Patents by Inventor Wolfram Grafe

Wolfram Grafe 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).

  • Publication number: 20240011523
    Abstract: The invention concerns a coupling device for articulated connection of two elements of a device for conveying and/or sorting piece goods, wherein the coupling device connects together an end of each of the two elements pivotably with respect to a rotational axis in a plane to both sides, and the two ends lie diametrically opposite each other in a neutral position. It is provided that the coupling device is configured such that, starting from a respective central axis of the two ends, the rotational axis on a pivot movement in the direction of the one side lies on this one side of the central axes, and on a pivot movement in the direction of the other side lies on this other side of the respective central axis. The invention furthermore concerns a corresponding device for conveying and/or sorting piece goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Wolfram GRAFE, Bernd HARTMANN, Hillar LOH
  • Publication number: 20240002169
    Abstract: Apparatus for conveying objects, including a first conveying apparatus, wherein the objects are conveyed in a first conveying direction by means of the first conveying apparatus. At least one second conveying apparatus which branches off from the first conveying apparatus and conveys the objects in a second conveying direction. The second conveying direction differs from the first conveying direction, wherein the second conveying apparatus has an orienting apparatus for orienting the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Viktor Kuznecov, Wolfram Grafe, Saira Pathan
  • Publication number: 20230103273
    Abstract: A loading device for loading a container with packages, comprising a transport channel for transport of the packages in the direction of the container. The transport channel has an upper inlet to supply packages into the transport channel and a lower outlet to supply packages into the container. At least one upper, and at least one lower, finger position each with at least one finger element are provided in the transport channel. The at least one of the finger elements of the upper and lower finger positions in each case have at least two flexible flank elements extending from one end to the opposing end of the finger element. In each case, the at least two flexible flank elements are flexibly connected via a plurality of webs. The finger elements in each case may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Grafe, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11613436
    Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20220112040
    Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20220097973
    Abstract: A loading device for loading a container with packages, comprising a transport channel for transport of the packages in the direction of the container. The transport channel has an upper inlet to supply packages into the transport channel and a lower outlet to supply packages into the container. At least one upper, and at least one lower, finger position each with at least one finger element are provided in the transport channel. The at least one of the finger elements of the upper and lower finger positions in each case have at least two flexible flank elements extending from one end to the opposing end of the finger element. In each case, the at least two flexible flank elements are flexibly connected via a plurality of webs. The finger elements in each case may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Grafe, Bernd Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20210402622
    Abstract: A method for unloading a container having packages with a rail device comprising a rail having a hand element displaceable in the longitudinal direction. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements having two flexible flank elements extending jointly from one end to the opposite end of the finger element. Each are connected flexibly to each other via a plurality of webs. The finger elements adjustable from a curved position into an extended position and back. The packages are stacked in the container forming a front face in which the rail device is brought close to the front face of the stacked packages. One hand element grips one package from the stack of packages and removes it from the stack. Following the removal, it is displaced along the rail and following the displacement grips one further package and removes it from the stack of packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20210324902
    Abstract: The invention concerns a coupling device (14) for articulated connection of two elements (12) of a device (10) for conveying and/or sorting piece goods, wherein the coupling device (10) connects together an end (24, 26) of each of the two elements (12) pivotably with respect to a rotational axis (20) in a plane to both sides (24, 26), and the two ends (24, 26) lie diametrically opposite each other in a neutral position. It is provided that the coupling device (14) is configured such that, starting from a respective central axis (28) of the two ends (24, 26), the rotational axis (20) on a pivot movement in the direction of the one side (24) lies on this one side (24) of the central axes (28), and on a pivot movement in the direction of the other side (26) lies on this other side (26) of the respective central axis (28). The invention furthermore concerns a corresponding device (10) for conveying and/or sorting piece goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfram GRAFE, Bernd HARTMANN, Hillar LOH
  • Patent number: 10335833
    Abstract: A singulation conveyor for conveying and separating piece goods, in particular packages and/or consignments, along at least one transport track bearing the piece goods items is described, wherein in the transport track, in some sections, finger elements adjustable between a lower setting and an upper setting are provided, and wherein the free ends of the finger elements in the upper setting are arranged in an upper position above an adjoining region of the transport track in such a way as to manipulate the motional direction and/or the motional speed of respectively individual piece goods items independently of other piece goods items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Patent number: 10160599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chute for articles, in particular packages and/or consignments, having a chute base for the article to slide down, having at least one storage installation, preferably assigned to the lower end of the chute, for the articles that have slid down along the chute base, wherein the storage installation is configured to be adjustable, in particular pivotable, from an upper receiving position for receiving the articles sliding down the chute into a lower discharging position for discharging the received articles, and back again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Patent number: 10035657
