Patents by Inventor Christoph Hellenbrand

Christoph Hellenbrand 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: 11524804
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for filling a transport tray having a reduced risk of incorrect fillings. In accordance with the disclosure, a target filling of a plurality of receptacles in the transport tray is transmitted to the control device and at least one filling template is produced based on the target filling and on a filling regime and is displayed by means of a display device. Then drug portions corresponding to the filling template are transferred to the receptacles, and an image of at least the receptacles to be filled in accordance with the target filling is produced by means of an optical detection device and the actual filling is determined using the image and is compared to the target filling. If no target deviation is found, the transport tray is released for transferring the drug portions to the machine tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11436662
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a pharmacy order-picking device. The present method reduces the susceptibility of the pharmacy order-picking device to disruption. To detect a positioning deviation of the control appliance in the horizontal direction, at least one desired value of at least one reference position is made available, the control appliance is brought to a position corresponding to the desired value in the horizontal direction and, when a signal characteristic of a reference position is detected, an actual value of this reference position is determined. A desired value is compared with a corresponding actual value, or two actual values are compared with each other, and a deviation is determined. If a deviation is determined that exceeds a limit value, a signal pointing to the need for a correction is output. Depending on the deviation, automatic correction of the position deviation can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Andreas Klapperich, Andreas Bause, Dennis Reif
  • Patent number: 11427407
    Abstract: Apparatus for identifying, measuring and positioning piece goods with an increased throughput of piece goods are provided. An apparatus includes an optically transparent turntable having a support surface for piece goods which support surface extends in an X and Y direction of the apparatus, a first conveying device for arranging a piece good on the support surface of the turntable, a first optical reading device arranged below the turntable for detecting the dimensions of a piece good and an identifier, a second optical reading device for detecting the height of a piece good resting on the support surface and an identifier, a storage area for a plurality of piece goods which storage area is arranged downstream of the turntable, a second conveying device with a gripping device for piece goods, wherein the gripping device is movable over the storage area, at least in an X and Y direction, in such a way that piece goods can be arranged side by side in the storage area in the X and/or Y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20220193921
    Abstract: A gripper for a picking device for storing small piece goods and a method for operating a picking device having a gripper are provided. The gripper simplifies dispensing and includes a drop table extending in first and second horizontal directions, and has at least one end portion having a dispensing end face, wherein the drop table and the end portion define an upper support surface. A transport device for moving small piece goods is arranged above the drop table and sensor device(s) are arranged in the at least one end portion having detection regions associated therewith, the sensor device being arranged along a vertical axis in such a way that the detection regions cover a vertically extending space in front of the dispensing end face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 11352208
    Abstract: A commissioning device having a first shelf row with horizontal shelf surfaces and at least one second shelf row with multiple shelf surfaces disposed one above the other and forming storage shafts. A lane formed between the first and the second shelf rows includes an operating unit movably disposed in the lane. The commissioning device also includes an input device, an output device and an auxiliary output device. The operating unit includes a gripping device for inputting and/or outputting piece goods onto or from the horizontal shelf surfaces and for filling the goods into the storage shafts. A control unit coupled to the operating unit is configured to output identical piece goods in a row from the horizontal shelf surfaces, to input the piece goods into the storage shafts and to output and transfer one or more piece goods located on the horizontal shelf surfaces to the auxiliary output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20220073287
    Abstract: An operating device for placing or retrieving bottle-like piece goods onto or from storage places of a picking device is provided. The operating device includes a gripping jaw assembly having two profile-rod shaped gripping jaws with opposite lying inner surfaces extending in a first horizontal direction corresponding to a direction for placing and retrieving piece goods. The gripping jaws are configured so that the distance of the inner surfaces from each other tapers in the downward direction at least in sections and the bottle-like piece goods can be lifted from below. The operating device also includes an actuation unit coupled to the gripping jaw assembly for moving the gripping jaw assembly in the first horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Publication number: 20220058786
