U.S. patent application number 14/475970 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for installation of analytical apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roland Bernet, Adri Grefhorst, Bruno Koch, Franz Lindegger, Jeroen Wildenbeest.
Application Number | 20150351535 14/475970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49182099 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150351535 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Bernet; Roland ; et
al. |
December 10, 2015 |
INSTALLATION OF ANALYTICAL APPARATUS
Abstract
An analytical apparatus to be installed on a substantially
horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory is presented. The
apparatus comprises a bottom side and an upper working side, the
bottom side having at least three casters for rolling the apparatus
on a surface and at least two feet. The casters have a fixed height
and at least one caster is higher than the other casters so that
the apparatus is unbalanced when it is rolled on the surface. The
at least two feet are individually adjustable in height so that
when the height of the feet is adjusted the upper working side is
leveled and the apparatus rests on the at least two feet and the
higher caster. An analytical system comprising the analytical
apparatus and a method of installing the analytical apparatus and
the system are also described.
Inventors: |
Bernet; Roland; (Immensee,
CH) ; Grefhorst; Adri; (Ad Varsselder, NL) ;
Koch; Bruno; (Steinhausen, CH) ; Lindegger;
Franz; (Sempach, CH) ; Wildenbeest; Jeroen;
(La Lichtenvoorde, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. |
Indianapolis |
IN |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150069893 A1 |
March 12, 2015 |
|
|
Family ID: |
49182099 |
Appl. No.: |
14/475970 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/249.8;
29/428; 414/800 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 9/02 20130101; A47B
91/002 20130101; G01N 2035/00306 20130101; B60B 33/00 20130101;
A47B 81/00 20130101; B60B 33/0002 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
G01N 35/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00; A47B 91/00 20060101 A47B091/00; B60B 33/00 20060101
B60B033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2013 |
EP |
13183998.7 |
Claims
1. An analytical apparatus to be installed on a substantially
horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory, the analytical
apparatus comprising: an upper working side; and a bottom side
having attached thereto at least three casters for rolling the
apparatus on a surface and at least two feet, wherein the at least
three casters have a fixed height and at least one caster is higher
than the other casters so that the apparatus is unbalanced when it
is rolled on the surface and wherein the at least two feet are
individually adjustable in height so that when the height of the
feet is adjusted, the upper working side is leveled and the
apparatus rests on the at least two feet and the higher caster.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side is
rectangular and comprises a rear edge, a front edge opposite to the
rear edge, and two lateral edges.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the higher caster is
located at a corner between the rear edge and a lateral edge, one
of the at least two feet is located at a corner between the front
edge and the same lateral edge, and the other of the at least two
feet is located at an intermediate position of the other lateral
edge.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the higher caster is
10 mm higher than the other casters.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a
weight below 500 Kg.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a
footprint of less than 1 m.sup.2.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising fastening
elements for coupling another apparatus or a module having an upper
working side such that when the upper working side of the apparatus
is leveled, the upper working side of the module is also
leveled.
8. An analytical system comprising an analytical apparatus
according to claim 7 and a module coupled to the analytical
apparatus.
9. An analytical system comprising a plurality of apparatuses
according to claim 1 coupled directly to each other or via at least
one intermediate module wherein the upper working sides of the
respective apparatuses/modules are equally leveled.
10. A method of installing an apparatus according to claim 1 on a
substantially horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory, the
method comprising: rolling the apparatus on at least three casters
to a desired installation position on the surface; and adjusting
the height of the at least two feet until the upper working side is
leveled and the apparatus rests on the at least two feet and the
higher caster.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, coupling
a module to the apparatus.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein coupling the module
to the apparatus comprises, rolling the module and/or the apparatus
until the module and the apparatus are positioned next to each
other, and attaching the module to a side of the apparatus so that
the module hangs from the apparatus.
13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, coupling
a plurality of apparatuses directly to each other or via at least
one intermediate module.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising, adjusting
the height of the at least two feet of each apparatus until the
upper working sides of the respective apparatuses/modules are
equally leveled.
