United States Patent £19]
`Knippscheer et al.
`
`[54] STORAGE APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY
`WITH AUTOMATIC INSERTION AND
`RETRIEVAL
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Hermann Knippscheer, Baldwin,
`N.Y.; Daniel D. Richard, Sedona,
`Ariz.; Stanley Rosenberg, Hewlett,
`N.Y.; Michael Murphy; John
`Vickery, both of Dublin, Ireland
`
`(73] Assignee: Cryo-cell International, Inc.,
`Baldwin, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 745,636
`
`Aug. 15, 1991
`[22] Filed:
`Int. a.s .............................................. FZSD 11/00
`[51]
`[52] u.s. a ........................................ 6Z!440; 414/331
`[58]· Field or Search ......................... 62/440, 381, 375;
`414/331
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,938,985 12/1933 Starr .
`2,928,705 3/1960 Goldsmith .
`2,950,605 8/1960 Hennion .
`3,034,845 5/1962 Haumann .
`3,100,969 8/1963 Elfving .
`3,141,123 7/1964 Olson .
`3,227,501 1/1966 Austin eta!. .
`3,327,833 6/1967 Jungner eta!. .
`3,535,889 10/1970 Curti ..................................... 62/381
`3,564,727 3/1969 Fraser .
`3,583,171 6/1971 Flynn .
`3,662,565 5/1972 Gram .................................... 62/381
`3,696,631 10/1972 Valdes .
`4,124,992 11/1978 Chmiel .
`4,199,022 4/1980 Senkan eta!. .
`4,245,483 1/1981 Murai .................................... 62/376
`4,304,293 12/1981 Schweiwe .
`4,314,459 2/1982 Rivoire .
`
`I illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli 1111111111111111111111111111
`US005233844A
`5,233,844
`[II] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: Aug. 10, 1993
`
`4,340,263 7/1982 Webb .
`4,480,682 11/1984 Kaneta et al ..
`4,531,373 7/1985 Rubinsky .
`4,627,799 12/1986 Terauchi .
`4,681,839 7/1987 Swartz .
`4,712,607 12/1987 Lindemans et al ..
`4,713,941 12/1987 Toyoda et al ..
`4,722,058 1/1988 Nakayama et al ..
`4,790,141 12/1988 Glascock .
`4,870,829 10/1989 Oullette et al ..
`5,125,240 1/1992 Knippscheer et al ................ 62/440
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2509762 9/1976 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`Primary Examiner-Ronald C. Capossela
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-R. Neil Sudol; Henry D.
`Coleman
`[57]
`ABSTRACf
`A storage unit comprises a housing defining a storage
`chamber and a plurality of specimen carriers in the form
`of annular shelves disposed one below the other inside
`the chamber. A rotary drive is operatively connected to
`the carriers for rotating the carriers independently
`about a vertical axis. The housing is provided with an ·
`access opening for enabling access to the chamber from
`above the carrier, while an insertion and removal mech(cid:173)
`anism serves to alternately insert and remove specimens
`from the chamber via the access opening. The insertion
`and removal mechanism includes a lifting device dis(cid:173)
`posed at least partially inside the storage chamber for
`moving specimens vertically between the access open(cid:173)
`ing and the respective carriers. Specimen-containing
`vials are disposed on trays which in turn are supported
`by the carriers. The lifting mechanism operates to lift
`entire trays from the respective carriers towards the
`access opening.
`
`51 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`II
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`Hamilton Ex. 1011
`Page 1
`
`

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`Hamilton Ex. 1011
`Page 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 10, 1993
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`Page 4
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`Aug. 10, 1993
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`Aug. 10, 1993
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`Aug. 10,1993
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`Hamilton Ex. 1011
`Page 10
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`

`

`1
`
`5,233,844
`
`2
`in the unit and regardless of ongoing insertion and re(cid:173)
`trieval operations.
`A further 9bject of the present invention is to provide
`a cyrogenic storage unit wherein ice crystal formation
`5 on the stored specimens is reduced, if not eliminated.
