GB2451491A

GB2451491A - Laboratory accessory and magnetic device

Info

Publication number: GB2451491A
Application number: GB0714955A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Theobold
Original assignee: BARLOWORLD SCIENT Ltd
Current assignee: BARLOWORLD SCIENT Ltd
Priority date: 2007-08-02
Filing date: 2007-08-02
Publication date: 2009-02-04
Also published as: GB0714955D0

Abstract

A laboratory accessory 10 suitable for use with shaking and oscillating platforms 50 of laboratory equipment comprises a housing, a base plate 12 and at least one leg 30, wherein the housing comprises a wall 14, 16 and a support 18, 20 and wherein the at least one leg comprises a securing device comprised of magnetic material 64 encased in a suitable material 68 such that when in use the laboratory accessory can be detachably secured to the shaking or oscillating platform. A securing device comprises a magnetic material encased in a suitable material, attachable to a laboratory accessory and sized to enable co-operation with the above platform is also disclosed. The magnetic material may be neodymium-iron-boron. The encasing material may be nylon. The housing and support means of the accessory may be made from plastics materials, aluminium and zinc plated or stainless steel. The support may take the form of shelves which include a series of holes aligned to allow a container to pass through the shelves and rest on the base of the housing.

Description

Title: SECURING DEVICE AND ACCESSORY

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates a securing device, and a laboratory accessory comprising the securing device. More particularly, the invention relates to a securing device and laboratory accessory for example but not limited to a tube rack, comprising the securing device that is suitable for use with shaking and/or oscillating platforms that are common in a laboratory environment such as for example but not limited to shaking incubators.

There currently exists a variety of methods suitable for securing laboratory accessories such as tube racks for plastic centrifuge tubes and test tubes in place on a platform, whilst the platform oscillates in order to effect mixing of the contents of the vessel.

For example, when using one or more tube racks, it is possible to place the rack on a high friction material' with inherent anti-slip properties in an attempt to . retain the vessel and contents in place during oscillation by means of high shearing *.e.

friction. However, due to the height of the tube racks and their top-heavy' nature *:*::* there is an inherent problem that vigorous shaking of the rack on the platform, can lead to the rack tipping over with the ensuing loss of the contents of the lube and r*.. contamination of the platform. A further problem with high friction material' is that it has to be kept clean in order to maintain its high friction properties.

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An alternative technique is to screw-fix the rack to the oscillating platform.

The racks are usually secured to the sides or base of a platform or incubator prior to mixing. The racks are usually secured to the shaking device by a screw mechanism.

The procedure by which the rack is secured to the device is time consuming since each rack has to be manually screwed to the platform.

In addition, it is possible to use a form of accessory rack into which can be placed various forms of vessel. These accessory racks are constructed so as to extend over for example a platform that subsequently shakes and are again attached by a suitable mechanism, such as screws to the plafform to prevent the rack from falling off the platform.

None of the current options however provide a securing device and a laboratory accessory suitable of use with shaking laboratory platforms or shaking incubators that are both quick and easy to operate, avoid spillages and contamination and that can be used repeatedly.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a securing device and laboratory accessory comprising the securing device that alleviates the problems * associated with traditional laboratory accessories and is quick, easy, reliable and safe * S. * to use.

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According to a first aspect of the present invention there is therefore provided a securing device suitable for use with shaking and oscillating platforms of laboratory equipment comprising; a magnetic material; and a casing for the magnetic material; wherein the casing and magnetic material are attachable to a laboratory accessory and are sized to enable co-operation with a shaking or oscillating platform of laboratory equipment platform thereby securing the accessory to the platform and holding the accessory in place when the platform is in use.

It is preferred that the casing material is comprised of nylon although alternative casing materials, such as other thermoplastic materials may also be used.

Suitable magnetic materials that may be used comprise ferrite, aluminium-nickel-cobalt, samarium-cobalt, or neodymjumjron..oron However, the magnetic material is preferably comprised of neodymjum..jrrjn..yj0 It is preferred that the magnetic securing device according to the first aspect of * *S.

**s. the present invention, comprising the combination of magnetic material and nylon S...

* , casing is circular iii cross section, however, other cross-sections of the device could

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The magnetic material is preferably secured to the nylon casing by means of

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epoxy adhesive. I,

The magnetic Securing device comprising the nylon casing and magnetic material is preferably in the region of 24mm in diameter and 25mm in depth.

