Mobile sample storage and retrieval unit for a laboratory automated sample handling worksystem

A mobile storage and retrieval unit for housing a number of sample racks, the storage and retrieval unit comprising:

• a housing having an interior and an exterior top surface;
• a number of interior shelves disposed in the interior, each interior shelf capable of holding at least one of the sample racks;
• a loading tray supporting one of the sample racks on the exterior top surface;
• a vertically translatable elevator capable of holding one of the racks thereon and capable of moving between positions aligned with each of the interior shelves to a position aligned with the loading tray;
• a conveyor system adapted to move one of the racks from the elevator onto one of the interior shelves;
• and
• at least one duct adapted to convey refrigerated air into the housing interior.