Automated storage and retrieval device and method

A method for automatically storing and retrieving a plurality of trays, wherein said plurality of trays holds subject matter, comprising the steps of:

• A) placing a plurality of trays into an access device for the insertion and removal of a plurality of trays,
• B) transferring said plurality of trays from said access device to a storage rack, comprising a plurality of vertically aligned storage slots,
• C) transferring via a storage gantry utilizing vertical and horizontal movement said plurality of trays from said storage rack to an automated machine, said storage gantry being adopted to remove trays one-at-a-time from any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, transport the removed tray to said at least one automated machine, remove trays one-at-a-time from said at least one automated machine, and to return the removed tray to any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, and
• D) transferring via said storage gantry utilizing vertical and horizontal movement said plurality of trays from said automated machine to said storage rack, and
• E) controlling the movement of said storage gantry via at least one programmed computer system.

An automated storage and retrieval device for trays holding subject matter, comprising:

• A) an access device means for the insertion and removal of a plurality of trays,
• B) a storage rack means comprising a plurality of vertically aligned storage slots for vertically storing a plurality of trays,
• C) at least one automated machine means,
• D) a storage gantry means for vertical and horizontal movement of said plurality of trays between said storage rack means, said access device means and said at least one automated machine means, said storage gantry means being adopted to remove trays one-at-a-time from any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, transport the removed tray to said at least one automated machine, remove trays one-at-a-time from said at least one automated machine, and to return the removed tray to any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, and
• E) at least one computer system means programmed to control said storage gantry means.

A method for growing protein crystals, comprising the steps of:

• A) inserting drops of protein solution into a plurality of micro-well plates,
• B) placing said plurality of micro-well plates onto a plurality of Ways,
• C) placing said plurality of trays into an access device for the insertion and removal of a plurality of trays,
• C) transferring said plurality of trays from said access device to a storage rack comprising a plurality of vertically aligned storage slots,
• D) transferring via a storage gantry utilizing vertical and horizontal movement said plurality of Ways from said storage rack to an automated machine, said storage gantry being adopted to remove trays one-at-a-time from any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, transport the removed tray to said at least one automated machine, remove trays one-at-a-time from said at least one automated machine, and to return the removed tray to any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots,
• E) analyzing via said automated machine said drops of protein solution,
• F) transferring via said storage gantry utilizing vertical and horizontal movement said plurality of trays from said automated machine to said storage rack, and
• G) controlling the movement of said storage gantry via at least one programmed computer system.

Protein crystals grown by a method comprising the steps of:

• A) inserting drops of protein solution into a plurality of micro-well plates,
• B) placing said plurality of micro-well plates onto a plurality of trays,
• C) placing said plurality of trays into an access device for the insertion and removal of a plurality of trays,
• D) transferring said plurality of trays from said access device to a storage rack, comprising a plurality of vertically aligned storage slots,
• D) transferring via a storage gantry utilizing vertical and horizontal movement said plurality of trays from said storage rack to an automated machine, said storage gantry being adopted to remove trays one-at-a-time from any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, transport the removed tray to said at least one automated machine, remove trays one-at-a-time from said at least one automated machine, and to return the removed tray to any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots,
• E) analyzing via said automated machine said drops of protein solution,
• F) transferring via said storage gantry utilizing vertical and horizontal movement said plurality of trays from said automated machine to said storage rack, and
• G) controlling the movement of said storage gantry via at least one programmed computer system.

An automated storage and retrieval device for at least one micro-well plate holding subject matter, comprising:

• A) an access device for the insertion and removal of a plurality of trays,
• B) a storage rack comprising a plurality of vertically aligned storage slots for vertically storing said at least one micro-well plate,
• C) at least one automated machine,
• D) a storage gantry for vertical and horizontal movement of said at least one micro-well plate between said storage rack, said access device and said at least one automated machine, said storage gantry being adopted to remove trays one-at-a-time from any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, transport the removed tray to said at least one automated machine, remove trays one-at-a-time from said at least one automated machine, and to return the removed tray to any one of said plurality of vertically aligned storage slots, and
• D) at least one computer system programmed to control said storage gantry.