Patents Assigned to Eppendorf AG
  • Patent number: 11298707
    Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the rotational speed of an element are disclosed. The element may be part of a centrifuge, e.g. a motor, drive shaft, or rotor of a laboratory centrifuge. The rotational speed of the element is not determined directly, but rather clock cycles are counted while the element rotates by a predetermined rotational angle. Exceeding a predetermined rotational speed is determined by comparing a number of counted cycles with a predetermined value. The method and device can be implemented in hardware without requiring a microcontroller with corresponding software, thereby eliminating a need to software certification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Uwe Beukert, Thomas Sporn
  • Publication number: 20220097038
    Abstract: A pipetting head comprises a carrier, at least one attachment held on the carrier and configured to secure at least one pipette tip, and two O-rings retained on the at least one attachment and configured to contact the sealing seat of the at least one pipette tip. The inner diameter of the sealing seat of the at least one pipette tip is smaller than an outer diameter of a respective O-ring where the sealing seat contacts a respective O-ring. The respective O-ring is deformed while the pipette tip is slid onto the at least one attachment to securely clamp the at least one pipette tip. The sealing seat of the at least one pipette tip is dimensioned such that the at least one attachment exerts a force on the pipette tip to deform the at least one pipette tip when it is securely clamped on the at least one attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Jens Wilmer, Dominik Schneider
  • Patent number: 11280389
    Abstract: A spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle with an external thread, a spindle nut with an internal thread that is in engagement with the external thread of the threaded spindle, characterized in that the external thread of the threaded spindle has multiple threaded areas that are separated from each other by first flattenings on their circumference extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first flattenings have guide areas that abut the core diameter of the internal thread of the spindle nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Burkhardt Reichmuth, Marc Wilth, Jörg Sattler
  • Publication number: 20220072566
    Abstract: A connection construction (10), between a centrifuge rotor (12) and a drive shaft (14) of a laboratory centrifuge (100), allows one-handed operation that does not require any additional tools. The connection construction (10) is designed such that the locking mechanism (16, 48) is constantly guaranteed, preventing the jamming or blocking of the locking elements (16, 48). In addition, the user receives a reliable indication of a locked state (16, 48) by a clearly noticeable click.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Steffen Kühnert
  • Publication number: 20220065885
    Abstract: Art automated laboratory system comprises a work area comprising a plurality of predefined workstations, wherein each of the plurality of predefined workstations occupies a footprint of a standardized microtiter plate. At least one movement device is configured to move tools above the work area and at least one transport tool is configured to be moved by the movement device in order to relocate laboratory items within the work area. At least one pipetting tool is configured to be moved by the movement device in order to pick up and release pipette tips. A holder for pipette tip carriers comprises at least one carrying apparatus defining a rectangular through-opening, and a support apparatus connected to the carrying apparatus. An electronic control apparatus is connected to the movement device and configured to control movements of the transport tool and at least one pipetting tool by the movement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Jens-Peter Kroog
  • Patent number: 11247215
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a swing rotor. Rotor arms of the swing rotor have recesses into which hangers of the swing rotor at least partially swing in a swung-out state. As a result, the centrifuge container and thus also the centrifuges are more compact, because the swinging-out requires less space. An inertial mass of the swing rotor is reduced due to the recesses provided therein, whereby energy consumption, primarily when starting the centrifuge, is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Steffen Kühnert, Heinz Gerhard Köhn
  • Publication number: 20220040709
    Abstract: A connection construction (100) between a centrifuge rotor (102) and a drive shaft (104) of a laboratory centrifuge (200) allows one-handed operation that does not require any additional tools. The connection construction (100) is designed such that the locking mechanism (118, 132, 134) is constantly guaranteed, preventing the jamming or blocking of the locking elements (118, 134).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Steffen Kühnert
  • Publication number: 20220016618
    Abstract: A pipette comprises a housing extending from a lower end to an upper end and a neck extending from the lower end of the housing and configured to hold a pipette tip. A stroke rod comprising an upper end and a lower end is configured to displace a tip plunger in the pipette tip. A drive apparatus is configured to displace the stroke rod to: (1) aspirate a liquid specimen into the pipette tip held on the neck; and (2) to eject the specimen from the pipette tip by means of a tip plunger positively connected to the stroke rod. At least one locking sleeve is arranged coaxially with the stroke rod and configured to be displaceably guided toward the stroke rod in the housing, The locking sleeve is configured to inhibit release of a tip plunger from the stroke rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kunsch, Burkhardt Reichmuth, Holger Link