`Another specific object of the present invention is to
`provide a storage apparatus wherein specimens or
`This invention relates to a storage apparatus. More
`specimen-containing receptacles may be recovered or
`particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus with
`retrieved one at a time or in multiples, either automati-
`automatic insertion and retrieval of samples from a
`storage container. More specifically, this invention re- 10 cally or manually.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`lates to an apparatus for the preservation of biological
`a storage system with cross-cl).ecks for ensuring proper
`specimens at various temperatures, including but not
`limited to the temperature of liquid nitrogen.
`retrieval of requested samples.
`When properly treated, biological specimens can be
`Another specific object of the present invention is to
`stored almost indefinitely at temperatures approaching 15 provide such an apparatus wherein exposure of the
`specimens to temperatures above that of liquid nitrogen,
`that of liquid nitrogen so long as that temperature is
`maintained. However, once the temperature of a speci-
`especially thawing temperatures, is prevented.
`men is ra~sed, ~pecially to a !evel where ~hawing ex:-
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`curs, the mtegnty of the spec1n1en suffers 1f the specl-
`a storage unit which has a reduced number of moving
`.
`.
`.
`men is then refro.zen.
`20 parts.
`Many ~onvent1?nal cryogeruc storage u~ts are ~lDl-
`Another, more particular, object of the present inven-
`ple contamer:' w1th re~ovable racks havmg multiple
`tion is to provide a storage unit in which multiple stor-
`shelves. Spec1n1ens are mserted and removed from the
`age receptacles or specimens may be inserted or re-
`storage units manually through a door in the top of the
`moved simultaneously.
`unit. Retrieval operations always necessitate the re- 25
`moval of many specimens in the same rack as the de(cid:173)
`sired specimen.
`Such conventional cryopgenic storage units are inad(cid:173)
`equate for several reasons. Firstly, the storage tempera(cid:173)
`ture is not uniform and depends on the vertical location
`within the storage unit. Thus, some specimens may not
`be subjected to sufficiently low temperatures during
`storage. Secondly, the illsertion and retrieval of speci(cid:173)
`mens exposes many, if not all, of the stored specimens to
`ambient thawing temperatures, with a resultant de- 35
`crease in the viability of the refrozen cells. Thirdly, ice
`crystals form on the specimens because of repeated
`exposure to the atmosphere during insertion and re(cid:173)
`trieval operations. This ice build up inhibits the reading
`of identification tags affixed to the specimens. In addi- 40
`tion, the storage units are limited in their storage capac(cid:173)
`ity because the units are generally no higher than the
`waist to facilitate manual insertion and retrieval opera-
`tions.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,336 to Knippscheer et al. dis- 45
`. closes a cryogenic storage device which corrects the
`abovementioned disadvantages of conventional cryo(cid:173)
`genic storage units. The device includes a pair of end(cid:173)
`less belts which move a multiplicity of specimen-con(cid:173)
`taining vials along a snaking path. The locations of the so
`vials within the unit are tracked by a computer which
`controls insertion and retrieval operations.
`The cryogenic storage unit of. U.S. Pat. No.
`4,969,336, although superior to conventional cryogenic
`storage units which are manually operated, is subject to 55
`the disadvantage of having many moving parts. Such
`moving parts suffer from wear and thus require substan(cid:173)
`tial repair and maintenance efforts.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A storage unit comprises, in accordance with the
`present invention, a housing defining a storage chamber
`and a carrier inside the chamber for carrying, in a pre-
`30 determined horizontal array, a plurality of specimens,
`for example, in storage receptacles. A rotary drive is
`operatively connected to the carrier for rotating the
`carrier about a vertical axis. The housing is provided
`with an access opening for enabling access to the cham(cid:173)
`ber from above the carrier, while an insertion and re(cid:173)
`moval mechanism serves to alternately insert and re-
`move specimens from the ~hamber via the access open(cid:173)
`ing.
`Pursuant to another feature of the present invention,
`the insertion and removal mechanism includes an arm
`mounted outside the storage chamber. Pursuant to an
`additional feature of the present invention, the insertion
`and removal mechanism iurther includes a lifting device
`disposed at least partially inside the storage chamber for
`moving specimens vertically between the arm and the
`carrier. More specifically, the lifting device includes a
`carriage element and a drive member disposed verti(cid:173)
`cally along an inner surface of the storage chamber for
`vertically reciprocating the carriage element. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively; the drive member for the carriage element is
`disposed vertically along an axis of the storage cham-
`ber.
