Method of storing and retrieving products using cryogenic storage rack with rotatable shelves
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11540510-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A storage rack for storing and retrieving products to be maintained at a desired cryogenic temperature is provided. The storage rack includes an elongate mounting bar carrying a plurality of shelves, and an elongate stop bar that extends generally parallel to the mounting bar. The shelves are independently rotatable relative to the mounting bar towards and away from the stop bar, thereby enabling alignment of all of the shelves when the storage rack is to be stored, and also enabling easy access to each of the individual shelves. A handle projects upwardly and horizontally in a curved configuration from the stop bar and the mounting bar to provide a gripping surface for moving the storage rack. The shelves receive cylindrical vial containers with threadably removable lids to make retrieval and replacement of sample vials quick to perform, thereby avoiding temperature-induced damage to other samples in the storage rack.
Core Innovation
A cryogenic storage rack and storage system are configured to hold products to be maintained at a desired temperature. The storage system includes an outer sleeve element and a storage rack inserted into the outer sleeve element for storage within a storage space of a cryogenic storage container held at the desired temperature. The storage rack comprises a framework with an elongate mounting bar and an elongate stop bar coupled to one another and extending generally parallel to one another.
The storage rack includes a handle coupled to at least one of the stop bar and the mounting bar, the handle including an enlarged gripping portion. A plurality of shelves are each pivotally coupled to the mounting bar so as to be individually and independently rotatable relative to an axis through the mounting bar towards and away from contact with the stop bar. The stop bar provides a limit on rotation of each shelf in both directions such that each shelf can freely rotate to a multitude of different positions between end positions defined by shelf contact with opposite sides of the stop bar.
To store, rotating all of the plurality of shelves into contact with one side of the stop bar aligns the plurality of shelves for storage. To retrieve, the storage rack is removed from the outer sleeve element and the cryogenic storage container by engaging the gripping portion of the handle, and then rotating one selected shelf away from engagement with the one side of the stop bar places the selected shelf out of alignment from a remainder of the plurality of shelves to provide access to one of the products stored at the selected shelf. Shelves use cylindrical container receptacles with opposing cutouts for gripping cylindrical vial containers, and adjacent shelves or a fixed lid element can close receptacles in the aligned storage configuration to retain vials.
Claims Coverage
The independently claimed subject matter covers a method of storing and retrieving products at a desired temperature using a cryogenic storage rack assembly with independently rotatable pivoting shelves that can be aligned against a stop bar for storage and selectively rotated out of alignment for access.
Cryogenic rack assembled with parallel mounting and stop bars
Inserting a storage rack into an outer sleeve element, where the storage rack includes a framework with an elongate mounting bar and an elongate stop bar coupled together and extending generally parallel to one another.
Independently rotatable pivot shelves limited by a stop bar
A plurality of shelves pivotally coupled to the mounting bar so as to be individually and independently rotatable relative to an axis through the mounting bar towards and away from contact with the stop bar, where the stop bar limits rotation in both directions so each shelf can rotate to a multitude of different positions between end positions defined by shelf contact with opposite sides of the stop bar.
Aligned storage by rotating all shelves into stop-bar contact
Rotating all of the plurality of shelves into contact with one side of the stop bar to cause the plurality of shelves to be aligned for storage.
Cryogenic maintenance within a held storage space
Keeping the storage system within a storage space of a cryogenic storage container that is held at the desired temperature.
One selected shelf out of alignment for product access
Removing the storage rack from the outer sleeve element and the cryogenic storage container by engaging the gripping portion of the handle, and rotating one selected shelf away from engagement with the one side of the stop bar to place the selected shelf out of alignment from a remainder of the plurality of shelves, thereby providing access to one of the products stored at the selected shelf.
The claimed invention combines an outer sleeve element, a rack framework with parallel mounting and stop bars, independently pivotable shelves limited by the stop bar, and selective alignment or out-of-alignment rotation of shelves for cryogenic storage and access.
Stated Advantages
Enables faster access to products stored at a selected shelf by rotating only the selected shelf out of alignment.
Reduces handling complexity compared with conventional racks by enabling alignment and selective access using the handle and shelf rotation relative to the stop bar.
Documented Applications
Storing and retrieving products, including biological or drug samples, to be maintained at a desired cryogenic temperature using a cryogenic storage container with an outer sleeve element and a rack whose shelves can be aligned for storage and selectively rotated for vial access.
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