Automated storage and retrieval apparatus for freezers and related method thereof

An automated storage and retrieval apparatus for storing containers at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:

• a freezer means for freezing the containers;
• a storage means disposed inside said freezer means for holding the containers;
• a chamber means for interchanging the containers between the exterior and said freezer means;
• a climate system control means for controlling the climate of said chamber means;
• an interchange means for:
• interchanging a container between said interchange means and said chamber means while in a chamber exchange position, and
• interchanging a container between said interchange means and said storage means while in a storage exchange position;
• said chamber means for:
• isolating the container from said interchange means as container is deposited from the exterior or placed into the exterior, and
• isolating the container from the exterior as container is exchanged between said chamber means and said interchange means;
• and
• said chamber means comprising:
• a transport tray slidably mounted to said chamber means for transporting the container between an outer position closest to the exterior and an interior position closest to said interchange means.

An automated storage and retrieval apparatus for storing containers at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:

• a freezer compartment, said freezer compartment having a side wall;
• a storage device disposed inside said freezer compartment for holding the containers;
• a climate-controlled chamber disposed on said side wall;
• a climate system for controlling the climate of said chamber;
• an interchange mechanism configured to:
• interchange a container between said interchange mechanism and said climate-controlled chamber while in a chamber exchange position, and
• interchange a container between said interchange mechanism and said storage device while in a device exchange position;
• said chamber being configured to:
• isolate the container from said interchange mechanism as container is deposited from the exterior or placed into the exterior, and
• isolate the container from the exterior as container is exchanged between said chamber and said interchange mechanism;
• and
• said chamber further comprises:
• a transport tray slidably mounted to said chamber for transporting the container between an outer position closest to the exterior and an interior position closest to said interchange mechanism.

A method for automatically storing and retrieving containers in a freezer compartment at ultra low temperatures, said method comprising:

• providing a carousel in said freezer compartment;
• providing a climate controlled chamber;
• retrieving a stored container from said freezer into said climate controlled chamber, while said chamber is isolated from the exterior;
• controlling the climate of said chamber while isolating said chamber for a predetermined time while the container remains in said chamber;
• and
• presenting the container for pickup while said chamber is isolated from said freezer compartment, wherein said presenting the container comprises ejecting the container to the exterior for pickup.

A method for automatically depositing and storing containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:

• a freezer compartment, said freezer compartment having a side wall;
• a storage carousel disposed inside said freezer compartment for holding the containers;
• a climate-controlled chamber disposed on said side wall;
• a climate control system for controlling the climate of said chamber;
• an interchange mechanism configured to:
• interchange a container between said interchange mechanism and said climate-controlled chamber while in a chamber exchange position, and
• interchange a container between said interchange mechanism and said carousel while in a carousel exchange position;
• said chamber being configured to:
• isolate the container from said interchange mechanism as container is deposited from the exterior or placed into the exterior, and
• isolate the container from the exterior as container is exchanged between said chamber and said interchange mechanism;
• and
• said chamber further comprises:
• a transport tray slidably mounted to said chamber for transporting the container between an outer position closest to the exterior and an interior position closest to said interchange mechanism.

A method for automatically storing and retrieving containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:

• a freezer compartment, said freezer compartment having a side wall;
• a storage carousel disposed inside said freezer compartment for holding the containers;
• a climate-controlled chamber disposed on said side wall;
• a climate control system for controlling the climate of said chamber;
• an interchange mechanism configured to:
• interchange a container between said interchange mechanism and said climate-controlled chamber while in a chamber exchange position, and
• interchange a container between said interchange mechanism and said carousel while in a carousel exchange position;
• said chamber being configured to:
• isolate the container from said interchange mechanism as container is deposited from the exterior or placed into the exterior, and
• isolate the container from the exterior as container is exchanged between said chamber and said interchange mechanism;
• and
• said chamber further comprises:
• a transport tray slidably mounted to said chamber for transporting the container between an outer position closest to the exterior and an interior position closest to said interchange mechanism.

A method for automatically depositing and storing containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:

• a freezer means for freezing the containers;
• a storage means disposed inside said freezer means for holding the containers;
• a chamber means for interchanging the containers between the exterior and said freezer means;
• a climate system control means for controlling the climate of said chamber means;
• an interchange means for:
• interchanging a container between said interchange means and said chamber means while in a chamber exchange position, and
• interchanging a container between said interchange means and said storage means while in a storage exchange position;
• said chamber means for:
• isolating the container from said interchange means as container is deposited from the exterior or placed into the exterior, and
• isolating the container from the exterior as container is exchanged between said chamber means and said interchange means;
• and
• said chamber means comprising:
• a transport tray slidably mounted to said chamber means for transporting the container between an outer position closest to the exterior and an interior position closest to said interchange means.

A method for automatically storing and retrieving containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:

• a freezer means for freezing the containers;
• a storage means disposed inside said freezer means for holding the containers;
• a chamber means for interchanging the containers between the exterior and said freezer means;
• a climate system control means for controlling the climate of said chamber means;
• an interchange means for:
• interchanging a container between said interchange means and said chamber means while in a chamber exchange position, and
• interchanging a container between said interchange means and said storage means while in a storage exchange position;
• and
• said chamber means for:
• isolating the container from said interchange means as container is deposited from the exterior or placed into the exterior,
• isolating the container from the exterior as container is exchanged between said chamber means and said interchange means;
• and
• said chamber means comprising:
• a transport tray slidably mounted to said chamber means for transporting the container between an outer position closest to the exterior and an interior position closest to said interchange means.