Patents by Inventor Oliver Kutzer

Oliver Kutzer 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: 7832721
    Abstract: A method for separating objects from a stack in a stream of objects, in which the objects are removed from the stack with a removal device, and overlapping objects are separated from one another with a separating device. To achieve reliable separation with a low double removal rate, a plurality of traction devices grip both sides of the removed object and are driven in the transport direction at different forward driving speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Kutzer, Hauke Lübben, Michael Schwarzbauer
  • Patent number: 7644915
    Abstract: A device for withdrawing flat items of mail from a decollating section includes conveyor belts, and guide rollers. The conveyor belts extend around guide rollers and act unilaterally upon upright items of mail. The guide rollers are individually mounted, and, at an exit of the decollating section, are rotatably disposed jointly with transfer rollers of an adjoining transfer region, which are driven independently of the conveyor belts on a common guide axle. On a side of the conveying path pressure rollers are provided at a level of the transfer rollers, which press the items against the transfer rollers. The pressure rollers are mounted pivotably at a locally fixed fulcrum, which is situated in withdrawal direction upstream thereof and laterally offset from a conveying channel, and in which rollers driven synchronously with the transfer rollers are rotatably mounted. Belts forming an inlet extend over the pressure rollers and the driven rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schwarzbauer, Oliver Kutzer
  • Publication number: 20090218751
    Abstract: A method for separating objects from a stack in a stream of objects, in which the objects are removed from the stack with a removal device, and overlapping objects are separated from one another with a separating device. To achieve reliable separation with a low double removal rate, a plurality of traction devices grip both sides of the removed object and are driven in the transport direction at different forward driving speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIEGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Oliver Kutzer, Hauke Lubben, Michael Schwarzbauer
  • Publication number: 20090189332
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating overlapping parcels in a vertical position has separating sections arranged along a transport path immediately behind one another, and a drive controller for the separating sections. Drives of those separating sections, in which the most advanced upstream parcel is located are stopped immediately as soon as its front edge is detected in a reception position and a slip-free further transport is securely guaranteed. Number and length of the separating sections are selected in accordance with the range of parcel lengths and the rated transport speed so that a subsequent parcel located at a minimum gap distance is not yet located in the upstream rearmost stopped separating section. The drive of each stopped separating section is started again as soon as the rear edge of the preceding parcel has left this separating section or as soon as the subsequent parcel is located before a free separating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schwarzbauer, Hauke Luebben, Oliver Kutzer
  • Patent number: 7537207
    Abstract: In a device for singulating vertically positioned flat mailings from a stack of mail, at least two discharge rockers are disposed on top of one another, wherein the discharge rockers are adjacent to revolving second discharge belts that are arranged in a fixed manner along the path of travel. A supporting element in relation to which the stack of mail is aligned ends at a defined distance from the undeflected discharge rockers. A flexible, elongated retaining element is arranged in a resiliently pressed manner from the end of the supporting element to the beginning of the second discharge belts located downstream of the discharge rockers and further on to the discharge rockers and to further discharge belts of successive singulating stages. The distance of the supporting element from the leading end of the second discharge belts relative to the direction of travel is greater than the maximum permissible length of a mailing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Kutzer, Hauke Lübben, Michael Schwarzbauer
  • Publication number: 20090028678
    Abstract: A device for discharging a stack of flat objects standing on their narrow faces, in particular a stack of mail items, includes a stack holder with a base for holding the objects and a supporting element supporting the stack. The supporting element is a platform-type wall, preferably with recesses, into which a further supporting element with inverted recesses can pass. The stack holder can be pivoted about an axis of rotation and its base has a conveyor. This ensures that stack quality is preserved during the complete discharging process. The ergonomics of the device are also improved for its operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Oliver Kutzer
  • Publication number: 20090008863
