The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 2015
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2011
Julian Warhurst, Ashland, MA (US);
Bruce Zandi, Lexington, MA (US);
Alexander Carbone, Northridge, MA (US);
Frank Hunt, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Robert Cloutier, Lancaster, MA (US);
James O'toole, Franklin, MA (US);
Elizabeth Alexander, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Julian Warhurst, Ashland, MA (US);
Bruce Zandi, Lexington, MA (US);
Alexander Carbone, Northridge, MA (US);
Frank Hunt, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Robert Cloutier, Lancaster, MA (US);
James O'Toole, Franklin, MA (US);
Elizabeth Alexander, Shrewsbury, MA (US);
Hamilton Storage Technologies, Inc., Franklin, MA (US);
Abstract
A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. −80° C. or −135° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about −140° C. to −196° C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about −80° C., about −135° C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment. Thermal stratification inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment in which tube picking occurs from the upper compartment in which active electrical and mechanical components are located, and also inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment via an access door for tube storage racks.