Patents by Inventor Heinz Humele

Heinz Humele 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: 10315905
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing containers comprises a movable carrier for conveying the containers. A plurality of filling units is in communication with the movable carrier. The filling units are constructed and arranged to fill the containers with a flowable medium during the conveying of the containers. A plurality of labelling devices is in communication with the movable carrier. The labelling devices are constructed and arranged to apply labels to the containers during the conveying of the containers. A plurality of closing units is in communication with the movable carrier. The closing units constructed and arranged to close the containers filled with the flowable medium during the conveying of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Horst Winter
  • Publication number: 20180236780
    Abstract: A container treatment machine for printing on containers, comprising a transport device configured in particular as a carousel and used for transporting a container flow along a transport track, and further comprising direct printing heads stationarily arranged on the transport track and used for applying a direct print to the container, characterized in that at least two of the direct printing heads are configured for applying the same printing ink to a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: August PEUTL, Andreas SONNAUER, Florian LAUTERBACH, Heinz HUMELE
  • Patent number: 9284086
    Abstract: The invention comprises a gluing unit, in particular for a labeling apparatus, comprising a glue roller (1) and a motor (2) for driving the glue roller (1), where the motor (2) is positioned above the glue roller (1), where the motor (2) is with respect to a support structure (3) of the motor mounted in a height-adjustable manner, and where the height of the motor (2) is adjustable using a lever, in particular using an elbow lever (23) or a rocker lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Christian Stoiber, Christian Holzer, Ludwig Ferstl
  • Patent number: 9272060
    Abstract: A method for pre-treating preforms (12) made of thermoplastic plastic, before they are shaped into containers (13) by means of a stretch blow molding process and filled with liquid. The preforms (12) are tempered and sterilized for the subsequent stretch blow molding process. Tempering of the preforms (12) is carried out by means of microwave radiation and by sterilization of the preforms (12) during the pre-treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Heinz Humele
  • Patent number: 9138916
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of container preforms in which recycled plastic material is subjected to at least one heat treatment in a recycling machine before it is transferred to a preform machine, where at least a major portion of heat introduced into the plastic material during its heat treatment and storage is transferred from the recycling machine with the plastic material into the preform machine. In a plant embodied for carrying out the method, the recycling machine is coupled with the preform machine either directly or via at least one intermediate storage such that at least a major portion of heat introduced in the recycling machine during a heat treatment of the plastic material can be transferred with the plastic material into the preform machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Konrad Senn
  • Patent number: 9067405
    Abstract: A printing device for containers, such as bottles, cans or cups, with a screen to apply a screen print onto the containers, where a squeegee holding device that is guided by a continuous track holds an squeegee in such a way that while the printed image is being applied to the container, one end of the squeegee scrapes across the screen and forces ink through the screen onto one of the containers, and where the distance between the end of the squeegee and the squeegee holding device varies. Also, a container handling device, in the manner of a bottling plant, with such a printing device and a mechanical turret designed to guide the containers to a surface of the container contact device facing away from the squeegee. Also, a method for applying ink to containers in accordance with a screen printing principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Roland Ederer, Bernhard Domeier
  • Patent number: 9061873
    Abstract: A method for producing plastic containers includes feeding plastic preforms to a shaping unit, shaping the plastic preforms to plastic containers, and filling the plastic containers with a liquid. The method further includes closing the plastic containers with plastic closures, wherein the plastic closures are produced of a plastic material and are heated during the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES, AG
    Inventor: Heinz Humele
  • Publication number: 20150143778
