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: 10579841
    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: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190377917
    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: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190313710
    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: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190258835
    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: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Krepel, Brian S. McGinley, Neal A. Rakow, Paul A. Sevcik, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10387696
    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: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Hamerly, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10349686
    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 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Neal A. Rakow, Cristina U. Thomas
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9442073
    Abstract: Sensors (40) are described which comprise a reflective layer (52), a detection layer over the reflective layer (52), a semi-reflective layer (50) over the detection layer (48), and a masking layer (57) affixed to the reflective layer with a high Tg adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guy D. Joly, Duane D. Fansler, Neal A. Rakow
  • Patent number: 9440176
    Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Dwyer, Thomas W. Holmquist-Brown, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Neal A. Rakow
  • Patent number: 9295934
    Abstract: Devices for monitoring the end of service life of a filter cartridge include a demand substance, a sensing element with a detection point located within or adjacent to the demand substance, a reader for the sensing element, and a fluid delivery device. The detection point of the sensing element is correlated to the service life of a filter cartridge. The correlation is effected by correlation of the residence time of the monitoring device to the residence time of a filter cartridge. The residence time of the monitoring device is correlated to the residence time of the filter cartridge by control of the fluid delivery parameters of the fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery parameters include the flow rate, the demand substance mass, the receptacle cross sectional area, the receptacle volume, the receptacle length, and the demand substance packing density of the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Neal A. Rakow, Stefan H. Gryska
  • Patent number: 9291484
    Abstract: Methods of correlating a monitoring device to the service life of a filter cartridge include providing a monitoring device, and calibrating the monitoring device to correspond to the service life of a filter cartridge. The monitoring device comprises a demand substance within a receptacle, a sensing element with a detection point, a reader for the sensing element, and a fluid delivery device. Calibration includes determining the ratio of the residence time of the monitoring device to the residence time of the filter cartridge, and utilizing the ratio to correlate the response of the sensor within the monitoring device to the service life of the filter cartridge. The response of the sensor is correlated to the service life of the filter cartridge by control of the fluid delivery parameters of the fluid delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Neal A. Rakow, Stefan H. Gryska