Incubator storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system for an incubator ( 38 ) comprising a carrier unit for samples and/or sample containers. The invention is characterized in that said carrier unit comprises carrier components ( 22, 33 ) which have a shaft ( 14, 34 ) rotatably mounted between them and that shelves ( 18, 29, 36 ) are provided which can be detachably mounted on said shaft ( 14, 34 ).

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A storage system for an incubator ( 38 ) comprising:
 a carrier unit;   said carrier unit comprising:   support elements ( 22 ,  33 ), a shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) and shelves ( 18 ,  29   36 );   said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) is rotatably mounted between said support elements ( 22 ,  33 );   said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 ) are detachably mounted to said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) through a mounting movement of said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 ) on said shaft ( 14 ,  34 );   said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) and/or said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  22 ) include connecting means ( 16 ) for receiving said shelves wherein said mounting movement of said shelves includes a vector which has at least one component orthogonal to said shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said carrier unit is connected to a support system ( 32 ). 
     
     
         15 . The storage system of  claim 14  wherein said support system is located outside the incubator ( 38 ). 
     
     
         16 . The storage system for an incubator ( 38 ) comprising:
 a carrier unit;   said carrier unit comprises carrier elements ( 22 ,  33 );   a shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) rotatably mounted between said carrier elements ( 22 ,  33 );   shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 );   said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 ) are detachably connected to said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ); and,   said carrier unit is connected to a support system ( 32 ) separate from said incubator ( 38 ).   
     
     
         17 . The storage system for an incubator ( 38 ) of  claim 16  wherein:
 said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 ) are detachably mounted on said shaft; and, 
 said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) and/or said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  22 ) include connecting means ( 16 ) for receiving said shelves wherein said mounting movement of said shelves includes a vector which has at least one component orthogonal to said shaft. 
 
     
     
         18 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  22 ) include at least two shelf components. 
     
     
         19 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) is rectangular in cross-section and has openings ( 16 ) in at least two lateral portions thereof on which said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 ) are mounted. 
     
     
         20 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) is detachably mounted on said carrier unit ( 22 ,  33 ). 
     
     
         21 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said external periphery of said shelves ( 18 ,  29 ,  36 ) is at least partially circular. 
     
     
         22 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said carrier unit is connected to a frame of an automatic sample feed device ( 30 ). 
     
     
         23 . The storage system of  claim 13  wherein said shaft ( 14 ,  34 ) is connected to a motor ( 28 ) via driving means. 
     
     
         24 . The storage system of  claim 22  wherein said motor ( 28 ) is outside of said incubator ( 38 ).