    Abstract: Methods for measuring and verifying drug portions while avoiding the need to teach verification devices is provided. Characteristic key data of a drug type are compiled with a calibrated camera of a measuring device, stored in a storage device, and retrieved from or transmitted to a verification device. Individual key data for a drug portion to be verified are compiled using a calibrated camera of the verification device and compared with the characteristic key data. A digital image of a drug portion to be verified is generated with a calibrated camera and transferred to a control unit. The control unit determines individual key data for the drug portion to be verified using known calibration parameters of the camera and the digital image, compares the individual key data with characteristic key data of the corresponding drug type and verifies or rejects the drug portion based on the results of the comparison. Systems and computer readable medium are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20220051508
    Abstract: A medication packaging device includes a frame structure on which a guide unit is removably fastened, the guide unit having multiple receptacle openings and a dispensing opening. The device also includes multiple storage and dispensing stations, each having a storage housing and a dispensing station having a medication dispensing channel, as well as a holding unit having a plurality of mounts. For each mount, a medication slide and a storage and dispensing station are arranged such that the receptacle openings of the medication slides are associated with the medication dispensing channels of the dispensing stations and the dispensing openings of the medication slides are associated with the receptacle openings of the guide unit. The holding unit and the frame structure are fastened on or in the device to be movable relative to one another so that the guide unit is accessible from outside the device when in an access position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11195270
    Abstract: Methods for measuring and verifying drug portions while avoiding the need to teach verification devices is provided. Characteristic key data of a drug type are compiled with a calibrated camera of a measuring device, stored in a storage device, and retrieved from or transmitted to a verification device. Individual key data for a drug portion to be verified are compiled using a calibrated camera of the verification device and compared with the characteristic key data. A digital image of a drug portion to be verified is generated with a calibrated camera and transferred to a control unit. The control unit determines individual key data for the drug portion to be verified using known calibration parameters of the camera and the digital image, compares the individual key data with characteristic key data of the corresponding drug type and verifies or rejects the drug portion based on the results of the comparison. Systems and computer readable medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20210370501
    Abstract: A controller for a commissioning device for storing piece goods such as medicinal packages is provided. The controller includes a delivery table that extends in a first direction, two elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table, the jaws having clamping surfaces that face one another, and a clamping jaw guide apparatus with a frame structure, at least one first and one second guide which are separated from one another in the first direction and extend in a second direction, and at least four clamping jaw carriages which are coupled to the guides and driven in the second direction. Two clamping jaw carriages each are associated with a guide and at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first direction are coupled to one clamping jaw, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11180326
    Abstract: An operating device for placing or retrieving bottle-like piece goods onto or from storage places of a picking device is provided. The operating device includes a gripping jaw assembly having two profile-rod shaped gripping jaws with opposite lying inner surfaces extending in a first horizontal direction corresponding to a direction for placing and retrieving piece goods. The gripping jaws are configured so that the distance of the inner surfaces from each other tapers in the downward direction at least in sections and the bottle-like piece goods can be lifted from below. The operating device also includes an actuation unit coupled to the gripping jaw assembly for moving the gripping jaw assembly in the first horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11170601
    Abstract: A medication packaging device includes a frame structure on which a guide unit is removably fastened, the guide unit having multiple receptacle openings and a dispensing opening. The device also includes multiple storage and dispensing stations, each having a storage housing and a dispensing station having a medication dispensing channel, as well as a holding unit having a plurality of mounts. For each mount, a medication slide and a storage and dispensing station are arranged such that the receptacle openings of the medication slides are associated with the medication dispensing channels of the dispensing stations and the dispensing openings of the medication slides are associated with the receptacle openings of the guide unit. The holding unit and the frame structure are fastened on or in the device to be movable relative to one another so that the guide unit is accessible from outside the device when in an access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11145156
    Abstract: A picking device for dispensing drug combinations arranged in storage vessels is provided. A storage device includes multiple storage locations for storage vessels, and an operating device is coupled to a controller. A stocking device moves storage vessels into the storage device, and an unloading device transfers drug combinations arranged in the storage vessels to a transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Wingenter, Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11123860
    Abstract: A controller for a commissioning device for storing piece goods such as medicinal packages is provided. The controller includes a delivery table that extends in a first direction, two elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table, the jaws having clamping surfaces that face one another, and a clamping jaw guide apparatus with a frame structure, at least one first and one second guide which are separated from one another in the first direction and extend in a second direction, and at least four clamping jaw carriages which are coupled to the guides and driven in the second direction. Two clamping jaw carriages each are associated with a guide and at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first direction are coupled to one clamping jaw, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20210287476
