Door operating system for laboratory cabinet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laboratory cabinet comprising a body, at least one door, and a door operating system comprising a door drive configured to open and / or close at least one of the at least one door, a trigger mechanism configured for initiating opening and / or closing of the at least one of the at least one door, and a controller, wherein the system is configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door (Fig. 1c)

Description

[0001] Door operating system for laboratory cabinet

[0002] The present invention generally relates to laboratory cabinets, and particularly to a door operating system for a laboratory cabinet.

[0003] Laboratory cabinets, such as refrigeration cabinets, heating cabinets, incubators, climatic chambers, environmental chambers or the like, may generally comprise a chamber that can be accessed through at least one door. Typically, such doors are manually operated. That is, a lever or handle may be operated by a user to unlock the door and / or pull it open by muscle power.

[0004] However, there may be situations, where a user may want to open the door of a laboratory cabinet to load it with samples, while already carrying a tray of samples when approaching the laboratory cabinet. Thus, the user may not have a free hand for opening the cabinet. In such a case, it may be desirable for the user to be able to open the cabinet without the use of muscle power, e.g., without the use of hands. Similar situations may of course also occur when unloading a laboratory cabinet, wherein the user may want to close the door while already carrying samples taken from the laboratory cabinet. In such a case it may be desirable for the user to be able to close the laboratory cabinet without the use of muscle power.

[0005] Similarly, increasing automatization of laboratories and automation of laboratory workflows leads to an increased demand of respective equipment that can be utilized without direct human interaction. In particular, it may be desirable for a laboratory cabinet to be opened by a laboratory control system without need of any human Interaction.

[0006] DE 10 2009 020 498 B4 discloses an apparatus for opening a door of a climatic test cabinet, an incubator, an environmental chamber or a freezer, the apparatus being suitable for unlocking the door and moving it to an open position when the door is locked. However, the disclosed apparatus is limited to nudging the door open such that an atmosphere is broken, but does not provide for fully opening the door to allow access to a respective chamber. That is, for accessing the chamber the door still needs to be opened further by a user.

[0007] Some laboratory cabinets additionally comprise an inner door, configured to sealingly close the chamber of the respective laboratory cabinet. This may advantageously allow to keep the atmosphere within the chamber when opening the door of the cabinet, which may in such embodiments also be referred to as outer door or main door. In such a case, the outer door may provide insulation. The inner door, may for example be transparent, thus allowing to visually check samples within the chamber without having to break the atmosphere. In order to allow hands-free and / or automatic operations, it is further desirable to provide means for opening also the inner door. More generally, a laboratory cabinet may for example comprise a first door and a second door, wherein at least one of these doors, preferably the inner door, sealingly closes the chamber of the laboratory cabinet, while the other door may for example provide insulation. In that regard, EP 3 396 092 Bl discloses a laboratory cabinet comprising at least one outer door with an outer door lock, an inner door with an inner door lock, the inner door lock being a mechanical lock, and first means, which can be actuated when the outer door is closed, for unlocking the inner door lock of the inner door, which means can be actuated electrically, wherein the laboratory cabinet has second means which are designed in such a way that when the outer door is opened, the inner door also opens. However, it is still necessary for the doors to be opened manually by a user.

[0008] In light of the above, it is an object to overcome or at least alleviate the shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door operating system for a laboratory cabinet that may advantageously allow hands free and / or automatic operation of the door(s) of the laboratory cabinet.

[0009] These objects are met by the present invention.

[0010] In a first aspect, the present invention concerns a laboratory cabinet comprising a body, at least one door, and a door operating system comprising a door drive configured to open and / or close at least one of the at least one door, a trigger mechanism configured for initiating opening and / or closing of the at least one of the at least one door, and a controller, wherein the system is configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door. In other words, the present invention relates to a laboratory cabinet generally comprising a body and at least one door, wherein the door may typically allow to access an inner volume of the laboratory cabinet. Furthermore, the laboratory cabinet comprises a door operating system that is configured to sealingly close at least one of the at least one door. In other words, the door operating system allows to close at least one of the at least one door such that it is sealed, which may advantageously allow to establish a sealed atmosphere within the inner volume of the laboratory cabinet. The door operating system comprises a door drive, a trigger mechanism and a controller. It will be understood that the door drive may be configured to open and / or close a different one of the at least one of the at least one door than the at least one of the at least one door that can be sealingly closed by the system. However, it may also be the same at least one of the at least one door.

[0011] The body may comprise at least one chamber and wherein the at least one door is configured to enable access to said chamber. Thus, the inner volume of the laboratory cabinet may be provided by at least one chamber. The chamber may for example be defined through a container within the body of the laboratory cabinet.

[0012] The at least one door may be two doors. In particular, the laboratory cabinet may comprise an inner and an outer door. When comprising two doors, the door operating system may comprise a door coupling for separably coupling the two doors. Such door coupling could for example be provided by means of at least one magnet. The door drive may be an electric door drive, a pneumatic door drive, or a hydraulic door drive. For example, the door drive may comprise an electric motor.

[0013] The door drive may be configured to provide a force for opening and / or closing the respective at least one of the at least one door. Put differently, the door drive may be configured to provide a torque to the respective at least one of the at least one door. It will be understood that in this context the "respective at least one of the at least one door" refers to the at least one of the at least one door it is configured to open and / or close.

[0014] The door drive may be configured to move the respective at least one of the at least one door between an open position and a closed position. It will be understood that in this context the "respective at least one of the at least one door" refers to the at least one of the at least one door it is configured to open and / or close.

[0015] The door drive may be configured for sealingly closing the respective at least one of the at least one door. It will be understood that in this context the "respective at least one of the at least one door" refers to the at least one of the at least one door it is configured to sealingly close.

[0016] The door drive may be configured such that no critical damage occurs in the event of a collision of the respective at least one of the at least one door with an obstacle. It will be understood that in this context the "respective at least one of the at least one door" refers to the at least one of the at least one door it is configured to open and / or close. For example, the door drive may be a low-energy door drive. In particular, the force exerted by the opening and / or closing door at an outermost point may not exceed 50 N, preferably 30 N, more preferably 15 N. It will be understood that the outermost point refers to a point of maximum leverage.

[0017] In embodiments, wherein the laboratory cabinet comprises two doors, the door operating system may comprise a second door drive for separately opening the two doors.

[0018] The door drive may be belt-based. The door drive may comprise a drive belt pulley and a door belt pulley, wherein a belt connects the two belt pulleys. Further the drive belt pulley may be directly driven by the respective drive and mounted to the body. The door belt pulley may be mounted to at least one or the respective at least one of the at least one door. That is, the door belt pully may be mounted to at least one of the at least one door the door drive is configured to open and / or close. The belt pulley may be fixedly connected to a driving plate configured to transmit a torque applied to the belt pulley to the respective door. The door drive may further comprise a belt tensioner configured for tensioning the belt.

[0019] The door drive may comprise a gear configured to transmit torque. Preferably, the gear may comprise a bevel gear or worm drive configured to transmit torque at an angle. Thus, the door drive may be an angled drive wherein torque that may for example be provided through an electric motor is transmitted via worm drive or a bevel gear thereby allowing for an angular drive, wherein the torque is provided at an angle with respect to the electric motor, preferably at an angle of 90°.

[0020] The door drive may further comprise at least one position switch configured to indicate a position of the respective at least one door. The position switch may for example interact with one or more respective cam and / or recess which may serve to activate or respectively deactivate the position switch. Said one or more cam and / or recess may be located at a rotating element, e.g., a drive shaft or cam shaft. The position switch can for example be a reed switch interacting with magnets located at a rotating element, e.g., a drive shaft.

[0021] The door operating system may comprise a locking system configured to lock at least one of the at least one door. The locking system may generally allow to lock at least one of the at least one door, thereby advantageously allowing to prevent unintentional opening of the respective door. Thus, unintended access and / or unintended breaking of the atmosphere within the laboratory cabinet can be prevented.

[0022] The locking system may comprise an eccentric element, preferably an eccentric disc or an eccentric screw. Additionally or alternatively the locking system may comprise a worm screw. The locking system may comprise a latch.

[0023] The locking system may be configured to enable manual unlocking of the locked at least one of the at least one door. That is, the locking system may allow to unlock the respective locked door(s) manually, which may for example advantageously allow to open the laboratory cabinet in case of a power cut.

[0024] The locking system may be configured to assume a locking configuration wherein at least one of the at least one door is locked. Similarly, the locking system may be configured to assume an unlocking configuration wherein none of the at least one door is locked by means of the locking system.

