Patents Assigned to Krones AG
  • Patent number: 12291405
    Abstract: A device for intermediately storing and conveying containers in at least one conveying direction includes a multi-row intermediate storage device. The device also includes container outlet lanes arranged, in a conveying direction, downstream of the multi-row intermediate storage device. The device also includes at least one movable container outlet link each configured to receive containers from at least one row of the multi-row intermediate storage device, and to discharge and distribute the containers to a plurality of the container outlet lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Seger, Michael Jogsch, Reiner Kahl, Nicolò Verza
  • Patent number: 12180055
    Abstract: A method and a device for hot-filling a liquid product with a flash pasteurizer comprising a first and a second heat exchanger, a filling station, a cooling tunnel for cooling filled containers, and a heat pump. Prior to the filling process, the product is heated to a target temperature in the flash pasteurizer. Coolant is conducted from the cooling tunnel to the second heat exchanger, so that at least a part of the thermal energy of the coolant can be transferred to the product. The product is then conducted from the first to the second heat exchanger, wherein a further part of the thermal energy can be transferred to the second heat exchanger by the heat pump using a heat transfer medium to heat the product to the target temperature. The heat transfer medium is additionally heated by a heater arranged between the heat pump and the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Thomas Oehmichen
  • Patent number: 11815878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container-processing system and to a method having safety-oriented management of settings for a container-processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Theodor Bielmeier, Timo Pronold, Pino-Guiseppe Palumbo, Thomas Stauber, Stefan Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11809167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container processing system (10A-10U) for processing containers (12). The container processing system (10A-10U) has a plurality of processing units (22) for processing the containers (12) and a planar drive system (14) for transporting the containers (12). The planar drive system (14) is configured to move the plurality of movement devices (18) individually to a selection of the plurality of processing units (22) according to in each case one of a plurality of processing profiles for different container processing, wherein each of the plurality of processing profiles has a different selection of the plurality of processing units (22). The container processing system (10A-10U) advantageously allows flexible processing of different containers (different formats, contents, designs, bundles, packages, etc.) from a lot size of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Stefan Scherl, August Peutl, Heinrich Bielmeier, Florian Lauterbach, Roland Laumer, Stefan Elsperger, Michael Neubauer, Alexander Kaiser, Wolfgang Roidl, Frank Winzinger
  • Patent number: 11787216
    Abstract: A method for producing a relief-like printed image on containers is described in which print layers are layered onto one another by way of jet application of a printing paint, an ink, a varnish, or an adhesive from at least one print head onto a container, thereby producing elevated regions of the printed image. Due to the fact that the print layers are each applied in full tone printing, optical and haptic effects can be created on container surfaces with low equipment complexity and a minimal number of printing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Peggy Augst, Alexandra Lyashenko
  • Patent number: 11742642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable fixing device for a container handling system and to a method for setting a minimum bending radius for a connecting cable of a container handling system. The cable fixing device comprises a main body, a cable guide which is arranged around a part of the main body, and a cover for covering an end of the cable guide in such a way that a connecting cable, which is pre-assembled with plug-in devices at both ends, can be introduced between the cover and the cable guide. The cable guide is configured at its other end for fixing of the connecting cable in such a way that a looping angle of the cable fixing device and connecting cable can be set variably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Joerg Triebel, Reinhard Ortner, Robert Scheibenpflug
  • Patent number: 11697518
    Abstract: A device (1) handling articles comprises at least one work module (30), which can move packages with article placed on a first packaging type and at least one folding mechanism (45) used to erect back and/or front flaps of the first packaging type. Another component of the device (1) is at least one transport module (20), with a transport device (2), along which articles intended for packages of a second packaging type move, where the second packaging type differs from the first packaging type. The at least one folding mechanism (45) and the transport device (2) alternate between an operating position (BP) and a waiting position (WP). The operating positions (BP) and the waiting positions (WP) are configured such that the at least one folding mechanism (45) is disposed exclusively adjacent to the right side or to the left side of the transport means (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Krones Ag
    Inventors: Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler, Johann Luber, Stephan Wittmann
  • Patent number: 11643282
    Abstract: A method and a device for buffering containers grouped in a single row in a filling system are described. For this purpose, the containers are entered into storage on at least one infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on at least one outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. Due to the fact that the row pushers receive the containers in a single row in a guide channel formed/defined by an anterior row guide leading in the buffering direction and by a trailing posterior row guide, the groups of containers can be moved in the buffering direction and positioned precisely, quickly and secured against falling over without back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Alexander Demel, Christian Holzer, Franz Lautenschlager, Christian Richter, Konrad Senn, Peter Muehlstein, Torsten Kilgenstein, Helmut Schuesslburner
  • Patent number: 11577914
    Abstract: A method and device for treating containers with at least two container treatment machines, between which a transport device for transporting the containers is arranged, where the transport device is divided into several transport sections, where the flow of containers is changed from containers of type A to containers of type B, where a separating device is activated once the first transport section has run empty of containers of type A, where containers of the type B are transported into the first transport section and backed up at the separating device, while containers of type A are transported from the second transport section to the second container treatment machine, and where the separating device is deactivated once the second transport section has run empty of containers of the type A, so that the containers of type B are transported through the second transport section to the second container treatment machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Norbert Risse, Heinz Woelfel
  • Patent number: 11545884
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a stator module for a linear drive of a container-handling machine in the beverage processing industry, comprising a housing in which a core and at least one coil are arranged, wherein the stator module comprises a media supply for supplying a gas into the interior of the housing and the media supply is adapted to pressurize the interior of the housing, as well as a corresponding container-handling machine and a method of operating a container-handling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Michael Neubauer, Hartmut Davidson
  • Patent number: 11511951
