DE202018104247U1 - Portable electroless incubator for growing colonies of microorganisms and portable test equipment therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable electroless incubator (10) for growing colonies of microorganisms, wherein sample containers, such as petri dishes (20) or the like, containing samples (21) containing microorganisms, can be introduced into the interior (11) of the incubator (10). 11) of the incubator (10) over a period of several hours uniform temperature can be produced to promote the proliferation of microorganisms, with a material that the required temperature in the interior (11) of the. By a phase change and thus released enthalpy Incubator (10), (hereinafter referred to as phase change material 30) wherein the phase change material (30) is physically separated from the interior (11) of the incubator (10) and wherein the phase change material (30) consists of 1-tetradecanol, characterized in that the incubator ( 10) is formed as a flexible envelope with walls (14) made of a flexible plastic, wherein the plastic of the walls (14) of the incubator (10) dopp are elliptically formed and between the two layers of the plastic, the phase change material (30) is that during use of the incubator (10) during the phase transition of the phase change material (30) whose enthalpy of enthalpy is free and thereby the interior (11) of the incubator (10) is kept constant at a temperature of 37 ° C to 38 ° C.

Description

The invention relates to a portable incubator for cultivating microorganisms of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1. Such incubators find particular application to study the quality of water, in particular to determine whether water is contaminated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli or other harmful bacteria. Such tests are particularly necessary in countries and areas with poorly developed infrastructure or in war and crisis areas or after natural disasters. In all these areas, however, there is often a poor or no power supply. To grow the colonies of microorganisms or bacteria, but a relatively constant temperature is necessary. This must be produced without power supply.

The WO 2012/002982 A1 describes isolated chambers, which can serve as incubators and which are equipped with a material that can change the phase and provide a uniform temperature due to the released enthalpy. These chambers also contain facilities that can cause the phase change of the phase change material. In particular, these devices often have a power connection to be supplied with the necessary energy. The so designed chambers are not portable and quite expensive and expensive to design and manufacture.

Furthermore, portable incubators exist in which individual pads containing a phase change material can be introduced to achieve a desired temperature. However, these incubators are still relatively expensive to manufacture and relatively bulky. In addition, especially in war and crisis areas, the pillows can be lost or even slip inside the incubator. So it can happen that the desired temperature is not achieved or not long enough. A portable test equipment is not known here.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a small, handy and portable incubator that provides the required temperature for the desired period without power supply and is easy and very inexpensive to manufacture and flexible in its use. Another object of the invention is to provide a portable test equipment that includes all the necessary instruments and equipment and that is inexpensive to manufacture and manageable for an operator.

These objects are achieved by the characterizing features of claims 1, 4 and 8, which have the following special significance.

In a first embodiment, the incubator is designed as a flexible envelope with walls made of a flexible plastic. This plastic is designed to be double-layered, wherein the phase change material is arranged between the two layers of the plastic. The phase change material is 1-tetradecanol, which has a melting point of about 38 ° C. At the beginning of the cultivation process for the cultures of microorganisms, the phase change material is liquid. One or more samples are placed in the incubator. Upon solidification of the 1-tetradecanol, the solidification enthalpy is released, which leads to the fact that prevails inside the incubator, a constant temperature of 37 ° C to 38 ° C for several hours. During this time, colonies of microorganisms can grow in the samples and, at the end of that time, it can then be checked whether and, if so, how many cultures have accumulated in the sample. Thus, it can be determined whether the water or the corresponding sample has a good quality or is contaminated with microorganisms. The incubators created in this way are very simple to manufacture and thus very inexpensive. They are very flexible and space-saving and can be used in crisis areas in larger numbers.

In a preferred embodiment of the described incubator, one or both layers of the walls of the incubator are made of a transparent material. Then it can be seen from the outside, whether the phase change material is already solidified or not yet open without the incubator.

After use, the phase change material, which is located in the walls of the incubator, solidifies. To make the incubator operational again, it can be placed in hot water or another similarly warm environment until the phase change material has absorbed its enthalpy of fusion and re-melted. Then the incubator can be used directly as described above.

Another preferred embodiment shows a portable electroless incubator, wherein the outer walls are made of a thermally well insulating material. In the interior of the incubator, one or more panel or plate-shaped rigid devices are introduced, which are filled with a phase change material. The devices consist of a thin-walled plastic and are rigid even with a liquid phase change material. Furthermore, the walls of the device are provided with a structure which ensures that the energy released by the phase change material during solidification is well forwarded to the interior of the incubator. During the phase transition of the phase change material, its solidification enthalpy is also released here, as a result of which the temperature in the interior of the incubator is kept constant at 37.degree. C. to 38.degree.

