GB1112919A - Improvements relating to apparatus for use in the culture of micro-organisms - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for micro-biological cultivation includes a temperature and atmospherically conditioned chamber 9, Fig.4, containing a support 21 for a number of culture receptacles and the support is selectively coupled to a rotating crank 29 in such a way that the support moves with a reciprocatory or rotary motion. The chamber is furnished with two openable handholes 6 for introducing, setting and removing culture flasks, a series of ports 14 providing adjustable venting, a transparent canopy 12 that can be completely swung up and over by means of hinges 4 and handles 5, <PICT:1112919/C6-C7/1> <PICT:1112919/C6-C7/2> and a table 22 formed with nests for receiving culture flasks. The table and support 22, 21 are mounted on ball bearings 20 and are centralized by four tension springs 23. The motion is determined by the position of a hand lever 17, Fig. 8, which is readily accessible by lifting the canopy 12. Raising the lever 17 about its pivot 41 causes two follower roller feet 38 to be released from their engagement with linear guideways 43 (providing for reciprocatory movement) and a connecting rod 34, which is already permanently connected to the support at the end 34A through a universal joint, to be brought into engagement with the support at the end 8 (providing for rotary motion). The throw of the crank 29 with respect to the connecting rod 34 is adjustable through a hand wheel (53, Fig. 5, not shown). The crankshaft is driven by an electric motor through a variable speed gear-box. Two mercury thermometers with double scales, fitted on the shelf 16, Fig. 4 inside the canopy, control a fan and either a heating unit or a refrigerating unit (as the case may be) within the box 7 whereby the temperature is regulated. The chamber may have an atmosphere of air or of nitrogen.