Patents by Inventor Frank Lechert

Frank Lechert 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: 11220364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding film bags to a filling machine, comprising a magazine having a plurality of parallel magazine shafts for providing the film bags and comprising film-bag holders, which can be positioned below the magazine shafts, for holding and transporting the film bags, wherein a transfer arm is associated with each magazine shaft, said transfer arm being provided for grasping a film bag in the magazine shaft and transferring the grasped film bag to the film-bag holder arranged below the magazine shaft. The invention further relates to a method for feeding film bags to a filling machine by means of the device, comprising the following steps: providing film bags in magazine shafts of a magazine, positioning film-bag holders for holding and transporting the film bags below the magazine shafts, grasping the film bags in the magazine shafts by means of transfer arms, and transferring the grasped film bags to the film-bag holders by means of the transfer arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10899487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle for inflating a spout film bag, the lateral surface of which nozzle is designed in such a way that the nozzle can be inserted at least partially into the spout of the spout film bag and also at least partially into the interior of the spout film bag, wherein the lateral surface of the part of the nozzle that can be inserted has a bulging design. The invention further relates to a method for inflating a spout film bag by using said nozzle, comprising the following steps: providing the nozzle; inserting the nozzle into the spout of the spout film bag and lowering the nozzle in the spout to a first position; after the first position has been reached, wherein the lateral surface of the inserted nozzle interacts with the internal form of the spout in such a way that the interior of the spout film bag is substantially sealed, introducing flushing or inflating air into the interior of the spout film bag by means of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10836054
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the aseptic filling of liquids, to a method for opening and to a method for closing an opening window in a machine for the aseptic filling of liquids having an interior chamber and having an access opening in a wall of the machine which enables access to the interior chamber, wherein the access device comprises an opening window having a movable sash and a window frame which is permanently arranged in the wall, wherein there is an inflatable seal for aseptic sealing between the sash and the window frame. The invention further relates to a method for opening and closing the opening window in the machine for the aseptic filling of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10793306
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing station in a film bag filling device for sealing of film bags after a filling process, wherein the sealing station comprises a first and a second sealing arm for sealing of several filled film bags that are arranged next to one another, wherein the first sealing arm is moveable with a first drive shaft and the second sealing arm with a second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft, and a drive movement of the first drive shaft from a first gear wheel is transferred to a second gear wheel that encroaches in the first gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft. The invention further relates to a method for sealing of film bags after a filling process with the sealing station according to the invention with the following steps: positioning of filled film bags below the sealing station; closing of the sealing arms and application of a contact pressure with a first value and sealing of the filled film bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10703522
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and filling spout film bags which are transferred by a transfer wheel including blowing nozzles, to a filler arranged downstream of the transfer wheel. A blowing nozzle can be placed on the spout upper edge of the spout of a spout film bag and then a defined pressure pulse can be introduced into the interior of the spout film bag through the spout by the blowing nozzle to form the spout film bag. The apparatus can include a transfer wheel having a plurality of receiving stations and blowing nozzles assigned to the receiving stations, the blowing nozzles being able to be placed on the spout upper edges of the spouts in order to introduce a defined pressure pulse, and a filler, arranged downstream of the transfer wheel, for filling the formed spout film bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10654603
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inflating station for inflating of film bags with a first and a second suction bar arm and with an inflating bar with inflating spouts arranged on it. The first/second suction bar arm is movable with a first/second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft. A drive movement of the first drive shaft is transferred from a first gear wheel to a second gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10633134
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a rotary-type machine (M) for continuously sealing individual foil bags (B) by way of ultrasonic welding between an anvil (6) and a sonotrode (5) in at least one welding station (S) of a carousel (1), where each foil bag (B) can be positioned by way of holders (11). In some embodiments, the rotary-type machine (M) comprises at least one welding station (S) composed of a sonotrode (5) being located stationary at least relative to the direction of circulation (8) and anvils (6) which with intermediate spacings (7) rotate past said sonotrode (5) successively in the direction of circulation (8) of the carousel (1). According to the invention, the foil bags (B) are sealed at the stationary sonotrode (5) when the anvils (6) equipped with the foil bags (B) are rotated past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: INDAG POUCH PARTNERS GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert, Daniel Schwab