    Abstract: A device for withdrawing flat items of mail from a decollating section includes conveyor belts, and guide rollers. The conveyor belts extend around guide rollers and act unilaterally upon upright items of mail. The guide rollers are individually mounted, and, at an exit of the decollating section, are rotatably disposed jointly with transfer rollers of an adjoining transfer region, which are driven independently of the conveyor belts on a common guide axle. On a side of the conveying path pressure rollers are provided at a level of the transfer rollers, which press the items against the transfer rollers. The pressure rollers are mounted pivotably at a locally fixed fulcrum, which is situated in withdrawal direction upstream thereof and laterally offset from a conveying channel, and in which rollers driven synchronously with the transfer rollers are rotatably mounted. Belts forming an inlet extend over the pressure rollers and the driven rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Schwarzbauer, Oliver Kutzer
  • Publication number: 20080211168
    Abstract: In an apparatus for separating flat articles of a stack, operating elements of one side of a transport path are fastened on a sliding plate which, in the individual-separation state, is moved away from the transport path and back again and is driven in a controlled manner. In the event of a fault warning from a sensor set-up for determining fault states during the individual-separation process, transport elements moving the articles along the transport path are stopped, and the sliding plate is moved into an individual-separation position for opening the transport path and, after a short time, for re-closing the transport path. After closing of the transport path, the transport elements resume their transport operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Kutzer, Michael Schwarzbauer
  • Patent number: 7347417
    Abstract: To detect overlapping flat mailpieces in a transport path that are transported vertically in succession at least two transport stages are successively arranged. Each transport stage has a nominal speed, wherein the nominal speed of a following transport stage in a transport direction is higher than the nominal speed of the preceding transport stage. A speed of the transported mailpieces is measured by scanning the items in front of a following transport stage for a maximum distance that is shorter than a shortest agreed mailpiece length by means of two sensors. Measured results are evaluated if a sensor measures a speed that deviates only slightly by a defined small value from the nominal speed of the following transport stage. An overlap is detected if simultaneously measured speeds of the two sensors are different and a smaller measured speed deviates from a greater speed by a defined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Kutzer
  • Publication number: 20070267802
    Abstract: In successive acceleration stages, the nominal take-off speed of the take-off elements in each acceleration stage is higher than the nominal take-off speed of the take-off elements of the respective preceding acceleration stage in the direction of transport. In the respective acceleration stage, the speed of the consignment lying on the take-off element(s) is measured by a sensor T1 positioned on the side of the take-off element. As soon as the speed of the consignment lying on the take-off element, which is measured in the feed region of each acceleration stage by the sensor positioned on the side of the take-off element, deviates by a defined value from the nominal speed of the take-off element in the acceleration stage, i.e., as soon as the consignment is received in the acceleration stage practically without slippage, the speed of the take-off element of the preceding acceleration stage is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELISCHAFT
    Inventor: Oliver Kutzer
  • Publication number: 20070252321
    Abstract: In a device for singulating vertically positioned flat mailings from a stack of mail, at least two discharge rockers are disposed on top of one another, wherein the discharge rockers are adjacent to revolving second discharge belts that are arranged in a fixed manner along the path of travel. A supporting element in relation to which the stack of mail is aligned ends at a defined distance from the undeflected discharge rockers. A flexible, elongated retaining element is arranged in a resiliently pressed manner from the end of the supporting element to the beginning of the second discharge belts located downstream of the discharge rockers and further on to the discharge rockers and to further discharge belts of successive singulating stages. The distance of the supporting element from the leading end of the second discharge belts relative to the direction of travel is greater than the maximum permissible length of a mailing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Oliver Kutzer, Hauke Lubben, Michael Schwarzbauer
  • Publication number: 20070164507
    Abstract: To detect overlapping flat mailpieces in a transport path that are transported vertically in succession at least two transport stages are successively arranged. Each transport stage has a nominal speed, wherein the nominal speed of a following transport stage in a transport direction is higher than the nominal speed of the preceding transport stage. A speed of the transported mailpieces is measured by scanning the items in front of a following transport stage for a maximum distance that is shorter than a shortest agreed mailpiece length by means of two sensors. Measured results are evaluated if a sensor measures a speed that deviates only slightly by a defined small value from the nominal speed of the following transport stage. An overlap is detected if simultaneously measured speeds of the two sensors are different and a smaller measured speed deviates from a greater speed by a defined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Oliver Kutzer