`·
`The specimens or specimen-containing receptacles
`are advantageously disposed on trays which in tum are
`supported by the carrier. In that case the lifting mecha(cid:173)
`nism preferably operates to lift entire trays from the
`carrier towards the access opening to thereby cooperate
`with the arm to insert and remove specimens from the
`storage chamber.
`Pursuant to another feature of the present invention,
`the insertion and removal mechanism includes an inter-
`changeable adaptor for varying the number of speci-
`mens which can be inserted and removed from the
`storage chamber by the insertion and removal mecha(cid:173)
`nism.
`In accordance with another feature of the present
`invention, a second carrier or support is provided inside
`the storage chamber for carrying a second plurality of
`
`STORAGE APPARATUS, PARTICULARLY WITH
`AUTOMATIC INSERTION AND RETRIEVAL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`60
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`An object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved storage unit, including but not limited to, .a
`storage unit which is useful for low-temperature apph-
`cations.
`Another, more specific, object of the present inven- 65
`tion is to provide a cryogenic storage unit wherein all
`the specimens are stored at essentially the same low
`temperature, regardless of the location of the specimens
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1011
`Page 11
`
`

`

`5,233,844
`
`3
`4
`specimens, e.g., in storage receptacles. The second car(cid:173)
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`rier is disposed to support the respective specimens or
`FIG. 1 is partially a schematic vertical cross-sectional
`receptacles in a horizontal array parallel to the horizon-
`view and partially a block diagram of a low-tempera-
`tal array of specimens supported by the ftrSt carrier.
`The rotary drive includes means for alternately rotating S ture storage apparatus in accordance with the present
`invention.
`the first and the second carrier about the vertical axis of
`the storage unit. This function of the rotary drive ena-
`FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
`bles selective insertion and removal of specimens rela-
`line II-II in FIG. 1.
`·
`tive to the different receptacle carriers.
`FIG. 3 shows a detail of the crosss-sectional view of
`A storage unit in accordance with the present inven- 10 FIG. 2.
`tion automates the storage of specimens with simplicity.
`FIG. 4 shows a detail, on an enlarged scale, of the
`The storage unit contains a minimum of moving parts
`cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.
`and thereby reduces repair and maintenance require-
`FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
`ments.
`line V-V in FIG. 4.
`Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, 15
`FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the low-
`temperature storage apparatus in a different stage of
`the rotary drive includes a drive member disposed axi-
`ally with respect to the carrier and the storage chamber.
`operation.
`A storage unit in accordance with the present inven-
`FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
`line VII-VII in FIG. 6.
`tion is particularly useful in low-temperature storage 20
`FIG. 8 is a top or plan view of a tray held on a shelf
`applications. Accordingly, the storage unit advanta-
`inside the storage apparatus of FIG. 1.
`geously includes a cooling device for maintaining the
`FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
`line IX-IX in FIG. 8.
`storage chamber in a predetermined low temperature
`range. The cooling device preferably includes a circu-
`FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along
`lating system for circulating a fluid coolant from a bot- 25 line X-X in FIG. 8.
`tom portion of the storage chamber to an upper portion
`FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the storage apparatus
`of the chamber above the carrier. Moreover, the circu-
`of FIG. 1, showing a portion of an retrieval and inser-
`lating system includ~s a pump for dr~wing the fluid
`tion mechanism.
`coolant from a sump m the bottom portion of the cham-
`FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view
`ber. Where two carriers are disposed insi?e the stor~ge 30 of another low-temperature storage apparatus in accor-
`cham~r one abo:ve the other .for carr~g. respective
`dance with the present invention.
`pluralities of_ spec1men~ or spe~1men-contammg storage
`FIG. 13 is partially a schematic vertical cross-sec-
`receptacles m respective honz~ntal ru:rays, the two
`tional view and partially a block diagram of another
`earners are advantageously relat!v.ely d1sposed so that
`low-temperature storage apparatus in accordance with
`cool~nt runoff from the upper earner falls to the lower 3s the present invention.
`earner.
`FIG. 14 is a top view ofthe storage apparatus of FIG.
`In accordance with a particular feature of the present
`13.
`invention, a sensor communicates with the sump for
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`detecting ice build-up in the sump. Upon detection, the
`40 As illustrated in FIG. 1, a cryogenic storage appara-
`ice can be removed.