  • Publication number: 20190366565
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the aseptic filling of liquids, to a method for opening and to a method for closing an opening window in a machine for the aseptic filling of liquids having an interior chamber and having an access opening in a wall of the machine which enables access to the interior chamber, wherein the access device comprises an opening window having a movable sash and a window frame which is permanently arranged in the wall, wherein there is an inflatable seal for aseptic sealing between the sash and the window frame. The invention further relates to a method for opening and closing the opening window in the machine for the aseptic filling of liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10494244
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for passing a medium into a container, for example a flexible pouch, with a rotatable carousel and one or more treatment stations with a movable lance that can be inserted into the container, and a receptacle for a container, characterized in that an indirect magnetic drive means for moving the lance is provided, wherein a first part (lance part) of the magnetic drive means is joined with the lance and a second part (drive part) of the magnetic drive means is indirectly magnetically coupled with the lance part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventors: Mansur Müller-Brockhausen, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20190352031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding film bags to a filling machine, comprising a magazine having a plurality of parallel magazine shafts for providing the film bags and comprising film-bag holders, which can be positioned below the magazine shafts, for holding and transporting the film bags, wherein a transfer arm is associated with each magazine shaft, said transfer arm being provided for grasping a film bag in the magazine shaft and transferring the grasped film bag to the film-bag holder arranged below the magazine shaft. The invention further relates to a method for feeding film bags to a filling machine by means of the device, comprising the following steps: providing film bags in magazine shafts of a magazine, positioning film-bag holders for holding and transporting the film bags below the magazine shafts, grasping the film bags in the magazine shafts by means of transfer arms, and transferring the grasped film bags to the film-bag holders by means of the transfer arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Patent number: 10384892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving, transporting, and dispensing film bags, comprising a film bag magazine with multiple parallel magazine shafts and two circulating conveyor belt devices which can be driven independently of each other and which comprise film bag receiving areas arranged thereon, said conveyor belt devices circulating about two common axes. The two axes are designed to be drivable independently of each other, and each axis drives one of the two conveyor belt devices. The invention further relates to a method for receiving, transporting, and dispensing film bags by means of the device for receiving, transporting, and dispensing film bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20180244510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for aseptic filling of a container with filling product, wherein the container is transported into an area of a sterile space assigned to the container, and then a mouth area of the container is then placed with a cap for filling in a mouth opening of the sterile space. The invention further relates to a sterile filling device for aseptic filling of a container, in particular for carrying out the stated method, with a sterile space which, in the bottom, comprises a mouth opening for a mouth area of a container and, in the lid, comprises a filling valve and a capper, wherein the filling valve or the capper can be brought into alignment with the mouth opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20180237279
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for passing a medium into a container, for example a flexible pouch, with a rotatable carousel and one or more treatment stations with a movable lance that can be inserted into the container, and a receptacle for a container, characterized in that an indirect magnetic drive means for moving the lance is provided, wherein a first part (lance part) of the magnetic drive means is joined with the lance and a second part (drive part) of the magnetic drive means is indirectly magnetically coupled with the lance part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Mansur Müller-Brockhausen, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20180229876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle for inflating a spout film bag, the lateral surface of which nozzle is designed in such a way that the nozzle can be inserted at least partially into the spout of the spout film bag and also at least partially into the interior of the spout film bag, wherein the lateral surface of the part of the nozzle that can be inserted has a bulging design. The invention further relates to a method for inflating a spout film bag by using said nozzle, comprising the following steps: providing the nozzle; inserting the nozzle into the spout of the spout film bag and