| Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage device -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage deviceUSPTO Application #: 20060017357Title: Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage device Abstract: A storage device and its method of use comprises a first door and a second door spaced relative to one another so as to define a storage area therebetween. Each of the first and second doors have an open position to permit access to the storage area and a closed position to enclose the storage area. The first door is linked to the second door such that when the first door is in the open position the second door is in the closed position and when the first door is in the closed position the second door is in the open position. (end of abstract) Agent: Baker & Hostetler LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventors: David Riling, Paul W. Pollock, Jon Jackson USPTO Applicaton #: 20060017357 - Class: 312325000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060017357. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application entitled, "Method and Apparatus for Accessing a Storage Plate Device," filed Jul. 16, 2004, having a Ser. No. 60/588,337 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to accessing an enclosed interior chamber. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing environmental fluctuations in an environmentally controlled chamber, which can occur with accessing the chamber from an external or differently maintained environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Drug discovery and many of the methods used in the process are slowly becoming automated. This increase in automation is used as an attempt to get drugs to the market place faster. However, the automation has created at least a number of issues in laboratories throughout the world. The first is that space is at an all time premium so the ability to expand storage and have the storage conform to the available lab space is essential in offering a unit that can be expanded at a later date. The second issue is that with the increasing amount of automation in drug discovery, more and more experiments are being run in a much shorter period of time resulting in a proliferation of sample containing plates that require short term storage and incubation for temporal analysis. [0004] One of the methods available to decrease the time associated with drug discovery is to use machines that automatically perform protein crystallography and collect the related data. Protein crystallography requires maintaining test samples or materials within an environment or chamber having a high degree of temperature uniformity. Generally, crystallography machines include an access door from which test samples may be accessed by, for example, a robotic arm or user. Where it is necessary to repeatedly access the storage area in order to replenish or test the sample materials, repeated opening and closing of the access door may be required. Repeatedly opening the access door may cause temperature fluctuations in the chamber due to the recurring exposure to the ambient environment. [0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that provides controlled access to materials that are accessible from at least two differently maintained environments. More specifically, a need exists to provide a method and apparatus that provides access to materials contained in a controlled environment while minimizing environmental fluctuations due to such access. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus and method is provided that in some embodiments permits access to materials contained in a controlled environment while minimizing environmental fluctuations due to such access. [0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a storage device can be located within an environmentally controlled chamber. The storage device can be accessible from within the environmentally controlled chamber as well as from an environment exterior to the storage device. Because of the configuration of the storage device, the environment exterior to the storage device can have a minimal impact on the environmentally controlled chamber. The storage device comprises a first door and a second door spaced relative to one another so as to define a storage area therebetween. Each of the first and second doors has an open position to permit access to the storage area and a closed position so as to enclose the storage area. The first door is preferably linked to the second door such that placing first door is in the open position places the second door is in the closed position and placing the first door is in the closed position places the second door is in the open position. [0008] In another embodiment, the storage device can have a member disposed within the storage area, for example, free standing relative to the storage area by way of a cantilever connection to the first door. The member can be connected to the first and second doors such that moving the first door from the closed position to the open position displaces the member relative to the storage area so as to displace the second door relative to the member in which the second door is preferably displaced or pivoted from the open position to the closed position. More preferably, the member is configured so that it can be displaced to a position outside the storage area through an opening defined by the first door. The storage device can further include a plate having a pivot connection to the member. The plate can comprise a link configured such that the second door and plate are limited to rotational movement about the member. In addition, the member can be configured to hold at least one container within the storage area. In yet another embodiment of the storage device according to the present invention, the storage area can include at least one sensor configured to locate the position of the member relative to the storage area. [0009] In another preferred embodiment, the storage device can further comprise a housing having an inner chamber and an opening in communication with the inner chamber. A connector can be provided for connecting the storage device to the housing such that when the second door is in the open position, the inner chamber is in communication with the storage area, and when the second door is in the closed position, the inner chamber is at least partially enclosed from the storage area by the second door. In addition, the inner chamber can define an inner chamber temperature. When the second door is in the open position, the storage area can have a storage area temperature substantially equal to the inner chamber temperature, and when the second door is in the closed position, the inner chamber temperature can remain substantially constant and the storage area temperature can be variable. In a preferred embodiment the inner chamber temperature can range from about 4.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. [0010] In yet another embodiment, a storage device according to the present invention can comprise an assembly means defining a storage area therein and including first means for providing access to and enclosing the storage area and second means for providing access to and enclosing the storage area. The first means can be linked to the second means such that accessing the storage area by the first means encloses the storage area by the second means and enclosing the storage area by the first means provides access to the storage area by the second means. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device can further comprise container means for holding a material within the storage area. The first, second and container means can be linked together such that accessing the storage area by the first means displaces the container means so as to enclose the storage area by the second means. [0011] A method of accessing a container within a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises providing an assembly having a first door and a second door spaced relative to the first door so as to define a storage area therebetween with the first door linked to the second door. A member can also be provided to hold the container in the storage area. The method further comprises placing the first door in the open position so as to place the second door is in the closed position and accessing the container in the storage area wherein the access is limited to access by the first door. Alternatively the method can comprise placing the first door in the closed position so as to place the second door in the open position and accessing the container in the storage area wherein access is limited to access by the second door. In a preferred embodiment of the invention can include determining the position of the container relative to the storage area. [0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. [0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0014] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a storage device according to the present invention attached to an exemplary crystallization machine; [0016] FIG. 2 is one embodiment of an isometric view a storage device according to the present invention; [0017] FIG. 3 is a detailed top view of the storage device of FIG. 2 having a front door in the closed position; [0018] FIG. 4 a detailed top view of the storage device of FIG. 2 with the front door in the open position; [0019] FIG. 5 is a detailed bottom view of the storage device of FIG. 2 with the front door in the closed position; and Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device and method for covering and exposing an object Next Patent Application: Sliding assisting apparatus Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for accessing a plate storage device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 7.10848 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
||
