Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Rodi

Wolfgang Rodi 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: 11413840
    Abstract: A device for transferring folding boxes has a suction member arrangement, which has suction members and is supported rotatably around a stationary first rotational axis. The suction members transport a folding box through the device along a first path. The suction members are supported rotatably around a nonstationary second rotational axis. The device also has an opposing suction member arrangement, which comprises at least one opposing suction member. The suction members and the at least one opposing suction member cooperate in a box-opening area in such a way that they at least partially open the folding box. At least in the box-opening area, the at least one opposing suction member is arranged radially inside the suction members with respect to the stationary first rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Zieher, Wolfgang Rodi
  • Patent number: 10876609
    Abstract: A continuously-variable planetary transmission including: (a) first and second spaced rotatable transmission elements spaced around a transmission axis and having first and second contact points, respectively; (b) at least one support element in fixed radial position with respect to the transmission axis and each having a third contact point; and (c) at least one elongate, rotationally-symmetric, rotatable planetary rolling element, each rolling element (1) contacting the transmission elements at the first and second contact points and each support element at its third contact point, the contact points each in frictional rolling connection to the at least one rolling element and (2) being supported by the first and second transmission elements and the at least one support element with freedom to move around the transmission axis; and (d) an adjusting device for displacing the center of each planetary rolling element to change the ratio of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Rolless GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rodi
  • Patent number: 10829255
    Abstract: In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward, the container is arranged in a transfer area, which is arranged next to a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by the linear motor transport device. After that, the at least one item to be packaged is moved from the transfer position to the transfer area, where the container is filled with the at least one item to be packaged. Then, the filled container is moved from the transfer area to the transport device and is transported onward by the transport device in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Daniel Zieher, Wolfgang Rodi, Fritz Fochler, Mathias Wegerer, Joerg Riekenbrauck, Juergen Haaga
  • Publication number: 20190003560
    Abstract: A continuously-variable planetary transmission including: (a) first and second spaced rotatable transmission elements spaced around a transmission axis and having first and second contact points, respectively; (b) at least one support element in fixed radial position with respect to the transmission axis and each having a third contact point; and (c) at least one elongate, rotationally-symmetric, rotatable planetary rolling element, each rolling element (1) contacting the transmission elements at the first and second contact points and each support element at its third contact point, the contact points each in frictional rolling connection to the least one rolling element and (2) being supported by the first and second transmission elements and the at least one support element with freedom to move around the transmission axis; and (d) an adjusting device for displacing the center of each planetary rolling element to change the ratio of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Rolless GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang RODI
  • Patent number: 10046876
    Abstract: In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward the at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is then moved from the transfer position to an intermediate storage area, which is arranged next to the transport device. A container is conveyed in the conveying direction to the transfer position by the linear motor transport device, and the at least one item to be packaged is moved back from the intermediate storage area to the transport device, thus filling the container. Afterwards, the filled container is moved onward in the conveying direction by the linear motor transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Daniel Zieher, Wolfgang Rodi, Fritz Fochler, Mathias Wegerer, Joerg Riekenbrauck, Juergen Haaga
  • Publication number: 20180148206
    Abstract: A device for transferring folding boxes has a suction member arrangement, which has suction members and is supported rotatably around a stationary first rotational axis. The suction members transport a folding box through the device along a first path. The suction members are supported rotatably around a nonstationary second rotational axis. The device also has an opposing suction member arrangement, which comprises at least one opposing suction member. The suction members and the at least one opposing suction member cooperate in a box-opening area in such a way that they at least partially open the folding box. At least in the box-opening area, the at least one opposing suction member is arranged radially inside the suction members with respect to the stationary first rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel ZIEHER, Wolfgang RODI
  • Patent number: 9499357
    Abstract: The conveying device for conveying products comprises a plurality of slides individually movable with respect to each other for holding products and a guide rail, on which the slides are guided. A linear motor drive unit serves to drive the slides. The slides comprise a first subelement and a second subelement, each of the subelements comprising at least one permanent magnet, which interacts at least in certain sections of the guide rail with coils of the linear motor drive unit. The first and second subelements are connected to each other and are movable relative to each other in linear fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Mathias Wegerer, Wolfgang Rodi, Daniel Zieher
  • Patent number: 9446902
    Abstract: The conveying device for conveying products comprises a plurality of slides individually movable with respect to each other to hold the products and a guide rail, on which the slides are guided. A linear motor drive unit serves to drive the slides, wherein each of the slides comprises permanent magnets, which interact with the coils of the linear motor drive unit. Each slide comprises a horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped base carrier with two legs, which enclose the guide rail from opposite sides. The base carrier is divided into at least two interconnected subsections, each of which comprises a leg. The subsections are movable relative to each other, as a result of which the gap width between the legs can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Juergen Haaga, Wolfgang Rodi
  • Patent number: 9376269
    Abstract: The device for transferring stacks of blister packs comprises at least one transfer cassette for holding a stack of blister packs, the transfer cassette comprising a bottom element and at least two opposing side boundary elements. A transfer cassette motion unit serves to move the transfer cassette in the conveying direction and in a direction transverse to the conveying direction and is configured in such a way that the transfer cassette is movable from a loading position, in which it is loaded with the stack of blister packs, to an unloading position, in which the stack of blister packs is transferred to a compartment of a conveying device. During unloading, the transfer cassette is moved laterally out of the compartment and thus out of the unloading position in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, whereas the stack of blister packs remains on the conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rodi, Fritz Fochler
  • Publication number: 20160176658
    Abstract: The conveying device for conveying products comprises a plurality of slides individually movable with respect to each other for holding products and a guide rail, on which the slides are guided. A linear motor drive unit serves to drive the slides. The slides comprise a first subelement and a second subelement, each of the subelements comprising at least one permanent magnet, which interacts at least in certain sections of the guide rail with coils of the linear motor drive unit. The first and second subelements are connected to each other and are movable relative to each other in linear fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Mathias Wegerer, Wolfgang Rodi, Daniel Zieher
  • Publication number: 20160176559
    Abstract: In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward the at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is then moved from the transfer position to an intermediate storage area, which is arranged next to the transport device. A container is conveyed in the conveying direction to the transfer position by the linear motor transport device, and the at least one item to be packaged is moved back from the intermediate storage area to the transport device, thus filling the container. Afterwards, the filled container is moved onward in the conveying direction by the linear motor transport device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Daniel Zieher, Wolfgang Rodi, Fritz Fochler, Mathias Wegerer, Joerg Riekenbrauck, Juergen Haaga
  • Publication number: 20160176560
    Abstract: In the method for transferring at least one item to be packaged into a container and for transporting the filled container onward, the container is arranged in a transfer area, which is arranged next to a linear motor transport device. The at least one item to be packaged is conveyed in a conveying direction to a transfer position by the linear motor transport device. After that, the at least one item to be packaged is moved from the transfer position to the transfer area, where the container is filled with the at least one item to be packaged. Then, the filled container is moved from the transfer area to the transport device and is transported onward by the transport device in the conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Daniel Zieher, Wolfgang Rodi, Fritz Fochler, Mathias Wegerer, Joerg Riekenbrauck, Juergen Haaga
  • Publication number: 20160152414
    Abstract: The conveying device for conveying products comprises a plurality of slides individually movable with respect to each other to hold the products and a guide rail, on which the slides are guided. A linear motor drive unit serves to drive the slides, wherein each of the slides comprises permanent magnets, which interact with the coils of the linear motor drive unit. Each slide comprises a horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped base carrier with two legs, which enclose the guide rail from opposite sides. The base carrier is divided into at least two interconnected subsections, each of which comprises a leg. The subsections are movable relative to each other, as a result of which the gap width between the legs can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Aumann, Juergen Haaga, Wolfgang Rodi
