Patents by Inventor Stephen Glahn

Stephen Glahn 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).

  • High-speed, low temperature sterilization and sanitization apparatus and method
    Patent number: 6752959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing and/or sanitizing a container using a sterilant vapor such as hydrogen peroxide. The sterilant vapor is discharged through a nozzle positioned in an opening of the container and the container is then purged of the discharged sterilant using a heated gas such as sterile air. The nozzle is preferably positioned no closer than 15 mm from the bottom surface or any internal surface of the container and within ⅙ to ⅚ of the height of the container. The nozzle has a diameter no greater than one-half of the diameter of the opening of the container. When containers made of non-heat set PET are used, the temperatures of the sterilant vapor and the purge gas are preferably no greater than 160° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Smith, Parker C. Reist, Stephen Glahn
  • High-speed, low-temperature sterilization and sanitization apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20030068251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing and/or sanitizing a container using a sterilant vapor such as hydrogen peroxide. The sterilant vapor is discharged through a nozzle positioned in an opening of the container and the container is then purged of the discharged sterilant using a heated gas such as sterile air. The nozzle is preferably positioned no closer than 15 mm from the bottom surface or any internal surface of the container and within ⅙ to ⅚ of the height of the container. The nozzle has a diameter no greater than one-half of the diameter of the opening of the container. When containers made of non-heat set PET are used, the temperatures of the sterilant vapor and the purge gas are preferably no greater than 160° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Richard T. Smith, Parker C. Reist, Stephen Glahn