United States Patent [19J
`Helwig et al.
`
`[54] STORAGE DEVICE FOR OBJECTS,
`STORAGE STATION AND AIR-
`CONDITIONED CABINET
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Gunter Helwig, Hanan, Germany;
`Cosmas Malin, Mauren, Liechtenstein
`
`[73] Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products GmbH,
`Hanan, Germany
`
`[21] Appl. No.:
`
`09/043,878
`
`[22] PCT Filed:
`
`Jul. 25, 1997
`
`[86] PCT No.:
`
`PCT/EP97 /04045
`
`§ 371 Date:
`
`Dec. 28, 1998
`
`§ 102(e) Date: Dec. 28, 1998
`
`[87] PCT Pub. No.: W098/05753
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Feb. 12, 1998
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 5, 1996
`May 9, 1997
`
`[DE]
`[CH]
`
`Germany ....................... 296 13 557 U
`Switzerland ............................ 1097/97
`
`Int. Cl? ........................................................ A47F 3/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. .......................... 312/114; 312/9.48; 312/305
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 312/114, 305,
`312/97.1, 9.51, 9.48, 9.45, 9.46, 125, 135,
`9.26, 9.7, 9.31; 414/935, 940; 435/809;
`364/478.01, 478.02
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006129428A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,129,428
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`5,266,272
`5,343,403
`5,449,229
`5,541,897
`5,733,024
`5,735,587
`
`11/1993 Griner et a!.
`.. ... ... .... ... ... ... .. 312/305 X
`...................... 364/478.02
`8/1994 Beidle et a!.
`9/1995 Aschenbrenner et a!. .......... 312/305 X
`7/1996 Baca eta!. ................................ 369/37
`3/1998 Slocum et a!. ....................... 312/223.2
`4/1998 Marlin et a!. .. ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... 312/305
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`165172
`281547
`293782
`681488
`wo 92/14550
`
`12/1985
`9/1988
`12/1988
`5/1930
`9/1992
`
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`France .................................. 312/9.48
`WIPO.
`
`Primary Examiner-Peter M. Cuomo
`Assistant Examiner-James 0. Hansen
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Workman, Nydegger & Seeley
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The object storage device (7) is a carousel and holds objects
`in object carriers (8). They lie only partially on a structure
`of the object storage device (7) and can be lifted up. The
`storage station has a carousel-like object storage device (7)
`and a transport device (11) with an element (50) for holding
`the object carriers (8) which moves the object carriers (8)
`parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the carousel-like
`object storage device (7). The climatic test cabinet (1) has a
`window (6) whose opening can be tightly closed by a sturdy
`casement. The window opening has dimensions such that
`one object carrier (8) at a time can be moved through it. The
`climatic test cabinet (1) also has a storage station inside it
`consisting of an object storage device (7) and a transport
`device (11), which transports one of the object carriers (8) at
`a time back and forth between the object storage device (7)
`and the vicinity of the window (6).