  • Publication number: 20220001377
    Abstract: A multichannel pipetting head comprises a plunger actuator comprising at least one groove with an upper border, and a lower border. A plurality of plunger-cylinder units, wherein each plunger-cylinder unit comprises a cylinder and a plunger comprising a plunger head. The plunger head comprises a projecting upper abutment region adjoining the upper border, a projecting lower abutment region adjoining the lower border and laterally offset relative to the projecting upper abutment region, a plurality of guides. Each of the cylinders is coupled to a neck and held on each of the plurality of guides. During lateral movement of the plurality of guides, the plunger head is configured to tilt in the groove and to be held with the upper abutment region abutting the upper border and with the lower abutment region abutting the lower border of the groove due to restoring forces that occur during tilting in the plunger-cylinder units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Marc Wilth, Holger Link
  • Publication number: 20210394170
    Abstract: A pipette for use with a pipette, tip or syringe, including a piston positioned within a cylinder comprises a pipette housing extending between an upper end and a lower end. Two parallel rods are positioned in the pipette housing, wherein one of the two parallel rods is coupled to a lifting rod. An operating element is configured to protrude outwardly from the pipette housing and be displaced relative to the pipette housing. A gear mechanism is arranged in the pipette housing and comprises a drive comprising a moveable input member and configured to be driven by the operating element, and an output comprising at least one moveable output member and configured to drive the two parallel rods. Successive displacements of the input member by the operating element are configured to alternately displace one of the two parallel rods and then another of the two parallel rods by the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Matthias Kunsch
  • Publication number: 20210362144
    Abstract: A pipette with an adjustable volume comprises a housing comprising an outside surface, at least one seat defining an opening, and a displacement apparatus defining a displacement chamber comprising a displacement element configured to be displaced therein. A stroke rod is coupled to the displacement element and configured to be displaced relative to the housing order to displace the displacement element. An adjusting apparatus is configured to adjust a position of an upper stop in the housing, a display apparatus is configured to display a set dosing volume, and a coupling apparatus is positioned between the adjusting apparatus and the display apparatus. The coupling apparatus is configured to couple the adjusting apparatus to the display apparatus in an engaged state and configured to uncouple the adjusting apparatus from the display apparatus i.n a disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Florian Tesch, Peter Molitor
  • Patent number: 11179716
    Abstract: A metering head comprising: a carrier having parallel attachments, a stop plate having first holes through which the attachments extend, each attachment having: a tube with a projecting supporting protrusion, a sleeve with a tapering at the bottom end, an elastomer O-ring that encloses the tube, and the sleeves can be shifted between a release position and a clamping position; in the clamping position, the sleeves with the taperings are pressed into the O-rings and expand them, a first shifting apparatus shifting the sleeves between the release position and the clamping position, a second displacement apparatus shifting the stop plate between a stop position and an ejection position, wherein the second shifting apparatus has rocker arms pivotably mounted on the carrier, transmission shafts that are coupled to the sleeves, and ejection shafts which are securely connected to the stop plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Jens Wilmer
  • Patent number: 11154854
    Abstract: A method for dosing liquid by using a pipette and a syringe, including releasably connecting the syringe to the pipette. Then displaying the dosing volume corresponding to a set dosing increment by using a display apparatus. Next, sucking liquid into the syringe by actuating a drawing lever. Next, detecting a respective position of a drive element along its path of movement when the drive element is shifted along the path. Finally, determining and displaying by the display apparatus a possible maximum number of dosing steps with the set dosing increment without refilling the syringe after executing a reverse stroke starting from a position of the drive element reached at the end of filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Burkhardt Reichmuth
  • Patent number: 11130121
    Abstract: A multichannel syringe for use with a metering device having a barrel holding apparatus of a syringe barrel and an axially movable holding apparatus of a syringe plunger 5 comprising: a plunger unit having a drive rod comprising the plunger holding apparatus, a crossmember on the lower end of the drive rod, and a plurality of syringe plungers projecting downward and parallel to the drive rod, a barrel unit comprising a support and rows of syringe barrels arranged in a parallel 10 manner, protruding downwards from the support, and having lower and upper syringe openings, and a running region, wherein each syringe plunger engages a syringe barrel through, an upper syringe opening and is sealingly guided in the running region, and the barrel holding apparatus is above the syringe barrel and is connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Burkhardt Reichmuth
