Patents by Inventor Erwin Müller

Erwin Müller 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: 8369982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inserting, collecting or collating a plurality of flexible, planar products, preferably printed products, wherein the device (10, 10a, 10b) comprises a product collection unit (12, 12a), a first processing unit (14, 14?), and a second processing unit (16, 16?, 16?) for the synchronized processing, for example feeding, of products. The product collection unit (14, 14?) comprises a main drive controller (18), which is operatively connected to a main drive (20, 20?) for driving a conveying means (22). The first processing unit (14, 14?) comprises a first drive controller (24, 24?), which is operatively connected to a first drive (26, 26?, 26?), and the second processing unit (16, 16?, 16?) comprises a second drive controller (28, 28?, 28?), which is operatively connected to a second drive (30, 30?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 8245611
    Abstract: A method for transporting two-dimensional, flexible products, in particular printed products, such as newspapers and magazines or parts thereof, with which the product is conveyed from one gripper of a conveyor device, freely held along a conveyor path at least in regions, and the product grasped by the gripper at the edge which is not to be cut, on the conveyor path, is brought into active connection with cutting means of a cutting station in a manner such that at least one edge of the product is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Heinz Möckli, Erwin Müller
  • Publication number: 20110289757
    Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9). The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Walter Reist, Erwin Müller
  • Publication number: 20110214545
    Abstract: A device for cutting flexible, two-dimensional products. The device including a first and a second cutting means (5, 12), between which the two-dimensional products (2) may be cut essentially by way of an impulse cut. A method is also put forward for cutting by way of the impulse cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Heinz Möckli, Erwin Müller
  • Publication number: 20110155535
    Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9) The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Walter Reist, Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 7938389
    Abstract: Printed products produced by assembling on saddle-shaped supports are conveyed onwards lying on the supports and during this conveyance are processed in the area of their fold line between a tool acting from outside and a counter-tool acting from inside, i.e., from the supported side. For being processed, the printed products are lifted off from the saddle line of the supports by the counter-tools, such that a relative movement between the saddle-shaped support and the counter-tool does not deform or damage the printed products. Through this measure it becomes possible to design the circuit of the supports and the circuit of the counter-tools largely independent of one another. The supports or their saddle lines respectively, for example, are able to move through the processing zone in a straight line, while the distal ends of the counter tools circulate on a round circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 7918331
    Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9). The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AG
    Inventors: Walter Reist, Erwin Müller
  • Publication number: 20100138033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inserting, collecting or collating a plurality of flexible, planar products, preferably printed products, wherein the device (10, 10a, 10b) comprises a product collection unit (12, 12a), a first processing unit (14, 14?), and a second processing unit (16, 16?, 16?) for the synchronized processing, for example feeding, of products. The product collection unit (14, 14?) comprises a main drive controller (18), which is operatively connected to a main drive (20, 20?) for driving a conveying means (22). The first processing unit (14, 14?) comprises a first drive controller (24, 24?), which is operatively connected to a first drive (26, 26?, 26?), and the second processing unit (16, 16?, 16?) comprises a second drive controller (28, 28?, 28?), which is operatively connected to a second drive (30, 30?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 7677559
    Abstract: The apparatus 10 has a conveyor 12 which may be configured as a multiple tape conveyor and the working section 14 of which, which is driven in a conveying direction (F), forms a supporting face 16 for the printed products 18 which accumulate in an overlapping formation (S). An aligning plate 66 is situated on each side of the conveyor 12. The working section 14 of the conveyor can be deflected out of a conveying plane by means of a switching means 34, in order, in particular for the aligning of thin printed products 18 with few pages, to form a bend 62 in the products which reinforces them transversely with respect to the conveying direction (F) so that they can be laterally shifted into alignment by the aligning plates without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 7556248
    Abstract: In order to produce final printed products (14) in the same compartment (12), a first product for insertion (22) is inserted into a first folded printed product (10), and a second product for insertion (28) is inserted into a second folded printed product (24). The printed products (10, 24) are displaced in the direction of the folds (16), and as a result each of the printed products (10, 24) has an edge section (26) projecting beyond the other printed product. This permits fault-free, simple access to each of the printed products (10, 24) in order to open and insert the products for insertion (22, 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Erwin Müller, Markus Felix
  • Patent number: 7490821
    Abstract: Two folded and printed products (11, 12) are introduced into a pocket-like holding compartment (1) with respective ones of their side surfaces resting against each other and are moved in such position jointly along a processing section in a direction running transversely with respect to the folded edge. In the course of this movement, the printed products (11, 12) are displaced in opposite directions (H, I) relative to each other in the direction of their folded edge and toward opening elements (7, 8). The opening elements (7, 8) move between the two halves (11a, 11b; 12a, 12b) of the two printed products (11, 12) and have the effect that the two product halves (11a, 11b; 12a, 12b) are lifted off each other. Inserts are then inserted into the printed products (11, 12) opened simultaneously in this way. In a second embodiment, first and second clamping fingers (107, 111) act in conjunction with a pivotable separating element (113) to open the two printed products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Erwin Müller, Markus Felix
  • Patent number: 7422203
    Abstract: In order to produce final printed products (14) in the same compartment (12), a first product for insertion (22) is inserted into a first folded printed product (10), and a second product for insertion (28) is inserted into a second folded printed product (24). The printed products (10, 24) are displaced in the direction of the folds (16), and as a result each of the printed products (10, 24) has an edge section (26) projecting beyond the other printed product. This permits fault-free, simple access to each of the printed products (10, 24) by grippers (44, 46) respectively positioned adjacent the end regions of each of the compartments and which are configured to open the products for insertion (22, 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Erwin Müller, Markus Felix