`
`2,321,794
`4,250,266
`
`6/1943 Braun ..................................... 312/9.48
`2/1981 Wade ................................... 435/289.1
`
`16 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`8
`
`-6o
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 1
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`6,129,428
`
`8
`
`12d~
`
`23
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`
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`
`13
`
`1
`
`Fig. 1
`
`3
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
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`6,129,428
`
`1716
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`4
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
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`6,129,428
`
`7a
`
`8
`
`11
`
`7b
`
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`5
`
`9
`
`21
`
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`
`Fig. 3a
`
`2
`
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`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
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`6,129,428
`
`17
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`
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`
`Fig. 4a
`
`17
`
`19
`
`Fig. 4b
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 5
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`6,129,428
`
`41a
`\
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`40
`
`47
`
`41b
`
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`
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`Fig. 5b
`
`61a
`
`60
`
`Fig. 5c
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 6
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
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`6,129,428
`
`Position positioning dish
`
`Position positioning dish
`
`Position height of handler
`
`Position height of handler
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Raise handler
`
`Raise handler
`
`Retract carrying plate
`
`Retract carrying plate
`
`Change height to that of transfer position
`
`Change height to that of transfer position
`
`Rotate handler to transfer position
`
`Rotate handler to transfer position
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Lower handler
`
`Retract carrying plate
`
`Rotate handler to idle position
`FIG. 6a
`Position positioning dish
`
`Transfer storage object
`
`Retract carrying plate
`
`Rotate handler to idle position
`FIG. 6c
`Position positioning dish
`
`Change height to that of transfer position
`
`Change height to that of transfer position
`
`Rotate handler to transfer position
`
`Rotate handler to transfer position
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Raise handler
`
`Retract carrying plate
`
`Transfer storage object
`
`Retract carrying plate
`
`Rotate handler to idle position
`
`Rotate handler to idle position
`
`Position height of handler
`
`Position height of handler
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Extend carrying plate
`
`Lower handler
`
`Retract carrying plate
`FIG. 6b
`
`Lower handler
`
`Retract carrying plate
`FIG. 6d
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`6,129,428
`
`15
`
`22
`
`50
`
`11
`
`23
`
`Fig. 7
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 8
`
`

`
`6,129,428
`
`1
`STORAGE DEVICE FOR OBJECTS,
`STORAGE STATION AND AIR(cid:173)
`CONDITIONED CABINET
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. The Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to object storage devices,
`storage stations, and climatic test cabinets configured to
`support object carriers and operable with transport devices
`configured to move the object carriers.
`2. Present State of the Art
`Object storage devices are used wherever objects must be
`stored for a certain period of time. The objects, individually
`or in groups, are generally held in object carriers, which can
`be open dishes or closed containers, for example. The object
`carriers are arranged in a removable manner on a structure
`of the object storage device, and are fed into this structure
`in the object carriers or removed from it. The object storage
`devices include the object carriers and the structure men-
`tioned. For example, object storage devices are known in the
`form of multitier carousels with object carriers in the shape
`of circular sectors. The object carriers generally rest on the
`structure and are held in place by laterally sliding clamping
`parts. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that it is
`relative! y difficult to make it with clamping parts and the
`drive device necessary to activate them.
`
`OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide improved object storage devices that receive object
`carriers but do not require clamping parts and the drive
`device necessary to activate them.
`As has already been mentioned, the objects in the object
`storage device are in object carriers, which are arranged on
`the carousel-like structure of the object storage device and
`which rest on the structure only with their sides, and thus are
`freely accessible from below, and can be lifted up. The side
`clamping parts and their drives, such as are present in
`previously known object storage devices, are not needed in
`the new object storage device, which is therefore substan(cid:173)
`tially simpler to build than the previously known object
`storage devices.
`The object carriers can be guided on their sides, which
`simplifies their precise feeding into the structure and secures
`their side-to-side position on the structure.
`To make the loading of the object storage device espe(cid:173)
`cially efficient, it is preferable to use cassettes, each of which
`contain several object carriers arranged above one another.
`These cassettes are also freely accessible from below, can be
`lifted up, and possibly also guided transversely.
`To hold the object carriers, the object storage device can
`also have shelves with recesses, which make it possible to
`access the bottom of the object carriers.
`Storage stations of the type mentioned at the beginning
`include an object storage device and a transporting device.
`The transportation device is used to feed individual objects
`or groups of objects, which are generally held in object
`carriers, into the object storage device and take them out of 60
`it. The object carriers are supplied to the storage station by
`a feeding transporter. After the object carriers are treated,
`they are taken away again by a removal transporter. For this
`purpose, a combined feeding and removal transporter can be
`used, for example, a continuous conveyor or a robot.
`The disadvantages of the known storage stations are that
`loading them is relatively time consuming. This could have
`
`20
`
`2
`to do with the fact that the object carriers, as has already
`been mentioned, have to be fixed in the object storage device
`by side clamping parts, and/or it could have to do with the
`fact that transporting devices which are provided are not
`5 advantageous.
