Patents by Inventor Paul M. Blair

Paul M. Blair 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: 11684221
    Abstract: An example material sheet dispenser includes: a wall portion configured to form a volume; a first end portion comprising one or more sections attached to a first end of the wall portion and configured to cover a first end of the volume; and a second end portion comprising: a dispensing section attached to a second end of the wall portion and configured to cover a second end of the volume opposite the first end of the volume, and the dispensing section having a dispensing aperture configured to permit dispensing of sheets of a wiping material; and a cover section attached to the wall portion and configured to cover the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20230081237
    Abstract: A nonflammable aerosol cleaning composition is formulated with trans 1,2 dichloroethylene, 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane, 1,1,1,3,3 pentafluoropropane, HFC-134a, and carbon dioxide. The aerosol cleaning composition is formulated for heavy duty, high pressure, and high output cleaning applications for cleaning aviation parts, such as jet engines located about 10 feet away from a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: William C. Martin, Pierce A. Pillon, Mercedita S. Whitmire, Eric J. Martini, Matthew E. Morris, Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20220370257
    Abstract: An example angled sampling swab includes: a swab head comprising an absorbent material for specimen sample collection; and a handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Paul M. Blair, Lauren Conti
  • Publication number: 20220061599
    Abstract: An example material sheet dispenser includes: a wall portion configured to form a volume; a first end portion comprising one or more sections attached to a first end of the wall portion and configured to cover a first end of the volume; and a second end portion comprising: a dispensing section attached to a second end of the wall portion and configured to cover a second end of the volume opposite the first end of the volume, and the dispensing section having a dispensing aperture configured to permit dispensing of sheets of a wiping material; and a cover section attached to the wall portion and configured to cover the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20200315681
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a swab and an apparatus for testing dental cold sensitivity. The swab comprises a hollow tube and an absorbent tip fixedly attached to the distal end of the hollow tube. The dispensing apparatus includes a pressurized container and an actuator. The actuator may include a flow control valve to limit the flow of coolant to the absorbent tip or to limit the volume to a metered dose and to prevent the swab from being ejected from the actuator due to excess force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Steven D. Cook, Matthew E. Morris, Paul M. Blair, Samantha J. Luedke, Edward P. Vickless, Kenneth D. Caskey
  • Publication number: 20190368976
    Abstract: A wipe for collecting a sample from a surface for analysis in a detector includes a substrate having first and second surfaces. The wipe can have a high-heat tolerant polymeric material on the substrate and a plurality of openings formed in the substrate and polymeric material to form the wipe. The wipe is flexible and conforms to the surface for collecting the sample. The wipe adsorbs the sample from the surface and desorbs the sample in the detector. The wipe is reusable for collecting one or more subsequent samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20160339486
    Abstract: A liner for contamination control in a reflow oven, which reflow oven has surfaces, includes a substrate having a length and a width defining an area. The substrate has a thickness defined by first and second sides. An adhesive is positioned on the first side of the substrate. The substrate is removably adhered to the surfaces of the reflow oven, and the liner is configured to accumulate solder reflow contaminants thereon or to repel solder flux vapors and/or fumes, and is configured for removal from the surfaces with any accumulated contaminants. A method of treating the surfaces of a reflow oven is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Paul M. Blair, Elizabeth B. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8429784
    Abstract: A fiber optic component cleaning device includes a folder having a base, a cover and a separator. The cover and the separator are opposite one another relative to the base. The folder has a width. The base and cover have a fold therebetween such that the cover folds onto the base and the base and separator have a fold therebetween such that the separator folds onto the base. The base and cover have about an equal length and the separator has a length less than the length of the base and cover. A plurality of cleaner sheets are disposed in the folder. The cleaner sheets have a width that is about equal to or less than the width of the folder and have a length that is about equal to or less than the length of the base and cover. A top-most fresh cleaner sheet is separated from the plurality of cleaner sheets and is positioned on the separator sheet for cleaning the connector. When soiled, the soiled cleaner sheet is removed and discarded. A method for cleaning a fiber optic connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Forrest, Jr., Paul M. Blair
  • Patent number: 8336149
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning multiple types of fiber optic connectors includes a container having an opening in a face formed in a side of the container and a plurality of discrete soft, work surfaces on a face of the container. The surfaces are configured as a pair of outwardly disposed surfaces having a width and a pair of inwardly disposed surfaces having a width that is less than the width of the outwardly disposed surfaces. The surface are parallel to each other. Gaps are disposed between each of the adjacent work surfaces. Each of the gaps has a width. A plurality of cleaning wipes are located inside the container. The wipes are fed from the inside of the container through the opening and placed on the work surface for cleaning the fiber optic connector. The wipes provide indication that they have been used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Blair, Edward J. Forrest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8074316
