Patents by Inventor Andreas Christel

Andreas Christel 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: 20050248052
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein synthetic materials and elastomers (e.g., PET or rubber) can be carefully processed with throughput amounts which are so high as to improve the quality of the final product and increase the cost-effectiveness 0of the entire process. Process tasks such as mixing, cooling/heating (heat exchange) and de-gassing (exchange of materials) can be carried out simultaneously and with greater efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Achim-Philipp Sturm, Jurgen Schweikle, Andreas Christel, Christoph Naf, Federico Innerebner
  • Publication number: 20050105382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple-screw extruder that comprises a first process chamber (1) and a second process chamber (2). In the degassing zones of said extruder, at least the first process chamber is provided with at least one degassing opening. The radius R of the conveyor element in the degassing zones, in at least one conveyor element (7; 9) of at least one screw (5, 7; 5, 9) configured as a passage screw, in a subsection configured as a passage subsection (71a, 71e; 91a, 91e), along the peripheral direction of the at least one conveyor element (7; 9) is by ?R smaller than the full radius Rv of the conveyor element (6; 8) required for the mutual stripping of adhering product in a closely intermeshing screw operation with die adjacent conveyor elements (6; 8) of adjacent conventional screws (5, 6; 5, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: BUHLER AG
    Inventors: Achim-Phillipp Sturm, Jurgen Schweikle, Andreas Christel, Federico Innerebner
  • Patent number: 6841656
    Abstract: A method for processing a polycondensate to give a granulate formed as pellets is disclosed, whereby the polycondensate is fused in the course of the method and then later resolidified. In an exemplary method, a total time during which the temperature of the polycondensate is above the melting point thereof is less than about 60 seconds. This method can be carried out by a multi-shaft extruder, whereby the degrassing and/or drying of the polycondensate in the solid state occurs at a pressure below atmospheric pressure and/or with addition of an inert gas. The time period, during which the polycondensate remains in the extruder, after being melted therein, amounts to, for example, less than about 15 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Christel, Jürgen Schweikle
  • Publication number: 20050001350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-shaft extruder for the continuous treatment and/or processing of bulk material, especially a powdery, granular or flocculent product, comprising a plurality of shafts (3) which are arranged in a crown-like manner in a cavity (1) of an extruder housing (2), said shafts extending parallel to the axial direction (A) of the extruder and forming an inner processing chamber (1a) inside the crown, and an outer processing chamber (1b) outside the crown. Each shaft carries a number of axially successive processing elements (4), at least part of the same being elements (4a; 4c; 4e) having a transporting effect, and with which adjacent shafts engage in a sealed manner at least in partial regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Federico Innerebner, Andreas Christel, Achim-Philipp Sturm, Jurgen Schweikle
  • Publication number: 20050004341
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein to reduce and/or eliminate agglomerations and deformations of pellets comprised of crystallizable thermoplastic polymer material during a crystallization or crystallization of the pellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Brent-Allan Culbert, Andreas Christel
  • Publication number: 20040262807
    Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein synthetic materials and elastomers (e.g., PET or rubber) can be carefully processed with throughput amounts which are so high as to improve the quality of the final product and increase the cost-effectiveness of the entire process. Process tasks such as mixing, cooling/heating (heat exchange) and de-gasing (exchange of materials) can be carried out simultaneously and with greater efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: BUHLER, AG
    Inventors: Achim-Philipp Sturm, Jurgen Schweikle, Andreas Christel, Christoph Naf, Federico Innerebner
  • Publication number: 20040192857
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a modified polyester having improved rheological and mechanical properties. The method is characterised in that a polyester is mixed with a hyperbranched polymer (HBP), they are then melted down, the melted mixture is cooled to form a solid, and the solid mixture is then subjected to a solid phase postcondensation. A product is also disclosed which is produced according to the method, the postcondensed mixture being processed to form the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: BUHLER AG
    Inventors: Camille Borer, Andreas Christel, Jan-Anders E. Manson, Yves Leterrier
  • Patent number: 6730774
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for decontaminating polycondensates, such as RPET or similar polymeric materials, in particular comminuted PET bottles. The object is to simplify existing recycling processes. This is achieved by comminuting used PET products to give flakes, and cleaning these flakes. The flakes are further decontaminated immediately and continuously in a hot gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Christel, Camille Borer, Thomas Hersperger
  • Publication number: 20040006195
    Abstract: A method for processing a polycondensate to give a granulate formed as pellets is disclosed, whereby the polycondensate is fused in the course of the method and then later resolidified. In an exemplary method, a total time during which the temperature of the polycondensate is above the melting point thereof is less than about 60 seconds. This method can be carried out by a multi-shaft extruder, whereby the degrassing and/or drying of the polycondensate in the solid state occurs at a pressure below atmospheric pressure and/or with addition of an inert gas. The time period, during which the polycondensate remains in the extruder, after being melted therein, amounts to, for example, less than about 15 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Buhler, AG
    Inventors: Andreas Christel, Jurgen Schweikle
  • Patent number: 6012628
    Abstract: A protective box for a food tray. The food tray has a base, a generally upright, contiguous wall attached to the base, and a circumferential flange attached to an upper edge of the wall. The protective box typically has three or more, generally upright walls, and a device for holding the food tray within the box so that the flange of the food tray is separated from at least two of the upright walls of the protective box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Lawson Mardon Thermaplate Corporation
    Inventors: Mahmood A. Shaikh, Andreas Christel
  • Patent number: 5770274
    Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing extrusion-coated laminates, which comprises subjecting the surface of an extruded film to a corona discharge treatment while the film is in a partially molten state in order to improve the adhesion of the film to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignees: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd., Softal Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Christel
  • Patent number: 5676791
    Abstract: The invention describes a device and a process for producing extrusion-coated laminates. The extrusion device contains an extruder nozzle with nozzle lip, a cooling roller and a contact roller, wherein the cooling roller and the contact roller form a roller gap and the extruder nozzle is directed towards the roller gap. A melt of thermoplastic plastics, which enters the roller gap while forming a coating film and is joined to a substrate film in the roller gap, emerges from the nozzle lip. A device for improving the adhesion of the coating film to the substrate is thus disposed in the region between the extruder nozzle and the roller gap at a slight distance from the film. The device is a corona treatment station which has a discharge electrode at high voltage and an electrically earthed counter-electrode on only one side of the coating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Andreas Christel
  • Patent number: 5522506
    Abstract: Lidding film, without metal foil, for lidding push-through forms of packaging, where the lidding film contains at least one polyolefin-based or polyester-based thermoplastic and the thermoplastic contains 5 to 50 wt % filler material. With the aid of a sealing layer the lidding film can, if desired, be sealed onto the bottom part of a push-through form of packaging or blister pack. The lidding film is inelastic to such a degree that the packaged contents can be pushed through the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Monique Roulin, Hans-Rudolf Nageli, Andreas Christel