# US 11,110,464 B2 · Sample container carrier, laboratory sample distribution system and laboratory automation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,464 B2 - Document ID: US11110464B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/127,869 - Filed: 2018-09-11 - Published: 2019-03-14 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-13 - Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. - Applicants: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. - Inventors: Rudolf Durco; Marcel Kaeppeli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110464B2 ## CPC - B01L 9/06: Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders - G01N 35/04: Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} - B01L 2200/023: adapted for different sizes of tubes, tips or container - B01L 2200/025: Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other - B65G 47/842: {the article-engaging elements being grippers} - B65G 2201/0261: Puck as article support - G01N 2035/0406: {Individual bottles or tubes} - G01N 2035/0429: {Sample carriers adapted for special purposes} - G01N 2035/0477: {Magnetic} - G01N 2035/0489: {Self-propelled units} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - 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) - 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 sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample container carrier for holding a laboratory sample container and for transporting the held laboratory sample container in a laboratory sample distribution system, the sample container carrier comprising: a first holding element; a second holding element, wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are translationally displaceable towards and/or away from each other for holding the laboratory sample container, wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are translationally displaced along a parallel plane perpendicular to a central axis; a coupler comprising a lever, wherein the coupler is connected to the first holding element and to the second holding element by the lever such that the coupler couples translational displacements of the first holding element and the second holding element with each other; and a plurality of guiding elements, wherein the plurality of guiding elements is configured to guide the translational displacement/s of the first holding element and/or the second holding element and wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element are/is translationally displaceable mounted to the guiding elements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, wherein the coupler is rotationally moveable such that the coupler couples by its rotational movement the translational displacements of the first holding element and the second holding element with each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element comprises a plurality of jaws for holding the laboratory sample container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sample container carrier according to claim 3, wherein the jaws are distributed around a central axis (CA) in an equidistant and/or equiangular manner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The sample container carrier according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of jaws comprises a corrugation for holding the laboratory sample container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element comprise/s an insertion support, wherein the insertion support is configured to cooperate together with the laboratory sample container to be held such that the holding element comprising the insertion support is translationally displaced when the laboratory sample container is inserted into the sample container carrier. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, further comprises, a retaining element applying a force to the first holding element and/or to the second holding element and/or to the coupler such that the first holding element and the second holding element are force-loaded towards each other for holding the laboratory sample container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of guiding elements comprises a plurality of rails and wherein the plurality of rails is configured to guide the translational displacement/s of the first holding element and/or the second holding element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, wherein the guiding elements are arranged parallel to each other and/or wherein the coupler is arranged between the guiding elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sample container carrier according to claim 1, further comprises a magnetically active element, wherein the magnetically active element is configured to interact with a magnetic field generated by a drive element such that a driving force is applied to the sample container carrier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising: a plurality of sample container carriers according to claim 1; a transport plane, wherein the transport plane is adapted to support the plurality of sample container carriers; a plurality of drive elements, wherein the plurality of drive elements is configured to move the plurality of sample container carriers on the transport plane; and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to control the plurality of drive elements such that the plurality of sample container carriers moves on the transport plane along corresponding transport paths. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The laboratory sample distribution system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of drive elements comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators, wherein the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators is stationary arranged below the transport plane and is configured to generate a magnetic field to move the plurality of sample container carriers on the transport plane, wherein each of the plurality of sample container carriers comprises a magnetically active element, wherein the magnetically active element is configured to interact with the magnetic field generated by the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators such that a driving force is applied to the sample container carrier, and wherein the control device is configured to control the plurality of electro-magnetic actuators such that the plurality of sample container carriers moves on the transport plane along corresponding transport paths. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A laboratory automation system, the laboratory automation system comprising: a plurality of laboratory stations; and a laboratory sample distribution system according to claim 11, wherein the laboratory sample distribution system is configured to distribute the plurality of sample container carriers and/or laboratory sample containers between the laboratory stations.