[0025] The door operating system may further comprise a guard locking system configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door. That is, while the locking system may generally lock at least one of the at least one door to prevent it from unintended opening, the guard locking system may be configured to sealingly close at least one of the at least one door. It will be understood that locking system and guard locking system may lock and sealingly close the same door, different doors or that for example the guard locking system sealinlingly closes one of a plurality of doors that is locked by the locking system.

[0026] The guard locking system may be configured to provide a sealing force for sealing the respective at least one of the at least one door against the body of the laboratory cabinet. It will be understood that sealing the respective door against the body may comprises there being respective seals comprised by the body and / or fixed to the respective door. Furthermore, the respective door being sealed against the body may comprise the respective door being sealed against an inner container comprised by the body. The guard locking system may be configured to assume an unlocked configuration, wherein it does not interfere with any of the at least one door. Similarly, the guard locking system may be configured to assume a sealing configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is sealingly closed through a force provided by the guard locking system.

[0027] The guard locking system may comprise a guard locking drive. Thus, a force for sealingly closing the respective at least one of the at least one door may be provided through a guard locking drive. The guard locking drive may comprise an electrical drive, preferably an electrical motor, or a pneumatic drive. Preferably, the guard locking drive may be an electrical motor.

[0028] The guard locking system may comprise an eccentric disc, preferably mounted to the body. The guard locking system may comprise an engagement member configured to engage with the eccentric disc. The engagement member may neither be engaged nor constrained in its movement by the eccentric disc, when the guard locking system assumes the unlocked configuration. The engagement member may be engaged with and constrained in its movement by the eccentric disc, when the guard locking system assumes the sealing configuration.

[0029] The eccentric disc may comprise an opening configured to receive a portion of the engagement member. The engagement member may comprise a pivot pin and a roll mounted to an end portion of the pivot pin. The portion of the engagement member received by the opening of the eccentric disc may comprise the roll.

[0030] The eccentric disc may comprise at least one guiding element configured to guide the received portion of the engagement member towards a rotational centre of the eccentric disc when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction. Generally, the eccentric disc may be configured to pull the engagement member towards the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction. It will be understood that rotating in a closing direction serves to assume the sealing configuration.

[0031] The eccentric disc may be configured to provide a constraint for movement of the engagement member such that the engagement member is forced towards a rotational centre of the eccentric disc and thereby towards the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction. It will be understood that this is not limited to forcing the engagement member directly towards the rotational centre of the eccentric disc, but that for example a spiralling movement comprising a component towards the rotational centre is also understood as forcing the engagement member towards the rotational centre. In other words, a movement of the engagement member constrained by the eccentric disc comprises at least a component towards the rotational centre.

[0032] More generally, the guard locking system may comprise a rotating or linear moving element, e.g., the eccentric disc, which may be configured to engage with an engagement member. The guard locking system may comprise at least one position switch configured to indicate a position. Further, the eccentric disc may comprise at least one cam, preferably at an outer perimeter thereof, and wherein the position switch may be configured such that it indicates presence or absence of at least one of the at least one cam. Additionally or alternatively, the eccentric disc may comprise at least one recess, preferably at an outer perimeter thereof, and wherein the position switch may be configured such that it indicates presence or absence of at least one of the at least one recess.

[0033] The guard locking system may comprise the locking system. Thus, the guard locking system may also provide functionalities of the locking system, i.e., locking at least one of the at least one door. It will be understood that the guard locking system comprising another system generally refers to the guard locking system also providing the functionalities associated with the comprised system and that the comprised system is not necessarily a distinct subsystem of the guard locking system. Instead, components of the guard locking system may additionally provide functionalities associated with the comprised system. For example, the eccentric disc may not only sever to aid with sealingly closing a respective door but at the same time may also allow to lock said door.

[0034] The guard locking system may comprise a sloped locking element, wherein the sloped locking element may be configured to be rotated by the guard locking drive around a rotational axis. The guard locking system may comprise a shaft configured to transmit a torque provided by the guard locking drive to the sloped locking element.

[0035] The sloped locking element may comprise the shape of a disc section. Additionally or alternatively, the sloped locking element may comprise a sloped portion that is sloped along an angular direction with respect to the rotational axis. In other words, the sloped portion may be similarly shaped as a worm or spindle screw. Particularly, the sloped portion and particularly its proximal surface may resemble the shape of a portion of a worm or spindle screw or, respectively, the surface thereof. Thus, its shape may resemble the shape of a portion of a screw thread. Therefore, the sloped locking element may also be referred to as spindle element.

[0036] The sloped locking element may be configured to guide at least one of the at least one door along the sloped portion when rotating the sloped locking element, particularly when rotating the sloped locking element to assume the sealing configuration, i.e., when rotating the sloped locking element in the closing direction. Thus, when the sloped locking element is rotated, the respective at least one of the at least one door may be guided along the sloped portion thereby providing a force that moves the respective door owing to the increasing slope, particularly when rotating the sloped locking element to assume a sealing configuration. In other words, the sloped portion may interfere with the respective door when being rotated. It will be understood that the respective door may not necessarily be guided along the sloped portion when rotating the sloped locking element to assume an unlocked configuration. That is, the guiding of the respective door may be limited to rotating the sloped locking element in order to assume a sealing configuration. The sloped locking element comprises a flat portion directly adjacent to the sloped portion in the angular direction, wherein the flat portion is adjacent to the more proximal end of the sloped portion. The flat portion may thus advantageously allow to maintain a force provided to a door through the sloped locking element, while further rotating the sloped locking element, e.g., to additionally lock another door.

[0037] The sloped locking element may not interfere with any of the at least one door, when assuming the unlocked configuration. Similarly, at least one of the at least one door may be sealingly closed through a force provided by the sloped locking element, when assuming the sealing configuration.

[0038] The sloped locking element may comprise an interlocking portion configured to engage with a respective latch comprised by one of the at least one door. Thus, the sloped locking element may generally allow to lock the respective on of the at least one door and may thus provide a locking system.

[0039] The guard locking system may be configured to assume the locking configuration. That is, the guard locking system may generally be configured to assume the locking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is locked. When comprising two doors, one of the two doors may be sealingly closed and the other door may be locked by means of the sloped locking element, when assuming the locking configuration. It will be understood that a sealingly closed door may be considered locked, as it may typically be secured against unintentional opening. That is, it will be understood that a door that is sealingly closed may generally also be locked, as a sealing force is present that prevents the door from being unintentionally opened.

[0040] The guard locking system may further comprise a camshaft configured to rotate with the sloped locking element, and configured to indicate dedicated positions of the sloped locking element through the at least one position switch interacting with the camshaft. The at least one position switch may be activated through cams of the camshaft or respectively be deactivated through recesses of the camshaft.

[0041] In some embodiments, the guard locking system may be gravity-based, wherein the respective at least one of the at least one door may be lowered via an inclined plane to sealingly close the respective door.

[0042] The guard locking system may comprise at least one spring element configured to sealingly close the respective at least one of the at least one door. The at least one spring element may be configured to bias the respective at least one of the at least one door towards the body.

[0043] The door operating system may further comprise at least one closing aid. The at least one closing aid may advantageously aid with fully closing the door(s) and / or keeping them closed. Thus, the at least one closing aid may be configured to aid with fully closing at least one of the at least one door and / or to aid with keeping at least one of the at least one door closed.

[0044] The at least one closing aid may comprise at least one magnet. For example, a magnet may be comprised by a seal, a door or the body and may interact with ferromagnetic metal, such as iron or steel, or with another magnet. Generally, the magnet may be permanent or an electromagnet. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one closing aid may comprise at least one inclined plane on which at least one of the at least one door is sitting. Thus, gravity may be utilized to aid with closing the door.

[0045] Generally, the at least one closing aid may be comprised by the guard locking system.

[0046] The door operating system may further comprise an opening mechanism configured for providing an initial opening movement of at least one of the at least one door. This may for example advantageously allow to overcome an initial resistance against opening of the door, which may for example be due to a negative pressure within the laboratory cabinet and / or due to the optional at least one closing aid.

[0047] The opening mechanism may comprise a driven element configured to push the respective at least one of the at least one door away from the body. The driven element may be one of a pneumatic plunger, an eccentric element or a spindle element.

[0048] In some embodiments, the opening mechanism may be configured to overcome a force provided by the at least one closing aid and / or the guard locking system.

[0049] The opening mechanism may be configured to open the door by an opening angle of at least 0.5°, preferably at least 1°. Further, the opening mechanism may be configured to open the door by an opening angle of at most 20°preferably at most 10°, more preferably at most 5°.

[0050] The guard locking system may further comprise the opening mechanism.

[0051] In embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises the eccentric disc and the engagement member, the eccentric disc may comprise at least one guiding element configured to guide the received portion of the engagement member away from a rotational centre of the eccentric disc when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction. This may serve as an opening mechanism as it pushes the door away from the body. More generally, in embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises the eccentric disc and the engagement member, the eccentric disc may be configured to push the engagement member away from the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction. It will be understood that rotating in an opening direction serves to assume the unlocked configuration.

