Patents by Inventor Thomas Rainer

Thomas Rainer 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: 12448326
    Abstract: Methods for marking glass sheets, preferably single-pane safety glass sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Rainer
  • Patent number: 12397539
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a composite safety glass panel along at least one pre-definable dividing line, wherein the composite safety glass panel has at least one composite film and at least two glass panels, wherein the composite film is arranged between the glass panels and connects the glass panels to each other, the apparatus having at least one separating device for separating the glass panels along the at least one dividing line and at least one heating device for heating the composite film at least along the dividing line. The heating device has at least one laser device having at least multiple adjacently arranged laser beam sources, wherein multiple adjacently arranged individual intensity profiles for heating the composite film at least along a portion of the dividing line can be produced with the laser device. The invention further relates to a method for separating a composite safety glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: HEGLA GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Ostendarp, Thomas Rainer, Andreas Luster, Benjamin Thiele
  • Publication number: 20250187975
    Abstract: A method and apparatuses for marking and de-marking glass plates, preferably basic glass plates, more preferably float glass plates including laser-induced generation of a marking in the glass plate or on the surface of the glass plate and de-marking by means of laser radiation. A method for erasing a laser-induced marking of glass plates, preferably of basic glass plates, more preferably of float glass plates is also provided using laser radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventor: Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20250135575
    Abstract: A mobile laser device for processing glass sheets installed in an object, preferably in a vehicle, preferably in a train, or in a structure work, preferably in a building, and the use of the laser device and a method for processing a glass sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Bernhard Hötger, Thomas Rainer
  • Patent number: 12065374
    Abstract: A method for producing an electronic structure on a glass pane which has, at least on one of its two glass pane surfaces, a functional coating having at least one electrically conductive functional layer, preferably having multiple electrically conductive functional layers, the functional coating being structured by applying laser radiation in such a way that the electronic structure, preferably a capacitive sensor system or a conductor loop, is created. A glass sheet having at least one glass pane of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Hötger, Heinrich Ostendarp, Thomas Rainer
  • Patent number: 11602805
    Abstract: A decoating method for the edge decoating of glass sheets, the glass sheets having at least on one of their two glass surfaces a protective coating in the form of a peel-off protective film or in the form of a polymer protective layer that cannot be peeled off, and preferably having a functional coating situated under the protective coating, the protective film being partially mechanically removed, in particular ground away, for the edge decoating, in the form of at least one film strip, laser traces being introduced into the protective film before the mechanical removal of the film strip, and the laser traces being introduced in such a way that the film strip is removed in the form of individual film strip partial pieces separated from one another by the laser traces; or the polymer protective layer being removed using laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Hötger, Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20220340484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating-removal device and to a coating-removal method for removing coatings at the edge of glass panes and to a method for producing glass panes for stepped-edge glass, to stepped-edge glass and to stepped-edge glass window with such stepped-edge glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20220126403
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a composite safety glass panel along at least one predefinable dividing line, wherein the composite safety glass panel has at least one composite film and at least two glass panels, wherein the composite film is arranged between the glass panels and connects the glass panels to each other, the apparatus having at least one separating means for separating the glass panels along the at least one dividing line and at least one heating means for heating the composite film at least along the dividing line. The invention further relates to a method for separating a composite safety glass panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Heinrich OSTENDARP, Thomas RAINER, Andreas LUSTER, Benjamin THIELE
  • Patent number: 11186519
    Abstract: In a method for producing a biocidal glass surface of a soda-lime glass, a glass surface of a soda-lime glass is indirectly or directly contacted with silver, silver salt, or silver ions and directly or indirectly heated using at least one laser beam of a laser such that an ion exchange of sodium ions from the soda-lime glass with silver ions of the silver ions or from the silver or the silver salt results and silver ions of the silver ions deposit in the region of the glass surface. Before being heated, the glass surface is coated with a transfer support including a layer of silver and a protective layer covering the silver layer, such that the protective layer directly contacts the glass surface, the glass surface then being heated using the laser. Also, a soda-lime glass having a biocidal glass surface is produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Glaswerke Arnold GmbH & Co. KG, HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Arnold, Hermann Dehner, Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20210363053
    Abstract: A method for producing an electronic structure on a glass pane which has, at least on one of its two glass pane surfaces, a functional coating having at least one electrically conductive functional layer, preferably having multiple electrically conductive functional layers, the functional coating being structured by means of laser radiation in such a way that the electronic structure, preferably a capacitive sensor system or a conductor loop, is created. A glass sheet having at least one glass pane of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard Hötger, Heinrich Ostendarp, Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20210107828
    Abstract: The present invention related to two methods for marking glass panels, preferably single-pane safety glass panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20210086307
    Abstract: A decoating method for the edge decoating of glass sheets, the glass sheets having at least on one of their two glass surfaces a protective coating in the form of a peel-off protective film or in the form of a polymer protective layer that cannot be peeled off, and preferably having a functional coating situated under the protective coating, the protective film being partially mechanically removed, in particular ground away, for the edge decoating, in the form of at least one film strip, laser traces being introduced into the protective film before the mechanical removal of the film strip, and the laser traces being introduced in such a way that the film strip is removed in the form of individual film strip partial pieces separated from one another by the laser traces; or the polymer protective layer being removed using laser radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard Hötger, Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20200181012
