Storage apparatus particularly with automatic insertion and retrieval
US5921102A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/0465
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A storage unit includes a housing with a storage chamber, a carrier disposed inside the chamber for supporting a plurality of specimens in a predetermined array, and an access port on the housing for enabling access to the chamber for insertion and retrieval of specimens from the carrier. The access port includes an opening in the housing and a plug member removably located in the opening. The carrier is provided with a seat for receiving the plug member during an access operation, so that the plug member is located in the chamber during the access operation. A drive is operatively connected to the carrier for moving the carrier in the chamber to juxtapose different specimens to the access port. An insertion and removal mechanism is coupled to the housing for alternately inserting and removing specimens from the chamber via the access port during the access operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.