Patents by Inventor Hans-Ulrich Stauber

Hans-Ulrich Stauber 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: 9555996
    Abstract: A method and a device for trimming printed products on the front edges and/or on the lateral edges. The products are inserted into moved receiving compartments along a closed circuit, the compartments being open on at least one side, and include blades moved along in this region, which act together with stationary counter blades. The depth of insertion of the products is restricted by a support such that the front edges of the products are in the direct vicinity of the open side of the compartments, advantageously protruding with their front edges over the moved along blades for the frontal trimming. The edges of the products extending perpendicular to the folded edge are fixed prior to carrying out a trimming by way of a clamping and moving arrangement and only released for the passing on of the printed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 8794424
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and discharging flat, preferably flexible articles, in particular printed products, the apparatus including a plurality of grippers which can be moved in a conveying direction (F) along a continuous conveying path (U) defined by a conveying mechanism. The grippers include a first gripper jaw and a second gripper jaw, which can assume a clamping position and an open position relative to one another. The first gripper jaw is longer than the second gripper jaw and includes a first gripper part, which in the clamping position interacts with the second gripper jaw, and a second gripper part, which in the clamping position projects beyond the second gripper jaw. The orientation of the first and second gripper parts of the first gripper jaw relative to one another is variable and can be adjusted by a control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 8777221
    Abstract: The printing products (24) are supplied to the discharge station (16) by receiving elements (32) of the processing device (12). The discharge station has on the one hand a removal conveyor (18) and on the other hand a clamp transporter (20) arranged downstream with respect to the removal conveyor in the direction of circulation (U) of the receiving elements (32). The gripper tongs (22) of the removal conveyor (18) grip the printing products (24) at the side rim (26) and discharge the printing products from the receiving elements (32). The respectively trailing wall (36) of each receiving element (32) is provided with a guide element (50) which respectively supports the printing product (24) in question and introduces the printing product into an opened clamp (28) of the clamp transporter (20). The clamps (28) grasp the printing products (24) at the edge (30) with which the printing products (24) previously rested against the floor (42) of the receiving elements (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Stauber, Marcel Ramseier
  • Patent number: 8419004
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for compiling flat objects, wherein a gripper conveyor is used, the grippers of which either act directly as support elements or contact surfaces for the products to be compiled, thereby constituting a receiving unit, or interact with a separate support element to form a receiving unit. The use of a gripper conveyor having a controllable opening state and a controllable orientation of the gripper jaws of the individual grippers, and/or a controllable orientation of the separate support elements, has the advantage that the orientation of the contact surfaces and the clamping function within a receiving unit can be set independently of the adjoining receiving units. In this way, greater flexibility is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 8398064
    Abstract: A device and a method for inserting flat objects into a folded printed product, wherein the products are held by grippers of a gripper conveyor which opens only briefly for inserting the flat object. In order to also stabilize the product in the open state of the gripper, a support element is provided, which moves between the two product parts before the gripper opens and rests on one of the product parts. If the orientations of the support elements and the grippers are selected in a suitable fashion, this will suffice in order to position the product and keep it open such that the flat object can be inserted and the gripper can then be closed again, while clamping the product with the flat object into position. Optionally, further support elements are present, which additionally support the product from the outside, such as the folded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 8292062
    Abstract: A method and a device for the conveyance of planar products (10, 10?, 20, 20?), in particular printed products, are provided wherein a product group (100) composed of at least two products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) is gripped by a gripper (42) in the area of a product edge (12, 12?, 22, 22?) and conveyed in a direction of conveyance (F2). At least one of the products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) is displaced relative to the other product or products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) in the product group (100) in a direction of displacement (A) defined by the gripped product edge (12, 12?, 22, 22?), such that in each case a projection (14, 24) is formed in the direction of displacement (A). Thus a first projection (14) is associated with at least one displaced product (10, 10?, 20, 20?) and a second projection (24) is associated with the remaining product or products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) of the product group (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Stauber, Konrad Auf der Maur
  • Patent number: 8056705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for processing objects (100, 110) with a plurality of tools (20), as well as with a tool drive arrangement (30). The tools (20) in each case comprise at least one lever (21) as well as an acting element (22) which may cooperate with the object (100, 110). The levers (21) are pivotably attached on tool drive arrangement (30) on bearing points (23) and may be driven along a closed revolving path by way of the movement of the tool drive arrangement (30). The acting elements (22) are distanced to the bearing point (23). The pivot position of the levers (231) relative to the tool drive arrangement (30) may be set in dependence on their position along the revolving path with a guide mechanism. According to the invention, the guide mechanism (40) is adjustable, wherein different distances (d, d?) of adjacent acting elements may be realized in a predefined reference region by way of the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20110248438
