Patents by Inventor Frederick E. Mootz

Frederick E. Mootz 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).

  • Cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system
    Patent number: 6881380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system which includes a nestable sample cup for holding sample mixtures, a cup dispenser mechanism for holding and dispensing a supply of the cups into a sample shuttle for transporting them, and an incubator for controlling the temperature of the cup and its contents. In one embodiment, the cups include a conical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion having a top flange, a bottom flange and a groove formed therebetween. An apparatus is provided for holding and dispensing a plurality of such cups including a supply tube for holding the cups in a stack wherein the stack has a bottom-most cup and a next-bottom-most cup located above the bottom-most cup. The apparatus also includes an escapement located at a lower end of the supply tube which includes a disk having an aperture formed therein, a first leaf attached to a top side of the disk and a second leaf attached to a bottom side of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick E. Mootz, Carl R. Gebauer, Frank Bakonyi, Nicolae Dumitrescu
  • Cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system
    Patent number: 6117391
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system which includes a nestable sample cup for holding sample mixtures, a cup dispenser mechanism for holding and dispensing a supply of the cups into a sample shuttle for transporting them, and an incubator for controlling the temperature of the cup and its contents. In one embodiment, the cups include a conical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion having a top flange, a bottom flange and a groove formed therebetween. An apparatus is provided for holding and dispensing a plurality of such cups including a supply tube for holding the cups in a stack wherein the stack has a bottom-most cup and a next-bottom-most cup located above the bottom-most cup. The apparatus also includes an escapement located at a lower end of the supply tube which includes a disk having an aperture formed therein, a first leaf attached to a top side of the disk and a second leaf attached to a bottom side of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick E. Mootz, Carl R. Gebauer, Frank Bakonyi, Nicolae Dumitrescu