Receptacle terminal

Abstract

A receptacle terminal having a housing, and a first transporting unit which is configured to transport at least a first receptacle rack, which is arranged on a movable platform, within the housing from a first position to a second position, and wherein the first receptacle rack is at the second position within the housing and manually accessible by a user through a first opening in the housing.

Claims

1. A receptacle terminal comprising: a housing, a first transporting unit which is configured to transport at least a first receptacle rack, which is arranged on a movable platform, within the housing along a linear guide from a first position to a second position, a second transporting unit, wherein the first receptacle rack is at the first position accessible by the second transporting unit, and a third transporting unit, wherein the third transporting unit comprises at least one of a conveyor and a lifter, and wherein the first receptacle rack is at the second position within the housing and manually accessible by a user through a first opening in the housing.

2. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first position comprises a robot access area and the second position comprises a user access area.

3. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting unit is configured to linearly guide the first receptacle rack from the first position to the second position.

4. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting unit is configured to linearly guide the first receptacle rack from the second position to the first position.

5. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting unit is configured to move the platform along at least one linear guide.

6. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transporting unit is capable of transporting a receptacle in at least two dimensions.

7. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transporting unit is a mechanical gripper.

8. (canceled)

9. The receptacle terminal according to claim 18, wherein the third transporting unit is configured to transport at least one receptacle rack to or from a slot of the platform.

10. (canceled)

11. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the third transporting unit is configured to feed the receptacle terminal with a series of receptacle racks.

12. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the third transporting unit is configured to remove a series of receptacle racks from the receptacle terminal.

13. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the third transporting unit is configured to transport at least one receptacle rack to or from a slot of the platform through a second opening in the housing.

14. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a hatch which is configured cover the first opening.

15. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transporting unit is capable of operating as the first receptacle rack is positioned at the second position.

16. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transporting unit is configured to interrupt operation as the first receptacle rack is positioned at the second position.

17. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein at least one receptacle holder is arranged on the platform or an integral part of the platform.

18. The receptacle terminal according to claim 17, wherein the first transporting unit is further configured to transport the at least one receptacle holder together with the first receptacle rack within the housing from the first position to the second position.

19. The receptacle terminal according to claim 18, wherein the at least one receptacle holder is at the second position manually accessible by the user through the first opening in the housing.

20. The receptacle terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first transport unit and the second transporting unit are capable of transporting a receptacle to at least one of a disposal port, another system of a device complex, a receptacle storage, a receptacle rack, the first receptacle rack, a receptacle holder, a user access area, or a robot access area.

21. A method comprising: selecting a specific receptacle, removing the receptacle from a second receptacle rack and inserting the receptacle into a first receptacle rack by means of a second transporting unit, transporting the first receptacle rack, which is arranged on a movable platform, within a housing of a receptacle terminal from a first position, wherein the first receptacle rack is accessible by the second transporting unit, to a second position by a first transporting unit, wherein the first receptacle rack is at the second position within the housing and manually accessible by a user through a first opening in the housing, and feeding the receptacle terminal with a receptacle rack by a third transporting unit or removing a receptacle rack from the receptacle terminal by the third transporting unit, wherein the third transporting unit comprises at least one or a conveyor and a lifter.

22. (canceled)

23. The method according to claim 21, the method further comprising transporting a receptacle rack to or from a slot of the platform through a second opening in the housing by the third transporting unit.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic top view of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic top view of a platform and a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic top view of a platform and a second transporting unit of another receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic top view of a first receptacle rack and a plurality of receptacle holders, which are arranged on a platform, as well as a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a platform and a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a first transporting unit and a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic front view of a first transporting unit and a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with FIG. 7,

[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic top view of a first transporting unit and a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with FIG. 7 and FIG. 8,

[0049] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a third transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, and

[0050] FIG. 11 illustrates a method for providing a receptacle in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS

[0051] In FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a receptacle terminal 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The receptacle terminal 1 comprises a housing 2 and a first transporting unit (not shown) which is configured to transport a first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on a platform 9 or a support, within the housing 2 from a first position (not shown) to a second position 6. In the shown embodiment, the first receptacle rack 4 is at the second position 6 within the housing 2 and manually accessible by a user through a first opening 7 in the housing 2. The housing includes an opened hatch 12 which is configured cover the first opening 7.