It is particularly advantageous if the material of which the devices are made and the structure of this material are such that they absorb solar thermal energy well and pass it on to the interior of the device. Thus, the devices can then be placed in the sun to cause melting of the phase change material. This is a particularly easy way to get the facilities back up and running.

To create a sample, an amount is first taken from the water to be examined. This is then filtered through a membrane. The membrane is impermeable to microorganisms, so that they accumulate on the membrane. The membrane is then inserted by means of forceps or tweezers into a sealable sample container, such as a Petri dish or the like. in which a nutrient medium is either already contained or in which a nutrient medium is added. The sample container is then introduced into an incubator according to the invention for several hours, where it is kept at a constant temperature which is favorable for the growth of the bacteria. Thereafter, the resulting bacterial cultures are determined under a microscope.

Preferably, the incubator still comprises one or more closing means which are reclosable. Here, for example, buttons, snaps, zippers, zip closures, Velcro closures or the like can be used. The incubator containing the samples may then be sealed to better keep the temperature inside constant and prevent samples from falling out.

The outside of the incubator can be provided with an insulating layer to minimize heat losses to the outside. Then more energy is released into the interior of the incubator and the desired temperature can be achieved and maintained longer.

Further, it is part of this invention to provide portable test equipment that is easy to use and can be carried by one person without any problem. For this purpose, a container is provided, in which the instruments and materials that are necessary for sampling and preparation are arranged and also at least one inventive incubator. Of course, several incubators can be provided. As a container, for example, a bag, such as a shoulder bag or a backpack serve, which are handy and can be carried easily and easily by an operator, even if the distance to be traveled on a bike, a scooter or even on the back of a horse, mule o .ae. or on foot. Then all the required items and materials for the operator are at hand. It is also possible, the incubator itself with a handle, a loop or a shoulder strap o.ä. to be easily carried or transported by an operator.

It is particularly advantageous if the container of the portable test equipment is designed to be thermally insulating. Then, the incubator or incubators may be placed in the container for the time needed to culture them. This prevents heat loss and the incubators are stored well and conveniently.

• 1: einen erfindungsgemäßen Inkubator leicht geöffnet,
• 2: den Inkubator aus 1 weit geöffnet,
• 3: den Inkubator aus 1 und 2 mit zwei Petrischalen,
• 4: den Inkubator aus 3 mit den Petrischalen hinten im Inneren,
• 5: eine Petrischale nach Züchtung der Kulturen an Mikroorganismen, schematisch,
• 6: ein Behälter mit tragbarer Testausrüstung,
• 7: der Behälter aus 6 mit drei Inkubatoren,
• 8: eine weitere Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Inkubators, geschlossen,
• 9: die Ausführungsform aus 8, geöffnet,
• 10: die Ausführungsform aus 8 und 9, geöffnet, mit Porben.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings. Show it:

• 1 : an incubator according to the invention slightly opened,
• 2 : the incubator off 1 wide open,
• 3 : the incubator off 1 and 2 with two petri dishes,
• 4 : the incubator off 3 with the Petri dishes in the back inside,
• 5 : a Petri dish after cultivating the cultures of microorganisms, schematically,
• 6 : a container with portable test equipment,
• 7 : the container off 6 with three incubators,
• 8th A further embodiment of the incubator according to the invention, closed,
• 9 : the embodiment of 8th , open,
• 10 : the embodiment of 8th and 9 , opened, with porben.

The 1 to 4 show the structure of the incubator according to the invention 10 , One recognizes inside 11 that the walls 12 are executed double-layered and between these two layers a phase change material 30 contain. This is liquid here, but solidifies on cooling below 37 ° C and releases its enthalpy of solidification. The material is 1-tetradecanol.

The incubator 10 has in this embodiment, two closing means 13 on, namely two plastic push buttons. Other closing means 13 can of course be provided as well.

In the interior 11 of the incubator 10 Here are two examples Petri dishes 20 brought in. As you can see, the incubator offers 10 still room for more Petri dishes 20 or differently shaped samples 21 ,

5 schematically shows a sample 21 namely a Petri dish 20 , about 20 hours in an incubator according to the invention 10 spent. Indicated on the surface are cultures of microorganisms grown which can then be counted under a microscope to determine the water quality.

In the 6 and 7 is a portable test equipment 40 shown in a container 41 , here a shoulder bag is arranged. This test equipment 40 includes a variety of items, instruments, and materials needed for sampling. The container 41 is easy and ergonomic to carry by an operator.