`Pursuant to another feature of the present invention,
`tus comprises a cylindrical housing 20 defming a cylin-
`drical storage chamber · 22. Disposed inside storage
`a verification device is provided for confirming the
`chamber 22 are a plurality of substantially annular earn-
`identities of specimens being retrieved from the storage
`ers or shelves 24. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each shelf
`chamber.
`Where the storage unit includes a cooling device for 45 24 supports a plurality of substantially triangular or
`maintaining the storage chamber within a predeter-
`pie-slice-shaped trays 26 which in tum carry a multi-
`plicity of specimen-containing receptacles or vials 28.
`mined low temperature range, the storage unit may also
`comprise a hood or enclosure for defming a buffer
`Vials 28 have been omitted from FIG. 2 for purposes of
`chamber communicating with the storage chamber via
`clarity.
`the access opening during operation of the insertion and so
`Shelves 24 are supported along their peripheries by
`removal mechanism, whereby exposure of specimens to
`respective annular rails or tracks 29 via respective annu-
`Jar bearings 30 (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 6). Rails 29 comprise
`ambient temperatures is avoided.
`Pursuant to another feature of the present invention,
`respective rings with L-shaped cross-sections, each rail
`the storage unit further comprises at least one additional
`29 resting on the rail below and supporting the rail
`access opening for enabling access to the chamber later- 55 above. This modular rail construction facilitates instal-
`lation and repair procedures. Rails 29 may be formed
`ally to the carrier. This additional opening may be of
`variable siZe to enable the removal of esepcially large
`with grooves (not shown) for receiving rollers (not
`specimens or of multiple receptacles or trays simulta-
`shown) instead of bearings 30. This arrangement of
`neously.
`rollers and grooves or some other horizontal guidance
`A cryogenic storage unit built in accordance with the 60 assembly is desirable to prevent shelves 24 from moving
`invention can store, in the same amount of space, sub-
`horizontally.
`tantially more vials than the storage unit of U.S. Pat.
`Shelves 24, together with their respective circular
`arrays of trays 26 and clusters of vials 28, are individu-
`No. 4,969,336. In addition, repair and maintenance are
`facilitated in a storage unit in accordance with the in-
`ally or independently rotatable about a vertical axis 32
`vention, not only because malfunctions and breakdown 65 by an axial and rotary drive mechanism 34. Drive mech-
`anism 34 includes a pair of rotary drives 36 and 38 and
`may occur less frequently but also because access to the
`unit is simplified. Nothing can break which would have
`an axial and rotary transmission assembly 40. In re-
`sponse to signals from a computer 42, rotary drives 36
`catastrophic consequences.
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1011
`Page 12
`
`

`

`5,233,844
`
`5
`6
`tate shaft 78, collar 74, flange 72 and lifting arm 54
`and 38 operate transmission assembly 40 to alternately
`maintain the same angular position and move vertically,
`rotate selected shelves 24 about axis 32 and to vertically
`shift a selected tray 26 to and from a rotated shelf, as
`thereby lifting or lowering a selected tray (e.g., tray
`described in detail hereinafter.
`26'), depending on the direction of rotation of shaft 78.
`Other rotating and lifting mechanism equivalent to
`As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, shelves 24 are each !5
`drive mechanism 34 takes the form of a plurality of
`formed with one triangular or pie-slice-shaped opening
`motors (not illustrated) mounted, for example, to hous-
`44 and a plurality of angularly spaced radially extending
`ing 20 and operatively coupled to respective shelves 24
`slots 46. During operation of the cryogenic storage
`via respective rack and pinion transmissions (not ill us-
`apparatus, openings 44 of all the shelves 24 are aligned
`vertically with an access opening or doorway 48 in a 10 trated). The racks in that case are annular elements
`removable upper wall 50 of housing 20, as depicted in
`attached to shelves 24 at the circumferences thereof.
`FIG. 1. Upon the determination by computer 42 (e.g.,
`The lifting may be accomplished by an elevation mech-
`via a command or instruction fed to the computer. via a
`anism disposed along an inner surface of housing 20, as
`keyboard 52) that access to a particular tray 26' (FIG. 1)
`described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12. A
`is required, the shelf 24' carrying that selected tray 26' 1!5 disadvantage of this rotating and lifting mechanism is an
`is rotated so that the tray is aligned with openings 44 of
`undesirable duplication of parts, particularly motors
`the other shelves 24 below doorway 48. The respective
`and transmissions. However, it may be desirable, to
`tray 26' is then elevated towards doorway 48 via a
`have an uppermost carrier or shelf alternatively driv-
`lifting arm 54 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6.
