Apparatus and method for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units

US11566834B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ABT, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Gil Bradford Van Bokkelen · Hudson, US
• Rakesh Ramachandran · Thrissur, IN
• Christopher Bruns · Seven Hills, US
• Christopher Hayes · Boulder, US
• John A. Corey · Troy, US
• Troy M. Coolidge · Victoria, US
• Bruce Edward Frohman · Virginia, US
• Joseph Gordon · Mansfield, US
• Thomas R. Ruth · South Easton, US
• Jacob T. Williams · Golden Valley, US
• Gregory E. Kramer · Minneapolis, US
• Nathan A. Abel · Hemsby, GB
• David John Copeland · Minnetonka, US
• Matthew R. Gill · Cambridge, US
• Steven F. Shane · Edina, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 11, 2020
• Grant date: Jan 31, 2023
• Expiry date: Jan 16, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D2700/122
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.