`Therefore, a second task of the invention is to propose a
`storage station which can avoid these disadvantages.
`The new storage station has a carousel-like object storage
`device with at least one storage level having several object
`10 storage places shaped like circular sectors. These object
`storage places temporarily hold objects, which are held,
`individually or in groups, in object carriers. The storage
`station also has a transporting system which places the
`object carriers into the object storage device or removes
`15 them from it. According to the invention the transporting
`system has an element which is intended to hold the object
`carriers and which can move parallel and perpendicular to
`the axis of the carousel-like object storage device, therefore
`radial to the object storage device.
`It is preferable if the transporting device is made so that
`the element which holds the object carriers can pivot
`between two transfer positions, the pivot axis being parallel
`to the axis of the object storage device. In the first transfer
`position the object carrier is exchanged between the element
`25 and, for example, a feeding or removal transporter. In the
`second transfer position the element is aimed at an object
`storage place.
`A storage station which has proven to be favorable has an
`30 object storage device according to this invention.
`It is preferable if the element intended to hold the object
`carriers is made in the form of a fiat shovel, or possibly as
`a double shovel. The transporting device first pushes the
`shovel in a radial direction under the object carriers located
`35 in the object storage device, then lifts, and finally pulls back
`out of the object storage device, so that the object carriers
`come to lie on the shovel, and can be transported on it, for
`example pivoted. The above is done if the object carriers are
`supposed to be taken out of the object storage device and
`40 taken to a removal transporter.
`To treat objects under extreme conditions, the storage
`station can be arranged in a suitable climatic test cabinet
`having a window through which the object carriers can be
`moved, either by the transporting device or by the feeding
`45 and removal transporters.
`To treat objects, they must frequently be stored for a
`certain period of time under extreme conditions, for which
`purpose they are placed in climatic test cabinets. Climatic
`test cabinets are used, for example, for incubating cell
`50 cultures and microorganisms, which grow optimally only
`under certain temperatures and humid conditions and in a
`precisely defined atmosphere. To be able to treat large
`quantities of individual objects or preparations, it is neces(cid:173)
`sary to load and unload such climatic test cabinets automati-
`55 cally. It can sometimes also be necessary to transport only
`individual preparations into the climatic test cabinet or to
`remove them from it. If possible, no change should occur in
`the conditions prevailing in the climatic test cabinet when it
`is loaded or unloaded.
`Patent EP-0 293 732 describes a climatic test cabinet with
`automatic access capability. The climatic test cabinet con(cid:173)
`tains a manually controlled, relatively large door, which has
`an automatically controlled window arranged in it. This
`climatic test cabinet has an object storage device inside it for
`65 holding many objects, which is in the form of a multitier
`rotating carousel having storage places shaped like circular
`sectors intended for one object each. The door is for install-
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 9
`
`

`
`6,129,428
`
`3
`ing and removing the carousel, and for cleaning and servic(cid:173)
`ing the inside of the climatic test cabinet. The window makes
`it possible to put individual objects into the climatic test
`cabinet or to take them out of it. A robot can be used to
`transport individual objects between the outside of the
`climatic test cabinet and the storage places.