[0052] In embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises the eccentric disc and the engagement member, the eccentric disc may be configured to provide a constraint for movement of the engagement member such that the engagement member is forced away from a rotational centre of the eccentric disc and thereby away from the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction.

[0053] In embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises the sloped locking element comprising the interlocking portion, the interlocking portion may further be configured to interact with a sloped element mounted to at least one of the at least one door to provide a force for opening the respective door.

[0054] The controller may be configured to control the door drive. The controller may be configured to control the torque provided by the door drive during opening and / or closing of the door. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may be configured to control the velocity with which the respective at least one of the at least one door is moved.

[0055] The controller may be configured to control the locking system.

[0056] When the door operating system comprises the guard locking system, the controller may be configured to control the guard locking system. Similarly, when the door operating system comprises the opening mechanism, the controller may be configured to control the opening mechanism.

[0057] Generally, the controller may be configured to control different components of the door operating system to enable opening and / or closing of at least one of the at least one door.

[0058] The controller may be configured to monitor the force or respectively torque provided by the door drive and to immediately shut down the door drive in case of an unexpected increase of force or respectively torque. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may be configured to monitor the force or respectively torque provided by the door drive and to shut down the door drive in case an end stop of the respective door has been reached.

[0059] The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the trigger mechanism and based thereon initiate opening and / or closing of at least one of the at least one door. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may be configured to move the driven at least one of the at least one door to a known position for initialisation. This may advantageously allow the controller to reset the respective door to a known position, which may also be referred to as initialisation of the respective door. Such initialisation may for example be necessitated if the controller cannot detect the position of the respective door independently, e.g., when the position of the door lies outside of the detectable range of any position switches. This may for example be relevant after manual opening of the respective door thorough a user. If the door operating comprises at least one position switch, the controller may be configured to receive signals from the at least one position switch. Further, the controller may be configured to control the door drive based on a signal received from at least one of the at least one position switch. The controller may be configured to control the torque provided by the door drive during opening of the door depending on at least one signal of at least one position switch. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may be configured to control the guard locking drive based on at least one signal of at least one positions switch.

[0060] The trigger mechanism may comprise at least one trigger element. The at least one trigger element may comprise at least one electrical button or switch, such as a manual button, a manual switch, a touch panel, or an indirect switch, such as voice control or motion detector. That is, the at least one trigger element may generally comprise at least one electrical button or switch, which may for example be provided in the form of a touch panel, an indirect switch, e.g., realized by means of voice control or a motion detector, or simply a manual button or switch that can for example be pushed with a hand, foot or other body part of a user.

[0061] The trigger mechanism may comprise an interface for receiving external commands, e.g., from an overall laboratory control or a robot control. That is, the trigger mechanism may (additionally or alternatively to an electrical button or switch) comprise an interface for receiving external commands. This may advantageously allow to trigger opening, closing and / or initialisation of the respective at least one of the at least one door within an automatically operating laboratory, e.g., a laboratory using robots. Thus, it may advantageously allow to avoid the need for any direct user interaction with the laboratory cabinet.

[0062] The trigger mechanism comprises a separate trigger element for initiating closing and opening of at least one of the at least one door, respectively. That is, the laboratory cabinet may comprise one trigger mechanism for initiating opening of the at least one of the at least one door and another trigger mechanism for initiating closing of the respective at least one of the at least one door. Alternatively, a single trigger mechanism may provide both functionalities.

[0063] The laboratory cabinet may be configured to control a temperature within the at least one chamber. Additionally or alternatively, the laboratory cabinet may be configured to control an atmosphere within the at least one chamber.

[0064] The laboratory cabinet may for example be an environmental chamber. It will be understood that an environmental chamber may also be referred to as climatic chamber. The laboratory cabinet may be an incubator, such as a CCh-icubator.

[0065] Generally, the laboratory cabinet may be at least one of a heating cabinet, incubator, oven, freezer and / or environmental chamber, preferably an incubator and / or environmental chamber.

[0066] The open position may be a fully open position. It will be understood that a fully open position refers to a door position wherein a user does not need to further open the door for accessing the chamber. This may advantageously allow for a user to access the laboratory cabinet without using his hands, e.g., when carrying a tray of samples, and / or for fully automated use of the laboratory cabinet without human interaction. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for operating a laboratory cabinet comprising a door operating system and at least one door. The method comprising receiving a trigger signal from a trigger mechanism, and automatically moving at least one of the at least one door by means of the door operating system. That is, the laboratory cabinet may be operated such that when receiving a respective trigger signal from a trigger mechanism, at least one of the at least one door of the laboratory cabinet is moved through the door operating system, e.g., opened or closed. It will be understood that the trigger mechanism may be comprised by the laboratory cabinet.

[0067] In that regard, automatically moving the respective door may comprise activating a door drive comprised by the door operating system. Further, automatically moving the respective door may comprise controlling the torque provided by the door drive and / or controlling the velocity for moving the door provided by the door drive.

[0068] Automatically moving at least one of the at least one door may comprise automatically opening at least one of the at least one door. That is, automatically moving at least one of the at least one door in an open position, preferably from a closed position. Automatically opening at least one of the at least one door may comprise automatically unlocking at least one of the at least one door.

[0069] The door operating system may comprise a locking system. In such a case, automatically unlocking at least one of the at least one door may comprise the locking system automatically unlocking the at least one of the at least one door. Additionally or alternatively, automatically unlocking at least one of the at least one door may comprise the locking system assuming an unlocking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is unlocked.

[0070] The door operating system comprises a guard locking system. In such a case, automatically opening at least one of the at least one door may comprise the guard locking system unlocking at least one of the at least one door. Additionally or alternatively, automatically opening at least one of the at least one door comprises the guard locking system assuming an unlocking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is unlocked. Similarly, the method may comprise the guard locking system assuming an unlocked configuration, wherein it does not interfere with any of the at least one door.

[0071] Automatically opening at least one of the at least one door may comprise activating a door drive comprised by the door operating system to move the door to an open position.

[0072] Automatically moving at least one of the at least one door may comprise automatically closing at least one of the at least one door. Further, automatically closing at least one of the at least one door comprises activating a door drive comprised by the door operating system to move the door to a closed position. Yet further, automatically closing at least one of the at least one door may comprise the guard locking system assuming a sealing configuration, wherein a force for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door is provided by the guard locking system. Additionally or alternatively, automatically closing at least one of the at least one door may comprise the guard locking system assuming a locking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is locked.

[0073] Receiving the trigger signal from a trigger mechanism may comprise receiving a respective trigger signal, preferably a command, via an interface comprised by the trigger mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, receiving the trigger signal from a trigger mechanism may comprise a user activating the trigger mechanism hands free.

[0074] The method may comprise automatically loading and / or unloading the laboratory cabinet with an automated handling system, such as a robot.

[0075] The laboratory cabinet may be a laboratory cabinet as described above. Similarly, the laboratory cabinet previously described may be configured to perform the above method.

[0076] Below, reference will be made to laboratory cabinet embodiments. These embodiments are abbreviated by the letter "L" followed by a number. Whenever reference is herein made to "cabinet embodiments", these embodiments are meant.

[0077] LI. A laboratory cabinet comprising a body, at least one door, and a door operating system comprising a door drive configured to open and / or close at least one of the at least one door, a trigger mechanism configured for initiating opening and / or closing of the at least one of the at least one door, and a controller; wherein the system is configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door.

[0078] L2. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the body comprises at least one chamber and wherein the at least one door is configured to enable access to said chamber.

[0079] L3. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the at least one door is two doors.

[0080] In particular, the laboratory cabinet may comprise an inner and an outer door.

[0081] L4. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the door operating system comprises a door coupling for separably coupling the two doors. L5. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is an electric door drive, a pneumatic door drive, or a hydraulic door drive.

[0082] L6. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is configured to provide a force for opening and / or closing the respective at least one of the at least one door.

[0083] L7. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is configured to provide a torque to the respective at least one of the at least one door.

[0084] L8. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is configured to move the at least one of the respective at least one door between an open position and a closed position.

[0085] L9. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is configured for sealingly closing the respective at least one of the at least one door.

[0086] LIO. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is configured such that no critical damage occurs in the event of a collision of the respective at least one of the at least one door with an obstacle.

[0087] Lil. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is a low-energy door drive.

[0088] L12. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the force exerted by the opening and / or closing door at an outermost point does not exceed 50 N, preferably 30 N, more preferably 15 N.

[0089] It will be understood that the outermost point refers to a point of maximum leverage.

[0090] L13. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L3, wherein the door operating system comprises a second door drive for separately opening the two doors.

[0091] L14. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive comprises an electric motor.

[0092] L15. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive is belt-based. L16. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive comprises a drive belt pulley and a door belt pulley, wherein a belt connects the two belt pulleys.

[0093] L17. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the drive belt pulley is directly driven by the respective drive and mounted to the body.

[0094] L18. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door belt pulley is mounted to at least one or the respective at least one of the at least one door.

[0095] L19. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the belt pulley is fixedly connected to a driving plate configured to transmit a torque applied to the belt pulley to the respective door.

[0096] L20. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 5 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive further comprises a belt tensioner configured for tensioning the belt.

[0097] L21. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive comprises a gear configured to transmit torque.

[0098] L22. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the gear comprises a bevel gear or worm drive configured to transmit torque at an angle.

[0099] L23. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door drive further comprises at least one position switch configured to indicate a position of the respective at least one door.

[0100] L24. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door operating system comprises a locking system configured to lock at least one of the at least one door.

[0101] L25. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the locking system comprises an eccentric element, preferably an eccentric disc or an eccentric screw.

[0102] L26. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the locking system comprises a worm screw.

[0103] L27. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the locking system comprises a latch. L28. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 4 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the locking system is configured to enable manual unlocking of the locked at least one of the at least one door.

[0104] L29. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 5 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the locking system is configured to assume a locking configuration wherein at least one of the at least one door is locked.

[0105] L30. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 6 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the locking system is configured to assume an unlocking configuration wherein none of the at least one door is locked by means of the locking system.

[0106] L31. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door operating system further comprises a guard locking system configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door.

[0107] L32. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the guard locking system is configured to provide a sealing force for sealing the respective at least one of the at least one door against the body of the laboratory cabinet.

[0108] It will be understood that sealing the respective door against the body may comprises there being respective seals comprised by the body and / or fixed to the respective door. Furthermore, the respective door being sealed against the body may comprise the respective door being sealed against an inner container comprised by the body.

[0109] L33. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the guard locking system is configured to assume an unlocked configuration, wherein it does not interfere with any of the at least one door.

[0110] L34. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the guard locking system is configured to assume a sealing configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is sealingly closed through a force provided by the guard locking system.

[0111] L35. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 4 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises a guard locking drive.

[0112] L36. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the guard locking drive comprises an electrical drive, preferably an electrical motor, or a pneumatic drive.

[0113] L37. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the guard locking drive is an electrical motor. L38. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 7 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises an eccentric disc, preferably mounted to the body.

[0114] L39. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the guard locking system comprises an engagement member configured to engage with the eccentric disc.

[0115] L40. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of L33, wherein when assuming the unlocked configuration, the engagement member is neither engaged nor constrained in its movement by the eccentric disc.

[0116] L41. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L34, wherein when assuming the sealing configuration the engagement member is engaged with and constrained in its movement by the eccentric disc.

[0117] L42. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the eccentric disc comprises an opening configured to receive a portion of the engagement member

[0118] L43. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 4 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the engagement member comprises a pivot pin and a roll mounted to an end portion of the pivot pin.

[0119] L44. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of the penultimate cabinet embodiment, wherein the received portion of the engagement member comprises the roll.

[0120] L45. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the eccentric disc comprises at least one guiding element configured to guide the received portion of the engagement member towards a rotational centre of the eccentric disc when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction.

[0121] L46. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 7 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the eccentric disc is configured to pull the engagement member towards the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction.

[0122] L47. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 8 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the eccentric disc is configured to provide a constraint for movement of the engagement member such that the engagement member is forced towards a rotational centre of the eccentric disc and thereby towards the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction. L48. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31, wherein the guard locking system comprises at least one position switch configured to indicate a position.

[0123] L49. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of L38, wherein the eccentric disc comprises at least one cam, preferably at an outer perimeter thereof, and wherein the position switch is configured such that it indicates presence or absence of at least one of the at least one cam.

[0124] L50. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of L38, wherein the eccentric disc comprises at least one recess, preferably at an outer perimeter thereof, and wherein the position switch is configured such that it indicates presence or absence of at least one of the at least one recess.

[0125] L51. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L24 and L31, wherein the guard locking system comprises the locking system.

[0126] L52. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L35, wherein the guard locking system comprises a sloped locking element, wherein the sloped locking element is configured to be rotated by the guard locking drive around a rotational axis.

[0127] L53. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the guard locking system comprises a shaft configured to transmit a torque provided by the guard locking drive to the sloped locking element.

[0128] L54. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the sloped locking element comprises the shape of a disc section.

[0129] L55. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the sloped locking element comprises a sloped portion that is sloped along an angular direction with respect to the rotational axis.

[0130] L56. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 4 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the sloped locking element is configured to guide at least one of the at least one door along the sloped portion when rotating the sloped locking element.

[0131] L57. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the sloped locking element comprises a flat portion directly adjacent to the sloped portion in the angular direction, wherein the flat portion is adjacent to the more proximal end of the sloped portion. L58. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 6 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L33, wherein when assuming the unlocked configuration, the sloped locking element does not interfere with any of the at least one door.

[0132] L59. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 7 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L34, wherein when assuming the sealing configuration, at least one of the at least one door is sealingly closed through a force provided by the sloped locking element.

[0133] L60. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 8 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the sloped locking element comprises an interlocking portion configured to engage with a respective latch comprised by one of the at least one door.

[0134] L61. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L29 and L51, wherein the guard locking system is configured to assume the locking configuration.

[0135] L62. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of L3 and L52, wherein when assuming the locking configuration, one of the two doors is sealingly closed and the other door is locked by means of the sloped locking element.

[0136] L63. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L48, wherein the guard locking system further comprises a camshaft configured to rotate with the sloped locking element, and configured to indicate dedicated positions of the sloped locking element through the at least one position switch interacting with the camshaft.

[0137] L64. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31, wherein the guard locking system is gravity-based, and wherein the respective at least one of the at least one door is lowered via an inclined plane to sealingly close the respective door.

[0138] L65. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31, wherein the guard locking system comprises at least one spring element configured to sealingly close the respective at least one of the at least one door.

[0139] L66. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the at least one spring element is configured to bias the respective at least one of the at least one door towards the body.

[0140] L67. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door operating system further comprises at least one closing aid. L68. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the at least one closing aid comprises at least one magnet.

[0141] L69. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the at least one closing aid comprises at least one inclined plane on which at least one of the at least one door is sitting.

[0142] L70. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the at least one closing aid is configured to aid with fully closing at least one of the at least one door and / or to aid with keeping at least one of the at least one door closed.

[0143] L71. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 4 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31, wherein the at least one closing aid is comprised by the guard locking system.

[0144] L72. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the door operating system further comprises an opening mechanism configured for providing an initial opening movement of at least one of the at least one door.

[0145] L73. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the opening mechanism comprises a driven element configured to push the respective at least one of the at least one door away from the body.

[0146] L74. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding embodiment, wherein the driven element is one of a pneumatic plunger, an eccentric element or a spindle element.

[0147] L75. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31 and / or L52, wherein the opening mechanism is configured to overcome a force provided by the at least one closing aid and / or the guard locking system.

[0148] L76. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 4 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the opening mechanism is configured to open the door by an opening angle of at least 0.5°, preferably at least 1°.

[0149] L77. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 5 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the opening mechanism is configured to open the door by an opening angle of at most 20°, preferably at least 10°, more preferably at least 5°.

[0150] L78. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31, wherein the guard locking system further comprises the opening mechanism.

[0151] L79. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of L39, wherein the eccentric disc comprises at least one guiding element configured to guide the received portion of the engagement member away from a rotational centre of the eccentric disc when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction.

[0152] L80. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L39, wherein the eccentric disc is configured to push the engagement member away from the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction.

[0153] L81. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L39, wherein the eccentric disc is configured to provide a constraint for movement of the engagement member such that the engagement member is forced away from a rotational centre of the eccentric disc and thereby away from the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction.

[0154] L82. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L60, wherein the interlocking portion is further configured to interact with a sloped element mounted to at least one of the at least one door to provide a force for opening the respective door.

[0155] L83. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to control the door drive.

[0156] L84. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the controller is configured to control the torque provided by the door drive during opening and / or closing of the door.

[0157] L85. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to control the velocity with which the respective at least one of the at least one door is moved.

[0158] L86. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L24, wherein the controller is configured to control the locking system.

[0159] L87. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L31, wherein the controller is configured to control the guard locking system.

[0160] L88. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L72, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening mechanism.