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for compiling flat objects, wherein a gripper conveyor is used, the grippers of which either act directly as support elements or contact surfaces for the products to be compiled, thereby constituting a receiving unit, or interact with a separate support element to form a receiving unit. The use of a gripper conveyor having a controllable opening state and a controllable orientation of the gripper jaws of the individual grippers, and/or a controllable orientation of the separate support elements, has the advantage that the orientation of the contact surfaces and the clamping function within a receiving unit can be set independently of the adjoining receiving units. In this way, greater flexibility is attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20110240441
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and discharging flat, preferably flexible articles, in particular printed products, the apparatus including a plurality of grippers which can be moved in a conveying direction (F) along a continuous conveying path (U) defined by a conveying mechanism. The grippers include a first gripper jaw and a second gripper jaw, which can assume a clamping position and an open position relative to one another. The first gripper jaw is longer than the second gripper jaw and includes a first gripper part, which in the clamping position interacts with the second gripper jaw, and a second gripper part, which in the clamping position projects beyond the second gripper jaw. The orientation of the first and second gripper parts of the first gripper jaw relative to one another is variable and can be adjusted by a control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 7963386
    Abstract: Printed products are optionally processed in a preliminary stage (1) and a follow-up stage (2). The printed products are fed in a printed-product stream. The printed products, for optionally processing in the preliminary stage (1), are directed optionally, by means of a diverter (5), to different conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3), on which processing arrangements (10, 11, 12) are set up. The printed products are processed in the processing arrangements and then conveyed on. In an intermediate region, in which the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1) run parallel to one another and one beside the other, different conveying paths (7.1, 7.2) of the follow-up stage (2) can optionally be connected to the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1). Processing arrangements (13, 14) for optionally processing the printed products are also set up on the various conveying paths of the follow-up stage (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 7950645
    Abstract: A method and an installation for the insertion of supplements into printed products (1) such as newspapers, periodicals, brochures, etc., wherein each single, folded or multi-paged printed product (1) is opened over a fold (8) and a supplement (2) is inserted, wherein a leader edge (9) of the supplement (2) is placed at least near the fold (8), or against the spine respectively, of the printed product (1). The method further comprises the following steps of: Application of a bonding agent (3) to the supplement (2) near the leader edge (9) or to the printed product (1) near the fold (8); Insertion of the supplement (2) into the printed product (1); and Adhesion by means of the bonding agent (3), of the supplement (2) in at least one place near its leader edge (9) with the printed product (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: FERAG, AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20110109031
    Abstract: A device and a method for inserting flat objects into a folded printed product, wherein the products are held by grippers of a gripper conveyor which opens only briefly for inserting the flat object. In order to also stabilize the product in the open state of the gripper, a support element is provided, which moves between the two product parts before the gripper opens and rests on one of the product parts. If the orientations of the support elements and the grippers are selected in a suitable fashion, this will suffice in order to position the product and keep it open such that the flat object can be inserted and the gripper can then be closed again, while clamping the product with the flat object into position. Optionally, further support elements are present, which additionally support the product from the outside, such as the folded edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20100308531
    Abstract: The printing products (24) are supplied to the discharge station (16) by receiving elements (32) of the processing device (12). The discharge station has on the one hand a removal conveyor (18) and on the other hand a clamp transporter (20) arranged downstream with respect to the removal conveyor in the direction of circulation (U) .of the receiving elements (32). The gripper tongs (22) of the removal conveyor (18) grip the printing products (24) at the side rim (26) and discharge the printing products from the receiving elements (32). The respectively trailing wall (36) of each receiving element (32) is provided with a guide element (50) which respectively supports the printing product (24) in question and introduces the printing product into an opened clamp (28) of the clamp transporter (20). The clamps (28) grasp the printing products (24) at the edge (30) with which the printing products (24) previously rested against the floor (42) of the receiving elements (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Stauber, Marcel Ramseier
  • Patent number: 7837187
