Apparatus for automated storage and retrieval of miniature shelf keeping units
US7632467B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2300/0851
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An automated pharmaceutical or biotech compound testing system uses a very small molded plastic shelf keeping unit or test tube known as a “minitube”. The minitubes are stored in trays in a standing refrigeration unit and are retrieved by a machine or robot having a die cutting tubular end effector adapted to selectively cut away and remove a minitube from an integrally molded matrix containing hundreds of minitubes (e.g., 384). Upon cutting a selected minitube away from the matrix, the end effector is pushed down over the selected minitube, thus forcing the minitube into the cylindrical interior lumen of the end effector, where it is retained by friction fit until such time as the minitube is to be releaseably locked into a plastic receiving tray. Minitubes are stored in the plastic tray which is adapted to receive and releaseably hold or lock the tubes in place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.