`The disadvantage of this climatic test cabinet is that the
`window is relatively large, so that opening the window
`produces relatively large climatic fluctuations in the climatic
`test cabinet. The resulting climatic instability has an unfa- 10
`vorable effect on the treatment of the objects in the climatic
`test cabinet, especially if frequent accesses are made. On the
`design side it is also unfavorable to make the window as a
`component of the door, since this requires operating the
`window's control mechanism whenever the door is oper(cid:173)
`ated. Furthermore, this combination of window and door 15
`means that the climatic test cabinet has only one opening on
`one side, which is unfavorable, for example during a desired
`sudden cooling or for cleaning and service.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,744 presents a climatic test cabinet
`which also contains a carousel-like object storage device 20
`having many storage places for objects. This climatic test
`cabinet can also be loaded and unloaded by means of an
`external robot. However, it has two openings, namely a
`relatively large, manually operated door, and another open(cid:173)
`ing opposite the door, which is screened off by a flexible 25
`panel. The panel has a slit-like window opening which is
`exactly the right size to allow an object to pass through the
`window opening when the climatic test cabinet is being
`loaded or unloaded. The panel is fastened at the top and
`bottom to rollers which can roll up or unroll the panel, which 30
`moves the window opening upward or downward until it
`reaches the height of the tier of the object storage device
`which is to be loaded with objects. In its lowest and highest
`positions the window opening should not line up with the
`door, so that the climatic test cabinet is completely closed. 35
`The use of this panel has the effect that when the climatic test
`cabinet is loaded or unloaded, it is connected with the
`surroundings only through a small opening, namely the
`window opening. But, this climatic test cabinet has the
`disadvantage that the entire door opening is imperfectly 40
`insulated, and that great effort is required to design the panel
`and its motions, and especially to close the window opening
`completely. Moreover, the motions of the robot, which feeds
`in and removes the objects, must be exactly adjusted to the
`respective height of the window.
`In summary, it can be stated that no climatic test cabinet
`is known which completely fulfills the requirements which
`have been placed on it.
`The third task of the invention is thus considered to be
`creating an improved climatic test cabinet of the type
`mentioned at the beginning.
`This third task is solved, by a climatic test cabinet which
`contains a storage station with an object storage device
`having many object storage places, each for one object
`carrier, and which has at least one window with a window 55
`opening whose dimensions are matched in size to those of
`the object carriers. The window opening is put at a fixed
`location in a wall of the climatic test cabinet and can be
`tightly sealed by a casement. A transport device is arranged
`in the climatic test cabinet to move the object carriers within 60
`the climatic test cabinet.
`It is preferable if the climatic test cabinet has a storage
`station with the object storage device mentioned and with a
`transporting device, which is intended to transport the object
`carriers back and forth between the storage places of the 65
`object storage device and the vicinity of the window open-
`in g.
`
`45
`
`4
`In a preferred climatic test cabinet, the object storage
`device arranged to hold the objects which are to be treated
`has individual features of or all the features of the object
`storage device according to this invention which was
`5 described further above.
`An especially advantageous climatic test cabinet contains
`a storage station with an object storage device and a trans(cid:173)
`porting device which has individual features of or all the
`features of the storage station according to this invention
`which was described further above.
`As has already been mentioned, the window of the
`climatic test cabinet is matched to the size of the objects or
`the object carriers. This is understood to mean that the
`window opening has dimensions which are a little larger
`than the dimensions of the object carrier including the
`shovel or a catcher of the transporting device, or including
`a corresponding device of the feeding and removal trans(cid:173)
`porter.
