WO2006074568A1

WO2006074568A1 - Automatic storing device and climatic chamber for laboratory equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2006074568A1
Application number: PCT/CH2006/000028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cosmas G. Malin
Original assignee: Liconic Ag
Priority date: 2005-01-14
Filing date: 2006-01-12
Publication date: 2006-07-20
Also published as: DE102005001888A1; EP1836291A1; US20080272674A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a storing device, especially a climatic chamber, for storing laboratory equipment, especially microtiter plates, on shelves (4). The storing device comprises a pick-up device (17) for automatically picking up from and placing laboratory equipment in the shelves (4). The shelves (4) are adapted to receive a plurality of items of laboratory equipment one behind the other, thereby considerably increasing storage capacity while requiring only slightly more space and reducing the costs per item of laboratory equipment. The pick-up device (17) is adapted to simultaneously pick up a plurality of items of laboratory equipment disposed one behind the other and bring them into an intermediate storage position. A desired item of laboratory equipment can be picked up from there by means of a separation device (30) or an additional item of laboratory equipment can be added to the other items of laboratory equipment. The pick-up device then returns the items to the shelf. The invention allows to access every single item of laboratory equipment in a targeted manner and with little technical equipment.

Description

Automatic storage device and climatic cabinet for

Labor goods

Reference to related applications

This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application 10 2005 001 888, filed Jan. 14, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

background

The present invention relates to an automatic storage device and a climate chamber for receiving laboratory supplies, in particular microtiter plates.

In modern research, large quantities of samples must be tested, manipulated and stored. The storage of the samples is often done in so-called microtiter plates containing a variety of fine receiving wells for the samples. Microtiter plates usually have a standardized size with a base area of approx. 127.76 mm x 85.48 mm (± 0.5 mm each) according to standard ANSI / ΞBS 1-2004, 1/8/2004, "for microplates - Footprint Dimensions", and a variety of devices have been provided to provide such plates or similar laboratory supplies, such as so-called laboratory "Flasks" store. EP 1 332 987 describes a storage device with a storage lane, with two shelves arranged along the storage lane and a storage and retrieval unit that can be moved in the storage lane. The storage and retrieval unit has a height-adjustable and extendable receiving device with which individual laboratory goods stored in the shelves can be picked up. A Such equipment is costly to manufacture and use.

Presentation of the invention

The object is to improve the cost efficiency of such a device.

This object is achieved by the storage device according to claim 1. According to the claim, the shelf or. are the

Shelves designed so that they can accommodate several lab products in a row. As a result, the storage capacity is greatly increased with only a small increase in space requirements, so that the costs per laboratory sink. Preferably, the receiving device is designed so that it is capable of simultaneously receiving a plurality of successively arranged laboratory goods and bring in an intermediate storage position. From there, a desired laboratory work can be taken from a separating device or. An additional laboratory item will be added to the other laboratory items. Then the receiving device can put the goods back on the shelf. This makes it possible to selectively access each and every one of the lab utilities with little effort. The

Separation device may alternatively or additionally also be used to remove or place a lid resting on the laboratory utensil. to place such a lid on the laboratory utensil. This is particularly advantageous when using microtiter plates with lids.

In a particularly simple system, the shelves have storage positions for receiving several laboratory goods in succession. Each storage position has two runs parallel to each other and at the same height, on which opposite edge areas of the laboratory goods come directly to rest. The receiving device can in insert the space between the supports and at the same time raise (or remove) all laboratory goods from the storage position from below. This solution makes it unnecessary to provide a drawer or the like for the laboratory goods.

The invention also relates to a climate cabinet with a corresponding storage device.

Brief description of the drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 the view of a climatic cabinet with a storage device according to the invention,

Fig. FIG. 2 shows a schematic, horizontal section through the climatic cabinet according to FIG. 1 ,

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the storage device, wherein only four of the storage shafts are shown,

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the storage and retrieval unit,

Fig. 5 a part of a storage shaft, Fig. FIG. 6 is a view of a bearing shaft shown in a transparent manner, FIG.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a transparent bearing shaft and

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of the storage and retrieval unit.

Ways to carry out the invention

The climate cabinet according to FIG. 1 and 2 has a housing 1, in whose interior a control unit 3 with control and climatic generator and a storage device are housed. The storage device has two shelves 4, which are arranged on both sides of a storage lane 5. In the storage lane 5 runs a storage and retrieval unit 6, with which automated access to all laboratory goods in the shelves 4 can be accessed. At one end of the climatic cabinet, in the

Extension of the storage lane 5, a transfer station 7 is arranged. It serves for the temporary admission of individual laboratory goods at a transfer between the receiving device 17 of the storage and retrieval device 6 and an external transport system. The transfer station 7 is z. B. from an attached to a wall 10 a of the air conditioning cabinet storage table for receiving the laboratory goods and is arranged at an automatic door 8 in the wall 10 a of the storage cabinet. The size of the automatic door 8 corresponds approximately to the size of the laboratory goods to be handled so that climate losses when opening the door 8 remain small.

The automatic door 8 can also be arranged in the wall 10c opposite the wall 10a. At the opposite end of the automatic door 8 of the storage cabinet, in a second wall 10b parallel to the storage lane 5, a further access door 11 is provided. This door, which opens outwards, allows operators to gain access to the climatic chamber. The door leads into an anteroom 13, which is formed between the shelves 4 and the shelves 4 opposite third wall 10c. In ^' this vestibule 13, the control unit 3 is arranged. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 is the

Access door 11 arranged in the second wall 10b. Alternatively or additionally, the door may also be arranged in a transverse to the storage lane 5 arranged wall, d. H . in the first wall 10a or the first opposing third wall 10c, advantageously in the extension of the storage lane 5, as shown in FIG. 2 dashed with reference numeral 11 ^Λ resp. 11 "is indicated. If the access door is arranged in position 11 "in the first wall 10a, then the automatic door 8 is advantageously arranged in the access door.

The structure of the bearing device is best shown in FIG. 3 and 4 can be seen. As mentioned, it has two shelves 4 along the storage lane 5. The storage and retrieval unit 6 has a horizontal guide 15 in the form of a horizontal rail, which is arranged parallel to the rack aisle 5 in the ceiling region of the air conditioning cabinet. On the horizontal guide 15, a vertical guide 16 is guided in the form of a vertical rail. The vertical guide 16 is disposed on the horizontal guide 15 and extends downwardly therefrom. Optionally, 16 may be provided at the lower end of the vertical guide still a second horizontal auxiliary guide. On the vertical guide 16, a receiving device 17 is attached.

To move the vertical guide 16 along the horizontal guide 15 is a mounted at the upper end of the vertical guide 16 horizontal drive 18 which drives a gear which engages in a rack 19 of the horizontal guide 15. To move the receiving device 17 along the vertical guide 16 is used with the

Receiving device 17 connected vertical drive 20 (hidden in FIG. 4 behind part 23), which drives a gear which engages in a rack 21 of the vertical guide 16. For holding the receiving device 17, a vertical column 23 is provided, which is connected at its lower end with a horizontal support arm 24. At the opposite end of the column 23 of the support arm 24, an elongated table 25 is attached. The table 25 can be pivoted relative to the support arm 24 about a vertical axis A. As shown in FIG. 2, the axis A lies approximately in the middle of the storage lane 5. Zum Pivoting of the table 25 relative to the support arm 24 (and thus relative to the vertical guide 16) about the axis A is a pivot drive 27th

On the table 25, an elongated carrier 26 is arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the table. To move the carrier 26, an extension drive 28 is provided on the table 25. Table 25 and support 26 together form pivotable about axis A and extendable in an extension direction X receiving device 17. On the column 23 is a further

Separation device 30 is arranged. The separating device 30 can be moved vertically along the column 23 with a first separating drive 31. It has a gripper 32 for gripping the laboratory side. The gripper 32 has at least two, preferably four downwardly projecting fingers 33a-33d, which are horizontally movable by means of a second separating drive 34 against each other. The separating device 30 is located, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the storage lane 5, either in front of or behind the pivot axis A.

