Modular sample store

{
  "publication_number": "US9723832B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Modular sample store",
  "abstract": "A modular sample store including a storage area; a service area; a transfer area; a motorized robot with a lifting device and at least one platform; and a controller. The sample store service area includes one integrally formed cubic vat module and the sample store storage area includes at least one integrally formed cubic vat module. Each one of the aforementioned vat modules includes an essentially horizontal vat floor and four joining vat walls that are connected to the vat floor and that are leaving an open vat space. The modular sample store also includes upper side walls and a cover plate to close the sample store. Each vat floor and vat wall includes an outside liner and an inside liner, which outside and inside liners in each case are separated by a clearance. This clearance is essentially filled with a polymer foam material that provides fixation of the outside and inside liners to each other as well as thermal insulation of and reinforcement to the thus integrally formed cubic vat module sandwich construction.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A modular sample store comprising: storage stacks; a storage area configured for storing the storage stacks, each storage stack holding at least one sample container; a transfer area located above the storage area; and a motorized robot located in the transfer area, the motorized robot including a picker, an insulated hood and a lifting device, the lifting device being configured to at least partially lift a predetermined one of the storage stacks into the insulated hood from the storage area and up to a position which is accessible by the picker, wherein the motorized robot is configured to, place the picker into the insulated hood, engage a selected sample container in the predetermined storage stack with the picker, and move the picker to remove the selected sample container of the predetermined storage stack from the insulated hood.",
    "2. The modular sample store of claim 1, wherein the motorized robot is further configured to lower the predetermined storage stack back into the storage area.",
    "3. The modular sample store of claim 1, wherein the motorized robot positions the picker below the selected sample container to engage the selected sample container.",
    "4. The modular sample store of claim 3, wherein the motorized robot incrementally lowers the storage stack with the lifting device so that the selected sample container is placed upon the picker.",
    "5. The modular sample store of claim 1, wherein the motorized robot places the picker into the insulated hood in a first direction to engage the selected sample container and moves the picker in a second direction opposite the first direction to remove the selected sample container.",
    "6. The modular sample store of claim 1, wherein the motorized robot further comprises a platform having a carrier.",
    "7. The modular sample store of claim 1, wherein the motorized robot further comprises a sample container lifting module configured to lift the selected sample container from the picker.",
    "8. A method for storing and providing samples, comprising: lifting a predetermined storage stack into an insulated hood with a lifting device of a motorized robot to a position where a selected sample container of the predetermined storage stack is accessible by a picker of the motorized robot; placing the picker into the insulated hood, engaging the selected sample container with the picker; and moving the picker to remove the selected sample container of the predetermined storage stack from the insulated hood.",
    "9. The method for storing and providing samples of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises lowering the storage stack to its lowermost position with the lifting device into a sample store storage area.",
    "10. The method for storing and providing samples of claim 8, further comprising positioning the picker below the selected sample container to engage the selected sample container.",
    "11. The method for storing and providing samples of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises incrementally lowering the predetermined storage stack with the lifting device so that the selected sample container is placed upon the picker.",
    "12. The method for storing and providing samples of claim 8, further comprising placing the picker into the insulated hood in a first direction to engage the selected sample container and moving the picker in a second direction opposite the first direction to remove the selected sample container."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field\n\nThis patent application refers to a modular sample store for storing biological, chemical and/or biochemical samples. More particularly, this application refers to a temperature controlled modular sample store for storing such samples at controlled temperature conditions, in the range of +25° C. to −20° C. Most particularly, this application refers to a temperature controlled modular low temperature sample store for storing such samples at controlled temperature conditions, in the range of −25° C. to −90° C.\n\nAccording to aspects of the disclosed embodiment, such a sample store includes:\n\n(a) a storage area for taking up a number of storage stacks, which are accomplished for being inserted in an essentially vertical direction and for storing sample containers therein;\n\n(b) a service area that is located adjacent to the storage area;\n\n(c) a transfer area that is located above the storage area and the service area; (d) a motorized robot that is located in the transfer area and that is movable in at least one essentially horizontal direction; and\n\n(e) a controller (10) for controlling all actions and movements of the motorized robot (7).\n\nTypically, the robot comprises a lifting device for lifting storage stacks at least partially out of the storage area and into the transfer area and for lowering storage stacks into the storage area and at least one platform for transporting at least one sample container within the transfer area.\n\n2. Brief Description of Related Developments",
  "cpc": [
    "A01N 1/0263",
    "A01N 1/146",
    "A47F 5/00",
    "B65G 1/0464",
    "B65G 1/06",
    "F25D 25/04",
    "F25D 2500/06",
    "F25D 29/00",
    "G01N 2035/00326",
    "G01N 2035/00435",
    "G01N 2035/00445",
    "G01N 35/0099",
    "G01N 35/1095",
    "Y10T 29/49826"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01N 1/02",
    "A47F 5/00",
    "B65G 1/04",
    "B65G 1/06",
    "B65G 65/00",
    "G01N 35/00",
    "G01N 35/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Brooks Automation Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Johann Camenisch",
    "Beat Reuteler",
    "Mirko Hebenstreit",
    "Jurg Tanner",
    "Christian Cachelin"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-10-19",
  "publication_date": "2017-08-08",
  "grant_date": "2017-08-08",
  "priority_date": "2009-10-19",
  "application_number": "US-200913501890-A",
  "family_id": "42229238",
  "cited_by_count": 22,
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}