15. A method of re-installing an apparatus on a substantially
horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory, the method
comprising: de-installing an apparatus previously installed
according to the method of claim 10, wherein de-installing
comprises adjusting the height of the at least two feet so that the
apparatus rests on the at least three casters and optionally
rolling the apparatus out of the installation position; and
repeating any of the steps of claim 10.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of EP 13183998.7, filed
Sep. 11, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an analytical
apparatus to be installed on a surface of a diagnostic laboratory,
to an analytical system comprising the analytical apparatus and to
a method of installing the analytical apparatus and system.
[0003] Analytical apparatuses are typically complex instruments
with several operational moving parts. In order to ensure proper
functioning, the apparatus has to be leveled. This is even more
important with more complex systems comprising a plurality of
analytical apparatuses and/or additional modules coupled to each
other, where often one or more operational parts are shared between
them. It is, for example, possible that a sample is transported
from one apparatus or module to another apparatus or module along a
transportation unit, e.g. a transportation band, or that a robotic
arm is translated along a guiderail back and forth between two or
more apparatuses or modules. It is thus important that each
apparatus is equally leveled so that there is operational
continuity between parts.
[0004] Given that the surfaces on which such apparatuses and
systems are installed are in general not exactly planar, a
mechanism is required for proper positioning and leveling.
[0005] For apparatuses of a certain size and weight, which enable
manual installation without particular handling tools, it is
desirable to have such a positioning and leveling mechanism
directly integrated into the apparatus, in order to minimize the
number of parts to be mounted and the installation time.
[0006] The use of feet attached to the bottom of an apparatus and
having an adjustable height is known in the art. The use of casters
for easily transporting and moving the apparatus is also known. The
combination of adjustable feet and casters is known.
[0007] There is a need for a combination and configuration of feet
with adjustable height and casters, which has several advantages
over the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to the present disclosure, an analytical apparatus
to be installed on a substantially horizontal surface of a
diagnostic laboratory is presented. The analytical apparatus can
comprise an upper working side and a bottom side having attached
thereto at least three casters for rolling the apparatus on a
surface and at least two feet. The at least three casters can have
a fixed height and at least one caster can be higher than the other
casters so that the apparatus may be unbalanced when it is rolled
on the surface. The at least two feet can be individually
adjustable in height so that when the height of the feet is
adjusted, the upper working side can be leveled and the apparatus
can rest on the at least two feet and the higher caster.
[0009] Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiments of the
present disclosure to provide for a combination and configuration
of feet with adjustable height and casters. Other features of the
embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of
the description of the disclosure embodied herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The following detailed description of specific embodiments
of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in
conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is
indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a front view of an
analytical apparatus before installation according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the bottom side of the
analytical apparatus of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically the same front view of the
analytical apparatus of FIG. 1 after installation according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a side view of the same
analytical apparatus of FIG. 3 after installation according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically an analytical apparatus and
a module to be coupled to the analytical apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically an installed analytical
system comprising the analytical apparatus and the module of FIG. 5
coupled to each other according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an installed analytical system comprising
two analytical apparatuses coupled to an intermediate module
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following detailed description of the embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part
hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, and not by
way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may
be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
[0019] An "analytical apparatus" can be a laboratory automated
instrument dedicated to the analysis of samples for in vitro
diagnostics. Examples of such analytical apparatuses can be
clinical chemistry analyzers, coagulation analyzers,
immunochemistry analyzers, hematology analyzers, urine analyzers,
nucleic acid analyzers, used for the qualitative and/or
quantitative detection of analytes present in the samples, to
detect the result of chemical or biological reactions or to monitor
the progress of chemical or biological reactions. The analytical
apparatus can comprise functional units for pipetting and/or mixing
of samples and/or reagents. The pipetting unit may comprise a
reusable washable needle, for example, a steel needle, or be
configured to use disposable pipette tips. The analytical apparatus
may comprise a reagent holding unit for holding reagents to perform
the analysis. Reagents may be arranged for example in the form of
containers or cassettes containing individual reagents or group of
reagents, placed in appropriate receptacles or positions within a
storage compartment or conveyor. It may comprise a consumable
feeding unit, for example, for feeding reaction vessels. The
analytical apparatus can further comprise one or more mixing units,
comprising, for example, a shaker to shake a cuvette or vessel
comprising a liquid or a mixing paddle to mix liquids in a cuvette
or reagent container. The analytical apparatus can further comprise
a particular detection system and follow a particular workflow, for
example, execute a number of processing steps, which are optimized
for certain types of analysis.