`able by a separate motor (not illustrated) so that that
`Lifting arm 54 is part of transmission assembly 40. 20 shelf can serve as a temporary storage location during
`FIG. 2 shows lifting arm 54 centered in an opening 44 of
`rearrangements of stored vials.
`a shelf24, while FIG. 3 shows lifting arm 54 centered in
`In another rotating and lifting mechanism equivalent
`a slot 46. The purpose and function of the slots 46 in a
`to drive mechanism 34, both rotating and lifting func-
`shelf 24 are to enable arm 54 to traverse the shelf and lift
`tions are accomplished by a central rotary drive shaft
`the respective tray towards doorway 48. Accordingly, 2!5 (not illustrated) which is axially reciprocatable. The
`slots 46 are slightly larger than arm 54. Similarly, the
`lower, free end of the shaft is formed with a flange of an
`purpose and function of openings 44 are to enable arm
`irregular shape keyed to similarly shaped openings in
`54 to carry a selected tray 26' from its respective shelf
`the centers of the carriers or shelves. In this equivalent
`24' through overlying shelves 24.
`embodiment of the rotating and lifting mechanism, the
`As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, shelves 24 are also 30 computer controls the orientation of the drive shaft so
`provided with a plurality of vertically extending triang-
`that the shaft passes through the openings ofunselected
`ular reinforcement members 55. Each reinforcement
`carriers during vertical reciprocation of the shaft. At a
`member 55 bisects an angle defmed by two adjacent
`selected carrier, the shaft is turned, e.g., 90", so that the
`slots 46. Concomitantly, each slot 46 bisects an angle
`irregular flange cannot pass through the opening in the
`defined by two adjacent reinforcement members 55.
`35 center of the selected carrier. Raising the shaft thus lifts
`As further shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, lifting arm 54
`the carrier. Rotation of the carrier can be effectuated by
`has a pair of upwardly extending pins 56 and 58 which
`slowly turning the shaft while the selected carrier is
`are inserted through respective bores 60 and 62 in a
`supported on the irregular flange. A disadvantage of
`selected tray (e.g., tray 26') during a vertical stroke of
`this embodiment ofthe rotating and lifting mechanism is
`the lifting arm. The cooperation of pins 56 and 58 and 40 that a clearance essentially equal to the length of the
`bores 60 and 62 ensure that the selected tray 26' remains
`shaft must be available above the cryogenic storage
`supported on arm 54 during vertical motion thereof
`unit, thereby limiting the utilizable height of the unit.
`between the respective shelf 24' and doorway 48.
`As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4-7, the cryogenic stor-
`Bore 62 is located in an eyelet extension 64 projecting
`age unit is provided with a locking mechanism 84 in-
`from a narrow, radially inward side of the respective 45 eluding a vertically shiftable rod 86 disposed along an
`tray 26. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each tray 26 is
`inner surface 88 of housing 20. Rod 86 traverses slots 90
`provided with lower eyelet extension 64 and an upper
`provided in support rails 29 and is provided with a
`eyelet 66 which has a bore 68 for receiving an additional
`plurality of vertically spaced locking plates 92. As
`alignment pin 70. Pin 70 and bore 68 serve the same
`shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, locking plates 92 are formed
`so with respective slots 94 for receiving upper edges 96 of
`function as pins 56 and 58 and bores 60 and 62.
`As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, pin 70 is attached to
`respective reinforcement members 55.
`a vertically oriented flange 72 projecting from a collar
`As shown in FIG. 1, rod 86 is operatively coupled to
`74. Flange 72 and collar 74 form a portion of transmis-
`a lifting device 98 which may take the form of a sole-
`sion assembly 40. Collar 74 is formed with an internal
`noid or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder which is
`screw thread (not illustrated) which is operatively inter- 55 energized or actuated under the control of computer 42.