[0052] Therefore, a user cannot collide with parts of the receptacle terminal protruding from the housing of the receptacle terminal. Safety of a user and simultaneously also safety of receptacles contained in the receptacle terminal and safety of the receptacle terminal can be thus improved.

[0053] In FIG. 2 a schematic top view of a receptacle terminal 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. A part of the housing 2 covering the inside of the receptacle terminal 1 has been removed. The receptacle terminal 1 comprises a housing 2 and a first transporting unit 3 which is configured to transport a first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on a platform 9, within the housing 2 from a first position to a second position.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the first receptacle rack 4, which is located closest to the hatch 12, is manually accessible by a user through a first opening (not shown) in the housing 2. The first receptacle rack 4 is in its second position only accessible by the user and not by a second transporting device 10. According to the shown embodiment, only the first receptacle rack 4 is accessible by the user in its second position. On the other side, the receptacle rack being farthest away from the hatch 12, i.e. a second receptacle rack 19, is only accessible by the second transporting unit 10 and not by the user.

[0055] In the shown embodiment, handling of receptacles supported by the second receptacle rack 19 being farthest away from the hatch 12 can be performed by the second transporting unit 10, even if the first receptacle rack 4 being located closest to the hatch 12 is only accessible by the user. In other words, the receptacle terminal 1 provides a user access area and a robot access area. A user can have manually access to the first receptacle rack 4 and simultaneously the second transporting unit 10 can handle receptacles supported by the second receptacle rack 19 according to the shown embodiment. According to other embodiments, the second transporting unit 10 is configured to interrupt operation as the first receptacle rack 4 is positioned at the second position 6.

[0056] The first transporting unit 3 is configured to linearly guide at least a first receptacle rack 4 from the first position, in which the first receptacle rack 4 is located in the robot access area, to the second position, in which the first receptacle rack 4 is located in the user access area. Of course, the first transporting unit 3 is also configured to linearly guide at least the first receptacle rack 4 from the second position to the first position, i.e. in an opposite direction. Typically, the first transporting unit 3 is configured to move the platform 9 along a linear guide 8, and thus also the first receptacle rack 4 supported by the movable platform 9.

[0057] The second transporting unit 10 may be, for example, a handling robot such as a mechanical gripper which is capable of moving a receptacle in two or three dimensions. A user cannot come physically into contact with the second transporting unit 10 handling the receptacles within the housing 2. The second transporting unit 10 may be configured to remove a single receptacle, e.g. a sample tube, test tube, cuvette, sample container, sample vessel, or other sample receptacle, particularly an elongate receptacle, from the second receptacle rack 19 positioned in the robot access area and to subsequently transport the respective receptacle to a disposal port 13 comprising at least one disposal hole, for instance. The second transporting unit 10 may be also configured to, for example, remove a respective receptacle from one receptacle rack and to subsequently insert the receptacle into another receptacle rack. The other receptacle rack may be provided in the robot access area by moving the platform 9 along the linear guide 8 by means of the first transporting unit 3. Further, the second transporting unit 10 may also be, for example, configured to remove a receptacle from a receptacle rack and to transport the respective receptacle to another system of a device complex (not shown) via a delivery port 22. The other system of the device complex may be, for example a conveyor system, which is configured to transport a series of further receptacle holders or further receptacle racks.

