CA3026942A1 - Adjustable culture dish rack - Google Patents

Adjustable culture dish rack Download PDF

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Publication number
CA3026942A1
CA3026942A1 CA3026942A CA3026942A CA3026942A1 CA 3026942 A1 CA3026942 A1 CA 3026942A1 CA 3026942 A CA3026942 A CA 3026942A CA 3026942 A CA3026942 A CA 3026942A CA 3026942 A1 CA3026942 A1 CA 3026942A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
constraint
appendage
appendages
removable
rod
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA3026942A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Benoit
Aaysha Babaria
Scott Whittington
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA3026942A priority Critical patent/CA3026942A1/en
Publication of CA3026942A1 publication Critical patent/CA3026942A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L9/00Supporting devices; Holding devices
    • B01L9/52Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/021Adjust spacings in an array of wells, pipettes or holders, format transfer between arrays of different size or geometry
    • B01L2200/022Variable spacings
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/025Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/028Modular arrangements
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/06Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
    • B01L2300/0609Holders integrated in container to position an object

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a secure and adjustable culture dish rack for the purpose of holding a plurality of culture dishes. The rack includes a weighted base with a plurality of hairpin constraint rods on the circumference of the base, where the constraint rods individually support adjustable appendages that interlock at the centre of the rack to secure the culture dishes, and where the constraint rods may be removable. The weighted base prevents tipping of the rack, while in the event of an overturning, the interlocking adjustable appendages keep the culture dishes secure within the constraint rods. The removable constraint rods increase accessibility for dish loading.

Description

Adjustable Culture Dish Rack The present invention relates to a device for storing and handling laboratory objects, in particular, culture dishes. Furthermore, the invention relates to a storage device, an incubation device, a storage rack, as well as a laboratory device.
Background of the Invention Culture dishes are flat circular cup-like receptacles or containers with a spanning lid, featuring a depending skirt that loosely fits the container. Said dishes are widely used in biology and medicine.
Culture dishes are thereby used for the cultivation of cell cultures and microorganisms. Commonly, a flat gel-like layer of culture medium is placed into the bottom of the dish to supply the growing microorganisms with water and necessary nutrients. Notably, culture dishes are stackable, the use of a rack allows for higher stacking due to constraints around the culture dishes for dish storage or incubation.
Among specimens, a culture dish may be used for the incubation of pathogenic microorganisms.
During the incubation period of the microorganism in the culture dish, the growth of the culture may be inspected several times. This requires removal from the incubator and transporting to the working area for observation. During transport, current culture dish racks may tilt or fall, risking the opening of the culture dishes on the rack, as the lid of most culture dishes are a loose fit. Opening the dish exposes the user and environment to the contents of the culture dish, and the culture dish to environmental contaminants. There is currently a need for accommodating a plurality of culture dishes in a secure manner to prevent accidental exposure of the inside of the culture dish to the environment.
The current use of storage racks for culture dishes requires the loading and unloading of culture dishes in the working area. Commonly used culture dish racks are composed of a rigid fixed frame and the action of loading and unloading culture dishes is partially obstructed by the tall fixed constraint rods.
Description of Prior Art As seen in the prior art, the following patents have attempted to provide an alternative to securing a plurality of stacked culture dishes. However, none of them have accounted for providing the user with increased accessibility to the stacked dishes and securing the dishes in the occurrence of the overturning of the rack.

Nittetsu Mining Co Ltd et al.

L. Howard Moss, III

Cosmas G. MALIN

itAIN et al.
2 5ZiiiJKl* et al.