    Abstract: A wet to dry, single use fiber optic connector end face cleaning device. The device is comprised a of a first swab, the first swab having a cleaning head and a first grasping end, the cleaning head having a presaturated fabric attached thereto, and a second swab, the second swab having a drying head and a second grasping end, the drying head having a drying fabric attached thereto. In use, the cleaning head of the first swab is positioned adjacent to the drying head of the second swab, the cleaning head and the drying head at different elevations. Also disclosed is a method for using the fiber optic connector end face cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20100199452
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning multiple types of fiber optic connectors includes a container having an opening in a face formed in a side of the container and a plurality of discrete soft, work surfaces on a face of the container. The surfaces are configured as a pair of outwardly disposed surfaces having a width and a pair of inwardly disposed surfaces having a width that is less than the width of the outwardly disposed surfaces. The surface are parallel to each other. Gaps are disposed between each of the adjacent work surfaces. Each of the gaps has a width. A plurality of cleaning wipes are located inside the container. The wipes are fed from the inside of the container through the opening and placed on the work surface for cleaning the fiber optic connector. The wipes provide indication that they have been used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Blair, Edward J. Forrest, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090126138
    Abstract: A fiber optic component cleaning device includes a folder having a base, a cover and a separator. The cover and the separator are opposite one another relative to the base. The folder has a width. The base and cover have a fold therebetween such that the cover folds onto the base and the base and separator have a fold therebetween such that the separator folds onto the base. The base and cover have about an equal length and the separator has a length less than the length of the base and cover. A plurality of cleaner sheets are disposed in the folder. The cleaner sheets have a width that is about equal to or less than the width of the folder and have a length that is about equal to or less than the length of the base and cover. A top-most fresh cleaner sheet is separated from the plurality of cleaner sheets and is positioned on the separator sheet for cleaning the connector. When soiled, the soiled cleaner sheet is removed and discarded. A method for cleaning a fiber optic connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Forrest, JR., Paul M. Blair
  • Patent number: 7526830
    Abstract: A cleaning swab is for wet or dry use. The swab includes a handle defining a longitudinal axis. The handle is elongated and has a cleaning head end having a tip, and a grasping end. A cleaning head is mounted to the handle. The cleaning head is formed from a strip of material having an inner surface and an outer surface. The material is affixed to the handle at the inner surface, and extends along the handle, over the tip and along an opposite side of the handle. The head defines a loop at the handle tip spaced from the tip. The strip of material extends along the handle to define major cleaning surfaces and the loop defines an inner annular cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Forrest, Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20090100623
    Abstract: A wet to dry, single use fiber optic connector end face cleaning device. The device is comprised a of a first swab, the first swab having a cleaning head and a first grasping end, the cleaning head having a presaturated fabric attached thereto, and a second swab, the second swab having a drying head and a second grasping end, the drying head having a drying fabric attached thereto. In use, the cleaning head of the first swab is positioned adjacent to the drying head of the second swab, the cleaning head and the drying head at different elevations. Also disclosed is a method for using the fiber optic connector end face cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Patent number: 7390368
    Abstract: Fiber optic connector end faces are cleaned effectively by exposing the fiber optic connector end face to the disclosed predominantly aqueous solution and wiping the fiber optic end face dry. The predominantly water-based cleaning solution contains water, water soluble organic solvents, propylene glycol ethers and isopropanol. Also disclosed is a method for cleaning a fiber optic end face using an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20020088073
    Abstract: An electro-static dissipating swab has an elongated handle defining a longitudinal axis and defining a cleaning head end and a grasping end. The cleaning head end defines a securing region. The handle is formed from an electro-static dissipative material. A cleaning tip is formed from an electro-static dissipative material and is secured to the handle cleaning head end. The handle and cleaning tip define a longitudinal axis. The swab, in a dry state, dissipates a static electrical charge from a charge plate having a 20 picofarad capacitance at a charge of 1000 volts to a charge of less than 10 volts in less than about 500 milliseconds, and in a wetted state dissipates a static electrical charge from a charge plate having a 20 picofarad capacitance at a charge of 1000 volts to a charge of less than 10 volts in less than about 100 milliseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: K. Scott Kammerer, Paul M. Blair