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of containers (10), with a movable carrier (2) for conveying the containers to be treated, with a plurality of treatment units (4, 6, 8) which treat each container (10) in a pre-set manner, wherein the treatment units (4, 6, 8) of a first group of these treatment units (4, 6, 8) are filling units (4) which fill the containers (10) with a flowable medium, and these filling units (4) have in each case filling elements (14) which are arranged on the carrier (2) and which move jointly with the containers (10) at least sectionwise, wherein the treatment units (4, 6, 8) of a second group of these treatment units (4, 6, 8) are labelling devices (6) which apply labels to the containers (10), and wherein the treatment units (4, 6, 8) of a third group of these treatment units (4, 6, 8) are closing units (8) which close with a closure the containers (10) filled with the flowable medium and which have in each case closure elements (18) which are arranged on the carrier (2) and which move jo
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Horst Winter
  • Patent number: 9004905
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes a heating module that heats plastic preforms and a molding module for molding the preforms into containers. The heating module includes a first transport unit that transports the preforms during the heating and a first interface. The molding module is downstream of the heating module in the transport direction and includes a blow molding unit for applying a flowable medium onto the preforms for expansion thereof, a second transport unit that transports the preforms during the expansion, and a second interface. The first and second interfaces allow a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the modules such that the molding module may be disposed on the heating module and at least one further module integrated between the heating and molding modules. The further module treats the preforms following the heating and prior to the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Klaus Voth, Johann Zimmerer, Dieter Finger, Martin Seger, Christoph Klenk, Konrad Senn, Frank Winzinger, Alexandra Donhauser
  • Publication number: 20150076939
    Abstract: Rotary machine, in particular container treatment machine, including a rotating part which has several treatment stations, and a stationary part, the rotating part and the stationary part are embodied such that they together form the drive of the machine, the rotating part forming the rotor and the stationary part forming the stator of an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Bernd Schroll, Roland Laumer, Heinz Humele, Christian Stoiber, Andreas Kraus, August Peutl
  • Publication number: 20150079309
    Abstract: A device used for plasma-enhanced coating of a container, e.g. a plastic bottle, and/or a container blank, e.g. a container preform, with at least one high-frequency source, at least one gas feed for feeding process gas, and at least one plasma source, e.g. a plasma nozzle. The plasma source has an inner electrode surrounded by a nozzle tube, the plasma source is adapted to be introduced in a container to be coated and configured such that it is able to generate a plasma under ambient pressure, e.g. in a pressure range of 800 to 1,200 hPA, and the plasma can be discharged from a nozzle tube end. The temperature of the generated plasma lies within the range of the ambient temperature, e.g. between 10 and 50 ° C. The nozzle tube of the plasma source includes a longitudinal nozzle tube element and a lateral nozzle tube element projecting laterally from the longitudinal nozzle tube element (201). Plasma is dischargeable through the lateral nozzle tube end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jochen Krueger, Heinz Humele
  • Patent number: 8936458
    Abstract: A device for forming plastics material preforms into plastics material containers includes a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow moulds, inside which preforms can be formed into containers. The device includes an admission arrangement to expose the preforms, for the forming thereof, to a free-flowing medium, and stretching rods to extend the preforms in the longitudinal direction thereof. The device includes a transport arrangement which transports the blowing stations with the preforms along a first predefined transport path, and a control arrangement which controls movement of the stretching rods and exposure of the preforms to the freeflowing medium so that predefined sub-steps of the forming process are carried out during transport of the preforms along the first path. Sub-steps of the forming process can be carried out irrespective of geometric position of the preforms along the first path, and an output rate of the device can thus be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Rainer Englbrecht, Heinz Humele
  • Patent number: 8893757
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to containers is provided. In one embodiment, the process of applying the labels to the container is carried out by means of a laser unit. In another embodiment, a cutting unit is provided for the apparatus, which cutting unit likewise uses a laser and is arranged at least partially inside a cutting roller. In preferred embodiments, the complete application process, i.e. in particular including the bonding of the end sections of the label, is carried out by means of the laser unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Franz Gmeiner, Heinz Humele
  • Patent number: 8844708
