Patents by Inventor Bernard A. Gonzalez

Bernard A. Gonzalez 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: 7619529
    Abstract: Antenna shelf tape is disclosed for use with items having radio frequency identification elements or tags associated with items of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward D. Goff, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Chester Piotrowski, Ching-Long Tsai
  • Publication number: 20090277462
    Abstract: An earplug system 10a, 10b that includes a foam earplug 12a, 12b and a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 16 of the foam earplug 12a, 12b in a noncompressed condition. The deformable sheath 14 allows the earplug to be compressed with a person's fingers in the sleeve before being placed within the user's ear. In this manner, the earplug can be inserted into the ear canal without being soiled or otherwise contaminated from a wearer's unclean hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Michael E. Hamerly, Philip G. Martin, Lance E. Behymer, Mark K. Nestegard, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Daniel D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7524673
    Abstract: A biological soil detector is provided, the detector including: a solid support member; a specific indicator immobilized on the solid support member; and the solid support member and specific indicator positioned to contact liquid that has been used to contact a surface. The invention also provides a method for detecting biological soil on a surface, the method including the following steps: contacting the surface with a liquid; after the liquid has contacted the surface, contacting the liquid with the solid support member and the specific indicator; and inspecting the solid support member to determine whether the specific indicator has interacted with biological soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bernard A. Gonzalez, Kevin D. Landgrebe, Kimberley D. Klepzig, Sailaja Chandrapati, Susannah C. Clear
  • Publication number: 20090102609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Publication number: 20090019953
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a sample of material includes a chamber for receiving an eluted sample of material from a sample acquisition device and a testing device adapted to detect the analyte. At least a part of the apparatus assembly is moveable between a sample preparation orientation and a testing orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: 3 INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: G.Marco Marco Bommarito, Scott A. Burton, Larry H. Dogge, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7471205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 7468272
    Abstract: A biological soil detector and a method for detecting bio soil are provided. The biological soil detector has a solid support member; a specific indicator immobilized on the solid support member, the specific indicator having a material sensitive to the presence of blood; and the solid support and specific indicator positioned within or on a retaining member to readily contact a liquid that has been used to contact a surface. In the method for detecting bio soil, the method includes the following steps: contacting the surface with a liquid; after the liquid has contacted the surface, contacting the liquid with the solid support member and the specific indicator of the detector described herein; and inspecting the solid support member for a detectable response to determine whether the specific indicator has interacted with biological soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Bonnie J. Hovde, Kevin D. Landgrebe
  • Patent number: 7465536
    Abstract: A biological soil detector is provided, having: a solid support member; a specific indicator immobilized on the solid support member; and a retaining member which holds the solid support, the retaining member and solid support are configured so that the solid support will readily contact a surface being tested for the presence of biological soil. A method for the use of the detector is also provided, the method including the following steps: contacting the biological soil detector with a surface; withdrawing the biological soil detector from the surface; and inspecting the solid support member of the detector to determine whether the specific indicator immobilized has interacted with biological soil. In still another aspect, the invention provides biological soil detector and a method for using the detector in which the detector includes: a solid support member that has been treated with at least one amine or quaternary functional coating; and a specific indicator immobilized on the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bernard A. Gonzalez, Kevin D. Landgrebe, Kimberley D. Klepzig, Sailaja Chandrapati, Susannah C. Clear, Mark W. Nelson, Elizabeth E. Endler
  • Publication number: 20080302192
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a sample of material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of chambers. The frame may be manipulated to form at least a first flow path and a second flow path through the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard A. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20080299600
    Abstract: An apparatus assembly for detecting an analyte in a sample of material includes a generally self-contained housing and an indicator cap. The housing is moveable between a sample preparation orientation and a testing orientation and is configured to interchangeably receive a sample collection device and the indicator cap having a testing device for detecting the analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: G. Marco Bommarito, Scott A. Burton, Larry H. Dodge, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Brinda B. Lakshmi, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20070273525
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of RFID systems for use with items of interest having RFID tags, such as in a library. The invention has particular applicability to determining the location, order, and other information regarding such items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Sharon Garber, Bernard Gonzalez, Mitchell Grunes, Richard Jackson, Gerald Karel, John Kruse, Richard Lindahl, James Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 7270268
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of RFID systems for use with items of interest having RFID tags, such as in a library. The invention has particular applicability to determining the location, order, and other information regarding such items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 7220172
    Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated, sanding tool that can be used with conventional rectangular or square shaped sheet-like abrasive media to sand corners or other confined areas includes a base member having at least one tapered end and includes means for securing the sheet-like abrasive media to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Eric R. Cybulski, Ryan Patrick Simmers, Jonathan M. Lise, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Ian R. Owen, Jenny L. Hicks
  • Patent number: 7182681
    Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated, sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet-like abrasive material, such as sandpaper, includes a base member and clamping mechanisms pivotally connected with opposed ends of the base member. The clamping mechanisms include tensioning members arranged to slidably engage angled contact surfaces provided on the ends of the base member opposite the clamping mechanisms to tighten the sheet-like abrasive material as it is installed on the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Eric R. Cybulski, Ryan Patrick Simmers, Bernard A. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20070011893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Sharon Garber, Bernard Gonzalez, Mitchell Grunes, Richard Jackson, Gerald Karel, John Kruse, Richard Lindahl, James Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John Yorkovich
  • Publication number: 20060246826
    Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated, sanding tool that can be used with conventional rectangular or square shaped sheet-like abrasive media to sand corners or other confined areas includes a base member having at least one tapered end and includes means for securing the sheet-like abrasive media to the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Jon Kirschhoffer, Eric Cybulski, Ryan Simmers, Jonathan Lise, Bernard Gonzalez, Ian Owen, Jenny Hicks
  • Publication number: 20060246830
    Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated, sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet-like abrasive material, such as sandpaper, includes a base member and clamping mechanisms pivotally connected with opposed ends of the base member. The clamping mechanisms include tensioning members arranged to slidably engage angled contact surfaces provided on the ends of the base member opposite the clamping mechanisms to tighten the sheet-like abrasive material as it is installed on the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Jon Kirschhoffer, Eric Cybulski, Ryan Simmers, Bernard Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7122150
    Abstract: A system for determining the efficacy of a sterilization process and communicating that determination to a remote device. The system includes a sterilization sensor and a reader adapted to receive that sterilization sensor. The sterilization sensor has an indicator that undergoes a predetermined optical change when exposed to a sterilization process. The reader has an illumination source for illuminating the sterilization sensor, a color sensor for evaluating the condition of the illuminated sterilization sensor, and an interpretation circuit for interpreting the output of the color sensor to determine whether the optical change has taken place. The reader also has a communication circuit for communicating data from the interpretation circuit to the remote device. In the preferred embodiments, the sterilization sensor is disposable and the reader is reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bernard A. Gonzalez, Rodney K. Hehenberger
  • Patent number: 7123151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 7112128
    Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet-like abrasive material, such as sandpaper, includes a base member and one or more clamping mechanisms pivotally connected with opposed ends of the base member. The clamping mechanism(s) include a tensioning member arranged to slidably interface with a corresponding contact surface provided at the end of the base member to tighten the sheet-like abrasive material as it is installed on the tool. Further, the tensioning member positions a leading edge thereof so as to minimize possible harmful contact with a user's finger(s) during loading of the abrasive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Eric R. Cybulski, Ryan Patrick Simmers, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Erik J. Johnson