Patents by Inventor Audra A. Wilson

Audra A. Wilson 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: 11904191
    Abstract: A respirator that includes a harness and a mask body that is air permeable. The mask body has a sinus region and a primary filtering region and at least one nonwoven fibrous web. The sinus region of the mask body exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20230356011
    Abstract: A respirator that includes a harness and a mask body that is air permeable. The mask body has a sinus region and a primary filtering region and comprises at least one nonwoven fibrous webs The sinus region of the mask body exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20220339474
    Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device comprising an upper panel, a central panel, and a lower panel, the central panel being separated from each of the upper and lower panels by a first and second fold, seam, weld or bond, respectively, such that device is capable of being folded flat for storage along the first and second fold, seam, weld or bond and opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use, wherein the upper panel has a graspable upper tab, the upper tab being graspable in use to open the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henderson, Reyad A. Abdulqader, Ciaran G. McMenamin, Audra A. Wilson, John M. Facer
  • Patent number: 11413481
    Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device (10) comprising an upper panel (18), a central panel (16), and a lower panel (20), the central panel being separated from each of the upper and lower panels by a first and second fold, seam, weld or bond, respectively, such that device is capable of being folded flat for storage along the first and second fold, seam, weld or bond and opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use, wherein the upper panel has a graspable upper tab, the upper tab (41) being graspable in use to open the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henderson, Reyad A. Abdulqader, Ciaran G. McMenamin, Audra A. Wilson, John M. Facer
  • Publication number: 20210316174
    Abstract: A respirator that includes a harness and a mask body that is air permeable. The mask body has a sinus region and a primary filtering region and comprises at least one nonwoven fibrous webs The sinus region of the mask body exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 11135460
    Abstract: There is provided a respirator 10 having a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that is air permeable. The mask body 12 has a sinus region 40 and a primary filtering region 44 and includes at least one nonwoven fibrous web, which web includes a layer of filter media. The sinus region 40 of the mask body 12 exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region 44. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region 40 without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20180154195
    Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device (10) comprising an upper panel (18), a central panel (16), and a lower panel (20), the central panel being separated from each of the upper and lower panels by a first and second fold, seam, weld or bond, respectively, such that device is capable of being folded flat for storage along the first and second fold, seam, weld or bond and opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use, wherein the upper panel has a graspable upper tab, the upper tab (41) being graspable in use to open the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henderson, Reyad A. Abdulqader, Ciaran G. McMenamin, Audra A. Wilson, John M. Facer
  • Publication number: 20170368384
    Abstract: A respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that is air permeable. The mask body 12 has a sinus region 40 and a primary filtering region 44 and comprises at least one nonwoven fibrous webs, which web includes a layer of filter media. The sinus region 40 of the mask body 12 exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region 44. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region 40 without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9770611
    Abstract: A respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that is air permeable. The mask body 12 has a sinus region 40 and a primary filtering region 44 and comprises at least one nonwoven fibrous webs, which web includes a layer of filter media. The sinus region 40 of the mask body 12 exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region 44. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region 40 without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8342180
    Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip G. Martin, Yonas Gebrewold, Daniel J. Stepan, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson, Thomas G. Skulley, Erik J. Johnson, Francesco Lovo, Dan Mattano, Claudio Ponzio
  • Patent number: 8104472