In addition, the device preferably also comprises a pad attached to the base of the magnetic material. The pad is preferably comprised of neoprene and is preferably in the region of 1.5mm in depth and 19mm in diameter. The neoprene pad acts as a cushion between the shaking platform and the magnetic securing device and further provides additional friction properties to the magnetic securing device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a laboratory accessory suitable for use with shaking and oscillating platforms of laboratory equipment comprising: a housing; a base plate and at least one leg; wherein the housing comprises a wall and a support means and wherein; the leg comprises a casing and magnetic material such that when in use the laboratory accessory can be detachably secured to a shaking or oscillating platform. S. * ***

The magnetic material is preferably located within the casing. The casing is * : preferably comprised of a material such as nylon. Alternative casing materials include for example but are not limited to other thermoplastic materials. *. * S..

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The magnetic material may comprise a range of materials such as for example but not limited to ferrite, aluminiunl_nickel..cobajt, samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron.

However, it is preferred that the magnetic material comprises neodymium-iron-boron.

It will be appreciated that the housing of the accessory may be comprised of a range of suitable materials for example but not limited to, plastic materials, zinc plated steel, aluminium or any other material that provides suitable strength and the ability to be sterilised in a laboratory environment. It is preferred however that the housing is comprised of stainless steel for hygienic and aesthetic reasons.

The support means may comprise one or more shelves. Whilst like the housing the support means or shelves may be comprised of a range of suitable materials for example but not limited to, plastic materials, zinc plated steel, or aluminium, it is preferred that the shelves are also comprised of stainless steel.

In a preferred embodiment of the laboratory accessory, the support means comprises one or two support shelves.

In addition, the shelves comprise a series of holes. It is preferred that the size .... of the holes will vary depending upon the type of container the accessory is designed to hold. However, it is envisaged that the diameter of the holes will be the region of r lOmmto3Om. * * * ***

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The laboratory accessory according to the second aspect of the present invention is able to hold for example I.Sml, I 5m1, 30m1 and 50m1 sample tubes, and the holes in the support means or shelves allow the angle of the tubes in the accessory to be adjusted up to 30° from the vertical.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the series of holes located in the support shelves are aligned to enable a container held by the support shelves to pass through each of the shelves before coming to rest on the base plate of the housing.

Alternatively, if the container comprises a neck region which is wider than the body of the container, or comprises a cap or stopper which is also wider than the body of the container, the container will be held in place by the upper most support shelf since the neck of the container or cap will not be able to pass through the holes in the shelf as the body of the container can.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the holes in the support shelves may be modified to be wide enough to receive for example test tubes or micro-centrifuge tubes.

In an alternative arrangement, the support shelves may comprise a variety of differently sized holes so as to enable a range of containers to be held in the accessory at any one time. It is of course advisable that if the holes in the shelves are of :* differing sizes, then if more than one support shelf is employed the same sized holes S...

must still be aligned. This principle applies whether there is two or more support * ** shelves in the laboratory accessory. *..

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In a preferred embodiment of the invention the accessory preferably comprises four legs, however, it will be appreciated that the number of legs may vary depending upon the size of the accessory and the piece of laboratory equipment the accessory is designed to be used in conjunction with. It is most preferred however, that the accessory comprises at least one leg.

Preferably the magnetic material according to a first aspect of the present invention fits inside the one or more legs of the laboratory accessory. It will be appreciated that for safety and effective use of the laboratory accessory that each of the legs of the accessory comprises a magnetic securing device comprising magnetic material encased in nylon material. However, it will also be appreciated that the accessory may still be used with only one or more of the legs comprising the magnetic securing device. It is preferred however, that each of the legs of the laboratory accessory comprises a magnetic securing device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The invention will now be f1rther illustrated by way of the following Figures wherein: Figure 1 -illustrates a laboratory securing device/accessory according to the present :. invention prior to attachment to a platform as used in laboratory oscillating platforms and shaking incubators.

Figure 2 -illustrates the laboratory securing device/accessory as depicted in Figure 1 * ** secured in position on a platform as used in laboratory oscillating platforms or . shaking incubators.

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Figure 3 -illustrates the laboratory securing device/accessory as depicted in Figure I and Figure 2 in combination with an alternative embodiment of the laboratory securing device/accessory suitable for holding a different vessels or containers.