  • Patent number: 9303666
    Abstract: The clamping system for attaching a tool to a tool holder offers highly precise self-adjustment of the tool in the tool holder, which remains in effect even at the high tool temperatures encountered during operation. For this purpose, the tool comprises a central clamping bolt, a positioning pin, and a groove, whereas the tool holder comprises a draw bolt, a T-slot, and a register pin. The draw bolt draws the clamping bolt by way of slanted surfaces against the tool holder with force components acting in three directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rodi
  • Publication number: 20150118000
    Abstract: The device for transferring stacks of blister packs comprises at least one transfer cassette for holding a stack of blister packs, the transfer cassette comprising a bottom element and at least two opposing side boundary elements. A transfer cassette motion unit serves to move the transfer cassette in the conveying direction and in a direction transverse to the conveying direction and is configured in such a way that the transfer cassette is movable from a loading position, in which it is loaded with the stack of blister packs, to an unloading position, in which the stack of blister packs is transferred to a compartment of a conveying device. During unloading, the transfer cassette is moved laterally out of the compartment and thus out of the unloading position in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, whereas the stack of blister packs remains on the conveying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rodi, Fritz Fochler
  • Patent number: 8608148
    Abstract: A tool holder (2) defines three stop surfaces (18, 20, 22), which lie in three planes (60, 62, 64), which are perpendicular to each other. A pin (24), which can be lowered into the base body (8) of the tool holder (2) and extended from it, is to be introduced into a receptacle (42) of the tool (4) and comprises a slanted active contact surface (26), which defines a fourth plane (66), which intersects each of the three planes (60, 62, 64) of the tool holder (2) at an acute angle, as a result of which the active pressure surface (26), upon the extension of the pin (24), exerts a force component toward each of the three stop surfaces (18, 20, 22). A corresponding tool (4) and a workstation with the tool holder (2) and the tool (4) attached thereto are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhold Ruf, Wolfgang Rodi, Hans-Martin Poehler, Uwe Hiller
  • Publication number: 20130308996
    Abstract: The clamping system for attaching a tool to a tool holder offers highly precise self-adjustment of the tool in the tool holder, which remains in effect even at the high tool temperatures encountered during operation. For this purpose, the tool comprises a central clamping bolt, a positioning pin, and a groove, whereas the tool holder comprises a draw bolt, a T-slot, and a register pin. The draw bolt draws the clamping bolt by way of slanted surfaces against the tool holder with force components acting in three directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rodi
  • Patent number: 8348045
    Abstract: The device for transporting flat objects from an output unit to an input unit has a conveyor belt with several pairs of flaps to transport flat objects in suspended fashion. A feed unit serves to convey the flat objects into the flaps from below. Each flap has a first side piece and a second side piece, which define an intermediate space for holding an edge section of the flat object. The first side pieces and the second side pieces of the flaps of each pair of flaps face each other. Each flap can be pivoted between an open position for picking up and releasing the flat object and a closed position for transporting the flat objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rodi
  • Publication number: 20110056628
    Abstract: A tool holder (2) defines three stop surfaces (18, 20, 22), which lie in three planes (60, 62, 64), which are perpendicular to each other. A pin (24), which can be lowered into the base body (8) of the tool holder (2) and extended from it, is to be introduced into a receptacle (42) of the tool (4) and comprises a slanted active contact surface (26), which defines a fourth plane (66), which intersects each of the three planes (60, 62, 64) of the tool holder (2) at an acute angle, as a result of which the active pressure surface (26), upon the extension of the pin (24), exerts a force component toward each of the three stop surfaces (18, 20, 22). A corresponding tool (4) and a workstation with the tool holder (2) and the tool (4) attached thereto are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Reinhold Ruf, Wolfgang Rodi, Hans-Martin Poehler, Uwe Hiller
  • Publication number: 20110056800
    Abstract: The device for transporting flat objects from an output unit to an input unit has a conveyor belt with several pairs of flaps to transport flat objects in suspended fashion. A feed unit serves to convey the flat objects into the flaps from below. Each flap has a first side piece and a second side piece, which define an intermediate space for holding an edge section of the flat object. The first side pieces and the second side pieces of the flaps of each pair of flaps face each other. Each flap can be pivoted between an open position for picking up and releasing the flat object and a closed position for transporting the flat objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rodi