Patents by Inventor Rob Neeper

Rob Neeper 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: 7157285
    Abstract: The automated sample-on-solid-support processing system of the present invention comprises a computer-based control unit and a main unit comprising a variable-speed centrifuge having an openable vacuum-tight chamber and a centrifuge rotor with a plurality of multi-sample holding positions, a liquid solvent supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a plurality of dispensing stations in the centrifuge chamber, a temperature control subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells. In the preferred embodiment bar code reader or other identification means, preferably a non-contact reader, can be included in the chamber to allow sample carriers to be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nexus Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Neeper, John Lillig
  • Patent number: 6824738
    Abstract: The automated sample-on-solid-support processing system of the present invention comprises a computer-based control unit and a main unit comprising a variable-speed centrifuge having an openable vacuum-tight chamber and a centrifuge rotor with a plurality of multi-sample holding positions, a liquid solvent supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a plurality of dispensing stations in the centrifuge chamber, a temperature control subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells. In the preferred embodiment bar code reader or other identification means, preferably a non-contact reader, can be included in the chamber to allow sample carriers to be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Neeper, John Lillig
  • Patent number: 6808935
    Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Levin, Rob Neeper, John Bridwell
  • Publication number: 20040071595
    Abstract: The automated sample-on-solid-support processing system of the present invention comprises a computer-based control unit and a main unit comprising a variable-speed centrifuge having an openable vacuum-tight chamber and a centrifuge rotor with a plurality of multi-sample holding positions, a liquid solvent supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a plurality of dispensing stations in the centrifuge chamber, a temperature control subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells. In the preferred embodiment bar code reader or other identification means, preferably a non-contact reader, can be included in the chamber to allow sample carriers to be identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Rob Neeper, John Lillig
  • Patent number: 6503457
    Abstract: A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Neeper, John Lillig, John Bridwell, Allan Childers
  • Patent number: 6432365
    Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Levin, Rob Neeper, John Bridwell
  • Publication number: 20020090737
    Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Levin, Rob Neeper, John Bridwell
  • Publication number: 20020090729
    Abstract: The automated sample-on-solid-support processing system of the present invention comprises a computer-based control unit and a main unit comprising a variable-speed centrifuge having an openable vacuum-tight chamber and a centrifuge rotor with a plurality of multi-sample holding positions, a liquid solvent supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a plurality of dispensing stations in the centrifuge chamber, a temperature control subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells. In the preferred embodiment bar code reader or other identification means, preferably a non-contact reader, can be included in the chamber to allow sample carriers to be identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Rob Neeper, John Lillig
  • Publication number: 20020037588
    Abstract: A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Rob Neeper, John Lillig, John Bridwell, Allan Childers
  • Patent number: 6347650
    Abstract: The resin dispenser comprises a support frame, a probe with an adjustable loading volume mounted on the support frame and connected to a vacuum source, a hopper for containing a resin slurry, a holder for retaining one or more containers to be loaded at a loading position, a translation means for moving the probe from the hopper to the container, a fluid circulation pump and an air pump for circulating fluid in the hopper, and at least one control device. The hopper includes a means for continuous circulation and replenishment of solvent with a large reserve of resin, and has a small volume from which the resin is extracted. The method for dispensing comprises drawing resin from a dispenser trough in the hopper into the loading volume using a vacuum, moving the probe to the loading position, then activating an air actuator which expels a resin pellet from the probe into the container by initiating movement of the inner and outer tubes that define the loading volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rhett Affleck, Thuc Nguyen, Rob Neeper