`It has proven favorable to provide the climatic test cabinet
`with a door, which preferably is manually operated and
`which is generally opposite the window opening and is made
`taller and wider than the window opening. This door forms
`a passage for object storage devices, with or without objects.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Further properties and advantages of the invention are
`described below using sample embodiments and making
`reference to the drawings. The figures are as follows:
`FIG. 1 A first sample embodiment of a climatic test
`cabinet with a storage station arranged in it, top view;
`FIG. 2 A second sample embodiment of a climatic test
`cabinet with a treatment station arranged in it, side view;
`FIG. 3a A third sample embodiment of a climatic test
`cabinet with a treatment station arranged in it; with two
`carousel-like object storage devices lying next to one
`another, top view;
`FIG. 3b A fourth sample embodiment of a climatic test
`cabinet with a treatment station arranged in it; with two
`concentric carousel-like object storage devices, top view;
`FIG. 4a The transporting device of the storage station in
`the climatic test cabinet presented in FIG. 1 in a first
`position, side view;
`FIG. 4b The transporting device presented in FIG. 4a in
`a second position, also a side view;
`FIG. Sa A first sample embodiment of an object storage
`device, in a diagram;
`FIG. 5b A second sample embodiment of an object
`storage device, partial view, in a diagram;
`FIG. 5c is a perspective view of an example of a storage
`50 place for an object storage device;
`FIG. 6a A first variant of unloading the climatic test
`cabinet according to the invention, in a flow chart;
`FIG. 6b A first variant of loading the climatic test cabinet
`according to the invention, in a flow chart;
`FIG. 6c A second variant of unloading the climatic test
`cabinet according to the invention, in a flow chart;
`FIG. 6d A second variant of loading the climatic test
`cabinet according to the invention, in a flow chart; and
`FIG. 7 A storage station with an object storage device and
`with a transporting device, both of which are arranged
`outside a climatic test cabinet, but could also be arranged
`inside a climatic test cabinet in the same configuration.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The climatic test cabinet 1 presented in FIG. 1 has a useful
`storage volume 2, which can be accessed both from a user
`
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`Page 10
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`

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`6,129,428
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`5
`side 3 and from a robot side 4. On the user side 3 the climatic
`test cabinet 1 has a door 5, which preferably is manually
`operated, and on the robot side 4 it has a window opening
`with an automatically operated casement, which together
`form a window 6.
`The useful storage volume 2 of the climatic test cabinet 1
`according to FIGS. 1 and 2 contains a storage station with
`an object storage device 7 and a transporting device 11. The
`cylindrical object storage device 7 has storage places 23 for
`objects to be treated in climatic test cabinet 1 or for object
`carriers 8 containing these objects. The description which
`follows uses the general term "object carriers" to refer both
`to objects which do not require any object carrier and to
`object carriers with objects in them. The object storage
`device 7 is made like a carousel, i.e., its structure is in the
`form of a carousel with several levels, each of which has
`object storage places 23 which are intended for object
`carriers 8 and which are shaped like circular sectors and can
`be radially loaded. The object storage device 7 can be rotated
`about its vertical axis by a drive (not shown), so that each of
`the storage places 23 arranged above one another can be
`turned into a position in which the object carriers 8 can be
`loaded into them or removed from them.
`The climatic test cabinet 1 has a transporting device 11
`arranged inside it which can transport one object or object 25
`carrier 8 at a time back and forth between the outside of the
`climatic test cabinet 1 and a storage place 23 inside the
`climatic test cabinet 1. The transporting device 11 has a
`plate-like carrier or a shovel 50, which can also be seen in
`FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 7 and which is intended for one object
`carrier 8 at a time. FIG. 1 shows this shovel 50 in four
`positions, which are labeled as 12a. 12b, 12c, and 12d12a
`and 12d represent the shovel 50 in transfer positions, posi(cid:173)
`tion 12a showing the shovel delivering the object carrier 8
`into or removing it from the object storage device 7, and
`position 12d showing the shovel transferring the object from
`or delivering it into a feeding and removal transporter (not
`shown). Reference numbers 12b and 12c represent the
`shovel 50 in a transport position, in which it can pivot,
`position 12b showing the shovel 50 lining up with a storage
`place 23, and position 12c showing the shovel 50 lining up
`with the window 6.
`FIG. 2 shows a climatic test cabinet 1 in which the
`transport device 9, 11 is arranged not in a corner of the useful
`storage volume 2, as in the climatic test cabinet according to
`FIG. 1, but rather in an extension of the useful storage
`volume 2. In this sample embodiment the object storage
`device 7 contains several cassettes 15, which rest on a turn
`table 22. But, in principle the design of the transport device
`is the same as in the climatic test cabinet according to FIG.
`1. The shovel 50 can be moved in a linear manner between
`positions 12a and 12b and between positions 12c and 12d by
`a horizontal drive 17, and can be pivoted about an axis of
`rotation 14 back and forth between positions 12b and 12c by
`a turntable drive unit 19. The parts described above form a
`horizontal displacement device of the transport device.
