Patents by Inventor Erwin Brunnhofer

Erwin Brunnhofer 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: 8640406
    Abstract: A spacer profile for use as a spacer frame in an insulating window unit includes a profile body made of a synthetic material and having an inner wall, an outer wall and sidewalls, which define a chamber for hygroscopic material. A diffusion barrier layer is made of a first metal material and has a first tensile strength and a first thickness. The diffusion barrier layer is disposed at least on or in the outer wall and at least a portion of the sidewalls. A reinforcement layer is made of a second metallic material and has a second tensile strength and a second thickness. The reinforcement layer is formed in the inner wall or on the side of the inner wall, which is directed towards the chamber. The multiplication product of the second thickness and the second tensile strength is preferably greater than the multiplication product of the first thickness and the first tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Technoform Glass Insulation Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Petra Sommer, Joerg Lenz, Henrik Stephan
  • Patent number: 8453415
    Abstract: A spacer profile (50) for a spacer profile frame mountable in the edge area of an insulating window unit for forming an intervening space (53) between window panes (51, 52), has a profile body (10) made of synthetic material and comprises one or more chambers (20) for accommodating hygroscopic material. A metal film (30) encloses the profile body on three-sides such that, in the bent/assembled state of the spacer profile, the non-enclosed inner side of the profile body is directed towards the intervening space between the window panes. The not-enclosed inner side of the profile body comprises openings (15) for moisture exchange between hygroscopic material accommodated in the chamber(s) and the intervening space between the window panes. The metal film comprises a profile (31a-g, 32a-g) on each end directed towards the intervening space of the window panes. Each profile has at least one edge or bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Technoform Glass Insulation Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Petra Sommer, Jörg Lenz
  • Publication number: 20120297708
    Abstract: A spacer profile for use as a spacer frame in an insulating window unit includes a profile body made of a synthetic material and having an inner wall, an outer wall and sidewalls, which define a chamber for hygroscopic material. A diffusion barrier layer is made of a first metal material and has a first tensile strength and a first thickness. The diffusion barrier layer is disposed at least on or in the outer wall and at least a portion of the sidewalls. A reinforcement layer is made of a second metallic material and has a second tensile strength and a second thickness. The reinforcement layer is formed in the inner wall or on the side of the inner wall, which is directed towards the chamber. The multiplication product of the second thickness and the second tensile strength is preferably greater than the multiplication product of the first thickness and the first tensile strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOFORM GLASS INSULATION HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Petra Sommer, Joerg Lenz, Henrik Stephan
  • Patent number: 8286396
    Abstract: A plastic profile for window, door and facade elements includes a plastic profile body, which extends in a longitudinal direction (z), and at least one outer side, which is located outside in a transverse direction (x) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z) as viewed in a cross-section (x-y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z). The outer side includes two roll-in protrusions configured such that a reinforcement element is connectable with the plastic profile body by a rolled-in connection. The reinforcement element has at least one of a hollow profile, a partially-open profile and a receptacle portion configured to accommodate a corner connector, wherein at least one of the hollow profile, the partially-open profile and the receptacle portion is disposed between the roll-in protrusions in the rolled-in state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Technoform Bautec Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Thomas Muster, Ferdinand Bebber
  • Patent number: 7913470
    Abstract: An insulating strip is configured to support two profiles or frames in a spaced relationship. The insulating strip includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction and has at least first and second longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges are configured to be connected with the respective frames or profiles in a shear-resistant manner. Openings penetrate through one or more walls of the body and one or more struts separate the openings from each other in the longitudinal direction of the body. The body further comprises at least one attachment structure configured to retain a covering profile configured to cover the openings. The covering profile may be integral with the insulating strip body or may be a separate part. A composite structural unit comprises two frames supported in a spaced relationship by such an insulating strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano und Brunnhofer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Siodla, Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Patent number: 7827760
    Abstract: A spacer profile (50) for a spacer profile frame mountable in the edge area of an insulating window unit for forming an intervening space (53) between window panes (51, 52), has a profile body (10) made of synthetic material and comprises one or more chambers (20) for accommodating hygroscopic material. A metal film (30) encloses the profile body on three-sides such that, in the bent/assembled state of the spacer profile, the non-enclosed inner side of the profile body is directed towards the intervening space between the window panes. The not-enclosed inner side of the profile body comprises openings (15) for moisture exchange between hygroscopic material accommodated in the chamber(s) and the intervening space between the window panes. The metal film comprises a profile (31a-g, 32a-g) on each end directed towards the intervening space of the window panes. Each profile has at least one edge or bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano und Brunnhofer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Petra Sommer, Jörg Lenz
  • Publication number: 20100115850
    Abstract: An insulating strip for a composite profile for window-, door- and facade elements includes an insulating strip body that extends in a longitudinal direction and has at least two longitudinal edges separated from each other in a transverse direction. The longitudinal edges are designed for a shear-resistant connection with profile parts of the composite profile. The insulating strip body has openings passing through one or more walls of the insulating strip body in a height direction. The openings are separated from each other by strips in the longitudinal direction, which strips are shaped like ladder rungs. The insulating strip body is formed to receive a clipped-on covering profile that covers the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: TECHNOFORM CAPRANO UND BRUNNHOFER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Siodla, Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Publication number: 20100107526
    Abstract: A spacer profile (50) for a spacer profile frame mountable in the edge area of an insulating window unit for forming an intervening space (53) between window panes (51, 52), has a profile body (10) made of synthetic material and comprises one or more chambers (20) for accommodating hygroscopic material. A metal film (30) encloses the profile body on three-sides such that, in the bent/assembled state of the spacer profile, the non-enclosed inner side of the profile body is directed towards the intervening space between the window panes. The not-enclosed inner side of the profile body comprises openings (15) for moisture exchange between hygroscopic material accommodated in the chamber(s) and the intervening space between the window panes. The metal film comprises a profile (31a-g, 32a-g) on each end directed towards the intervening space of the window panes. Each profile has at least one edge or bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Petra Sommer, Jörg Lenz
  • Publication number: 20100018140
    Abstract: A plastic profile for window, door and facade elements includes a plastic profile body, which extends in a longitudinal direction (z), and at least one outer side, which is located outside in a transverse direction (x) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z) as viewed in a cross-section (x-y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z). The outer side includes two roll-in protrusions configured such that a reinforcement element is connectable with the plastic profile body by a rolled-in connection. The reinforcement element has at least one of a hollow profile, a partially-open profile and a receptacle portion configured to accommodate a corner connector, wherein at least one of the hollow profile, the partially-open profile and the receptacle portion is disposed between the roll-in protrusions in the rolled-in state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Technoform Caprano und Brunnhofer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Thomas Muster, Ferdinand Bebber
  • Publication number: 20100018139
    Abstract: A reinforced plastic profile for window, door and facade elements has a plastic profile body, which extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least one reinforcement element. The plastic profile body includes at least one receptacle guide extending in the longitudinal direction. The at least one reinforcement element is connected with the plastic profile body in a longitudinally-fixed manner by foam-filling the receptacle guide with the reinforcement element positioned therein. As a result the reinforcement element is precisely positioned relative to the outer geometry of the plastic profile body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: TECHNOFORM CAPRANO UND BRUNNHOFER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Publication number: 20080295451
    Abstract: A blank for a spacer for an insulating window unit preferably includes a core made of a metal sheet, e.g., stainless steel, and a coating made of a synthetic material, e.g., polypropylene. The coating preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.02 to 0.2 mm and the core preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 2 mm, more preferably between 0.1 to 0.3 mm. Further, the insulating window unit preferably includes at least two glass windows, which extend in parallel and are spaced a first distance from each other. The first distance preferably is maintained by the above-mentioned spacer, which spacer is adhered to the glass windows using an adhesive or a sealing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Karl-Hans Caprano
  • Publication number: 20080256893
    Abstract: An insulating strip is configured to support two profiles or frames in a spaced relationship. The insulating strip includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction and has at least first and second longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges are configured to be connected with the respective frames or profiles in a shear-resistant manner. Openings penetrate through one or more walls of the body and one or more struts separate the openings from each other in the longitudinal direction of the body. The body further comprises at least one attachment structure configured to retain a covering profile configured to cover the openings. The covering profile may be integral with the insulating strip body or may be a separate part. A composite structural unit comprises two frames supported in a spaced relationship by such an insulating strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Thorsten Siodla, Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Publication number: 20080134596
    Abstract: A spacer profile (50) for a spacer profile frame mountable in the edge area of an insulating window unit for forming an intervening space (53) between window panes (51, 52), has a profile body (10) made of synthetic material and comprises one or more chambers (20) for accommodating hygroscopic material. A metal film (30) encloses the profile body on three-sides such that, in the bent/assembled state of the spacer profile, the non-enclosed inner side of the profile body is directed towards the intervening space between the window panes. The not-enclosed inner side of the profile body comprises openings (15) for moisture exchange between hygroscopic material accommodated in the chamber(s) and the intervening space between the window panes. The metal film comprises a profile (31a-g, 32a-g) on each end directed towards the intervening space of the window panes. Each profile has at least one edge or bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Petra Sommer, Jorg Lenz
