Patents by Inventor Ronald Swank
Ronald Swank 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: 7459133Abstract: An automatic, continuous sterilization system is for use in a form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The machine has a turret carrying a plurality of mandrels on which the packages are carried. A bottom panel heating station has a reciprocating bottom panel heater. The sterilization system includes a sterilant source for supplying a sterilant and a sterilant inlet at the bottom panel heater. Packages are positioned on one of the plurality of mandrels and are indexed to the bottom panel heater. The sterilant is introduced to the mandrel when the carton is positioned thereon. Introduction of the sterilant provides a log reduction of microbial colony forming units of at least about 5.9 after ten minutes of machine operation. A method for continuous mandrel sterilization is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventor: Ronald Swank
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Patent number: 7111440Abstract: A head space inserting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Paul Anderson, Ronald Swank
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Publication number: 20050229448Abstract: A card assembly for selectively displaying photos or the like, which is normally in a folded state such that at least one of the photos or the like is then hidden from view, but which upon being unfolded into an open state will permit the normally hidden photo or the like to then be visibly displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2004Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventor: Ronald Swank
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Publication number: 20050061696Abstract: A slotted disposable foam instrument holder is provided for use in organizing surgical instruments wherein the surgical instruments are easily organized and available for efficient use during surgical operation. The inventive slotted disposable foam instrument holder provides the surgical technician with a uniform organizer that makes pre and post surgical counts accurate. The slotted nature of the organizer allows for the secure placement of surgical instruments preventing the toppling of the instruments during the surgical procedure and helps maintain the instruments in an organized and upright state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Inventor: Ronald Swank
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Publication number: 20040191115Abstract: An automatic, continuous sterilization system is for use in a form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The machine has a turret carrying a plurality of mandrels on which the packages are carried. A bottom panel heating station has a reciprocating bottom panel heater. The sterilization system includes a sterilant source for supplying a sterilant and a sterilant inlet at the bottom panel heater. Packages are positioned on one of the plurality of mandrels and are indexed to the bottom panel heater. The sterilant is introduced to the mandrel when the carton is positioned thereon. Introduction of the sterilant provides a log reduction of microbial colony forming units of at least about 5.9 after ten minutes of machine operation. A method for continuous mandrel sterilization is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventor: Ronald Swank
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Publication number: 20040055256Abstract: A head space inserting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A.Inventors: Paul Anderson, Ronald Swank
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Patent number: 6634157Abstract: A head space inerting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Paul Anderson, Ronald Swank
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Publication number: 20020073659Abstract: A head space inerting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Paul Anderson, Ronald Swank
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Patent number: 6183691Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed packaging material is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The packaging material is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The packaging material is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the packaging material allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The packaging material may be any number of possibilities such as gable top cartons, parallelepiped containers, flexible pouches, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Ronald Swank, Sevugan Palaniappan
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Patent number: 6120730Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing containers with gas-phase hydrogen peroxide and heat on a linear form, fill and seal packaging machine. A partially formed container is subjected to multiple applications of gaseous hydrogen peroxide and hot air within a sterilization tunnel. The sterilization tunnel is maintained at a temperature greater than the condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the container allowing for filling of the container with a high acid product such as orange juice for ambient distribution. The container may be any number of possibilities such as TETRA REX.RTM. gable top cartons, plastic bottles, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of up to 53%.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Sevugan Palaniappan, Ronald Swank
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Patent number: 6094887Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed carton is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide from a hydrogen peroxide nozzle. The carton is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the carton with UV energy. The carton is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the carton allowing for filling of the carton with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a carton having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Ronald Swank, Sevugan Palaniappan
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Patent number: 6056918Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing cartons with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed carton is first sprayed at a bottom forming station with a sterilant. Then, the carton is transported to a sterilization station where the carton is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The carton is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The carton is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the carton allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Sevugan Palaniappan, Ronald Swank, Terry Erickson, John Lees, John Cicha, Michael Robertson
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Patent number: 6039922Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed packaging material is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The packaging material is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The packaging material is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the packaging material allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The packaging material may be any number of possibilities such as gable top cartons, parallelepiped containers, flexible pouches, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Ronald Swank, Sevugan Palaniappan