gq*M1 As such, the idea of using a locking mechanism as seen in patent US4453292A by John A. Bakker in 1982, serves the purpose of locking the free moving crossbar along the constraint rods. Additionally, the idea of using a T-slot bar and cavity as seen in patent US931164A by George H Vining in 1907, will permit the removability of constraint rods from the base, increasing accessibility.
Summary of the Invention With the above introduction, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rack which is adapted to safely contain a plurality of culture dishes in a stable and secured manner.
It is a particular object of the invention to accommodate varying pluralities of culture dishes in the same stable and secured manner.
It is another object of the invention to provide a rack which is relatively lightweight and constructed for the visualization of the enclosed culture dishes.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a structure that has an increased threshold to being overturned.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a rack with increased accessibility through removable constraints.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a structure which holds culture dishes in an orderly manner.
It is another object of the invention to provide a rack which may accommodate most commonly used culture dishes in laboratorial settings.
The foregoing as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawings on which there are presented, for purpose of illustration only, several embodiments of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a three-quarter view from the receptacle appendage showing an assembled state of the culture dish rack with appendages upright FIG. 2 is a three-quarter view from the receptacle appendage showing an assembled state of the culture dish rack with appendages horizontal FIG. 3 is a three-quarter view from a removable constraint rod showing an assembled state of the culture dish rack with plugs in and appendages upright FIG. 4 is a three-quarter view from a removable constraint rod showing an assembled state of the culture dish rack with plugs in and appendages horizontal FIG. 5 is a three-quarter view from a removable constraint rod showing the removed constraint rod and plugs with appendages upright on the remaining constraint rods.
FIG. 6 is a top-down view of the assembled culture dish rack showing appendages upright FIG. 7 is a top-down view of the assembled culture dish rack showing appendages horizontal FIG. 8 is a side elevation view showing a removed constraint rod with appendage upright FIG. 9 is a three-quarter view showing part of the base where the T-slot cavity is located with constraint rod removed
3 FIG. 10 is a cross section view showing the base where the T-slot cavity is located with constraint rod removed FIG. 11 is a three-quarter view showing the elastic plug used in the T-slot FIG. 12 is a three-quarter view from a fixed constraint rod showing an assembled state of the culture dish rack with appendages down and a plurality of culture dishes loaded.
Description Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 show a culture dish rack 1 of the invention, and FIG. 12 shows a state where a plurality of culture dishes 23 are stacked in the culture dish rack.
The adjustable culture dish rack 1 shown in the figures comprises: a weighted base plate 14 which is formed of stainless steel or the like into a disk-like shape; a plurality of singular hairpin constraint rods 2 integrally projected from the upper face of the base plate or coupled to the base plate by a T-slot cavity 18 in the base plate 14 and a constrain rod adapter 25 at the ends of a singular hairpin constraint rods; a transverse support crossbar 5 wherein the diameter of a constraint rod may pass and the crossbar may slide freely; a receptacle appendage 9 and a fastening appendage 8 that swings via hinge 7 that is attached to the transverse support crossbar 5.
The weighted base plate 14 is equally effective as a solid or unfilled structure so long as the centre of mass favours the lower third when the rack is loaded with culture dishes. The weighted base plate is equally effective as any rigid or elastic composition so long as it is heat resistant and capable of being decontaminated. The embodiment of the invention requires at least one pair of T-slot cavities 18 on the upper face of the weighted base plate to accompany the constraint rod adapter 25 of a hairpin constraint rod 2, providing increased accessibility for plate loading and unloading.
In the figures, three hairpin constraint rods 2, which is the suggested number, are shown. Although the number is not particularly restricted, the three constraint rods can sufficiently stack culture dishes 23. Less constraint rods reduce the security of the culture dishes. The hairpin constraint rods are located equidistant from the centre of the base with the wide face of the hairpin facing the centre to accommodate the appropriate diameter of the culture dish.
In the figures, only one of the hairpin constraint rods 2 is removable via a constraint rod adapter 25 inserted in the T-slot cavity 18 of the weighted base plate 14, while the other two constraint rods are fixed to the base plate by methods dependant on the material of the base plate and constraint rod, be it welding or resin. Although the number of removable constraint rods and T-slot cavities are not particularly restricted, aside from the minimum of one set.
A hairpin constraint rod 2 with constraint rod adapter 25 once inserted in to the T-slot cavity 18 of the weighted base plate 14, is then slid forward down the T-slot cavity to the resting position 22. A plug 15, consisting of a solid elastic material with matching dimensions to the insert position of the T-slot cavity, follows the insertion of the hairpin constraint rod and prevents the constraint rod adapter and constraint rod from sliding out of the T-slot cavity. A handle 16, consisting of a fabric or rigid material, is fixed equidistantly on the upper face of the plug.
Each hairpin constraint rod 2 has a transverse support crossbar 5 with two perforations to accompany both sides of the hairpin constraint rod which allows free sliding of the crossbar. An imbedded press button 4, flanks either side of the crossbar, containing a piston and biasing spring that, when at rest,
4 applies pressure to the constraint rod to prevent free longitudinal movement of the crossbar. Using two fingers to depress the press button, the piston and biasing spring release the pressure on the constraint rods and permit free movement of the crossbar. Each hairpin constraint rod contains fine groves 3 to enhance the grip of the press button mechanism 5.
Projecting towards the central axis of the baseplate 14 from the crossbar 5 is a fixed, right angle hinge 7 with a pin 6 passing through a fastening appendage 8 or receptacle appendage 9.
Preferably, the appendages will be of cuboid shape made of a polymeric material. Fastening appendages 8 as seen in FIGs 1,3 and 5 will have at least one small rounded projection 10 from its lengthwise faces perpendicular to the face of the base plate 14. The figures depict three small rounded projections on each lengthwise face of the fastening appendage, which is the preferred number. The receptacle appendage 9 is also preferentially of cuboid structure made of a polymeric material, though it is branched to connect with the fastening appendages 8. The ends of each cuboid branch are hollowed out by one third from above, leaving the bottom face 13, two outer faces 11 and creating an opening by removing the front face 17. In FIGs 2, 4 and 7, the receptacle appendage can accept the fastening appendage in an overlapping fashion. The receptacle appendage 9 will have at least one small rounded recess 12, matching the small rounded projections 10 of the fastening appendage 8, to loosely interlock the two appendages. In the embodiment of the invention, the interlocking projections and recesses of the appendages will not separate from the weight of culture dishes if the culture dish rack 1 were to become inverted, rather, they will only disengage under pressure applied by human hands.
The focus of the invention is for the use of stacking a plurality of culture dishes 23 with ease by removing one of the constraint rods 2 via pulling of the plug 15 and sliding out the constraint rod adapter 25 from the T-slot cavity 18. As well as ensuring the security and stability of the culture dishes via the adjustable crossbars 5 with interlocking appendages to prevent the culture dishes from opening.
Some uses for the invention include being placed in an incubator, in an anaerobic jar, or for the general storage of culture dishes.
While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be noted that the invention is not restricted thereto and can also be carried out in a different manner within the scope of the following claims.
It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention.

