Transporting device for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier

• US 10,118,764 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2017
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Schnarwiler, Rolf, Jaeggi, Beat
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Douglas A
• Application Number:
  US15/437,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20170253431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 198546, 198565, 193 27, 193 35 SS, 193 35 MD
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 11/086 for articles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0406 Individual bottles or tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/046 General conveyor features
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0467 Switching points ("aiguillages")
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence

Abstract

A transporting device for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier from a first line portion to a second line portion of a conveying line is disclosed. The first line portion is above the second line portion with respect to gravity. The transporting device comprises first and second transporting portions. The first transporting portion is connected to the first line portion and the second transporting portion is connected to the second line portion. The first transporting portion extends in a first direction and the second transporting portion extends in a second direction different from the first direction. The first and second transporting portions transport the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier by gravity. The first direction comprises at least a first component and the second direction comprises at least a second component. The second component is opposite to the first component. Further, a conveying line comprising such a transporting device is disclosed.

Claims

1. A transporting device for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier from a first line portion to a second line portion of a conveying line, wherein the first line portion is arranged above the second line portion with respect to a direction of gravity, the transporting device comprising:

a first transporting portion; and

a second transporting portion, wherein the first transporting portion is configured to be connected to the first line portion and the second transporting portion is configured to be connected to the second line portion, wherein the first transporting portion extends in a first direction and the second transporting portion extends in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first transporting portion and the second transporting portion are configured to transport the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier exclusively by gravity, wherein first direction comprises at least a first component and the second direction comprises at least a second component, and wherein the second component is opposite to the first component.

2. The transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting portion comprises a first end configured to be connected to the first line portion and a second end, wherein the second transporting portion comprises a third end and a fourth end configured to be connected to the second line portion.

3. The transporting device according to claim 2, further comprising,

a stopping wall, wherein the second end faces and is spaced apart from the stopping wall and wherein the third end is arranged adjacent the stopping wall.

4. The transporting device according to claim 3, wherein the second end is spaced apart from the stopping wall with a distance larger than a width of the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier.

5. The transporting device according to claim 3, wherein the stopping wall comprises a stopper facing the first transporting portion.

6. The transporting device according to claim 5, wherein the stopper is at least partially made of an elastic material.

7. The transporting device according to claim 6, wherein the stopper comprises a tip made of the elastic material.

8. The transporting device according to claim 3, wherein the third end is connected to the stopping wall.

9. The transporting device according to claim 3, wherein the stopping wall is configured to push the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier such that the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is aligned with the second direction.

10. The transporting device according to claim 2, wherein the second end is located within a plane which runs perpendicular to a direction connecting the first end and the fourth end and which includes a middle point of a distance between the first end and the fourth end.

11. The transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting portion and the second transporting portion are inclined relative to one another at an angle (a) of 30°

to 120°

.

12. The transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting portion and the second transporting portion are inclined relative to one another at an angle (α

) of 45°

to 90°

.

13. The transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting portion and/or the second transporting portion is formed curved or straight.

14. A conveying line, the conveying line comprising:

at least a first line portion;

a second line portion; and

a transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the first line portion is arranged above the second line portion with respect to a direction of gravity and wherein the first transporting portion is connected to the first line portion and the second transporting portion is connected to the second line portion.

15. A transporting device for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier from a first line portion to a second line portion of a conveying line, wherein the first line portion is arranged above the second line portion with respect to a direction of gravity, the transporting device comprising:

a first transporting portion, wherein the first transporting portion comprises a first end configured to be connected to the first line portion and a second end;

a second transporting portion, wherein the first transporting portion is configured to be connected to the first line portion and the second transporting portion is configured to be connected to the second line portion, wherein the second transporting portion comprises a third end and a fourth end configured to be connected to the second line portion, wherein the first transporting portion extends in a first direction and the second transporting portion extends in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first transporting portion and the second transporting portion are configured to transport the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier by gravity, wherein first direction comprises at least a first component and the second direction comprises at least a second component, and wherein the second component is opposite to the first component;

two opposing side walls, wherein the first transporting portion comprises a sliding surface connected to the side walls; and

two sliding rails, wherein the sliding rails are respectively connected to one of the sidewalls such that an opening is formed between the sliding rails and wherein the sliding rails are arranged adjacent the second end.

16. The transporting device according to claim 15, wherein the sliding surface and the sliding rails are connected to one another.

17. The transporting device according to claim 15, wherein the sliding surface and the sliding rails are integrally formed.