    Abstract: A method for conveying piece goods from a stack, using a finger unit with two flexible flank elements which extend jointly from one end of the finger unit, wherein the two flexible flank elements are in each case flexibly connected to one another by way of a multiplicity of webs such that the finger unit is adjustable from a curved position into a straightened position and back, wherein the finger unit is pressed against the stack in a gripping direction such that one flank element is impressed by one item of piece goods, wherein the finger unit is adjusted from a straightened position into a curved position and, in the process, the finger unit grips the item of piece goods, and wherein the gripped item of piece goods is moved by the finger unit from the stack in a transport direction perpendicular to the gripping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Patent number: 9969554
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a chute for articles, in particular packages and/or consignments, having a chute base for the article to slide down and comprising at least two chute-base sections is described, wherein the at least two chute-base sections form a height offset between one another, wherein at least one guiding device is provided between the at least two chute-base sections in order to guide the article from one chute-base section to the next chute-base section, wherein the at least one guiding device has a vertically adjustable free end that points in the direction of the next chute-base section, and wherein the guiding device has, transversely to the chute base, a plurality of finger elements that are arranged alongside one another and are at least in part vertically adjustable independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20170333952
    Abstract: A singulation conveyor for conveying and separating piece goods, in particular packages and/or consignments, along at least one transport track bearing the piece goods items is described, wherein in the transport track, in some sections, finger elements adjustable between a lower setting and an upper setting are provided, and wherein the free ends of the finger elements in the upper setting are arranged in an upper position above an adjoining region of the transport track in such a way as to manipulate the motional direction and/or the motional speed of respectively individual piece goods items independently of other piece goods items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20170334647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chute for articles, in particular packages and/or consignments, having a chute base for the article to slide down, having at least one storage installation, preferably assigned to the lower end of the chute, for the articles that have slid down along the chute base, wherein the storage installation is configured to be adjustable, in particular pivotable, from an upper receiving position for receiving the articles sliding down the chute into a lower discharging position for discharging the received articles, and back again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20170334648
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a chute for articles, in particular packages and/or consignments, having a chute base for the article to slide down and comprising at least two chute-base sections is described, wherein the at least two chute-base sections form a height offset between one another, wherein at least one guiding device is provided between the at least two chute-base sections in order to guide the article from one chute-base section to the next chute-base section, wherein the at least one guiding device has a vertically adjustable free end that points in the direction of the next chute-base section, and wherein the guiding device has, transversely to the chute base, a plurality of finger elements that are arranged alongside one another and are at least in part vertically adjustable independently of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20170096301
    Abstract: A method for conveying piece goods from a stack, using a finger unit with two flexible flank elements which extend jointly from one end of the finger unit, wherein the two flexible flank elements are in each case flexibly connected to one another by way of a multiplicity of webs such that the finger unit is adjustable from a curved position into a straightened position and back, wherein the finger unit is pressed against the stack in a gripping direction such that one flank element is impressed by one item of piece goods, wherein the finger unit is adjusted from a straightened position into a curved position and, in the process, the finger unit grips the item of piece goods, and wherein the gripped item of piece goods is moved by the finger unit from the stack in a transport direction perpendicular to the gripping direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Patent number: 5056978
    Abstract: A high shelf system and a conveyor arrangement including a vertical mast ucture which is movable in longitudinal direction of a corridor between shelf racks. The mast structure includes load receiving members which can be aligned with the shelf compartments. The load receiving members are displaceable perpendicularly to the shelf corridor. A load receiving member is fixedly arranged on the mast structure for each shelf level. At least one loading and unloading station is provided for the conveyor arrangement for vertically moving units to be stored between a storage input and output level and the shelf compartments. Each load receiving member carries on a rigid platform a transverse conveyor device which is adjustable along the entire length of the platform and beyond each end of the platform. The transverse conveyor device includes a slide or carriage. A linear drive arranged on the platform acts on the slide. The slide has at both ends thereof locking members for the units to be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V., SIEMAG Transplan GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Grafe, Winfred Shroer, Werner Sondermann