US 12,241,906 B2
Laboratory sample distribution system
Yin Cai, Munich (DE)
Assigned to ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/444,059.
Claims priority of application No. 20191698 (EP), filed on Aug. 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0057420 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); B65G 54/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [B65G 54/02 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0261 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0406 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0418 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0477 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A laboratory sample distribution system, comprising:
a number of sample container carriers;
a number of transport modules, wherein each transport module comprises a transport surface, wherein the number of transport modules are arranged adjacent to one another in a row-direction and/or in a column-direction such that the transport surfaces of transport modules arranged adjacent to one another together form a common transport surface,
each of the number of transport modules further comprises a controllable drive means arranged below the transport surface and adapted to move the sample container carriers on top of the common transport surface,
at least some transport modules of the number of transport modules are movable transport modules adapted to be moved during operation of the laboratory sample distribution system such that:
a gap is formed between transport modules arranged in the row-direction and/or the column-direction, and/or
a gap is closed between transport modules arranged in the row-direction and/or the column-direction; and
a proximity sensor sensing a user in proximity to the transport modules and in response initiating a movement of the movable transport modules and thereby forming the gap in the transport modules sufficient for the user to pass therethrough.