Patents by Inventor Sherman L. Bartz
Sherman L. Bartz 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).
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Patent number: 10967087Abstract: The disclosed sterilizer includes a humidity control system for controlling humidity. The sterilizer for sterilizing objects comprises a chamber for receiving objects to be sterilized and a humidity control system. The humidity control system comprises a water control system which can be connected to a water source for injecting a first quantity of water vapor into the chamber, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber for measuring pressure in the chamber, a humidity sensor in fluid communication, or in selective fluid communication, with the chamber for sensing a first humidity value (RHchamber) of the first quantity of water vapor in the chamber; and a controller configured to inject a second quantity of water vapor into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jay R. Goetz, Sherman L. Bartz, Barry W. Robole
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Publication number: 20190046677Abstract: The disclosed sterilizer includes a humidity control system for controlling humidity. The sterilizer for sterilizing objects comprises a chamber for receiving objects to be sterilized and a humidity control system. The humidity control system comprises a water control system which can be connected to a water source for injecting a first quantity of water vapor into the chamber, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber for measuring pressure in the chamber, a humidity sensor in fluid communication, or in selective fluid communication, with the chamber for sensing a first humidity value (RHchamber) of the first quantity of water vapor in the chamber; and a controller configured to inject a second quantity of water vapor into the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: JAY R. GOETZ, SHERMAN L. BARTZ, BARRY W. ROBOLE
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Patent number: 10130728Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling humidity. Methods can include providing a chamber configured to receive objects to be sterilized; injecting a first quantity of water into the chamber; determining a pressure rise and a pressure drop in the chamber resulting from the first injection; calculating an absorption ratio (AR) as the ratio of the pressure drop to the pressure rise; sensing the humidity of the chamber after the first injection to determine a first humidity value (RHchamber); comparing the first humidity value to a pre-selected humidity value (RHsetpoint) to determine a humidity error (RHerror), wherein RHerror=RHsetpoint?RHchamber; and injecting a second quantity of water into the chamber, wherein the second quantity of water is calculated based on the absorption ratio (AR) and the humidity error (RHerror). Systems can perform the method; and the systems and methods can be employed in a sterilizer.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Jay R. Goetz, Sherman L. Bartz, Barry W. Robole
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Publication number: 20160310622Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling humidity. Methods can include providing a chamber configured to receive objects to be sterilized; injecting a first quantity of water into the chamber; determining a pressure rise and a pressure drop in the chamber resulting from the first injection; calculating an absorption ratio (AR) as the ratio of the pressure drop to the pressure rise; sensing the humidity of the chamber after the first injection to determine a first humidity value (RHchamber); comparing the first humidity value to a pre-selected humidity value (RHsetpoint) to determine a humidity error (RHerror), wherein RHerror=RHsetpoint?RHchamber; and injecting a second quantity of water into the chamber, wherein the second quantity of water is calculated based on the absorption ratio (AR) and the humidity error (RHerror). Systems can perform the method; and the systems and methods can be employed in a sterilizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: October 27, 2016Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Jay R. Goetz, Sherman L. Bartz, Barry W. Robole
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Publication number: 20130290018Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for verifying proper delivery of health care bundles to patients are described. The methods, apparatus, and systems may be configured to monitor the delivery of health care bundles to one or more patients, to collect delivery data such as sounds and/or images that can be processed to determine if delivery of the health care bundle is being or has been properly delivered to a patient, to provide feedback during delivery of a health care bundle to a patient, and/or to store an indicator that is indicative of proper delivery of the health care bundle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Daniel D. Anderson, Sherman L. Bartz, Craig M. Carlson, Orlin B. Knudson, John M. Kruse, Mary E. Kundus
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Patent number: 8488308Abstract: The present invention provides a display seal for a force-based sensor assembly that includes a flexible membrane having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second sides. The first side of the membrane is capable of being mounted to a housing of the assembly, such as a frame or bezel, and the second side of the membrane is capable of being mounted to a touch surface of a touch sensitive structure of the assembly. The seal, when mounted to the housing and the screen, is capable of creating a seal around the screen without passing extraneous forces to the transducers.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Chin Y. Ng, Paul J. Cobian, Sherman L. Bartz, Hung T. Tran, Lewis H. LeVasseur
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Publication number: 20110153349Abstract: Health care delivery monitoring systems and methods are described herein. The systems and methods may be used to monitor the delivery of health care bundles to one or more patients. The systems and methods may communicate with a health care worker delivering a health care bundle to provide selected information to the health care worker such as, e.g., one or more instructions regarding delivery of the health care bundle. In addition, the systems and methods described herein may further include the collection of compliance data to provide feedback regarding compliance with health care delivery protocols established within a health care facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Daniel D. Anderson, Sherman L. Bartz, Craig M. Carlson, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Orlin B. Knudson, John M. Kruse, Craig D. Oster
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Publication number: 20110148586Abstract: Hygiene monitoring systems and methods are described herein. In various embodiments, the systems and methods may be used to monitor cleaning events (e.g., hand washing events, equipment sanitation events, etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Daniel D. Anderson, Sherman L. Bartz, Craig M. Carlson, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Orlin B. Knudson, John M. Kruse, Craig D. Oster
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Publication number: 20040156168Abstract: The present invention provides a display seal for a force-based sensor assembly that includes a flexible membrane having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second sides. The first side of the membrane is capable of being mounted to a housing of the assembly, such as a frame or bezel, and the second side of the membrane is capable of being mounted to a touch surface of a touch sensitive structure of the assembly. The seal, when mounted to the housing and the screen, is capable of creating a seal around the screen without passing extraneous forces to the transducers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Lewis H. LeVasseur, Chin Y. Ng, Paul J. Cobian, Sherman L. Bartz, Hung T. Tran
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Patent number: 6396616Abstract: A laser imaging system for direct imaging with high optical power density a series of pixels forming an image on a media surface, The laser imaging system includes a laser light source, wherein the laser light source emits a laser beam representative of the image on the media surface. An optical path is defined between the laser light source and the media surface. A scanner is provided having a mirrored surface positioned along the optical path. An optical assembly is positioned along the optical path for shaping and focusing the laser beam at the media surface, including an F-Theta lens assembly positioned along the optical path between the scanner and the media surface. The F-Theta lens assembly includes a spheric lens, an aspheric lens and a toric lens, providing an increase in optical power density at the media surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert C. Fitzer, Hung Thien Tran, Biljana Tadic-Galeb, Sherman L. Bartz, Donald C. Grillo