Patents by Inventor Alfred Wipf

Alfred Wipf 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: 20150136564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device for feeding products (12a-k) and/or stacks of products (14a-k) to a packaging process of a packaging machine (16a, 16d-k), in particular of a horizontal tube packaging machine, comprising a guide unit (22a-k) which is disposed as a closed loop (18a, 18c-k) and on which a plurality of arranged conveyor elements (22a-k) are arranged so as to be drivable mutually independently in a speed- and/or position-controlled manner at least along at least one working section (24a, 24c-d, 24f-k) of the guide unit (20a-d, 20f-k). At least one conveyor element (22a-k) has a holder (26a-k), and at least one conveyor element (22a-k) that follows contrary to a conveying direction (28a, 28c-k) has a counter holder (30a-k).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Marc Hurni, Hansruedi Wanner, Philipp Kathan, Markus Landolt, Alfred Wipf
  • Publication number: 20150047296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a horizontal transverse sealing unit, in particular for a horizontal tubular bag machine for sealing at least one tubular film around at least one object to be packaged, having a first and a second rotational axis (18a, 20a) which are parallel to each other and at least two sealing jaw pairs (26a, 28a and 30a, 32a) which are each formed by at least one sealing jaw (26a, 30a) rotating around the first rotation axis (18a) and at least one sealing jaw (28a, 32a) rotating around the second rotation axis (20a), such that, during a sealing process, the sealing jaws (26a, 28a) of a sealing jaw pair (26a, 28a) approach each other and material layers can be sealed between the sealing jaws (26a, 28a) under exertion of pressure. According to the invention, at least two independently drivable sealing drives of the horizontal transverse sealing unit are provided to drive at least two sealing jaw pairs (pair 26a, 28a and pair 30a, 32a) independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hauke Schneider, Peter Blanz, Tobias Bechtel, Rolf Steinemann, Alfred Wipf
  • Patent number: 8727205
    Abstract: A reclosable pack according to the invention has a container with a covering film or foil as a closure part which covers a removal opening, which closure part is at least partially connected to the container, by a permanent adhesive, via an edge region adjoining the removal opening, and is made from a flexible material. Advantageously it is therefore possible to detach the closure part in order to release the removal opening by pulling in the pulling direction of the container and to place it back on the container in the opposite direction in order to reclose the removal opening. The container is surrounded by an outer pack which can be displaced in relation to the container in the pulling direction and in the opposite direction, and the closure part is fastened to the outer pack such that the release and reclosing of the removal opening can be controlled by displacing the outer pack in the pulling direction or in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf
  • Publication number: 20140102617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the transverse position of at least one sealing section (1, 2) on a packaging material (4), in particular a film wrapping, and/or the transverse position of the packaging material (4), wherein the packaging material (4) is displaced along a running direction (L), wherein the transverse position of the at least one sealing section (1, 2) or the packaging material (4) relative to the running direction (L) is detected by means of at least one sensor unit (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventors: Hansjoerg Hutter, Markus Wehrli, Alfred Wipf
  • Publication number: 20140057769
    Abstract: A splicing method serves for connecting an active film web (2) which is wound up on a first reel (4) to a passive film web (3) which is wound up on a further reel (8). The active film web (2) is unwound from the first reel (4) and is fed to at least one processing station. When a remaining film quantity of the active film web (2) is reached on the first reel (4), the active film web (2) is spliced or connected to the passive film web (3), with the result that the passive film web is pulled by the active film web (2) into the at least one processing station and therefore changes from the passive film web into the active film web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Steinemann, Jan Thaerigen, Markus Wehrli, Alfred Wipf
  • Patent number: 8490368
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Duff Design Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Wood, Adrian James David Howson, Ian Dunckley, Cyrille Fuellemann, Alfred Wipf, Daniel Kummer
  • Patent number: 8448414
    Abstract: A method for packaging products including the steps of delivering an initial packaging material to a package assembly line; reshaping the initial packaging material into self-supporting initial packages; packaging the products in these initial packages; delivering second packaging material to the package assembly line and packaging the initial packages, filled with the products, in the second packaging material. The initial packaging material is delivered in the form of strip stock which is converted in the package assembly line into individual package blanks; and reshaped into the initial packages. This makes packaging possible in the shortest possible time, with nevertheless high flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf
  • Publication number: 20120085623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transferring products from a feeder conveyor belt (10) to a discharge conveyor belt (12), comprising a linear motor having conveyor elements (14) which are movably guided on a guide and have grippers (18) for the temporary accommodation of products (20). The guide is designed as a linear guide section (13), and the conveyor elements (14) can be moved back and forth on the guide section (13) for picking up and putting down the products (20). When products (20) are conveyed consecutively in a row in the conveying direction (z) of the feeder conveyor belt (10), the feeder conveyor belt (10), the discharge conveyor belt (12) and the guide section (13) are arranged in parallel next to one another, at least in one lateral overlapping area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf
  • Patent number: 8096409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting apparatus for transporting products, which includes a linear drive mechanism, a continuous conveyor system, having two parallel straight conveyor regions and two curved conveyor regions each connecting one end of the straight conveyor regions, and a plurality of conveyor elements. The conveyor elements extend along the continuous conveyor system and convey the products to be conveyed along at least a portion of the conveyor system while being guided along a guide path. The linear drive mechanism includes a first linear segment and a second linear segment, which are disposed parallel to the straight conveyor regions. The curved conveyor regions of the conveyor system are advantageously embodied as driveless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Heinrich Loecht, Martin Siering
  • Publication number: 20110266180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular bag packaging (10) for tabular piece goods (14) made of a film-like packaging material (12) having a front packaging side (16), a rear packaging side (18) comprising a longitudinal seam (20), two transverse seams (22, 24) transverse to the longitudinal seam (20) disposed at a distance from each other, and at least one linear or lamellar separating area extending on the front packaging side (16) parallel to the longitudinal seam (20) as a tear open feature for opening the packaging. The packaging material (12) is separated in the separating area parallel to the longitudinal seam (20), disposed overlapping and releasably connected, forming at least one separable longitudinal seam (26) in the overlapping area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Norbert Hoechst
  • Publication number: 20110139864
    Abstract: A reclosable pack according to the invention has a container with a covering film or foil as a closure part which covers a removal opening, which closure part is at least partially connected to the container, by a permanent adhesive, via an edge region adjoining the removal opening, and is made from a flexible material. Advantageously it is therefore possible to detach the closure part in order to release the removal opening by pulling in the pulling direction of the container and to place it back on the container in the opposite direction in order to reclose the removal opening. The container is surrounded by an outer pack which can be displaced in relation to the container in the pulling direction and in the opposite direction, and the closure part is fastened to the outer pack such that the release and reclosing of the removal opening can be controlled by displacing the outer pack in the pulling direction or in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf
  • Publication number: 20110078983
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: DUFF DESIGN LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Wood, Adrian James David Howson, Ian Dunckley, Cyrille Fuellemann, Alfred Wipf, Daniel Kummer
  • Patent number: 7870705
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Duff Design Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Wood, Adrian James David Howson, Ian Dunckley, Cyrille Fuellemann, Alfred Wipf, Daniel Kummer
  • Publication number: 20100084247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting apparatus for transporting products, which includes a linear drive mechanism, a continuous conveyor system, having two parallel straight conveyor regions and two curved conveyor regions each connecting one end of the straight conveyor regions, and a plurality of conveyor elements. The conveyor elements extend along the continuous conveyor system and convey the products to be conveyed along at least a portion of the conveyor system while being guided along a guide path. The linear drive mechanism includes a first linear segment and a second linear segment, which are disposed parallel to the straight conveyor regions. The curved conveyor regions of the conveyor system are advantageously embodied as driveless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Heinrich Loecht, Martin Siering
  • Patent number: 7681375
