Patents by Inventor Theo Meier

Theo Meier 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: 10946372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of a robotic arm in an automatic liquid handling system in which a measurement probe with a first electrode is arranged on the robotic arm and, together with a second electrode formed by at least part of a working area or at least part of a container or container carrier forms a measurement capacitor that is operatively connected to a measurement unit for measuring an impedance, in particular a capacitance of the measurement capacitor. The method involves moving the measurement probe along a first path, detecting a first change in the impedance, in particular in the capacitance of the measurement capacitor at a first point on the first path, and defining at least one first reference spatial coordinate for a control unit of the robotic arm on the basis of the first point on the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Philipp Ott, Markus Schoni, Thomas Struchen, Raffael Bueler, Nicolas Cors, Theo Meier, Daniel Kessler
  • Patent number: 10843198
    Abstract: A worktable for a laboratory automation system can include a worktop with a level surface and a support profile for supporting the worktop, bent from a metal sheet The support profile can include a facing edge, and an underside of the worktop can lie directly on the facing edge. The support profile can include at least one reception lug. The worktable can include a bolt-shaped fastener for attaching the worktop on the support profile. The bolt-shaped fastener can project through the worktop and be received in the reception lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Theo Meier, Martin Kuster
  • Publication number: 20190308195
    Abstract: A worktable for a laboratory automation system can include a worktop with a level surface and a support profile for supporting the worktop, bent from a metal sheet The support profile can include a facing edge, and an underside of the worktop can lie directly on the facing edge. The support profile can include at least one reception lug. The worktable can include a bolt-shaped fastener for attaching the worktop on the support profile. The bolt-shaped fastener can project through the worktop and be received in the reception lug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Theo Meier, Martin Kuster
  • Publication number: 20190128905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of a robotic arm in an automatic liquid handling system in which a measurement probe with a first electrode is arranged on the robotic arm and, together with a second electrode formed by at least part of a working area or at least part of a container or container carrier forms a measurement capacitor that is operatively connected to a measurement unit for measuring an impedance, in particular a capacitance of the measurement capacitor. The method involves moving the measurement probe along a first path, detecting a first change in the impedance, in particular in the capacitance of the measurement capacitor at a first point on the first path, and defining at least one first reference spatial coordinate for a control unit of the robotic arm on the basis of the first point on the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Philipp OTT, Markus SCHÖNI, Thomas STRUCHEN, Raffael BUELER, Nicolas CORS, Theo MEIER, Daniel KESSLER
  • Patent number: 9578959
    Abstract: Laboratory table with front and opposite rear frame parts, has replaceable tabletop elements positionable thereon. In a first variant, the laboratory table further has detent openings at regular distances on the front and/or rear frame parts, defining a modular grid. Each opening can receive a detent bolt of a modular tabletop element, each element having at least two detent bolts for the insertion into one of the detent openings. In a second variant, each tabletop element has at least one detent opening on a front and/or rear side of the tabletop element, for insertion of a detent bolt. The front and/or rear frame part of the laboratory table have detent bolts arranged at a regular distance defining a modular grid, each one of the detent bolts being for insertion into one of the detent openings of the tabletop elements positioned on these front and rear frame parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Claudio Isgrò, Theo Meier, Dominic Erb, Beat Bolli
  • Publication number: 20150272318
    Abstract: Laboratory table with front and opposite rear frame parts, has replaceable tabletop elements positionable thereon. In a first variant, the laboratory table further has detent openings at regular distances on the front and/or rear frame parts, defining a modular grid. Each opening can receive a detent bolt of a modular tabletop element, each element having at least two detent bolts for the insertion into one of the detent openings. In a second variant, each tabletop element has at least one detent opening on a front and/or rear side of the tabletop element, for insertion of a detent bolt. The front and/or rear frame part of the laboratory table have detent bolts arranged at a regular distance defining a modular grid, each one of the detent bolts being for insertion into one of the detent openings of the tabletop elements positioned on these front and rear frame parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: TECAN Trading AG
    Inventors: Claudio Isgrò, Theo Meier, Dominic Erb, Beat Bolli