`leaved with an external screw thread 76 of a rotatable
`Prior to the rotation of shelf 24', lifting device is actu-
`shaft 78. Shaft 78 is driven by rotary drive 36 under the
`ated to lift rod 86 and thereby disengage slotted locking
`control of computer 42.
`plates 92 and reinforcement members 55. During rotary
`Shaft 78 and collar 74 are coaxial with a rotatable
`motion of a selected' shelf under the action of drive
`tube 80 which is provided with a vertical slot 82 tra- 60 mechanism 34, lifting device 98 remains actuated and
`versed by flange 72. Tube 80 is rotated by drive 38 in
`rod 86 remains shifted. Upon termination of the rotary
`response to control signals from computer 42.
`motion, lifting device is deactuated by computer 42,
`When rotary drives 36 and 38 are rotating together at
`thereby returning rod 86 and slotted locking plates 92 to
`the same angular velocity, collar 74, flange 72 and lift-
`the locking position engaging shelves 24 ~d 24'.
`ing arm 54 maintain the same elevation and rotate about 6!5
`It is to be noted that other locking mechanisms equiv-
`axis 32, thereby driving an entrained shelf (e.g., shelf
`alent to locking mechanism 84 are readily available to
`24') in a horizontal plane. When rotary drive 38 is disen-
`one skilled in the art. For example, housing 20 may be
`gaged or de-energized while drive 36 continues to ro-
`provided along inner surface 88 with a plurality of ver-
`
`Hamilton Ex. 1011
`Page 13
`
`

`

`5,233,844
`
`8
`7
`is operated to again lock shelves 24 and 24' in stationary
`tically spaced electromagnets (not illustrated) individu-
`positions, while rotary drive 38 is disengaged, so that
`ally controlled by computer 42 to magnetically attract
`subsequent operation of drive 36 causes collar 74, flange
`and flx shelves 24 and 24'.
`72 and lifting arm 54, as well as the tray 26' carried
`As further illustrated in FIG. 1, housing 20 is pro-
`vided on upper wall 50 with a swingable or slidable 5 thereby, to rise towards doorway 48 through openings
`44 in the overlying shelves 24.
`door 100 for closing doorway or access opening 48.
`Door 100 is alternately opened and closed by a robot
`Upon the tray's attainment of a predetermined verti-
`mechanism or actuator 102 under the control of com-
`cal position in juxtaposition to doorway 48, drive 36 is
`puter 42. The cryogenic storage apparatus is also pro-
`also disengaged. Computer 42 then activates robot
`vided with a retrieval and insertion mechanism 106 for 10 mechanism or actuator 102 to open door 100. Upon the
`alternatively retrieving and inserting vials 28 and clus-
`opening of door 100, retrieval and insertion mechanism
`ters 110 of vials 28 into housing 20. Retrieval and inser-
`106 is operated to extract the selected vial 28' (or se-
`tion mechanism 106 thus cooperates with lifting arm 54
`lected vial cluster or tray) from housing 20.
`and its associated axial and rotary drive mechanism 34
`Sidewall114 of housing 20 is provided at doorway 48
`in the placement and removal of specimens from the 15 with an optical scanner 126 for reading, during insertion
`cryogenic storage unit.
`and retrieval operations, bar code labels (not shown)
`Retrieval and insertion mechanism 106 is provided
`attached to the vials being inserted and/or retrieved
`with an interchangeable adaptor 108 for enabling a
`from storage chamber 22. During the removal of se-
`variation in the number of specimens which can be
`lected vial 28' from housing 20, an identification device
`transfered simultaneously by retrieval and insertion 20 128 connected to optical scanner 126 and computer 42
`mechanism 106. The adaptor includes snap locking
`verifies the identity of the retrieved vial28' (or group of
`elements, electromagnets, hook and eyelet components
`vials) to computer 42. It is to be noted that the veriflca-
`or other devices (not shown) for enabling the attach-
`tion of vial or specimen identities may be implemented
`ment of different grasping components (not shown).
`via different types of sensors, such as infrared sensors,
`The different grasping components respectively manip- 25 tactile detectors, holographic devices or acoustic sen-
`sors. The operation of identification device 128 and
`ulate single vials, vial clusters 110 or an entire tray 26a.
