Patents by Inventor Markus Zoelfl

Markus Zoelfl 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: 20260044144
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method, a computer apparatus and a system for automatically recognizing an anomaly in a machine operation. The machine operation is, in particular, of machines for filling and packaging food and/or beverages. Anomaly recognition comprises the capturing of sensor data, the automatic categorization of these data according to operating states and the extraction of relevant features for each category of operating states. Threshold values are specified with the aid of statistical methods in order to define precise operating limits. This model is monitored and adjusted in order to respond to anomalies at an early stage and ensure operational safety. The disclosure creates a robust monitoring system that makes it possible to monitor the condition of the machine system in real time and respond at an early stage to deviating operating conditions. This contributes to increasing operational safety, avoiding downtime and optimizing maintenance processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Sebastian LANGWIESER, Markus ZOELFL, Dominik RAMSAUER
  • Publication number: 20250229460
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating plastics material preforms has a transport device which transports the plastics material preforms along a predetermined transport path, at least one heating unit to heat the transported plastics material preforms, and a forming device arranged downstream of the heating device for forming the heated plastics material preforms into plastics material containers. The apparatus has at least one temperature detection device for detecting to detect a temperature of the plastics material preforms heated by the heating device, in a spatially resolved manner at least in a longitudinal direction of the plastics material preforms, and an image recording device to record a spatially resolved image of the plastics material preforms, wherein the image recording device is configurable taking into account at least one parameter characteristic of the plastics material preforms to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Markus ZOELFL, Daniel PETER
  • Publication number: 20250187249
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for producing containers which comprises: a control device which is designed to set at least one working parameter for the production of at least one first container, a measuring device that is designed to measure at least one container parameter of the at least one produced first container in order to obtain a measured value of the at least one container parameter, a measurement correction device designed to correct the measured value of the at least one container parameter based on at least one model parameter of a numerical model, and a performance parameter determination device that is designed to determine at least one performance parameter value on the basis of the corrected at least one measured value. The control device is designed to control the production of at least one second container based on the at least one working parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Andreas STOPFER, Robert AUST, Peter KUEN, Andreas STEINER, Simon FISCHER, Benedikt BOETTCHER, Konrad SENN, Markus ZOELFL
  • Publication number: 20250153418
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a container treatment system, for example a blow molding machine, for producing containers from preforms, wherein the method comprises: providing a main agent comprising a plurality of sub-agents, each sub-agent being assigned to a container type or a preform, a target parameter set for controlling the container treatment system and a group of target values for a controlled variable being provided for each sub-agent; carrying out a determination of a characteristic of a preform; evaluating a result of the determination and automatically selecting a corresponding sub-agent from the plurality of sub-agents based on the evaluation; and using the corresponding sub-agent for controlling the container treatment system. The disclosure further relates to a device comprising a container treatment system and a control device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Benedikt BOETTCHER, Markus ZOELFL, Andreas STEINER, Robert AUST
  • Publication number: 20240085871
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating containers, wherein the containers are transported along a predetermined transport path by a transport device and are treated in a predetermined manner by a first treatment device, wherein predetermined working parameters are used for the treatment of the container, wherein individual containers being inspected after their treatment and at least one variable characteristic of a quality of this container being determined, wherein that at least one identification information is generated by an inspected container and/or an inspection operation can be uniquely identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas STEINER, Robert SZWARC, Benedikt BOETTCHER, Konrad SENN, Philipp OLENBERG, Markus ZOELFL
  • Patent number: 11505352
    Abstract: Provided is a device for processing containers, in particular plastic containers, including at least one container-processing apparatus, which has at least one changeover access entry, at which at least one of format parts and tools can be exchanged during changeover operation, and including a transport system, by means of which the at least one of format parts and tools can be brought to the at least one container-processing apparatus. The transport system is a driverless transport system, by which the format parts and/or tools can be automatically brought to at least one container-processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Thomas Mildner, Stefan Raith, Markus Zoelfl
  • Patent number: 11174144
