Patents by Inventor Stephan Wittmann

Stephan Wittmann 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: 20230264369
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gripper (1) for beverage cans (20). The gripper (1) comprises at least one gripping device (6) used to grip a particular beverage can (20) from underneath the top seam (5) in a form-fitting manner in the region of a top seam (5), which top seam (5) is formed by a particular beverage can (20). The gripper (1) comprises at least one centering device (30), by which at least one centering device (30) aligns the particular beverage can (20) into a defined alignment, where the at least one gripping device (6) is able to grip a particular beverage can (20) from underneath in a form-fitting manner in the region of its top seam (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas STADLER, Stephan WITTMANN, Herbert SPINDLER
  • Patent number: 11697518
    Abstract: A device (1) handling articles comprises at least one work module (30), which can move packages with article placed on a first packaging type and at least one folding mechanism (45) used to erect back and/or front flaps of the first packaging type. Another component of the device (1) is at least one transport module (20), with a transport device (2), along which articles intended for packages of a second packaging type move, where the second packaging type differs from the first packaging type. The at least one folding mechanism (45) and the transport device (2) alternate between an operating position (BP) and a waiting position (WP). The operating positions (BP) and the waiting positions (WP) are configured such that the at least one folding mechanism (45) is disposed exclusively adjacent to the right side or to the left side of the transport means (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Krones Ag
    Inventors: Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler, Johann Luber, Stephan Wittmann
  • Patent number: 11124327
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system (1) for forming a transport section for a packaging line and for coordinating the transport section to individual articles or article sets with different packaging types. The system (1) comprises at least one module (3), which at least one module (3) has at least two individual module units (5, 7), which at least two individual module units (5, 7) cooperate in a first operating mode (B1) of the system (1) for the transport of individual articles or article sets provided for a first packaging type. It is furthermore provided that the at least two individual module units (5, 7) are each designed to be movable, and that the system (1) is transferable by way of a movement of the at least two individual module units (5, 7) into a second operating mode (B2), which is aligned to a transport of individual articles or article sets provided for a second packaging type that differs from the first packaging type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Wittmann, Herbert Spindler, Olaf Treter, Juergen Werner
  • Patent number: 11117749
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) with at least two modules that are selectively transferable into a specific operating position (BL) for handling of individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one transport module (3) that moves individual articles or article sets with a first packaging type and at least one work module (5) that moves individual articles or article sets with a second, different, packaging type. The work module (5) can handle packaging material during the movement, with the packaging material being in contact with the individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) has an operating position (BL) and a waiting position (W1), into which operating position (BL) the transport module (3) or the work module (5) can be selectively inserted, and into which waiting position (W1) the transport module (3) is transferable by removing it from the specific operating position (BL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Wittmann, Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler
  • Publication number: 20210114759
    Abstract: A device (1) handling articles comprises at least one work module (30), which can move packages with article placed on a first packaging type and at least one folding mechanism (45) used to erect back and/or front flaps of the first packaging type. Another component of the device (1) is at least one transport module (20), with a transport device (2), along which articles intended for packages of a second packaging type move, where the second packaging type differs from the first packaging type. The at least one folding mechanism (45) and the transport device (2) alternate between an operating position (BP) and a waiting position (WP). The operating positions (BP) and the waiting positions (WP) are configured such that the at least one folding mechanism (45) is disposed exclusively adjacent to the right side or to the left side of the transport means (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Juergen WERNER, Herbert SPINDLER, Johann LUBER, Stephan WITTMANN
  • Patent number: 10336557
    Abstract: The invention relates to device, method and packaging facility having a transport section (17) for feeding article arrangements (5) in a transport direction (TR) to a packaging module (18). The transport section (17) comprises a transfer plate (15), on which the articles (2) of the article arrangements (5) are movable in a sliding manner. Located above the transfer plate (15) are pushing devices (16) for moving the articles (2) on the transfer plate (15), with the pushing devices (16) being movable in transport direction (TR) at least in some areas. The transport section (17) furthermore comprises outer guide elements (20) and inner guide elements (21) disposed on the transfer plate (15), with the outer guide elements (20) laterally delimiting the transport section (17) and, with the inner guide elements (21) being readjustable by at least one readjustment mechanism that is disposed at least partly below the transfer plate (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Wittmann, Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler, Thomas Wimmer