[0058] Furthermore, the receptacle terminal 1 can optionally comprise a third transporting unit (not shown) which is configured to transport at least one receptacle rack or a series of receptacle racks to or from respective slots of the platform 9 through a further second opening 21 in the housing 2, for example to or from a receptacle storage (not shown). The second opening functions as an inlet/outlet. The platform 9 according to the shown embodiment comprises five slots for receptacle racks in total. Thus, it is possible to feed the receptacle terminal 1 with receptacle racks as well as to remove receptacle racks from the receptacle terminal 1 through the second opening 21 by means of the third transporting unit.

[0059] The first transporting unit 3 is further configured to transport a plurality of receptacle holders 11 within the housing 2 from the first position 5, i.e. the user access area, to the second position 6, in which the first receptacle rack is located in the robot access area. The receptacle holders 11 are at the second position 6 manually accessible by the user through the first opening in the housing 2. When the receptacle holders 11 have been transported by the first transporting unit 3 to their first position, receptacles can be removed from the respective receptacle holders 11 and inserted into the receptacle holders 11 by the second transporting unit 10. The receptacle holders 11 may be an integral part of the platform 9 or arranged on the platform 9.

[0060] The housing 2 of the receptacle terminal 1 further includes a hatch 12 which is configured cover the first opening, and thus also the user access area. Contamination of the receptacle terminal 1 as well as of the receptacles contained in the receptacle terminal can be reduced due to the hatch 12.

[0061] Additionally, the receptacle terminal 1 according to certain embodiments comprises a computing device 14. It is e.g. possible to cause the second transporting device (10) to select a specific receptacle, which is located in one of the receptacle racks, and to insert the respective receptacle into the first receptacle rack 4 being located closest to the hatch 12 or into one of the receptacle holders 11 and to subsequently cause the first transporting unit 3 to transport the receptacle to the second position, i.e. to the user access area, by instructing the computing device 14. Thus, the user can select a specific receptacle to be delivered to the user access area of the receptacle terminal 1. The user may then manually manipulate the respective receptacle, for instance. Of course, the user may also insert a specific receptacle into one of the receptacle holders 11 or into the first receptacle rack 4 being located closest to the hatch 12 and instruct the computing device 14 to cause the first transporting unit 3 and the second transporting unit 10 to transport the respective receptacle to any one of the receptacle racks. In other words, by means of the receptacle terminal 1 it is possible to feed an automated device complex comprising the receptacle terminal 1 with a receptacle or to remove a receptacle from the automated device complex, for instance.

[0062] Additionally, the computing device 14 may be instructed by the user to cause transporting of a receptacle to the disposal section 13. For example, a receptacle may be manually inserted into one of the receptacle holders 11 or into the receptacle rack 4 being located closest to the hatch 12 and then transported by the first transporting unit 3 to the first position, i.e. the robot access area. Then, the second transporting unit 10 can remove the respective receptacle from the receptacle holder 11 or the first receptacle rack 4, transport the receptacle to the disposal port 13, and drop the receptacle into one of the disposal holes of the disposal port 13. Subsequently, the receptacle is guided to a disposal container (not shown).

[0063] Each receptacle may be provided with a barcode. The receptacle terminal 1 may further comprise a barcode reader (not shown) connected to the computing device 14. A specific receptacle can thus be identified and may be transported by means of the first transporting device 3 and the second transporting device 10, for example to a disposal port 13, another system of a device complex, a receptacle storage, the first receptacle rack, another receptacle rack, the user access area, or the robot access area.

[0064] In FIG. 3 a schematic top view of a platform 9 and a second transporting unit 10 of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In the shown embodiment, a first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on a platform 9, has been transported by the first transporting unit (not shown) from a first position to the second position 6 in a first direction 15 as indicated by the arrow. The first receptacle rack 4 as well as the receptacle holders 11 are manually accessible by a user. Receptacles supported by a second receptacle rack 19, which is located in the robot access area, are only accessible by the second transporting unit 10. Receptacles located between the first receptacle rack 4 and the second receptacle rack 19 are neither accessible by the user nor the second transporting unit 10.

