Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Fechter

Wolfgang Fechter 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: 11345499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) for combining a plurality of articles (8) an outer package (6) formed from a cardboard blank (3). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises a magazine (2) for cardboard blanks (3), the cardboard blanks (3) being stacked and lying on top of one another within the magazine (2), a removal apparatus (4) for the cardboard blanks (3), and a handling device (5). The removal apparatus (4) is vertically and horizontally movable and comprises at least one suction tool (9) for withdrawing a cardboard blank (3) from the magazine (2). The suction tool (9) arranged pivotally movable within the removal apparatus (4) or on the removal apparatus (4) for executing a compensation movement and aligning the withdrawn cardboard blank (3) in a horizontal plane. The invention also concerns the removal apparatus (4) (3) and a method for withdrawing cardboard blanks (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Canalicchio, Rudolf Schrems, Wolfgang Fechter
  • Patent number: 11338537
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for transferring compartments (3) to outer packagings that comprises at least one stock of compartments (3), at least one transport path (5) for outer packagings, and a working system that is designed to remove compartments from the stock and that can insert compartments (3) removed from the stock into a respective associated outer packaging. The working system is designed for removing a plurality of compartments (3) from at least one specific stock, for moving the plurality of compartments (3) in the direction of the at least one transport path (5) in a temporally overlapping manner, and for inserting the plurality of compartments (3) into a respective outer packaging of the at least one transport path (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Markus Prinz
  • Publication number: 20200189779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) for combining a plurality of articles (8) an outer package (6) formed from a cardboard blank (3). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises a magazine (2) for cardboard blanks (3), the cardboard blanks (3) being stacked and lying on top of one another within the magazine (2), a removal apparatus (4) for the cardboard blanks (3), and a handling device (5). The removal apparatus (4) is vertically and horizontally movable and comprises at least one suction tool (9) for withdrawing a cardboard blank (3) from the magazine (2). The suction tool (9) arranged pivotally movable within the removal apparatus (4) or on the removal apparatus (4) for executing a compensation movement and aligning the withdrawn cardboard blank (3) in a horizontal plane. The invention also concerns the removal apparatus (4) (3) and a method for withdrawing cardboard blanks (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Christian CANALICCHIO, Rudolf SCHREMS, Wolfgang FECHTER
  • Patent number: 10647457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding device (10) for transporting an outer cardboard package (20) having folding lines and for folding at least one side flap (21) of the outer cardboard package (20). The folding device (10) comprises at least one conveyor system with a guiding unit (11) and with at least two transporting and folding shuttles (30) disposed on the guiding unit (11) for the transport of the outer cardboard packages (20) in a transport direction (TR). The at least two shuttles (30) are disposed in a row at the conveyor system and are transported in a transport direction (TR) through and/or by the conveyor system. Each shuttle (30) comprises its own, individually controllable drive (32) and further at least one folding unit (35) for folding over at least one side flap (21) of an outer cardboard package (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Christian Canalicchio, Martin Dietersberger, Wolfgang Fechter, Thomas Stadler, Andreas Triffo
  • Patent number: 10604291
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus (01) and a method for handling articles (02). The apparatus (01) includes a first conveyor (03) for supplying articles (02), a second conveyor (04) for supplying outer packagings (05), a third conveyor (06) for discharging filled outer packagings (07), and a placing surface (08) arranged between the second conveyor (04) and the third conveyor (06). The apparatus also includes a device (09) for transferring supplied outer packagings (05) from the second conveyor (04) to the placing surface (08), a device (10) for transferring articles (02) from the first conveyor (03) into outer packagings (05), and a device (11) for transferring filled outer packagings (07) from the placing surface (08) onto the third conveyor (06). The method places articles (02) into outer packagings (05), staged on a placing surface (08), from one or more article flows lined up one after the other uninterruptedly and/or with gaps between them and/or grouped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Roland Hofstetter
  • Publication number: 20190255797
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for transferring compartments (3) to outer packagings provided for articles. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one provision (9) for a respective stock of compartments (3) and at least one transport path (5) for outer packagings. The apparatus (1) further comprises a working system which is designed to remove compartments from a respective stock of the at least one provision (9) and which can introduce compartments (3) removed from a respective stock into a respective associated outer packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Alban HUTTER, Wolfgang FECHTER, Markus PRINZ
  • Publication number: 20190185190
    Abstract: A packaging device (1) for articles, such as beverage containers and the like, is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises a transport device (12), at least one transfer device (4), which can receive a packaging means already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7) and transfer it to the transport device (12), and at least one manipulator (30) designed for inserting articles into packaging means already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7). It is provided that the at least one transfer device (4) can align packaging means already unfolded into a cardboard box and/or outer packaging (7) and thereby orientate them, which orientation is adapted to the respective insertion of articles (3) via the at least one manipulator (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Wolfgang FECHTER, Christian CANALICCHIO
  • Patent number: 10322833
