Anthony R Christopher

US Patent:

6440256, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/597455

Inventors:

Steven J. Gordon - Cambridge MA
Richard P. Sweeney - Winchester MA
Anthony J. Christopher - Cambridge MA
Brett Anderson - Cambridge MA
A. David Boccuti - Cambridge MA
Kevin Walsh - Cambridge MA
Hani Sallum - Cambridge MA
David Ramler - Maple Grove MN
Jim Wolf - Chanhassen MN
Mike Helmbrecht - Blaine MN

Assignee:

Keurig, Incorporated - Wakefield MA

International Classification:

B32B 3104

US Classification:

156293, 156201, 156204, 156217, 156227, 156267, 156270, 1563084

Abstract:

A method of forming and inserting filter elements into cup-shaped containers comprises the steps of: a) folding a continuous web of filter material into two adjacent plies which have separable upper edges and are joined one to the other along a bottom fold line; b) blanking the adjacent plies to form their upper edges into a scalloped pattern; c) inserting carrier mandrels between the adjacent plies; d) joining the adjacent plies along seams extending transversely with respect to the bottom fold line to form a series of collapsed frustoconical filter elements interconnected by scrap segments and supported internally by the carrier mandrels; e) separating the filter elements one from the other by blanking and removing the scrap segments; f) transferring the filter elements from the carrier mandrels into cup-shaped containers arranged therebeneath; and g) securing the thus inserted filter elements to interior surfaces of the cup-shaped containers.

US Patent:

20030026732, Feb 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/179916

Inventors:

Steven Gordon - Weston MA, US
Anthony Christopher - Andover MA, US
Alex Liberman - Sharon MA, US
Richard Keane - Melrose MA, US
Kenneth Caron - Tewksbury MA, US
Hani Sallum - Cambridge MA, US
Jayanth Prabhakar - Bedford NH, US

International Classification:

G01N035/00
B01L003/02
G01N035/10

US Classification:

422/063000, 422/100000, 436/043000, 436/046000, 436/048000, 436/049000, 436/054000, 436/149000, 436/150000, 436/180000

Abstract:

An automated workstation capable of continuous, non-stop processing of specimens includes an environmentally controlled storage area that holds multiple cassettes containing specimen plates. A robotic arm for processing the specimens, e.g., by grasping the plates, moving them from the cassettes to other apparatus contained within the workstation, and placing the plates back in the cassettes. An interlock mechanism prevents the operator and robotic arm from simultaneously accessing a cassette. Novel robotic arms, robotic arm positioning mechanisms, plate handling mechanisms, effector tip/plate washing mechanisms, thin-walled pipetters, back-flushing mechanisms and fluid level detection mechanisms, as well as methods for operating the same, facilitate continuous operation of the workstation along with compactness, high throughput and high accuracy of operation. Narrow, thin-walled capillary-like pipetters serve as both means for acquiring and processing small quantity specimens with high precision.

US Patent:

56011415, Feb 11, 1997

Filed:

Oct 13, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/959775

Inventors:

Steven J. Gordon - Jamaica Plain MA
Anthony J. Christopher - Andover MA

Assignee:

Intelligent Automation Systems, Inc. - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

F25B 2900

US Classification:

165263

Abstract:

A batch thermal cycler for large numbers of biological or chemical samples uses n modules each in good thermal contact with the samples, but substantially isolated from one another, thermally and functionally. Each module carries samples on an upper sample plate. The module has a temperature sensor adjacent the samples, an electrical resistance heating element, and a circulating fluid heat exchanger for step cooling. Heating occurs at a point generally between the samples and the source of the cooling. The modules are individually replaceable. O-rings automatically seal fluid and electrical interfaces. An electrical controller has n simultaneous channels that provide closed loop control of the electrical power to each module. As a method, the invention includes at least one modular temperature zone where the temperature is sensed at a point adjacent the samples in that zone. The samples are heated adjacent the sample plate.

US Patent:

55408893, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

May 11, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/240848

Inventors:

Steven J. Gordon - Boston MA
Anthony J. Christopher - Andover MA

Assignee:

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

B01L 302

US Classification:

422100

Abstract:

An actuator operates an upper plate assembly which holds a plurality of metal rods, such that all the rods are moved together along parallel longitudinal axes into respective tubes. The plurality of tubes is held by a lower plate assembly, a different tube for each rod. Liquid (sample fluid) is drawn into the individual tubes by the actuator raising the upper plate assembly with respect to the lower plate assembly and hence causing the rods to simultaneously traverse the length of the respective tubes from the distal ends of the tubes to the proximal ends of the tubes. The collected liquid is dispensed by the actuator lowering the upper plate assembly such that the metal rods are simultaneously lowered into the corresponding tubes. The rods are lowered very rapidly and stopped abruptly. This imparts sufficient velocity to the collected sample fluid within the tubes such that the samples under inertia separate from and cleanly exit the distal ends of the tubes.