[0020] The analytical apparatus may have different configurations
according to the need and/or according to the desired laboratory
workflow. Additional configurations may be obtained by coupling a
plurality of apparatuses together and/or adding modules. The term
"module" can herein be used to indicate a work cell, typically
smaller in size and weight than the analytical apparatus, which can
have an auxiliary function to the analytical function of an
analytical apparatus and can work only together with an analytical
apparatus. In particular, a module can cooperate with one or more
analytical apparatuses for carrying out dedicated tasks of a sample
processing workflow, which can occur for example before or after
analysis of the sample, e.g. by performing one or more
pre-analytical and/or post-analytical steps. Examples of the
pre-analytical and/or post-analytical steps can be loading and/or
unloading and/or transporting and/or storing sample tubes or racks
comprising sample tubes, loading and/or unloading and/or
transporting and/or storing reagent containers or cassettes,
loading and/or unloading and/or transporting and/or storing and/or
washing reagent vessels such as, for example, cuvettes, loading
and/or unloading and/or transporting and/or storing pipette tips or
tip racks, reading and/or writing information bearing codes, for
example, barcodes or RFID tags, washing pipette tips or needles or
reaction vessels, for example, cuvettes, mixing paddles, mixing of
samples with other liquid, e.g. reagents, solvents, diluents,
buffers, decapping, recapping, pipetting, aliquoting, centrifuging,
and the like. An example of such a module can be a sample loading
and/or unloading unit for loading/unloading sample tubes.
[0021] The term "coupling" or "coupled" can refer either to the
coupling of two analytical apparatuses or to the coupling of at
least one analytical apparatus to at least one module in a manner
that functional cooperation and/or synergies, for example, by
sharing of functional units, are enabled.
[0022] The term "sample" can refer to a material suspected of
containing an analyte of interest. The sample can be derived from
any biological source, such as a physiological fluid, including,
blood, saliva, ocular lens fluid, cerebral spinal fluid, sweat,
urine, milk, ascites fluid, mucous, synovial fluid, peritoneal
fluid, amniotic fluid, tissue, cells or the like. The test sample
can be pretreated prior to use, such as preparing plasma from
blood, diluting viscous fluids, lysis or the like; methods of
treatment can involve filtration, distillation, concentration,
inactivation of interfering components, and the addition of
reagents. A sample may be used directly as obtained from the source
or following a pretreatment to modify the character of the sample,
e.g. after being diluted with another solution or after having
being mixed with reagents e.g. to carry out one or more diagnostic
analyses like e.g. clinical chemistry assays, immunoassays,
coagulation assays, nucleic acid testing, and the like. The term
"sample" can therefore not be only used for the original sample but
can also relate to a sample which has already been processed
(pipetted, diluted, mixed with reagents, enriched, having been
purified, having been centrifuged, etc.). As used herein, the term
"analyte" can refer to a compound or composition to be detected or
measured, i.e. analyzed.
[0023] Analytical apparatuses and modules can generally comprise an
upper working side including a mount platform, frame or structure,
where most of the functional units can form an automated
workstation. The upper working side can be closed with a cover and
can be made accessible from the outside at least in part by opening
the cover. The cover can be at least partially transparent in order
to follow the operation of the functional units on the upper
working side.
[0024] The analytical apparatus described herein can comprise a
bottom side having attached thereto at least three casters for
rolling the apparatus on a surface. The term "caster" can refer to
a wheel that can be mounted to the bottom of an object, in this
case the bottom side of an analytical apparatus or module, so as to
enable that object to be easily moved, e.g. by pulling and/or
pushing the object, so that the object can roll on a surface. Any
type of caster known in the art can in principle be used as long as
it can sustain the weight of the object. A caster can be rigid,
basically comprising a wheel mounted to a stationary fork. The
orientation of the fork, which can be fixed relative to the object,
can determine when the caster can be mounted to the bottom side.
