Patents by Inventor Dirk Bettels

Dirk Bettels 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: 11214440
    Abstract: A receiving bin for a sorting machine is movable between an operative configuration and an inoperative configuration. In the operative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for receiving a rejected product from the sorting machine. In an inoperative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for servicing and maintenance. The receiving bin has an inlet chute, a transfer chute, and, optionally, a mechanism of altering the configuration connects the inlet chute and the transfer chute. In one arrangement, the inlet chute and the transfer chute are sufficiently exposed to a waterjet during a cleaning event, for maintaining aseptic conditions and a hygienic environment. This is especially useful the sorting machine is commissioned in a production plant where food items such as meat, fish, or dairy products are processed and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Bettels, Manuel Raulf
  • Publication number: 20210229920
    Abstract: A receiving bin for a sorting machine is movable between an operative configuration and an inoperative configuration. In the operative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for receiving a rejected product from the sorting machine. In an inoperative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for servicing and maintenance. The receiving bin has an inlet chute, a transfer chute, and, optionally, a mechanism of altering the configuration connects the inlet chute and the transfer chute. In one arrangement, the inlet chute and the transfer chute are sufficiently exposed to a waterjet during a cleaning event, for maintaining aseptic conditions and a hygienic environment. This is especially useful the sorting machine is commissioned in a production plant where food items such as meat, fish, or dairy products are processed and packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Bettels, Manuel Raulf
  • Patent number: 9278810
    Abstract: A frame (1, 101, 201) supports a conveyor belt system with a longitudinally circulating conveyor belt. Two plate-like carrier elements (2, 102), with principal planes extending at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) are joined by at least two distance elements (4, 4?), disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction (L). The distance elements space the two carrier elements apart. A plurality of support elements (5) and machine feet (21) support the frame on the ground. At least one of the carrier elements defines a seating area (3), which is largely arranged horizontally. At least two first mechanical interface elements (6) run parallel to the distance elements, preferably extending over the carrier elements, and are fixed on the seating areas of the carrier elements. The frame also has at least two fixing elements (7), by which the first mechanical interface elements (6) are fixed to the seating areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Meyer, Dirk Bettels, Axel Preussner, Michael Kusche, Frank Hamann
  • Patent number: 9074924
    Abstract: A combined weighing/metal-detection system comprises at least one support frame and at least two weighing cells arranged at mounting locations on the at least one support frame. A conveyor device rests on the weighing cells. The system further includes a metal detector with a passage opening, wherein the conveyor device passes through the opening. The at least two weighing cells are arranged, respectively, on opposite sides of the metal detector, preferably close to the upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor device. The metal detector is supported on the at least one support frame at mounting locations different from the mounting locations of the weighing cells, so that the weighing cells are not carrying the pre-load of the metal detector and the two functions of weighing and of detecting metallic contaminants can occur on the same at least one conveyor device close together in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Bettels
  • Publication number: 20150114803
    Abstract: A frame (1, 101, 201) supports a conveyor belt system with a longitudinally circulating conveyor belt. Two plate-like carrier elements (2, 102), with principal planes extending at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) are joined by at least two distance elements (4, 4?), disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction (L). The distance elements space the two carrier elements apart. A plurality of support elements (5) and machine feet (21) support the frame on the ground. At least one of the carrier elements defines a seating area (3), which is largely arranged horizontally. At least two first mechanical interface elements (6) run parallel to the distance elements, preferably extending over the carrier elements, and are fixed on the seating areas of the carrier elements. The frame also has at least two fixing elements (7), by which the first mechanical interface elements (6) are fixed to the seating areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mario Meyer, Dirk Bettels, Axel Preussner, Michael Kusche, Frank Hamann
  • Publication number: 20130270015
    Abstract: A combined weighing/metal-detection system comprises at least one support frame and at least two weighing cells arranged at mounting locations on the at least one support frame. A conveyor device rests on the weighing cells. The system further includes a metal detector with a passage opening, wherein the conveyor device passes through the opening. The at least two weighing cells are arranged, respectively, on opposite sides of the metal detector, preferably close to the upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor device. The metal detector is supported on the at least one support frame at mounting locations different from the mounting locations of the weighing cells, so that the weighing cells are not carrying the pre-load of the metal detector and the two functions of weighing and of detecting metallic contaminants can occur on the same at least one conveyor device close together in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Bettels
  • Patent number: D746532
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Meyer, Dirk Bettels, Axel Preussner, Michael Kusche, Frank Hamann, Hendrik Breitbach, Torsten Richter, Dieter Fornoff