Patents by Inventor Volker Zahn
Volker Zahn 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: 11577873Abstract: The application relates to a device and method for attaching handles to packages or containers, such as bottles, cans, boxes, pouches, and similar containers, or to groups of packages or containers.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Mathias Fischer, Michael Wertz, Norman Pau
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Publication number: 20210139182Abstract: The application relates to a device and method for attaching handles to packages or containers, such as bottles, cans, boxes, pouches, and similar containers, or to groups of packages or containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2021Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Christopher STUHLMANN, Volker ZAHN, Thomas NITSCH, Mathias FISCHER, Michael WERTZ, Norman PAU
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Patent number: 10661494Abstract: A method for producing a multipack of containers includes heating a preform, cooling at least part of the preform, the at least part of the preform defining a cooled region, and producing a first container from the preform. The container has a reinforced wall portion formed from the cooled region. The method continues with applying adhesive to the reinforced wall portion, thereby forming an adhesive point and fixing a second container to the adhesive point.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignees: KHS GmbH, KHS Corpoplast GmbHInventors: Volker Zahn, Arne-Fritz Wiese
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Publication number: 20190358886Abstract: A method for producing a multipack of containers includes heating a preform, cooling at least part of the preform, the at least part of the preform defining a cooled region, and producing a first container from the preform. The container has a reinforced wall portion formed from the cooled region. The method continues with applying adhesive to the reinforced wall portion, thereby forming an adhesive point and fixing a second container to the adhesive point.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Volker Zahn, Arne-Fritz WIESE
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Patent number: 9643745Abstract: An apparatus for producing container packs from containers in a container stream or a plurality of transport lines includes guide elements, entraining elements, applicator elements, and a compartmentalizing and/or compressing unit configured for compartmentalizing and compressing a predetermined number of containers that are combined to form a container pack. The applicator elements apply an adhesive agent by spraying or sprinkling such that a bottle in the pack has adhesive a contact-or-touching surface thereof. The linear transporter transports containers that are to form a subsequent pack from an inlet to an outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
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Patent number: 9637256Abstract: An apparatus for producing bundles of containers received from a wide container stream that is converted into plural single-track container streams. The apparatus has a dividing-off and/or compactor unit that divides off and compacts a predetermined number of containers to form a partial bundle to be combined with other partial bundles to form a full bundle. The apparatus also includes application elements that apply adhesive to a container, a linear transporter having a controllable drive, a guide element, a transport element that moves linearly along the guide element, and as many head guides as there are containers in a bundle. The head guides move and/or rotate relative to the transport element.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Ernst Van Wickeren, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
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Patent number: 9617023Abstract: A method for producing a cluster pack forming containers received in a container stream into lanes of single-track container streams, then for each lane, separating containers from neighboring containers by a pre-determined separation distance, for a subset of containers in the lane, applying adhesive to selected regions of the containers, rotating the containers in the subset such that adhesive regions of containers in the subset that are to be joined face each other, dividing off a pre-determined number of containers from the single-track container stream to form a container group. The method then includes pressing the container group against at least one other container group to form the cluster pack. The adhesive is selected such that a container is separable from the cluster pack by hand without damaging the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch
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Patent number: 9604743Abstract: An apparatus for producing a container pack includes a linear transporter, applicator elements, and head guides. The linear transporter has first, second, and third sections. Transport surfaces run parallel to one another in said first section, are oriented at an angle to one another in said second section, and again run parallel to one another in said third section. The second section comprises applicator elements having transversely displaceable and rotatable head guides for single-container transport along said three sections. The apparatus is configured to bring containers together in said third section to form said pack and to transport said pack towards a discharge side.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
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Patent number: 9573711Abstract: An apparatus for producing container bundles without a shrink film or strapping has container guides, which are either base or head guides, a grouping unit, one or more application elements, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each stream. The guides are disposed on the container transporter. An application element near the transporter applies adhesive to containers. The grouping unit groups and compress a predetermined number of containers to form a container bundle.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
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Patent number: 9550591Abstract: A method for producing multipacks of containers includes placing adhesive spots on surfaces of the containers. At least two kinds of adhesives are used, both of which plastic melt adhesives that melt as a result of exposure to heat and that develop cohesion after cooling. After placing the adhesive spots, the containers are connected to each other using the adhesive spots so as to form a multipack.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Thomas Jöhren, Jörg Koppers, Thomas Nitsch, Volker Zahn, Wilko Flügge, Tobias Böddeker
