Patents by Inventor Paul Luechinger

Paul Luechinger 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: 20090145510
    Abstract: A device connects a storage container to a working reservoir for transferring a substance from the storage container to the working reservoir. The device includes a housing which is joined to the storage container with either a fixed connection or a coupling means. A passage opening is formed on the housing, and a shutter that is movably connected to the housing serves to close the passage opening. The shutter has a connector port for each working reservoir. The shutter moves in a rotary or sliding manner relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the passage opening is closed off by the shutter, and in the open position the interior space of the storage container is connected through the passage opening to the interior space of the working reservoir which is seated in the at least one connector port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Luechinger
  • Patent number: 7531759
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a balance, which encloses a weighing compartment surrounding a weighing pan, has at least one opening that can be closed by a window. The at least one window has at least two slidable window sections which partially overlap each other in any of their positions. According to the invention, a drive mechanism is provided for the opening and closing of the window, which drive mechanism couples the window sections to each other in such a way that all of the window sections move simultaneously and at different speeds during the opening and closing, wherein a fixed ratio between the respective speeds of the window sections can be predetermined by design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Hansjörg Rotach, Roger Leisinger, Eduard Fringeli
  • Publication number: 20080308579
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for substances in powder- or paste form is equipped with a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head which is connected or connectable to the supply container and which has a housing with an outlet orifice of circular cross-section. The dosage-dispensing head further has a delivery- and closure element, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head, and the delivery- and closure element is designed to be rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and to be capable of translatory displacement along the central lengthwise axis relative to the outlet orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventor: Paul Luechinger
  • Publication number: 20080302835
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device has a drive unit and a receiver for a dosage-dispensing unit. The drive unit has a drive shaft. The dosage-dispensing unit has a delivery orifice with a closure element that is disposed in the delivery orifice. The closure element is coupled to the drive shaft when the device is in an operating state. The closure element provides the delivery orifice with an aperture cross-section that varies between a closed position and a maximally open position. To couple the drive shaft to the closure element and to open the delivery orifice, the drive unit linearly advances towards the dosage-dispensing unit. A closure spring holds the closure element in a closed position up to the point of complete coupling. To prevent premature opening of the delivery orifice during the coupling process, the drive shaft has limited linear mobility in a direction away from the dosage-dispensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Publication number: 20080283555
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device, for substances in powder- or paste form, includes a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head that is connected or connectable to the supply container. A housing has an outlet orifice of circular cross-section and a delivery- and closure element with a closure portion serving to close off the outlet orifice. The device further has a conveying tool with at least one conveying element that serves to direct the substance to the outlet orifice, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head. The conveying tool is rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and the at least one conveying element is designed to move on a circular path about the central lengthwise axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Siegfried Zeiss, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Publication number: 20080262651
    Abstract: A holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) has individual positions or compartments for dosage units (102, 102?, 202, 302). Each of the dosage units has a supply receptacle (104, 104?, 204, 304) and a dispensing head (103, 103?, 203, 303) that are connected to each other. The holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) is equipped with a means for active user guidance (105, 105?, 210, 305) which, in a process of dispensing measured substance quantities from the different dosage units into a receiving container (411), directs the user in taking out and returning the different dosage units that are seated in the holding rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Matthias Gietenbruch
  • Publication number: 20080190513
