Patents by Inventor Douglas O. Keller
Douglas O. Keller 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).
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Patent number: 7413910Abstract: A multi-well assembly (10) comprises a multi-well block (12) and a guide plate (14). The multi-well block (12) has a plurality of wells (18) each with a fluid-impermeable bottom surface (22). The guide plate (14) has a plurality of fluid passageways (34) corresponding to the wells (18) of the multi-well block (12). The guide plate (14) is configured to establish fluid communication between each well (18) and an associated fluid passageway (34) when the guide plate (14) is aligned with the multi-well block (12).Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Exelixis, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Kearney, David Clarence Hager, Douglas O. Keller, Jeffrey D. Donaldson, Robert D. Mercer, James William Leahy, Micheal Morrissey, Troy M. Swartwood
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Patent number: 6852290Abstract: A multi-well assembly according to one embodiment comprises a multi-well block and a guide plate. The multi-well block defines a plurality of wells, with each well having a fluid-impermeable bottom surface. The guide plate defines a plurality of fluid passageways corresponding to the wells of the multi-well block. The guide plate is configured such that, whenever the guide plate is registered with the multi-well block, fluid communication is established between each well and an associated fluid passageway.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Exelixis, Inc.Inventors: David C. Hager, Jeffrey D. Donaldson, Patrick Kearney, Douglas O. Keller, James W. Leahy, Robert D. Mercer, Michael Morrissey, Troy M. Swartwood
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Publication number: 20040144021Abstract: Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber. Also disclosed are automated methods for transferring and planting seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: Agrinomics LLCInventors: Douglas O. Keller, Troy M. Swartwood, Jeffrey D. Donaldson
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Publication number: 20040115098Abstract: A multi-well assembly (10) comprises a multi-well block (12) and a guide plate.(14) The multi-well block (12) has a plurality of wells (18) each with a fluid-impermeable bottom surface (22). The guide plate (14) has a plurality of fluid passageways (34) corresponding to the wells (18) of the multi-well block (12). The guide plate (14) is configured to establish fluid communication between each well (18) and an associated fluid passageway (34) when the guide plate (14) is aligned with the multi-well block (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2004Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Patrick Kearney, David Clarence Hager, Douglas O Keller, Jeffrey D Donaldson, Robert D Mercer, James William Leahy, Michael Morrisey, Troy m Swartwood
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Patent number: 6705827Abstract: Robotic apparatus for transferring and distributing small particles, such as seeds, contained in covered or uncovered containers, such as capped jars, are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up a selected number of seeds from a donor container and to deposit the seeds in a selected recipient container. The seeds being transferred may be weighed during the transfer process by depositing the seeds in a crucible of a microgram balance or analogous device. After weighing, the seeds are picked up using a second probe that transfers the seeds to a recipient container. Also disclosed are automated methods for transferring and weighing particles, such as seeds.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Aagrinomics, LLCInventors: Douglas O. Keller, Jonathan Lightner, Troy M. Swartwood, Ry Wagner, Jill Van Winkle
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Patent number: 6688255Abstract: According to one embodiment, a robotic apparatus for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies, is capable of performing various tasks, including automatically transferring live flies from a donor container to a recipient container, such as for the purpose of feeding the flies. The apparatus includes an anesthetizing mechanism configured to automatically introduce an anesthetic, such as gaseous CO2, into a donor container of live flies to temporarily immobilize the flies before the flies are transferred to the recipient container. The apparatus also includes a gas manifold that is configured to direct a flow of gas from a compressed-gas source into the donor container such that the immobilized flies are blown from the donor container into the recipient container. In another embodiment, automated methods are provided for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Exelixis, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Donaldson, William W. Fisher, Douglas O. Keller, Troy M. Swartwood
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Patent number: 6688037Abstract: Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Agrinomics LLCInventors: Douglas O. Keller, Troy M. Swartwood, Jeffrey D. Donaldson
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Publication number: 20030188698Abstract: Robotic apparatus are disclosed for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies. An exemplary apparatus is capable of performing various tasks, including automatically transferring live flies from a donor container to a recipient container, such as for the purpose of feeding the flies. The apparatus includes an anesthetizing mechanism configured to automatically introduce an anesthetic, such as gaseous CO2, into a donor container of live flies to temporarily immobilize the flies before the flies are transferred to the recipient container. The apparatus also includes a gas manifold that is configured to direct a flow of gas from a compressed-gas source into the donor container such that the immobilized flies are blown from the donor container into the recipient container. Also disclosed are automated methods for maintaining a collection of stocks of small organisms, such as fruit flies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: Jeffrey D. Donaldson, William W. Fisher, Douglas O. Keller, Troy M. Swartwood
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Publication number: 20030106258Abstract: Robotic apparatus for removing seeds contained in covered or uncovered containers and planting the seeds into selected planting chambers are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a first vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up an entire seed population from a donor container. A seed-alignment trough is provided to receive the seed population from the first probe. The seed-alignment trough is configured such that seeds deposited in the trough become aligned or otherwise arranged. A second vacuum-activated probe is configured to successively remove individual seeds from the seed-alignment trough and to plant each removed seed in a selected planting chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Douglas O. Keller, Troy M. Swartwood, Jeffrey D. Donaldson
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Publication number: 20020125197Abstract: A multi-well assembly according to one embodiment comprises a multi-well block and a guide plate. The multi-well block defines a plurality of wells, with each well having a fluid-impermeable bottom surface. The guide plate defines a plurality of fluid passageways corresponding to the wells of the multi-well block. The guide plate is configured such that, whenever the guide plate is registered with the multi-well block, fluid communication is established between each well and an associated fluid passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: David C. Hager, Jeffrey D. Donaldson, Patrick Kearney, Douglas O. Keller, James W. Leahy, Robert D. Mercer, Michael Morrissey, Troy M. Swartwood
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Publication number: 20020070150Abstract: Robotic apparatus for transferring and distributing small particles, such as seeds, contained in covered or uncovered containers, such as capped jars, are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a vacuum-activated probe configured to pick up a selected number of seeds from a donor container and to deposit the seeds in a selected recipient container. The seeds being transferred may be weighed during the transfer process by depositing the seeds in a crucible of a microgram balance or analogous device. After weighing, the seeds are picked up using a second probe that transfers the seeds to a recipient container. Also disclosed are automated methods for transferring and weighing particles, such as seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Douglas O. Keller, Jonathan Lightner, Troy M. Swartwood, Ry Wagner, Jill Van Winkle
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Patent number: 5979522Abstract: An improved knife holder for a chipper disc. A knife holder for holding a knife has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion for clamping the knife therebetween. One of the clamping portions pivots about a pivot point for clamping the knife and for releasing the knife so that it may be easily removed from the knife holder. In the relative position of the clamping portions in which the knife is clamped and in their relative positions in which a space is opened up around the knife permitting its removal, the clamping portions are rigidly disposed with respect to one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.Inventors: Troy M. Swartwood, Douglas O. Keller, Loren R. Schuh
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Patent number: RE38930Abstract: An improved knife holder for a chipper disc. A knife holder for boding a knife has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion for clamping the knife therebetween. One of the clamping portions pivots about a pivot point for clamping the knife and for releasing the knife so that it may be easily removed from the knife holder. In the relative position of the clamping portions in which the knife is clamped and in their relative positions in which a space is opened up around the knife permitting its removal, the clamping portions are rigidly disposed with respect to one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.Inventors: Troy M. Swartwood, Douglas O. Keller, Loren R. Schuh