Patents by Inventor Rudolf Zodrow

Rudolf Zodrow 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: 5569353
    Abstract: A labelling machine has an apparatus for the automatic loading of the main magazine of a labelling machine with a label stack including of a number of individual labels. The label stack can be inserted from a supply magazine by means of a feed device into the main magazine, which supply magazine makes possible both a smaller size and a smooth insertion of the label stack into the main magazine, because the supply magazine can be pivoted from a standby position into an insertion position, in which an ejection opening of the supply magazine is flush against the insertion opening of the main magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: KHS ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5546819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottle inspection machine with a plurality of inspection sections (8-10) that are equipped to perform different inspection tasks and a sorting station (11) which, depending on the results of the inspection, releases the bottles to different conveyor sections (2-5). In order to provide functional control of the machine, a secondary conveyor section that is formed by a rotating bottle carrier (13) together with the inspection sections (8-10) forms a closed circuit into which test bottles (T) can be introduced from a magazine. The inspection sections (8-10) that are formed by rotating bottle carriers, like the bottle carriers (13) that form the secondary conveyor section, have receiving points for the bottles on their peripheries and during functional checking form a continuous row with their receiving points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5227005
    Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling station for objects such as bottles with several stations located one behind another along a track, which includes an adhesive application station, a label feed station and a label transfer station. At least one extracting element is mounted so that it can rotate on a driven support plate. The drive mechanism comprises a cam drive mechanism. The cam drive mechanism comprises a stationary double cam disc with two one-sided cams located above one another, and two sets of followers. The two sets of followers are mounted on the drive shaft of the extracting element or on a bearing shaft coupled to it by means of a support element. During rotation of the support plate, the two sets of followers provide, by action of a form-fit with the two cam surfaces, a positive movement of each extraction element over its entire revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 5217538
    Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of labels and foil tags adhering at different levels to containers, in particular, bottles. The bottles are gripped axially between a rotary plate and a gripping head on the circumference of a turntable, each of these is a gripping space. Corresponding to each gripping space, there are high-pressure nozzles located on an inner circumference of the turntable relative to the bottles. Jets of fluid from the nozzles are directed approximately tangentially to the surface of each bottle, so that the jets remove the label and the foil tag in a stripping process, and transport the labels and foil tags radially outward to a collector, which collector is equipped with a separator to separate the labels and foil tags from one another. The removal of labels applied with adhesive is facilitated if there is an anti-adhesive layer on the label between the adhesive layer and the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: KHS ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Buchholz, Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5185053
    Abstract: A brushing station for bottles with a turntable that has an unhooded bottle support mounted so that it can rotate on a substructure. On the outside circumference of the bottle support are receptacles formed by rotary plates and centering heads for the bottles to which foil sheets are to be applied. The drive mechanisms for the rotary plates and the drive mechanisms for the centering heads are cam transmissions which are installed in an enclosed space that is formed by the substructure and the bottle support that are in the form of a shell. The centering heads are supported by cantilever arms on columns, that are axially guided in a central guide body located between the receptacles. The guide body, on its outside circumference, has a pivot or rotational bearing for a support ring, that supports brush elements that are located on the inside of the path of the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Tomashauser, Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5174851
    Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling machine, and more particularly to a labelling machine for applying labels to containers in such a manner that the labels constitute visible proof that the containers have not been opened. One such type of container is a beverage bottle having a screw-top closure. Before the label is applied to the container, a verification is conducted on the transport path of the container to determine whether the container to be labelled has a correct closure and also to determine whether there is a label correctly positioned to be transferred to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: KHS Eti-Tec Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz, Wolfgang Rogall
  • Patent number: 5167755
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the size of the gap between an adhesive scraper of a labelling machine and an adhesive roller of the labelling machine. The device includes at least two independently controllable actuators that adjust the gap to different sizes from one another. The actuators may take the form of hydraulically or pneumatically controlled pistons and cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Holstein und Kappert AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Werner Nitschke
  • Patent number: 5129984
    Abstract: A bottle labelling machine for pressing labels on bottles. The machine includes a transport star wheel with receptacles for the bottles located on its circumference. A support located above the transport star wheel has application elements located on the circumference of said support. The circular orbit of the application elements has a smaller diameter than and diverges in relation to the orbit of the receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Tomashauser, Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5110402
    Abstract: This invention relates to a label box for a label stack in a labelling station. The label box has a front part, which is designed as a slide which can move forward and backward in relation to the other part. If a label is not to be extracted from the stack, this front part is moved back, compressing the label stack, so that the front end surface of the label stack is in an idle position, in which the pickup surface of the extractor element for the labels can no longer make contact against the end surface of the label stack as it rolls past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Holstein und Kappert AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 5062918
    Abstract: A labelling machine is for bottles, or the like, and includes a rotatable drive shaft. The drive shaft has an axis of rotation and includes at least one radially extending surface which is disposed at a predetermined location axially on the drive shaft. The labelling machine includes at least one glue segment having a curved glue take-up surface. The glue segment includes a hole for receipt of the drive shaft within the hole. The glue segment is for being disposed within the hole receiving the drive shaft and for rotation with the drive shaft. The glue segment includes an axial bore having a longitudinal axis. The hole includes a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the bore is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hole and with the axis of the drive shaft when the drive shaft is disposed within the hole. A bushing includes a bases element and a spacing element. The base element of the bushing is for being disposed in the bore of the glue segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5062917
    Abstract: Support element for followers of a cam drive mechanism which is used to drive extracting elements in a labelling station. The support element comprises an outer body designed for the insertion of followers, and an inner body located within the outer body and out of direct contact with it. The outer body has radially inwardly-directed claws and the inner body has radially outwardly-directed claws which lie between the inwardly-directed claws. The space between the two bodies is filled with an insert of elastic material. The outer body is decoupled from the inner body by the elastic insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 5055154
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fixing members such as labels and foils to bottles wherein cut-to-size members are picked up at pick-up station, glue coated as they are picked up and pressed onto a bottle on their glue coated side. The members are severed from a continuous roll of web material and are individually and successively fed before coating to the pick-up station at the rate at which they are picked-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Hans-Werner Mohn
  • Patent number: 5017261
    Abstract: A labelling machine for bottles or the like includes several stations located behind one another along a track. The stations include an adhesive application station, a label feed station and a label transfer station. There are three extracting elements which are each mounted to rotate on a rotating support to be moved past the stations during each rotation of the support. Each extracting element has an outwardly-curved receptacle surface for the label which rolls along the stations. The drive for each extracting element is a cam drive, which comprises common, stationary double cam discs for all the extracting elements with two cams located on one side in two planes with one above and at some distance from the other. Two sets of followers are mounted on a bearing shaft which is coupled with the rotating support. By means of a form-fit with the two cams, the followers provide positive movement of each extracting element over its entire revolution when the support rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 5004518
    Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling machine for objects, in particular bottles, with several stations located one behind another along a track, namely an adhesive application station, a label feed station and a label transfer station. At least one extracting element is mounted so that it can rotate on a rotating support. The extracting element has an outwardly curved receptacle surface for the label which rolls past the individual stations when the support rotates. The drive mechanisms of each extracting element comprises a cam transmission mechanism. The cam transmission mechanism comprises two cams located one above the other. The cams have the basic shape of ovals indented on both long sides and are oriented crossways to one another. A plurality of followers engage with the outside curves of the cams. The followers are offset from one another by an angle not equal to 90 degrees and have lever arms of different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Zodrow
  • Patent number: 4981547
    Abstract: Mounting and drive coupling for the extracting element support of a labelling station for a labelling machine. The mounting of the table which supports the extracting elements is positioned exclusively on the outer edge of the table, while the coupling between the table and the central drive shaft is located in the central space between the transmission and drive mechanisms and above the transmission elements. An alignment marking disc and marking wheel are included to assist in relatively positioning the extracting element with the support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Heinz-Jurgen Rosenberg, Egon Hoveler