    Abstract: A rotor for a long-stator linear motor system comprises at least three rollers for mounting the rotor on one or more guide rails of the long-stator linear motor system, the at least three rollers comprising a first roller that engages with an upper part of a first guide rail of the one or more guide rails, a second roller that engages with a lower part of the first guide rail, and a third roller that a) is rotatably mounted to at least one rotatable bolster of the rotor or b) comprises a steering rotational axis with an integrated castor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Alexander Hartung, Heiner Schaefer, Peter Zeiner, Konrad Senn, Torsten Kilgenstein, Stefan Elsperger, Michael Neubauer, Manfred Kieslinger
  • Patent number: 11505441
    Abstract: A method and a device are described for displacing air from bottles of carbonated beverages. Sound waves may be emitted from at least one sound source and propagate through the ambient air, penetrate through the mouths into the beverage and/or make the walls of the bottles vibrate so that CO2 is expelled from the beverage and the beverage foams in the headspace such that air contained therein is displaced through the mouth. The oxygen content in the beverage can thus be reduced flexibly and in an adjustable manner with comparatively little expenditure on equipment and for different bottle formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Simon Gebendorfer
  • Patent number: 11465859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch (1) of a transport system for a movable transport element (T), where the switch (1) comprises a main track (3) and a secondary track (4) branching off, where the movable transport element (T) can be guided from a transition region (2), in which the secondary track (4) branches off from the main track (3), optionally along the main track (3) or transferred into the secondary track (4), where one or more linear motor sections (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are respectively provided at the main track (3) and the secondary track (4) for moving the movable transport element (T), where a normal force is present between the movable transport element (T) and the adjacent linear motor section or the adjacent linear motor sections (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), characterized in that devices for altering the normal force are provided in the transition region. The invention also relates to a transport system comprising such a switch and a transport element for such a transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Davidson, Thomas Kiendl, Stefan Poeschl, Michael Neubauer, Martin Kammerl
  • Patent number: 11460199
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for climate control of an interior of a machine in a food and beverage industry. The device includes an air discharge system for discharging air from the interior of the machine. The air discharge system includes a first air extraction duct configured for first selective extraction of contaminated air or second selective extraction of high-temperature air or at least two separate air extraction ducts including a first air extraction duct configured for the first selective extraction of the contaminated air and a second air extraction duct configured for the second selective extraction of the high-temperature air. The device further includes an air supply system for supplying air to the interior of the machine. The supplied air includes at least one of fresh air or purified extracted air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: August Peutl, Franz Weigl, Valentin Becher
  • Patent number: 11377368
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing and providing sterile water comprising an inlet for process water; a recuperator for preheating process water and for cooling down the sterile water; a heating circuit comprising a pump, a heater for heating preheated process water and a heat retention section for keeping heated process water hot; a temperature sensor for measuring a current temperature of the sterile water leaving the heat retention section; a flow control valve located downstream of the temperature sensor; and a bypass between the flow control valve and the heater. The flow control valve keeps a volume flow in the heating circuit constant, the recuperator cools down the sterile water of a first partial volume flow, when such a first partial volume flow of sterile water is taken from the heating circuit, the bypass returns into the heating circuit a second partial volume flow of sterile water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Christian Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11358077
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bottle treatment machine including a pump/nozzle protector in the form of a screen. The screen includes an at least partially perforated surface and the screen is provided for passing a liquid of the bottle treatment machine therethrough. The bottle treatment machine further includes at least one scraper which rests at least partially on the at least partially perforated surface of the screen. The screen and the at least one scraper are arranged to be rotatable relative to one another. The present disclosure further relates to a method for cleaning the screen of the bottle treatment machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Jan Muenzer, Michael Schubert
  • Patent number: 11318492
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hot glue unit for a labeling machine in the beverage processing industry. The hot glue unit includes a housing, a glue roller disposed in an interior of the housing, a glue container, and a filter unit including an extractor connected to the housing. The extractor is to extract gases from the interior of the housing and supply the gases to the filter unit before the gases are to exit the hot glue unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Aumer, Elmar Reese, Gabriel Seibold, Konrad Senn, Soeren Meissner, Christian Holzer, Bernd Schroll
  • Patent number: 11224240
    Abstract: A device for pasteurizing and filling medium into containers includes a short time heating system for pasteurizing the medium, a single buffer container downstream of the short time heating system for receiving the medium, and a rotary filling device downstream of the buffer container. The filling device is connected to the buffer container in a buffer-free manner and pipes and/or one or more rotary distributors are disposed between the filling device and the buffer container. A method for pasteurizing and filling medium into containers, where filling the containers with the medium is performed by way of a device in a buffer-free manner using a filling device, includes: pasteurizing the medium in the short time heating system, buffering the pasteurized medium in the buffer container, and filling the pasteurized medium into the containers. The pasteurized medium is transported in a buffer-free manner from the buffer container to the filling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Roland Feilner, Torsten Runge, Stefan Hoeller, Thomas Oehmichen
  • Patent number: 11220448
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for enriching silicate content in drinking water that includes separating raw water via reverse osmosis into a permeate comprising demineralised raw water and a retentate comprising mineral enriched raw water. The permeate is mixed with a water glass solution comprising sodium silicate and/or potassium silicate. An ion exchange process is used to reduce the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions in at least part of the mixture. At least part of the retentate is supplied to the mixture after reducing the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions to provide a silicate-enriched drinking water. Also disclosed is an apparatus for producing a drinking water enriched with silicate. The apparatus includes a reverse osmosis unit, a mixing unit, an ion exchanger, and a feed unit for feeding at least part of the retentate to the mixture after reducing the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Dirk Scheu
  • Patent number: D970342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Laura Wittmann