feet wide by at least 6 feet long and extending perpendicularly to a slab thickness defined by a particulate mineral mix;
- and
- a plurality of means for transmitting light between the front major surface and the rear major surface, the plurality of means for transmitting light being oriented parallel to one another, the plurality of means for transmitting light surrounded by the particulate mineral mix such that an entire length of each of the plurality of means for transmitting light between the front major surface and the rear major surface is directly contacted by the particulate mineral mix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.