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: 20240317437
    Abstract: Filling stations are provided that include a transfer tray having filling receptacles and a closing device arranged under the filling receptacles to open and close bottom openings in the filling receptacles, an optical detection device to generate images of filling receptacles having drug portions arranged therein, and a control device coupled to the optical detection device. The control device causes displaying of a filling template of which filling receptacles are to be filled with one or more drug portions, comparing an actual filling of the filling receptacles based on the one or more images of the filling receptacles generated by the optical detection device to a target filling, determining that no deviation exists between the actual filling and the target filling, and opening the closing device for transferring the drug portions from the transfer tray to a transport tray. Systems and methods for filling a transfer tray are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 12077376
    Abstract: An automatic picking machine for pharmaceutical drug packages includes at least one storage rack, at least one storage and retrieval machine, a control apparatus for controlling the storage and retrieval machine, and a filling apparatus for successively filling each of a plurality of transport containers with a group of pharmaceutical drug packages corresponding to one order, wherein the filling apparatus includes a plurality of collection containers, first transport apparatuses, each having a transport channel for conveying the pharmaceutical drug packages towards the respective collection container, and a receiving apparatus for receiving a transport container to be filled at a filling location of the filing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20240286851
    Abstract: An operating device for piece goods is provided. The operating device includes a first gripping jaw, a second gripping jaw opposed to the first gripping jaw along a lengthwise axis and a gripping jaw guide coupled to the first and second gripping jaws. The first and second gripping jaws each have inner surfaces and a distance between upper portions of the inner surfaces is greater than a distance between lower portions of the opposed inner surfaces in a first position of the first and second gripping jaws. The first and second gripping jaws are configured to lift cylindrical piece goods from below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 12067827
    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: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20240246228
    Abstract: A commissioning device is provided that includes storage surfaces for storing piece goods, a delivery table, elongated clamping jaws disposed above the delivery table and a clamping jaw guide apparatus. The clamping jaw guide apparatus includes a frame structure, first and second guides disposed in parallel with the frame structure, clamping jaw carriages coupled to the first and second guides, the clamping jaw carriages driven in parallel with the frame structure. First clamping jaw carriages are associated with the first guide and second clamping jaw carriages are associated with the second guide, wherein at least two of the plurality of clamping jaw carriages are coupled to each of the clamping jaws. A first drive element is connected to the first clamping jaw carriages and a second drive element is connected to the second clamping jaw carriages at a distance from the first drive element along the delivery table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Publication number: 20240233470
    Abstract: Devices for dispensing medications include a holding unit having first and second opposing sides, medication storage and dispensing stations removably fastened to the first side of the holding unit, each storage and dispensing station having a medication dispensing channel for dispensing individual medications and medication slides fastened to the second side of the holding unit. A frame structure is disposed on the second side of the holding unit and guide units are removably fastened to the frame structure and disposed on the second side of the holding unit, each guide unit having guide receptacle openings and a guide dispensing opening. The holding unit and the frame structure are fastened on or in the device to be movable relative to one another and the guide units are accessible from outside the device in an access position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 12030683
    Abstract: A filling station includes a transport tray having a plurality of transfer receptacles, an optical detection device configured to generate one or more images of transfer receptacles having drug portions arranged therein and a control device coupled to the optical detection device. The control device causes display of a filling template of which transfer receptacles are to be filled with one or more drug portions and compares an actual filling of the transfer receptacles based on the one or more images of the transfer receptacles generated by the optical detection device to ta target filling. The control device also determines if no deviation exists between the actual filling and the target filling and releases the transport tray for transferring the drug portions to a secondary tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20240199323
    Abstract: An automatic picking machine for pharmaceutical drug packages includes at least one storage rack, at least one storage and retrieval machine, a control apparatus for controlling the storage and retrieval machine, and a filling apparatus for successively filling each of a plurality of transport containers with a group of pharmaceutical drug packages corresponding to one order, wherein the filling apparatus includes a plurality of collection containers, first transport apparatuses, each having a transport channel for conveying the pharmaceutical drug packages towards the respective collection container, and a receiving apparatus for receiving a transport container to be filled at a filling location of the filing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 12006164
    Abstract: An operating device for placing or retrieving piece goods onto or from storage places of a picking device is provided. The operating device includes a gripping jaw assembly having two 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 piece goods can be lifted from below or the gripping jaws can be moved to clamp the piece goods between them. 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: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11981029
    Abstract: Methods of assembling a controller for a commissioning device are provided. A method includes extending a delivery table in a first horizontal direction, the delivery table having a storage end and a retrieval end, disposing two elongated clamping jaws above the delivery table, extending, in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a first guide and a second guide that are parallel and spaced from one another in the first horizontal direction, coupling at least four clamping jaw carriages to the first and second guides, wherein at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first horizontal direction are coupled to a single clamping jaw, respectively, and coupling at least four drive elements to a clamping jaw drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20240122809
    Abstract: A system includes a storage and dispensing container for drug portions, a memory and a processor. The process executes instructions to detect by a first detection device rays of light transmitted past a drug portion by a first light emitting source in a first direction, to detect by a second detection device rays of light transmitted past the drug portion by a second light emitting source in a second direction different from the first direction, to generate, by the first and second detection devices, an image of the drug portion, to process the image using image analysis, to determine specified drug information for the drug portion and to identify, based on the determined drug information, a suitable singling device fitting the drug portions to be singularized and to be disposed within the storage and dispensing container. Additional systems for identifying a singling device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Publication number: 20240123629
    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 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 11961353
    Abstract: A system for dispensing and packaging drug portions includes one or more storage containers, the one or more storage containers each including a housing defining a receiving chamber for drug portions and a singulating device disposed at least partially within the housing for singulating and dispensing the drug portions contained within the receiving chamber, the singulating device having an electrically conductive outer surface. The system also includes a blister packaging machine for packaging drug portions dispensed from the one or more storage containers, wherein a conductor device is provided, the conductor device providing an electrically conductive coupling between the singulating device outer surface and a contact configured to dissipate an electrical charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand, Dietmar Gross
  • Publication number: 20240092577
    Abstract: A picking device for storing bottles and a corresponding method are provided. The picking device includes a storage locations for bottles, a control device and an operating device having a gripper with two prongs, the operating device displaceable adjacent the storage location in first and second directions. The control device causes the operating device to lift a bottle from the storage location and move the bottle in a third direction away from the storage location by one of a frictional connection and a positive connection between the bottle and the two prongs or move a bottle in a third direction towards the storage location and lower the bottle to rest in the storage location by one of a frictional connection and a positive connection between the bottle and the two prongs. A method for retrieving bottles and an operating device for use with a picking device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Christoph HELLENBRAND
  • Patent number: 11919709
    Abstract: An automatic picking machine for pharmaceutical drug packages includes at least one storage rack, at least one storage and retrieval machine, a control apparatus for controlling the storage and retrieval machine, and a filling apparatus for successively filling each of a plurality of transport containers with a group of pharmaceutical drug packages corresponding to one order, wherein the filling apparatus includes a plurality of collection containers, first transport apparatuses, each having a transport channel for conveying the pharmaceutical drug packages towards the respective collection container, and a receiving apparatus for receiving a transport container to be filled at a filling location of the filing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11903906
    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: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20240054847
    Abstract: A method of operating a storage and dispensing station for drug portions includes rotatably disposing a singulating device in a storage container, providing, with a conductor device, an electrically conductive coupling between the singulating device and a contact, and dissipating an electrical charge from the singulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Christoph HELLENBRAND, Dietmar GROSS
  • Patent number: 11897120
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11884489
    Abstract: A picking device for storing bottles and a corresponding method are provided. The picking device includes a plurality of storage locations for bottles, an operating device having a gripper, at least one storing device, at least one identification device and an unloading device. The storage locations have storage location receptacles and the storing device has at least one storing receptacle for bottles, wherein the storage location receptacles and the storing receptacle are configured such that the bottles are held therein in such a way that they are protected against rolling. The gripper includes a gripping member configured such that the bottles are movable from the storing receptacles and storage location receptacles by being lifted by the gripping member or by being pulled to a holding area of the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Publication number: 20230347529
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gripper and a method for moving piece goods. The gripper has a deposit table extending in first and second directions and a gripping assembly guide arrangement having a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly has a unilaterally flexible chain including a bending limitation device, a first end remote from the gripping assembly guide arrangement and a second end close to the gripping assembly guide arrangement. The unilaterally flexible chain is moved and is deflected by a deflection device in an articulation direction at an angle of between 70-110° to the first direction. The unilaterally flexible chain is arranged in such a way that pushing forces are transmitted to a piece good, and the unilaterally flexible chain has an alignment device which, in the non-articulated state, holds the chain links in a mutually non-pivoted, stretched alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Dietmar GROSS, Christoph Hellenbrand