  • Publication number: 20210252526
    Abstract: A centrifuge and a method for preventing ignition of combustible temperature-control media in centrifuges after a crash of the centrifuge rotor are presented. It is monitored whether the pressure in the evaporator lies below a specified minimum pressure and/or above a specified maximum pressure. Measures to prevent ignition of the temperature-control medium can be taken in a targeted manner. In the event that the pressure lies below a minimum pressure, it must be assumed that either a leak or a crash is present, wherein a leak leads to a slow release of combustible temperature-control medium and a crash leads to an sudden release of combustible temperature-control medium. If the pressure lies above a maximum pressure, there is a risk that there is a large amount of combustible temperature-control medium in the evaporator which could be ignited in the event of a crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Heiko MÜLLER, Andreas KEIL
  • Publication number: 20210213441
    Abstract: A pipette tip comprises a tubular body including an inner circumference and an outer circumference. The tubular body comprises a bottom opening defined at a bottom end of the tubular body and a top opening defined at a top end and configured to clamp onto an attachment of a pipetting device. A seat region is positioned proximate the top opening on the inner circumference and configured to engage an attachment of a pipetting device. At least one groove is defined on the outer circumference. The tubular body is configured to plastically expanded in a radial direction within the at least one groove upon mounting the seat region on the attachment. The attachment comprises a larger diameter than at least part of the seat region to form an interference fit between the attachment and the at least part of the seat region when the pipette tip is clamped onto the attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Hanna Rethwisch
  • Publication number: 20210110917
    Abstract: An electronic laboratory metering system for liquids includes an electrical hand-held metering device (2) having at least one operation sensor unit (5) that detects operation of the hand-held metering device (2) and generates operating data and stores same in a storage apparatus (6), wherein the hand-held metering device (2) has an interface module (7) for connecting the hand-held metering device (2) to an external network access apparatus (4) for transferring the operating data; the metering system (1), specifically a data processing system (3), has a comparison unit (9) to compare operating data with target operating data and/or to compare context parameter data from the context parameter sensor unit (8) with target context parameter data and to generate a comparison result. The metering system (1) includes a documentation unit (10) designed to generate and store log data records including at least the operating data and/or the context parameter data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Jan-Hendrik HACKER, Peter MOLITOR
  • Publication number: 20210095239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a A bioprocess control device having a number of control function units (12, 30) which are accommodated in a device housing (10), are designed for bioprocesses and are configured for carrying out control, conveying, measuring and/or sensor functionalities and In order to accommodate the plurality of control function units, the device housing has modular drawer assemblies (14, 32) which, relative to stationary housing frame of the device housing in an opening position and/or removal position, allow access for configuration and/or assembly to the control function unit accommodated in a relevant drawer assembly, and, in an operating and closure position which can be locked by locking means (60, 58), produce an electrically supplying as well as electronically function-identifying contact between the control function unit and the housing frame and/or electrical power supply (40) as well as system identification means (42) associated with a further drawer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Recker, Guido Ertel, Falk Schneider, Tristan Hufen
  • Publication number: 20210095237
    Abstract: A device for storing, incubating or manipulating biological samples, in particular incubating device or shaking device, comprising a sample chamber, an irradiation chamber, and a holder with a UV light source, wherein a sidewall of the irradiation chamber comprises a first mounting member and wherein the holder comprises a second mounting member configured to interact with the first mounting member for pre-mounting the holder to the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Paul Czajkowski, Erik Zamirowski
  • Publication number: 20210046471
    Abstract: A pipette with an adjustable dosing volume comprises a housing connected to at least one seat configured to releasably hold a pipette tip. A displacement device is positioned within the housing and configured to aspirate and discharge liquid from the pipette tip. A stroke rod is coupled to the displacement element and configured to be longitudinally displaced relative to the housing to displace the displacement device. A catch sleeve is rotatably mounted within the housing and is connected to the stroke rod. An adjusting sleeve configured to engage a transducer shaft that is rotatably mounted within the housing and comprises a countershaft of a gearbox that is configured to be shifted between different shift stages. Each shift stage comprises different gear ratios between a rotational speed of the adjusting sleeve and a rotational speed of the catch sleeve. The different gear ratios enable coarse volume adjustment and fine volume adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Peter Molitor, Florian Tesch