Figures 4a and 4b -illustrate an exploded view of a magnetic securing device arid a magnetic securing device as a single unit according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 5 -illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magnetic securing device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 6 -illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magnetic securing device according to the first aspect of the present invention in position in an indentation of an oscillating platform.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures. Features of the invention that are common to each of the Figures have common numbering. Considering each of the Figures in turn: In Figure 1 there is illustrated a laboratory securing device/accessory according to the present invention. The securing device/accessory in Figure 1 is shown suspended over a platform such as those used in laboratory. oscillating platforms and :... shaking incubators prior to engagement of the device with the platform. ***� * *

* The device 10, specifically comprises a base plate 12 and side walls 14 and 16 extending from the base plate. Extending between the side walls 14 and 16 are an upper and a lower support means in the form of shelves 20 and 18. The support shelves 18 and 20, comprise a number of holes 22,, 24, for receiving containers such as test tubes 26, or centrifuge tubes. The holes 22, 24 in the upper and lower support shelves are aligned such that when a container is placed inside the device the container passes through a first hole 24 in the upper support shelf and then passes through a second hole 22 in the lower support shelf 18. Depending upon the size of the container the container may either pass through the holes until it comes to rest on the base plate of the device, alternatively, if the container is fitted with a suitable closure means or has a widened neck region, the container may remain suspended above the base plate of the device as illustrated in Figure 1. in the present embodiment of Figure 1 the support shelves 18 and 20 are attached to the side walls of the device by suitable attachment means. In the present embodiment a nut and bolt arrangement is illustrated. However, any suitable attachment means is envisaged such as for example but not limited to, adhesives, welding or screw fittings so long as the support means are securely fixed between the side walls.

On the underside of the base plate 12 are attached a number of feet 30. In the present invention four feet are present located at the corners of the device, (only 3 shown). The feet 30 are so spaced apart such as to fit co-operatively into equivalent recesses 40 located on the top surface of a platform 50. In the present invention the feet are circular in cross-section forming a peg like structure and fit into circular recesses on the platform. However, feet of alternative cross-section can be used so *::::.long as the recesses are of a complimentary nature so as to allow the feet to fit into the ,reCeSses. * I

* A key feature of the invention is that the feet are comprised of a securing device comprises magnets and are therefore magnetically attracted to the metallic ** oscillating platforms. The magnetic character of the feet assembly allows the accessories when in use to be readily attached and removed from the platforms of the laboratory equipment, thereby greatly improving efficiency of using laboratory equipment such as incubators and oscillating shakers. The base plate 12, the side walls 14, 16 and the support shelves 18, 20 which together form the housing for the device may also be metallic in nature, however, it is not essential that the housing is also metallic so long as the feet are magnetic. A suitable preferred material for the component parts of the device that make up the housing and support means is stainless steel.

The magnetic feet assembly 30 preferably comprise a casing comprised of a material such as nylon inside which is secured magnetic material. Nylon is used because it has the required strength that the application demands and also because it is resistant to many chemicals that are present in a laboratory environment.

Furthermore, the encasing of the feet in nylon assists in reducing any noise associated with the use of the device in an oscillating piece of laboratory equipment. It is most important however that the nylon material does not interfere with magnetic attraction between the feet and the platform.

Other suitable materials that could be employed instead of nylon include but are not limited to for example other thermoplastic materials. I. * S.. S...

In use, the magnetic character of the feet primarily acts by pulling the device to the platform while the walls of the recess act to restrain the feet laterally. Whilst this first embodiment of the device illustrates that a laboratory accessory with magnetic securing device suitable for Supporting tubes such as test tubes and S..

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centrifuge tubes, it will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that the form of the laboratory accessory with magnetic securing device can be extended to support other forms of containers such as beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks and round or flat bottomed flasks.

In the laboratory accessory according to the second aspect of the present invention as illustrated in Figure I, the legs 30 (see Figure 4a) are preferably comprised of a nylon body 68, to the end of which is attached a neoprene pad 66.

Located within the nylon body is the magnetic material 64. In the present invention, the magnetic material comprises neodymjum- jronboron however, other suitable magnetic materials may be used.

However, in the present invention the magnetic material is comprised of neodymium.jronboron as this composition has been found to be most successful when used with the plates 50 of oscillating laboratory equipment which are usually comprised of zinc plated mild steel.

