Device and method for retrieving or replacing a tray within a storage compartment
US7635246B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/114165
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.