Patents by Inventor Norman Ballhause

Norman Ballhause 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: 20230405611
    Abstract: A skid (700) for use in separating biocomponents includes a housing (701) bounding a compartment (708), the compartment being partially bounding by a mounting platform (709); and a loading assembly (800) secured to the housing so as to communicate with the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Mark T. SMITH, Joe Loveless, Norman BALLHAUSE, Jacob D. Lee
  • Patent number: 11826763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge rotor with a rotor body and a receptacle arranged centrally therein for receiving a drive head of a drive shaft of a centrifuge which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (R), and sample receptacles for accommodating a plurality of sample containers. A holding crown is arranged on a top side (O) of the rotor body facing away from an insertion side (E) of the drive head, said holding crown having an annular base body, which encloses a central opening, and prongs extending upward away from the top side (O), wherein the holding crown is arranged in such a way that the axis of rotation (R) runs through the central opening. The present invention further relates to a holding crown for use with a centrifuge rotor and having an annular base body enclosing a central opening and prongs emanating from the base body and extending upward, wherein the prongs are offset at least in the region of their free ends by a spacing (A) from an inner edge of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Romana Hinz, Jan Rother
  • Patent number: 11666925
    Abstract: A method for separating a biological suspension includes dispensing a liquid suspension comprised of cells or microorganisms from a bioreactor or fermenter into a sterile compartment of a first bag assembly, the first bag assembly including a collapsible bag having of one or more sheets of flexible film. The compartment of the first bag assembly is sealed closed. The first bag assembly, either with or without a manifold fluid coupled therewith, is then rotated, such as by using a centrifuge, so that the liquid suspension separates within the compartment into a pellet comprised of the cells or microorganisms and a liquid supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventors: Romana Hinz, Norman Ballhause, Jason D. Brown, Ileana Place, Hugh H. Tansey, III
  • Publication number: 20230023994
    Abstract: A method for separating a suspension includes dispensing a liquid suspension into a compartment of a first bag assembly. The first bag assembly is then rotated using a centrifuge so as to at least partially separate the suspension, the first bag assembly being disposed within a first insert that is housed within a first cavity of a rotor of the centrifuge, the first insert having an annular lip portion that freely projects out of the first cavity of the rotor by a distance of at least 1 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Romana Hinz, Norman Ballhause, Jason D. Brown, Ileana Place, Hugh H. Tansey, III
  • Publication number: 20220331760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shaking platform for a laboratory shaking device having an adjustable holding device for fastening at least one container, the shaking platform having a length and a width, and the holding device comprising: a base plate having a fastening device for fastening the holding device on the shaking platform, at least two supports that protrude from the base plate and that form a container-receiving space arranged between the supports, and at least two holding rods carried by the supports and running substantially parallel to the shaking platform, which holding rods delimit the container-receiving space and whose distance from one another can be adjusted via an adjusting rail, the length and the width being greater than a length of the holding rods. The present invention also relates to an adjustable holding device and a laboratory shaking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Mike Armbrecht
  • Publication number: 20220226790
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding clamp for holding an angular bottle with flat side surfaces on a shaking platform of a laboratory shaking device, comprising a base plate having a fastening device for fastening the holding clamp on the shaking platform, at least two holding arms which protrude from the base plate and which form a vessel receiving space arranged between the holding arms, and at least one resilient tensile element which is stretched between the holding arms, wherein at least one flat contact surface designed for contact with the bottle is arranged on each of the holding arms, and in that the holding arms are designed in such a way that the flat contact surface can be brought into contact two-dimensionally with one of the flat side surfaces of the angular bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Mike Armbrecht
  • Publication number: 20220154126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set comprising an adhesive mat for the shaking platform of a laboratory shaker or shaking incubator, the adhesive mat having a platform side for application to the shaking platform and a support side opposite the platform side, both of which are designed to be adhesive, the set comprising a pressure aid which has a contact surface which is anti-adhesive with respect to the support side of the adhesive mat. The present invention also relates to a use of a pressure aid of this type for the attachment of an adhesive mat to a shaking platform of a laboratory shaker or shaking incubator and to a method for the attachment of an adhesive mat to a shaking platform of a laboratory shaker or shaking incubator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Johann Naumann, Norman Ballhause
  • Publication number: 20210016296
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge rotor with a rotor body and a receptacle arranged centrally therein for receiving a drive head of a drive shaft of a centrifuge which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (R), and sample receptacles for accommodating a plurality of sample containers. A holding crown is arranged on a top side (O) of the rotor body facing away from an insertion side (E) of the drive head, said holding crown having an annular base body, which encloses a central opening, and prongs extending upward away from the top side (O), wherein the holding crown is arranged in such a way that the axis of rotation (R) runs through the central opening. The present invention further relates to a holding crown for use with a centrifuge rotor and having an annular base body enclosing a central opening and prongs emanating from the base body and extending upward, wherein the prongs are offset at least in the region of their free ends by a spacing (A) from an inner edge of the base body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Romana Hinz, Jan Rother
  • Publication number: 20190270096
    Abstract: A method for separating a biological suspension includes dispensing a liquid suspension comprised of cells or microorganisms from a bioreactor or fermenter into a sterile compartment of a first bag assembly, the first bag assembly including a collapsible bag having of one or more sheets of flexible film. The compartment of the first bag assembly is sealed closed. The first bag assembly, either with or without a manifold fluid coupled therewith, is then rotated, such as by using a centrifuge, so that the liquid suspension separates within the compartment into a pellet comprised of the cells or microorganisms and a liquid supernatant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Romana Hinz, Norman Ballhause, Jason D. Brown, Ileana Place, Hugh H. Tansey
  • Patent number: 9962716
    Abstract: Adapter for inserting a sample container in a centrifuge bucket, comprising a bucket-like base body, which delimits a cavity for accommodating the sample container and has a bottom region and an adjoining side wall region, the top edge of which defines an opening edge of the cavity, and an insertion opening, through which the sample container can be inserted in the cavity and which is delimited by the opening edge, at least one separation joint being present in the side wall region of the base body, which separation joint extends from the opening edge in the direction towards the bottom region and which allows for expanding the side wall region from a starting position (P1) to an expanded position (P2) by applying a force in such a way that the opening edge has a larger circumference as compared to the starting position (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Mike Armbrecht
  • Patent number: 9868124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge vessel assembly for use in a centrifuge, comprising a centrifuge vessel for holding a sample to be centrifuged, an adapter holding the centrifuge vessel, and a holding means holding the adapter for attaching the centrifuge vessel assembly to a rotor of the centrifuge, said centrifuge vessel having a vessel body and a sealable opening through which the sample to be centrifuged can be filled into said vessel, said vessel body having a cross-sectional area and a vessel height, said vessel height being oriented at right angles to said cross-sectional area, wherein said cross-sectional area is in the form of an oval cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Patent number: 9718067
    Abstract: A centrifuge drive head for releasably connecting a driving system to a rotor of a centrifuge. The centrifuge drive head comprises a base body mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation (R) and at least a first and a second coupling element, mounted on the base body for swinging outwardly about a swivel axis. The first and second coupling elements differ from each other in at least one of outer shape, mass, material and/or mounting height on the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Sebastian Henne
  • Patent number: 9713813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge cup, which has a container and a cover. The cover has a lever including a guide element in each case on opposing edge areas thereof. The guide elements are able to be introduced into an associated guide path of the container by pivoting the lever. The guide elements are implemented in such a way that in a closed state of the cover with the container, a clamping force (F) having vertical force component (Fy) and horizontal force component (Fx) is provided at a contact point or a contact line of the guide elements with the particular associated guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Patent number: 9662664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge, in particular, a laboratory centrifuge, with a housing comprising a centrifuge lid, which delimits the centrifuge to the outside, a rotor and a rotor cover for closing the rotor, a connecting device comprising a holding arm and a holder being provided, via which the rotor cover and the centrifuge lid can be detachably connected with each other in such a way that the rotor cover is lifted off of the rotor upon opening of the centrifuge lid and is placed on the rotor upon closing the centrifuge lid. The holding arm is detachably and movably mounted in the holder during opening and closing of the centrifuge lid, and the holding arm and the holder are spaced via a gap space when the centrifuge lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Patent number: 9566591
    Abstract: A closable centrifuge cup comprising a cup and a lid which can be placed on the cup edge to close the cup opening and can be fastened under tension by means of at least one clamping element with its lid edge to the cup edge. The cup edge or a gasket arranged in the region of the cup edge protrudes further in the direction towards the lid edge in a region remote from the at least one clamping element in the circumferential direction of the cup edge than in a region situated closer to the at least one clamping element. Alternatively, the lid edge or a gasket arranged in the region of the lid edge protrudes further in the direction towards the cup edge in a region remote from the at least one clamping element in the circumferential direction of the lid edge than in a region situated closer to the at least one clamping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Patent number: 9452436
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive head for detachable connection of a drive with a rotor of a centrifuge, comprising a base body, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R) and at least two coupling elements, which are mounted on the base body so as to be able to swivel out to the outside about a respective swivel axis. The swivel axes are tilted at an angle (?) with respect to the axis of rotation (R), and the coupling elements have a resting surface at their swiveling end, which extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (R). The present invention further relates to a kit comprising the drive head and a centrifuge comprising the drive head or the kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Publication number: 20150352565
    Abstract: Adapter for inserting a sample container in a centrifuge bucket, comprising a bucket-like base body, which delimits a cavity for accommodating said sample container and has a bottom region and an adjoining side wall region, the top edge of which defines an opening edge of said cavity, and an insertion opening, through which said sample container can be inserted in said cavity and which is delimited by said opening edge, at least one separation joint being present in said side wall region of said base body, which separation joint extends from said opening edge in the direction towards said bottom region and which allows for expanding said side wall region from a starting position (P1) to an expanded position (P2) by applying a force in such a way that said opening edge has a larger circumference as compared to the starting position (P1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Norman Ballhause, Mike Armbrecht
  • Publication number: 20150352566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge, in particular, a laboratory centrifuge, with a housing comprising a centrifuge lid, which delimits the centrifuge to the outside, a rotor and a rotor cover for closing the rotor, a connecting device comprising a holding arm and a holder being provided, via which the rotor cover and the centrifuge lid can be detachably connected with each other in such a way that the rotor cover is lifted off of the rotor upon opening of the centrifuge lid and is placed on the rotor upon closing the centrifuge lid. The holding arm is detachably and movably mounted in the holder during opening and closing of the centrifuge lid, and the holding arm and the holder are spaced via a gap space when the centrifuge lid is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Publication number: 20150343459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive head for detachable connection of a drive with a rotor of a centrifuge, comprising a base body, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R) and at least two coupling elements, which are mounted on the base body so as to be able to swivel out to the outside about a respective swivel axis. The swivel axes are tilted at an angle (a) with respect to the axis of rotation (R), and the coupling elements have a resting surface at their swiveling end, which extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (R). The present invention further relates to a kit comprising the drive head and a centrifuge comprising the drive head or the kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause
  • Publication number: 20150141233
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter for a centrifuge vessel having a shell-shaped base body formed as one piece and delimiting a cavity for the purpose of accommodating the centrifuge vessel and comprising a base region and an adjacent side-wall region of which the top edge defines the opening edge of the cavity, at least one expansion joint being present in the side-wall region, which expansion joint when subjected to a force allows for moving the side-wall region from a starting position to an expanded position such that the length of the opening edge is greater in the expanded position than in the starting position. The adapter is made of a plastics material such that when the force is removed from the side-wall region the base body automatically returns to the starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Norman Ballhause