Patents by Inventor Markus Kulzer

Markus Kulzer 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: 12570035
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein a preform is expanded into the container by exposure to a flowable medium, wherein the flowable medium is stored under a first pressure in a first pressure reservoir and is stored under a second pressure higher than the first pressure in a second pressure reservoir, and the preform is subjected to first and second blowing pressures via a flow connection between the first and second pressure reservoirs, respectively. The preform and at least at times, the flowable medium is returned to the first pressure reservoir, wherein first values characteristic of the action of the flowable medium on the preforms are predetermined, wherein taking into account the first values, second values are determined which are characteristic for a period of time of the return of the flowable medius into the first pressure reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Benedikt Hengl, Daniel Vogler, Markus Kulzer, Dominik Meier
  • Patent number: 12570036
    Abstract: A method for forming plastic preforms into containers, wherein a transport device transports the preforms along a transport path. The transport device has a rotatable transport carrier where forming stations are arranged for forming the preforms into containers. The forming stations each have devices which apply a flowable medium to the preforms, and the apparatus has three pressure reservoirs which store the flowable and gaseous medium to expand the preforms. The preforms are applied to a first operating mode with a first pressure level stored in the first pressure reservoir, and at least one second and one third pressure levels stored in the second and third pressure reservoirs. The second pressure level is higher than the first, and the third pressure level is higher than the second. The apparatus is operated in a second operating mode, which differs from the first mode by pressure level prevailing in the second pressure reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Benedikt Hengl, Daniel Vogler, Dominik Meier, Markus Kulzer
  • Publication number: 20260054445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a forming device for forming plastics material preforms into plastics material containers, wherein the forming device has a movable carrier on which a plurality of forming stations are arranged, wherein each of these forming stations forms plastics material preforms into the plastics material containers by applying a flowable and, in particular, gaseous medium in an operation mode, wherein in the operation mode at least two different pressure levels are applied to the plastics material preforms for the expansion thereof and at least two valves are used for this application, wherein at least one measured value is determined, at least at times, which is characteristic of a switching time and/or a switching time delay of at least one of the valves, wherein this measured value results from a pressure measured value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2025
    Publication date: February 26, 2026
    Inventors: Benedikt HENGL, Markus KULZER, Sebastian KIRCHMAYER, Daniel VOGLER
  • Patent number: 12533840
    Abstract: A method for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers using at least one device for forming preforms into containers, wherein preforms are acted upon by a flowable and, in particular, gas-forming medium and are formed into the containers, wherein the preforms are acted upon with different pressure levels and the flowable medium is stored in at least two reservoirs and is supplied from these reservoirs to the preforms and at least one of these reservoirs is supplied with the flowable medium by a pressure supply device, wherein the target pressure in at least one reservoir is controlled, and wherein this target pressure is compared with an actual pressure in this reservoir. A value characteristic of this comparison is determined. An offset value is controlled on the basis of this value and is controlled in such a way that a predetermined pressure and the target pressure is set in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Dominik Meier, Benedikt Hengl, Daniel Vogler, Markus Kulzer
  • Publication number: 20250360669
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein at least three different pressure stages are applied to the plastic preforms in order to expand them, wherein the pressure stages are provided by at least three different compressed-air reservoirs, and wherein, additionally, the plastic preforms are stretched in their longitudinal direction by stretching rods, wherein compressed air is returned at least at times from the plastic containers to at least one compressed-air reservoir, and at least one value characteristic of the consumption of compressed air is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Christian BETZ, Thomas HOELLRIEGL, Konrad SENN, Dominik MEIER, Benedikt HENGL, Markus KULZER, Daniel VOGLER, Stefan SERVE
  • Publication number: 20250345979
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a forming device which has a plurality of forming stations each having a stretching bar for stretching the plastic preform and an application device act upon the plastic container with a flowable medium. The forming device has at least four pressure reservoirs for the flowable medium, which each have predetermined pressures, and a valve block with at least five process valves. The application device is configured for producing a fluid connection between the valve block and a mouth region of the plastic preform in order to act upon the plastic preforms with the pressurised flowable medium, and the process valves are configured to act upon the plastic preforms with different pressures, wherein at least one process valve is configured for producing a connection between the plastic preform and an environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventors: Benedikt HENGL, Andreas BRUNNER, Dieter FINGER, Markus KULZER, Dominik MEIER, Thomas GERSTENBERG, Konrad SENN, Daniel VOGLER, Thomas HOELLRIEGL, Klaus VOTH, Christian BETZ
  • Patent number: 12403644