    Abstract: A respiratory mask (10) that comprises a mask body (12) and a harness (21) that includes a carriage (22) and a strap (24). The mask body (12) lacks a rigid insert, is non-elastomeric, and is adapted for fitting over a person's nose and mouth. The mask body (12) has a nose portion (14), a chin portion (16), first and second cheek portions (18 and 20), and an axis (32) that extends from the nose portion (14) to the chin portion (16). The mask body (12) is constructed to deform such that the first and second cheek portions (18 and 20) move towards each other about the axis (32). The carriage (22) is joined to the mask body (12), and the strap (24) is joined to the carriage (22) for supporting the mask body (12) over a person's nose and mouth. When tension is applied to the strap (24) and an opposing force acts at the nose and chin portions of the mask body, the first and second cheek portions (18, 20) exhibit movement about the axis (32) towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henderson, Audra A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090078261
    Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Philip G. Martin, Yonas Gebrewold, Daniel J. Stepan, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson, Thomas G. Skulley, Erik J. Johnson, Francesco Lovo, Dan Mattano, Claudio Ponzio
  • Publication number: 20080271737
    Abstract: A respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that is air permeable. The mask body 12 has a sinus region 40 and a primary filtering region 44 and comprises at least one nonwoven fibrous webs, which web includes a layer of filter media. The sinus region 40 of the mask body 12 exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region 44. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region 40 without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20080271740
    Abstract: A respirator 10 that has a mask body 12 that has a plurality of panels 16, 18, 20 that can fold in towards each other and that can unfold into open in-use configuration. At least one of the panels has a tab 22 that assists in opening the mask body 12 from its folded configuration into its open in-use configuration. The use of the tab 22 on the panel(s) of the multi-paneled mask body 12 allows for easier donning and doffing and reduces the opportunity for contaminants to get into the mask interior when the mask is being opened by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Gloag, Audra A. Wilson, John M. Facer, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7077128
    Abstract: An eye-wear article (93) for use with a respiratory mask (1) comprises a flat piece of transparent polymeric material providing a visor portion. The flat piece of polymeric material has shaped portions in a lower edge that fit over respective selected parts of the mask, and elongate tabs (95) that extend from each side and are inserted into respective guides (97) on the head harness (7, 8) of the mask to cause the flat piece of polymeric material to adopt a curved configuration and locate the visor portion in front of the eyes of the wearer. The tabs (95) can slide in the guides (97) to permit the eye-wear article to be moved out of engagement with the mask and onto the top of the wearer's while the mask is being worn, without disturbing the position of the mask on the wearer's face and without affecting the respiratory protection provided by the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson, Desmond T. Curran, Brian Cormack
  • Publication number: 20050211251
    Abstract: A respiratory mask (10) that comprises a mask body (12) and a harness (21) that includes a carriage (22) and a strap (24). The mask body (12) lacks a rigid insert, is non-elastomeric, and is adapted for fitting over a person's nose and mouth. The mask body (12) has a nose portion (14), a chin portion (16), first and second cheek portions (18 and 20), and an axis (32) that extends from the nose portion (14) to the chin portion (16). The mask body (12) is constructed to deform such that the first and second cheek portions (18 and 20) move towards each other about the axis (32). The carriage (22) is joined to the mask body (12), and the strap (24) is joined to the carriage (22) for supporting the mask body (12) over a person's nose and mouth. When tension is applied to the strap (24) and an opposing force acts at the nose and chin portions of the mask body, the first and second cheek portions (18, 20) exhibit movement about the axis (32) towards each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Henderson, Audra Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040069302
    Abstract: An eye-wear article (93) for use with a respiratory mask (1) comprises a flat piece of transparent polymeric material providing a visor portion. The flat piece of polymeric material has shaped portions in a lower edge that fit over respective selected parts of the mask, and elongate tabs (95) that extend from each side and are inserted into respective guides (97) on the head harness (7, 8) of the mask to cause the flat piece of polymeric material to adopt a curved configuration and locate the visor portion in front of the eyes of the wearer. The tabs (95) can slide in the guides (97) to permit the eye-wear article to be moved out of engagement with the mask and onto the top of the wearer's while the mask is being worn, without disturbing the position of the mask on the wearer's face and without affecting the respiratory protection provided by the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson, Desmond T. Curran, Brian Cormack
  • Patent number: D637711
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Patent number: D657050
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henderson, John M. Facer, Audra A. Wilson
  • Patent number: D708734
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Desmond T. Curran, John M. Facer, Christopher P. Henderson, Audra A. Wilson