    Abstract: In a method for producing a biocidal glass surface of a soda-lime glass, a glass surface of a soda-lime glass is indirectly or directly contacted with silver, silver salt, or silver ions and directly or indirectly heated using at least one laser beam of a laser such that an ion exchange of sodium ions from the soda-lime glass with silver ions of the silver ions or from the silver or the silver salt results and silver ions of the silver ions deposit in the region of the glass surface. Before being heated, the glass surface is coated with a transfer support including a layer of silver and a protective layer covering the silver layer, such that the protective layer directly contacts the glass surface, the glass surface then being heated using the laser. Also, a soda-lime glass having a biocidal glass surface is produced by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicants: Glaswerke Arnold GmbH & Co. KG, HEGLA boraident GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim ARNOLD, Hermann DEHNER, Thomas RAINER
  • Patent number: 9974298
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bird protection device and to a bird protection device. According to the invention, a method for producing a bird protection device is proposed, wherein the bird protection device is made of an at least partially transparent material and contains an optical structure visible to a bird's eye. Here, the method comprises a radiation input, wherein the radiation input is implemented on and/or in the partially transparent material for forming the optical structure. The radiation input is preferably laser radiation. Suitable lasers for the radiation input are, for example, CO2 lasers with a wavelength of 1064 nm, picosecond lasers with a wavelength of 532 nm or nanosecond lasers with a wavelength of 532 nm. In one embodiment of the invention, the bird protection device furthermore comprises an element for increasing the contrast, wherein, for forming the optical structure, the radiation input is implemented on and/or in the element for increasing the contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: BORAIDENT GMBH, HUNSRUECKER GLASVEREDELUNG WAGENER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Arnold, Robert Bischoff, Steffen Kuerbitz, Andreas Luster, Thomas Rainer
  • Publication number: 20170020123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bird protection device arid to a bird protection device. According to the invention, a method for producing a bird protection device is proposed, wherein the bird protection device is made of an at least partially transparent material and contains an optical structure visible to a bird's eye. Here, the method comprises a radiation input, wherein the radiation input is implemented on and/or in the partially transparent material for forming the optical structure. The radiation input is preferably laser radiation. Suitable lasers for the radiation input are, for example, CO2 lasers with a wavelength of 1064 nm, picosecond lasers with a wavelength of 532 nm or nanosecond lasers with a wavelength of 532 nm. In one embodiment of the invention, the bird protection device furthermore comprises an element for increasing the contrast, wherein, for forming the optical structure, the radiation input is implemented on and/or in the element for increasing the contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim ARNOLD, Robert BISCHOFF, Steffen KUERBITZ, Andreas LUSTER, Thomas RAINER
  • Publication number: 20150001089
    Abstract: A method for improving a metal coating on a steel strip or a steel sheet or plate. The coating is melted to a maximum temperature above the melting temperature of the material of the coating by inductive heating performed by at least one induction coil and subsequently cooled to a quenching temperature, below the melting temperature, in a cooling device. In order to improve the corrosion stability of the coating, even in the case of thin coating layers, the coating is kept at a temperature above the melting temperature during a holding time and the holding time is adapted to the maximum temperature and the thickness of the coating by moving at least one of the induction coils with respect to the cooling device, in order to melt the coating completely over its entire thickness to the boundary layer with the steel strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Matusch, Reiner Sauer, Helmut Oberhoffer, Thomas Rainer, Markus Opper
  • Patent number: 8118225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting and/or recognizing markings, in particular for manual handling, comprising a camera for recording a marking and at least one illumination device for illuminating a marking, characterized in that, for detecting and/or recognizing markings (3) on/at/in transparent marking carriers (4), in particular having reflectively polished surfaces, the at least one illumination device (2) is arranged at a distance from the optical axis (A) of the camera (1) in such a way that the light reflection (5) generated by the at least one illumination device (2) at the surface of the transparent marking carrier (4) is arranged at least alongside the marking represented in the camera image, preferably outside the detection region of the camera (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Boraident GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Redmann, Steffen Kürbitz, Thomas Rainer, Reinhard Borek
  • Patent number: 7892721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage medium for storing information/data, wherein the storage medium comprises a dielectric storage material, more particularly a disk-shaped storage material on which a metal ion donor medium is arranged or can be applied on at least one side thereof. Metal ions can be transferred from the donor medium into the storage medium by exposing the storage medium to radiation, more particularly to laser radiation. The invention also relates to a storage medium for storing information/data, wherein the storage medium comprises a dielectric storage material, more particularly a disk-shaped storage material having at least one local metal ion doping, wherein the metal ions can be converted into metal particles and/or metal particles agglomerations by means of radiation, more particularly laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander Cioc, Gerhard Fehr, Reinhard Borek, Thomas Rainer, Jochen Schneider, Klaus-Jürgen Berg, Gunnar Berg
  • Patent number: 7804061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the machine-reading of markings on/in transparent, especially pane-type, marking carriers, especially glass panes, according to which the marking carrier (2) is illuminated with UV light at least during the period of a machine-reading process of a marking, especially by means of a reading device (4), in order to increase the contrast between a marking (5) and the marking carrier (2). The invention also relates to a device for the machine-reading of markings in transparent, especially pane-type, marking carriers, especially glass panes, comprising at least one reading device (4) for markings arranged on/in a marking carrier, and at least one illumination device (4) is provided for increasing the contrast between a marking (5) and the surrounding transparent marking carrier (2) by illuminating the marking carrier (2) with UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Boraident GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Rainer, Reinhard Borek
  • Patent number: 7662440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the marking of an object surface, wherein there is arranged in contact with, or a distance away from the object surface a carrier element, featuring on its side facing the object surface at least one metal coating embedded in other layers, whereby the layers in particular form a Low-E coating system and whereby a laser beam is directed onto the coating system and by reason of the laser irradiation material is transferred from the coating system onto the object surface to be marked, adhering thereto as a matrix with metallic nano-particles, whereby the matrix is formed of the substances originally present in the layers of the coating system. The invention furthermore relates to an object with an object surface marked according to this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Boraident GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Rainer, Klaus-Jürgen Berg, Frank Redmann