    Abstract: For separating individual flat and bendable objects (2) from the underside of a stack of such objects (2), and for the onward transportation of the objects, the invention provides a stacking space (1), a carrier wheel (3) on which suction devices (4) and grippers (5) are mounted, and transportation means (16), wherein the carrier wheel (3) is disposed below the stacking space (1) in such a manner that the suction devices (4), rotating with the carrier wheel (3), can consecutively take hold of an edge region of the object (2) at the bottom of the stack and bend it downward into the jaws of the following gripper (5), and in such a manner that the object (2) is then transported onward by the gripper (5) and can be deposited on the transportation means (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans-Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20100072028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for processing objects (100, 110) with a plurality of tools (20), as well as with a tool drive arrangement (30). The tools (20) in each case comprise at least one lever (21) as well as an acting element (22) which may cooperate with the object (100, 110). The levers (21) are pivotably attached on tool drive arrangement (30) on bearing points (23) and may be driven along a closed revolving path by way of the movement of the tool drive arrangement (30). The acting elements (22) are distanced to the bearing point (23). The pivot position of the levers (231) relative to the tool drive arrangement (30) may be set in dependence on their position along the revolving path with a guide mechanism. According to the invention, the guide mechanism (40) is adjustable, wherein different distances (d, d?) of adjacent acting elements may be realised in a predefined reference region by way of the adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20100012461
    Abstract: A method and a device for the conveyance of planar products (10, 10?, 20, 20?), in particular printed products, are provided wherein a product group (100) composed of at least two products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) is gripped by a gripper (42) in the area of a product edge (12, 12?, 22, 22?) and conveyed in a direction of conveyance (F2). At least one of the products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) is displaced relative to the other product or products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) in the product group (100) in a direction of displacement (A) defined by the gripped product edge (12, 12?, 22, 22?), such that in each case a projection (14, 24) is formed in the direction of displacement (A). Thus a first projection (14) is associated with at least one displaced product (10, 10?, 20, 20?) and a second projection (24) is associated with the remaining product or products (10, 10?, 20, 20?) of the product group (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Stauber, Konrad Auf der Maur
  • Publication number: 20090229434
    Abstract: A method and a device for trimming printed products (100) on the front edges (104) (frontal trimming) and/or on the lateral edges (106, 108) (head-foot-trimming). The products (100) are inserted into moved receiving compartments along a closed circuit (U), the compartments being open on at least one side, preferably on three sides and include blades (32, 42) moved along in this region, which act together with stationary counter blades (34, 44). The depth of insertion of the products (100) is restricted by a support (50) such that the front edges (104) of the products (100) are in the direct vicinity of the open side of the compartments (10), advantageously protruding with their front edges (104) over the moved along blades (32) for the frontal trimming. The edges (106, 108) of the products (100) extending perpendicular to the folded edge (102) are fixed prior to carrying out a trimming by means of a clamping and moving arrangement (20) and only released for the passing on of the printed product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 7581724
    Abstract: A device (10) for collecting and processing folded printed products (12) may be constructed with a collection drum (14) which is rotatingly driven about its drum axis (22) and provides first rests (18) with first saddles (20). The first rests are uniformly distributed over the circumference and extend in their longitudinal extension (L1) parallel to the drum axis (22). Conveyor elements convey the printed products (12) on the first saddles (20) in the axial direction (S) along the firsts rests (18). It may further use a conveyor (30) which has a conveyor path (31) with a conveyor direction (F) which at least in a transfer region (50) deviates from the axial direction (S) and which has second rests (32) movable in the conveyor path (31), with second saddles (34) arranged distanced to one another and arranged transversely to the conveying direction (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans-Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20090194930
    Abstract: For separating individual flat and bendable objects (2) from the underside of a stack of such objects (2), and for the onward transportation of &the objects, the invention provides a stacking space (1), a carrier wheel (3) on which suction devices (4) and grippers (5) are mounted, and transportation means (16), wherein the carrier wheel (3) is disposed below the stacking space (1) in such a manner that the suction devices (4), rotating with the carrier wheel (3), can consecutively take hold of an edge region of the object (2) at the bottom of the stack and bend it downward into the jaws of the following gripper (5), and in such a manner that the object (2) is then transported onward by the gripper (5) and can be deposited on the transportation means (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans-Ulrich Stauber
  • Publication number: 20080298641
    Abstract: Printed products are optionally processed in a preliminary stage (1) and a follow-up stage (2). The printed products are fed in a printed-product stream. The printed products, for optionally processing in the preliminary stage (1), are directed optionally, by means of a diverter (5), to different conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3), on which processing arrangements (10, 11, 12) are set up. The printed products are processed in the processing arrangements and then conveyed on. In an intermediate region, in which the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1) run parallel to one another and one beside the other, different conveying paths (7.1, 7.2) of the follow-up stage (2) can optionally be connected to the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1). Processing arrangements (13, 14) for optionally processing the printed products are also set up on the various conveying paths of the follow-up stage (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Hans Ulrich Stauber