In Figure 2 there is illustrated a laboratory accessory 10 according to the second aspect of the present invention which is secured in place on a platform 50 as used in oscillating laboratory equipment. It can be seen in Figure 2 that the legs 30 comprising the magnetic securing device according to a first aspect of the present invention fit securely into the circular indentations 40 located on the top of the *::::* platform 50. The legs 30 preferably pass into the indentions 40 to a depth between 2mm and 4mm. This depth is preferred because the recesses have to be deep enough * * and with a sufficiently steep wall to prevent the magnetic legs of the accessory from :. moving sideways, but they also have to be shallow enough with a wall angle that is * *** not steep to allow the recesses to be formed without the plate being buckled during manufac1jre.

In Figure 3 there is illustrated two laboratory accessories lOa and lOb according to the second aspect of the present invention which are both secured in place on a platform 50 as used in oscillating laboratory equipment. It can be seen from Figure 3 however that laboratory accessory 1 Oa is designed to hold smaller vessel or container such as 15 ml centrifuge tubes 26, whilst laboratory accessory I Ob is designed to hold larger containers such as 50 ml centrifuge tubes 46.

It will also be noted from Figure 3 that the size of the laboratory accessory and the positioning of the legs 30 are such that the maximum number of laboratory accessories can be fitted to one oscillating platform thereby providing optimum efficiency in obtaining the maximum number of accessories and hence containers to be mixed at any one time.

In Figure 4a and 4b there is illustrated an exploded view of a magnetic securing device and a magnetic securing device as an assembled unit respectively according to a first aspect of the present invention, In Figure 4a there is shown an exploded view of the magnetic securing device r*.,. according to the first aspect of the present invention that comprises a substantially *... circular in cross-section magnetic material 64, which is encased in a suitably strong material such as nylon 68. The nylon material 68 encases the magnetic material * tightly and is secured in place by an adhesive, such as for example by an epoxy r adhesive. During manufacture of the magnetic securing device 30, the nylon casing I..

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material 68 is machined to form a cavity into which the magnetic material is secured by the adhesive. It will be appreciated that there may be a single unit of magnetic material present in the securing device or alternatively, the magnetic material may be present as multiple units.

To the base of the one or more units of magnetic material there is attached a substantially circular piece of neoprene material forming a pad 66, which serves to cushion the securing device and accessory when located in a platform and serves to reduce any noise formed as a result of securing device and accessory moving during oscillation of the platform.

On the inside of the leg 30, there is located a number of ribs 70, extending radially. The ribs serve to aid in fixing the magnetic securing device into the base portion of the leg. In addition, it is also possible to additionally employ further adhesive located in between the ribs 70, to even more securely affix the magnetic material 64 into the nylon casing 68, forming the leg of the accessory.

Whilst the magnetic securing device of the present invention is illustrated to preferably have a substantially circular cross-section, and hence fit into the preferably substantially circular leg portion of the accessory, it will be appreciated that other shapes of magnetic securing device and leg can be employed without detracting from the scope of the present invention so long as the magnetic securing device and leg are able to be received within one or more indents on a oscillating platform. S...

The magnetic material preferably formed from units of neodymiwn.jron..,r0 * S. :. are preferably I9mm in Cross-section and are preferably 8mm in depth, but many r other sizes are possible. The neoprene pad that may optionally comprise a self S..

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adhesive, are typically also 19mm in diameter and I.Smm in depth, but again other sizes are possible.

The internal diameter of leg of the accessory into which the magnetic securing device is located is therefore preferably between l9. lmm and 19.2mm, and has a depth of 8.75mm � 0.10mm.

In Figure 4b there is illustrated the magnetic securing device according to the first aspect of the present invention as a single unit 30, in which the magnetic material 64 is encased in nylon 68 and fitted with a neoprene pad 66.

In Figure 5 there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of the magnetic material 64 used in the securing device, located inside the leg 30 of an accessory according to a second aspect of the present invention. The magnetic material is preferably located towards the bottom portion of the leg in order that the device is as close as possible to the platform when the device is in use in an accessory.

The magnetic securing device is located within a recess 74, and secured with the aid of ribs 70, and adhesive (not shown).

Located above the magnetic securing device is a drilled and tapped hole 72.

The drill is preferably around 15mm in depth. The tapped hole is used to secure the ... magnetic securing device to the base plate 12 of the accessory.

* S. S * . *0** In Figure 6 there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of the magnetic securing * SI device according to the first aspect of the present invention located inside the leg 30

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of an accessory according to a second aspect of the present invention, positioned in an indentation 40 of an oscillating platform 50.

One can see that the location of the magnetic securing device in the bottom portion of the leg of the accessory ensures maximum contact and hence the strongest attraction between the magnetic material of the device and the oscillating platform 50.