Rigid casters tend to restrict motion so that the object can travel
along a straight line. Swivel casters incorporate a wheel mounted
to a fork, but an additional swivel joint above the fork can allow
the fork to freely rotate about 360.degree., thus enabling the
wheel to roll in any direction. This can make it possible to easily
move the object in any direction without changing its orientation.
Alternatively, spherical wheels, generally comprising a spherical
ball mounted inside a restraining fixture, can be used. Common
inexpensive casters may include a brake, which can prevent the
wheel from turning. This can be commonly achieved using a lever
that presses a brake cam against the wheel. According to an
embodiment, at least one of the casters can be a swivel caster or
of the ball type. According to an embodiment, at least one of the
casters can include a brake.
[0025] The casters of the analytical apparatus can have a fixed
height, meaning that the distance from the bottom of the wheel to
the bottom side of the analytical apparatus can remain constant for
each caster individually. However, this distance can be longer for
one the casters than for the other casters, i.e. one of the casters
can be higher than the other casters. This caster can be referred
to as the "higher caster". According to certain embodiments, the
higher caster can be about 5 mm (millimeters) to about 15 mm higher
than the other casters. According to an embodiment, the higher
caster can be about 10 mm higher than the other casters. This
height difference between the casters can result in an unbalanced
rolling of the analytical apparatus on a substantially flat
horizontal surface. In other words, the distance of the bottom side
of the analytical apparatus from the surface can be larger at the
point where the higher caster is mounted and smaller where the
other casters are mounted, resulting in a slight tilt of the
apparatus. Also, in case more than three casters are mounted, e.g.
four casters, the analytical apparatus can normally rest on only
three casters at a time in contact with the surface, one of which
can be the higher caster. This unbalanced arrangement can be
acceptable for short distances, e.g. for a few meters, e.g. when
moving the analytical apparatus from a transportation pallet to an
installation position on the surface of a laboratory.
[0026] The analytical apparatus can further comprise at least two
adjustable feet attached to the bottom side. The term "foot" or
"feet" can refer to a rigid elevation element on which the
analytical apparatus can rest when installed on a surface and
capable of maintaining the bottom side elevated with respect to the
surface. The term "adjustable" can relate to the capability of the
feet to be adjusted upwards or downwards independently of each
other. Thus, each foot can be individually adjustable in height so
that when the height of the feet is adjusted, the upper working
side can be leveled and the apparatus can rest on the at least two
feet and the higher caster. The adjustable height range can be, for
example, of a few millimeters or of a few centimeters, for example,
about plus/minus approximately 1 centimeter or more, so that the
total height of each foot can be about the height of the higher
caster plus/minus the adjustable height range when the analytical
apparatus is installed on a surface.
[0027] Any type of adjustable feet known in the art can in
principle be used as long as they can sustain the weight of the
object resting on them. One of the simplest forms of adjustable
foot can comprise a spindle and threaded nut mechanism, where
height adjustment can be achieved by screwing the nut relative to
the spindle.
[0028] The term "surface" as used herein can relate to an area at
least as large as the footprint of the analytical apparatus, on
which the analytical apparatus is to be installed, and which can be
substantially horizontal. The surface may include a floor of a
laboratory or a platform placed on or above the floor, including a
table top or a fixture hanging from a wall or from a ceiling. The
term "substantially horizontal" can refer to nearly flat and planar
appearance, which may however be uneven, can comprise, for example,
recesses, bulging parts or inclinations, not necessarily visible by
eye.
[0029] The term "installed" or "installation" can refer to an even
leveled position of the analytical apparatus at a desired location,
which can enable the apparatus to function according to the
specifications and expectations. The term "installing" thus can
include positioning, i.e. placing an analytical apparatus at a
desired location on a surface, for example, by rolling, and
leveling the apparatus by adjusting the height of the feet such as
to compensate for eventual unevenness of the surface.
[0030] The apparatus may comprise one more integrated levels, for
example, circular levels, e.g. on the upper working side to
facilitate the leveling process. For example, one or more circular
levels may be located at particular positions of the upper working
side where leveling is most important.