    Abstract: A storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine for drug portions includes a base electrically coupled to the blister packaging machine and configured to dissipate an electrical charge to the blister packaging machine. A storage container is disposed on the base and includes a housing defining a receiving chamber for drug portions, a cylindrical receiving chamber and a bottom surface. A singulating device is rotatably disposed in the cylindrical receiving chamber and has multiple channels extending along the singulating device and parallel with a rotational axis of the singulating device. The singulating device also includes an electrically conductive coupling and a drive for rotating the singulating device. The singulating device is electrically conductive at least at an outer surface of the singulating device, and the outer surface comes into contact with drug portions. A conductor device provides an electrically conductive coupling between the outer surface and an electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph HELLENBRAND, Dietmar GROSS
  • Publication number: 20210237974
    Abstract: A commissioning device having a first shelf row with horizontal shelf surfaces and at least one second shelf row with multiple shelf surfaces disposed one above the other and forming storage shafts. A lane formed between the first and the second shelf rows includes an operating unit movably disposed in the lane. The commissioning device also includes an input device, an output device and an auxiliary output device. The operating unit includes a gripping device for inputting and/or outputting piece goods onto or from the horizontal shelf surfaces and for filling the goods into the storage shafts. A control unit coupled to the operating unit is configured to output identical piece goods in a row from the horizontal shelf surfaces, to input the piece goods into the storage shafts and to output and transfer one or more piece goods located on the horizontal shelf surfaces to the auxiliary output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20210229926
    Abstract: Apparatus for identifying, measuring and positioning piece goods with an increased throughput of piece goods are provided. An apparatus includes an optically transparent turntable having a support surface for piece goods which support surface extends in an X and Y direction of the apparatus, a first conveying device for arranging a piece good on the support surface of the turntable, a first optical reading device arranged below the turntable for detecting the dimensions of a piece good and an identifier, a second optical reading device for detecting the height of a piece good resting on the support surface and an identifier, a storage area for a plurality of piece goods which storage area is arranged downstream of the turntable, a second conveying device with a gripping device for piece goods, wherein the gripping device is movable over the storage area, at least in an X and Y direction, in such a way that piece goods can be arranged side by side in the storage area in the X and/or Y direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 11059616
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging individual medication doses in blister bags includes a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, at least one guide and collection arrangement for picking up the medication doses and passing them on, or conducting them, to a packaging station, the packaging station forming a strand of connected blister bags from packaging material. Also included is a labeling and printing station for applying data to the packaging material, an optical detection device that optically detects characteristics of the individual blister bags of the strand, an evaluation device that compares the characteristics detected for an individual blister bag with reference characteristics, and a storage station that stores the strand of the blister bags in an ordered manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Minne Jorritsma
  • Patent number: 11055948
    Abstract: A storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine for drug portions includes a base electrically coupled to the blister packaging machine and configured to dissipate an electrical charge to the blister packaging machine. A storage container is disposed on the base and includes a housing defining a receiving chamber for drug portions, a cylindrical receiving chamber and a bottom surface. A singulating device is rotatably disposed in the cylindrical receiving chamber and has multiple channels extending along the singulating device and parallel with a rotational axis of the singulating device. The singulating device also includes an electrically conductive coupling and a drive for rotating the singulating device. The singulating device is electrically conductive at least at an outer surface of the singulating device, and the outer surface comes into contact with drug portions. A conductor device provides an electrically conductive coupling between the outer surface and an electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Dietmar Gross
  • Patent number: 11039984
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for packing drug portions into dispensing packages. A dispensing machine includes a plurality of storing and metering stations having a plurality of drug portions, a packing device that receives the drug portions dispensed by the storing and metering stations and places them into dispensing packages, and a control device. Each storing and metering station includes a stationary part fixed to a frame, a removable part containing a refillable reservoir and has an information memory for storing an identifier of the removable part. A reading device for reading the information memory is functionally assigned to the stationary part. Each information memory contains a memory location for a filling code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand