Automated cassette opening

Abstract

A device for automatically opening a cassette includes a holding mechanism, an unlatching mechanism and an opening mechanism. The cassette to be opened has a top portion hingedly fixed to a bottom portion, the top portion being pivotable between a closed and an open position relative to the bottom portion, the cassette having a latch movable between an engaged position for securing the top portion to the bottom portion when the cassette is in the closed position and a disengaged position for allowing the top portion to pivot relative to the bottom portion to the open position. The holding mechanism is for receiving the cassette and securing the bottom portion of a received cassette. The unlatching mechanism includes an unlatching actuator coupled to a latch-engaging feature, the latch-engaging feature engaging the latch of the received cassette, the unlatching actuator capable of moving the latch-engaging feature to thereby move the latch engaged therein between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The opening mechanism includes an opening actuator and a top portion-engaging member, the top portion-engaging member engaging the top portion of the received cassette, the opening actuator capable of moving the top portion-engaging member to thereby move the top portion of the received cassette engaged thereby between the closed and the open position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An automated cassette opening device for opening a cassette having a top portion hingedly fixed to a bottom portion, the top portion being pivotable between a closed and an open position relative to the bottom portion, the cassette having a latch movable between an engaged position for securing the top portion to the bottom portion when the cassette is in the closed position and a disengaged position for allowing the top portion to pivot relative to the bottom portion to the open position, the device comprising: 
 a holding mechanism for receiving the cassette and securing the bottom portion of a received cassette;    an unlatching mechanism including an unlatching actuator coupled to a latch-engaging feature, the latch-engaging feature engaging the latch of the received cassette, the unlatching actuator capable of moving the latch-engaging feature to thereby move the latch engaged therein between the engaged position and the disengaged position; and    an opening mechanism including an opening actuator and a top portion-engaging member, the top portion-engaging member engaging the top portion of the received cassette, the opening actuator capable of moving the top portion-engaging member to thereby move the top portion of the received cassette engaged thereby between the closed and the open position.    
     
     
         2 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members, one of the clamping members being movable relative to another of the clamping members between an open and a closed position, the clamping members being arranged to receive the cassette when the one clamping member is in the open position and to secure the bottom portion of the received cassette when the one clamping member is in the closed position.  
     
     
         3 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 2 , wherein the holding mechanism includes a biasing member mounted to bias said one clamping member toward the closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding mechanism comprises a suction cup and vacuum source for providing a vacuum pressure to the suction cup, the suction cup arranged to contact and apply the vacuum pressure to the bottom portion of the received cassette, wherein the bottom portion of the received cassette is thereby secured.  
     
     
         5 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 1 , wherein the latch engaging feature includes a block defining a latch receiving slot.  
     
     
         6 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 5 , wherein the block further defines a taper at one end of the receiving slot, the taper guiding a latch of the cassette into the receiving slot as the cassette is received in the holding mechanism.  
     
     
         7 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 6 , wherein the unlatching mechanism further includes a variable mounting arm coupling the latch-engaging feature to the unlatching actuator, wherein the variable mounting arm allows the latch-engaging feature to adjust as necessary relative to the unlatching actuator to engage the latch of the received cassette.  
     
     
         8 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion-engaging member includes a suction cup and vacuum source for providing a vacuum pressure to the suction cup.  
     
     
         9 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 8 , further comprising a sensor for sensing an engagement of the suction cup with the top portion of the received cassette.  
     
     
         10 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 9 , wherein the opening mechanism includes a pivot arm arranged to be rotated by the opening actuator to move the top portion of the received cassette between the closed and the open position.  
     
     
         11 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 10 , wherein the opening mechanism further comprises a sensor for sensing a position of the opening actuator.  
     
     
         12 . The automated cassette opening device of  claim 11  further comprising a sensor for sensing a presence of the top portion of the received cassette in the open position.  
     
     
         13 . A method of automatically opening a cassette, the cassette having a top portion hingedly fixed to a bottom portion, the top portion being pivotable between a closed and an open position relative to the bottom portion, the cassette having a latch movable between an engaged position for securing the top portion to the bottom portion when the cassette is in the closed position and a disengaged position for allowing the top portion to pivot relative to the bottom portion to the open position, the method comprising: 
 securing the bottom portion of the cassette;    engaging the latch;    moving the latch to the disengaged position;    engaging the top portion of the cassette;    moving the top portion of the cassette to the open position.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising sealing and filtering an environment within which the cassette is located prior to said step of moving the top portion of the cassette to the open position.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising sealing and filtering the environment within which the cassette is located prior to said step of moving the latch to the disengaged position.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising automatically moving the top portion of the cassette to the closed position after said step of moving the top portion of the cassette to the open position.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising maintaining a sealed and filtered environment until after said step of moving the top portion of the cassette to the closed position.