    Abstract: The method of the present invention removes at least a plurality of articles (02) arriving consecutively in a transport direction (FR) from an infeed (03), and subsequently, arranging and grouping the articles (02), while simultaneously lifting and collectively transferring the article (02) from the infeed (03) to a staging surface (04). At the staging area are one or more outer packagings (05), and into which the articles (02) are placed. Individually or groupwise, as seen in a direction in parallel to the transport direction (FR), the individual distances between the articles (02) corresponding to a defined arrangement (20) are increased and/or decreased, and finally, the articles (02) are simultaneously lowered and released into the one or a plurality of outer packagings (05). The apparatus of the present invention comprises an infeed (03) of articles (02) being transported, at least one staging surface (04) arranged next to the infeed (03).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Roland Hofstetter
  • Patent number: 10167099
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus (01) and a method for expanding and erecting collapsed or folded cardboard packagings (02) to a standing position. The method includes holding the topmost cardboard packaging (02), coming from above, at its top flat side (23) of a cardboard packaging wall (22) and removing it from a stack (41) of flatly collapsed cardboard packagings (02). Subsequently also holding the cardboard packaging (02), at its bottom flat side (24) from below, and increasing the vertical distance between the top flat side (23), and the bottom flat side (24), by oppositely pulling so far until the cardboard packaging (02) has been expanded. Then releasing the top flat side (23) of the cardboard packaging (02), and rotating the lying, expanded set of cardboard packaging (02) still being held at its bottom flat side (24), where the rotating is about a horizontal pivoting axis (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Jens Losert
  • Publication number: 20180222608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding device (10) for transporting an outer cardboard package (20) having folding lines and for folding at least one side flap (21) of the outer cardboard package (20). The folding device (10) comprises at least one conveyor system with a guiding unit (11) and with at least two transporting units (30) disposed on the guiding unit (11) for the transport of the outer cardboard packages (20) in a transport direction (TR). The at least two transporting units (30) are disposed in a row at the conveyor system and are transported in transport direction (TR) through and/or by the conveyor system. Each transporting unit (30) comprises an own, individually controllable drive (32) and further at least one folding unit (35) for folding over at least one side flap (21) of an outer cardboard package (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Alban HUTTER, Christian CANALICCHIO, Martin DIETERSBERGER, Wolfgang FECHTER, Thomas STADLER, Andreas TRIFFO
  • Publication number: 20160137326
    Abstract: The method of the present invention removes at least a plurality of articles (02) arriving consecutively in a transport direction (FR) from an infeed (03), and subsequently, arranging and grouping the articles (02), while simultaneously lifting and collectively transferring the article (02) from the infeed (03) to a staging surface (04). At the staging area are one or more outer packagings (05), and into which the articles (02) are placed. Individually or groupwise, as seen in a direction in parallel to the transport direction (FR), the individual distances between the articles (02) corresponding to a defined arrangement (20) are increased and/or decreased, and finally, the articles (02) are simultaneously lowered and released into the one or a plurality of outer packagings (05). The apparatus of the present invention comprises an infeed (03) of articles (02) being transported, at least one staging surface (04) arranged next to the infeed (03).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Roland Hofstetter
  • Publication number: 20160107781
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus (01) and a method for handling articles (02). The apparatus (01) includes a first conveyor (03) for supplying articles (02),a second conveyor (04) for supplying outer packagings (05), a third conveyor (06) for discharging filled outer packagings (07), and a placing surface (08) arranged between the second conveyor (04) and the third conveyor (06). The apparatus also includes a device (09) for transferring supplied outer packagings (05) from the second conveyor (04) to the placing surface (08), a device (10) for transferring articles (02) from the first conveyor (03) into outer packagings (05), and a device (11) for transferring filled outer packagings (07) from the placing surface (08) onto the third conveyor (06). The method places articles (02) into outer packagings (05), staged on a placing surface (08), from one or more article flows lined up one after the other uninterruptedly and/or with gaps between them and/or grouped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Roland Hofstetter
  • Publication number: 20160107408
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus (01) and a method for expanding and erecting collapsed or folded cardboard packagings (02) to a standing position. The method includes holding the topmost cardboard packaging (02), coming from above, at its top flat side (23) of a cardboard packaging wall (22) and removing it from a stack (41) of flatly collapsed cardboard packagings (02). Subsequently also holding the cardboard packaging (02), at its bottom flat side (24) from below, and increasing the vertical distance between the top flat side (23), and the bottom flat side (24), by oppositely pulling so far until the cardboard packaging (02) has been expanded. Then releasing the top flat side (23) of the cardboard packaging (02), and rotating the lying, expanded set of cardboard packaging (02) still being held at its bottom flat side (24), where the rotating is about a horizontal pivoting axis (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Jens Losert
  • Publication number: 20160107782
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus (01) and a method for handling articles (02). The apparatus (01) includes a first conveyor (03) for the supply of articles (02), a second conveyor (04) for the supply of outer packagings (05), and a third conveyor (06) for the discharge of outer packagings items (07). The apparatus also includes a placing surface (08) formed by a section (62, 60) of the third conveyor (06) and arranged between the first conveyor (03) and the second conveyor (04). A transfer device (09) for the transferring of supplied outer packagings (05) from the second conveyor (04) to the placing surface (08), and a transplacing device (10) for transferring articles (02) from the first conveyor (03) into outer packagings (05) having been transferred onto the placing surface (08) are also included. The method includes placing articles (02) into outer packagings (05) staged on a placing surface (08), where the articles (02) are supplied from one or more article flows of articles (02).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Alban Hutter, Wolfgang Fechter, Roland Hofstetter