[0161] L89. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to control different components of the door operating system to enable opening and / or closing of at least one of the at least one door. L90. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the force or respectively torque provided by the door drive and to immediately shut down the door drive in case of an unexpected increase of force or respectively torque.

[0162] L91. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the force or respectively torque provided by the door drive and to shut down the door drive in case an end stop of the respective door has been reached.

[0163] L92. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from the trigger mechanism and based thereon initiate opening and / or closing of at least one of the at least one door.

[0164] L93. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to move the driven at least one of the at least one door to a known position for initialisation.

[0165] L94. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L23 and / or L48, wherein the controller is configured to receive signals from the at least one position switch.

[0166] L95. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the controller is configured to control the door drive based on a signal received from at least one of the at least one position switch.

[0167] L96. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to control the torque provided by the door drive during opening of the door depending on at least one signal of at least one position switch.

[0168] L97. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 3 preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L35, wherein the controller is configured to control the guard locking drive based on at least one signal of at least one positions switch.

[0169] L98. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises at least one trigger element.

[0170] L99. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment, wherein the at least one trigger element comprises at least one electrical button or switch, such as a manual button, a manual switch, a touch panel, or an indirect switch, such as voice control or motion detector.

[0171] L100. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises an interface for receiving external commands, e.g., from an overall laboratory control or a robot control. L101. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding cabinet embodiment and with the features of L98, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a separate trigger element for initiating closing and opening of at least one of the at least one door, respectively.

[0172] L102. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L2, wherein the laboratory cabinet is configured to control a temperature within the at least one chamber.

[0173] L103. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L2, wherein the laboratory cabinet is configured to control an atmosphere within the at least one chamber.

[0174] L104. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the laboratory cabinet is an environmental chamber.

[0175] L105. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the laboratory cabinet is an incubator, such as a CCh-icubator.

[0176] L106. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the laboratory cabinet is at least one of a heating cabinet, incubator, oven, freezer and / or environmental chamber, preferably an incubator and / or environmental chamber.

[0177] L107. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments and with the features of L8, wherein the open position is a fully open position.

[0178] Below, reference will be made to method embodiments. These embodiments are abbreviated by the letter "M" followed by a number. Whenever reference is herein made to "method embodiments", these embodiments are meant.

[0179] Ml. Method for operating a laboratory cabinet comprising a door operating system and at least one door, the method comprising: receiving a trigger signal from a trigger mechanism, and automatically moving at least one of the at least one door by means of the door operating system.

[0180] M2. The method according to the preceding method embodiment, wherein automatically moving the respective door comprises activating a door drive comprised by the door operating system.

[0181] M3. The method according to the preceding method embodiment, wherein automatically moving the respective door comprises controlling the torque provided by the door drive. M4. The method according to any of the 2 preceding method embodiments, wherein automatically moving the respective door comprises controlling the velocity for moving the door provided by the door drive.

[0182] M5. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein automatically moving at least one of the at least one door comprises automatically opening at least one of the at least one door.

[0183] That is, automatically moving at least one of the at least one door in an open position, preferably from a closed position.

[0184] M6. The method according to the preceding method embodiment, wherein automatically opening at least one of the at least one door comprises automatically unlocking at least one of the at least one door.

[0185] M7. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein the door operating system comprises a locking system.

[0186] M8. The method according to the preceding method embodiment and with the features of M6, wherein automatically unlocking at least one of the at least one door comprises the locking system automatically unlocking the at least one of the at least one door.

[0187] M9. The method according to any of the 2 the preceding method embodiments and with the features of M6, wherein automatically unlocking at least one of the at least one door comprises the locking system assuming an unlocking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is unlocked.

[0188] MIO. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein the door operating system comprises a guard locking system.

[0189] Mil. The method according to the preceding method embodiment and with the features of M5, wherein automatically opening at least one of the at least one door comprises the guard locking system unlocking at least one of the at least one door.

[0190] M12. The method according to any of the 2 preceding method embodiments and with the features of M5, wherein automatically opening at least one of the at least one door comprises the guard locking system assuming an unlocking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is unlocked.

[0191] M13. The method according to any of the 3 preceding method embodiments, wherein the method comprises the guard locking system assuming an unlocked configuration, wherein it does not interfere with any of the at least one door.

[0192] M14. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments and with the features of M5, wherein automatically opening at least one of the at least one door comprises activating a door drive comprised by the door operating system to move the door to an open position.

[0193] M15. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein automatically moving at least one of the at least one door comprises automatically closing at least one of the at least one door.

[0194] M16. The method according to the preceding method embodiment, wherein automatically closing at least one of the at least one door comprises activating a door drive comprised by the door operating system to move the door to a closed position.

[0195] M17. The method according to the preceding method embodiments and with the features of MIO, wherein automatically closing at least one of the at least one door comprises the guard locking system assuming a sealing configuration, wherein a force for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door is provided by the guard locking system.

[0196] M18. The method according to any of the 2 preceding method embodiments and with the features of MIO, wherein automatically closing at least one of the at least one door comprises the guard locking system assuming a locking configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is locked.

[0197] M19. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein receiving the trigger signal from a trigger mechanism comprises receiving a respective trigger signal, preferably a command, via an interface comprised by the trigger mechanism.

[0198] M20. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein receiving the trigger signal from a trigger mechanism comprises a user activating the trigger mechanism hands free.

[0199] M21. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein the method comprises automatically loading and / or unloading the laboratory cabinet with an automated handling system, such as a robot.

[0200] M22. The method according to any of the preceding method embodiments, wherein the laboratory cabinet is a laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments.

[0201] L107. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding cabinet embodiments, wherein the controller is configured to perform the method according to any of the preceding method embodiments.

[0202] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments should only exemplify, but not limit, the present invention. Fig. la) illustrates the concept of a door drive;

[0203] Fig. lb) illustrates the concept of a locking system comprising a locking drive;

[0204] Fig. 1c) illustrates the concept of controlling components of a door handling system;

[0205] Fig. Id) illustrates exemplary torque and velocity of a door drive over time;

[0206] Fig. 2a) illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a door drive;

[0207] Fig. 2b) illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mounted door drive;

[0208] Fig. 3a) illustrates elements of an exemplary embodiment of a guard locking system;

[0209] Fig. 3b) illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an engagement member;

[0210] Fig. 3c) illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an eccentric disc;

[0211] Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sloped locking element;

[0212] Fig. 5a) to d) illustrates different positions of a sloped locking element; and

[0213] Fig. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a guard locking system.

[0214] It is noted that not all the drawings carry all the reference signs. Instead, in some of the drawings, some of the reference signs have been omitted for the sake of brevity and simplicity of the illustration. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0215] Very generally, the present invention may relate to a laboratory cabinet comprising at least one door and a door operating system. The at least one door may enable access to a chamber within the laboratory cabinet, which can be closed by at least one of the at least one door, preferably sealingly.

[0216] The door operating system may comprise a door drive configured to open and / or close at least one of the at least one door of the laboratory cabinet. With reference to Fig. 1, a laboratory cabinet comprising a single door 12 is discussed. However, it will be understood that a laboratory cabinet according to the present invention may also comprise more than one door - that is the laboratory cabinet generally comprises at least one door. Furthermore, it will be understood that in embodiments, wherein the laboratory cabinet comprises a plurality of doors, features described in the following with respect to a single door may be realized for both or for a single one of the plurality of doors, wherein different features may be present for different ones of the plurality of doors.

[0217] As schematically illustrated in Fig. la), the laboratory cabinet 1 comprises a door drive 22. The door drive 22 may generally act on door 12 of the laboratory cabinet 1. The door drive 22 may for example be an electric, a pneumatic, or a hydraulic drive. For example, the door drive 22 may comprise an electric motor.

[0218] Very generally, the door drive 22 may be configured to provide a force for opening and / or closing the door 12. More specifically, the door drive 22 may provide a torque to the door 12 to move the door between a closed and an open position.

[0219] With reference to Fig. lb) in some embodiments, the door operating system may further comprise a locking system 26 configured to lock the door 12 against unintentional opening thereof. This may advantageously allow to prevent unintentional breaking of the atmosphere within the laboratory cabinet and / or unintended access to an inside of the laboratory cabinet, e.g., the at least one chamber comprised by the laboratory cabinet. Thus, the locking system may be configured to assume a locking configuration wherein at least one of the at least one door is locked such that it cannot be unintentionally opened. Similarly, the locking system may also be configured to assume an unlocking configuration wherein none of the at least one door is locked by means of the locking system. The locking system 26 may for example comprise an eccentric element, such as an eccentric disc or an eccentric screw. Additionally or alternatively, the locking system may comprise a latch that can be interlocked with a hook. In some embodiments, the locking system 26 may comprise a worm or spindle screw, or at least a portion of such a worm or spindle screw e.g., a sloped locking element. Furthermore, the locking system 26 may comprise a locking drive 262 for automatically locking and unlocking the door.