Claims (13)

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A rack providing a secure and accessible framework for stackable articles, comprises of: a weighted base with at least one T-slot cavity; a plurality of plugs to cover said T-slot cavities; a plurality of grooved constraint rods with at least one hairpin bend of which at least one said constraint rod is removable; a plurality of adapters on the ends of removable constraint rods; a plurality of adjustable support crossbars, and a plurality of appendages, wherein at least one said appendage is a receptacle appendage which receives at least one fastening appendage, and each said appendage is attached to their said support crossbars that are fastened transversely and travel longitudinally of said grooved constraint rods, of which at least one of said removable constraint rod is detached from the bases' T-slot cavities by said adapters on the ends of removable said constraint rods.
2. A grooved constraint rod, of which at least one is removable, from claim 1 will be located on the surface and circumferential region of the weighted base.
3. A removable constraint rod from claim 1 will contain adapters at the constraint rod's ends which are inserted into at least one of the T-slot's cavities and slid into the rack's base.
4. A constraint rod adapter attached to constraint rod's end in claim 3 comprises of a narrow width region followed by a broad width region.
5. The broad width region from claim 4 allows the adapter to fit into the base's T-slot cavities' insert position and be slid into the base's T-slot cavities' rest position.
6. The narrow width region of the adapter from claim 4 prevents the constraint rod from escaping the T-slot cavities rest position, securing the removable constraint rod to the base.
7. A secured removable constraint rod in claim 6 is prevented from sliding back to the T-slot's insert position by using at least one of the elastic plugs which is removably fastened to the insert position of at least one of the T-slot cavities in the base.
8. The plugs in claim 7 will comprise of a handle which are attached to the plug's surface to allow the plug to be removed from the T-slot cavities.
9. A transverse support crossbar in claim 1 is located across one of the constraint rod's hairpin bend, which has at least one of the receptacle appendages attached to it, will be secured to the grooved constraint rod with the use of a press button on the support crossbar's exterior lateral sides.
10. The press button from claim 9 will allow the height adjustable support crossbar to attach to the grooved constraint rod when pressed, and when released will allow the crossbar, whereby the appendages are attached to the crossbar, to travel longitudinally along the constraint rod.
11. The appendages from claim 1, of which at least one is a receptacle appendage will include at least one recess to interlock the fastening appendages, which will include the same number of projections to match the recesses on the receptacle appendage.
12. The receptacle appendage from claim 11 will swing from a vertical position to a horizontal position to receive at least one of the fastening appendages allowing the contents within the rack to be secured.
13. The receptacle appendage from claim 12 will be branched to accommodate a plurality of fastening appendages which secure the top side of the stackable articles within the rack's framework.
CA3026942A 2018-12-10 2018-12-10 Adjustable culture dish rack Abandoned CA3026942A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3026942A CA3026942A1 (en) 2018-12-10 2018-12-10 Adjustable culture dish rack

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3026942A CA3026942A1 (en) 2018-12-10 2018-12-10 Adjustable culture dish rack

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA3026942A1 true CA3026942A1 (en) 2020-06-10

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA3026942A Abandoned CA3026942A1 (en) 2018-12-10 2018-12-10 Adjustable culture dish rack

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA3026942A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113926512A (en) * 2021-11-06 2022-01-14 烟台毓璜顶医院 Anti-tilting blood examination test tube clamp

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113926512A (en) * 2021-11-06 2022-01-14 烟台毓璜顶医院 Anti-tilting blood examination test tube clamp

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20210831

FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20210831