Patents by Inventor Frank Pfeiffer

Frank Pfeiffer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240140724
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a device for data processing and a computer system for controlling a control device of a conveyor system to achieve an alignment and/or a defined spacing of piece goods, wherein the control of the control device is determined by an agent acting according to Reinforcement Learning methods. An individual, local state vector of predefined dimension that is the same for all the piece goods is created for each of the piece goods and an action vector is selected from an action space according to a strategy that is the same for all piece goods for the current state vector of this piece good. These action vectors are projected onto the conveying elements, wherein conflicts are resolved. After a cycle time has elapsed, state vectors are created again for each piece good and evaluated with rewards and the strategy is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Zettler, Marc Christian Weber, Daniel Hein, Clemens Otte, Martin Schall, Frank Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 11939730
    Abstract: A fibre for use in artificial turf has an elongate cross-sectional shape defining a first face and a second face that meet at side edges of the fibre. The first and second faces having respective first and second ridges that are offset with respect to each other, such that the cross-sectional shape is 2-fold rotationally symmetric with no reflectional symmetry. The fibre may be an extruded monofilament and shows improved resilience over symmetrical fibres of similar dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ten Cate Thiolon B.V.
    Inventors: Gerjan van Voorst, Frank Pfeiffer, Niels Gerhardus Kolkman
  • Publication number: 20240092096
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for printing a decorative pattern onto a surface of a paper that includes: applying a primer to a surface of an unprinted base paper, printing a grid marking and a decorative pattern onto a primer-coated base paper, thereby obtaining a printed base paper, detecting a grid spacing between at least two points of the grid marking to determine an actual state of the printed base paper, comparing the detected grid spacing according to the actual state with a grid spacing digitally stored as a target state for the printed decorative pattern, amending the stored target grid spacing based on the comparison by creating an amended target grid spacing and a decorative pattern amended therewith and/or amending at least one process parameter for controlling the application of the primer and/or the printing of the grid marking and/or the drying until a predetermined criterion is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Sabrina PFEIFFER, Falko GEITZ, Frank OLDORFF
  • Patent number: 10844553
    Abstract: An artificial turf system comprises a resilient layer, an artificial grass layer comprising a substrate and pile fibers upstanding from the substrate and an infill layer. The infill layer comprises smooth, hard granules having a mean size of between 1.8 mm and 10 mm disposed on the substrate and interspersed between the pile fibers. The smooth, hard granules provide improved characteristics in terms of foot release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ten Cate Thiolon B.V.
    Inventors: Bart Wijers, Niels Gerhardus Kolkman, Frank Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20190323179
    Abstract: A fibre for use in artificial turf has an elongate cross-sectional shape defining a first face and a second face that meet at side edges of the fibre. The first and second faces having respective first and second ridges that are offset with respect to each other, such that the cross-sectional shape is 2-fold rotationally symmetric with no reflectional symmetry. The fibre may be an extruded monofilament and shows improved resilience over symmetrical fibres of similar dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Ten Cate Thiolon B.V.
    Inventors: Gerjan van Voorst, Frank Pfeiffer, Niels Gerhardus Kolkman
  • Publication number: 20180171566
    Abstract: An artificial turf system comprises a resilient layer, an artificial grass layer comprising a substrate and pile fibers upstanding from the substrate and an infill layer. The infill layer comprises smooth, hard granules having a mean size of between 1.8 mm and 10 mm disposed on the substrate and interspersed between the pile fibers. The smooth, hard granules provide improved characteristics in terms of foot release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Ten Cate Thiolon B.V.
    Inventors: Bart Wijers, Niels Gerhardus Kolkman, Frank Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8409312
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter unit for filtering gaseous fluids, comprising a filter insert part with a filter medium and a sealing element, said element being clamped between sealing struts on parts of the filter housing. The clamping force produced by the sealing struts that lie opposite one another runs at least approximately perpendicularly to the mounting direction of the housing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Görg, Markus Hanselmann, Thomas Jessberger, Michael Metzger, Frank Pfeiffer, Björn Schmid, Arthur Sudermann
  • Patent number: 8182886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite artificial grass fiber for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field, which artificial grass fiber is made up at least of several monofilament fibers. The invention further relates to an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field built up of a substrate to which composite artificial grass fibers according to the invention are attached. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a composite artificial grass fiber according to the invention, in particular for an artificial lawn, which comprises the steps of manufacturing several monofilament fibers and forming said several monofilament fibers into a composite artificial grass fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ten Cate Thiolon, B.V.
