Patents by Inventor Cristina U. Thomas

Cristina U. Thomas 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: 10275621
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining whether at least a first component and a second component of a personal protection (PP) configuration are compatible so as to be assembled into an approved PP configuration, responsive to being compared against at least one predetermined criterion. Included is a smart tag for each of the first and second components. The first and second smart tags include respective first and second data. A data acquiring system is provided for acquiring the first and second data and a data processing system processes the acquired first and second data for determining if the first and second components are compatible to be assembled as an approved PP configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180199639
    Abstract: The present disclosure is particularly adapted for determining whether the condition of personal protection equipment PPE articles satisfies at least one criterion. A method and system provide at least one predetermined criterion that governs use of the PPE article in a working environment; a PPE article is configured with a smart tag, and a sensing device is provided that is configured to sense data in a working environment related to the predetermined criterion. Acquired data from the sensing device and the smart tag are processed in a data processing system to determine whether the condition of the PPE article satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180157877
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining whether at least a first component and a second component of a personal protection (PP) configuration are compatible so as to be assembled into an approved PP configuration, responsive to being compared against at least one predetermined criterion. Included is a smart tag for each of the first and second components. The first and second smart tags include respective first and second data. A data acquiring system is provided for acquiring the first and second data and a data processing system processes the acquired first and second data for determining if the first and second components are compatible to be assembled as an approved PP configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9901125
    Abstract: The present disclosure is particularly adapted for determining whether the condition of personal protection equipment PPE articles satisfies at least one criterion. A method and system provide at least one predetermined criterion that governs use of the PPE article in a working environment; a PPE article is configured with a smart tag, and a sensing device is provided that is configured to sense data in a working environment related to the predetermined criterion. Acquired data from the sensing device and the smart tag are processed in a data processing system to determine whether the condition of the PPE article satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9886608
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining whether at least a first component and a second component of a personal protection (PP) configuration are compatible so as to be assembled into an approved PP configuration, responsive to being compared against at least one predetermined criterion. Included is a smart tag for each of the first and second components. The first and second smart tags include respective first and second data. A data acquiring system is provided for acquiring the first and second data and a data processing system processes the acquired first and second data for determining if the first and second components are compatible to be assembled as an approved PP configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170364858
    Abstract: A personal protection article (PPA) includes at least one sensor configured to sense one or more variables, wherein the PPA is configured with a smart tag to carry smart tag data. The smart tag is configured to be read by at least one smart tag scanner, wherein the computing device: configures at least one predetermined criterion with respect to the at least one PPA that is based at least in part on the one or more variables; receives the smart tag data of the smart tag for the one or more variables; determines whether the smart tag data satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion based at least in part on the smart tag data of the smart tag for the one or more variables; and processes a result relating to the determination of whether the smart tag data satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. HOLLER, Susan E. PETERS, Lawrence J. PTASIENSKI, Neal A. RAKOW, Cristina U. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20170091698
    Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking compliance of personal protection (PP) articles in working environments. Tracking compliance includes providing at least one PP article configured with a smart tag; providing at least one predetermined criterion that governs compliance with respect to the at least one PP article in a particular working environment; tracking the PP article by retrieving smart tag data; and determining whether the smart tag data satisfies at least one predetermined criterion; and storing data relating to results of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. HOLLER, Susan E. PETERS, Lawrence J. PTASIENSKI, Neal A. RAKOW, Cristina U. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20170061177
    Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for determining conditions of components that are removably coupled to articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) by tracking the components against predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. HAMERLY, Lawrence J. PTASIENSKI, Neal A. RAKOW, Cristina U. THOMAS
  • Patent number: 9536209
    Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking compliance of personal protection (PP) articles in working environments. Tracking compliance includes providing at least one PP article configured with a smart tag; providing at least one predetermined criterion that governs compliance with respect to the at least one PP article in a particular working environment; tracking the PP article by retrieving smart tag data; and determining whether the smart tag data satisfies at least one predetermined criterion; and storing data relating to results of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert E. Holler, Susan E. Peters, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9492690
    Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for determining conditions of components that are removably coupled to articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) by tracking the components against predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150169922