    Abstract: A device for transferring fittings having at least two gripper units offset in the circumferential direction around a transfer axis of a transfer station. Each gripper unit can be activated in a clocked manner, whereby each gripper unit takes over from a feeder, via a movement around the transfer axis generated by an electric servomotor, at least one container fitting individually from a moving take-over position of a feeder and transfers it through the transfer station to a moving hand-over position offset in the circumferential direction of the transfer station. The gripper units are arranged such that they move around the transfer axis relative to one another. The transfer station includes the electric servomotors as drive motors of the gripper units for generating within one full revolution of each gripper unit individually periodically non-uniform movements of the gripper units in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Horst Winter, Heinz Humele, Volker Kronseder, Hartmut Davidson, Josef Scheck
  • Patent number: 8821788
    Abstract: The method for sterilizing containers, wherein a treatment head is guided into the interior of a container to be sterilized and the treatment head emits radiation in the interior of the container at least intermittently over a predefined time period (dT), wherein the container is moved relative to the treatment head in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container at least intermittently at a relative movement speed (v) over the predefined time period (dT). The relative movement speed (v) of the treatment head located in the interior of the container varies over the predefined time period and is controlled as a function of an internal profile of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Jochen Krueger, Heinz Humele
  • Publication number: 20140238613
    Abstract: A labeling machine with a rotatably driven carousel in which drive shafts for pallet shafts being parallel to the axis of rotation are rotatable, and having shaft control for rotating the drive shafts in an oscillating manner via translating gear mechanisms that are drivable by roller levers co-acting with a stationary cam system, with each gear mechanism being entirely accommodated in a capsule casing together with a supply of lubricant and the capsule casing is defined in the carousel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Wolfgang Hausladen, Christian Stoiber, Christian Holzer
  • Publication number: 20140116333
    Abstract: A glue roller for a labeling apparatus including a cylindrical jacket, the top and the bottom openings of which each have a lid plate arranged, where one of the lid plates comprises a gearing for connecting the glue roller with a drive motor, in particular a Hirth-type serration, and the other lid plate comprises one or more elements for connecting the glue roller with a mounting device of a labeling apparatus, and where the one or more elements is arranged on the side of the lid plate facing outwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Christian Stoiber, Christian Holzer, Ludwig Ferstl
  • Publication number: 20140116332
    Abstract: The invention comprises a gluing unit, in particular for a labeling apparatus, comprising a glue roller (1) and a motor (2) for driving the glue roller (1), where the motor (2) is positioned above the glue roller (1), where the motor (2) is with respect to a support structure (3) of the motor mounted in a height-adjustable manner, and where the height of the motor (2) is adjustable using a lever, in particular using an elbow lever (23) or a rocker lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Christian Stoiber, Christian Holzer, Ludwig Ferstl
  • Patent number: 8574371
    Abstract: A method for cleaning containers, in particular bottles of glass or plastics, and a cleaning machine with at least one cleaning medium, with the containers cleaned at least in one station preferential for the cleaning result and/or in a procedure step with at least essentially chemical-free cleaning media. The cleaning medium is advantageously a granular material, in particular granular ice, carried under pressure with compressed air or compressed water. The cleaning machine suited for carrying out the method includes downstream of an unpacking and presoaking station, a pre-cleaning station with a high pressure water blasting pre-cleaning section, and subsequently an intensive cleaning station with at least one intensive cleaning section to which a pressure blasting system for chemical-free, granular material and a carrier medium are associated, and a disinfection station following the intensive cleaning station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Cornelia Folz, Jan Momsen, Heinz Humele, Timm Kirchhoff, Klaus-Karl Wasmuht, Bernd Hansen, Thomas Islinger, Christoph Weinholzer
  • Patent number: 8524083
    Abstract: A filter device and a method for the filtration of beer, where, for an improved and simplified filtration, the filter includes a nonfiltrate chamber having a nonfiltrate inlet and a nonfiltrate outlet, wherein the nonfiltrate flows into the nonfiltrate chamber substantially tangentially to the walls thereof, and the bottom of the nonfiltrate chamber is constructed at least partially as a filter. The filter also includes a filtrate chamber underneath the bottom, and a filtrate outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Klaus-Karl Wasmuht, Cornelia Folz, Kurt Stippler, Thomas Albrecht, Heinz Humele, Michael Thomas Stein