Patents by Inventor Konrad Senn

Konrad Senn 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).

  • 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: 20110256256
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for handling a container product, in particular a container or a preform for producing a container, where the product is provided with an orientation mark and adapted to be rotated to a predetermined rotary angle position relative to a holder by an orienting means. To do so in a structurally simple and reliable manner, the orienting means are arranged at a transfer site between a holder of a first conveying unit and a holder of a second conveying unit, at which the holders move relative to one another in an accompanying movement, and the rotary movement of the product to the predetermined rotary angle position is derived from the relative movement of the holders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN HOLZER, Konrad Senn
  • Publication number: 20110236517
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing plastic containers by a blow molding machine, where the blow molding machine is operated such that at least two different plastic containers are output from the blow molding machine within one production cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Frank Winzinger, Robert Aust
  • Publication number: 20110198768
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Konrad Senn
  • Publication number: 20110132892
    Abstract: A rotary-type furnace for conditioning preforms with a heating wheel at which several heating modules for heating one preform each are arranged, wherein the heating modules are each a heating chamber and a holding device for the preform. The furnace has a lifting device for lifting and lowering the holding device and/or the heating chamber to change between a loading or withdrawal position, in which the preform does not overlap with the heating chamber in the direction of its main axis, and a radiation position in which a section of the preform is arranged within the heating chamber, a particularly quick and reliable transfer from an infeed starwheel can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Frank Winzinger, Christian Holzer, Wolfgang Schonberger, Konrad Senn, Andreas Wutz
  • Publication number: 20110135288
    Abstract: A furnace for conditioning preforms with several heating chambers rotating in a circle for heating one preform each with infrared radiation, and having holding devices for holding the preforms during heating, so that a section of the preform to be conditioned is essentially arranged in the heating chamber, and a section not to be conditioned is arranged outside the heating chamber. Accordingly, the section to be conditioned can be heated in a controlled and effective manner, and the section not to be conditioned can be protected from undesired heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Frank Winzinger, Wolfgang Schonberger, Christian Holzer, Konrad Senn, Andreas Wutz
  • 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: 20110057342
    Abstract: A method for removing blow moulds from a forming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers may include arranging a multi-piece blow mould on a blow mould carrier. The method may include separating the blow mould in at least partly assembled state from the blow mould carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Rupert MEINZINGER, Konrad SENN, Thomas ALBRECHT
  • Publication number: 20110049742
    Abstract: A method for operating a transforming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers may include at least one blow mould carrier and a multi-part blow mould arranged on the blow mould carrier. A holding connection may be provided between the blow mould and the blow mould carrier. The holding connection between the blow mould carrier and the blow mould may be detached or established in an at least partially automated manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Konrad SENN
  • Publication number: 20100295217
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of heating a preform (50) of thermoplastic material prior to blow molding the same to form a container, with the preform (50) being held at a threaded region (58) during heating thereof. A neck portion (48) of the preform (50) close to the threaded region (58) is temporarily heated more strongly as compared to other regions. The invention further relates to a tempering device for heating such a preform (50), including at least one radiation and/or heat source acting on the preform (50) and defining several impact regions on the preform (50) with different heating intensities each. The preform (50) has associated therewith at least one reflector (52) disposed in the threaded (58) and/or neck region (48) for deflecting radiation proportions piercing the neck region (48) and for heating the neck region (48) on an inside of the preform (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Jochen Forsthoevel, Ulrich Lappe, Jochen Hirdina, Peter Knapp, Konrad Senn, Gerald Huettner
  • Publication number: 20100225029
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic receptacles includes a transport device which transports the receptacles along a predetermined transport path and at least one heating device for heating the plastic receptacles. The heating device includes at least one radiation source which directs radiation at the plastic receptacles and at least one first reflector element which reflects radiation emitted from the radiation source. The apparatus includes a proportional reflection device which transmits radiation emitted by the radiation source with wavelengths in a first predetermined wavelength range onto the receptacle and reflects radiation with wavelengths in a second predetermined wavelength range onto the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: 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: 20090230124
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for heating containers and in particular preforms. The apparatus comprising a microwave heating device which has a microwave generator and a microwave conductor, and a transport device which transports the containers. The apparatus can further comprise a further heating device which heats the containers, wherein the further heating device is a pre-heating unit which is arranged upstream of the microwave heating device in the transport direction of the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Konrad Senn