`Since the carousel15 in this sample embodiment has several
`levels, the transport device also includes a vertical displace(cid:173)
`ment device or an elevator 10, which is powered by a
`vertical drive 18 and moves the shovel 50 in a linear manner
`up and down, both to reach the necessary level and to lift an
`object carrier.
`FIG. 3a shows another climatic test cabinet with two
`object storage devices 7a, 7b in the form of carousels which
`are arranged next to one another with their axes of rotation
`parallel to one another. This climatic test cabinet has a single
`transport device 9, 11 to load and unload both carousels 7a,
`
`6
`7b. Such a design is simple to build and relatively
`economical, but is not suitable if it is intended to exchange
`the objects in the climatic test cabinet at short time intervals.
`The climatic test cabinet shown in FIG. 3b is relatively
`5 efficient in its use of space, since it has two concentrically
`arranged carousels 7a, 7b which an operator can access
`using a transfer system 9, 11. However, in order to be able
`to load or empty the inner carousel 7b, the storage places 21
`of the outer carousel 7a which line up with the shovel 50
`10 must be empty, at least when it is necessary to access the
`inner carousel 7b.
`FIGS. 4a and 4b show the transport device 9, 11 in detail,
`FIG. 4a showing the shovel 50 in position 12b or 12c and
`FIG. 4b showing the shovel 50 in position 12a or 12d. Also
`15 shown are the drive 18 for linear vertical displacement, the
`turntable drive 19 for pivoting horizontally about the axis of
`rotation 14, and the drive 17 for linear horizontal motion, as
`well as a guide device 52 for the plate-shaped shovel 50, on
`which an object 8 is arranged. Object 8 is guided in front by
`a retainer 55 and in back by a guide body 56. Other side
`guides (not shown) also guide the object 8 on its sides. The
`horizontal displacement device is fastened on drive 18 so
`that it can rotate.
`FIG. 4b shows, as has already been mentioned, the shovel
`50 of the transport device 11 in extended position, in which
`it would have access to the feeding and removal transporter
`(not shown) or to the object storage device 7. The horizontal
`linear displacement of the shovel 50, which can also be
`called radial displacement, is driven via an eccentric arm 57,
`30 one side of which is connected via a displacement bearing 53
`with the shovel 50, and the other side of which is connected
`with the drive axis of drive 17.
`FIG. Sa shows a first sample embodiment of an object
`storage device, namely the cassette 15 which has already
`35 been mentioned. It has a carrying handle 40, two side walls
`41a, 41b, a base plate 43, and a support 47. Side walls 41
`have support elements 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d, the last of
`which is not visible, and the base plate 43 has a holding or
`centering strip 46. To position the cassette 15 precisely,
`40 guide elements 44 are provided on the rotary table 22. The
`guide elements include tangential holding elements 45a and
`radial holding elements 45b. The objects 8 (not shown here)
`lie on the support elements 42a through 42d of the cassette
`15 in such a way that their downward-facing surface can be
`45 freely accessed by the shovel 50 of the transport device 11.
`The support elements 42a through 42d are bent inward
`toward the inside surface of the side walls 41a, 41b along a
`vertically running elastic line. The cassette 15 is held on the
`rotary table 22 by the centering strip 46 or the guide element
`50 44. First, the centering strip 46 fits tightly in the radial and
`tangential directions against the guide element 44 and sec(cid:173)
`ond it is held against it by the tangential holding elements
`45a and the radial holding elements 45b. The tangential
`holding elements 45a and the radial holding elements 45b
`55 can be spring-loaded pressure pieces or holding magnets.
`FIG. 5b shows another example of support elements 42e,
`42f. Here the support elements 42e, 42f are made as hori(cid:173)
`zontal flange-like brackets bent in at right angles.