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a forming device which has a plurality of forming stations each having a stretching bar for stretching the plastic preform and an application device act upon the plastic container with a flowable medium. The forming device has at least four pressure reservoirs for the flowable medium, which each have predetermined pressures, and a valve block with at least five process valves. The application device is configured for producing a fluid connection between the valve block and a mouth region of the plastic preform in order to act upon the plastic preforms with the pressurised flowable medium, and the process valves are configured to act upon the plastic preforms with different pressures, wherein at least one process valve is configured for producing a connection between the plastic preform and an environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Benedikt Hengl, Andreas Brunner, Dieter Finger, Markus Kulzer, Dominik Meier, Thomas Gerstenberg, Konrad Senn, Daniel Vogler, Thomas Hoellriegl, Klaus Voth, Christian Betz
  • Publication number: 20240408808
    Abstract: The method wherein plastic preforms are formed into plastic containers by application of a flowable medium wherein the plastic preforms are biased with different pressure levels and the flowable medium is stored in at least two reservoirs and is supplied from these reservoirs to the plastic preforms, wherein at least one of these reservoirs is supplied with the flowable medium by a pressure supply device and wherein the flowable medium is returned at least temporarily from the plastic container to at least one of these reservoirs, wherein a pressure in at least one reservoir is controlled, and wherein a target pressure is compared with an actual pressure in this reservoir, and a value characteristic of this comparison is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Markus KULZER, Benedikt HENGL, Daniel VOGLER
  • Publication number: 20240399642
    Abstract: A method and device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers has a plurality of forming stations each having application devices which apply a flowable medium at least a first pressure level, a second pressure level, a third pressure level and a fourth pressure level respectively, wherein the second pressure level is higher than the first pressure level, the third pressure level is higher than and the second pressure level and the fourth pressure level is higher than the third pressure level and wherein at least at times a bottom area of the plastic preform and/or plastic container is applied with the flowable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Markus KULZER, Dominik MEIER, Daniel VOGLER, Benedikt HENGL
  • Publication number: 20240083091
    Abstract: Method for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein a preform is expanded into the container by exposure to a flowable medium, wherein the medium is stored under a first pressure in a first pressure reservoir and is stored under a second pressure higher than the first pressure in a second pressure reservoir, and the preform is subjected to a first blowing pressure via a flow connection between the first pressure reservoir and the preform and is subjected to the second blowing pressure via a flow connection between the second pressure reservoir and the preform and wherein at times the flowable medium is returned to the first pressure reservoir, and first values characteristic of the action of the medium on the preforms are predetermined taking into account the first values, second values are determined which are characteristic for a point or period in time of the return of the mediums into the first pressure reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Benedikt HENGL, Daniel VOGLER, Markus KULZER, Dominik MEIER
  • Publication number: 20240083090
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, wherein a preform is expanded into the container by exposure to a flowable medium, wherein the flowable medium is stored under a first pressure in a first pressure reservoir and is stored under a second pressure higher than the first pressure in a second pressure reservoir, and the preform is subjected to first and second blowing pressures via a flow connection between the first and second pressure reservoirs, respectively. The preform and at least at times, the flowable medium is returned to the first pressure reservoir, wherein first values characteristic of the action of the flowable medium on the preforms are predetermined, wherein taking into account the first values, second values are determined which are characteristic for a period of time of the return of the flowable medius into the first pressure reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Benedikt HENGL, Daniel VOGLER, Markus KULZER, Dominik MEIER
  • Publication number: 20240083098
    Abstract: A method for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers using at least one device for forming preforms into containers, wherein preforms are acted upon by a flowable and, in particular, gas-forming medium and are formed into the containers, wherein the preforms are acted upon with different pressure levels and the flowable medium is stored in at least two reservoirs and is supplied from these reservoirs to the preforms and at least one of these reservoirs is supplied with the flowable medium by a pressure supply device, wherein the target pressure in at least one reservoir is controlled, and wherein this target pressure is compared with an actual pressure in this reservoir. A value characteristic of this comparison is determined. An offset value is controlled on the basis of this value and is controlled in such a way that a predetermined pressure and the target pressure is set in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Dominik MEIER, Benedikt HENGL, Daniel VOGLER, Markus KULZER
  • Publication number: 20240083097
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers having a transport device which transports the preforms to be formed along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a rotatable transport carrier on which a plurality of forming stations are arranged which each have a blow-molding device within which the preforms can be formed into the containers. The forming stations each have a pressurizing device which pressurizes the preforms with a flowable medium, i.e., compressed air, wherein the pressurizing device subjects the preforms to a preblowing pressure, at least one and preferably two intermediate blowing pressures, and a final blowing pressure. The apparatus has a detection device which is configured for detecting at least one value characteristic of the plastic container, wherein depending on this value characteristic of the container, the duration of the pressure rise time of at least one intermediate blowing pressure can be regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel VOGLER, Jochen HIRDINA, Benedikt HENGL, Markus KULZER
  • Publication number: 20240083096
