Patents by Inventor Johann Zimmerer

Johann Zimmerer 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: 11787090
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic preforms with a transport device which includes holding devices for holding the plastic preforms and wherein the transport path has at least one heating portion inside which the plastic preforms are heated, and with a heating device arranged stationarily at least in portions along the transport path and which heats the plastic preforms transported by the transport device during their transport through the heating portion, wherein the heating device has at least one in particular stationary applicator device which is configured for bombarding the plastic preforms with microwaves to heat them. In the heating portion, the transport device is arranged relative to the applicator device such that at least parts of the holding devices are arranged outside the applicator device, wherein the applicator device is configured to receive several plastic preforms simultaneously for at least some of the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Feigl, Christian Betz, Johann Zimmerer, Konrad Senn, Christian Compera
  • Publication number: 20210046677
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic preforms with a transport device which includes holding devices for holding the plastic preforms and wherein the transport path has at least one heating portion inside which the plastic preforms are heated, and with a heating device arranged stationary at least in portions along the transport path and which heats the plastic preforms transported by the transport device during their transport through the heating portion, wherein the heating device has at least one in particular stationary applicator device which is configured for bombarding the plastic preforms with microwaves to heat them. In the heating portion, the transport device is arranged relative to the applicator device such that at least parts of the holding devices are arranged outside the applicator device, wherein the applicator device is configured to receive several plastic preforms simultaneously for at least some of the time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander FEIGL, Christian BETZ, Johann ZIMMERER, Konrad SENN, Christian COMPERA
  • Patent number: 10449695
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for heating plastic preforms, having a plurality of resonator units, into which in each case plastic preforms can be introduced in order to heat the latter, having at least one microwave generating unit for generating microwaves, and having a feed device for feeding to at least one resonator unit the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit, and having at least one rectifier unit for providing a rectified voltage. Further, at least one rectifier unit provides voltage for operating at least two resonator units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Martin Kammerl, Andreas Kursawe, Konrad Senn, Johann Zimmerer
  • Patent number: 10286575
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating plastic preforms, having a microwave generating device which generates microwaves, and having a resonator device which forms a receiving space into which the plastic preforms can be introduced so as to be acted upon by the microwaves in the resonator device in order to be heated, wherein the apparatus has a reflector element which is arranged at least partially in the receiving space and which is suitable and intended for conducting microwaves in the direction of a base region of the plastic preforms. According to the invention, the reflector element is movable relative to the receiving space and the apparatus has a drive device for moving the reflector element relative to the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kursawe, Florian Fuchs, Johann Zimmerer, Konrad Senn, Martin Kammerl
  • Patent number: 9676138
    Abstract: A holding device for holding plastic containers and in particular plastic parisons with a holding section which can be introduced into a mouth of the plastic containers, wherein the holding section has at least one first holding element and one second holding element which are movable relative to one another and which in each case have a section which can be applied to an inner wall of the mouth. According to the invention an expansion body which supports the two holding elements at least intermittently is disposed between the holding elements, wherein a replaceable expansion element is disposed on this expansion body, wherein this expansion element is located at least in some sections between the expansion body and the holding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Krones, AG
    Inventor: Johann Zimmerer
  • Publication number: 20160318211
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating plastic preforms, having a microwave generating device which generates microwaves, and having a resonator device which forms a receiving space into which the plastic preforms can be introduced so as to be acted upon by the microwaves in the resonator device in order to be heated, wherein the apparatus has a reflector element which is arranged at least partially in the receiving space and which is suitable and intended for conducting microwaves in the direction of a base region of the plastic preforms. According to the invention, the reflector element is movable relative to the receiving space and the apparatus has a drive device for moving the reflector element relative to the receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Kursawe, Florian Fuchs, Johann Zimmerer, Konrad Senn, Martin Kammerl
  • Publication number: 20160303769
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for heating plastic preforms, having a plurality of resonator units, into which in each case plastic preforms can be introduced in order to heat the latter, having at least one microwave generating unit for generating microwaves, and having a feed device for feeding to at least one resonator unit the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit, and having at least one rectifier unit for providing a rectified voltage. Further, at least one rectifier unit provides voltage for operating at least two resonator units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: MARTIN KAMMERL, ANDREAS KURSAWE, KONRAD SENN, JOHANN ZIMMERER
  • Publication number: 20160016350
    Abstract: A holding device for holding plastic containers and in particular plastic parisons with a holding section which can be introduced into a mouth of the plastic containers, wherein the holding section has at least one first holding element and one second holding element which are movable relative to one another and which in each case have a section which can be applied to an inner wall of the mouth. According to the invention an expansion body which supports the two holding elements at least intermittently is disposed between the holding elements, wherein a replaceable expansion element is disposed on this expansion body, wherein this expansion element is located at least in some sections between the expansion body and the holding elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Johann Zimmerer