[0220] Generally, the locking system 26 may allow for manual unlocking thereof such that goods within the chamber of the laboratory cabinet can be accessed also in case of an error, e.g., a power cut or a defect of a component.

[0221] The door operating system may further be configured for sealingly closing the door 12 (and more generally sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door). In that regard, the door operating system may for example comprise a dedicated guard locking system 24, alternatively such functionality may for example be provided by means of the door drive 22 and / or in combination with the locking system 26. That is, the respective door 12 may be sealed against the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet 1 or respectively an inner container thereof during a closing process. Generally, sealingly closing the respective door 12 comprises providing a respective sealing force for sealing the at least one of the at least one door 12 against the body 14 or respectively an inner container comprised by the body of the laboratory cabinet. It will be understood that this may generally require presence of an elastic material, e.g., an elastomer. For example, a respective sealing element may be provided.

[0222] A respective sealing may for example be provided through a guard locking system 24, e.g., comprising guard locking drive 242, which may comprise an electrical drive such as an electrical motor or a pneumatic drive. Alternatively, the guard locking system 24 may for example be gravity-based, e.g., through lowering of the door 12 via an inclined plane, or via a spring element. That is, the guard locking system 24 may generally provide a sealing force for sealing at least one of the at least one door 12 against the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet or respectively an inner container comprised by the body. In that regard, one or more sealing elements can be attached to the door and / or the body 14 (or respectively inner container) of the laboratory cabinet 1.

[0223] It will be understood that sealingly closing a door refers a closing the door substantially gas tight. In this regard substantially gas tight refers to there being a residual leak rate below 0.3 mbar l / s, preferably below 0.2 mbar l / s, more preferably below 0.14 mbar l / s. Thus, at least one of the at least one door 12 may be pressed against the body 14 or respectively inner container of the laboratory cabinet, and particularly against a respective seal in order to create and maintain a desired atmosphere in the inner chamber of the laboratory cabinet 1, which may be defined by the inner container. The desired atmosphere may for example be defined with respect to temperature, humidity and / or certain gas mixtures. Sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door may advantageously lead to less adjustments being necessary. The sealing force required for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door 12 may be provided through the guard locking system 24, e.g., a drive, or through the door drive itself or the locking system (if present).

[0224] The door operating system may further comprise at least one closing aid, such as a magnet or at least one door sitting in an inclined plane. The at least one closing aid may advantageously aid with fully closing the doors and / or keeping them closed. The at least one closing aid may be part of the guard locking system. For example, at least one of the at least one door and the body may each be fitted with a respective magnet, which are arranged such that they are adjacent to each other when the respective door is in a closed position. Furthermore, the magnets may be arranged such that there is an attractive force between them. This may allow to aid with closing the respective door and / or keeping the door closed. Alternatively, only the door or the body may be fitted with a respective magnet, which may for example interact with a metal comprised by the body or door respectively. Generally, at least one magnet may be comprised by a sealing element located at the respective door and / or the body. The magnets may be permanent magnets and / or electromagnets, preferably at least one of the magnets may be an electromagnet, allowing to switch the magnetic field on and off on demand. This may even allow to reverse the magnetic field to provide a repulsive force, which may aid with opening of the door, e.g. as part of an opening mechanism. Generally, it will be understood that such magnets may also provide a respective sealing force, e.g., as part of the guard locking system.

[0225] For ease of opening the door, the door operating system may further comprise an opening mechanism configured for providing an initial opening movement of the at least one door 12, e.g., for overcoming an initial resistance against opening of the respective door. In particular, a driven element, e.g., a pneumatic plunger, an eccentric element or a spindle element, such as a sloped locking element, may push at least one of the at least one door away from the chamber of the laboratory cabinet. This may for example allow the respective at least one door to be released form the at least one closing aid and / or the guard locking system. Additionally or alternatively, this may advantageously allow to overcome any pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the laboratory cabinet, i.e., a pressure difference on the two sides of the at least one door and / or may advantageously allow to release the door also when it is for example frozen to the body and / or inner container of the laboratory cabinet.

[0226] Furthermore, the door operating system may comprise a controller 28. The controller may be configured to coordinate other components of the door operating system. The controller may coordinate movements of drives so that transfer and end points (e.g., open position, closed position) are approached in a monitored manner and subsequent movements are triggered (e.g., door opening: door is unlocked, released from guard locking and then opened to an end point, i.e., the open position).

[0227] The controller 28 may for example enable different speeds for opening / closing of the door or respectively different forces on the door, e.g., to close gently, to drive / press the door against the seal with great force, to act against a closing aid with high force / torque in the first angular degrees during opening, to drive with little torque in the main section of the movement, etc. Exemplary progression of torque M and velocity v during opening a door are depicted in Fig. Id) with respect to time., wherein the torque M is depicted as a solid line and the velocity v is depicted as a dashed line. Initially torque M may be high and velocity v low to overcome an initial resistance, e.g., due to at least one closing aid and / or the guard locking system. Subsequently the torque may be lowered while velocity is increased for a middle portion of the opening sequence and finally torque and velocity may be reduced to zero, e.g., continuously or with an intermediated level as depicted here.

[0228] The door drive or controller of at least one of the at least one door may be designed in such a way that no critical damage may occur in the event of a collision with an obstacle (e.g., human, fixture, and / or robot). This can be achieved by low-energy drives (too low forces to cause damage) and / or electronic monitoring of the movements (immediate shutdown in case of increased force / torque).

[0229] In cases where the laboratory cabinet comprises two doors, a second door drive may be present for separately opening the second door. Generally, the second door drive may be similar to the door drive 22, e.g., it may be an electrical motor or a pneumatic drive. Alternatively, there may be a coupling between the two doors such that the second door is taken along. Such a coupling may for example be provided through at least one magnet. At least one of the two doors closes the inner chamber tightly when required to prevent / slow down equalisation of the atmosphere with the surroundings.

[0230] Furthermore, the door operating system may comprise a trigger mechanism configured for triggering moving at least one of the at least one door. The trigger mechanism may comprise a respective trigger element, which may comprise an electrical button or switch, such as a manual button, a manual switch, a touch panel, or an indirect switch such as voice control or motion detector, or a high-level control, e.g., a laboratory control, or a robot control. That is, the trigger mechanism may comprise an interface for receiving external commands. This may advantageously allow a user to open and / or close the door hands-free, e.g., by using his voice, a movement or pressing a button with a foot or elbow. Thus, a user may for example open the door while carrying goods to be placed inside the laboratory chamber. Similarly, an interface may allow for a robot to automatically access the laboratory cabinet. That is, the laboratory cabinet may advantageously be loaded and / or unloaded through an automated handling system, e.g., a robot. This may generally allow for automated processing of samples.

[0231] With reference to Figs. 2a) and 2b), an exemplary door drive 22 is discussed. The door drive 22 may be belt-based and may comprise a motor 222, preferably an electric motor 222. Furthermore, the door drive 22 may comprise a first belt pulley 226, also referred to as drive belt pulley 226, that may be directly driven by the respective motor 222, i.e., not through the belt but directly through another mechanical coupling. Typically motor 222 and drive belt pulley 226 may be mounted to the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet 1, i.e., not at a door 12 thereof. Furthermore, the door drive 22 may comprise a corresponding second belt pulley 227, configured to be mounted to the door 12 to be driven. Thus, the second belt pulley 227 may also be referred to as door belt pulley 227.

[0232] The door belt pulley 227 may generally be mounted to a door and fixedly connected to a respective driving plate 228 configured to transmit a torque applied to the door belt pulley 1 1 to the door 12. In the depicted embodiment door belt pulley 227 and driving plate 228 are mounted on either side of a door hinge 122.

[0233] In some embodiments, the belt-based door drive 22 may further comprises a belt tensioner configured for tensioning the belt 229. The belt tensioner may for example be located at the motor belt pulley 226.

[0234] For example, the motor 222 may be mounted within the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet 1 and the force or respectively torque provided by the motor 22 may be transmitted via the motor belt pulley 226, the belt 229 and the door belt pulley 227 to the driving plate 228, which may transmit the force or respectively torque to the door and thus allow opening and closing of the door 12 with respect to the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet. The door 12 may generally be mounted to the body 14 via respective door hinges, such that it may rotate with respect to the body to change between an open and closed position.

[0235] Alternatively, the door drive may for example be based on an angular gear, e.g., a bevel gear, or a worm drive. This may allow to provide an angled drive wherein the torque is provided to the respective door via a respective angular gear, e.g., bevel gear, or worm drive at an angle, e.g., 90°. In other words, the door drive may comprise a bevel gear or worm drive configured to transmit torque at an angle, preferably at 90°.

