Patents by Inventor Frank Niedecker

Frank Niedecker 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: 11213036
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transferring sausage-shaped products, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing from a discharge device of a processing machine for processing the sausage-shaped products to a handling device for the sausage-shaped products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Niedecker, Jörg Sames
  • Publication number: 20200337318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transferring sausage-shaped products, like sausages, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing from a discharge device of a processing machine for processing the sausage-shaped products to a handling device for the sausage-shaped products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Frank Niedecker, Jörg Sames
  • Patent number: 9285210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for measuring a storage frame having at least one tray defining an at least one approximately horizontal storing plane and being used for storing rod-like elements, the rod-like elements serving for storing products, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products on a rod-like element. The method comprising the steps of moving the storage frame into the operating range of a measuring apparatus, scanning the storage frame by the measuring apparatus for detecting and recording data regarding geometrical dimensions of the storage frame including at least the height of the tray. The method further comprises the steps of referring the height of the tray to a reference height, creating a dataset including at least said height, storing the dataset in a data memory device, and creating a link between the dataset and the respective storage frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Meyrahn, Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 9242778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to packaging combination for accommodating and dispensing a viscous or granular filling material. The packaging combination comprises a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means. The packaging combination further comprises a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction, and being attached to the first end closed tubular casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Hanten, Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 9187306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing being arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, like a clipping machine, for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, the filling tube has a longitudinal axis. The casing brake assembly comprises at least one braking body which is reversibly movable between a release position, in which the braking body is at least partially moved away from the filling tube and a brake position in which the braking body at least approximately completely surrounds the filling tube, and which comprises at least two free ends. The casing brake assembly further comprises at least two support elements for supporting and reversibly moving the at least one braking body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 8956204
    Abstract: A casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus used for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, wherein the filling tube has a circular cross-section, the casing brake assembly comprising a housing and at least a first brake body and at least a second brake body, wherein at least the second brake body is reversibly movable relative to the first brake body between a releasing position and a braking position about said common central axis wherein, in releasing position, the brake bodies are forming a ring, which has an open segment, wherein the filling tube is pivotable through the open segment, and wherein, in braking position, the brake bodies are forming a substantially closed ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 8870634
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a casing brake and filling tube combination for an apparatus for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing being arranged on said filling tube, for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled. The filling tube includes a brake section with which the casing brake assembly comes reversibly into engagement for applying a frictional force to the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. The casing brake assembly includes three brake bodies, wherein at least two brake bodies are at least approximately radially reversibly movable towards the brake section of the filling tube between a release position in which the at least two brake bodies are at least partially moved away from the filling tube, and a brake position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Poly-clip System & GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20140287665
    Abstract: A casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus used for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, wherein the filling tube has a circular cross-section, the casing brake assembly comprising a housing and at least a first brake body and at least a second brake body, wherein at least the second brake body is reversibly movable relative to the first brake body between a releasing position and a braking position about said common central axis wherein, in releasing position, the brake bodies are forming a ring, which has an open segment, wherein the filling tube is pivotable through the open segment, and wherein, in braking position, the brake bodies are forming a substantially closed ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20140235150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a casing brake and filling tube combination for an apparatus for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing being arranged on said filling tube, for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled. The filling tube includes a brake section with which the casing brake assembly comes reversibly into engagement for applying a frictional force to the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. The casing brake assembly includes three brake bodies, wherein at least two brake bodies are at least approximately radially reversibly movable towards the brake section of the filling tube between a release position in which the at least two brake bodies are at least partially moved away from the filling tube, and a brake position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20140110432
    Abstract: The present invention relates to packaging combination for accommodating and dispensing a viscous or granular filling material. The packaging combination comprises a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means. The packaging combination further comprises a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction, and being attached to the first end closed tubular casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Poly-Clip Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Hanten, Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20140102589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing being arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, like a clipping machine, for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, the filling tube has a longitudinal axis. The casing brake assembly comprises at least one braking body which is reversibly movable between a release position, in which the braking body is at least partially moved away from the filling tube and a brake position in which the braking body at least approximately completely surrounds the filling tube, and which comprises at least two free ends. The casing brake assembly further comprises at least two support elements for supporting and reversibly moving the at least one braking body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 8612048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, like sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up a rod-like element on which a number of sausage like products are hung up by the robotic device, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device. Moreover, there is provided a storage frame with at least a machine readable label from which information regarding the storage device are read out from the machine readable label, which is attached to the storage device, at least before the storage frame is moved into the operating range of the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Meyrahn, Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 8475239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, e.g. sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of providing at least a first storage frame for temporarily storing rod-like elements, moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up by the robotic device a rod-like element on which at least one sausage-like product is hung up, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Poly-clip Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Meyrahn, Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20110196649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for measuring a storage frame having at least one tray defining an at least one approximately horizontal storing plane and being used for storing rod-like elements, the rod-like elements serving for storing products, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products on a rod-like element. The method comprising the steps of moving the storage frame into the operating range of a measuring apparatus, scanning the storage frame by the measuring apparatus for detecting and recording data regarding geometrical dimensions of the storage frame including at least the height of the tray. The method further comprises the steps of referring the height of the tray to a reference height, creating a dataset including at least said height, storing the dataset in a data memory device, and creating a link between the dataset and the respective storage frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Meyrahn, Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20110171003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, e.g. sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of providing at least a first storage frame for temporarily storing rod-like elements, moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up by the robotic device a rod-like element on which at least one sausage-like product is hung up, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Meyrahn, Frank Niedecker
  • Publication number: 20110082584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, like sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up a rod-like element on which a number of sausage like products are hung up by the robotic device, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device. Moreover, there is provided a storage frame with at least a machine readable label from which information regarding the storage device are read out from the machine readable label, which is attached to the storage device, at least before the storage frame is moved into the operating range of the robotic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Meyrahn, Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 6390912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hanging loop for sausages or the like which is made of a meltable loop thread whose free ends are fused and tied together into a fisherman's knot. The invention also relates to an arrangement of these knotted hanging loops which are fastened on a carrier strip and in such a way that partial loops project from both sides of the carrier strip and such that the hanging loop knots are located in the proximity of the location where the hanging loops are fastened to the carrier strip. The invention also relates to a method for producing the hanging loop in which the loop thread is firstly arranged into a loop and ties into a knot. Afterwards, the loop thread projecting from the knot and outside the loop is cut away using a high temperature such that the loop thread ends produced thereby are attached by melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker
  • Patent number: 5772499
    Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement of a plurality of individual, closed sausage suspension loops, which are held beside each other by a belt, so that from each side of the belt a partial loop protrudes, where the first partial loop is designed for being inserted in a closing member for the end of the sausage, and in the second partial loop a smoking skewer or the like can be introduced, and which is characterized in that the sausage suspension loops (14) of uniform and flat shape consist of an elastic plastic material in the form of a strand and are dimensionally stable, and that the first partial loop (22) comprises two mutually parallel portions (24, 26) of the plastic strand, which are connected with each other by a vertically extending transverse portion (28) of the plastic strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Niedecker