Patents by Inventor Axel Ortmann

Axel Ortmann 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).

  • Patent number: 11754391
    Abstract: A goods processing apparatus can include a pivotable display, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects an angle of inclination of the pivotable display. The pivotable display is rotatable about a x-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system. The sensor is disposed on the pivotable display and includes respective transducers at least in a direction of a y-axis and a z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system. The sensor generates respective digital measured values for each of the y-axis and the z-axis. The controller processes the two digital measured values to derive the angle of inclination of the pivotable display based on the two digital measured values, and stores, in a memory of the goods processing apparatus, the derived angle of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Von Der Waydbrink, Tilmann Schilling, Wolf-Alexander Krumholz, Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Matthias Lorenzen
  • Patent number: 11630897
    Abstract: A goods processing apparatus includes a controller including a program memory, a security module, a first communication interface that is configured to, in cooperation with the security module, securely communicate with a remote server, and an acoustic output device electrically connected with the controller and configured to output audio files or sound files. The security module and the first communication interface can be electrically connected with the controller. The program memory may store a program to control the acoustic output via the acoustic output device. The program can facilitate external commands being transmitted from the remote server, or from one or more other internet sources, to the controller. Via security measures, operational security of the goods processing apparatus is prevented from being negatively affected, or harmful code is prevented from being transmitted to controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Lorenzen, Kai Nicolai, Axel Ortmann, Tobias Reisinger, Robert Hoefig, Karsten von der Waydbrink
  • Patent number: 10668504
    Abstract: An individualization station has a supply deck for supplying flat goods to a goods processing apparatus following in the transport path in the transport direction x of a Cartesian coordinate system, with openings in the supply deck for a drum in an individualization region, and with individualization assembly as well as with a contact pressure box. The contact pressure box is movable in the z-direction, and has a linkage that is pivotable at a downstream end. An individualization assembly carrier forms an L-shape at an upstream end of the linkage that is pivotable in the contact pressure box. A stop side of the undeflected individualization assembly carrier is aligned parallel to the y/z-plane and extends counter to a y-direction. The individualization assembly carrier can be deflected above the supply deck at a variable distance corresponding to the thickness of the flat good to be individualized, and is adjustable in the y-direction and counter thereto by an adjustment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Dieter Woelm
  • Patent number: 10579095
    Abstract: A goods processing apparatus can include a printing device, a pivotable display, a controller, and a sensor. The pivotable display may include a display support, a pivotable display holder, a display housing that houses a display monitor having a display border arranged around the display monitor and a display housing frame that surrounds the display border, and at least one actuation input device configured to manually trigger a motorized pivoting of the display monitor. The sensor detects an angle of inclination of the pivotable display. The controller controls a motor to automatically set a display inclination of the pivotable display based on the detected angle of inclination and a respective operator of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Alexander Krumholz, Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Matthias Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20200025564
    Abstract: A goods processing apparatus can include a pivotable display, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects an angle of inclination of the pivotable display. The pivotable display is rotatable about a x-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system. The sensor is disposed on the pivotable display and includes respective transducers at least in a direction of a y-axis and a z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system. The sensor generates respective digital measured values for each of the y-axis and the z-axis. The controller processes the two digital measured values to derive the angle of inclination of the pivotable display based on the two digital measured values, and stores, in a memory of the goods processing apparatus, the derived angle of inclination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Von Der Waydbrink, Tilmann Schilling, Wolf-Alexander Krumholz, Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Matthias Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20190340356
    Abstract: A goods processing apparatus includes a controller including a program memory, a security module, a first communication interface that is configured to, in cooperation with the security module, securely communicate with a remote server, and an acoustic output device electrically connected with the controller and configured to output audio files or sound files. The security module and the first communication interface can be electrically connected with the controller. The program memory may store a program to control the acoustic output via the acoustic output device. The program can facilitate external commands being transmitted from the remote server, or from one or more other internet sources, to the controller. Via security measures, operational security of the goods processing apparatus is prevented from being negatively affected, or harmful code is prevented from being transmitted to controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Lorenzen, Kai Nicolai, Axel Ortmann, Tobias Reisinger, Robert Hoefig, Karsten von der Waydbrink
  • Publication number: 20190339735
