Patent ID: 7290973
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: B65G,G01N

Abstract:
1. An automatic storage system for storing sample containers held in racks, comprising: an outer frame having a rear wall, a front side formed with a front opening, and a front door pivotally movably secured to the front side for opening and closing the front opening; a first shelf section positioned in the outer frame and supported by the rear wall for storing a plurality of racks in which a plurality of sample containers are installable; a second shelf section positioned in the outer frame and secured to the front door for storing a plurality of racks in which a plurality of sample containers are installable, the second shelf section being pivotally movable to take a first position and a second position, the second shelf section being disposed side by side with the first shelf section having a space therebetween when the second shelf section takes the first position, and the second shelf section being disposed substantially perpendicular to the first shelf section when the second shelf section takes the second position, the sample containers held in the racks being stored in the first and the second shelf sections when the second shelf is in the second position; a transfer section movable in the space and comprising a rack pull-out mechanism for pulling out the rack from either one of the first and second shelf sections, maintaining the pulled-out rack on the rack pull-out mechanism and returning the pulled-out rack to one of the first and second shelf sections, the pulling out and returning the rack being performed when the second shelf section is at the first position, wherein the transfer section comprises a horizontally moving member movable along the space and a base connected to the horizontally moving member and vertically movable along the horizontally moving member, the rack pull-out mechanism being disposed on the base; and a control section connected to the transfer section managing operations thereof and managing position data of the racks and sample containers.