[0236] Generally, the door drive may comprise means for determining at least one position of at least one of the at least one door. For example, the door drive may comprise at least one position switch that may indicate a specific position of the door, e.g., an open or closed position. This may advantageously allow a controller to control the drive based on the current position of the door. Alternatively, the door drive itself may be configured to indicate its movement and thus implicitly the position of the door.

[0237] With reference to Fig. 3a) an embodiment of a guard locking system 24 is described. The guard locking system 24 may for example comprise a guard locking drive 242, preferably motor 242, more preferably an electric motor 242, and an eccentric disc 244 driven by the electric motor 242. The motor 242 and the eccentric disc may be mounted to the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet 1. Furthermore, the guard locking system may comprise an engagement member mounted to the door 12, configured to engage with the eccentric disc 244. The engagement member may comprise a pivot pin 124, wherein a roll 126 is located at an end portion of said pivot pin 124. The eccentric disc 244 may comprise an opening 2442 configured to receive the respective roll 126.

[0238] Thus, once the door 12 is close enough to the body 14, the eccentric disc 144 may be rotated by means of the motor 242, such that the respective roll 126 is received by the opening 2442 of the eccentric disc 244 and the roll 126 may thus be guided along a respective guiding element 2444. This may be referred to as rotating in a closing direction. With respect to Fig. 3a) this would correspond to a counter clockwise rotation. Guiding the roll 126 along the respective guiding element 2444 may cause the pivot pin 124 and thus the door 12 to be pulled towards the body 14 and to sealingly close the door 12 against the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet or respectively an inner container thereof. This may be achieved by guiding the roll 126 and thus the end portion of the pivot pin 124 towards a rotation centre 2446 of the eccentric disc. Therefore, the eccentric disc 244 may receive the roll 126 and guide it by means of at least one guide element 2444 to thereby provide a sealing force for sealing at least one of the at least one door 12 against the body 14 of the laboratory cabinet or respectively an inner container thereof. When being in such a position, the guard locking system may be considered to assume a sealing configuration.

[0239] In some embodiments, the guard locking system 24 may thus be configured to provide a constraint for movement of the roll 126 and thus the pivot pin 124 configured such that roll 126 and pivot pin 124 are forced towards the body of the laboratory cabinet when aiming to sealingly close the door 12.

[0240] For releasing of the door 12 the eccentric disc 244 may simply be rotated in an opposite direction, thereby releasing the roll 126 and thus the pivot pin 124. This may be referred to as rotating in a closing direction. With respect to Fig. 3a) this would correspond to a clockwise rotation. Once the roll 126 is released, i.e., no longer constrained by the eccentric disc, the guard locking system may be considered to assume an unlocked configuration. This would for example correspond to the position of the eccentric disc depicted in Fig. 3a).

[0241] In some embodiments, the eccentric disc 244 may further be configured to also provide the opening mechanism configured for providing an initial opening movement of at least one of the at least one door. An embodiment of such an eccentric disc 244 is depicted in Fig. 3b). In particular, such an eccentric disc 244 may comprise at least one additional guiding element 2444' particularly configured for guiding the roll 126 and thus the pivot pin 124 away from the rotation centre 2446 of the eccentric disc 244. In other words, the eccentric disc 244 and particularly guide elements 244, 244' of the eccentric disc may be configured to push the door 12 away from the body 14 in an opening movement.

[0242] Additionally, the guard locking system 24 may comprise at least one position switch 245 configured to indicate a specific position of the eccentric disc 244. For example, the eccentric disc may comprise at least one cam 2448, preferably at an outer perimeter of the eccentric disc 244. The at least one position switch 266 may be located such that it is activated when contacting at least one of the at least one cam 2448. This may advantageously allow to determine specific positions of the eccentric disc, e.g., an open and a locked position and thereby allow a controller to control the guard locking drive 242 accordingly. It will be understood that similarly the eccentric disc 244 may comprise at least one recess, preferably at an outer perimeter of the eccentric disc 244. The at least one position switch 266 may then be located such that it is activated when contacting the eccentric disc 244 and deactivated when loosing contact to the eccentric disc owing to the at least one recess.

[0243] It will be understood that a door sealingly closed by such a guard system 24 naturally also comprises a locking system 26 since the sealingly closed door is also locked. To enable manual opening of the sealingly closed and locked door, the pivot pin 124 may be connected to a lock 262. Preferably the lock 262 may be located at an end of the pivot pin 124 that is opposite to the end comprising the roller 126. The lock may allow to turn the pivot pin 124 such that the roller is no longer engaged with the eccentric disc, which allows to open the door manually, e.g., in case of a power cut. The lock may preferably be located at an outside of the at least one door and may allow a user to manually unlock the at least one door. The lock may require a respective key, which may prevent unauthorized opening of the door.

[0244] Alternatively, the guard locking system 24 may for example comprise a sloped locking element 246, e.g., a sloped knob. Such a sloped locking element 246 may for example be provided through a disc section 246 being connected to a respective guard locking drive 242, e.g., motor 242 such that the sloped locking element 246 can be rotated by means of the drive 242 around a rotational axis. Such a connection to the drive may comprise a shaft 243 configured to transmit a torque provided by the guard locking drive 242 to the sloped locking element.

[0245] Generally, the sloped locking element 246 may be described with reference to a proximal and distal direction, wherein the proximal to distal direction may be perpendicular to a rotational plane in which the sloped locking element 246 may be rotated by means of the guard locking drive 242. Furthermore, a more distal portion of the sloped locking element 246 may be closer to the body of the laboratory cabinet than a more distal portion of the sloped locking element 246.

[0246] With reference to Fig. 4, the sloped locking element 246 may comprise a sloped portion 2462 that is sloped along an angular direction with respect to the rotational axis of the sloped locking element 246. In other words, the sloped portion may comprise a proximal surface 2463 that continuously changes its position with respect to the proximal to distal direction in the angular direction. Thus, the sloped portion 2462 and particularly its proximal surface 2463 may resemble the shape of a portion of a worm or spindle screw and may thus also be referred to as spindle element or worm element. That is, the sloped portion 2462 or at least the proximal surface 2463 of the sloped portion may resemble a section of a worm or spindle screw. The term "worm" may also be referred to as worm screw. It can also be considered to resemble the shape of a screw thread. In some embodiments, the proximal surface 2463 of the sloped portion 2462 may comprise different gradients, wherein for example a first section of the proximal surface 2463, 2463a may be steeper than a second section of the proximal surface 2463, 2463b. This may for example advantageously account for a varying counter pressure that may for example be exerted by a sealing element that may be compressed when closing the door.

[0247] Generally, the sloped locking element 246 is configured to guide at least one of the at least one door along the sloped portion 2462 when rotating the sloped locking element, wherein the sloped portion is arranged such that the respective door is pushed towards and / or against the body.

[0248] For example, the sloped portion may be sloped such that a thickness of the sloped locking element 246 in a direction perpendicular to a plane of rotation increases or respectively decreases continuously within the sloped portion 2462. In other words, the sloped portion 2462 may comprise a varying thickness with respect to the proximal to distal direction or respectively the position the proximal surface 2463 varies with respect to the proximal to distal direction (i.e., the direction of the rotational axis). In particular, the thickness of the sloped portion 2462 may continuously increase (or respectively decrease) with respect to the proximal direction. That is, a distal surface of the sloped locking element 246 may be flat with respect to a plane perpendicular to the proximal to distal direction, i.e., the rotational plane, while a position of the proximal surface 2463 of the sloped portion 2462 may vary in the proximal to distal direction. Thus, the sloped portion 2462 may be sloped with respect to the proximal to distal direction, wherein the distal surface of the sloped locking element 246 and particularly the sloped portion may be constant in the proximal to distal direction (i.e., not sloped) and the proximal surface 2463 of the sloped portion 2462 may be sloped with respect to the proximal to distal direction.

[0249] Furthermore, the proximal surface 2463 of the sloped portion may generally be arranged circularly around the rotational axis, e.g., in a partial circle. Thus, by rotating the sloped locking element 246, the thickness of the sloped locking element 246 at an off-axis point may change smoothly in the area of the sloped portion.

[0250] In some embodiments, the sloped locking element 246 may further comprise he sloped locking element may further comprise an interlocking portion 2466 configured to engage with a respective latch on a respective door. This may advantageously allow to lock a door, for example a door that is not sealingly closed by the sloped locking element 246 itself.

