Patents by Inventor Norbert Schmitt
Norbert Schmitt 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: 12613251Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laboratory container storage system, a laboratory system comprising the laboratory container storage system, and a method of operating the laboratory system. The laboratory container storage system comprising one or more laboratory container storage devices. Each laboratory container storage device comprises a frame and a storage element comprising a holder configured to receive and release a laboratory container horizontally and to hold the laboratory container in a suspended position above a horizontal surface. The storage element is mounted movably on the frame and configured to be moved between a first transfer position and a storage position and between the storage position and a second transfer position. In the first and second transfer position, the holder is positioned to receive or release the laboratory container horizontally. The storage position is located between the first and second transfer position.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Norbert Schmitt, Chris Steinert
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Patent number: 12196772Abstract: A method to localize a carrier on a laboratory transport system is presented. The laboratory transport system comprises a carrier associated with an identity, a multi-lane transport module, and a control unit. The carrier comprises a signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal comprising information about the identity. The multi-lane transport module comprises a transport surface comprising a first and a second transport lane as well as a first signal receiver and a second signal receiver each configured to receive the transmitted signal. Based on received signal strengths, the control unit localizes the carrier on one of the transport lanes of the multi-lane transport module.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Riccardo Leone Benedetti, Reto Huesser, Goran Savatic, Norbert Schmitt
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Patent number: 11999054Abstract: A gripper for a laboratory container sorting device includes a vacuum gripper and a mechanical gripper. The vacuum gripper includes a suction cup and is configured to move the suction cup between a pickup position and a transfer position. The suction cup is configured to pick up a laboratory container when the suction cup is in the pickup position and to transfer the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position. The mechanical gripper is configured to grip and release the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position. A laboratory container sorting device, a laboratory system, and a method of operating the laboratory system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Norbert Schmitt
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Patent number: 12000850Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system with a number of sample container carriers, each comprising at least one magnetically active device and adapted to carry a sample container; a transport plane adapted to support the carriers; a number of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane and adapted to move a corresponding carrier located on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carrier; a touch panel arranged below the transport plane adapted to generate position signals (PS) depending on positions of the carriers located on top of the transport plane; a position determination unit adapted to determine the positions of the carriers located on top of the transport plane in response to the position signals (PS); and a control unit adapted to control the operation of the laboratory sample distribution system in response to the determined positions of the carriers.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Norbert Schmitt
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Patent number: 11709171Abstract: A laboratory system for a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is configured to carry a laboratory sample container and comprises a removal detector. The removal detector is configured to interact with the laboratory sample container to detect a removal of the carried laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier. Furthermore, the laboratory system is configured to determine based on the detected removal that a before valid logic assignment of the sample container carrier to the carried laboratory sample container is invalid.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Martin Kopp, Oliver Gutmann, Norbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20220009110Abstract: A gripper for a laboratory container sorting device includes a vacuum gripper and a mechanical gripper. The vacuum gripper includes a suction cup and is configured to move the suction cup between a pickup position and a transfer position. The suction cup is configured to pick up a laboratory container when the suction cup is in the pickup position and to transfer the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position. The mechanical gripper is configured to grip and release the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position. A laboratory container sorting device, a laboratory system, and a method of operating the laboratory system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Norbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20210396775Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system with a number of sample container carriers, each comprising at least one magnetically active device and adapted to carry a sample container; a transport plane adapted to support the carriers; a number of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane and adapted to move a corresponding carrier located on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carrier; a touch panel arranged below the transport plane adapted to generate position signals (PS) depending on positions of the carriers located on top of the transport plane; a position determination unit adapted to determine the positions of the carriers located on top of the transport plane in response to the position signals (PS); and a control unit adapted to control the operation of the laboratory sample distribution system in response to the determined positions of the carriers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Norbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20210341505Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laboratory container storage system, a laboratory system comprising the laboratory container storage system, and a method of operating the laboratory system. The laboratory container storage system comprising one or more laboratory container storage devices. Each laboratory container storage device comprises a frame and a storage element comprising a holder configured to receive and release a laboratory container horizontally and to hold the laboratory container in a suspended position above a horizontal surface. The storage element is mounted movably on the frame and configured to be moved between a first transfer position and a storage position and between the storage position and a second transfer position. In the first and second transfer position, the holder is positioned to receive or release the laboratory container horizontally. The storage position is located between the first and second transfer position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Norbert Schmitt, Chris Steinert
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Publication number: 20210072270Abstract: A method to localize a carrier on a laboratory transport system is presented. The laboratory transport system comprises a carrier associated with an identity, a multi-lane transport module, and a control unit. The carrier comprises a signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal comprising information about the identity. The multi-lane transport module comprises a transport surface comprising a first and a second transport lane as well as a first signal receiver and a second signal receiver each configured to receive the transmitted signal. Based on received signal strengths, the control unit localizes the carrier on one of the transport lanes of the multi-lane transport module.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Riccardo Leone Benedetti, Reto Huesser, Goran Savatic, Norbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20190285660Abstract: A laboratory system for a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is configured to carry a laboratory sample container and comprises a removal detector. The removal detector is configured to interact with the laboratory sample container to detect a removal of the carried laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier. Furthermore, the laboratory system is configured to determine based on the detected removal that a before valid logic assignment of the sample container carrier to the carried laboratory sample container is invalid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Martin Kopp, Oliver Gutmann, Norbert Schmitt
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Patent number: 7748962Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus includes a body, which comprises a fluid handling structure, and a flexible membrane attached to the body and formed to interact with a fluid in the fluid handling structure, wherein the membrane comprises a first actuation component. A second actuation component is provided, wherein the first and the second actuation component are formed such that the same attract or repel each other in a first positional relationship, in order to actuate the flexible membrane. A driving means is provided to move the body relative to the second actuation component, in order to bring the first and the second actuation component into the first and out of the first positional relationship.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet FreiburgInventors: Stefan Haeberle, Jens Ducrée, Roland Zengerle, Norbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20070189910Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus includes a body, which comprises a fluid handling structure, and a flexible membrane attached to the body and formed to interact with a fluid in the fluid handling structure, wherein the membrane comprises a first actuation component. A second actuation component is provided, wherein the first and the second actuation component are formed such that the same attract or repel each other in a first positional relationship, in order to actuate the flexible membrane. A driving means is provided to move the body relative to the second actuation component, in order to bring the first and the second actuation component into the first and out of the first positional relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicant: ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURGInventors: Stefan Haeberle, Jens Ducree, Roland Zengerle, Norbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20060270570Abstract: Lubricants intended for solid surfaces, and particularly for skis, and comprising a partially fluorinated compound of formula 1 RF—(A)a—(O)b—(B)c—(D)d—(RF)e??(1) where RF is a perfluorinated radical of formula F(CF2)n-, n is a number from 1 to 20, A is C1-C30, preferably C1-C18, alkylene. B is arylene having 6 to 14 carbon atoms or is a saturated or unsaturated monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon having 3 to 30, preferably 3 to 18 carbon atoms, D is hydrogen or C1-C30, preferably C1-C18, alkyl, a is zero or 1, b, c, and d are zero, 1 or 2 and e is zero or 1, with the proviso that b and c are not simultaneously zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2004Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: CLARIANT GMBHInventors: Ralf Grottenmueller, Norbert Schmitt, Anton Probst, Robert Schmid
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Publication number: 20040106821Abstract: Lubricating agent containing fluorinated urethanes Lubricants comprising fluorinated urethanes, prepared by reactingType: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Ralf Grottenmuller, Norbert Schmitt, Anton Probst
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Patent number: 6001790Abstract: The mixtures according to the invention consist essentially of fatty alcohol ethoxylate propoxylates, fatty alcohol ethoxylate mixed formals and/or end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates as the first main component and certain fatty alkyl polyamines as the other main component. They are particularly notable for a high foam-suppressing and disinfecting ability and are particularly suitable for aqueous cleaning liquors for the mechanical cleaning of hard surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Clariant GmbHInventors: Norbert Schmitt, Manuela Hingerl
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Patent number: 5516451Abstract: The mixtures according to the invention essentially comprise A) at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate-propoxylate and B) at least one fatty amine and/or fatty amine ethoxylate. They have an unexpectedly high foam inhibition capacity and are particularly suitable for aqueous cleaning liquors for mechanical cleaning of hard surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1995Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Hoechst AktiengesellschaftInventors: Norbert Schmitt, Manuela Hingerl
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Patent number: 5103048Abstract: The new compounds have the formula below ##STR1## in which R.sub.f is a perfluoroalkyl radical having 4 to 20 carbon atoms,x is 1 to 4,y is 1 to 10,X is Br, Cl or I, andR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 -alkyl radical or a water-solubilizing aliphatic radical, with the proviso that at least one of the two substituents R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a water-solubilizing aliphatic radical.The surface-active compounds described are prepared by reacting a suitable epoxide with a suitable amine. They are used in particular for the preparation of foaming agents.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1990Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Hoechst AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Knaup, Frank Wehowsky, Norbert Schmitt
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Patent number: 4848866Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a device for coupling an optical waveguide end section accommodated in a cylindrical plug pin to an optical component accommodated in a socket, the plug pin having a collar which limits the insertion depth. The method of producing a coupling device utilized is very simple, requires only simple means, involves a small number of production steps and ensures highly reproducible results. In the method, the optical component is fastened in the socket at a distance, which is determined by means of a first gage, from an external stop surface and, by means of a second gage, the distance of a stop sleeve stop surface facing the plug pin front face is set to a predetermined distance and the stop sleeve is fitted to the plug pin at this predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1988Date of Patent: July 18, 1989Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.Inventors: Alfred Feulner, Norbert Schmitt