Patents by Inventor Neal A. Rakow

Neal A. Rakow 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: 11793422
    Abstract: A system includes a respirator, a sensor including a sensing element, and a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor. The sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Webb, Andrew S. Viner, Nicholas G. Amell, Andrew P. Bonifas, Neal A. Rakow
  • Patent number: 11612195
    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: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11534632
    Abstract: A method of fit testing includes providing a respirator; providing a sensor having a sensing element removably positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; providing a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor; positioning the respirator over a mouth and a nose of a user while the sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; and observing respirator fit assessment data communicated from the sensor to the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew S. Viner, Richard C. Webb, Nicholas G. Amell, Jessica L. T. Hauge, David R. Stein, Andrew P. Bonifas, Neal A. Rakow, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Joseph P. Kronzer, Claire R. Donoghue, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20220261564
    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: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11354523
    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: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20220160055
    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 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11278064
    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: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20220058566
    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: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. HOLLER, Susan E. PETERS, Lawrence J. PTASIENSKI, Neal A. RAKOW, Cristina U. THOMAS
  • Patent number: 11256886
    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: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11000827
    Abstract: An air filter including a filter support that supports polymeric sorbent particles. The polymeric sorbent is the reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound. The air filter may be used for capturing e.g. reactive gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Derek M. Maanum, Michael S. Wendland, Michael W. Kobe, Austin D. Groth, Neal A. Rakow
  • Publication number: 20200410178
    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: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200375276
    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: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200372227
    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 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10817683
    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: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200330957
    Abstract: An air filter including a filter support that supports polymeric sorbent particles. The polymeric sorbent is the reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound. The air filter may be used for capturing e.g. reactive gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Derek M. Maanum, Michael S. Wendland, Michael W. Kobe, Austin D. Groth, Neal A. Rakow
  • Patent number: 10776592
    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: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10729186
    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: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200237258
    Abstract: A system includes a respirator, a sensor including a sensing element, and a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor. The sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Richard C. Webb, Andrew S. Viner, Nicholas G. Amell, Andrew P. Bonifas, Neal A. Rakow
  • Publication number: 20200230444
    Abstract: A method of fit testing includes providing a respirator; providing a sensor having a sensing element removably positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; providing a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor; positioning the respirator over a mouth and a nose of a user while the sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; and observing respirator fit assessment data communicated from the sensor to the reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew S. Viner, Richard C. Webb, Nicholas G. Amell, Jessica L. T. Hauge, David R. Stein, Andrew P. Bonifas, Neal A. Rakow, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Joseph P. Kronzer, Claire R. Donoghue, Christopher P. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20200151405
    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: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas