3m Innovative Properties Company

Oryon Technologies, LLC

Rodney K Hehenberger

Bernard A Gonzalez

Michael R Gorman

Phillip Angelo Bolea

Ramon T Ignacio

Steven S Kirckof

Roland C Kippenhan

Terry S Nees

Richard M Rumble

Philip A Bolea

A garment () with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article () includes one or more electroluminescent structures (), which may in some embodiments be discontinuous from each other. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent structures can be electrically connected with conductors () including conductive adhesive. The article further includes one or more retroreflective structures () disposed at least partially in the light path capable of being emitted by one or more of the electroluminescent structures. The article can be disposed on a support (), such as a garment shell. The present disclosure also includes methods for making such garments.

Garment with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article

A hybrid electroluminescent assembly is described wherein the assembly includes one or more electroluminescent structures and a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments. Discontinuous retroreflective segments are disposed at least partially in the light path of the one or more electroluminescent structures.

Hybrid electroluminescent assembly

An electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be subjected to a sterilization cycle is disclosed. The method uses a sterilization indicator and electronically links sterilization information with the articles subjected to the sterilization process. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need for a user to subjectively distinguish between color, quality or intensity of display patterns.

Electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be sterilized and associated method

An electroluminescent article is described, wherein the article includes one or more electroluminescent structures, which may in some embodiments be discontinuous from each other. The article further includes one or more retroreflective structures and, optionally, a removable carrier film disposed over the electroluminescent structures and the retroreflective structures. In some embodiments, the retroreflective structures may be disposed at least partially in the light path capable of being emitted by one or more of the electroluminescent structures. Exemplary articles may, optionally, include connectors between electroluminescent structures that comprise conductive adhesive. Exemplary articles according to the present disclosure may be disposed in roll form. The present disclosure also includes methods for making such articles.

Laminate reflective and electroluminescent article

Retroreflective and luminous article

A system for determining the efficacy of a sterilization process and communicating that determination to a remote device. The system includes a sterilization sensor and a reader adapted to receive that sterilization sensor. The sterilization sensor has an indicator that undergoes a predetermined optical change when exposed to a sterilization process. The reader has an illumination source for illuminating the sterilization sensor, a color sensor for evaluating the condition of the illuminated sterilization sensor, and an interpretation circuit for interpreting the output of the color sensor to determine whether the optical change has taken place. The reader also has a communication circuit for communicating data from the interpretation circuit to the remote device. In the preferred embodiments, the sterilization sensor is disposable and the reader is reusable.

Electronic reader for sterilization monitors

Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.

Zoned stretching of a web

An automated system for management of information and distribution of materials associated with sterilization procedures includes a network server and client computers that communicate via a computer network. The client computers are distributed among sterilization facilities that require sterilization services. The network server exchanges a variety of information with the sterilization facilities. In response to information from client computers, the network server may trigger distribution of materials to sterilization facilities, and generates reports for record-keeping or cost-accounting purposes. The information distributed by the network server may pertain to the operation, maintenance and control of sterilization equipment, characteristics and capabilities of sterilization materials, and expert technical advice. The information received from sterilization facilities includes requests for information, orders for purchase and delivery of materials, and sterilization process information documenting sterilization procedures performed within a sterilization facility.

Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities

A reader for a sterilization indicator having sterilizing agent sensitive indicia is described. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need for a user to subjectively distinguish between color, quality or intensity of display patterns.

Chemical indicator reader

A sterilization indicator that presents a visually distinct and uniform color transition after having been passed through sterilizing conditions. This sterilization indicator has a base layer with an indicator compound applied to at least an indicating region thereon. It also has a raised lamina attached to the base layer so as to substantially surround the indicating region.

Growing community of inventors

Apple Valley, MN, United States of America

Rodney K Hehenberger