  • Patent number: 6901727
    Abstract: A strapping device (1) for strapping an object (14) with a strapping tape (5). The strapping device (1) includes a guide (3) for guiding a strapping tape (5), which serves for the purpose of forming a loop of strapping tape (5) in a waiting position. The formation of the loop takes place independently of the position of the object to be strapped (14). The strapping device (1) furthermore comprises a device for moving the loop (4). This device serves to position the loop of strapping tape (5) formed by the guide (3) from the waiting position into a stacking position around an object (14) to be strapped, after this object has been positioned on a work surface (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6821080
    Abstract: For producing stacks (20), flat objects (2) are supplied individually held by holding elements (3) in an edge zone (10). Groups (1) of the objects (2) are supplied one behind the other and arranged in a stack by placing object zones opposite the held edges (10) adjacent to one another. While the objects (2) are held, the groups arranged in a stack are stabilized by positioning the object zones opposite the held edges (10) on a stacking table (23) that is vertically movable inside a stacking shaft (22) and/or on an auxiliary support (31), and are either strapped or pressed together by a pressing device. Prior to being deposited on a stacking table (23), groups (1) formed one behind the other and arranged in a stack may be rotated around the stacking axis (A), so that they are positioned in the stacking shaft (22) as layers of a cross stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6702276
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a stack 1 of flat, flexible articles, in particular printed products, having bearing elements 3 which are moved along a continuous circulatory path U and, in a first sub-section A1 of the circulatory path U, U1, U2, form a stack rest 7. The apparatus has at least one separating element 5 which is capable of raising off a region 4a of the lowermost article 4 located in the stack 1 such that at least one of the bearing elements 3 can move in between the lowermost article 4 and the rest of the stack 1 and can separate off the lowermost article 4 from the rest of the stack 1 as it moves further. The apparatus further comprises a belt conveyor 8 which is arranged beneath the stack rest 7 and on which the articles come to rest once they have been separated off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6685130
    Abstract: To a row of winding stations (1), in which rolls (8) of flat, bendable objects (e.g., printed products) positioned on roll supports (3) are processed or in which such rolls are produced, roll supports (3) are coupled to the winding stations and, if required, are exchanged, the coupled roll supports forming a first row (A) of roll supports parallel to the row of winding stations (1). Roll supports (3) are positioned in readiness for the exchange in a second row (B) of roll supports, which second row (B) is distances from the first row (A) by a transport alley (10). Each roll support in the second row is aligned to the one winding station (1), to which it is to be coupled. For every exchange, the roll support (3) coupled to the winding station (1) is moved transverse to the first row (A) into the transport alley (10) and is transported along the transport alley to its end and there is positioned in a third row (C) of roll supports, which is aligned in the direction of the transport alley (10) and adjoins it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Stauber, Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6682064
    Abstract: A method for dismantling a stack (1) of flat objects (2, 3) piece by piece, in which the top object (2) of the stack (1) is moved in its plane, gripped at its freed edge and removed from the stack (1). The top object (2) is moved against a stop (5), at least in the region of one of its corners (2b), by a movable separating element (6, 6′) and, as a result of further movement, is bent in such a way that it escapes from the stop (5) and is moved out of the stack (1). The invention further relates to an apparatus for dismantling a stack (1) of flat objects (2, 3) piece by piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Willy Leu, Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6672447
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for conveying flexible sheet-like articles 26, wherein the articles are fed to a first curved section 14 by means of a delivery conveyor 10 which includes spaced apart transporting clamps 22 for retaining the articles in a hanging position. Arranged in a radially inward direction at the curved section 14, is a gripper wheel 36 with circumferentially distributed grippers 40 and respective supporting elements 52. The gripper wheel 36 is driven at the same angular velocity as the transporting clamps 22 in the curved section 14. However, a single gripper 40 is assigned in each case to two transporting clamps 22. The lower free edges 32 of the two articles 26 to be joined are guided by a supporting element 52 into a gripper 40, and as soon as this has taken place, the relevant gripper 40 is closed, and the relevant transporting clamps 22 then release the articles 26. The associated supporting element 52 is then drawn back inward in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6575456
    Abstract: For conveying flat articles (10) in dense conveying streams, grippers (3) conveyed one behind the other by conveying elements (1) are used, each gripper (3) holding one of the articles gripped in an edge zone. For increasing the possibilities for changing the orientation of the flat articles (10) during such conveyance, the grippers (3) are attached to the conveying elements (1) by asymmetrically-projecting gripper arms (2) and the grippers (3) are designed to be rotated through 360° around the gripper arm axis. The device can be used universally, particularly for held conveyance of printed products and it is very easily adjustable for differing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erwin Müller
  • Patent number: 6520496
    Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention, which serves for transporting supplementary products, in particular sheet-like printed products provided with adhesive, from a receiving location to a discharge location, has at least one retaining element which is moved along a continuous circulatory path and by means of which supplementary products can be gripped at the receiving location and released again at a discharge location. By means of a control arrangement, with changeover operation, during the transportation from the receiving location to the discharge location, the retaining element, which is mounted such that it can be rotated about an axis which is located at least more or less perpendicularly to the circulatory path, is optionally left unchanged in a rotary position or rotated about the axis through a certain angle until an end position of the transported supplementary product which is envisaged for further processing has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Erwin Müller, Egon Hänsch