`FIG. 5c shows a section of a storage place 23 for an object
`60 (not shown) or a corresponding object carrier. It is formed by
`a shelf 60 which is equipped with guide or centering
`elements 61a and holding elements 62. A recess 63 in shelf
`60 allows access for the shovel 50. The guide and centering
`elements 61a are made in the shape of cones and compensate
`65 positioning errors when the shelf 60 is loaded with an object
`carrier while holding elements 62 prevent the object carrier
`8 slipping in the radial direction.
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1014
`Page 11
`
`

`
`6,129,428
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`7
`The process of emptying or loading the climatic test
`cabinet is described by flow charts 6a through 6d. A first
`variant of the emptying process according to FIG. 6a takes
`place as follows: In the idle state the shovel 50 is in position
`12b. When the climatic test cabinet is emptied, the object
`storage device 7 is rotated by a drive (not shown) into the
`desired angular position in which the storage place 23 to be
`emptied lines up with the shovel 50. The elevator 10 of the
`transport device 11 raises the shovel to the desired level so
`that the shovel 50 can go under the object carrier or object 10
`8, so that it is in position 12a. The shovel 50 is now raised
`up enough so that the object carrier or the object 8 is no
`longer resting on the storage place 23, but rather is supported
`by the shovel 50. Now the shovel 50 is brought into position
`12b, and then the shovel 50 is moved to the height at which 15
`it must be to move the object carrier through the window 6.
`Then, the shovel 50 is pivoted about the axis 14, which puts
`it into position 12c. After that, the shovel 50 is pushed
`horizontally through the window 6, putting it in position
`12d. The shovel 50 is now lowered a little, so that the object 20
`or the object carrier can be delivered to the transporter, and
`then it is pulled back into position 12c. Last, it is returned to
`idle position. The climatic test cabinet is loaded according to
`FIG. 6b, while FIGS. 6c and 6d show a second variant of the
`emptying and loading process and do not require further 25
`explanation.
`FIG. 7 shows the same transfer system 11, which was
`described above as arranged in a climatic test cabinet,
`however outside of a climatic test cabinet, and an object
`storage device in the form of a cassette 15, as has already 30
`been described. It goes without saying that the entire process
`of loading and emptying the object storage device or cassette
`15 outside of a climatic test cabinet takes place in the same
`way as inside a climatic test cabinet, however with the
`simplification that there is no window, through which the
`object or the object carrier 8 has to be moved and which,
`according to the above description, forms so to speak the
`boundary for the objects or object carriers 8 between the
`inside and the outside of the climatic test cabinet, and
`therefore no window has to be operated. In this case the 40
`cassette 15 is also arranged on a turntable 22.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A storage device system comprising:
`(a) a plurality of object carriers each having a floor and
`sidewalls upstanding therefrom, each object carrier 45
`being configured to hold one or more objects;
`(b) a substantially cylindrical object storage device rotat(cid:173)
`able around a vertical axis, the object storage device
`comprising a plurality of spaced apart vertically ori- 50
`ented side walls, disposed between the side walls are a
`plurality of levels of discrete object storage places each
`configured to receive an object carrier;
`(c) a shelf inwardly extending from each of the opposing
`side walls of the object storage device such that the 55
`shelves are in opposing horizontal alignment, the
`opposing shelves having a space formed therebetween;
`and
`(d) a plurality of non-movable centering elements
`upstanding from the shelves, each centering element 60
`having a freely exposed sloping surface configured to
`center a select object carrier over the space between the
`opposing shelves such that the object carrier is directly
`supported on the shelves adjacent to the centering
`elements.
`2. A storage device system as recited in claim 1, wherein
`the object storage device comprises a plurality of discrete
`
`8
`removable cassettes, each cassette being configured to house
`a plurality of object carriers.
`3. A storage device system as recited in claim 1, wherein
`each of the centering elements has a substantially conical
`5 configuration.
`4. A storage device system comprising:
`(a) a plurality of object carriers each having a floor and
`sidewalls upstanding therefrom, each object carrier
`being configured to hold one or more objects;
`(b) an obj