Patent Application
20150209788
The present invention relates generally to temperature controlled baths and, more particularly, to racks for supporting vessels in temperature controlled baths.
Temperature controlled baths, such as recirculating baths, are used in laboratory settings for providing a controlled temperature working liquid, such as water, in a reservoir. A user may utilize the temperature controlled bath by placing their material samples in the reservoir or by recirculating the working liquid between the reservoir and an external application. Conventional temperature controlled bath applications include placing material samples into vials, test tubes, beakers or other vessels, and then placing the vessels in the reservoir. The temperature of the working liquid which surrounds the vessels is controlled by the temperature controlled bath to control the temperature of the material samples. For example, the temperature controlled bath may move the working liquid past heating or cooling elements so as to achieve a desired temperature of the working liquid, and thereby control the temperature of the material samples.
Racks are sometimes used to hold the vessels that are placed into a temperature controlled bath. For example, a user may position the vessels in a rack, and then place the rack into the temperature controlled bath such that the vessels are in contact with the working fluid. When the user desires to access the material samples contained in the vessels, the user removes the rack from the temperature controlled bath. Because part of the rack and the vessels had been in contact with the working fluid, a user typically placed the rack into a container, onto a tray, or onto an absorbent material in order to prevent the working fluid from dripping off the rack and/or vessels and contaminating the laboratory setting with working fluid. In addition, the working fluid that is taken out of the reservoir when a rack is removed from the temperature controlled bath diminishes the amount of working fluid in the reservoir. Thus, working fluid must periodically be added to the reservoir in order to replace the working fluid that is taken out.
Thus, there is a need for improvements relating to temperature controlled baths and racks used therewith.
The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and other shortcomings, drawbacks, and challenges of racks for temperature controlled baths. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack is provided for use with a temperature controlled bath having a housing containing a reservoir with a supply of working fluid and an opening providing access to the reservoir. The rack includes a rack body, and a vessel support supported by the rack body and configured for supporting at least one vessel. The rack further includes a supporting foot assembly supported by the rack body and including a plurality of support feet. Each support foot is configured for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a temperature controlled bath is provided in combination with a rack. The temperature controlled bath includes a housing containing a reservoir with a supply of working fluid and an opening providing access to the reservoir. The rack includes a rack body, and a vessel support supported by the rack body and configured for supporting at least one vessel. The rack further includes a supporting foot assembly supported by the rack body and including a plurality of support feet. Each support foot is configured for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for using a rack with a temperature controlled bath having a housing containing a reservoir with a supply of working fluid and an opening providing access to the reservoir. The rack supports at least one vessel and includes a supporting foot assembly having a plurality of support feet moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method includes moving the support feet to the stowed position, and lowering the rack into the working fluid in the reservoir.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the invention given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Referring now to the figures, a rack 10 is shown for use with a temperature controlled bath 12 in one exemplary embodiment. The rack 10 will first be described with reference to
The rack 10 generally includes a rack body 14, which includes a base 16 and two opposed side walls 18a, 18b. The side walls 18a, 18b are secured to, and extend generally upwardly from, the base 16. The rack 10 also includes a vessel support 20 for supporting one or more vessels 22, such as test tubes, as will be described more fully below. In the particular embodiment shown, the vessel support 20 includes a base tray 24 and an upper tray 26. The rack 10 also includes handles 28a, 28b associated with the side walls 18a, 18b, respectively.
The vessel support 20 is adjustably supported by the side walls 18a, 18b. In particular, each of the side walls 18a, 18b includes positioning adjustment slots 30 for adjusting the position of the base tray 24 and the upper tray 26. Each adjustment slot 30 includes a central channel 32 and a plurality of sockets 34 extending from and connected with the central channel 32, such as on both sides of the central channel 32. Retaining members 36 engage the base tray 24 and upper tray 26 to secure them along the adjustment slots 30. In particular, retaining members 36 extend through the respective side walls 18a, 18b in the adjustment slots 30 and engage receiving bores 38 formed in the base tray 24 and the upper tray 26. The retaining members 36 may rest in the sockets 34 of the adjustment slot 30, for example. As shown, the base tray 24 is supported by the side walls 18a, 18b generally near the base 16, and the upper tray 26 is supported by the side walls 18a, 18b above and spaced from the base tray 24.
The base tray 24 includes a plurality of apertures 40, each being configured for receiving part of a vessel 22, as will be explained further below. In a similar manner, the upper tray 26 includes a plurality of apertures 42, each being configured for receiving a part of a vessel 22 different from the part received in an aperture 40, as will also be explained further below. The upper tray 26 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the top, except for cutouts 44 formed at corners of the upper tray 26. Similarly, the base tray 24 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the top, except for cutouts 45 formed at corners of the base tray 24.
