# US 10,766,652 B2 · Carrier element and packaging device for packaging at least one product into at least one package

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- Number: US 10,766,652 B2
- Document ID: US10766652B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/556,479
- Filed: 2014-12-01
- Published: 2015-03-26
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-01
- Assignees: Roche Diagnostics GmbH; Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
- Applicants: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas Jasiulek; Andreas Trapp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766652B2

## CPC

- B65B 43/52: using roller-ways or endless conveyors
- B65B 43/54: Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B 65/003: {Packaging lines, e.g. general layout}
- B65G 17/323: {Grippers, e.g. suction or magnetic}
- B65G 17/34: having flat surfaces, e.g. platforms, grids, forks
- B65G 17/46: Means for holding or retaining the loads in fixed position on the load-carriers, e.g. magnetic
- B65G 47/843: {the article-engaging elements being suction or magnetic means}
- 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)
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

A carrier element for use in a packaging device is provided wherein the carrier element is connectable with at least one transport device of the packaging device. The carrier element comprises at least one receiving surface for receiving at least one package. The receiving surface comprises at least one suction opening for fixing the package by suction. The carrier element further comprises at least one pressure reservoir connected to the suction opening. The carrier element further comprises at least one pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the pressure reservoir. A packaging device for packaging at least one product into at least one package is also disclosed. The packaging device comprises at least one carrier element and at least one transport device, wherein the carrier element is connected to the transport device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A carrier element for use in a packaging device, wherein
the carrier element is connectable with at least one transport device of the packaging device,
the carrier element comprises at least one receiving surface for receiving at least one package,
the receiving surface comprises at least one suction opening for fixing the package by suction,
the carrier element further comprises at least one pressure reservoir connected to the suction opening, and
the carrier element further comprises at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure inside the pressure reservoir, wherein the carrier element is configured to transmit wirelessly at least one pressure information that indicates the pressure inside the pressure reservoir to at least one receiver, wherein the carrier element is configured to vary a measurement rate, and wherein the measurement rate is selected from the group consisting of a rate at which the pressure information is acquired by the pressure sensor and a rate of wireless transmission of the pressure information.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The carrier element according claim 1, wherein the carrier element is further configured to transmit at least one identification information to the receiver, wherein the identification information is configured to identify the carrier element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the carrier element is configured to select the measurement rate in accordance with the pressure information acquired by the pressure sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The carrier element according to claim 3, wherein the carrier element is configured to use at least two pressure ranges, wherein, in case the pressure information is in a first pressure range, a first measurement rate is selected and wherein, in case the pressure information is in a second pressure range, a second measurement rate is selected, wherein the first pressure range comprises pressures lower than pressures comprised in the second pressure range, wherein the first pressure range is a normal pressure range and the second pressure range is a high pressure range, wherein, in case the pressure information is in the high pressure range, a higher measurement rate is selected than in case the pressure information is in the normal pressure range.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the carrier element is configured to be operated in at least one test mode, wherein, in the test mode, a test mode measurement rate selected from a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz is used.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the carrier element is configured to be operated in a sleep mode, wherein, in the sleep mode, no pressure information is acquired by the pressure sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the carrier element further comprises at least one electric energy storage for providing electric energy to the pressure sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the pressure reservoir comprises at least one application opening for applying a vacuum to the pressure reservoir.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The carrier element according to claim 8, wherein the carrier element further comprises at least one valve element connected to the application opening.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A vacuum monitoring device, comprising at least one carrier element according to claim 1, the vacuum monitoring device further comprising at least one receiver, wherein the carrier element is adapted for wireless transmission of at least one pressure information indicating the pressure inside the pressure reservoir of the carrier element to the receiver.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A packaging device for packaging at least one product into at least one package, wherein the packaging device comprises at least one carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the packaging device further comprises at least one transport device, wherein the carrier element is connected to the transport device, wherein the packaging device is adapted to measure the pressure inside the pressure reservoir of the carrier element by using the pressure sensor of the carrier element.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The packaging device according to claim 11, wherein the packaging device further comprises at least one vacuum device for applying a vacuum to the pressure reservoir.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The packaging device according to claim 12, wherein the packaging device is adapted to apply the vacuum to the pressure reservoir when the carrier element is located in at least one application position of the transport device.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The packaging device according claim 13, wherein the packaging device further comprises at least one loading device, wherein the loading device is adapted to load at least one package onto the receiving surface of the carrier element located in the application position, wherein the package is pressed onto the application surface by suction exerted by the vacuum inside the pressure reservoir.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The packaging device according to claim 11, wherein the packaging device further comprises at least one receiver, wherein the receiver is adapted to wireless sly receive at least one pressure information indicating the pressure inside the pressure reservoir.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The packaging device according to claim 15, wherein the receiver is further adapted for receiving at least one identification information of the carrier element transmitting the pressure information.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

A method for packaging at least one product into at least one package, wherein the packaging device according to claim 11 is used, the method comprising the following steps:
at least one first loading step, wherein in the first loading step at least one package is loaded onto the at least one carrier element of the packaging device, wherein the package is fixed to the receiving surface of the carrier element by suction;
at least one second loading step, wherein in the second loading step at least one product is loaded into the package;
at least one measuring step, wherein in the measuring step the pressure inside the pressure reservoir of the carrier element is measured by using the pressure sensor, thereby generating at least one pressure information indicating the pressure inside the pressure reservoir of the carrier element; and at least one removal step, wherein in the removal step the package is removed from the carrier element.