Patents by Inventor Thomas Stienen
Thomas Stienen 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).
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Patent number: 11608203Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Thomas Nitsch, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20220380141Abstract: A container transport device for transporting containers in a container handling system includes a chassis for supporting the container transport device on a track. The chassis is equipped with a frame on which at least one tray for transporting the containers is provided in a vertically adjustable manner. The at least one tray has a transport surface with multiple transport elements arranged in a substantially parallel manner for temporarily storing and conveying containers in rows, and each transport element is drivable in a controlled and/or closed-loop manner independently of one another in two different conveying directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Thorsten Kahe, Ulrich Scholz, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 11247844Abstract: A quick fastener in a conveying device that conveys goods detachably secures a profile element to a base support of the conveying device's machine frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Stefan Grävingholt, Thomas Greiving, Berthold Paroth, Zlatko Sarajlija, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 11181134Abstract: An assembly for detachably connecting first and second components includes a fastener that transitions between a locking position and a release position. The fastener comprises a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion. The first fastening portion connects to the first component and the second fastening portion connects to the second component. The first and second fastening portions are disposed opposite each other along an axis of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Stefan Grävingholt, Thomas Greiving, Berthold Paroth, Zlatko Sarajlija, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20210245912Abstract: A label box includes a dispensing region and a storage region for holding a stack of labels, all of which have the same two-dimensional contour. The dispensing region includes a guiding-and-holding body that has been manufactured by an additive-manufacturing process based on a three-dimensional computer model thereof. The guiding-and-holding body forms a guide space for receiving and guiding of the stack and for dispensing the labels. The guide space includes a guide section that is adjustable to conform to the contour. The guiding-and-holding body also includes a securing region for at least partially securing the label box to a holding device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2019Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Diego Francisco Arias Macias, Matthias Jansen, Florian Dieckmann, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 11084659Abstract: A transport device includes an entry finger that guides a conveyor as it carries items thereon in a transport direction from the rear deflector to the front deflector. The conveyor slides along a sliding strip that is supported by a profile element that is supported by a support. The entry finger guides the conveyor around the front deflector, where the conveyor reverses direction. The entry finger couples to the transport device by a detachable connection. The detachable connection is either a locking connection that connects the entry finger to the sliding strip, an insertion connection that connects the entry finger to the profiled element, or a detachable connection formed by a quick fastener between the support and the profiled element and the finger.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Stefan Grävingholt, Thomas Greiving, Berthold Paroth, Zlatko Sarajlija, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20210163227Abstract: A transport device includes an entry finger that guides a conveyor as it carries items thereon in a transport direction from the rear deflector to the front deflector. The conveyor slides along a sliding strip that is supported by a profile element that is supported by a support. The entry finger guides the conveyor around the front deflector, where the conveyor reverses direction. The entry finger couples to the transport device by a detachable connection. The detachable connection is either a locking connection that connects the entry finger to the sliding strip, an insertion connection that connects the entry finger to the profiled element, or a detachable connection formed by a quick fastener between the support and the profiled element and the finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Stefan Grävingholt, Thomas Greiving, Berthold Paroth, Zlatko Sarajlija, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20210009292Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20200332813Abstract: An assembly for detachably connecting first and second components includes a fastener that transitions between a locking position and a release position. The fastener comprises a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion. The first fastening portion connects to the first component and the second fastening portion connects to the second component. The first and second fastening portions are disposed opposite each other along an axis of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Stefan Grävingholt, Thomas Greiving, Berthold Paroth, Zlatko Sarajlija, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20200277142Abstract: A quick fastener in a conveying device that conveys goods detachably secures a profile element to a base support of the conveying device's machine frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Stefan Grävingholt, Thomas Greiving, Berthold Paroth, Zlatko Sarajlija, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 10486913Abstract: A transport device includes a first transport-element that comprises rotatable transport-element sections and that defines a transport path for transporting materials between front and rear deflection-devices. The path has successive sections along a transport direction and extends between drive-arrangements spaced apart along the transport path. The drive-arrangements interactively connect to the transport-element at different locations along the transport path. Rotatable transport-element sections are repositioned relative to one another in such a way to change an overall length of the first transport-element. Targeted controlling of adjacent transport path sections at a differential speed by way of the first and second drive-arrangements creates an accumulation or a gap of transport material on a transport-path section.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Ulrich Scholz, Sebastian Götze, Thomas Stienen
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Publication number: 20180229942Abstract: A transport device includes a first transport-element that comprises rotatable transport-element sections and that defines a transport path for transporting materials between front and rear deflection-devices. The path has successive sections along a transport direction and extends between drive-arrangements spaced apart along the transport path. The drive-arrangements interactively connect to the transport-element at different locations along the transport path. Rotatable transport-element sections are repositioned relative to one another in such a way to change an overall length of the first transport-element. Targeted controlling of adjacent transport path sections at a differential speed by way of the first and second drive-arrangements creates an accumulation or a gap of transport material on a transport-path section.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Ulrich Scholz, Sebastian Götze, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 9682829Abstract: A method for converting a first container stream into a second container stream that has a different width from said first container stream includes moving a container from the first container stream to a first transfer position, at the first transfer position, using a container holder of a conversion section to grip the container, to move it along a third transport direction until it arrives at a selected one of a several second transfer positions, and to then release it onto the second transport section, thereby enabling the container to join the second container stream. The second transfer positions are offset relative to each other in a direction along the second width.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Gernot Keil, Carsten Hahn, Petra Scholz, Klaus Krämer, Christopher Stuhlmann, Thomas Stienen, Rene Bastian Lippert
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Publication number: 20170001748Abstract: A method for fitting carrying handles to packages includes, prior to receiving a package at a first carrying-handle applicator, drawing off and severing a length of carrying-strap material, retaining the strap's ends, causing the band to guide the carrying strap along the carrying-strap conveying stretch such that the carrying-strap forms a closed loop that extends over a movement path of the packages along the conveyor and that surrounds the movement path on at least three sides, and, when the package reaches a position under the conveying band, securing the to corresponding first and second attachment points on the package, the attachment points being regions facing corresponding first and second sides of the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2014Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: KHS GMBHInventors: Volker Zahn, Thomas Stienen, Thomas Nitsch
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Patent number: 9434591Abstract: A method of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing operation of a container filling plant, in which image data of different areas of the container filling plant is obtained using an electronic, image-detection arrangement. The image data is then analyzed by a computer to determine if a person, a machine, or a container is in an unwanted condition sufficient to cause at least one of: disruption in the operation of the plant, injury to a person, damage to a machine, or damage to a container. A signal is then generated for either automatic correction or manual correction of the unwanted condition based on the image data.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Volker Till, Olaf Muszinski, Rolf Füssmann, Thomas Stienen, Ulrich Scholz, Herbert Menke
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Publication number: 20160159583Abstract: A method for converting a first container stream into a second container stream that has a different width from said first container stream includes moving a container from the first container stream to a first transfer position, at the first transfer position, using a container holder of a conversion section to grip the container, to move it along a third transport direction until it arrives at a selected one of a several second transfer positions, and to then release it onto the second transport section, thereby enabling the container to join the second container stream. The second transfer positions are offset relative to each other in a direction along the second width.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Gernot Keil, Carsten Hahn, Petra Scholz, Klaus Krämer, Christopher Stuhlmann, Thomas Stienen, Rene Bastian Lippert
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Publication number: 20160152459Abstract: A method for forming a packaging unit includes producing a container from plastic, filling it with filling product, receiving it in a support structure, and holding it in the support structure, then, while the container is being held, inserting a keg fitting into a mouth of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventor: Thomas STIENEN
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Patent number: 9283293Abstract: A method for pasteurizing a continuous product chain in a device having an inlet, heat-up, pasteurization, and cooling regions all divided into treatment zones, and a transporter for passing products through these regions includes heating up, pasteurizing, and cooling by heat transfer between the products and a spray medium with which the products are sprayed, for each of the treatment zones, adapting a temperature of the spray medium to cause a desired consequence to heat transfer in the treatment zone, and varying a pasteurization process by changing a volumetric flow rate of the spray medium in at least one treatment zone between a maximum value and a minimum value.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Andre Ratke, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 9022253Abstract: The invention relates to a carry basket, preferably a cardboard carry basket, having a carry basin for receiving a product to be transported, and having a carry handle connected to the carry basin, wherein the carry handle is designed as a grip handle, wherein the carry handle is designed as a handle strap connected to at least two side walls of the carry basin and shortened by at least one fold prior to being used, and wherein the handle strap overlaps the products present in the carry basin and/or engages as a spacer between the products, and thereby secures the products during transport, for example.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Werner Oster, Ludger Pauls, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 8955665Abstract: The invention relates to a revolving treatment machine for treating containers, comprising a rotor element which can be driven to revolve about a vertical machine axis and which is used as a container support or forms a container support. The treatment machine further comprises a support element for at least one functional element of the machine which interacts with the containers, said support element being drivable as to revolve about the vertical machine axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Klaus Krämer, Thomas Stienen