Patent ID: 7527764
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: A01N,B01L,F25D,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An automatic system for the storage of samples comprising a lower chamber wherein a stack of disks independently rotatable around a vertical axis is arranged, said disks being provided with locations for storing the samples and with radial slots, the lower chamber in selective communication only with an upper chamber located above and separated from the lower chamber by means of a shelf fitted with an opening, the upper chamber in selective communication with external world only by an I/O drawer, characterized by a Cartesian robotic system disposed in the upper chamber and configured to direct a pick-up device in horizontal and vertical directions only, the system comprising a horizontal rail that extends entirely across the stacked disks with a portion of the horizontal rail extending above the opening of the shelf and a vertical rail movable along the horizontal rail and along which the pick-up device can move into and out of the lower chamber for loading or unloading the samples wherein, when the pick-up device moves into and out of the lower chamber for loading or unloading the samples, the radial slots of the disks which are above one of the disks bearing the location of a chosen sample, are vertically aligned with the opening.