[0065] According to certain embodiments, the second transporting unit 10 is capable of handling receptacles located in the robot access area as the first receptacle rack 4 is located at the first position 6. According to certain other embodiments, interruption of handling of receptacles located in the robot access area by the second transporting unit 10 takes place as the first receptacle rack 4 is located at the first position 6.

[0066] In FIG. 4 a schematic top view of a platform 9 and a second transporting unit 10 of another receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In the shown embodiment, a first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on a platform 9, has been transported by the first transporting unit (not shown) from a second position, i.e. the user access area, to another position, which is not the first position, in a second direction 16 as indicated by the arrow. The first receptacle rack 4 as well as the receptacle holders 11 are neither manually accessible by a user nor by the second transporting unit 10.

[0067] Receptacles supported by a second receptacle rack 19 and receptacles supported by a third receptacle rack 20 are located in the robot access area 17 and thus accessible by the second transporting unit 10. Typically, at least two receptacle racks can be located in the robot access area 17. The first receptacle rack 4 has to be transported by the first transporting unit to the robot access area 17 in order to have access to the first receptacle rack 4 or one of the receptacle holders 11 by means of the second transporting unit 10. Also the receptacle racks arranged between the third receptacle rack 20 and the first receptacle rack 4 are neither manually accessible by a user nor by the second transporting unit 10.

[0068] In FIG. 5 a schematic top view of a first receptacle rack 4 and a plurality of receptacle holders 11, which are arranged on a platform 9, as well as a second transporting unit 10 of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In the shown embodiment, a first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on a platform 9, has been transported by the first transporting unit (not shown) from a second position to a first position 5, wherein the first receptacle rack 4 is located in the robot access area.

[0069] The first receptacle rack 4 as well as the receptacle holders 11 are not manually accessible by a user. The first receptacle rack 4 as well as the receptacle holders 11 are accessible by a second transporting unit 10. In other words, the first receptacle rack 4 has been transported to the first position 5, i.e. to the robot access area. The second transporting unit 10 is capable of operating as the at least one receptacle rack 4 is positioned at the second position 6. For example, a receptacle supported by the first receptacle rack 4 or one of the receptacle holders 11 may be removed from the first receptacle rack 4 by the second transporting unit 10 and then transported to a disposal port (not shown).

[0070] In FIG. 6 a schematic perspective view of a platform 9 and a second transporting unit 10 of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The second receptacle rack 19 is almost completely loaded with receptacles. Further, a single receptacle 18 is inserted into the first receptacle rack 4 and a single receptacle is inserted into one of the receptacle holders 11. A user can have access to the receptacles 18 supported by the first receptacle rack 4 and the receptacle holder 11 in order to e.g. inspect the respective receptacles 18 as the platform has been moved by the first transporting unit (not shown) such that the first receptacle rack is provided at the first position.

[0071] In FIG. 7 a schematic perspective view of a first transporting unit 3 and a second transporting unit 10 of a receptacle terminal in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The first transporting unit 3 comprises two linear guides 8 and at least one belt 23. The belt 23 is configured to be driven along a closed trajectory. Therefore, the first transporting unit 3 comprises a plurality of wheels. One wheel is positioned at one end of the closed trajectory and the other wheel is positioned at the other end of the closed trajectory. Further, the first transporting unit 3 comprises at least one further driving wheel, which is configured to cause the belt 23 to move along the closed trajectory. The motion of the belt 23 can be reversed by means of the driving wheel in order to move the belt 23 in another direction of the closed trajectory. The driving wheel is connected to a servo motor.

[0072] Additionally, the platform 9 is coupled to the belt 23. Thus, it is possible to move the platform 9 and at least a first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on the movable platform 9, along the linear guides 8 from a first position, in which the first receptacle rack 4 is accessible by a second transporting unit 10, to a second position, in which the first receptacle rack 4 is accessible by a user. Of course, it is also possible to move the platform 9 and at least the first receptacle rack 4 along the linear guides 8 from the second position to the first position. Consequently, it is possible to deliver at least one specific receptacle 18 from a robot access area to a user access area and in the opposite direction.