  • Patent number: 4976803
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pressing station for metal foil sheets applied around the top and neck of bottles. By means of bell-shaped pressing elements which can be axially lowered toward the bottle top, the foil sheets are firmly applied to the top and neck of the bottle. The pressing elements corresponding to each receiving position of the delivery star wheel are each supported by a crank. By means of a three-dimensional drive mechanism, each crank and thus also each pressing element can be lowered to the top of a bottle. To prevent collisions in the overlapping area of the rotational paths of the turntable and the delivery star wheel, each crank is coupled with another drive mechanism, which engages the crank. The cams of the two cam drive mechanisms are designed so that the pressing element is in its raised inside position in the vicinity of the turntable, and in its lowered, outside position in a portion of the area between the turntable and the delivery of the delivery star wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Tomashauer, Rudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 4950350
    Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling machine for bottles which includes a bottle feeding mechanism to feed the bottles to a revolving bottle support platform. The support platform directs bottles to a labelling mechanism and an application mechanism prior to their removal by a bottle withdrawing mechanism. The bottles are maintained against undesired rotation on the support platform by axial force on the top of each bottle to produce contact between the bottom of each bottle disposed on a support plate for each bottle turntable on the revolving bottle support platform. The support plate includes a base portion and upper surface element having an upper contour in a central region thereof. The upper contour matches the bottom of the bottle for receipt of the bottom therein. The upper surface element is removably mounted on the base portion of the support plate and includes features for centering the upper surface element and the upper contour thereof on the base portion of the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Holstein und Kappert AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Wolfgang Rogall
  • Patent number: 4944830
    Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling machine for bottles which includes a bottle feeding mechanism to feed the bottles to a revolving bottle support platform. The support platform directs bottles to a labelling mechanism and an application mechanism prior to their removal by a bottle withdrawing mechanism. The bottles are maintained against undesired rotation on the support platform by axial force on the top of each bottle to produce frictional contact between the bottom of each bottle and an elastic support plate for each bottle turntable on the revolving bottle support platform. The support plate includes an elastic body and several block-shaped friction bodies imbedded therein and distributed over its surface. The friction bodies have exposed contact surfaces, which lie in the plane of the exposed surface 13 of the elastic material. Such a support plate includes a long service life and capable of providing a high degree of friction between the micro-cracked bottom of a bottle and the friction bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Holstein und Kappert AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Wolfgang Rogall, Egon Hoveler, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 4912905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact pressure element for metal foil blanks laid around the neck and top of bottles (3) in a labelling machine. Retained by a retaining ring (5) in front of the opening of a casing (1) having a bell-shaped inner wall (7) is a resilient plate (2) whose front side facing the end face of the bottle (3) is made of an open-pored resilient foamed plastics, the rear side of the plate (2) being constructed with closed pores and its peripheral edge being formed with an annular bead (8). When the contact pressure element makes an axial movement towards the end face of the bottle (3), the plate (2) yields to the axial pressure, its rear side rolling down the bell-shaped inner wall (7) in the zone of the annular bead (8), so that the front side of the plate (2) is brought into radial contact pressure with the side of the bottle top in the zone of the annular bead (8). Such contact pressure is produced without folding the plate (2) and substantially without warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Eti-Tec Maschinebau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Josef Tomashauser, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 4911285
    Abstract: A drive shaft is for a rotary plate of a labelling machine for bottles or the like and includes a rotatable turntable of the labelling machine having an upper portion. A circular cam block is mounted below the turntable and has a curved slot therein. The rotary plate is mounted for rotation on the upper portion of the turntable. A drive shaft is mounted for rotation in the turntable and has an upper end and a lower end. The rotary plate is coupled to the upper end of the drive shaft. The lower end of the drive shaft includes a crank arm which is disposed in the curved slot for cammed rotation of the drive shaft during rotation of the turntable. The curved slot includes an opening in the cam block and the drive shaft including the crank arm is alignable with the opening for downward removal from and upward installation in the turntable through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rogall, Wilfried Rubel, Dieter Thiel, Rudolf Zodrow