# US 10,308,381 B2 · Cap supply for vessels containing biological samples

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,308,381 B2
- Document ID: US10308381B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/269,969
- Filed: 2014-05-05
- Published: 2014-11-13
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2013-05-08
- Assignees: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas Guggisberg; Christian Kaelin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308381B2

## CPC

- B65B 7/2807: {Feeding closures}
- B65B 7/28: by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
- G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)}
- B65D 71/70: Trays provided with projections or recesses in order to assemble multiple articles, e.g. intermediate elements for stacking
- B65D 85/62: for stacks of articles; for special arrangements of groups of articles
- G01N 2035/0405: {manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers}
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A method for capping vessels containing biological samples is described providing a cap supply with a plurality of caps for the vessels within compartments in a predefined geometrical arrangement. The cap supply is introduced through an interface into a preanalytical system including a housing, and is reversibly docked to a feeder for inserting the cap supply into the preanalytical system and retrieving it therefrom. Subsequently, a cap is retrieved from the supply by a robotic manipulator, and transported to a workstation holding the vessels. A vessel is then capped using the manipulator. The steps from introducing the cap supply into the preanalytical system to capping a vessel are repeated a certain number of times or until all caps of the supply have been retrieved. Finally, the cap supply is retrieved from the preanalytical system. A preanalytical system and a cap supply for capping vessels containing biological samples is also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cap supply comprising a plurality of caps for one or more vessels containing biological samples, wherein the cap supply comprises
a mount including a plurality of compartments that accommodate the plurality of caps, wherein the plurality of compartments are positioned within the mount in a predefined geometrical arrangement,
wherein one or more compartments of the plurality of compartments comprise two or more caps stacked to form one or more layers, each compartment including a socket sized to fit an inner surface of a cap,
each of the one or more layers are separated in the compartment by one or more cradles each comprising two or more protrusions positioned on the one or more cradles between the plurality of compartments, wherein the two or more protrusions facilitate stacking of the one or more cradles and stabilize the plurality of caps, and
the cap supply further comprises a baffle positioned in a center of the cap supply to stabilize the one or more cradles in the cap supply.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cap supply of claim 1, wherein each of the compartments comprise free space around each cap sufficient for a laterally and vertically moveable robotic gripper to retrieve one of the plurality of caps from one of the plurality of compartments.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cap supply of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of each compartment comprises a protuberance for supporting a cap.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cap supply of claim 1, wherein the cap supply is stackable.