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a storage and distribution unit for a container filling plant and a method for storing and distributing the containers. A store is provided, which comprises storage areas for containers, the storage areas being distributed in a grid pattern, a container feed for connection to a discharge line section of a filling line, and a container outlet for connection to inspection units. The storage and distribution unit comprises a robot for putting filled containers into storage by transferring them from the container feed to the storage areas as well as for taking the containers out of storage by transferring them from the storage areas to the container outlet. Making use of a programmable control unit, the robot can be controlled for selectively taking the containers out of storage independently of the moment in time at which and/or the sequence in which they have been put into storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Markus Zoelfl, Rudolf Fiegler, Stefan Raith, Peter Lindner
  • Publication number: 20210163167
    Abstract: Provided is a device for processing containers, in particular plastic containers, including at least one container-processing apparatus, which has at least one changeover access entry, at which at least one of format parts and tools can be exchanged during changeover operation, and including a transport system, by means of which the at least one of format parts and tools can be brought to the at least one container-processing apparatus. The transport system is a driverless transport system, by which the format parts and/or tools can be automatically brought to at least one container-processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Thomas Mildner, Stefan Raith, Markus Zoelfl
  • Patent number: 10981685
    Abstract: A container handling plant and a method for a container handling plant are shown. The container handling plant comprises at least one container handling machine for handling containers, wherein at least one container handling machine comprises a type preselection memory in which different types are preselectable for a handling to be performed by the container handling machine, at least one output device positioned at the at least one container handling machine for outputting an audio signal and/or an optical signal, and a control device configured to control the at least one output device such that the output device acoustically outputs a predetermined audio signal made of tone sequences comprising at least two different tones and/or optically outputs an optical signal, if due to the type preselected in the type preselection memory a change of a type or a refilling for the preselected type at the container handling machine is scheduled in the future at the end of a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Robert Klein, Wolfgang Hahn, Timo Pronold, Markus Zoelfl
  • Patent number: 10960595
    Abstract: A method for operating a system for handling containers, wherein said system for handling containers has a first handling device which handles the containers in a first predetermined manner, and at least one second handling device which handles the containers in a second predetermined manner, and a transport device which transports the containers from the first handling device to the second handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Zoelfl, Robert Aust
  • Patent number: 10936977
    Abstract: A method of determining the resource efficiency of a plant for the production of drinks containers, wherein the plant has at least one resource-consuming part, wherein the part of the plant is operated at least for a time in a first operative state (B1) in which a product is produced and the part of the plant has a first resource consumption (V1) in this operative state (B1), and wherein the part of the plant is operated at least for a time in a second operative state (B2) and has a second resource consumption (V1) in this second operative state (B2), wherein at least one first resource consumption (V1) capable of being allocated to the first operative state (B1) and at least one second resource consumption (V2) capable of being allocated to the second operative state (B2) determined and the resource consumption (V1, V2) is allocated to the operative states (B1, B2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Zoelfl, Albert Link, Ulrich Buchhauser, Norbert Ottmann
  • Publication number: 20200189896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container processing installation (100) for processing containers such as bottles, comprising at least one container processing machine (120, 130) and a mobile collaborating robot (101) that is designed for robot-robot interaction and/or robot-human interaction, wherein said collaborating robot (101) is designed to cooperate during exchange of a component of the container processing machine. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for exchanging a component of a container processing machine of a container processing installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stefan RAITH, Wolfgang HAHN, Andreas HACK, Florian GELTINGER, Markus ZOELFL
  • Publication number: 20200031648
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a storage and distribution unit for a container filling plant and a method for storing and distributing the containers. A store is provided, which comprises storage areas for containers, the storage areas being distributed in a grid pattern, a container feed for connection to a discharge line section of a filling line, and a container outlet for connection to inspection units. The storage and distribution unit comprises a robot for putting filled containers into storage by transferring them from the container feed to the storage areas as well as for taking the containers out of storage by transferring them from the storage areas to the container outlet. Making use of a programmable control unit, the robot can be controlled for selectively taking the containers out of storage independently of the moment in time at which and/or the sequence in which they have been put into storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Markus Zoelfl, Rudolf Fiegler, Stefan Raith, Peter Lindner
  • Publication number: 20190248529