    Abstract: A horizontal bag-making machine having a packaging material delivery unit, a product delivery unit, and a folding, sealing, and separating unit for folding the packaging material into a tube, sealing the folded packaging material in the directions transverse and parallel to a conveying direction and for cutting the packaging material into individual bag packages also has a tear-open assistance unit located in the conveying direction between the product delivery unit and the folding, sealing, and separating unit. The tear-open assistance unit produces an overlap of material in the separation region, the overlap of material extending at least approximately transversely to the conveying direction of the packaging material, and releasably fixes the overlap of material in the separation region. The bag packages produced in this way are easy to open yet are still in accordance with stringent hygiene regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Thomas Reissig, Daniel Moreno Horn
  • Publication number: 20090139187
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a band-driven package or a band-drive component for a package, and machines for performing the methods. One method comprises feeding first and second flexible webs in a feed direction, one web being fed each side of a substrate such that the webs are in mutual face-to-face disposition ahead of and behind the substrate with respect to the feed direction; joining the face-to-face webs at a first join ahead of the substrate and at a second join behind the substrate, the joins bounding web portions that together encircle the substrate between the joins; and dividing the joined web portions from the remainder of the webs such that the joined web portions together define a band that encircles the substrate, to be slid around the substrate in use of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: DUFF DESIGN LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Wood, Adrian James David Howson, Ian Dunckley, Cyrille Fuellemann, Alfred Wipf, Daniel Kummer
  • Publication number: 20080028731
    Abstract: A method for packaging products including the steps of delivering an initial packaging material to a package assembly line; reshaping the initial packaging material into self-supporting initial packages; packaging the products in these initial packages; delivering second packaging material to the package assembly line and packaging the initial packages, filled with the products, in the second packaging material. The initial packaging material is delivered in the form of strip stock which is converted in the package assembly line into individual package blanks; and reshaped into the initial packages. This makes packaging possible in the shortest possible time, with nevertheless high flexibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf
  • Publication number: 20070220838
    Abstract: A horizontal bag-making machine having a packaging material delivery unit, a product delivery unit, and a folding, sealing, and separating unit for folding the packaging material into a tube, sealing the folded packaging material in the directions transverse and parallel to a conveying direction and for cutting the packaging material into individual bag packages also has a tear-open assistance unit located in the conveying direction between the product delivery unit and the folding, sealing, and separating unit. The tear-open assistance unit produces an overlap of material in the separation region, the overlap of material extending at least approximately transversely to the conveying direction of the packaging material, and releasably fixes the overlap of material in the separation region. The bag packages produced in this way are easy to open yet are still in accordance with stringent hygiene regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Thomas Reissig, Daniel Moreno Horn
  • Patent number: 6711880
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding piece goods (P) to a tubular-bag packaging station (4) has a feed conveyer (1) for feeding the piece goods (P) and a packaging-material-web conveyer (5) for conveying the packaging-material web (50) to the packaging station (4). A position-detecting unit (2) serves for detecting the piece goods (P) conveyed on the feed conveyer (1). Furthermore, at least one gripping unit (3) is provided for removing the piece goods (P) from the feed conveyer (1) and for depositing the piece goods (P′) directly or indirectly in a predetermined position on the packaging-material web (50), it being possible to convey the piece goods (P′) from the packaging-material web (50) to the packaging station (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AG
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Thomas Strasser
  • Patent number: 6591963
    Abstract: Storage apparatus has a carriage which can be displaced along a conveying plane, while deflecting rollers subdivide an endless conveyer into a storage strand and an idle strand. A first deflector deflects the idle strand from the conveying plane into a parallel plane spaced apart therefrom while a second deflector is used to transfer the deflected idle strand into the storage strand. The storage apparatus provides space-saving and high-capacity storage without belt crossovers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AG
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf