Patents by Inventor Paul Luechinger

Paul Luechinger 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).

  • Patent number: 8915401
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing unit with an interior space, delimited by a lateral wall and a bottom portion. The bottom portion further includes an outlet orifice. The dosage-dispensing unit can be connected to a holder device of a dosage-dispensing device. The holder device is supported by constraints that allow movement in a prescribed direction. The outlet orifice has a central longitudinal axis that is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to this prescribed direction of movement. The internal surface of the bottom portion facing towards the interior space includes a surface region having at least a line segment that starts at the outlet orifice and extends in the prescribed direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8678242
    Abstract: A device (110, 10) dispenses dosages of a free-flowing substance from a source unit (70) containing the substance. The device has a base unit (120, 20) and a receiving unit (130, 30), so that the source unit can be set into, and removed from, the receiving unit. An actuator (150, 50) generates repeated bidirectional pivoting movements of the receiving unit about the base unit. A connector unit (140, 40), arranged between the base unit and the receiving unit, pivotally supports the receiving unit, providing rotational mobility about a pivoting axis. The connector unit is slidably supported with translatory mobility relative to the base unit. The actuator generates repeated bidirectional translatory movements of the base unit. In this way, the receiving unit is subjected to repeated bidirectional pivoting movements and, superimposed on the latter, repeated bidirectional translatory movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8551421
    Abstract: A laboratory instrument for the preparation of samples includes a base housing with a work compartment enclosed by protective walls, at least one multifunctional work head having the ability to turn about a rotary axis pivotally supported on the base housing. At least two defined functional positions that can be aligned with at least one container platform which is arranged in the work compartment. The first functional position contains a receiving device which serves to hold a dosage-dispensing device with free-flowing dosage material, and each of the other functional positions contains an additional device. At least one of the protective walls has a cutout opening, and the at least one multifunctional work head is arranged partially in the cutout, so that portions of the at least one multifunctional work head lies both inside and outside of the work compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8448817
    Abstract: In the method of optimizing the dosage-dispensing process of a dosage-dispensing device, an examination takes place prior to a first dosage delivery, whether at least one flow parameter relating to the dosage-dispensing process is stored in the memory module of the dosage-dispensing unit. If a stored flow parameter is found to be present, said flow parameter is called up from the memory module. If no store flow parameter is present, a flow parameter is requested by the user by entering a request, a flow parameter is called up from a central database, or at least one flow parameter is determined by means of the first run of the dosage-dispensing process based on a default setting of the dosage-dispensing program. With the at least one flow parameter, the dosage-dispensing program is directly adapted, at least one run of the dosage-dispensing process is performed with the adapted dosage-dispensing program, and/or the at least one flow parameter is stored in the memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Marc Bloechlinger, Paul Luechinger, Hansruedi Kuenzi, Siegfried Gluvakov, Bruno Nufer, Jean-Christophe Emery
  • Patent number: 8448826
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing head has a body with an end surface and an area that couples the head to a source container. The end surface has an outlet opening connected to the coupling area. The head also has a slider, constrained to a guided linear sliding movement parallel to the end surface. An aperture-setting member of the body turns about a rotary axis, orthogonal to the end surface, to actuate the slider. An orifice opening of the aperture-setting member is configured so that the outlet opening is always within the area of the orifice opening. A passage opening of the slider is between the body and the aperture-setting member. By turning the aperture-setting member, the slider moves in a linear path, linearly displacing the passage opening relative to the outlet opening and varying the aperture width of the dosage-dispensing head. This regulates the flow rate of the free-flowing dosage material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8393361
    Abstract: A receptacle for the weighing-in of free-flowing substances has a fill opening, a tubular-shaped circumference wall, and a bottom part. The bottom part is connected to the tubular-shaped circumference wall, which it tightly closes off in the direction of gravity when the weighing receptacle is in its operating position. The weighing receptacle can be set on the weighing pan of a balance and can be filled like a beaker with free-flowing substances without allowing the latter to escape therefrom. The bottom part can be opened either by an outside force acting on the weighing receptacle and/or through the influence of a solvent acting on the weighing receptacle, forming an outlet orifice in the bottom part. The weighing receptacle, otherwise tightly sealed in the direction of gravity, can be flushed out with a fluid when the outlet orifice is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Publication number: 20120279608
    Abstract: A device (110, 10) dispenses dosages of a free-flowing substance from a source unit (70) containing the substance. The device has a base unit (120, 20) and a receiving unit (130, 30), so that the source unit can be set into, and removed from, the receiving unit. An actuator (150, 50) generates repeated bidirectional pivoting movements of the receiving unit about the base unit. A connector unit (140, 40), arranged between the base unit and the receiving unit, pivotally supports the receiving unit, providing rotational mobility about a pivoting axis. The connector unit is slidably supported with translatory mobility relative to the base unit. The actuator generates repeated bidirectional translatory movements of the base unit. In this way, the receiving unit is subjected to repeated bidirectional pivoting movements and, superimposed on the latter, repeated bidirectional translatory movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8299375
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a laboratory instrument according to the invention encloses a weighing compartment that surrounds a balance pan and includes a rear wall, a front wall, two sidewalls, a top cover with at least one opening, and a floor that is delimited by border edges. The top cover is connected at least to one of the two sidewalls and/or the front wall and/or the rear wall in an arrangement where the top cover and the walls connected thereto are vertically movable together in relation to the balance pan. In addition, the vertically movable wall(s) are vertically moveable past the adjacent border edge(s) of the floor. In any vertical position of the top cover, at least one of the sidewalls is horizontally slidable relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8294045
    Abstract: A balance (100) has a balance housing (200), a balance pan (300), a weighing compartment (310) that contains the balance pan, a draft shield (400) with a fixed rear wall (210), the draft shield enclosing the weighing compartment, a system of balance electronics (500), a weighing cell (600) arranged below the weighing pan, and a weighing cell compartment (270) that encases the weighing cell. The weighing cell compartment is atmospherically connected by way of a hollow space (240) to the upper third of the weighing compartment. The balance electronics are arranged at the rear wall outside of the weighing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Beat Lüdi
  • Patent number: 8294046
    Abstract: A draft protection device for a laboratory instrument. The device encloses a weighing compartment that surrounds a balance pan. The draft protection device includes a rear wall, a front wall, two sidewalls, a top cover, and a floor that is delimited by border edges. The draft protection device further includes at least one guiding means that is connected to the top cover and serves to guide the movement of at least one horizontally slidable sidewall, and/or a holder means that is connected to the top cover and serves to hold the front wall in place, wherein the guiding means and/or the holder means supports the weight of the at last one sidewall and/or the front wall in such a way that the wall(s) is pushed by a biasing torque against the floor of the weighing compartment. This torque is supported by the border edge facing towards the respective wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8281959
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device, which can be used for dosage materials in the form of powders or pastes, includes a housing with at least one receptacle compartment formed inside the housing for the purpose of holding the dosage material. The dosage-dispensing device further includes at least one dispensing head that comprises an elastic material and has an outlet for the dosage material. In the non-stressed condition, i.e. when there is no mechanical force or pressure acting on it, the outlet is tightly closed against the outside. When a force or pressure is applied, the outlet opens up, with the aperture width being variable, dependent on the applied force. Furthermore, inside the receptacle compartment and/or the dispensing head, there is at least one mechanical actuator element arranged through which the outlet can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8267279
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device has a drive unit and a receiver for a dosage-dispensing unit. The drive unit has a drive shaft. The dosage-dispensing unit has a delivery orifice with a closure element that is disposed in the delivery orifice. The closure element is coupled to the drive shaft when the device is in an operating state. The closure element provides the delivery orifice with an aperture cross-section that varies between a closed position and a maximally open position. To couple the drive shaft to the closure element and to open the delivery orifice, the drive unit linearly advances towards the dosage-dispensing unit. A closure spring holds the closure element in a closed position up to the point of complete coupling. To prevent premature opening of the delivery orifice during the coupling process, the drive shaft has limited linear mobility in a direction away from the dosage-dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8245883
    Abstract: A dispensing head for a powder or paste dosage material has a housing with an outlet opening, a bearing- and passage area, and at least one socket connected to a source container. A feeder chute is formed inside the housing. A closure shaft is in the bearing- and passage area, free to rotate about and to slide along its central longitudinal axis. The closure shaft is connected to a closure element arranged near the outlet opening. Moving the closure shaft in the axial direction controls the volume flow of the dosage material through the outlet opening. A limit stop restricts the displacement of the closure shaft along its central longitudinal axis. In the feeder chute, an opposing stop defines the closed position where the limit stop rests in direct contact against the opposing stop and the outlet opening is closed off by the closure portion of the closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar, Marc Zehnder
  • Patent number: 8191587