[0073] In FIG. 8 a schematic front view of a first transporting unit 3 and a second transporting unit 10 of a receptacle terminal in accordance with FIG. 7 is illustrated.

[0074] In FIG. 9 a schematic top view of a first transporting unit and a second transporting unit of a receptacle terminal in accordance with FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is illustrated.

[0075] In FIG. 10 a schematic perspective view of a third transporting unit 24 of a receptacle terminal 1 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The third transporting unit 24 comprises a lifter and a conveyor belt. The third transporting unit 24 is configured to transport at least one receptacle rack to or from a slot of the platform 9. For example, the third transporting unit 24 may move through an opening in the platform 9 and lift a rack upwards, i.e. perpendicular to the platform 9, while a conveyor of the third transporting unit 24 moves the rack sideways, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lifter. Thus, a receptacle rack can be removed from the platform. The receptacle rack may be, for example, transferred through an opening 21 in the housing 2 of the receptacle terminal 1 as shown in FIG. 2, for example to a receptacle rack storage (not shown). At least one receptacle rack slot may comprise the opening in the platform 9. Of course, the receptacle rack can also be received, for example from the receptacle rack storage. In such a case, the receptacle rack arriving through the opening 21 in the housing 2 is positioned above the platform 9 using the conveyor of the third transporting unit 24 and subsequently arranged on the platform 9 by moving the lifter of the third transporting unit 24 downwards. In other words, the third transporting unit 24 is configured to feed the receptacle terminal 1 with a series of receptacle racks and/or to remove a series of receptacle racks from the receptacle terminal 1.

[0076] In FIG. 11 a method for providing a receptacle in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The method comprises selecting a specific receptacle 18 from a second receptacle rack 19, for example by means of a computing device 14, removing the receptacle 18 from the second receptacle rack 19 and inserting the receptacle into a first receptacle rack 4 by means of a second transporting unit 10. The method further comprises transporting the first receptacle rack 4, which is arranged on a movable platform 9, within a housing 2 of a receptacle terminal 1 from a first position 5, wherein the first receptacle rack 4 is accessible by the second transporting unit 10, to a second position 6 by means of a first transporting unit 3, wherein the first receptacle rack 4 is at the second position 6 within the housing 2 and manually accessible by a user through a first opening 7 in a housing 2. Thus, a selected receptacle 18 can be delivered to a user access area of the receptacle terminal 1.

[0077] Instead of inserting the receptacle into the first receptacle rack 4, the receptacle may also be inserted into a receptacle holder 11 by means of the second transporting unit 10. The method then further comprises transporting the receptacle holder 11, which is arranged on a movable platform 9, within a housing 2 of a receptacle terminal 1 from a first position 5, wherein the receptacle holder 11 is accessible by the second transporting unit 10, to a second position 6 by means of a first transporting unit 3, wherein the receptacle holder 11 is at the second position 6 within the housing 2 and manually accessible by a user through a first opening 7 in a housing 2.

[0078] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0079] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0080] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0081] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0082] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0083] The verbs to comprise and to include are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of a or an, that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0084] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in automated laboratory systems.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0085] 1 receptacle terminal [0086] 2 housing [0087] 3 first transporting unit [0088] 4 first receptacle rack [0089] 5 first position [0090] 6 second position [0091] 7 first opening [0092] 8 linear guide [0093] 9 platform [0094] 10 second transporting unit [0095] 11 receptacle holder [0096] 12 hatch [0097] 13 disposal port [0098] 14 computing device [0099] 15 first direction [0100] 16 second direction [0101] 17 robot access area [0102] 18 receptacle [0103] 19 second receptacle rack [0104] 20 third receptacle rack [0105] 21 second opening [0106] 22 delivery port [0107] 23 belt [0108] 24 third transporting unit

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[0109] U.S. Pat. No. 8,691,149 B2