`Entire trays may alternatively be removed or inserted
`scanner 126 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,336, the
`into housing 20 via an an access opening or door 112
`disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
`(FIGS. 1 and 2) in a sidewall 114 of the housing. Side-
`Upon verification of the identity of the retrieved vial
`wall114 may be provided with a column (not shown) of 30 28', retrieval and insertion mechanism 106 lowers the
`such openings to enable access to each shelf 24. Alterna-
`vial into or onto a holder 130 which reciprocates along
`a vertical track or rail132 under the control of a lifting
`tively, sidewall114 may be provided with a single door-
`way 116 variable in height and width.
`drive 134. Upon the deposition of retrieved vial 28' into
`As also shown in FIG. 1, the storage apparatus is
`holder 130, computer 42 signals lifting drive 134 to
`provided with a removable hood or cover member 120 35 lower the holder into a temporary holding chamber o
`enclosure 133 juxtaposed to aperture 124 at the lower
`defming an antechamber 122 which communicates with
`storage chamber 22 upon an opening of door 100. Dur-
`end of rai1132. Upon the arrival of holder 130 at enclo-
`ing use of the apparatus, the opening of door 100 ena-
`sure 133, a signal generator 136 produces preferably an
`bles coolant vapors from storage chamber 22 to pene-
`audible tone for alerting an operator that the requested
`trate into antechamber 12 and drive out ambient air 40 vial has been retrieved and is available in enclosure 133.
`through an aperture 124 at the base of hood 120. Ante-
`A door 138 Covering aperture 124 is hinged to hood 120
`chamber 122 is thereby substantially fllled with coolant
`and may be manually pivoted to enable access to ante-
`vapor, minimizing the formation of ice crystals on
`chamber 122. Signal generator 136 may be activated by
`cooled samples, particularly on vials 28.
`a sensor (not illustrated) in enclosure 133 or may be
`Upon receiving from keyboard 52 an order to re- 45 activated by computer 42 upon a determination thereby
`that holder 130 has reached enclosure 133.
`trieve a vial 28' stored in housing 20, computer 42 ener-
`gizes rotary drive 36 while maintaining drive 38 in a
`Storage chamber 22 and particularly the vials 28
`disengaged or de-energized state to flrst shift collar 74,
`contained therein are maintained at a substantially pre-
`flange 72 and lifting arm 54 in a vertical direction to a
`determined low temperature by a liquid coolant 140
`vertical position slightly below the shelf 24' holding the 50 which is circulated from a sump 142 at the bottom of
`selected vial 28'. During this vertical shifting, collar 74,
`chamber 22 to a distribution ring or manifold 144 by a
`flange 72 and lifting arm 54 pass through openings 44 in
`pump 146. Distribution ring 144 is disposed at the top of
`shelves 24.
`chamber 22 above an uppermost shelf 24a. Coolant 140,
`Upon the attainment of the desired vertical position
`which is preferably liquid nitrogen, is discharged
`by collar 74, flange 72 and lifting arm 54, computer 42 55 through nozzles 148 in ring 144 and falls into trays 26
`engages both rotary drives 36 and 38 to rotate lifting
`carried by shelf 24a. Subsequently, the coolant cascades
`arm 54 so that it is vertically aligned with the slot 46
`from shelf to shelf Oevel to level) down through cham-
`her 22. Preferably, the liquid coolant cascades from tray
`associated with the tray 26' holding the selected vial28'.
`Rotary drive 36 is then engaged while rotary drive 38 is
`to underlying tray.
`de-energized to vertically elevate lifting arm 54 through 60 A sensor 150 communicates with sump 142 and is
`the slot 46 and slightly above the level of the respective
`connected to a level indicator 152. In the event that the
`shelf 24'. Lifting device 98 is then actuated in response
`level of liquid nitrogen in sump 142 is below a predeter-
`to signals from computer 42 to raise rod 86 and unlock
`mined level, indicator 152 opens a valve (not illustrated)
`shelves 24 and 24'. At that point, both rotary drives 36
`to allow liquid nitrogen to flow from a reservoir (not
`and 38 are operated under the control of computer 42 to 65 shown) to sump 142. After the nitrogen level in sump
`142 rises to another predetermined level, indicator 152
`rotate the selected shelf 24' so that the tray 26' carrying
`the selected vial 28' is aligned vertically with openings
`closes the valve, thereby preventing further nitrogen
`44 and below doorway 48. Then loc