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device for dosage material in powder- or paste form includes a holder device and at least one receiving device. At least one dosage-dispensing unit can be set into, as well as removed from, this receiving device. The dosage-dispensing device further includes at least one actuator whose action is directed at the receiving device. The receiving device is pivotably supported on the holder device with the freedom of performing a pendulous movement. The actuator can generate oscillatory pendulous movements of the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Marc Zehnder, Eduard Fringeli
  • Publication number: 20120132317
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing unit with an interior space, delimited by a lateral wall and a bottom portion. The bottom portion further includes an outlet orifice. The dosage-dispensing unit can be connected to a holder device of a dosage-dispensing device. The holder device is supported by constraints that allow movement in a prescribed direction. The outlet orifice has a central longitudinal axis that is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to this prescribed direction of movement. The internal surface of the bottom portion facing towards the interior space includes a surface region having at least a line segment that starts at the outlet orifice and extends in the prescribed direction of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8178799
    Abstract: A carrier for objects to be sequentially weighed is designed for connection to a load receiver of a weighing cell. The carrier has a supporting structure and a multi-compartment weighing tray. The supporting structure has an element for coupling the supporting structure to the load receiver and an element for connecting the weighing tray to the supporting structure in a guided and constrained manner. The weighing tray is seated or slid into place, leaving it free to perform a defined linear, swiveling, or rotary movement relative to the supporting structure. The weighing tray has at least two receiving compartments, arranged so that each can be sequentially moved into a defined loading position, fixed relative to the supporting structure. A positioning device, arranged between the supporting structure and the weighing tray, precisely aligns with the loading position the receiving compartment that is next to be moved into the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8176950
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a dosage includes a base frame, at least one device for receiving any dosage-dispensing unit or functional unit that is compatible to be inserted therein, a holder and at least one drive mechanism. The holder has at least one holding position for a dosage-dispensing unit or functional unit. A weighing cell arranged on a lower horizontal plane of the base frame includes a load receiver to receive a target container. A changing mechanism enables the receiving device to be moved horizontally relative to the base frame. This horizontal shift allows a dosage-dispensing unit or functional unit to be interchanged between the holding position and the receiving device. The changing mechanism also permits the receiving device, together with the drive mechanism, to be moved vertically with regard to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger
  • Patent number: 8141751
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device, for substances in powder- or paste form, includes a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head that is connected or connectable to the supply container. A housing has an outlet orifice of circular cross-section and a delivery- and closure element with a closure portion serving to close off the outlet orifice. The device further has a conveying tool with at least one conveying element that serves to direct the substance to the outlet orifice, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head. The conveying tool is rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and the at least one conveying element is designed to move on a circular path about the central lengthwise axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Siegfried Zeiss, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 8104521
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device includes a drive device and a source container that can be set into the drive device, wherein a dosage-dispensing head is connected to a closure shaft which is movably constrained in the source container. The closure shaft has a coupler part configured to be coupled to and uncoupled from a drive shaft of the drive device. The source container has a first form element which is designed for form-fitting engagement with a first counterpart element formed on the drive device and serves to precisely position the coupler part in relation to the drive shaft. The source container further has a second form element which is designed for form-fitting engagement with a second counterpart element formed on the drive device and which, when in operating position, serves to precisely position the dosage-dispensing head in relation to a target container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Lüchinger, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Publication number: 20110286886
    Abstract: A laboratory instrument for the preparation of samples includes a base housing with a work compartment enclosed by protective walls, at least one multifunctional work head having the ability to turn about a rotary axis pivotally supported on the base housing. At least two defined functional positions that can be aligned with at least one container platform which is arranged in the work compartment. The first functional position contains a receiving device which serves to hold a dosage-dispensing device with free-flowing dosage material, and each of the other functional positions contains an additional device. At least one of the protective walls has a cutout opening, and the at least one multifunctional work head is arranged partially in the cutout, so that portions of the at least one multifunctional work head lies both inside and outside of the work compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
    Inventor: Paul Lüchinger