Movable loading element for loading an automated analysis system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10073110-B2
Application number	US-201615240013-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2016
Priority date	Aug 26, 2015
Publication date	Sep 11, 2018
Grant date	Sep 11, 2018

Abstract

A device for loading an automated analysis system is presented. The device comprises a chassis, a movable loading element movably coupled to the chassis and configured to move between a first and a second position, a holding structure, the holding structure being floatingly coupled to the movable loading element, the holding structure being configured to hold a receptacle for material to be loaded into the automated analysis system, a first alignment element attached to the chassis and a second alignment element attached to the holding structure. The first alignment element is configured to engage with the second alignment element to align the holding structure in a predetermined position relative to the chassis when the movable loading element is in the second position.

First claim

We claim:

1. A device for loading an automated analysis system, the device comprising:
a chassis;
a movable loading element movably coupled to the chassis and configured to move along a longitudinal axis between a first and a second position;
a holding structure, the holding structure being floatingly coupled to the movable loading element so that the holding structure can move in one or more orthogonal directions relative to the longitudinal axis when the movable loading element is in the first position, wherein the holding structure is configured to hold a receptacle for material to be loaded into the automated analysis system;
two or more first alignment elements attached to the chassis arranged at different locations of the chassis; and
two or more second alignment elements attached to the holding structure, the first and second alignment elements being arranged at different locations of the chassis and the holding structure, respectively, wherein at least one of the second alignment elements is arranged at a forward portion of the holding structure and at least a second one of the second alignment elements is arranged at a rearward portion of the holding structure in the longitudinal direction of movement of the movable loading element,
wherein each of the first alignment elements is configured to engage with a respective one of the second alignment element to align the holding structure in a predetermined position relative to the chassis when the movable loading element is in the second position.

2. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the movable loading element is a drawer.

3. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the second position of the movable loading element occurs when the movable loading element decouples from the holding structure and is in a closed position of the movable loading element.

4. The device for loading an automated analysis system of claim according to claim 1 , wherein each of the second alignment elements includes a peg.

5. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 4 , wherein the peg is a conical peg.

6. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first alignment elements includes a recess configured to receive the second alignment element.

7. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 6 , wherein the recess is a hole configured to receive a corresponding member of the second alignment element.

8. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the holding structure is aligned in all three spatial directions by a peg when the movable loading element is in the second position.

9. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , further comprising, a retaining element configured to keep the first alignment elements in engagement with second alignment elements when the holding structure is in the predetermined position.

10. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , further comprising a locking device for locking the movable loading element to the chassis when the movable loading element is in the second position.

11. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 1 , further comprising a self-closing mechanism for moving the movable loading element over at last part of its travelling path into the second position comprising a first element attached to the chassis and a second element attached to the movable loading element, wherein the first element and the second element contact and engage each other as the movable loading element approaches the second position.

12. The device for loading an automated analysis system according to claim 11 , wherein the self-closing mechanism is a mechanical self-closing mechanism.

Assignees

• Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc

Inventors

• Huber David
• Sangermano Marco

Classifications

• G01N2035/0498

  Drawers used as storage or dispensing means for vessels or cuvettes · CPC title

• G01N2035/0425

  Stacks, magazines or elevators for plates · CPC title

• G01N35/04

  Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B01L2200/025

  Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other · CPC title

• G01N35/026

  having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes · CPC title