  • Publication number: 20180305138
    Abstract: The invention relates to device, method and packaging facility having a transport section (17) for feeding article arrangements (5) in a transport direction (TR) to a packaging module (18). The transport section (17) comprises a transfer plate (15), on which the articles (2) of the article arrangements (5) are movable in a sliding manner. Located above the transfer plate (15) are pushing devices (16) for moving the articles (2) on the transfer plate (15), with the pushing devices (16) being movable in transport direction (TR) at least in some areas. The transport section (17) furthermore comprises outer guide elements (20) and inner guide elements (21) disposed on the transfer plate (15), with the outer guide elements (20) laterally delimiting the transport section (17) and, with the inner guide elements (21) being readjustable by at least one readjustment mechanism that is disposed at least partly below the transfer plate (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan WITTMANN, Juergen WERNER, Herbert SPINDLER, Thomas WIMMER
  • Publication number: 20180251251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system (1) for forming a transport section for a packaging line and for coordinating the transport section to individual articles or article sets with different packaging types. The system (1) comprises at least one module (3), which at least one module (3) has at least two individual module units (5, 7), which at least two individual module units (5, 7) cooperate in a first operating mode (B1) of the system (1) for the transport of individual articles or article sets provided for a first packaging type. It is furthermore provided that the at least two individual module units (5, 7) are each designed to be movable, and that the system (1) is transferable by way of a movement of the at least two individual module units (5, 7) into a second operating mode (B2), which is aligned to a transport of individual articles or article sets provided for a second packaging type that differs from the first packaging type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan WITTMANN, Herbert SPINDLER, Olaf TRETER, Juergen WERNER
  • Publication number: 20180251315
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) with at least two modules that are selectively transferable into a specific operating position (BL) for handling of individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one transport module (3) that moves individual articles or article sets with a first packaging type and at least one work module (5) that moves individual articles or article sets with a second, different, packaging type. The work module (5) can handle packaging material during the movement, with the packaging material being in contact with the individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) has an operating position (BL) and a waiting position (W1), into which operating position (BL) the transport module (3) or the work module (5) can be selectively inserted, and into which waiting position (W1) the transport module (3) is transferable by removing it from the specific operating position (BL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan WITTMANN, Juergen WERNER, Herbert SPINDLER
  • Patent number: 4653260
    Abstract: To improve the re-piecing operation, especially in terms of its success rate, at high spinning speeds, the free thread end cut to the length of a piecable end and retained after cutting the length is exposed to a turbulent air flow which causes it to execute whiplash-like oscillations. The surface of the thread end is thereby roughened. The thread end prepared in this way is subsequently transferred to the fiber-collecting surface of the open-end spinning apparatus. The roughening of the surface of the free thread end is accelerated when the end is whipped against an edge-like projection or a rough surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventors: Peter Artzt, Heinz Muller, Gerhard Egbers, Gunther Bohm, Stephan Wittmann, Rupert Karl
  • Patent number: 4644742
    Abstract: When a thread is joined in an open-end spinning device, the thread is fed back into the open-end spinning device as a result of reverse rotation of a bobbin and a pair of auxiliary rollers. After the feedback has ended, the thread is released by the pair of auxiliary rollers and, until normal spinning draw-off is started, the thread is subjected to an auxiliary draw-off at a greater distance from the open-end spinning device than the normal spinning draw-off. This auxiliary draw-off can be carried out exclusively by means of the bobbin or also independently of it. An auxiliary draw-off device serves for generating this drawing force and is located at a greater distance from the open-end spinning device than the pair of draw-off rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Schubert & Salzer
    Inventors: Kurt Lovas, Walter Mayer, Stephan Wittmann
  • Patent number: 4438624
    Abstract: An overhung mounted rotatable centering spindle (5) for centering a yarn (1) at an open-end spinning location is disclosed having a central groove (52) into which threaded grooves (500, 510) run together oppositely from both sides. The direction of rotation of the centering spindle (5) is reversible. Both threaded grooves have different core diameters (d.sub.1, d.sub.2), the smaller core diameter (d.sub.2) being towards the free end of the centering spindle (5) so that the yarn is immediately and with certainty ejected from the free end of the spindle during reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Schubert & Salzer Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Mayer, Stephan Wittmann