[0251] Furthermore, the sloped locking element may comprise a flat portion 2464 directly adjacent to the sloped portion 2462 in a circular direction and such that there is a smooth transition from the sloped portion 2462 to the flat portion 2464. That is, the flat portion 2464 is located adjacent to the more proximal (e.g., thicker) end of the sloped portion 2462. Such a plat portion 2464 may for example allow to change the position of the sloped locking element 246 without changing the pressure exerted on a respective door. This my for example be advantageously to change a position of the interlocking portion 2466 without changing the pressure exerted by the sloped locking element 246 on a respective door. With reference to Fig. 5a) the sloped locking element 246 may generally be configured such that it assumes an open position, wherein it does not interfere with any of the at least one door 12, i.e., the at least one door can be opened or closed without any interference with the sloped locking element 246. Generally, the sloped locking element 246 assuming the open position may be part of the guard locking system assuming the unlocked configuration.

[0252] When at least one of the at least one door 12 is closed, e.g., by means of the door drive 22, it may be sealingly closed and locked by means of the guard locking system 24 and particularly the sloped locking element 246. The sloped locking element 246 may be located such that when the at least one of the at least one door 12 is closed by means of the door drive 22 it is located between the body of the laboratory cabinet and a distal most portion of the sloped locking element, e.g., the distal surface of the sloped locking element 246, in a proximal-to-distal direction.

[0253] The sloped locking element 246 may be configured to then assume a sealing position, wherein at least one of the at least one door 12 is sealingly closed. That is, the sloped locking element 246 may be rotated from the open position to the sealing position depicted in Fig. 5b). During rotating of the sloped locking element 246 the sloped portion 2462 pushes the respective door into the proximal direction such that it is sealingly closed when in the sealing position. That is, due to the slope of the sloped portion 2462, a distance between the proximal surface 2463 of the sloped portion and the body of the laboratory cabinet decreases, thus pushing the respective door closer towards the body 14, i.e., in the proximal direction. Preferably, in the sealing position, the respective door is in contact with the flat portion 2464 and pressed against the body of the laboratory cabinet or a respective inner container thereof. It will be understood that there may be at least one sealing element located at the respective door and / or the body or inner container to aid with sealing of the door. Generally, the sloped locking element 246 assuming the sealing position may be part of the guard locking system assuming the sealing configuration.

[0254] It will be understood that a door sealingly closed by means of the sloped locking element 246 is also locked in that it cannot be opened unintentionally. In such a case, the guard locking system may be configured to allow for manual rotation of the sloped locking element 246. Particularly, the guard locking drive may be configured to allow for a respective manual rotation. Thus, the sealingly closed and locked door may be manually released through turning of the sloped locking element.

[0255] Thus, the guard locking system 24 may be considered to comprise the locking system 26. In particular in embodiments comprising a plurality of doors, the sloped locking element may further comprise an interlocking portion 2466 configured to engage with a respective latch on a respective door. This may advantageously allow to lock a door that is not sealingly closed by the sloped locking element.

[0256] For example, the laboratory cabinet may comprise two doors, an inner door 12, 12' and an outer door 12. The inner door may be sealingly closed (and locked) by rotating the sloped locking element 246 in the sealing position - the guard locking system 24 assuming a sealing configuration. Subsequently, the sloped locking element 246 may be further rotated into a locking position, wherein also the outer door is locked. Generally, the sloped locking element 246 assuming the locking position may be part of the guard locking system and / or locking system assuming the locking configuration. This may for example be achieved by the additional interlocking portion 2466 engaging with a respective latch of the outer door, thereby locking the outer door and preventing unintentional and / or unauthorized opening of the outer door. The flat portion 2464 may be configured such that it is still in contact with the inner door when assuming the locking position, such that the inner door remains sealingly closed. A respective position of the sloped locking element 246 is depicted in Fig. 5c) without the outer door being shown.

[0257] For opening, the sloped locking element 246 may be rotated even further, such that the interlocking portion 2466 no longer engages with the latch (cf. Fig. 5d)). Furthermore, the interlocking portion may interact with a sloped element of the outer door to push the outer door open, thereby providing the opening mechanism for the outer door. In other words, the interlocking 2466 portion may further be configured to interact with a sloped element mounted to at least one of the at least one door to provide a force for opening the respective door, i.e., pushing the respective door in the distal direction.

[0258] The latch of the outer door may be rotatable from the outside of the laboratory cabinet and particularly the outer door, e.g., by means of a lock. This may allow to open the outer door even in case of a power cut that prevents rotation of the sloped locking element 246 to unlock the outer door. Once the outer door is opened, the sloped locking element 246 may be manually rotated to also release the inner door. In some embodiments, the interlocking portion 2466 may be elongated to provide a handle to facilitate manually rotating the sloped locking element 246.

[0259] With reference to Fig. 6 an exemplary guard locking system 24 for a laboratory cabinet comprising two doors 12, an inner door 12, 12' and an outer door 12, is illustrated, wherein the guard locking system 24 comprises a locking system 26.

[0260] The guard locking system 24 comprises a guard locking drive 242, preferably a motor 242, such as an electric motor 242, which is connected to the sloped locking element 246 via a shaft 243 configured to transmit torque provided by the guard locking drive 242 to the sloped locking element 246 so as to allow rotation thereof. Thus, by means of the drive, the sloped locking element 246 may be moved between the respective positions described above in conjunction with Fig. 4. The sloped locking element 246 may generally be configured to engage with the inner door 12, 12', e.g., a glass door, and a latch 264 of the outer door (the outer door is not shown). The sloped locking element 246 may comprise a sloped portion 2462, a flat portion 2464 and an interlocking portion 2466 as described above. Furthermore, guard locking system 24 and locking system 26 may comprise a camshaft 247 configured to interact with respective position switches 245. This may allow to determine the position of the sloped locking element 246 and thus control the position assumed by the sloped locking element 246. The position switches may for example be activated when contacting a respective cam of the camshaft and / or deactivated when losing contact to a cam, e.g., owing to a recess between consecutive cams.

[0261] Whenever a relative term, such as "about", "substantially" or "approximately" is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., "substantially straight" should be construed to also include "(exactly) straight".

[0262] Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims, it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in this text may be accidental. That is, unless otherwise specified or unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps are recited may be accidental. That is, when the present document states, e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does not necessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is also possible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneously with step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when a step (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply that there is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) preceding step (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directly before step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before one or more steps (Yl), ..., followed by step (Z). Corresponding considerations apply when terms like "after" or "before" are used.

[0263] While in the above, preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the skilled person will understand that these embodiments were provided for illustrative purpose only and should by no means be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1. A laboratory cabinet comprising a body, at least one door, and a door operating system comprising a door drive configured to open and / or close at least one of the at least one door, a trigger mechanism configured for initiating opening and / or closing of the at least one of the at least one door, a guard locking system configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door, and a controller; wherein the system is configured for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door.

2. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding claim, wherein the door operating system comprises a locking system configured to lock at least one of the at least one door.

3. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guard locking system comprises an eccentric disc and an engagement member configured to engage with the eccentric disc.

4. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding claim, wherein the eccentric disc is configured to provide a constraint for movement of the engagement member such that the engagement member is forced towards a rotational centre of the eccentric disc and thereby towards the body when the eccentric disc is rotated in a closing direction5. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding claims, wherein the eccentric disc comprises at least one guiding element configured to guide the received portion of the engagement member away from a rotational centre of the eccentric disc when the eccentric disc is rotated in an opening direction.

6. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guard locking system comprises a guard locking drive and a sloped locking element, wherein the sloped locking element is configured to be rotated by the guard locking drive around a rotational axis, and wherein the sloped locking element comprises a sloped portion that is sloped along an angular direction with respect to the rotational axis.

7. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding claim, wherein the sloped locking element comprises an interlocking portion configured to engage with a respective latch comprised by one of the at least one door.

8. The laboratory cabinet according to the preceding claim, wherein the interlocking portion is further configured to interact with a sloped element mounted to at least one of the at least one door to provide a force for opening the respective door.

9. The laboratory cabinet according to any of the 2 preceding claims, wherein the guard locking system is configured to assume an unlocked configuration, wherein it does not interfere with any of the at least one door, and a sealing configuration, wherein at least one of the at least one door is sealingly closed through a force provided by the guard locking system; and wherein when assuming the unlocked configuration, the sloped locking element does not interfere with any of the at least one door, and wherein when assuming the sealing configuration, at least one of the at least one door is sealingly closed through a force provided by the sloped locking element.

10. Method for operating a laboratory cabinet comprising a door operating system and at least one door, wherein the door operating system comprises a guard locking system, the method comprising: receiving a trigger signal from a trigger mechanism, and automatically moving at least one of the at least one door by means of the door operating system, wherein automatically closing at least one of the at least one door comprises the guard locking system assuming a sealing configuration, wherein a force for sealingly closing at least one of the at least one door is provided by the guard locking system.

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