Patents by Inventor Ernst Van Wickeren

Ernst Van Wickeren 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: 9643745
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing container packs from containers in a container stream or a plurality of transport lines includes guide elements, entraining elements, applicator elements, and a compartmentalizing and/or compressing unit configured for compartmentalizing and compressing a predetermined number of containers that are combined to form a container pack. The applicator elements apply an adhesive agent by spraying or sprinkling such that a bottle in the pack has adhesive a contact-or-touching surface thereof. The linear transporter transports containers that are to form a subsequent pack from an inlet to an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
  • Patent number: 9637256
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing bundles of containers received from a wide container stream that is converted into plural single-track container streams. The apparatus has a dividing-off and/or compactor unit that divides off and compacts a predetermined number of containers to form a partial bundle to be combined with other partial bundles to form a full bundle. The apparatus also includes application elements that apply adhesive to a container, a linear transporter having a controllable drive, a guide element, a transport element that moves linearly along the guide element, and as many head guides as there are containers in a bundle. The head guides move and/or rotate relative to the transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Van Wickeren, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
  • Patent number: 9604743
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a container pack includes a linear transporter, applicator elements, and head guides. The linear transporter has first, second, and third sections. Transport surfaces run parallel to one another in said first section, are oriented at an angle to one another in said second section, and again run parallel to one another in said third section. The second section comprises applicator elements having transversely displaceable and rotatable head guides for single-container transport along said three sections. The apparatus is configured to bring containers together in said third section to form said pack and to transport said pack towards a discharge side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
  • Patent number: 9573711
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing container bundles without a shrink film or strapping has container guides, which are either base or head guides, a grouping unit, one or more application elements, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each stream. The guides are disposed on the container transporter. An application element near the transporter applies adhesive to containers. The grouping unit groups and compress a predetermined number of containers to form a container bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
  • Patent number: 9493257
    Abstract: A container-packer includes a compartment and/or compressor unit, applicators, a linear transporter for transporting along a direction, and displaceable head guides. The unit compartmentalizes and compresses containers into packs. The applicators apply adhesive to a container contact surface. The linear transporter comprises three sections. A first section has first through third part regions. In the first, transport surfaces are parallel. In the second, the transport surfaces are brought together to form respective part-packs. In the third, the part packs are transverse to the direction and transported in a direction of the second section of the linear transporter in whose first and second sections the applicators are provided. The displaceable head guides are for single-container transport in the first section. The second section comprises a turning-and-feeding section for the part-packs. The third section brings part packs together oriented in the direction to produce a complete pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
  • Patent number: 9174808
    Abstract: A container-bundler includes a transporter having an alignment section with infinitely revolving single-station conveyor elements drivable in the transport direction with a controllable rotation element. An actuatable adjustment element is arranged in an alignment section. The controllable rotation element interacts with the adjustment element. A partitioning and/or compressing unit is downstream of the alignment section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner
  • Publication number: 20150191263
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing container bundles without a shrink film or strapping has container guides, which are either base or head guides, a grouping unit, one or more application elements, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each stream. The guides are disposed on the container transporter. An application element near the transporter applies adhesive to containers. The grouping unit groups and compress a predetermined number of containers to form a container bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
  • Publication number: 20150122397
    Abstract: A container-packer includes a compartment and/or compressor unit, applicators, a linear transporter for transporting along a direction, and displaceable head guides. The unit compartmentalizes and compresses containers into packs. The applicators apply adhesive to a container contact surface. The linear transporter comprises three sections. A first section has first through third part regions. In the first, transport surfaces are parallel. In the second, the transport surfaces are brought together to form respective part-packs. In the third, the part packs are transverse to the direction and transported in a direction of the second section of the linear transporter in whose first and second sections the applicators are provided. The displaceable head guides are for single-container transport in the first section. The second section comprises a turning-and-feeding section for the part-packs. The third section brings part packs together oriented in the direction to produce a complete pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
  • Publication number: 20150090404
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing bundles of containers received from a wide container stream that is converted into plural single-track container streams. The apparatus has a dividing-off and/or compactor unit that divides off and compacts a predetermined number of containers to form a partial bundle to be combined with other partial bundles to form a full bundle. The apparatus also includes application elements that apply adhesive to a container, a linear transporter having a controllable drive, a guide element, a transport element that moves linearly along the guide element, and as many head guides as there are containers in a bundle. The head guides move and/or rotate relative to the transport element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Van Wickeren, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
  • Publication number: 20140339049
    Abstract: A container-bundler includes a transporter having an alignment section with infinitely revolving single-station conveyor elements drivable in the transport direction with a controllable rotation element. An actuatable adjustment element is arranged in an alignment section. The controllable rotation element interacts with the adjustment element. A partitioning and/or compressing unit is downstream of the alignment section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefen Wagner
  • Publication number: 20140318712
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing container packs from containers in a container stream or a plurality of transport lines includes guide elements, entraining elements, applicator elements, and a compartmentalizing and/or compressing unit configured for compartmentalizing and compressing a predetermined number of containers that are combined to form a container pack. The applicator elements apply an adhesive agent by spraying or sprinkling such that a bottle in the pack has adhesive a contact-or-touching surface thereof. The linear transporter transports containers that are to form a subsequent pack from an inlet to an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
  • Publication number: 20110099949
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Ernst Van Wickeren
  • Patent number: 7861490
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Ernst Van Wickeren
  • Patent number: 7850003
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, III, Mark W. Davidson, Ernst Van Wickeren
  • Publication number: 20070215506
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hartness, William R. Hartness, Mark W. Davidson, Ernst Van Wickeren