Depression for feeding ball-shaped bodies and a device for the stacking and distribution of a defined number of ball-shaped bodies

US8162172B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Walter Eberle · Biberach an der Riß, DE
• Peter Guenzl · Penzberg, DE
• Peter Hloch · Penzberg, DE
• Christoph Hundt · Munich, DE
• Thomas Lindner · Polling, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 23, 2007
• Grant date: Apr 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Apr 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D90/60
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and device for the removal of balls from a supply is disclosed. The device has a horizontal plate having one or a plurality of circular orifices of identical size in the form of transcurrent orifices running vertically from the upper side to the lower side. The plate on its upper side exhibits a depression around each orifice, in conjunction with which the base of the depression are curved, the periphery of the depression exhibits an elliptical, oval or spindle-shaped form at the level of the surface of the plate, the mid-point of the orifice in each case lies on the mid-point of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the periphery of the depression, and the base of the depression is inclined towards the mid-point of the orifice along the longitudinal axis.