  • Patent number: 7104019
    Abstract: A composite profiled construction element has a pair of metallic, elongated, and transversely spaced profiles having inner faces spaced from and directed toward each other and a pair of elongated and transversely spaced connector webs bridging the profiles, having outer edges fixed in the profiles and inner faces spaced from and directed toward each other. The inner faces of the profiles and of the webs define a longitudinally extending passage. An elongated insulating body in the passage has a first outer face fixed to one of the inner faces and is formed with a longitudinal ridge operatively bearing on another of the inner faces. The body also has a second outer face spaced from and forming an empty longitudinally extending space with another of the inner faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano und Brunnhofer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Patent number: 6989188
    Abstract: Spacer profiles (1) for double glazing units (20) may include a deformable profile body having first and second side walls (3) extending from a base wall (2). First and second connecting segments (5) respectively connect the first and second side walls (3) to an upper wall (4) and respectively define inwardly projecting grooves (9). A hollow chamber (7) may include a first space (11) disposed adjacent to the base wall (2), which first space (11) has a greater width than a second space (10) disposed adjacent to the upper wall (4). Further, the profile body preferably has a heat conductivity of less than about 0.3 W/(m·K). A reinforcement layer (6) may be permanently coupled to at least the upper wall (4), the first and second connecting segments (5), and the first and second side walls (3), and preferably has a heat conductivity of less than about 50 W/(m·K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano und Brunnhofer GmbH & Co. KD
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Jörg Lenz
  • Publication number: 20050183351
    Abstract: Composite profiles for windows, doors and facades preferably include a profile member 20, 21, 30, 31) and a connecting member (40, 41) extending in a longitudinal direction and respectively having connectable profile and connecting member connecting portions. At least one assembly recess (22, 42) and at least one corresponding assembly protrusion (37, 47) are respectively formed on the profile and connecting member connecting portions, each of which comprises form fit elements (25, 25r, 35, 35r, 45) that are connectable by hardening a curable resin. The connecting portions are disposed between sealing devices (24, 34, 44, 46, 46r, 47, 48, 48r) that extend along at least one of the profile member and the connecting member (40, 41), such that the connecting portions are not visible from outside the composite profile when the at least one assembly protrusion is inserted into the at least one assembly recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Technoform Caprano und Brunnhofer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Publication number: 20050115193
    Abstract: A composite profiled construction element has a pair of metallic, elongated, and transversely spaced profiles having inner faces spaced from and directed toward each other and a pair of elongated and transversely spaced connector webs bridging the profiles, having outer edges fixed in the profiles and inner faces spaced from and directed toward each other. The inner faces of the profiles and of the webs define a longitudinally extending passage. An elongated insulating body in the passage has a first outer face fixed to one of the inner faces and is formed with a longitudinal ridge operatively bearing on another of the inner faces. The body also has a second outer face spaced from and forming an empty longitudinally extending space with another of the inner faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Patent number: 6582643
    Abstract: Hollow extrusions are formed by initially extruding a plurality of separate strands adapted to form segments of the completed hollow extrusion in their positions corresponding to the locations of those segments in the finished extrusion. Webs between these strands are then formed by feeding an afterflow of the melt at press pressure into the shaping channel in the calibrator downstream from the die zone so that under the pressure of this melt and the melt heat, the webs fuse to the ends of ribs of the separate strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano + Brunnhofer Ohg
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Patent number: 6389779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spacer profile of an elastically-plastically deformable material with low heat conductivity for a spacer frame to be mounted in the marginal area of at least two spaced-apart panes by forming an intermediate pane space, whereby the spacer profile comprises a chamber which has in one of its walls at least one elastically-plastically deformable reinforcement element extending along the chamber, and whereby the spacer profile has a diffusion-proof layer extending substantially over its entire width and length. In order to produce the profile through cold flexion, the lateral walls of the chamber are each provided with at least one reinforcement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano + Brunnhofer OHG
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Patent number: 6339909
    Abstract: A spacer profile for a spacer frame to be mounted in an insulating window unit by forming a space between the panes, with a chamber for receiving hygroscopic materials and with at least one contact web to lie against the inner side of a pane, which is connected via a bridge section with the chamber, is characterized i that the profile corpus of the spacer profile consists of an elastically-plastically deformable material with poor heat conductivity, and that at least the contact webs are permanently materially connected with a plastically deformable reinforcement layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano + Brunnhofer oHG
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnhofer, Bernhard Goer, Jürgen Regelmann