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for dosage material in powder- or paste form includes a holder device and at least one receiving device. At least one dosage-dispensing unit can be set into, as well as removed from, this receiving device. The dosage-dispensing device further includes at least one actuator whose action is directed at the receiving device. The receiving device is pivotably supported on the holder device with the freedom of performing a pendulous movement. The actuator can generate oscillatory pendulous movements of the receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder, Eduard Fringeli
  • Publication number: 20080190518
    Abstract: A receiving device in a dosage-dispensing device, which serves to receive any insertion unit that can be inserted in the receiving device, includes a plurality of support arms that are arranged parallel to each other and extend in their lengthwise direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of gravity. At least two support arms are arranged in planes lying above one another relative to the direction of gravity. Each support arm includes at least one support location, so that, when the dosage-dispensing device is in its operating state, the insertion unit can be supported through the support locations against the force of gravity. Each support arm includes at least one protrusion which serves to position the insertion unit in a plane that extends orthogonal to the direction of gravity. The main dimension of the protrusion is directed essentially against the direction of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder, Eduard Fringeli
  • Publication number: 20080173668
    Abstract: In the method of optimizing the dosage-dispensing process of a dosage-dispensing device, an examination takes place prior to a first dosage delivery, whether at least one flow parameter relating to the dosage-dispensing process is stored in the memory module of the dosage-dispensing unit. If a stored flow parameter is found to be present, said flow parameter is called up from the memory module. If no store flow parameter is present, a flow parameter is requested by the user by entering a request, a flow parameter is called up from a central database, or at least one flow parameter is determined by means of the first run of the dosage-dispensing process based on a default setting of the dosage-dispensing program. With the at least one flow parameter, the dosage-dispensing program is directly adapted, at least one run of the dosage-dispensing process is performed with the adapted dosage-dispensing program, and/or the at least one flow parameter is stored in the memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Marc BLOECHLINGER, Paul Luechinger, Hansruedi Kuenzi, Siegfried Gluvakov, Bruno Nufer, Jean-Christophe Emery
  • Patent number: 7227087
    Abstract: A receptacle-filling system in a balance with a weighing compartment and with a balance housing containing a weighing cell and forming the rear wall and the floor of the weighing compartment is equipped with a weighing object carrier which is attached to a cantilevered extension of the weighing cell. The extension has a coupling arrangement reaching through passage openings in the rear wall of the weighing compartment, the weighing object carrier being removably attached by the coupling arrangement. Arranged at the rear wall of the weighing compartment is a fixed holder system which allows a source container device to be fastened at different heights above the floor, wherein the source container device includes a source container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Luechinger
  • Patent number: 7227088
    Abstract: A balance is equipped with a draft shield that surrounds a weighing compartment and has at least one sidewall which can be designed to be slidable to allow the draft shield to be opened and closed. An access opening is provided in the sidewall, and a closure element serves to close off the access opening. The size and position of the access opening in the sidewall can be varied by means of the closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder
  • Publication number: 20060231298
    Abstract: A balance is equipped with a draft shield that surrounds a weighing compartment and has at least one sidewall which can be designed to be slidable to allow the draft shield to be opened and closed. An access opening is provided in the sidewall, and a closure element serves to close off the access opening. The size and position of the access opening in the sidewall can be varied by means of the closure element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder
  • Publication number: 20060137915
    Abstract: A receptacle-filling system in a balance with a weighing compartment and with a balance housing containing a weighing cell and forming the rear wall and the floor of the weighing compartment is equipped with a weighing object carrier which is attached to a cantilevered extension of the weighing cell. The extension has a coupling arrangement reaching through passage openings in the rear wall of the weighing compartment, the weighing object carrier being removably attached by the coupling arrangement. Arranged at the rear wall of the weighing compartment is a fixed holder system which allows a source container device to be fastened at different heights above the floor, wherein the source container device includes a source container holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Luechinger
  • Patent number: 7012198
