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).

  • Patent number: 10967087
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jay R. Goetz, Sherman L. Bartz, Barry W. Robole
  • Publication number: 20190046677
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: JAY R. GOETZ, SHERMAN L. BARTZ, BARRY W. ROBOLE
  • Patent number: 10130728
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay R. Goetz, Sherman L. Bartz, Barry W. Robole
  • Publication number: 20160310622
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay R. Goetz, Sherman L. Bartz, Barry W. Robole
  • Publication number: 20130290018
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel D. Anderson, Sherman L. Bartz, Craig M. Carlson, Orlin B. Knudson, John M. Kruse, Mary E. Kundus
  • Patent number: 8488308
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chin Y. Ng, Paul J. Cobian, Sherman L. Bartz, Hung T. Tran, Lewis H. LeVasseur
  • Publication number: 20110153349
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel D. Anderson, Sherman L. Bartz, Craig M. Carlson, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Orlin B. Knudson, John M. Kruse, Craig D. Oster
  • Publication number: 20110148586
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel D. Anderson, Sherman L. Bartz, Craig M. Carlson, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Orlin B. Knudson, John M. Kruse, Craig D. Oster
  • Publication number: 20040156168
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Lewis H. LeVasseur, Chin Y. Ng, Paul J. Cobian, Sherman L. Bartz, Hung T. Tran
  • Patent number: 6396616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Fitzer, Hung Thien Tran, Biljana Tadic-Galeb, Sherman L. Bartz, Donald C. Grillo