It wilt further be appreciated by one skilled in the art that whilst the magnetic securing device and accessory comprising same according to the first and second aspects of the present invention are designed primarily for use with shaking and oscillating platforms which comprise indentations into which the legs and hence magnetic securing device of the present invention can be located, the accessory and device of the present invention would also be suitable for use with shaking and oscillating platforms which did not possess such indentations. In such applications, it would then be appropriate for the skilled person to adapt the dimensions of the legs and hence magnetic securing device of the present invention in order to improve and hence maximise the attraction between the magnetic securing device forming the leg of the accessory and the plate of the platform Onto which the accessory is to be placed.

The magnetic securing device according to the first aspect of the present invention and the laboratory accessory comprising the magnetic securing device n... according to the second aspect of the present invention is designed for use with a wide range of laboratory equipment such as but not limited to for example the orbital * ** *: shaker SI 500. This shaker provides an orbital shaking motion, adjustable between 30 *.* to 300rpm with a gentle start action. Other pieces of equipment include all laboratory * * * *** *.*

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bench-top shakers and rockers comprising linear, orbital, 31) gyratory and see-saw actions.

Consequently, the laboratory securing device/accessory according to the present invention allows quick and easy fitment and removal of the accessory to a oscillating platform or shaking incubator when in use unlike other methods of accessory attachment that are time consuming to both fit and remove. * S * S.. **. * S S.. S * I. S. 5 * S. *55

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Claims

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CLAIMS.

I. A laboratory accessory suitable for use with shaking and oscillating platforms of laboratory equipment comprising: a housing; a base plate and at least one leg; wherein the housing comprises a wall and a support means and wherein; the leg comprises an encased magnetic material such that when in use the laboratory accessory can be detachably secured to a shaking or oscillating platform.
2. A laboratory accessory according to claim I wherein the magnetic material is encased a material such as thermoplastic material or nylon, most preferably nylon.
3. A laboratory accessory according to claim I or 2 wherein the magnetic material comprises neodymjumjron4,oron
4. A laboratory accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein the housing of the accessory is comprised of a material selected from the group Consisting of plastic materials, zinc plated steel, aluminium or stainless steel. * e*, * * * s_*

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5. A laboratory accessory according to claim I wherein the support means is comprised of plastic materials, zinc plated steel, aluminium or stainless steel. S. * *S*

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6. A laboratory accessory according to claim 5 wherein the support means comprises one of more shelves.
7. A laboratory accessory according to claim 6 wherein the one of more shelves comprise a series of holes.
8. A laboratory accessory according to claim 7 wherein the diameter of the holes is between 10mm to 30 mm.
9. A laboratory accessory according to claims 7 or 8 wherein the diameter of the holes in the shelves ensures that the accessory can receive samples tubes between 1.5 ml and 5Oml in volume.
10. A laboratory accessory according to claim 9 wherein the diameter of the holes in the shelves ensures that samples tubes placed in the accessory may be inclined up to an angle of 30°.
11. A laboratory accessory according to claims 7 to 9 wherein the holes in the shelves are aligned to enable a vessel or container held by the shelves to pass through each of the shelves before coming to rest on the base plate of the housing. S... * * S. S * S.
12. A laboratory accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein the

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accessory preferably comprises four legs, secured at each corner of the underside of the base plate. ***

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13. A laboratory accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more legs of the accessory comprises a magnetic securing device.
14. A laboratory accessory according to any of the preceding claims wherein the magnetic securing device comprises a magnetic material encased in an encasing material.
15. A laboratory accessory according to claim 14 wherein the encasing material comprises nylon.
16. A securing device suitable for use with shaking and oscillating platforms of laboratory equipment comprising; a magnetic material; and a casing for the magnetic material; wherein the casing and magnetic material are attachable to a laboratory accessory and * are sized to enable co-operation with a shaking or oscillating platform of laboratory * equipment thereby securing the accessory to the platform and holding the accessory in * *I , place when the platform is in use. ** * * *
17. A securing device according to claim 16 wherein the casing is comprised of nylon.
18. A securing device according to claim 16 wherein the magnetic material is comprised of neodymium-iron-boron
19. A securing device according to claims 16 to 18 wherein the magnetic material and casing are circular in cross section.
20. A securing device according to claims 16 to 19 wherein the casing is securing to the magnetic material by means of an adhesive.
21. A laboratory accessory as described herein with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
22. A securing device as described herein with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. * * * * I I... * SI * S I * S.

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