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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: 9493257Abstract: A container-packer includes a compartment and/or compressor unit, applicators, a linear transporter for transporting along a direction, and displaceable head guides. The unit compartmentalizes and compresses containers into packs. The applicators apply adhesive to a container contact surface. The linear transporter comprises three sections. A first section has first through third part regions. In the first, transport surfaces are parallel. In the second, the transport surfaces are brought together to form respective part-packs. In the third, the part packs are transverse to the direction and transported in a direction of the second section of the linear transporter in whose first and second sections the applicators are provided. The displaceable head guides are for single-container transport in the first section. The second section comprises a turning-and-feeding section for the part-packs. The third section brings part packs together oriented in the direction to produce a complete pack.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
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Publication number: 20160159506Abstract: A method for producing a cluster pack forming containers received in a container stream into lanes of single-track container streams, then for each lane, separating containers from neighboring containers by a pre-determined separation distance, for a subset of containers in the lane, applying adhesive to selected regions of the containers, rotating the containers in the subset such that adhesive regions of containers in the subset that are to be joined face each other, dividing off a pre-determined number of containers from the single-track container stream to form a container group. The method then includes pressing the container group against at least one other container group to form the cluster pack. The adhesive is selected such that a container is separable from the cluster pack by hand without damaging the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch
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Publication number: 20160122059Abstract: An apparatus for shrinking films to form a product bundle includes a shrink tunnel, and a conveyor that conveys product bundles through the shrink tunnel. The conveyor includes a linear transporter having a forward run and a return run along which said individually controllable displacement elements circulate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventor: Volker Zahn
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Publication number: 20160114919Abstract: A method for producing multipacks of containers includes placing adhesive spots on surfaces of the containers. At least two kinds of adhesives are used, both of which plastic melt adhesives that melt as a result of exposure to heat and that develop cohesion after cooling. After placing the adhesive spots, the containers are connected to each other using the adhesive spots so as to form a multipack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Thomas Jöhren, Jörg Koppers, Thomas Nitsch, Volker Zahn, Wilko Flügge, Tobias Böddeker
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Publication number: 20150191263Abstract: An apparatus for producing container bundles without a shrink film or strapping has container guides, which are either base or head guides, a grouping unit, one or more application elements, a multiple track container feed providing multiple container streams, and a container transporter for each stream. The guides are disposed on the container transporter. An application element near the transporter applies adhesive to containers. The grouping unit groups and compress a predetermined number of containers to form a container bundle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
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Publication number: 20150122397Abstract: A container-packer includes a compartment and/or compressor unit, applicators, a linear transporter for transporting along a direction, and displaceable head guides. The unit compartmentalizes and compresses containers into packs. The applicators apply adhesive to a container contact surface. The linear transporter comprises three sections. A first section has first through third part regions. In the first, transport surfaces are parallel. In the second, the transport surfaces are brought together to form respective part-packs. In the third, the part packs are transverse to the direction and transported in a direction of the second section of the linear transporter in whose first and second sections the applicators are provided. The displaceable head guides are for single-container transport in the first section. The second section comprises a turning-and-feeding section for the part-packs. The third section brings part packs together oriented in the direction to produce a complete pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
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Publication number: 20150090404Abstract: An apparatus for producing bundles of containers received from a wide container stream that is converted into plural single-track container streams. The apparatus has a dividing-off and/or compactor unit that divides off and compacts a predetermined number of containers to form a partial bundle to be combined with other partial bundles to form a full bundle. The apparatus also includes application elements that apply adhesive to a container, a linear transporter having a controllable drive, a guide element, a transport element that moves linearly along the guide element, and as many head guides as there are containers in a bundle. The head guides move and/or rotate relative to the transport element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: KHS GmbHInventors: Ernst Van Wickeren, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner, Volker Zahn
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Publication number: 20140318712Abstract: An apparatus for producing container packs from containers in a container stream or a plurality of transport lines includes guide elements, entraining elements, applicator elements, and a compartmentalizing and/or compressing unit configured for compartmentalizing and compressing a predetermined number of containers that are combined to form a container pack. The applicator elements apply an adhesive agent by spraying or sprinkling such that a bottle in the pack has adhesive a contact-or-touching surface thereof. The linear transporter transports containers that are to form a subsequent pack from an inlet to an outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Ernst Van Wickeren, Volker Zahn, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Wagner
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Publication number: 20140311103Abstract: An apparatus for producing a container pack includes a linear transporter, applicator elements, and head guides. The linear transporter has first, second, and third sections. Transport surfaces run parallel to one another in said first section, are oriented at an angle to one another in said second section, and again run parallel to one another in said third section. The second section comprises applicator elements having transversely displaceable and rotatable head guides for single-container transport along said three sections. The apparatus is configured to bring containers together in said third section to form said pack and to transport said pack towards a discharge side.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Christopher Stuhlmann, Emst Van Wickeren, Stefan Wagnar, Volker Zahn