[0031] According to certain embodiments, the bottom side can be
substantially rectangular and can comprise a rear edge, a front
edge adjacent to an accessible front side and opposite to the rear
edge, and two lateral edges. According to an embodiment, the higher
caster can be located at a corner between the rear edge and a
lateral edge, a first foot can be located at a corner between the
front edge and the same lateral edge, and a second foot can be
located at an intermediate position of the other lateral edge. This
arrangement can allow comfortable access to both adjustable feet
for height adjustment even when the analytical apparatus is
installed at a corner of a room with the rear edge and a lateral
edge both close to a respective wall, where "close" can mean that
the distance can be small enough for a person not to be able to
walk between the analytical apparatus and the wall, but possibly
large enough for an arm to reach the second foot. Alternatively,
the second foot may be located at a distance from the front edge,
which can be reachable with an arm and/or, for example, a screwing
tool from the bottom side.
[0032] According to certain embodiments, the analytical apparatus
can have a weight below about 500 Kg.
[0033] According to certain embodiments, the analytical apparatus
can have a footprint of less than about 1 square meter
(m.sup.2).
[0034] Analytical apparatuses in this weight and footprint range
can be more easily handed during transportation and installation
and can be installed on most surfaces of analytical laboratories,
which can normally stand such a load per square meter.
[0035] According to some embodiments, the analytical apparatus can
comprise at least one side comprising fastening elements for
hanging a module having an upper working side such that when the
upper working side of the analytical apparatus is leveled, the
upper working side of the module can also be leveled. The fastening
elements may otherwise be configured for coupling two analytical
apparatuses side by side.
[0036] An analytical system is also disclosed. According to certain
embodiments, the system can comprise an analytical apparatus and a
module coupled to the analytical apparatus such as to hang from one
side of the analytical apparatus with its upper working side
equally leveled with the upper working side of the analytical
apparatus.
[0037] According to some embodiments, the system can comprise a
plurality of analytical apparatuses coupled directly to each other
side by side or via at least one intermediate module wherein the
upper working sides of the respective apparatuses/modules can be
equally leveled.
[0038] A method of installing an apparatus on a substantially
horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory is herein also
described. The method can comprise rolling the apparatus on at
least three casters, one of which being higher than the other
casters, to a desired installation position on the surface and
adjusting the height of the at least two feet until the upper
working side is leveled and the apparatus can rest on the at least
two feet and the higher caster.
[0039] Thus, the height of the adjustable feet can be at the
beginning shorter than the height of the casters so that when the
analytical apparatus is rolled, they do not contact the surface.
Once the apparatus has reached the desired installation position,
the height of the adjustable feet can be increased as necessary
until the apparatus is leveled. At the end of this operation, the
apparatus can rest on the adjustable feet and on the higher caster,
while contact between the surface and the other casters is normally
lost.
[0040] The method may further comprise coupling a module to the
apparatus, where coupling the module to the apparatus can comprise
rolling the module and/or the apparatus until the module and the
apparatus are positioned next to each other, lifting and attaching
the module to a side of the apparatus so that the module can hang
from the apparatus.
[0041] Thus, a module may also comprise casters, for example, 4
casters, e.g. having the same height, for rolling the module to a
desired position. Once the analytical apparatus is installed,
contact between the module and the surface can normally be lost as
the module hangs from the analytical apparatus and can remain
suspended above the surface. Alternatively, a module may comprise a
bottom side similar to that of an analytical apparatus and be
configured to be installed analogously to an analytical
apparatus.
[0042] According to some embodiments, the method can comprise
coupling a plurality of apparatuses directly to each other or via
at least one intermediate module. The method can comprise adjusting
the height of the at least two feet of each apparatus until the
upper working sides of the respective apparatuses/modules are
equally leveled.
[0043] A method of re-installing an apparatus on a substantially
horizontal surface of a diagnostic laboratory is also described.
The method can comprise de-installing an apparatus previously
installed. De-installing can comprise adjusting the height of the
at least two feet so that the apparatus can rest on the at least
three casters and optionally rolling the apparatus out of the
installation position. The method can further comprise repeating
any of the above described installation steps. For example, an
analytical apparatus may be de-installed in order to facilitate
service or for relocation to another installation position. Also,
an original configuration may be changed at a later stage by, for
example, coupling one or more modules and/or one or more analytical
apparatuses. In such cases, it may be advantageous to first
de-install the previously installed analytical apparatus or system,
possibly including rolling the apparatus out of the installation
position, to attach then one or more analytical apparatuses and/or
modules according to the desired new configuration, to move then
all together to the original installation position or to a new
position and to repeat the installation procedure by adjusting the
feet. Even in case the previously installed analytical apparatus or
system is not moved before attaching other modules and/or other
analytical apparatuses, it may be advantageous to de-install the
previously installed analytical apparatus so that the installation
procedure can be repeated ex-novo in order to take into account the
newly added parts and ensure that equal leveling for all can be
achieved.
[0044] There are many advantages of the proposed system. One
advantage can be that the complexity of the mechanism can be
minimized. The mechanism can also be inexpensive and compact.
Another advantage can be that the installation time can be reduced.
Another advantage can be that it can enable easy installation
regardless of space availability. For example, installation can be
made possible in small rooms with limited space for maneuverability
or difficult accessibility. Also space can be gained, by making it
possible to install the apparatus, for example, close to the walls
at the corner of a room. For the same reason, serviceability can
also be improved. This can be achieved with a minimum of two feet
having adjustable height and three casters having a fixed height
attached to the bottom side of the apparatus.
[0045] Referring initially to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
show schematically a front view and a bottom view respectively of
an analytical apparatus 100 to be installed on a substantially
horizontal surface 10 of a diagnostic laboratory. The apparatus 100
can comprise a bottom side 20, an upper working side 40 and a front
side 52 from which the upper work side can be accessible. The
bottom side 20 can be substantially rectangular and can comprise a
rear edge 21, a front edge 22 adjacent to the front side 52 and
opposite to the rear edge 21, and two lateral edges 23, 24 forming
four corners.
[0046] The bottom side 20 can also comprise four casters 31, 32,
33, 34, attached to respective corners of the bottom side 20, for
rolling the apparatus 100 on the surface 10. The casters 31, 32,
33, 34 can have a fixed height and, in one embodiment, casters 31,
32, 33 can have the same height, whereas caster 34 can be about 10
mm higher than the other casters 31, 32, 33. Caster 34 can be
referred to as the higher caster and, in this example, can be
located at a corner between the rear edge 21 and a lateral edge 24.
This arrangement can result in an unbalanced, tilted condition of
the analytical apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 1, with only three
casters at a time being in contact with the surface 10, one of
which being the higher caster 34. Which of the other three casters
31, 32, 33, is out of contact with the surface at a given time can
depend on the barycenter of the analytical apparatus 100 and/or on
the direction of the force applied when handling the analytical
apparatus 100. In FIG. 1, caster 33 is shown as an example out of
contact with the surface 10 and the apparatus 100 is slightly
tilted towards the casters 31, 32.
[0047] The apparatus 100 can further comprise two feet 35, 36,
attached to the bottom side 20. One foot 35 can be attached at the
corner between the front edge 22 and the lateral edge 24 next to
caster 33. The other foot 36 can be located at an intermediate
position of the other lateral edge 23 between casters 31, 32. The
feet 35, 36 can be individually adjustable in height and are shown
in a retracted position in FIG. 1 with a height shorter than the
height of the casters 31, 32, 33, 34, such as to be out of contact
with the surface 10 and allow free rolling of the apparatus 100 on
the casters 31, 32, 33, 34.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows schematically the same front view of the
analytical apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 after installation. For
installing the analytical apparatus 100 on the surface 10, the
apparatus 100 can be rolled on the casters 31, 32, 33, 34 to a
desired installation position on the surface 10. The height of the
feet 35, 36 can then be adjusted so that they are now higher than
the casters 31, 32, 33 and the apparatus rests only the two feet
35, 36 and the higher caster 34 in contact with the surface 10,
while the casters 31, 32, 33, have lost contact with the surface
10. More in particular, the height of the feet 35, 36 can be
individually adjusted so that the upper working side 40 is
leveled.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows schematically a side view of the same installed
analytical apparatus 100 of FIG. 3.
[0050] The apparatus 100 can have a weight below about 500 Kg and a
footprint less than about 1 m.sup.2, thereby occupying an area of
the surface 10, which can be less than about 1 m.sup.2.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows schematically an analytical apparatus 100' and
a module 200 to be coupled to the analytical apparatus 100'. The
analytical apparatus 100' can be the same as the analytical
apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, with the exception that it can further
comprise fastening elements 55, 56 on one side 54 for coupling with
the module 200. The module 200 can have an upper working side 240
and a bottom side 220. The bottom side 220 can comprise four
casters 231, 232, 233, 234, all having the same height, for rolling
on a surface 10. The module 200 can be shorter than the analytical
apparatus 100'.
[0052] Coupling the module 200 to the apparatus 100'can comprise
rolling the module 200 and/or the apparatus 100' until the module
200 and the apparatus 100' are positioned next to each other,
lifting and attaching the module 200 to the side 54 of the
apparatus using the fastening elements 54, 55 so that the upper
working surface 40 of the analytical apparatus 100' and the upper
working surface 240 of the module 200 can be aligned with each
other.
[0053] Given that the module 200 is shorter than the analytical
apparatus 100', the module 200 can remain at an elevated position
hanging from the side 54 of the apparatus 100' and with the casters
231, 232, 233, 234 out of contact with the surface 10. The
apparatus 100' and the module 200 attached to the apparatus 100'
can then be rolled on the casters 31, 32, 33, 34 of the apparatus
100' to a desired installation position on the surface 10 if
different from the current position. As already described above
with respect to FIG. 3, the height of the feet 35, 36 can then be
individually adjusted so that the upper working side 40 can be
leveled. By leveling the upper working side 40 of the apparatus
100', the upper working side 240 of the module 200 can thereby also
be leveled.
[0054] FIG. 6 shows schematically an installed analytical system
300 comprising the analytical apparatus 100' and the module 200 of
FIG. 5 resulting from this coupling and installation operation.
[0055] FIG. 7 shows an analytical system 400 comprising two
analytical apparatuses 100', 100'' coupled via an intermediate
module 200 and installed in a similar manner. The analytical
apparatus 100' and the module 200 can be the same as those in FIG.
6. The analytical apparatus 100'' can be similar to the analytical
apparatus 100' and can comprise an upper working side 40' and a
bottom side 20'. The bottom side 20' can be the same as the bottom
side 20 of the analytical apparatus 100, 100' of FIGS. 1 to 6,
except that it can be mirrored. Installing the analytical system
400 can comprise, in this case, adjusting the height of the feet
35, 36 of each apparatus 100', 100'' until the upper working sides
40, 40', 240 of the respective apparatuses 100', 100'' and of the
module 200 are equally leveled. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the
module 200 can be out of contact with the surface 10, hanging
between the apparatus 100' and the apparatus 100'' in an elevated
position above the surface 10. According to an embodiment, the
analytical apparatuses 100', 100'' can be coupled directly to each
other.
[0056] Installing the analytical systems 300, 400 may comprise
de-installing an analytical apparatus 100' or analytical system 300
previously installed by adjusting the height of the feet 35, 36 so
that the apparatus 100' can rest on at least three of the casters
31, 32, 33, 34, including caster 34 and optionally rolling the
apparatus 100' or system 300 out of the installation position. The
method can further comprise coupling the module 200 to the
apparatus 100' or the apparatus 100'' to the system 300 and
repeating the installation as above described.
[0057] It is noted that terms like "preferably," "commonly," and
"typically" are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the
claimed embodiments or to imply that certain features are critical,
essential, or even important to the structure or function of the
claimed embodiments. Rather, these terms are merely intended to
highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be
utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0058] For the purposes of describing and defining the present
disclosure, it is noted that the term "substantially" is utilized
herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be
attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or
other representation. The term "substantially" is also utilized
herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative
representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting
in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at
issue.
[0059] Having described the present disclosure in detail and by
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that
modifications and variations are possible without departing from
the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. More
specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are
identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is
contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited
to these preferred aspects of the disclosure.
* * * * *