초록 ▼

A device for cryoprotecting thermolabile products. A container (20) receives an annular rack (40) which is sealed by an enclosure (60). The enclosure (60) includes an outer stationary toroid (70) and a rotatable core (90). A robotic arm (160) is adapted to move and is supported by the core (90). The

A device for cryoprotecting thermolabile products. A container (20) receives an annular rack (40) which is sealed by an enclosure (60). The enclosure (60) includes an outer stationary toroid (70) and a rotatable core (90). A robotic arm (160) is adapted to move and is supported by the core (90). The robotic arm (160) accesses an interior of the enclosure (60). An access portal (80) allows removal and placement of thermolabile products constrained by a holder (150). The robotic arm (160) accesses product and holder (150) and embarks upon controlled freezing of the product and its location in the rack (40) until subsequent retrieval. A computer controls the rate of freezing and stores in memory the location of all of the stored products. The robotic arm (160) reads the product in storage to assure the correct product is being accessed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for storing and retrieving thermolabile products, the steps including:orienting the thermolabile product adjacent the container,placing the thermolabile product in the container,grasping the thermolabile product with a free end of a robotic arm anddecreasing the temperature

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for storing and retrieving thermolabile products, the steps including:orienting the thermolabile product adjacent the container,placing the thermolabile product in the container,grasping the thermolabile product with a free end of a robotic arm anddecreasing the temperature of the thermolabile product at a controlled rate, andstoring the thermolabile product in a specified site by moving the free end of the robotic arm to the site and releasing the product.