Patents by Inventor Steven Robert Ehardt

Steven Robert Ehardt 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).

  • Mobile pneumatic apparatus and method for testing a container seal
    Patent number: 6807846
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for evaluating the integrity of a seal on liquid-filled container. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a tank for containing a liquid solution and a clamp with a first and second member between which the container is engaged. The clamp is positioned with respect to the tank such that a portion of the container properly situated in the clamp will extend into the tank and contact the liquid solution. A ram and cylinder are operatively connected to the clamp to engage the container. A seat is provided to support a portion of the container such that at least a portion of the container supported by the seat will extend into the tank. A drill is provided to pierce a surface of the container to make an opening. The drill is positioned such that the opening can be made while the container is in the clamp and/or the seat such that at least a portion of the container extends into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company
    Inventors: John J. Leonard, Steven Robert Ehardt, Newell Esmond, Kurt Aaron Kreutzmann, Timothy J. Hamilton, John Konieczka
  • Mobile pneumatic apparatus and method for testing a container seal
    Publication number: 20020174711
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for evaluating the integrity of a seal on liquid-filled container. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a tank for containing a liquid solution and a clamp with a first and second member between which the container is engaged. The clamp is positioned with respect to the tank such that a portion of the container properly situated in the clamp will extend into the tank and contact the liquid solution. A ram and cylinder are operatively connected to the clamp to engage the container. A seat is provided to support a portion of the container such that at least a portion of the container supported by the seat will extend into the tank. A drill is provided to pierce a surface of the container to make an opening. The drill is positioned such that the opening can be made while the container is in the clamp and/or the seat such that at least a portion of the container extends into the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: John J. Leonard, Steven Robert Ehardt, Newell Esmond, Kurt Aaron Kreutzmann, Timothy J. Hamilton, John Konieczka
  • Mobile pneumatic apparatus and method for testing a container seal
    Patent number: 6415651
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for evaluating the integrity of a seal on liquid-filled container. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a tank for containing a liquid solution and a clamp with a first and second member between which the container is engaged. The clamp is positioned with respect to the tank such that a portion of the container properly situated in the clamp will extend into the tank and contact the liquid solution. A ram and cylinder are operatively connected to the clamp to engage the container. A seat is provided to support a portion of the container such that at least a portion of the container supported by the seat will extend into the tank. A drill is provided to pierce a surface of the container to make an opening. The drill is positioned such that the opening can be made while the container is in the clamp and/or the seat such that at least a portion of the container extends into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company
    Inventors: John J. Leonard, Steven Robert Ehardt, Newell Esmond, Kurt Aaron Kreutzmann, Timothy J. Hamilton, John Konieczka
  • Mobile Pneumatic Apparatus and Method for Testing a Container Seal
    Publication number: 20020053234
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for evaluating the integrity of a seal on liquid-filled container. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a tank for containing a liquid solution and a clamp with a first and second member between which the container is engaged. The clamp is positioned with respect to the tank such that a portion of the container properly situated in the clamp will extend into the tank and contact the liquid solution. A ram and cylinder are operatively connected to the clamp to engage the container. A seat is provided to support a portion of the container such that at least a portion of the container supported by the seat will extend into the tank. A drill is provided to pierce a surface of the container to make an opening. The drill is positioned such that the opening can be made while the container is in the clamp and/or the seat such that at least a portion of the container extends into the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: THE QUAKER OATS COMPANY
    Inventors: John J. Leonard , Steven Robert Ehardt , Newell Esmond , Kurt Aaron Kreutzmann , Timothy J. Hamilton , John Konieczka