Patents by Inventor Marcel Kaeppeli
Marcel Kaeppeli 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: 11112419Abstract: A laboratory distribution system is presented. The system comprises diagnostic laboratory container carriers and a conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless drive defining a closed-loop conveyor pathway. The system comprises supporting elements attached to the endless drive. The supporting elements receive a container carrier and transport the container carrier in an upright position along a pathway section. The supporting elements are mounted pivotally about a horizontal pivot axis to the drive and structured such that a center of gravity of the supporting element with or without an empty or loaded container carrier is arranged below and vertically aligned with the pivot axis when the supporting element is in an upright position such that each supporting element is free to pivot about the associated pivot axis under the effect of gravitational forces acting on the supporting element for maintaining the supporting elements in an upright position while travelling along the path.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Hans van Mierlo, Gottlieb Schacher, Marcel Kaeppeli, Reto Huesser, Andreas Drechsler, Matthias Goetz, Nenad Milicevic
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Patent number: 11110464Abstract: A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rudolf Durco, Marcel Kaeppeli
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Patent number: 10948508Abstract: A transport device unit for a transport device assembled using a plurality of transport device units is presented. The transport device unit comprises a base plate module with a base plate for fixing the transport device unit to a support frame, an actuator module with a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators, where the actuator module is supported by the base plate module, and a driving surface module with a driving surface element, where the driving surface element is arranged above the actuator module covering the actuators and configured to carry sample container carriers. A transport device, a system for at least partially disassembling the transport device, and a laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport device are also presented. In addition, a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Hans Schneider, Eugen Lusser, Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Hermann Pius, Matthias Edelmann
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Publication number: 20200209270Abstract: A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Ken Mueller, Rudolf Durco
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Publication number: 20200150140Abstract: A transport device unit for a transport device assembled using a plurality of transport device units is presented. The transport device unit comprises a base plate module with a base plate for fixing the transport device unit to a support frame, an actuator module with a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators, where the actuator module is supported by the base plate module, and a driving surface module with a driving surface element, where the driving surface element is arranged above the actuator module covering the actuators and configured to carry sample container carriers. A transport device, a system for at least partially disassembling the transport device, and a laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport device are also presented. In addition, a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Hans Schneider, Eugen Lusser, Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Hermann Pius, Matthias Edelmann
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Patent number: 10605819Abstract: A transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The transport device comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators and a driving surface arranged above the actuators, in which the driving surface is configured to carry sample container carriers. The driving surface is tiled and comprises a plurality of driving surface modules with driving surface elements. Support elements arranged in a grid pattern are provided. Each driving surface module is detachably mounted to a subset of the support elements. A laboratory sample distribution system and to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Pius Hermann, Matthias Edelmann
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Patent number: 10578632Abstract: A transport device unit for a transport device assembled using a plurality of transport device units is presented. The transport device unit comprises a base plate module with a base plate for fixing the transport device unit to a support frame, an actuator module with a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators, where the actuator module is supported by the base plate module, and a driving surface module with a driving surface element, where the driving surface element is arranged above the actuator module covering the actuators and configured to carry sample container carriers. A transport device, a system for at least partially disassembling the transport device, and a laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport device are also presented. In addition, a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Hans Schneider, Eugen Lusser, Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Pius Hermann, Matthias Edelmann
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Patent number: 10520520Abstract: A transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The transport device comprises a plurality of actuator modules. Each actuator module comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators. A plurality of base plate modules arranged in a pattern is provided. The base plate modules are coupled to each other and aligned by support elements. The number of base plate modules at least equals the number of actuator modules and each base plate module is configured to support one of the plurality of actuator modules. A laboratory sample distribution system and to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Pius Hermann, Matthias Edelmann
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Patent number: 10359442Abstract: A sample container carrier for transporting sample containers, for example test tubes and/or vials, in a laboratory automation system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a body having a hollow center with a central axis. The hollow center accommodates a lower end of a sample container. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable first retaining elements mounted to the body. The first retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp a sample container inserted in the hollow center. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable second retaining elements mounted to the body. The second retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp the sample container inserted in the hollow center underneath the three first retaining elements. The second retaining elements are arranged at least partly inside the hollow center.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Pius Hermann
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Patent number: 10288634Abstract: A device for mounting a plurality of actuator modules in a grid pattern to a support frame with support bars is provided. Each actuator module has a regular polygonal basic shape with three, four or six corners. The device comprises a plurality of support brackets mountable to the support bars. Each support bracket is provided with a support structure arranged at a node of the grid pattern and having a cross element adapted to support corner regions of neighboring actuator modules at the node. A transport device comprising a plurality of actuator modules and a device for mounting the plurality of actuator modules in a grid pattern to a support frame is also provided. A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Marcel Kaeppeli
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Publication number: 20190076846Abstract: A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rudolf Durco, Marcel Kaeppeli
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Publication number: 20190004077Abstract: A laboratory distribution system is presented. The system comprises diagnostic laboratory container carriers and a conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless drive defining a closed-loop conveyor pathway. The system comprises supporting elements attached to the endless drive. The supporting elements receive a container carrier and transport the container carrier in an upright position along a pathway section. The supporting elements are mounted pivotally about a horizontal pivot axis to the drive and structured such that a center of gravity of the supporting element with or without an empty or loaded container carrier is arranged below and vertically aligned with the pivot axis when the supporting element is in an upright position such that each supporting element is free to pivot about the associated pivot axis under the effect of gravitational forces acting on the supporting element for maintaining the supporting elements in an upright position while travelling along the path.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Hans van Mierlo, Gottlieb Schacher, Marcel Kaeppeli, Reto Huesser, Andreas Dreschler, Matthias Goetz, Nenad Milicevic
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Publication number: 20180348245Abstract: A transport device unit for a transport device assembled using a plurality of transport device units is presented. The transport device unit comprises a base plate module with a base plate for fixing the transport device unit to a support frame, an actuator module with a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators, where the actuator module is supported by the base plate module, and a driving surface module with a driving surface element, where the driving surface element is arranged above the actuator module covering the actuators and configured to carry sample container carriers. A transport device, a system for at least partially disassembling the transport device, and a laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport device are also presented. In addition, a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Hans Schneider, Eugen Lusser, Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Pius Hermann, Matthias Edelmann
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Publication number: 20180340951Abstract: A transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The transport device comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators and a driving surface arranged above the actuators, in which the driving surface is configured to carry sample container carriers. The driving surface is tiled and comprises a plurality of driving surface modules with driving surface elements. Support elements arranged in a grid pattern are provided. Each driving surface module is detachably mounted to a subset of the support elements. A laboratory sample distribution system and to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Pius Hermann, Matthias Edelmann
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Publication number: 20180340952Abstract: A transport device for a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The transport device comprises a plurality of actuator modules. Each actuator module comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators. A plurality of base plate modules arranged in a pattern is provided. The base plate modules are coupled to each other and aligned by support elements. The number of base plate modules at least equals the number of actuator modules and each base plate module is configured to support one of the plurality of actuator modules. A laboratory sample distribution system and to a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Tobias Huber, Pius Hermann, Matthias Edelmann
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Publication number: 20170248625Abstract: A device for mounting a plurality of actuator modules in a grid pattern to a support frame with support bars is provided. Each actuator module has a regular polygonal basic shape with three, four or six corners. The device comprises a plurality of support brackets mountable to the support bars. Each support bracket is provided with a support structure arranged at a node of the grid pattern and having a cross element adapted to support corner regions of neighboring actuator modules at the node. A transport device comprising a plurality of actuator modules and a device for mounting the plurality of actuator modules in a grid pattern to a support frame is also provided. A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventor: Marcel Kaeppeli
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Publication number: 20170248623Abstract: A sample container carrier for transporting sample containers, for example test tubes and/or vials, in a laboratory automation system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a body having a hollow center with a central axis. The hollow center accommodates a lower end of a sample container. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable first retaining elements mounted to the body. The first retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp a sample container inserted in the hollow center. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable second retaining elements mounted to the body. The second retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp the sample container inserted in the hollow center underneath the three first retaining elements. The second retaining elements are arranged at least partly inside the hollow center.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Pius Hermann
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Publication number: 20170248624Abstract: A sample container carrier for transporting sample containers, for example test tubes and/or vials, in a laboratory automation system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a body having a hollow center with a central axis (A). The hollow center is adapted for receiving a lower end of a sample container. The sample container carrier also comprises at least three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable upper retaining elements. The upper retaining elements are distributed about the central axis (A) and adapted to clamp a sample container inserted in the hollow center of the body. The upper retaining elements are made of plastic. A method for manufacturing a sample container carrier is also presented. At least the upper retaining elements are formed by injection molding. A laboratory sample distribution system having a number of sample container carriers and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Marcel Kaeppeli, Pius Hermann
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Patent number: 9512957Abstract: A combination of an analytical apparatus with a platform for mounting such an apparatus comprising at least two units, and a platform on which said apparatus is mounted is disclosed, said platform comprising at least one platform element, and multiple feet for placing the platform elements on a surface. The feet are individually adjustable in height.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Roland Bernet, Harald Ferihumer, Marcel Kaeppeli, Raymond Ochsenbein
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Patent number: 9365895Abstract: An automated nucleic acid analysis method and analytical system are described comprising separate modules, wherein the air flow of any one of said modules is controlled and wherein at least the air flow between the module for isolation and purification of the analyte and the module for analysis of the analyte are separated.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Roland Bernet, Andreas Gisler, Marcel Kaeppeli, Raymond Ochsenbein, Thomas Schlaubitz