The receiving device 17 can be pivoted with the pivot drive 28 in three positions. In a transfer position, which is shown in Fig. 3, it can be extended parallel to the storage lane 5. In this position, the slightly extended carrier 26 is located below the separating device 30. Depending on how far the carrier 26 is extended horizontally, each of the laboratory goods 40 present on the carrier 26 can be brought into operative connection with the separating device 30. The singulation device can be lowered vertically onto such a laboratory device 40, so that it can grip and lift the laboratory device 40 laterally with the gripper 32. Likewise, it can store a laboratory item in this way on a free space on the carrier 26. In the transfer position, the

Receiving device 17 also labor and / or cover passed through the door 8 to the transfer station 7 or. from this record. From the transfer position, the

Receiving device 17, as shown in FIG. 2 indicated by double arrow, be pivoted to the left or right, in each case by 90 ° in a Umschlagstellung, in which they can be extended against each one of the shelves 4 in each case. Fig. 4 shows the receiving device 17 in FIG

Transshipment position. In this position, the receiving device 17 can deliver laboratory goods in the manner described below to the shelves 4 or. of these record. A second version of the

Receiving device 17 is shown in FIG. 8 is shown. This differs from the first embodiment in that the separating device 30 is not stationary to the holding arm 24, but stationary to the table 25, d. H . it can be pivoted together with the table 25. For this purpose, a column 35 with a vertical rack 35a is arranged on the table 25. In the rack 35a, the gear of the vertically displaceable first separating drive 31 engages. At the first separating drive 31, a support arm 36 is attached, which carries the gripper 32. The gripper 32 is constructed substantially like the gripper of the first embodiment.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 essentially corresponds to one according to FIG. 4, by the gripper 32 can be lowered from above onto the carrier 26 to there a laboratory or. to pick up or place a lid. The embodiment of FIG. 8, however, since the separating device 30 is pivotable together with the table 25, has the advantage that the separating device 30 can access the laboratory goods lying on the carrier 26 in any pivoting position, which allows faster order processing. The structure of the shelves 4 is best shown in FIG. 3 can be seen. Each shelf 4 has a frame 39 with, in the present embodiment, three shelves 41. At the top shelf 41 of the shelves, the horizontal guide 15 is attached. On the two lower shelves 41 j edes shelves 4 are storage shafts 42, of which in FIG. 3 only four are shown. Each bearing shaft 42 has two vertical side walls 43 which are connected at their upper and lower edges by horizontal plates 44.

A part of a bearing shaft 42 is shown in Fig. 5. As can be seen, are provided on the side walls 43 at regular intervals inwardly projecting ribs, which form pads 45 for the male laboratory supplies 40. Each laboratory groove 40 is inserted into the bearing shaft 42 so that mutually opposite lower edge regions of the laboratory device are supported by a respective support or rib 45. Thus, each storage shaft 42 has a vertical row of storage positions 47 defined by the ribs 45. The storage shaft 42 is so deep that in each storage position 47 several laboratory goods can be placed one behind the other. The width and height of the storage positions 47 is adapted to the dimensions of the laboratory items to be taken in each case.

The storage shafts 42 are self-supporting units, and each storage shaft can, if necessary. with the laboratory items stored therein, as a whole the storage device or. taken from the climate cabinet. Between opposite editions resp.

Ribs 45, a gap 46 is provided, which is wider than the extendable carrier 26. In the region of this gap 46, the underside of the laboratory device 40 is freely accessible. In order to grasp the laboratory goods, the receiving device or the carrier 26 can be introduced into the intermediate space 46. Fig. 6 and 7 show a concrete embodiment of a bearing shaft 42. In particular, from FIG. 6 are three successively arranged laboratory goods 40 resp. Microplates can be seen on three successive storage locations on the pads resp. Ribs 45 rest. So that the laboratory goods 40 are kept defined in the longitudinal direction of the storage position 47 and can not slip, j eder storage space for receiving holding means 50, with which the j eweilige Labororgut can be held in the longitudinal direction of the storage position 47. The holding means 50 are in the embodiment of FIG. 6 and 7 are formed by elevations that protrude from the pads 45 against the top. The elevations are upwardly bent tongues of the supports 45 designed as sheets.

The function of the device described is as follows:

In order to remove a specific laboratory item from a known position in the shelves 4 of the storage device, the receiving device 17 in the

Swinging turned position and horizontally and vertically moved so that it is located in front of the storage position 47 of the particular Laborguts, in such a way that the top of the support 26 comes to lie slightly lower than the bottom of the laboratory. Then, the carrier 26 is extended into the shelf 4 and raised so far with the vertical drive 20 that it enters the intermediate space 46 and raises all on the ribs 45 of the respective storage position 47 successively arranged stored goods together. Now the carrier 26 is withdrawn again and the receiving device 17 is pivoted into the transfer position. In this intermediate storage position, the carrier 26 is extended so far that the laboratory to be taken 40 comes to rest just below the separating device 30. Now it lowers

Separation device 30 from the laborgut takes 40 and raises this. After the desired laboratory work 40 has been removed from the receiving device 17 in this way, the receiving device 17 is pivoted back into the envelope position, extended into the shelf 4 and lowered slightly, so that the other laboratory goods are stored again in its storage position 47. The now empty carrier 26 is withdrawn, pivoted into the transfer position and extended so far that its end portion is below the separating device 30. The separating device lowers again and delivers the previously removed laboratory waste 40 to the carrier 26. Now the receiving device 17 can be driven to the door 8. The door 8 is opened and the carrier 26 is extended and lowered so that it deposits the laboratory work in the transfer position 7. In order to deposit a single laboratory item 40 at a predetermined position in the shelves 4, the reverse process is run through. The receiving device 17 moves to the door 8, the carrier 26 is extended and raises the provided in the transfer position 7 Labororgut 40 at. The carrier 26 is retracted. The laboratory waste 40 is brought into the effective range of the separating device 30, which removes it from the carrier 26. The receiving device 17 is moved to the desired storage position 47 and pivoted into the envelope position. The carrier 26 extends, lifts the laboratory goods already in the storage position 47, pulls back and pivots into the transfer position. It is extended so far horizontally that a free space of the table below the separating device 30 comes to rest, whereupon the separating device 30 there touches the new laboratory. Then all laboratory goods are placed on the carrier 26 back into the shelf by the carrier 26 pivots back into the Umschlagstellung, extends, lowers and the laboratory supplies 40 on the

Conditions or Ribs 45 deposits. Then the carrier 26 is withdrawn again. In order to achieve a higher handling capacity, several lab utensils 40 can also be handled on the table 25 at the same time. For example, the carrier 26 can take three successive laboratory utensils from a shelf position and together for

Transfer position 7, where the lab utensils are taken over or processed together. Conversely, several laboratories of the transfer position 7 can be brought together in one step to a storage location and stored there in succession.

It is also conceivable that the

Separation device 30 m is able to cache several Labororguter simultaneously. For example, it can record several laboratories, which are then taken over by the transfer position 7. For this purpose, the transfer position must be designed with means to take over the laboratory equipment directly from the separating device 30.

The device shown here can be adapted in many different ways to the respective requirements.

For example, instead of two shelves 4, only one shelf may be provided, which is arranged along the storage lane 5. If different types of laboratory utensils are to be stored, then different storage shafts with correspondingly large storage positions can be provided.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the present application, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied otherwise within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

claims

1. Automatic storage device for laboratory goods, in particular microtiter plates, with at least one, along a storage lane (5) arranged shelf (4) for receiving the laboratory goods and next to each other and a stacker crane (6), which in the storage lane (5) is movable and comprising a height-adjustable and extendable receiving device (17) for receiving and storing laboratory supplies from or into the shelf (4), characterized in that the shelf (4) is configured to receive multiple laboratory items in a row.

2. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device (17) is designed to simultaneously accommodate a plurality of laboratory goods arranged one behind another and bring in an intermediate storage position, and wherein the storage and retrieval unit (6) has a separating device (30) to a laboratory work from the intermediate storage position remove and / or insert in the intermediate storage position.

3. Storage device according to claim 2, wherein the separating device (30) is movable vertically to the intermediate storage position.

4. Storage device according to claim 3, wherein the separating device (30) has a gripper (32) which can be lowered to the intermediate storage position and with which a laboratory item is laterally gripped.

5. Storage device according to claim 4, wherein the gripper (42) at least two, preferably four, fingers (33a - 33d), which are for lateral gripping the laboratory and / or resting on the laboratory utensil substantially horizontally against each other.

6. Storage device according to one of the claims

2 to 5, wherein it is designed to remove a single laboratory item from the shelves (4) by successively arranged laboratory goods with the receiving device (17), taken a selected laboratory with the separating device of the receiving device (17), the other laboratory goods back from the receiving device (17) returned to the shelves (4), and the selected laboratory work from the separating device (30) is brought to the receiving device (17) or. become .

7. A storage device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein it is designed to be a single

Laboratory of the receiving device (17) in the shelves (4) - bring by the individual laboratory with the separating device (30) of the receiving device (17) removed, several successively arranged laboratory goods with the receiving device (17) from the shelves (4) taken from the separation device (30) to the other laboratory equipment on the receiving device (17) and all laboratory goods are brought from the receiving device (17) in the shelves (4) or the individual laboratory. becomes .

8. Storage device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein by horizontal displacement of the receiving device (17) jes each of her recorded laboratory work in operative connection with the separating device (30) can be brought.

9. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (17) about a vertical axis (A) between at least one envelope position and at least one transfer position is pivotable, wherein the receiving device (17) in the envelope position against the at least one shelf (4). is extendable and in the transfer position parallel to the storage lane (5) is movable.

10. Storage device according to claims 4 to 8 and claim 9, wherein the laboratory goods on the

Receiving device (17) can be brought into operative connection with the separating device (30) when the pick-up device (17) is in the transfer position.

11. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a horizontal guide (15), guided on the horizontal guide vertical guide (16), wherein on the vertical guide

(16) the receiving device (17) is guided, a longitudinal drive (18) for moving the vertical guide along the horizontal guide (15) and a vertical drive (20) for moving the receiving device along the vertical guide (17).

12. Bearing device according to claim 11 with a pivot drive (27) for pivoting the

Receiving device (17) relative to the vertical guide

(17).

13. Storage device according to one of the claims

11 or 12, wherein the vertical guide (17) extends from the horizontal guide (16) downwards.

14. Storage device according to one of the claims

12 or 13 and according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the separating device (30) is pivotable together with the receiving device (17).

15. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelves (4) bearing positions (47) for receiving a plurality of laboratory goods in a row, each storage position (47) has two parallel and at the same height extending supports (45), on the opposite edge regions of Laboratory goods in the storage position (47) are directly supportable, and wherein the receiving device (17) in an intermediate space (46) between the supports (45) is insertable for directly receiving all laboratory goods of the storage position (47) from below.

16. A storage device according to claim 15, wherein the receiving device (17) comprises an extendable carrier (26) whose width is smaller than a distance between the supports (45) of the storage position (47).

17. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelves (4) have storage positions (47) with several storage spaces in a row, wherein each storage space is designed to accommodate a laboratory and holding means (50), with which the j eweilige laboratory in one Longitudinal storage position is firmly held, and in particular wherein each storage position

(47) has two parallel and at the same height extending supports (45) on the opposite edge regions of the laboratory goods in the storage position (47) can be supported, and wherein the holding means (50) are formed by elevations of the supports (45) against protrude above.

18. A bearing device according to claim 17, wherein the elevations are formed by upwardly bent parts of the supports (45).

19. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at one end of the storage lane (5) a transfer station (8) is arranged for temporarily receiving individual laboratory goods at a transfer between the receiving device (17) and an outer transport system.

20. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on both sides of the storage lane (5) shelves (4) are arranged.

21. Bearing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shelves (4) of

Bearing shafts (42) are formed, wherein j eder storage shaft (42) has a plurality of superimposed storage positions (47), wherein j ede storage position (47) provides space for several laboratory goods in a row, and wherein each storage shaft (42) with stored therein laboratory goods as Whole is removable from the storage device.

22. A storage device according to claim 21, wherein each storage shaft (42) comprises exactly one vertical row of storage positions (47).

23. Climate cabinet with a storage device according to one of the preceding claims.

24. climatic cabinet according to claim 23, wherein it has a first door (8) for the automatic transfer of laboratory goods and a second door (11) for operating personnel.

25. Climatic cabinet according to claim 24, wherein the first door in a first wall (10 a) at the end of the storage lane (5) is arranged and the second door (11) in a second wall (10 b) parallel to the storage lane (5) on one of first wall (10a) opposite end of the second wall.

26. Climate cabinet according to claim 24, wherein the second door (11) in a transverse to the storage lane (5) standing wall (10a, 10c) is arranged.

27. climatic cabinet according to claim 26, wherein the first door (8) in the second door (11) is arranged.

28. Climatic cabinet according to one of claims 25 ^■ to 27, wherein the second door (11) is clearly against the inside.