Endless Chain Frozen Vial Storage Module

Abstract

A modular freezer unit comprising a movable portion such as a belt, track, or chain connected to a plurality of wells, each well capable of containing materials to be stored in the freezer is disclosed. The unit further comprises a tracking means such as a bar-code, or radio-frequency identification reader that is capable of reading suitable tags on each container of materials stored in a well. A motor that operates to move selected wells to an access point in response to user input may be integral to the unit, or otherwise connected to the movable portion. The access point can be opened by a user so that the entire freezer does not have to be opened in order for materials to be placed therein or removed. The unit may upload information about its contents to a database so samples from multiple units can be tracked.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A drawer which is suited for placement within a refrigerated unit comprising a front panel, a back panel, a left panel, a right panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel wherein the front panel comprises an insulated material and further comprises an access point; said access point comprising a movable door that allows a user to access the interior of the access point; said drawer further comprising an outer surface and an inner compartment; said drawer also further comprising a plurality of storage wells capable of movement along a closed-loop path contained within said inner compartment. 
     
     
         2 . The drawer of  claim 1  further comprising a scanning means capable of identifying tags or codes placed on items which are placed in one of the said wells and correlating this identification data with the items' location data in relation to said closed-loop track. 
     
     
         3 . The drawer of  claim 1  wherein an actuator means for causing the movement of said storage wells along said path acts is controlled by a computer interface accessible by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The drawer of  claim 2  in which said location information and the said identification data is correlated to additional information about the contents of said items placed in said wells in a database accessible remotely from the refrigerated unit or it's constituent drawers.