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).

  • Publication number: 20190233149
    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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20190220707
    Abstract: A method for providing a singling device of a storage and dispensing container for drug portions is provided. A singling device is adapted to a specific drug portion based on the measurement of the drug portion. The measurement is obtained by generating at least one image of a to-be-measured drug portion by a detection device and using image analysis to process the at least one image. Drug information for the specific drug portion is determined, the drug information including at least the dimensions of the specific drug portion. Based on the determined drug information, a singling device fitting the drug portion to be singularized is identified and provided for use in the storage and dispensing container. A system for identifying a singling device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 10329088
    Abstract: Methods and picking devices for storing a plurality of identical piece goods in the picking device in which the number of identical piece goods is automatically detected are provided. Multiple piece goods are placed in a support area of a storage device and a determination that a last piece good has been placed is made. Upon detection, the piece goods are moved into a removal area of the storage device and a gripping apparatus of an operating unit moves into the removal area, grasps the piece goods, and moves them from the removal area onto a support table of the operating unit. The number of piece goods situated in the support area is determined based on piece goods data and size data of the piece goods that are detected with a sensor system, after it has been detected that a last piece good has been placed in the support area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10322505
    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: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10315844
    Abstract: An automated storing and picking system for packaged goods is provided. The system includes storage shelves with storage areas, at least one storage and retrieval apparatus, and at least one conveyor belt. At least one blocking device having a barrier is arranged downstream of a receiving section of the conveyor belt. A control device controls the storage and retrieval apparatus and the conveyor belt such that the packaged goods belonging to a first pack are transported to a first dispensing location and the packaged goods belonging to a subsequent pack are transported to a second dispensing location and/or are subsequently transported to the first dispensing location, such that the first pack lies downstream of the subsequent pack on the conveyor belt. The control device controls the blocking device to accumulate the first pack behind the barrier, release the first pack for transport, and to then accumulate the subsequent pack behind the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10307338
    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: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10294027
    Abstract: An operating device for an order-picking apparatus, the operating device having a delivery table with two opposite slotting and picking sides and two longitudinal sides. A transport channel for accommodating picked items extends between the slotting and picking sides along a first horizontal direction. Two clamping jaws define a lateral delimitation of the transport channel. A pusher device having a drive for moving a section of the pusher device along the first horizontal direction has a driver coupled with the drive, so the driver is movable into and out of the transport channel. The driver is also movable in the transport channel along the first horizontal direction so that the picked items are movable out of the transport channel by way of a slotting and picking side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Dietmar Gross
  • Patent number: 10293963
    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 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10278900
    Abstract: A method for filling a tray with individual medicine portions, which are removed from medicament packs that are provided from an automated storage system by means of an output/input station, is provided. A target filling of accommodating compartments of the tray is provided to a control device, which determines the medicament packs to be removed from storage and the sequence of the removal. For removal, a medicament pack is placed on a first transfer position of the output/input station by an operating device, transported to an output position by a first transport device as soon as the output position is free, and removed from the output position. Individual portions are removed from the medicament pack and introduced into respective accommodating compartments of the tray as indicated by an indicating device. The medicament pack is transported to a second transfer position by a second transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10266342
    Abstract: A release device may include a lifting and pre-stopping element having an upper sliding surface, the part coupled to a drive such that the sliding surface is movable over the sliding plane into an enabled position and at the level of the sliding plane into a blocked position, the part having a stop which in the enabled position protrudes beyond the sliding plane. A blocking element, behind the part in the sliding direction, has an upper blocking element sliding surface, a blocking edge protruding beyond the sliding plane, and an extendable/retractable block coupled to the drive such that the block is movable below the blocking element sliding surface into an enabled position and above the blocking element sliding surface into a blocked position. The blocking edge may be in front of the block in the sliding direction, preventing contact between the piece good and the block in the blocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Dietmar Gross, Stephan Johann Brokonier
  • Patent number: 10255524
    Abstract: A method for providing a singling device of a storage and dispensing container for drug portions is provided. A singling device is adapted to a specific drug portion based on the measurement of the drug portion. The measurement is obtained by generating at least one image of a to-be-measured drug portion by a detection device and using image analysis to process the at least one image. Drug information for the specific drug portion is determined, the drug information including at least the dimensions of the specific drug portion. Based on the determined drug information, a singling device fitting the drug portion to be singularized is identified and provided for use in the storage and dispensing container. A system for identifying a singling device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20190077533
    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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christoph HELLENBRAND, Minne JORRITSMA
  • Publication number: 20190042701
    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: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Dirk Wingenter, Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20190022855
    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: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20180362255
    Abstract: A picking device for piece goods is disclosed, in which cleaning of the picking device is facilitated. The picking device may include a shelf row having shelf bases, each including a plurality of storage chutes, and a retrieving device, via which piece goods can be retrieved. A shelf base may include a frame structure, chute partitions, chute bases, and blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device. Two chute partitions and one chute base may define one elongate storage chute, assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device. Assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is on the support device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 10155603
    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: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Minne Jorritsma
  • Publication number: 20180327127
    Abstract: A method for dividing a blister strip having a plurality of blister-packaged drugs apportioned into separate sections of the blister strip is provided. A blister strip with a substrate having a plurality of depressions for drug portions is provided and an image of the substrate is generated by a 3D-sensor device. A control device evaluates the image with image analysis. Based on the analysis results, an arrangement of the depressions is determined and control signals for a separating device are generated. The blister strip is then divided into a plurality of blister strip parts based on the control signals. A blister strip dividing device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20180312343
    Abstract: A device for separating piece goods to be stored in an automated storage facility is provided. The device includes a conveyor for conveying piece goods from a stock to a support surface of a collecting device, a controller for controlling the conveyor, a sensor, to detect the striking of the support surface by piece goods. The detector has an imager, which produces at least one recording of the underside of the support. A handling device is configured to remove a piece good from the support surface for further transport into the storage facility is coupled to the controller, which is further configured to control the handler according to the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christoph HELLENBRAND, Uwe FURTNER, Ingo BOESNACH, Frank HOESCHLE, Marta CARBONELL ZARAGOZA
  • Patent number: 10092930
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating piece goods to be stored in an automated storage facility are provided. At least two bearing surfaces for receiving piece goods are engaged with a conveying system for filling the bearing surfaces with piece goods, the conveying system having transfer surfaces dedicated to the bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces may be filled with piece goods separately from one another. A control unit is coupled to the conveying system and a detection device is coupled to the control unit for detecting the position, orientation, and package data of the piece goods. A handling mechanism is also coupled to the control unit for gripping piece goods from the bearing surfaces and depositing the piece goods on a transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 Gmbh
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10087001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmacy picking device (I) comprising a housing (I 0) with a plurality of shelf bases (II) disposed one above the other, at least one operating device (12), a conveyor device (14), a housing-coupling interface (15), and a universal supply-and-control module (20). This universal supply-and-control module (20) comprises a feed device (21), an identification and measurement device (22), operator input/output devices (23), an electronic controller (24) and a voltage supply assembly (25), as well as a housing-coupling interface (15) and an electrical interface (27), said supply-and-control module (20) being arranged adjacent to the housing (10) such that a mechanical coupling is produced by said housing-coupling interface (15) and module-coupling interface (26), in such a manner that drug packages in or on the supply-and-control module (20), which are to be deposited, are delivered to a position on the conveyor device (14) which is known to the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand