Patents by Inventor Urs Reuteler
Urs Reuteler 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: 8182406Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Kliklok CorporationInventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Ray Landrum
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Patent number: 8156719Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Delkor Systems, Inc.Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Matt M. Mate, Ronald Scott Thompson, Daniel Duane Schroeder, Mike Lee
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Patent number: 8079944Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Kliklok CorporationInventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Ray Landrum
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Publication number: 20110083404Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: DELKOR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Daniel D. Schroeder, Matt M. Mate, Mike Lee, Urs Reuteler, Ronald Thompson
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Patent number: 7856798Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Delkor Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Schroeder, Matt M. Mate, Mike Lee, Urs Reuteler, Ronald Thompson
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Publication number: 20100200371Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes a conveyor with selectively actuated lugs that engage and convey the carton. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the lug conveyor may actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Ray Landrum, Thomas A. Pool, Thomas R. Long
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Patent number: 7712599Abstract: In a machine for feeding a partially formed carton in a conveying direction and reorienting the carton for completion, a turn-assist mechanism and related methods help to ensure that proper turning of a skewed carton is achieved in a reliable and highly efficient manner. The mechanism comprises a bed for supporting the carton, which may be skewed from a first orientation in which one of the side flaps could be folded and sealed in an upstream procedure. A conveyor includes at least one lug with a portion generally elongated in a direction transverse to the conveying and vertical directions for engaging a trailing end of the carton. This engagement helps to turn the carton to a second, squared orientation approximately 90° rotated from the first orientation so that the forming operation may be completed, such as by folding and sealing any other side flaps.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Kliklok CorporationInventors: Charles Ray Landrum, Urs Reuteler
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Publication number: 20100107559Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Delkor Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Schroeder, Matt M. Mate, Mike Lee, Urs Reuteler, Ronald Thompson
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Patent number: 7565964Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Kliklok CorporationInventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Ray Landrum
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Patent number: 7431147Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Kliklok CorporationInventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Ray Landrum
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Patent number: 7431146Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Kliklok CorporationInventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Ray Landrum
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Publication number: 20080058189Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Landrum
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Publication number: 20070278066Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Landrum
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Publication number: 20070220836Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. AL diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Landrum
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Publication number: 20070191201Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Landrum
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Publication number: 20060154791Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Urs Reuteler, Charles Landrum
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Patent number: 5979147Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a predetermined number of articles from a plurality of articles and grouping the selected articles into an ordered group for delivery to an article packaging machine. The articles are moved at an infeed speed in series progressively along a path of travel and toward a pair of rotatable selector wheel assemblies located on opposite sides of the path. The articles are directed to the rotating selector wheel at a position where the velocity component of fingers attached to the wheel in the direction of the path of travel is equal to the infeed speed of the bottles. The fingers on the selector wheel engage selected ones of the bottles at this location and accelerate them smoothly and progressively to a machine speed that is greater than the infeed speed. The bottles are thus grouped together in separated groups and delivered to the packaging machine at the machine speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Urs Reuteler
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Patent number: 5782734Abstract: A carton feed opening wheel assembly for opening carton blanks into preformed cartons on a packaging machine is disclosed. The carton feed opening wheel assembly has a pair of spaced and generally parallel endless vacuum conveyor belts moving along a path of travel from a carton magazine assembly to a carton transport conveyor, and a carton opening wheel positioned on the packaging machine with respect to the vacuum conveyor belts for engaging the top portion of an unopened carton blank being moved on the vacuum conveyor belts toward the carton transport conveyor. The carton opening wheel has at least one suction cup supported thereon for engaging the top portion of the carton blank at a speed and direction substantially the same as the speed and direction of the unopened carton blank moving on the vacuum conveyor belts.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Urs Reuteler
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Patent number: 5662577Abstract: A carton transfer assembly having a rotary feeder that rotates a series of selectors about a transfer path between a carton feeder and a transport conveyor. The selectors each include vacuum engagement members adapted to engage a selected carton to remove the selected carton from the carton feeder and carry the carton toward a transport conveyor as the rotary feeder rotates the selectors about the transfer path. Each selector further includes stingers that are operated off of the vacuum applied to the cartons by the vacuum engagement members to move the stingers between extended and retracted positions. As the vacuum is applied to the stingers, the stingers are retracted. When the vacuum is disengaged, the stingers move to an extended position to engage and spread apart the panels of the cartons to open the cartons prior to the deposit of the cartons within the carton pockets of the transport conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Urs Reuteler
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Patent number: 5653671Abstract: A carton feeder assembly is positioned substantially at the infeed conveyor level and includes a carton supply assembly, a carton selector, a carton opener, and a carton erector. The carton supply assembly has a carton supply position, a carton holding position, and a carton selecting position. The carton selector includes a pair of feeder wheels with corresponding suction devices and respective motion defining assemblies. The motion defining assemblies cause the suction devices to move along a linear pick line as the feeder wheels rotate, so that the suction devices can apply a suction on a carton to be selected. The selected carton is brought into contact with the feeder wheels by retraction of the suction devices caused by respective motion defining assemblies, so that the carton moves with the feeder wheels to the carton opener.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1994Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventor: Urs Reuteler