After sampling and preparation, samples can be taken 21 then in the incubator 10 be spent. The incubator 10 can then, as in 7 shown in the container 41 arranged to culture the cultures here.

Another embodiment of the incubator according to the invention 10 show the 8th to 10 , The walls 12 this incubator 10 consist of a thermally insulating material. Internally 11 of the incubator 10 are one or more rigid facilities 31 provided in their interior the phase change material 30 exhibit. The outer walls 33 the facilities 31 consist of a dimensionally stable plastic and have a structure 32 on. This structure 32 has the advantage that it serves the inside of the facility 31 from the phase change material 30 good energy into the interior 11 of the incubator 10 to lead. In addition, it is useful to solar thermal energy that is on the device 31 good, to the interior of the facility 31 to guide, for example, the phase change material 30 to liquefy. The size and number of facilities 31 in an incubator 10 can be used, is variable and depends on the particular application.

Finally, it should be pointed out that the embodiments shown here are merely exemplary realizations of the invention. This is not limited to this.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

incubator

11

Inside of 10

12

Wall of 10

13

closure means

14

Wall of 10

15

Outside of 10

20

Petri dish

21

sample

30

Phase change material

31

Facility

32

structure

33

Outer wall of 31

40

Portable test equipment

41

container

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2012/002982 A1 [0002]

Claims (9)

A portable electroless incubator (10) for growing colonies of microorganisms, wherein sample containers, such as petri dishes (20) or the like, containing samples (21) containing microorganisms, can be introduced into the interior (11) of the incubator (10). 11) of the incubator (10) over a period of several hours uniform temperature can be produced to promote the proliferation of microorganisms, with a material that the required temperature in the interior (11) of the. By a phase change and thus released enthalpy Incubator (10) (hereinafter referred to as phase change material 30) wherein the phase change material (30) is physically separated from the interior (11) of the incubator (10) and wherein the phase change material (30) consists of 1-tetradecanol, characterized in that the incubator (10) is designed as a flexible envelope with walls (14) made of a flexible plastic, wherein the plastic of the walls (14) of the incubator (1 0) are double-layered and is located between the two layers of the plastic, the phase change material (30) that during the use of the incubator (10) during the phase transition of the phase change material (30) whose enthalpy of enthalpy is released and thereby the interior (11) of the incubator ( 10) is kept constant at a temperature of 37 ° C to 38 ° C. Portable incubator (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the plastic from which the walls (12) of the incubator (10) are transparent. Portable incubator (10) after one of Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that, after use, the respective incubator (10) may be associated with hot water or a similarly warm environment to re-melt the phase change material (30) and reuse the incubator (10). A portable electroless incubator (10) for growing colonies of microorganisms, wherein sample containers, such as petri dishes (20) or the like, containing samples (21) containing microorganisms, can be introduced into the interior (11) of the incubator (10). 11) of the incubator (10) over a period of several hours uniform temperature can be produced to promote the proliferation of microorganisms, with a material that the required temperature in the interior (11) of the. By a phase change and thus released enthalpy Incubator (10) (hereinafter referred to as phase change material 30) wherein the phase change material (30) is physically separated from the interior (11) of the incubator (10) and wherein the phase change material (30) consists of 1-tetradecanol, characterized in that the Walls (12) of the incubator (10) consist of a thermally insulating material and one or more rigid plate or tabular rigid Einrichtu in the interior (11) of the incubator (10), the outer walls (33) of the devices (31) being made of plastic and having a thin-walled structure and a structure (31) which is filled with the phase change material (30). 32), which allows the energy emitted by the phase change material (30) well into the interior (11) of the incubator (10), that during the use of the incubator (10) during the phase transition of the phase change material (30) whose enthalpy of enthalpy is released and thereby keeping the interior (11) of the incubator (10) constant at a temperature of 37 ° C to 38 ° C. Portable incubator (10) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the means (31) are made of a material which absorbs solar thermal energy well and passes it on to the internal phase change material (30). Portable incubator (10) after one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the incubator (10) comprises one or more closing means (13) which are reclosable. Portable incubator (10) after one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the outer side (15) of the incubator (10) is provided with an insulating layer. Portable test equipment (40) for testing water for harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli bacteria, comprising a container (41) into which the materials and instruments required to perform the test are receivable, and at least one portable incubator (10) after one or more several of the Claims 1 to 7 is located in the container (41). Portable test equipment (40) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the container (41) is formed thermally insulating.

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