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining whether at least a first component and a second component of a personal protection (PP) configuration are compatible so as to be assembled into an approved PP configuration, responsive to being compared against at least one predetermined criterion. Included is a smart tag for each of the first and second components. The first and second smart tags include respective first and second data. A data acquiring system is provided for acquiring the first and second data and a data processing system processes the acquired first and second data for determining if the first and second components are compatible to be assembled as an approved PP configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140379518
    Abstract: A local library recommendation system for recommending an item available for circulation from a local library. The system includes a self checkout device for use by a patron to check out an item from the local library, the self checkout device including a processor, a display for displaying information to the patron, and an item identification component. The item identification component is configured to identify the item being checked out by the patron. The display shows a recommendation of a second item based on the identification of the item being checked out by the patron, and the second item is part of the local library's collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jack E. Driessen, Cristina U. Thomas, Matthew D. Bellamy, Charles P. Jens
  • Publication number: 20130006068
    Abstract: A self-contained drug screening apparatus, comprising a breath inlet component for receiving an exhaled air flow of a person, the exhaled air flow including saliva, and a sensor for sensing a presence of a drug in the saliva, and identification module for detecting an identifying characteristic of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Gil Gemer, John C. Hulteen, Cristina U. Thomas, Raj Rajagopal
  • Publication number: 20110234374
    Abstract: The present disclosure is particularly adapted for determining whether the condition of personal protection equipment PPE articles satisfies at least one criterion. A method and system provide at least one predetermined criterion that governs use of the PPE article in a working environment; a PPE article is configured with a smart tag, and a sensing device is provided that is configured to sense data in a working environment related to the predetermined criterion. Acquired data from the sensing device and the smart tag are processed in a data processing system to determine whether the condition of the PPE article satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas I Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110227700
    Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for determining conditions of components that are removably coupled to articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) by tracking the components against predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Michael E Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110115629
    Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking compliance of personal protection (PP) articles in working environments. Tracking compliance includes providing at least one PP article configured with a smart tag; providing at least one predetermined criterion that governs compliance with respect to the at least one PP article in a particular working environment; tracking the PP article by retrieving smart tag data; and determining whether the smart tag data satisfies at least one predetermined criterion; and storing data relating to results of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Robert E Holler, Susan E. Peters, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7652736
    Abstract: An infrared light reflecting article is disclosed and includes a visible light transparent substrate including a polymer and an infrared light reflecting cholesteric liquid crystal layer disposed on the substrate. The substrate and infrared light reflecting cholesteric liquid crystal layer have a combined haze value of less than 3%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raghunath Padiyath, Marc D. Radcliffe, Cristina U. Thomas, Charles A. Marttila, Manish Jain, Michael F. Weber, Feng Bai
  • Patent number: 7632568
    Abstract: A multilayer film article is disclosed. The multilayer film article includes an infrared light reflecting multilayer film having alternating layers of a first polymer type and a second polymer type, an infrared light absorbing nanoparticle layer including a plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a cured polymeric binder and having a thickness in a range from 1 to 20 micrometers. The nanoparticle layer being disposed adjacent the multilayer film. The metal oxide nanoparticles include tin oxide or doped tin oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raghunath Padiyath, Charles A. Marttila, Cristina U. Thomas, Michael F. Weber
  • Publication number: 20090058600
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining whether at least a first component and a second component of a personal protection (PP) configuration are compatible so as to be assembled into an approved PP configuration, responsive to being compared against at least one predetermined criterion. Included is a smart tag for each of the first and second components. The first and second smart tags include respective first and second data. A data acquiring system is provided for acquiring the first and second data and a data processing system processes the acquired first and second data for determining if the first and second components are compatible to be assembled as an approved PP configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7048527
    Abstract: An apparatus for capping a stem web including a cooled roll, a first heated nip roll positioned to form a first nip with the cooled roll, and a second heated nip roll positioned to form a second nip with the cooled roll. The cooled roll has a diameter that is at least 30% larger than a diameter of the first or second heated nip roll. In an embodiment, the two nips are on opposite sides of a larger central cooled roll positioned between the heated rolls. In an embodiment, the reaction forces between the rolls are measured and controlled at each end of each of the heated rolls. The invention is particularly adapted to making abrasive particles that are attached to a driving mechanism via headed stem fasteners formed by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Randy S. Bay, Cristina U. Thomas, David F. Slama, Richard T. Paxton, Gary L. Curtis, Jonathan J. Mattson