US2018064837A1PendingUtilityA1

Systems and methods for determining the cleanliness of a surface

58
Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COPriority: Dec 21, 2012Filed: Nov 8, 2017Published: Mar 8, 2018
Est. expiryDec 21, 2032(~6.4 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:G. Marco Bommarito
G01N 21/4738G01N 2201/061A61L 2/28G01N 2021/551G01N 21/94B08B 13/00G01N 21/55
58
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining the cleanliness of a surface. Surface marking systems of the present disclosure can include a plurality of retroreflective microspheres dispersed in or dispensed on a carrier. Applicators of the present disclosure can include a container comprising the surface marking system, and a dispenser. Methods of the present disclosure can include applying the surface marking system to at least one discrete site on the surface; illuminating the at least one discrete site on the surface with visible light, after a cleaning; and detecting retroreflection emitted from the at least one discrete site on the surface in response to illuminating the at least one discrete site to determine the effectiveness of the cleaning of the surface.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An applicator for applying a surface marking system, the applicator comprising:
 a container defining a reservoir;   a surface marking system positioned in the reservoir, the surface marking system comprising a plurality of retroreflective microspheres dispersed in or dispensed on a carrier; and   a dispenser configured to dispense the surface marking system.   
     
     
         28 . The applicator of  claim 27 , wherein the dispenser includes a porous substrate. 
     
     
         29 . The applicator of  claim 27 , wherein the dispenser includes at least one of a sponge, a foam, a swab, a brush, a dabber, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The applicator of  claim 27 , wherein the dispenser includes a nozzle. 
     
     
         31 . The applicator of  claim 27 , wherein the carrier includes an adhesive, and wherein the container includes a tape dispenser. 
     
     
         32 . The applicator of  claim 27 , wherein the carrier includes a solvent that is at least as volatile as water at room temperature. 
     
     
         33 . The applicator of  claim 27 , wherein the carrier includes an alcohol. 
     
     
         34 . The applicator of  claim 28 , wherein the dispenser includes at least one of a sponge, a foam, a swab, a brush, a dabber, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The applicator of  claim 28 , wherein the dispenser includes a nozzle. 
     
     
         36 . The applicator of  claim 28 , wherein the carrier includes an adhesive, and wherein the container includes a tape dispenser. 
     
     
         37 . The applicator of  claim 28 , wherein the carrier includes a solvent that is at least as volatile as water at room temperature. 
     
     
         38 . The applicator of  claim 28 , wherein the carrier includes an alcohol. 
     
     
         39 . The applicator of  claim 29 , wherein the dispenser includes a nozzle. 
     
     
         40 . The applicator of  claim 29 , wherein the carrier includes an adhesive, and wherein the container includes a tape dispenser. 
     
     
         41 . The applicator of  claim 29 , wherein the carrier includes a solvent that is at least as volatile as water at room temperature. 
     
     
         42 . The applicator of  claim 29 , wherein the carrier includes an alcohol. 
     
     
         43 . The applicator of  claim 30 , wherein the carrier includes an adhesive, and wherein the container includes a tape dispenser. 
     
     
         44 . The applicator of  claim 30 , wherein the carrier includes a solvent that is at least as volatile as water at room temperature. 
     
     
         45 . The applicator of  claim 30 , wherein the carrier includes an alcohol. 
     
     
         46 . The applicator of  claim 31 , wherein the carrier includes a solvent that is at least as volatile as water at room temperature.

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