Swagelok Company, a US developer and manufacturer of fluid system components, recently honoured 53 active and retired Swagelok associates whose patent-winning inventions are protected by 500 current or pending company patents in 23 countries world-wide. Among the many Swagelok fluid-system products protected by global patents are the advanced Swagelok tube fitting (2000), the DR sanitary diaphragm valve (1998), the new DRP plastic diaphragm valve (2002), the Swagelok Welding System, and a range of other innovative fluid-system components. The Spirit of Invention luncheon and awards launched the company’s inventor recognition programme, which will recognise new patents won by Swagelok Company associates annually. According to Jim Hanson, Swagelok’s vice president of technology and plastic products, approximately 70% of Swagelok’s products enjoy some level of international patent protection.