lowering the nozzle in the spout to a first position; after the first position has been reached, wherein the lateral surface of the inserted nozzle interacts with the internal form of the spout in such a way that the interior of the spout film bag is substantially sealed, introducing flushing or inflating air into the interior of the spout film bag by means of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20180229953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving, transporting, and dispensing film bags, comprising a film bag magazine with multiple parallel magazine shafts and two circulating conveyor belt devices which can be driven independently of each other and which comprise film bag receiving areas arranged thereon, said conveyor belt devices circulating about two common axes. The two axes are designed to be drivable independently of each other, and each axis drives one of the two conveyor belt devices. The invention further relates to a method for receiving, transporting, and dispensing film bags by means of the device for receiving, transporting, and dispensing film bags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20180229874
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling and welding film bags, wherein a plurality of film bags that are accommodated one after another on a rotating carousel are filled by means of a plurality of filling stations arranged on the rotating carousel and subsequently the filled film bags are guided in succession, by means of the rotating carousel, past a welding station, assigned to the rotating carousel and arranged in a stationary manner on the rotating carousel, for welding of the filled film bags, wherein the welding station comprises at least one welding device. The invention also relates to a filling and welding device for carrying out this method, having a rotating carousel with a plurality of filling stations, arranged thereon, for filling film bags, and a welding station, assigned to the carousel and arranged in a stationary manner on the rotating carousel, for welding the filled film bags, wherein the welding station comprises at least one welding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Rolf HARTH, Frank LECHERT
  • Publication number: 20180229875
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming and filling spout film bags which are transferred, by means of a transfer wheel that comprises blowing nozzles, to a filler arranged downstream of the transfer wheel, wherein in each case one blowing nozzle is placed on the spout upper edge of the spout of a spout film bag and then a defined pressure pulse is introduced into the interior of the spout film bag through the spout by means of the blowing nozzle to form the spout film bag. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for forming and filling spout film bags and for carrying out the method, wherein the device comprises a transfer wheel having a plurality of receiving stations and blowing nozzles assigned to the receiving stations, said blowing nozzles being able to be placed on the spout upper edges of the spouts in order to introduce a defined pressure pulse, and a filler, arranged downstream of the transfer wheel, for filling the formed spout film bags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20170313458
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a rotary-type machine (M) for continuously sealing individual foil bags (B) by way of ultrasonic welding between an anvil (6) and a sonotrode (5) in at least one welding station (S) of a carousel (1), where each foil bag (B) can be positioned by way of holders (11). In some embodiments, the rotary-type machine (M) comprises at least one welding station (S) composed of a sonotrode (5) being located stationary at least relative to the direction of circulation (8) and anvils (6) which with intermediate spacings (7) rotate past said sonotrode (5) successively in the direction of circulation (8) of the carousel (1). According to the invention, the foil bags (B) are sealed at the stationary sonotrode (5) when the anvils (6) equipped with the foil bags (B) are rotated past.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Rolf Harth, Frank Lechert, Daniel Schwab
  • Publication number: 20170036793
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inflating station for inflating of film bags with a first and a second suction bar arm and with an inflating bar with inflating spouts arranged on it. The first/second suction bar arm is movable with a first/second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft. A drive movement of the first drive shaft is transferred from a first gear wheel to a second gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: ROLF HARTH, Frank Lechert
  • Publication number: 20170036796
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing station in a film bag filling device for sealing of film bags after a filling process, wherein the sealing station comprises a first and a second sealing arm for sealing of several filled film bags that are arranged next to one another, wherein the first sealing arm is moveable with a first drive shaft and the second sealing arm with a second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft, and a drive movement of the first drive shaft from a first gear wheel is transferred to a second gear wheel that encroaches in the first gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft. The invention further relates to a method for sealing of film bags after a filling process with the sealing station according to the invention with the following steps: positioning of filled film bags below the sealing station; closing of the sealing arms and application of a contact pressure with a first value and sealing of the filled film bags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: ROLF HARTH, Frank Lechert