Patent ID: 9731895
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: B65G,F25D,G07F

Claim:
1. An automated temperature sensitive product cold storage unit comprising: (i) a housing having at least one product access panel for loading and/or retrieving temperature sensitive products stored in the cold storage unit; (ii) a loading zone configured to receive one or more carriers each adapted to hold a temperature sensitive product, wherein the loading zone is accessible via the access panel, when open; (iii) a storage area framework having a plurality of independently addressable storage bays each configured to store a temperature sensitive product or a carrier for a temperature sensitive product; (iv) at least one accessible, insulated, temperature-controlled cold storage zone that bounds a volume that encloses at least a portion of the plurality of independently addressable storage bays in the storage area framework, which cold storage zone comprises at least one temperature sensor; (v) a robot to transport temperature sensitive products, or carriers for temperature sensitive products, within the cold storage unit; (vi) a reader to identify temperature sensitive products loaded into or removed from the cold storage unit; (vii) a computer configured to control operation of the cold storage unit, movement of the robot, containers and carriers, and storage and dispensing of temperature sensitive products from the cold storage unit; (viii) a refrigeration unit connected to the cold storage zone; and wherein: (f) the cold storage unit comprises an a accessible, insulated, temperature-controlled cold storage zone, wherein the cold storage zone bounds a volume that encloses the plurality of storage bays in the storage area framework and wherein each cold storage zone comprises at least one temperature sensor; and/or (g) the cold storage unit comprises at least two stacked, accessible, insulated, temperature-controlled cold storage zones, wherein each cold storage zone comprises at least one temperature sensor and bounds a volume that encloses a portion of the plurality of storage bays in the storage area framework separate from the other cold storage zone(s), wherein any two adjacent cold storage zones are connected by a key way seal and key way plug that physically and thermally separate, and provide access between, the two cold storage zones; and/or (h) each storage bay is configured to receive a carrier adapted to (A) hold a temperature sensitive product and (B) be engaged by the robot for movement inside the housing; and/or (i) an accessible, insulated, temperature-controlled cold storage zone comprises temperatures between about 1° C. and about 12° C., and/or between about −100° C. and about 0° C.; and/or (j) the cold storage unit further comprises a backup power supply, optionally one or more batteries; and/or (k) the reader is a barcode reader; and/or (l) the cold storage unit further comprises an optionally activated security interface to control internal access to the cold storage unit, wherein such access control optionally comprises a login code verification and/or a biometric sensor scan; and/or (m) the access panel comprises a pair of sliding doors positioned above the loading zone, wherein the doors optionally slidingly separate from a central point above the loading zone; and/or (n) at least some of the carriers for temperature sensitive products each include a latch configured to be releasably but connectedly engaged by an adaptor of a robotic arm; and/or (o) at least some of the carriers for temperature sensitive products each include at least one opening through which a light beam can be shone and/or reflected to assess whether the carrier has a temperature sensitive product stored therein.