    Abstract: A method for forming plastic preforms into containers, wherein a transport device transports the preforms along a transport path. The transport device has a rotatable transport carrier where forming stations are arranged for forming the preforms into containers. The forming stations each have devices which apply a flowable medium to the preforms, and the apparatus has three pressure reservoirs which store the flowable and gaseous medium to expand the preforms. The preforms are applied to a first operating mode with a first pressure level stored in the first pressure reservoir, and at least one second and one third pressure levels stored in the second and third pressure reservoirs. The second pressure level is higher than the first, and the third pressure level is higher than the second. The apparatus is operated in a second operating mode, which differs from the first mode by pressure level prevailing in the second pressure reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Benedikt HENGL, Daniel VOGLER, Dominik MEIER, Markus KULZER
  • Patent number: 11833731
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with at least one forming station which forms the plastic preforms into the plastic containers by the action of a flowable medium, wherein the forming station has a blow mould which forms a cavity, within which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers. The blow mould has a base part which has an inner contour which forms a base of the containers, wherein the base part has at least one channel for conducting a temperature control medium for temperature control of the base part. A course of the channel is adapted to a course of the inner contour and/or the channel has, on its inner surface facing the temperature control medium, structures and/or cross-sectional changes which influence the flow of the temperature control medium through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Andreas Pense, Markus Kulzer
  • Publication number: 20230134386
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a forming device which has a plurality of forming stations each having a stretching bar for stretching the plastic pre-form and an application device act upon the plastic container with a flowable medium. The forming device has at least four pressure reservoirs for the flowable medium, which each have predetermined pressures, and a valve block with at least five process valves. The application device is configured for producing a fluid connection between the valve block and a mouth region of the plastic preform in order to act upon the plastic preforms with the pressurised flowable medium, and the process valves are configured to act upon the plastic pre-forms with different pressures, wherein at least one process valve is configured for producing a connection between the plastic preform and an environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Benedikt HENGL, Andreas BRUNNER, Dieter FINGER, Markus KULZER, Dominik MEIER, Thomas KITZINGER, Konrad SENN, Daniel VOGLER, Thomas HOELLRIEGL, Klaus VOTH, Christian BETZ
  • Patent number: 11565458
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a blow mould which forms a cavity within which the plastic preforms can be expanded to form the plastic containers, and having an application device which is suitable and intended for acting upon the plastic preforms with a flowable medium in order to expand them, which is suitable and intended for acting upon the plastic preforms with a flowable medium in order to expand them, wherein the application device is placed against a mouth area of the plastic preforms in order to act upon these with the flowable medium. The application device forms at least one first flow channel for the flowable medium, which guides and/or directs at least a portion of the flowable medium to an inner wall of the mouth area in order to temper and, in particular, cool this inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hoellriegl, Markus Stiegler, Oliver Apfelbacher, Markus Kulzer, Gerald Huettner
  • Patent number: 11559933
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for forming plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers (20). In a closed state of a blow mould (14), a contact area is formed between side parts (14a, 14b), in which the two side parts (14a, 14b) rest against each other, the side parts (14a, 14b) form a mould separation seam (5) in the contact area. In accordance with the invention, at least one section of at least one side part (14a, 14b) has a coating and/or an additional element (60) in a region of the mould separation seam (5), so that a heat transfer between the plastic preform (10) and the inner wall (52, 54) in the contact area can be delayed at least in places at these at least one section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Markus Kulzer, Juergen Soellner, Thomas Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20220143896
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with at least one forming station which forms the plastic preforms into the plastic containers by the action of a flowable medium, wherein the forming station has a blow mould which forms a cavity, within which the plastic preforms are formed into the plastic containers. The blow mould has a base part which has an inner contour which forms a base of the containers, wherein the base part has at least one channel for conducting a temperature control medium for temperature control of the base part. A course of the channel is adapted to a course of the inner contour and/or the channel has, on its inner surface facing the temperature control medium, structures and/or cross-sectional changes which influence the flow of the temperature control medium through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Konrad SENN, Andreas PENSE, Markus KULZER
  • Publication number: 20220009148
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a blow mould which forms a cavity within which the plastic preforms can be expanded to form the plastic containers, and having an application device which is suitable and intended for acting upon the plastic preforms with a flowable medium in order to expand them, which is suitable and intended for acting upon the plastic preforms with a flowable medium in order to expand them, wherein the application device is placed against a mouth area of the plastic preforms in order to act upon these with the flowable medium. The application device forms at least one first flow channel for the flowable medium, which guides and/or directs at least a portion of the flowable medium to an inner wall of the mouth area in order to temper and, in particular, cool this inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Hoellriegl, Markus Stiegler, Oliver Apfelbacher, Markus Kulzer, Gerald Huettner