    Abstract: A balance includes a weighing cell with a vertically movable load receiver, a weighing pan to receive a weighing load, and a support element to couple the weighing pan to the vertically movable load receiver of the weighing cell. A cantilever arm with a seat for at least one calibration weight is solidly connected to the support element. The balance has a coupling arrangement that constrains the support element with low-friction mobility to the load receiver at three points forming a triangle in a plane that extends orthogonal to the symmetry plane of the weighing cell, wherein the triangle is symmetric to the symmetry plane of the weighing cell. Under the coupling arrangement, the support element is solidly supported on the load receiver in the direction in which the weighing load is acting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Lüdi, Eduard Fringeli, Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 6909057
    Abstract: A balance with a draft shield enclosing a weighing pan (33) has slidable walls (6, 7, 8) with slide handles (10, 110, 210) to open and close the weighing compartment (2). A connector body (22) serves to couple non-adjoining slidable walls (6, 7, 8) to each other. Besides for pushing the slidable walls open and closed, the slide handles (10, 110, 210) also serve to couple and uncouple the slidable walls, so that more than one wall can be moved simultaneously using only one hand, or a wall can be moved by pushing a handle on the opposite side. The slide handles are configured as pairs of handle elements that are attached either to adjoining walls or to a wall and an adjoining place on the connector body. In the coupled state, the pairs of handle elements are folded or swiveled into each other, working as a single handle, e.g., for two adjoining walls. In the uncoupled state, they move the walls individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Aebi, Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 6909058
    Abstract: A balance (1) has a weighing compartment (4) that borders on a stationary part (8, 9) of the balance and is otherwise enclosed by at least one side wall panel (5, 6), a front wall panel (7), and a top cover panel (12). At least one of the panels is slidable by means of a guiding device (17, 20) to open and close the weighing compartment (4). The balance (1) further has cutout passages (20) in the side wall panels (5, 6), the front wall panel (7), the top cover panel (12), and/or the rear wall of the weighing compartment, so that cables and/or conduits can be introduced from the outside into the weighing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Eduard Fringeli, Beat Meister
  • Patent number: 6891113
    Abstract: A balance is connectable to a display/operating unit (13) through a cable (14). The display/operating unit (13) can be placed either adjacent to the housing (1) or at a distance from the housing (1). For storing the unused length of cable (14), a corridor compartment (24) with at least one exit opening (22, 29, 30) for the cable (14) is arranged at the bottom (6) of the balance housing (1). When the cable (14) is pulled out or pushed in, it can move freely inside the corridor compartment (24). The display/operating unit (13) is held in place at the balance housing (1) by means of an intermediate member (10) in an arrangement where the balance and the display/operating unit are resting independently of each other on a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Fringeli, Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 6849809
    Abstract: A balance (1) has a weighing compartment (4) that borders on a stationary part (8, 9) of the balance and is otherwise enclosed by at least one side wall panel (5, 6), a front wall panel (7), and a top cover panel (12). At least one of the panels is slidable by means of a guiding device (17, 20) to open and close the weighing compartment (4). The balance (1) further has a handle (13) for lifting the balance (1) off a support surface and/or for carrying the balance (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Eduard Fringeli, Beat Meister
  • Patent number: 6835901
    Abstract: A balance includes a weighing compartment and a balance housing containing a weighing cell, wherein the balance housing forms a rear wall and a floor of the weighing compartment. A weighing-load carrier is coupled to a coupling arrangement extending through passage openings formed at the rear wall. The weighing-load carrier that is configured as a level grate. The floor extends without openings below the weighing-load carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 6686545
    Abstract: A balance (1) has a weighing compartment (4) that borders on a stationary part (8, 9) of the balance and is otherwise enclosed by at least one side wall panel (5, 6), a front wall panel (7), and a top cover panel (12). At least one of the side wall and top cover panels is slidable by means of a guiding device (17, 120) to open and close the weighing compartment (4). A holder arrangement (15, 17c, 58, 125) for the at least one slidable panel (5, 6, 12) is integrated in the guiding device (17, 120), and a holder arrangement for a non-slidable panel is integrated in the stationary part (8). The holder arrangements (15, 19, 17c, 58, 125) releasably connect the panels (5, 6, 7, 12) to the balance by means of form-locking closure devices, so that each panel (5, 6, 7, 12) can be attached to the balance as well as released for removal from the balance by applying a force to the panel (5, 6, 7, 12) and/or the holder arrangement (15, 19, 17c, 58, 125).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Eduard Fringeli, Beat Meister