STORAGE STACKS
First Claim
1. Storage stack for storing sample containers in a low temperature sample store equipped with a robot, the robot acting according to Cartesian X, Y, and Z coordinates for horizontally positioning sample containers in X/Y planes inside of individual storage stacks and for vertically moving individual storage stacks within the low temperature sample store in Z direction between a bottom storage position and elevated access positions;
- the sample store defining a storage area for accommodating an array of storage stacks, the storage area comprising m first lattice constants of an orthogonal lattice in the horizontal X direction and n second lattice constants of said orthogonal lattice in the horizontal Y direction;
the m×
n storage stacks of the storage stack array being accomplished to be oriented adjacent to each other and parallel to the vertical Z direction,wherein each individual storage stack comprises;
(a) first and second rigid lateral support flanges extending in the Z direction and comprising a multitude of storage webs for supporting sample containers inserted into the storage stack;
said storage webs being subsequently grouped in the Z direction in mutual pairs that protrude about the lateral support flanges and that are located thereon on the same Z-level;
(b) a rigid back panel, rigidly linking the lateral support flanges to each other;
(c) a rigid bottom plate, fixed to lower ends of at least one lateral support flange and/or of the back panel; and
(d) a rigid insulation cover, fixed to upper ends of at least one lateral support flange and/or of the back panel, the insulation cover comprising;
(i) a handling plate with a plate circumference surface, and(ii) an insulation block with a block circumference surface;
wherein the m×
n insulation covers of all storage stacks of the storage stack array form an essentially continuous insulation layer on the storage area of the low temperature sample store;
and wherein carrying elements are provided, which carrying elements statically connect the bottom plate of each individual storage stack with a bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store, these carrying elements being accomplished to carry the entire weight of the individual storage stack and all sample containers inserted in this storage stack and to confer this entire weight to the bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A storage stack for storing sample containers in a low temperature sample store. The low temperature sample store is equipped with a robot that acts according to Cartesian X, Y, and Z coordinates for horizontally positioning sample containers in X/Y planes inside of individual storage stacks and for vertically moving individual storage stacks within the low temperature sample store in Z direction. The sample store defines a storage area for accommodating an array of m×n storage stacks that are accomplished to be oriented adjacent to each other and parallel to the vertical Z direction. Each individual storage stack includes first and second rigid lateral support flanges extending in the Z direction and including a multitude of storage webs for supporting sample containers inserted into the storage stack; a rigid back panel, rigidly linking the lateral support flanges to each other; a rigid bottom plate, fixed to lower ends of at least one lateral support flange and/or of the back panel; and a rigid insulation cover, fixed to upper ends of at least one lateral support flange and/or of the back panel. The insulation cover includes a handling plate and an insulation block. A number of m×n insulation covers of all storage stacks of a storage stack array form an essentially continuous insulation layer on a storage area of the low temperature sample store. For all storage stacks, carrying elements are provided. These carrying elements statically connect the bottom plate of each individual storage stack with a bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store. These carrying elements are accomplished to carry the entire weight of the individual storage stack and all sample containers inserted in this storage stack and to confer this entire weight to a bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. Storage stack for storing sample containers in a low temperature sample store equipped with a robot, the robot acting according to Cartesian X, Y, and Z coordinates for horizontally positioning sample containers in X/Y planes inside of individual storage stacks and for vertically moving individual storage stacks within the low temperature sample store in Z direction between a bottom storage position and elevated access positions;
- the sample store defining a storage area for accommodating an array of storage stacks, the storage area comprising m first lattice constants of an orthogonal lattice in the horizontal X direction and n second lattice constants of said orthogonal lattice in the horizontal Y direction;
the m×
n storage stacks of the storage stack array being accomplished to be oriented adjacent to each other and parallel to the vertical Z direction,wherein each individual storage stack comprises; (a) first and second rigid lateral support flanges extending in the Z direction and comprising a multitude of storage webs for supporting sample containers inserted into the storage stack;
said storage webs being subsequently grouped in the Z direction in mutual pairs that protrude about the lateral support flanges and that are located thereon on the same Z-level;(b) a rigid back panel, rigidly linking the lateral support flanges to each other; (c) a rigid bottom plate, fixed to lower ends of at least one lateral support flange and/or of the back panel; and (d) a rigid insulation cover, fixed to upper ends of at least one lateral support flange and/or of the back panel, the insulation cover comprising; (i) a handling plate with a plate circumference surface, and (ii) an insulation block with a block circumference surface;
wherein the m×
n insulation covers of all storage stacks of the storage stack array form an essentially continuous insulation layer on the storage area of the low temperature sample store;and wherein carrying elements are provided, which carrying elements statically connect the bottom plate of each individual storage stack with a bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store, these carrying elements being accomplished to carry the entire weight of the individual storage stack and all sample containers inserted in this storage stack and to confer this entire weight to the bottom structure of the storage area of the low temperature sample store. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- the sample store defining a storage area for accommodating an array of storage stacks, the storage area comprising m first lattice constants of an orthogonal lattice in the horizontal X direction and n second lattice constants of said orthogonal lattice in the horizontal Y direction;
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21. (canceled)
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22. A method for sealing thermal separation of a storage area and a transfer area in a low temperature sample store, comprising:
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providing a storage area that comprises m first lattice constants of an orthogonal lattice in the horizontal X direction and n second lattice constants of said orthogonal lattice in the horizontal Y direction is provided; providing a number of m×
n storage stacks and arranging the storage stacks in a storage stack array;providing a resilient circumferential seal for each storage stack that partially protrudes on all sides beyond the circumference surfaces of the handling plate and insulation block of the insulation cover where the seal is produced from polyethylene foam.
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Specification