    Inventors: Frank Pfeiffer, Marinus Hendrikus Olde Weghuis, Frederik Jan Van Der Gaag, Hermannus Hendrik Jager
  • Publication number: 20110167776
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter unit for filtering gaseous fluids, comprising a filter insert part with a filter medium and a sealing element, said element being clamped between sealing struts on parts of the filter housing. The clamping force produced by the sealing struts that lie opposite one another runs at least approximately perpendicularly to the mounting direction of the housing parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Günter Görg, Markus Hanselmann, Thomas Jessberger, Michael Metzger, Frank Pfeiffer, Björn Schmid, Arthur Sudermann
  • Patent number: 7895983
    Abstract: A retention assembly secures a hydrocarbon trap within an air intake path of an internal combustion engine. The hydrocarbon trap is positioned within a first air tube, such as an outlet duct of a clean air filter. A second air tube, such as an inlet portion of a clean air duct assembly, is fitted over a portion of the first air tube to enclose the hydrocarbon trap within the first air tube. A clamp is fitted over both the first and second air tubes. A plurality of radially-extending, circumferentially-spaced protrusions that are formed on an inner surface of the second air tube pass through a respective plurality of apertures formed in the first air tube and, under radial compression exerted by the clamp, engage an outer surface of the hydrocarbon trap, thereby securing the trap within the first air tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hommel GmbH
    Inventors: Alex Braithwaite, Michael Willig, Frank Pfeiffer, Stefan Maier
  • Patent number: 7691188
    Abstract: An adsorption element for adsorbing gases and vapors from the gaseous atmosphere in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The adsorption element is disposed within a wall of a flow cross section carrying the intake air, has a planar adsorption medium along which the intake air flows, and is pleated to create folds in longitudinal direction of the intake stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Weber, Stephan Wild, Wolfgang Wenzel, Daniel Volkmer, Jens Sohnemann, Josef Rohrmeier, Alfons Schwinghammer, Frank Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7678170
    Abstract: A filter element, especially for filtering intake air for an internal combustion engine, which filter element is composed of a coiled filter, through which a flow of air passes axially, and which has an annular gasket on at least one end face, the annular gasket being connected to the filter element by a welded, glued, extruded or fused connection, such that the annular gasket is inserted into a suitably constructed receptacle in a filter housing and radially and/or axially positions the coiled filter. The annular gasket is arranged directly on the end face of the coiled filter and is pressed axially and/or radially into the receptacle of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Pfeiffer, Pius Trautmann, Anders-Christian Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20100047487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite artificial grass fibre for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field, which artificial grass fibre is made up at least of several monofilament fibres. The invention further relates to an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field built up of a substrate to which composite artificial grass fibres according to the invention are attached. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a composite artificial grass fibre according to the invention, in particular for an artificial lawn, which comprises the steps of manufacturing several monofilament fibres and forming said several monofilament fibres into a composite artificial grass fibre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Frank Pfeiffer, Marinus Hendrikus Olde Weghuis, Frederik Jan Van Der Gaag, Hermannus Hendrik Jager
  • Patent number: 7637974
    Abstract: An active carbon coated filter element is proposed for preventing the issuance of hydrocarbons from an opening. It includes a medium containing active carbon, which is of substantially planar shape and has a frame. The frame is provided with sealing lips on at least two sides. The medium is arranged with the frame in a plastic holder, the plastic holder being able to be inserted and fixed in the opening. The sealing lips engage the wall of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Scholl, Guenther Scholz, Heinz Daubner, Johann Rackerseder, Reinhold Lebherz, Frank Pfeiffer, Jens Sohnemann, Juergen Stahl, Fritz Brenneis
  • Patent number: 7476268
    Abstract: An air filter, particularly an air filter for an internal combustion engine, having a housing with an unfiltered air inlet and a filtered air outlet. A round filter element is sealingly disposed between the unfiltered air inlet and the filtered air outlet. In addition, an adsorber element provided with adsorbent particles is disposed on an interior wall of the housing such that the adsorber element is arranged within the round filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Maier, Frank Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7464788
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle having a housing (1) with an inner partition (2), which together define two separate subspaces (3, 4). A transmission valve (6) which separates the two subspaces (3, 4) is provided in a pivot bearing opening (9) in the partition (2) and is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis (5) in the area of the pivot bearing opening (9). The first subspace (3) is connected in a manner capable of transmitting sound to an intake manifold (17) of an internal combustion engine, and the second subspace (4) is connected in a manner capable of transmitting sound to an interior space of the motor vehicle. The gap (11) between an edge (10) of the pivot bearing opening (9) and the transmission valve (6) is sealed in a pressure-tight manner by a membrane (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Alex, Frank Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20070186904
    Abstract: A retention assembly secures a hydrocarbon trap within an air intake path of an internal combustion engine. The hydrocarbon trap is positioned within a first air tube, such as an outlet duct of a clean air filter. A second air tube, such as an inlet portion of a clean air duct assembly, is fitted over a portion of the first air tube to enclose the hydrocarbon trap within the first air tube. A clamp is fitted over both the first and second air tubes. A plurality of radially-extending, circumferentially-spaced protrusions that are formed on an inner surface of the second air tube pass through a respective plurality of apertures formed in the first air tube and, under radial compression exerted by the clamp, engage an outer surface of the hydrocarbon trap, thereby securing the trap within the first air tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Alex Braithwaite, Michael Willig, Frank Pfeiffer, Stefan Maier
  • Patent number: RE46102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter unit for filtering gaseous fluids, comprising a filter insert part with a filter medium and a sealing element, said element being clamped between sealing struts on parts of the filter housing. The clamping force produced by the sealing struts that lie opposite one another runs at least approximately perpendicularly to the mounting direction of the housing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Jessberger, Michael Metzger, Arthur Sudermann, Guenter Goerg, Markus Hanselmann, Frank Pfeiffer, Bjoern Schmid, Joerg Maier
  • Patent number: RE47174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter unit for filtering gaseous fluids, comprising a filter insert part with a filter medium and a sealing element, said element being clamped between sealing struts on parts of the filter housing. The clamping force produced by the sealing struts that lie opposite one another runs at least approximately perpendicularly to the mounting direction of the housing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Jessberger, Michael Metzger, Arthur Sudermann, Guenter Goerg, Markus Hanselmann, Frank Pfeiffer, Bjoern Schmid, Joerg Maier
  • Patent number: D843262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ten Cate Thiolon B.V.
    Inventors: Niels Gerhardus Kolkman, Frank Pfeiffer