    Abstract: A container handling plant and a method for a container handling plant are shown. The container handling plant comprises at least one container handling machine for handling containers, wherein at least one container handling machine comprises a type preselection memory in which different types are preselectable for a handling to be performed by the container handling machine, at least one output device positioned at the at least one container handling machine for outputting an audio signal and/or an optical signal, and a control device configured to control the at least one output device such that the output device acoustically outputs a predetermined audio signal made of tone sequences comprising at least two different tones and/or optically outputs an optical signal, if due to the type preselected in the type preselection memory a change of a type or a refilling for the preselected type at the container handling machine is scheduled in the future at the end of a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Krones AG
    Inventors: Robert Klein, Wolfgang Hahn, Timo Pronold, Markus Zoelfl
  • Publication number: 20190022915
    Abstract: A method for operating a system for handling containers, wherein said system for handling containers has a first handling device which handles the containers in a first predetermined manner, and at least one second handling device which handles the containers in a second predetermined manner, and a transport device which transports the containers from the first handling device to the second handling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Markus ZOELFL, Robert AUST
  • Patent number: 9840404
    Abstract: A production system for producing and/or filling containers, including beverage bottles, includes modular processing units. Each of the modular processing units includes a stationary operating module configured to produce or process the containers and handling devices. The handling devices are configured to handle the containers between a container entry of the processing unit and a container exit of the processing unit and to position the containers in the operating module. The handling devices are configured such that the processing units are individually replaceable. Alternatively or additionally to this, at least two processing units of a same kind are provided to which the containers are specifically distributable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hausladen, Christian Stoiber, Wolfgang Hahn, Alexander Kaiser, Markus Zoelfl, Frank Winzinger, Stefan Raith
  • Patent number: 9375878
    Abstract: A method for operating an installation for handling containers, wherein the containers from a first handling unit of the installation are handled by predetermined first handling parameters and the containers from a second handling unit of the installation are handled by predetermined second handling parameters, and wherein the first handling parameters and the second handling parameters can be altered, at least in part, and depend, at least in part, on product parameters which are characteristic of the container. Product parameters of the container which are stored for controlling the first handling unit are also used for controlling the second handling unit, wherein alterations to the product parameters are taken into account in automated fashion both for controlling the first handling unit and for controlling the second handling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Markus Zoelfl, Timo Pronold
  • Patent number: 9283709
    Abstract: A container treatment plant having an oven, a blow molder located downstream of the oven and used for processing a plurality of container blanks, such as preforms, and a conveying unit configured for conveying a plurality of carriers, each carrier being provided for accommodating at least one container blank, and the conveying unit and the carrier being adapted to one another such that each carrier is individually movable through the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Peter Lindner, Thomas Albrecht, Wolfgang Hahn, Konrad Senn, Markus Zoelfl, Stefan Raith, Holger Neugebauer
  • Publication number: 20150332190
    Abstract: A method of determining the resource efficiency of a plant for the production of drinks containers, wherein the plant has at least one resource-consuming part, wherein the part of the plant is operated at least for a time in a first operative state (B1) in which a product is produced and the part of the plant has a first resource consumption (V1) in this operative state (B1), and wherein the part of the plant is operated at least for a time in a second operative state (B2) and has a second resource consumption (V1) in this second operative state (B2), wherein at least one first resource consumption (V1) capable of being allocated to the first operative state (B 1) and at least one second resource consumption (V2) capable of being allocated to the second operative state (B2) determined and the resource consumption (V1, V2) is allocated to the operative states (B1, B2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Markus Zoelfl, Albert Link, Ulrich Buchhauser, Norbert Ottmann
  • Publication number: 20150197415
    Abstract: A production system for producing and/or filling containers, including beverage bottles, includes modular processing units. Each of the modular processing units includes a stationary operating module configured to produce or process the containers and handling devices. The handling devices are configured to handle the containers between a container entry of the processing unit and a container exit of the processing unit and to position the containers in the operating module. The handling devices are configured such that the processing units are individually replaceable. Alternatively or additionally to this, at least two processing units of a same kind are provided to which the containers are specifically distributable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Wolfgang Hausladen, Alexander Kaiser, Stefan Raith, Christian Stoiber, Frank Winzinger, Markus Zoelfl