    Abstract: A goods processing apparatus can include a printing device, a pivotable display, a controller, and a sensor. The pivotable display may include a display support, a pivotable display holder, a display housing that houses a display monitor having a display border arranged around the display monitor and a display housing frame that surrounds the display border, and at least one actuation input device configured to manually trigger a motorized pivoting of the display monitor. The sensor detects an angle of inclination of the pivotable display. The controller controls a motor to automatically set a display inclination of the pivotable display based on the detected angle of inclination and a respective operator of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Alexander Krumholz, Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Matthias Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20180117633
    Abstract: An individualization station has a supply deck for supplying flat goods to a goods processing apparatus following in the transport path in the transport direction x of a Cartesian coordinate system, with openings in the supply deck for a drum in an individualization region, and with individualization assembly as well as with a contact pressure box. The contact pressure box is movable in the z-direction, and has a linkage that is pivotable at a downstream end. An individualization assembly carrier forms an L-shape at an upstream end of the linkage that is pivotable in the contact pressure box. A stop side of the undeflected individualization assembly carrier is aligned parallel to the y/z-plane and extends counter to a y-direction. The individualization assembly carrier can be deflected above the supply deck at a variable distance corresponding to the thickness of the flat good to be individualized, and is adjustable in the y-direction and counter thereto by an adjustment assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Dieter Woelm
  • Patent number: 9790044
    Abstract: A placement station for placing flat items has multiple transport elements extending through a related opening in a placement deck of the placement station. All transport elements are driven by a single drive motor via toothed belt discs and toothed belts. At least one trigger sensor is arranged in the placement station on the exit side of the mail-item flow. The drive motor and the trigger sensor are electrically connected with means for controlling the transport speed of the flat items. Each transport element is carried by a transport module. The placement station has multiple transport modules, each extending with a transport element mounted on its head side through a related opening in a placement deck of the placement station. The transport modules are lowerable below the placement deck in a direction contrary to a spring force. The direction of traction can be changed by turning at least one transport module before or during operation of the placement station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl
  • Publication number: 20160325955
    Abstract: A placement station for placing flat items has multiple transport elements extending through a related opening in a placement deck of the placement station. All transport elements are driven by a single drive motor via toothed belt discs and toothed belts. At least one trigger sensor is arranged in the placement station on the exit side of the mail-item flow. The drive motor and the trigger sensor are electrically connected with means for controlling the transport speed of the flat items. Each transport element is carried by a transport module. The placement station has multiple transport modules, each extending with a transport element mounted on its head side through a related opening in a placement deck of the placement station. The transport modules are lowerable below the placement deck in a direction contrary to a spring force. The direction of traction can be changed by turning at least one transport module before or during operation of the placement station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl
  • Patent number: 9177424
    Abstract: A franking machine has an ink jet printing device with exchangeable ink cartridges. The lower housing shell of a security housing of the franking machine has a sealable, shaft-shaped opening in the base and is designed to accommodate assemblies that can be contaminated with ink. These assemblies are situated in a non-secure region of the franking machine and are accessible via the aforementioned opening when a cover of the shaft-shaped opening is opened. A servicing procedure allows the franking machine to be retrofitted to print with a different ink color. After moving the print carriage in one direction and opening a cartridge flap, the ink cartridges can be removed. A displacement of the print carriage takes place after closing the cartridge flap, wherein the print carriage is moved in the opposite direction so that the print carriage arrives in the sealing position for ink cartridges. A box-shaped mod can now be removed from the franking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl
  • Patent number: 9010755
    Abstract: A printer apparatus has a contact pressure device for flat articles on a continuously moving transport belt, in particular letters in a franking and/or addressing machine. In order to increase the usable region and/or of the throughput of the printer apparatus, flat articles of different thicknesses are processed with predetermined speed, without slippage, in succession with arbitrarily small gaps between successive articles. An elastic, bellows-shaped, resiliently supported air bag has a low-friction, wear-resistant cover surface that is in non-positive contact with the transport belt. With its associated retention and air supply devices the bellows serves as a mobile contact pressure module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl
  • Patent number: 8888233
