Patents by Inventor Bruce Zandi
Bruce Zandi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240044576Abstract: A cryogenic storage system includes a transfer module configured to service one or more cryogenic storage freezers. The transfer module includes a working chamber that maintains a cryogenic environment for the transfer of sample tubes between different sample boxes. One or more freezer ports enable the transfer module to receive a sample box extracted from a respective freezer. An input/output (I/O) port enables external access to samples. A box transport robot operates to transport sample boxes between the freezer ports, the working chamber, and the I/O port. A picker robot operates to transfer sample tubes between sample boxes within the working chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Lingchen Sun, Bruce Zandi, Frank Hunt, Aaron Plaisted, Tiffany Holmes, Matthew Albert, Fang Cui, Yuri Rubenchik, Daniel Lamothe
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Patent number: 11828516Abstract: A cryogenic storage system includes a transfer module configured to service one or more cryogenic storage freezers. The transfer module includes a working chamber that maintains a cryogenic environment for the transfer of sample tubes between different sample boxes. One or more freezer ports enable the transfer module to receive a sample box extracted from a respective freezer. An input/output (I/O) port enables external access to samples. A box transport robot operates to transport sample boxes between the freezer ports, the working chamber, and the I/O port. A picker robot operates to transfer sample tubes between sample boxes within the working chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: AZENTA US, INC.Inventors: Lingchen Sun, Bruce Zandi, Frank Hunt, Jr., Aaron Plaisted, Tiffany Holmes, Matthew Albert, Fang Cui, Yuri Rubenchik, Daniel Lamothe
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Publication number: 20190293344Abstract: A cryogenic storage system includes a transfer module configured to service one or more cryogenic storage freezers. The transfer module includes a working chamber that maintains a cryogenic environment for the transfer of sample tubes between different sample boxes. One or more freezer ports enable the transfer module to receive a sample box extracted from a respective freezer. An input/output (I/O) port enables external access to samples. A box transport robot operates to transport sample boxes between the freezer ports, the working chamber, and the I/O port. A picker robot operates to transfer sample tubes between sample boxes within the working chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Lingchen Sun, Bruce Zandi, Frank Hunt, Aaron Plaisted, Tiffany Holmes, Matthew Albert, Fang Cui, Yuri Rubenchik, Daniel Lamothe
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Patent number: 9255936Abstract: A storage cassette including a plurality of generally vertical compartments for storing sample tube racks and/or SBS formatted plates is constructed to be flexible along its substantially vertical axis thereby facilitating reliable robotic placement and retrieval of the cassette from nesting tubes located within a horizontal freezer compartment. Insulated walls and solid shelves minimize heat transfer from storage racks or plates placed in the storage cassette when the cassette is removed from an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer. The outer walls of the cassette includes mechanical indexing locations to ensure appropriate positioning when robotically removing storage racks or plates from the cassette.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Hamilton Storage Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Frank Hunt, Julian Warhurst, Bruce Zandi, Robert Cloutier
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Patent number: 9163869Abstract: A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. ?80° C. or ?135° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about ?140° C. to ?196° C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about ?80° C., about ?135° C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Hamilton Storage Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Julian Warhurst, Bruce Zandi, Alexander Carbone, Frank Hunt, Robert Cloutier, James O'Toole, Elizabeth Alexander
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Publication number: 20120060539Abstract: A cassette puller for an automated storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples in freezers maintained at ultra-low temperature (e.g., ?80° C.) or cryogenic temperatures includes a vertical sleeve into which the selected cassette is lifted. The cassette puller is mounted to a traveling gantry and transports cassettes from one freezer location to another and to the system input/output module, and also includes an ejection mechanism that inserts and retrieves tube storage racks or plates from a selected shelf on the cassette. Other components such as a rack robot, a tube picking mechanism, a sample identification station, etc. are mounted on the traveling gantry as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Frank Hunt, Bruce Zandi, Julian Warhurst, Robert Cloutier
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Publication number: 20120060541Abstract: A storage cassette including a plurality of generally vertical compartments for storing sample tube racks and/or SBS formatted plates is constructed to be flexible along its substantially vertical axis thereby facilitating reliable robotic placement and retrieval of the cassette from nesting tubes located within a horizontal freezer compartment. Insulated walls and solid shelves minimize heat transfer from storage racks or plates placed in the storage cassette when the cassette is removed from an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer. The outer walls of the cassette includes mechanical indexing locations to ensure appropriate positioning when robotically removing storage racks or plates from the cassette.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Frank Hunt, Julian Warhurst, Bruce Zandi, Robert Cloutier
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Publication number: 20120060514Abstract: A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. ?80° C. or ?135° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about ?140° C. to ?196° C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about ?80° C., about ?135° C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Julian Warhurst, Bruce Zandi, Alexander Carbone, Frank Hunt, Robert Cloutier, James O'Toole, Elizabeth Alexander
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Publication number: 20120060520Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for storing chemical and biological samples includes freezer chests maintained at an ultra-low temperature (e.g. ?80° C.) or a cryogenic temperature. The freezer chests are located within a refrigerated (e.g. ?20° C.) enclosure. Samples are loaded through a wall of the enclosure and are then transferred to an input/output buffer section in an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer chest that is thermally segregated from a long-term storage section in the same freezer. Specialized input/output cassettes are used for transferring the samples through an input/output module into the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: HAMILTON STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott Collins, Frank Hunt, Julian Warhurst, Bruce Zandi