  • Patent number: 9095009
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic receptacles and particularly plastic parisons may include a transport device, which transports the plastic receptacles along a predetermined transport path, a microwave generation device, and a routing device, which routes the microwaves in the direction of the plastic receptacles which are to be heated The routing device may be at least sectionally in the form of a hollow conductor. The apparatus includes a control device which is in a form such that it controls the microwave energy hitting the plastic receptacles during the heating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Johann Zimmerer, Guenter Winkler, Rainer Englbrecht, Andreas Apelsmeier, Konrad Senn
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8664574
    Abstract: A resonator unit includes a resonator chamber with a first opening for receiving container in a predefined position and for heating the container with microwaves coupled into the resonator chamber. The chamber has a second opening via which the microwaves are coupled into the resonator chamber, wherein the geometry of the resonator chamber relative to the predefined position of the container in the first opening is adapted by a device for adapting the geometry so that an electric field produced in the resonator chamber in a working mode is symmetrical in relation to the container or the impedance of the resonator unit equipped with container is approximately constant for containers of different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Andreas Apelsmeier, Johann Zimmerer, Guenther Winkler
  • Patent number: 8231823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for heating preforms of a thermoplastic material, the preforms, after having been heated, being subjected to a reshaping operation, and microwaves being applied to the preforms, at least during a portion of the period of heating, in a resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Christian Detrois, Jochen Forsthoevel, Martin Schloegl, Johann Zimmerer
  • Publication number: 20120100238
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes a heating module that heats plastic preforms and a moulding module for moulding the preforms into containers. The heating module includes a first transport unit that transports the preforms during the heating and a first interface. The moulding module is downstream of the heating module in the transport direction and includes a blow moulding 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 moulding module may be disposed on the heating module and at least one further module integrated between the heating and moulding modules. The further module treats the preforms following the heating and prior to the moulding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz HUMELE, Klaus VOTH, Johann ZIMMERER, Dieter FINGER, Martin SEGER, Christoph KLENK, Konrad SENN, Frank WINZINGER, Alexandra DONHAUSER
  • Publication number: 20110253708
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for heating plastic preforms (10), comprising at least one microwave generator (2) that generates an alternating electromagnetic field in the form of microwaves, a microwave transmission unit (4) that transmits the microwaves generated by the microwave generator (2) to a resonator unit (6), and a conveying device that conveys the plastic preforms (10) to the resonator unit (6), wherein the resonator unit (6) comprises a resonator housing (8) that forms a receptacle space (10) for heating the plastic preforms (10), said housing having at least one inner wall (22a, 22b, 22c) facing the plastic preforms (10) and an injection area (12) through which the microwaves are introduced into the resonator unit (6), wherein the inner wall (22a, 22b, 22c) is annealed on the surface thereof facing the plastic preforms at least in some sections such that the annealing reduces power losses in the inner wall caused by the microwaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Johann Zimmerer, Konrad Senn, Guenter Winkler, Andreas Apelsmeier
  • Publication number: 20110084064
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for heating plastic receptacles (10) and particularly plastic parisons (10) with a transport device (2), which transports the plastic receptacles (10) along a predetermined transport path, with a microwave generation device (4), with a routing device (6) which routes the microwaves in the direction of the plastic receptacles (10) which are to be heated, said routing device (6) being at least sectionally in the form of a hollow conductor. In line with the invention, the apparatus (1) has a control device (12) which is in a form such that it controls the microwave energy hitting the plastic receptacles (10) during the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Krones AG
    Inventors: Johann Zimmerer, Guenter Winkler, Rainer Englbrecht, Andreas Apelsmeier, Konrad Senn
  • Publication number: 20100181309
    Abstract: A resonator unit (16) comprising a resonator chamber (40) with a first opening (42) for receiving a container (10) in a predefined position and for heating the container (10) by means of microwaves coupled into the resonator chamber (40), and with a second opening (44) via which the microwaves are coupled into the resonator chamber (40), wherein the geometry of the resonator chamber (40) relative to the predefined position of the container (10) in the first opening (42) is adapted by a device for adapting the geometry so that an electric field produced in the resonator chamber (40) in a working mode is symmetrical in relation to the container or the impedance of the resonator unit (16) equipped with a container (10) is approximately constant for containers (10) of different configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Andreas Apelsmeier, Johann Zimmerer, Guenther Winkler
  • Publication number: 20100052224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for heating preforms of a thermoplastic material, the preforms, after having been heated, being subjected to a reshaping operation, and microwaves being applied to the preforms, at least during a portion of the period of heating, in a resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Christian Delrois, Jochen Forsthoevel, Martin Schloegl, Johann Zimmerer
  • Publication number: 20080032059
    Abstract: A device for treating containers such as bottles, preferably PET containers, such as PET bottles, with a plasma, whereby the device is designed for sterilizing and/or coating the containers. In addition, the device also relates to a method for treating containers, preferably PET containers such as PET bottles, with a plasma, whereby the treatment comprises sterilization and/or the coating of the containers. Also provided is an airlock for containers such as bottles, in particular PET containers such as PET bottles, having cells to receive the containers, at least one cell being designed to receive at least two containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Johann Zimmerer, Heinz Humele