    Abstract: In a device to clean wiper elements of an inkjet print head of an ink dispenser of a printing apparatus having a chassis, a maintenance station is mounted on the chassis to allow travel of the maintenance station in at least one direction that causes the maintenance station to move past the inkjet print head. The maintenance station carries wiper elements that wipe ink from the surface of the inkjet print head as the maintenance station moves past the inkjet print head. An ink uptake unit is mounted at the chassis at a position past which the maintenance station travels, after traveling past the inkjet print head. The ink uptake unit includes material that transfers ink from the wipers to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Muhl, Axel Ortmann
  • Patent number: 8702229
    Abstract: A modular printing apparatus has a printing device with an inkjet print head and a box-shaped module that urges items toward the print head, for printing thereon. In an operating mode, the box-shaped module is inserted into the printing apparatus via a mechanical connection and can be removed from the printing apparatus in a service mode. A triggering mechanism acts on a locking mechanism with first and second force components that couple the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to one another in the operating mode to lock the box-shaped module in a bay of the printing apparatus at the printing apparatus. The second force component acts in an opposite direction in the service mode, to disengage the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to unlock and remove the box-shaped module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Dieter Woelm
  • Patent number: 8668329
    Abstract: A printing apparatus has a path for transporting flat items in the x-direction, and allows insertion and removal of a box-shaped module along the y-direction. The box-shaped module has a pressure device that exerts pressure in the z-direction on the flat items to be transported. The x-direction, y-direction and z-direction are orthogonal to one another. The components of the box-shaped module in combination with guides of the printing apparatus cooperate to initially move the pressure device along the z-direction during insertion of the box-shaped module into the printing apparatus and to move said box pressure device opposite along the z-direction upon reaching a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Dieter Woelm
  • Publication number: 20140020576
    Abstract: A printer apparatus has a contact pressure device for flat articles on a continuously moving transport belt, in particular letters in a franking and/or addressing machine. In order to increase the usable region and/or of the throughput of the printer apparatus, flat articles of different thicknesses are processed with predetermined speed, without slippage, in succession with arbitrarily small gaps between successive articles. An elastic, bellows-shaped, resiliently supported air bag has a low-friction, wear-resistant cover surface that is in non-positive contact with the transport belt. With its associated retention and air supply devices the bellows serves as a mobile contact pressure module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl
  • Publication number: 20130335497
    Abstract: A franking machine has an ink jet printing device with exchangeable ink cartridges. The lower housing shell of a security housing of the franking machine has a sealable, shaft-shaped opening in the base and is designed to accommodate assemblies that can be contaminated with ink. These assemblies are situated in a non-secure region of the franking machine and are accessible via the aforementioned opening when a cover of the shaft-shaped opening is opened. A servicing procedure allows the franking machine to be retrofitted to print with a different ink color. After moving the print carriage in one direction and opening a cartridge flap, the ink cartridges can be removed. A displacement of the print carriage takes place after closing the cartridge flap, wherein the print carriage is moved in the opposite direction so that the print carriage arrives in the sealing position for ink cartridges. A box-shaped mod can now be removed from the franking machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl
  • Patent number: 8567779
    Abstract: An apparatus for pressing flat materials onto a transport module with a transport belt includes a holding carrier for pressing elements being disposed under a feed table. At least one of the pressing elements is mounted on the holding carrier with a multiplicity of individual resilient or sprung constituent parts, or a multiplicity of pressing elements are disposed on the holding carrier below the transport belt in a transport direction. The pressing elements can protrude through an opening in the feed table, in order to provide suitable pressure from below on the transport belt of the transport module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Hantel, Wolfgang Muhl, Dieter Woelm, Axel Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20120200029
    Abstract: An apparatus for pressing flat materials onto a transport module with a transport belt includes a holding carrier for pressing elements being disposed under a feed table. At least one of the pressing elements is mounted on the holding carrier with a multiplicity of individual resilient or sprung constituent parts, or a multiplicity of pressing elements are disposed on the holding carrier below the transport belt in a transport direction. The pressing elements can protrude through an opening in the feed table, in order to provide suitable pressure from below on the transport belt of the transport module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: FRANCOTYP-POSTALIA GMBH
    Inventors: ULRICH HANTEL, WOLFGANG MUHL, DIETER WÖLM, AXEL ORTMANN
  • Publication number: 20120147071
    Abstract: A modular printing apparatus has a printing device with a movable print carriage with at least one inkjet print head, a control unit, a locking mechanism, a mechanical connection element that is integrally molded on a housing wall of a box-shaped module. In an operating mode, the box-shaped module is inserted into the printing apparatus and can be removed from the printing apparatus in a service mode, and a triggering mechanism acts on the locking mechanism with first and second force components. The first and second force component couple the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to one another in the operating mode in order to lock the box-shaped module inserted into a bay of the printing apparatus at the printing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Axel Ortmann, Wolfgang Muhl, Dieter Woelm