DE3507039A1 - CONTAINER - Google Patents

Description

Case 117-6298

container

The present invention relates to containers, particularly containers for Cultivation of microorganisms.

In recent years, increased research and economic aspects in the various scientific fields have one Awakened the need for efficient working methods and facilities to cope with large numbers of samples.

In areas like virology, immunology and some microbiological Areas of application, rationalization was achieved through the introduction of miniaturized culture systems, e.g. 12 or 24 Multi-well plates or the 96-well microtiter plates, as well as through Development of appropriate handling, test systems and equipment.

In certain other microbiological fields of application, e.g. in Cultivation of filamentous fungi and actinomycetes there are some restrictions for the use of the previously known systems. the most important restrictions are:

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Volume of the cells or holes too small. Immobility of the individual cells. Geometric mismatch with other commonly used culture systems, e.g. Petri dishes. Insufficient gas exchange between the interior and exterior of the culture vessels.

The present invention relates to an efficient system for breeding and handling of microorganisms, e.g. filamentous fungi, yeasts, Actinomycetes, bacteria, algae, etc., without all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the systems known to date. In this system, the culture wells are reduced in size to a reasonable extent and arranged in such a way that so that they are compatible with standard equipment (e.g. petri dishes). The individual culture wells can be removed or removed as desired be rearranged and a lid is available that prevents external contamination or drying out, while a fairly good one Gas exchange is guaranteed.

Accordingly, the invention consists of a plurality of culture wells and a base plate provided for this purpose, in which the culture wells are largely vertical to the plane of the base plate and largely within stand on a defined circular area. The defined circular area becomes preferably coincide with the area of a Petri dish with a certain diameter.

The device for arranging in the base plate can be various Take shape. Thus, the wells and the base plate can be used as one Unit can be molded or the base plate can preferably be provided with a plurality of recesses, which are for receiving and are adapted to hold the individual cells.

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The latter variant enables great adaptability with regard to the number and arrangement of the cells in a single base plate. The container unit can also be provided with a lid that covers all cells and thus protects them from airborne contamination and from evaporation of the medium.

The base unit can also be provided with a device which enables it to be arranged in a certain direction, e.g. on a plate. Suitable such devices include, for example, visual markings, protruding tenons or, preferably, on a non-circular base plate, the "cutting off" of a corner. Adapted devices can also be attached to the lid to enable its precise orientation, e.g. to identify the individual wells.

The culture wells are in principle straight-walled, closed tubes Bottoms that can be fitted into the base plate and are therefore open at the opposite end. The size of the Wells will be grown according to the growth characteristics of the Microorganisms chosen. For the cultivation of mushrooms, actinomycetes and bacteria, a minimum well height is essential that allows both growth and the risk of cross-contamination reduced; the ratio between depth and diameter (for round) or width (for non-round) cells is between 1: 1 and 3: 1, in particular about 2: 1. The actual size is chosen according to the microorganisms to be cultivated and their growth properties. Culture pans with a round cross-section are preferred, but square, hexagonal, or other shapes may be beneficial for certain purposes. The pans can also be equipped be with one or more baffles, which, if necessary, promote the mixing of liquids.

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The base plate, the lid and the culture wells can be made from any Materials commonly used for such containers, e.g. glass, metal or plastics, especially clear Plastic material made with chemical or physical measures can be sterilized.

The presently disclosed invention may consist of many Labor, time, material and space consuming microbiological Replace working methods such as cultivation in test tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks, as well as individual vaccinations and individual tests.

A specific illustration of the invention is according to the following Drawings described.

Fig. 1 shows a floor plan of the base unit with fourteen culture wells

Fig. 2 shows a floor plan of the base unit without cells Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the cover

4 shows an elevation of the base unit with cells from the direction X

Fig. 5 shows an elevation of the cover from direction X (Fig. 3)

Fig. 6 shows a section of the base, lid and cup along the Line A-A (Fig. 1)

Fig. 7 shows a section from the base along the line B-B (Fig. 1)

For the sake of clarity, identical features are not all numbered.

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The unit molded base (1) has a number of limited (9) recesses (la). The cover (2), if present, rests on the cam (3). The culture wells (4) are closed at one end (5) and on opposite end open. The recess base (6) is ring-shaped and encloses an opening (7) in the base plate. A corner of the The base plate and the cover are trimmed (10, 11).

The required number of culture pans (4) are placed in the individual wells (la) fitted in the base plate, whereupon the desired amount of sterile medium or other material is poured in will. Then the culture pans with the to be examined Microorganisms inoculated, either individually using conventional inoculation techniques or advantageously simultaneously with a Multi-inoculation device. After the inoculation or other manipulations carried out, the base plate and culture wells become covered with the lid (2), the trimmed corner allowing precise orientation; depending on the purpose, it can now be closed System upright or e.g. incubated on a rotary shaker (in the latter case the baffles promote mixing).

After the incubation, the individual cultures can be removed from the wells or rearranged, or they can be used e.g. for further inoculations, transfers, antibiotic tests or similar in Petri dishes, fresh culture containers or other compatible ones Systems.

Sample handling and transfer is advantageously carried out with a Multi-transfer device carried out, whereby a homogenizer may be necessary.

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The removal of the culture wells from the base plate is made easier by a pressure through the openings (5). A culture container with e.g. 14 culture wells with a diameter of approx. 2 cm is compatible with Standard 9 cm petri plates.

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Claims (2)

[nac: - SANDOZ-PATENT-GMBH 117-6298 7850 Lörrach 350703: We claim: 1) A culture container consisting of a plurality of culture wells (4) and a base plate (1) provided for this purpose, said base plate equipped with devices (9), (la) to the said Culture wells largely vertical to the base plate level and to be kept within a defined extensive circular area. 2) culture container according to claim 1 provided with a lid (2).