Company patents
KRONES AG
KRONES AG's patent strategy reveals a surprising shift away from its core "Plastics Shaping & Molding" category, which constitutes 31.1% of its portfolio but has seen a consistent decline, including a -11.6% YoY drop in 2025 and a -47.4% decline so far in 2026. While many categories show fluctuating yearly trends, the company appears to be exploring diverse areas, with "Material & Chemical Analysis" experiencing an 87.5% YoY growth in 2025 and "Packaging Machines" growing by 66.7% YoY in the same year, suggesting a focus on quality control and packaging automation, despite a sharp decline in patenting activity across most categories so far in 2026.
Patent Trend by Technology Area
Yearly patent publications since 2023
Product themes
Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.
479 US filings (since 2023) · 10 categories · 23 themes
Methods and apparatuses for creating unique package structures, such as recesses in specific materials, blister packages, or single-dose units, and for controlled dispensing of products from storage into these containers.
Methods and equipment for continuously shaping plastic materials by forcing them through a die, often involving screw extruders, heating elements, and downstream calibration.
Processes involving the application of heat and pressure to shape thermoplastic or elastomeric materials, often using molds or presses, to achieve specific forms or material properties.
Systems and mechanisms designed for the automated movement, feeding, transfer, and destacking of products or packaging materials within a packaging line, often utilizing various types of conveyors and actuators.
Technologies and methods for securely closing, sealing, and maintaining the integrity of packages, including heat sealing, vacuum sealing, strapping, and specialized closure units, often involving material interaction and atmosphere control.
Containers or packaging components featuring active mechanisms for controlled release, preparation, or delivery of their contents, such as liquids, bulk materials, volatile compounds, or single-serve portions.
Systems and mechanisms designed to safely and efficiently interface transport vehicles (trucks, trailers) with loading docks or automated loading systems, including vehicle restraint, telescopic loading arms, and specialized vehicle-mounted conveyors.
Techniques for combining multiple materials or layers, often with specialized surface treatments, coatings, or assembly methods, to create functional or aesthetically enhanced plastic articles, including consumer goods and encapsulated electronics.
Systems that employ imaging and image processing to automatically detect defects, verify states, or ensure quality control in manufactured goods, printed materials, or industrial processes.
Integration of inspection apparatuses and digital printing units directly into packaging machines to monitor quality, apply information, or decorate packages during the continuous packaging process.
Innovations in the physical structure, materials, support mechanisms, and operational monitoring of conveyor belts to improve durability, cleanliness, safety, or specific handling capabilities, including specialized drive mechanisms.
Methods and apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing medical devices, waste, or environments, often employing radiation, chemical agents, or thermal processes, and including monitoring systems.
Systems and methods for real-time sensing, modeling, and closed-loop control of additive manufacturing parameters to ensure part quality, consistency, and process efficiency. This includes thermal management, atmospheric regulation, and precise material deposition.
Design aspects of user-replaceable cartridges or containers for printing consumables (e.g., ink, tape, labels) that facilitate easy installation, proper positioning, type identification, and reliable supply to the printer.
Design and control of advanced robotic grippers, tools, and mechanical linkages for specific manipulation tasks or operating in challenging environments.
Systems and methods for efficient storage, retrieval, and sorting of items within warehouses, distribution centers, or manufacturing facilities, often involving vertical lifts, high-throughput sorters, or inventory management logic.
Methods and tooling for forming structural components from fibrous materials impregnated with resin, involving processes like prepreg handling, resin infusion, and co-bonding during curing.
Techniques for building three-dimensional metal objects layer-by-layer using metal powders, including powder bed fusion, binder jetting, and directed energy deposition. This theme encompasses process mechanics, equipment design, and operational control for AM systems.
Utilizing sensor data, historical performance, and analytical models to anticipate equipment failures, diagnose faults, and estimate remaining useful life, thereby enabling proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.
Automated systems using image processing and artificial intelligence to identify, classify, and assess the extent of damage to structures or objects, supporting maintenance or insurance claims.
Systems and methods enabling the monitoring, configuration, and operation of industrial equipment and processes from a distance, often utilizing wireless communication protocols and networked platforms for enhanced flexibility and access.
Multi-layer polymer films engineered to provide superior barrier properties against gases (e.g., oxygen), moisture, or aromas, often incorporating heat-sealing or resealing mechanisms for food and product preservation.
Systems and components for storing, delivering, circulating, and managing printing liquids (e.g., ink) to the printhead, often including features for pressure regulation, filtration, degassing, and balancing liquid levels.
Patents
Showing 61-70 of 725