The rack 10 also includes a supporting foot assembly 50 supported by the rack body 14. The supporting foot assembly 50 is configured for supporting the rack 10 with respect to the temperature controlled bath 12, as will be described further below. In the embodiment shown, the supporting foot assembly 50 includes a plurality of support feet 52. In particular, the rack 10 includes four support feet 52, with each support foot 52 being positioned generally near a lower corner 54 of the rack 10. As shown, two of the support feet 52 are associated with the side wall 18a, and two of the support feet 52 are associated with the side wall 18b.
The support feet 52 are moveable between a stowed position (
In an alternative embodiment, the support feet 52 may be configured to move between their respective stowed positions and deployed positions in a manner other than pivoting, such as linear or orbital movement, for example.
As shown in
The upper surface 60 extends for a shorter length than the base surface 62, and a sloped surface 64 extends downwardly from the upper surface 60 toward the base surface 62. The sloped surface 64 and the base surface 62 meet at a tip 66, which may be rounded, as shown. The pivot axis 58 of each support foot 52 extends through a pivot point 68 that is positioned beneath the upper surface 60 and proximate the intersection of the upper surface 60 and the sloped surface 64.
Generally opposite the tip 66, the upper surface 60 and the base surface 62 are connected by a back surface 70. Each support foot 52 includes a heel 72 proximate the back surface 70, and in particular, proximate the intersection of the back surface 70 and the base surface 62. In the embodiment shown, the heel 72 extends slightly below the base surface 62.
An adjustment mechanism 80 is provided for moving or adjusting one or more of the support feet 52. In particular, the adjustment mechanism 80 may be used to move the support feet 52 to their respective stowed positions, and/or to move the support feet 52 to their respective deployed positions. For example, the adjustment mechanism 80 may be used to move a support foot 52 between (1) its stowed position and (2) its deployed position, or between (1) its deployed position and (2) its stowed position. Also, the adjustment mechanism 80 may be used to move a support foot 52 between (1) any position intermediate its stowed position and its deployed position and (2) the stowed position or, between (1) any position intermediate its stowed position and its deployed position and (2) the deployed position.
In the embodiment shown, the adjustment mechanism 80 includes aspects associated with one side of the rack body 14, and similar aspects associated with another side of the rack body. In particular, the adjustment mechanism 80 includes finger-actuated levers 82a, 82b and linkages 84a, 84b. The linkages 84a, 84b operatively connect the respective levers 82a, 82b with at least one of the support feet 52 associated with the respective side walls 18a, 18b. In particular, the lever 82a is operatively connected with the two support feet 52 associated with the side wall 18a via the linkage 84a. The lever 82a and linkage 84a are shown in
As shown, the levers 82a, 82b are positioned proximate the handles 28a, 28b, and include generally horizontally-extending finger tabs 86a, 86b. The levers 82a, 82b may be moved in the up-down direction, such as by engaging the finger tabs 86a, 86b. The linkages 84a, 84b are positioned generally inside the side walls 18a, 18b.
Each linkage 84a, 84b includes a crossbar 88 connected with and positioned beneath an associated respective lever 82a, 82b. Each crossbar 88 is connected with the associated support feet 52 via connector rods 90. In particular, each crossbar 88 is connected with a connector rod 90 at a connection 92. Each connector rod 90 extends downwardly from the crossbar 88 through the cutouts 44 of the upper tray 26 and the cutouts 45 of the base tray 24 and is connected with a support foot 52 at a connection 94. In particular, a connector rod 90 is connected at the connection 94 with the heel 72 of a support foot 52. The connections 92 between the connector rods 90 and the crossbars 88 may be a pivotable connection, for example. Similarly, the connections 94 between the connector rods 90 and the support feet 52 may also be a pivotable connection, for example.
Up-down movement of the levers 82a, 82b thereby causes corresponding up-down movement in the linkages 84a, 84b. Up-down movement of the linkages 84a, 84b, in turn, causes pivotal movement of the support feet 52 about the respective pivot axes 58. In particular, upward movement of the levers 82a, 82b cause the support feet 52 to pivot toward their respective stowed positions. Downward movement of the levers 82a, 82b cause the support feet 52 to pivot toward their respective deployed positions.
The movement of the levers 82a, 82b and/or the linkages 84a, 84b may be constrained such that the support feet 52 cannot be moved beyond the stowed and deployed positions. To that end, a limit assembly 96 can be provided for limiting the extent of up-down movement of the linkages 84a, 84b. In particular, each of the linkages 84a, 84b includes two such limit assemblies 96. Each limit assembly 96 includes a guide channel 98 extending through the crossbar 88, and a post 100 extending from a respective side wall 18a, 18b and received in the guide channel 98. Each guide channel 98 extends between an upper end 102 and a lower end 104. The crossbar 88 may be moved downwardly until the posts 100 reach the upper ends 102 of the guide channels 98 and stop further downward movement of the crossbar 88. In the other direction, the crossbar 88 may be moved upwardly until the posts 100 reach the lower ends 104 of the guide channels 98 and stop further upward movement of the crossbar 88. In addition to limiting the extent of movement of the crossbar 88, the guide channel 98 also limits the direction of movement of the crossbar 88 to the up-down direction.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the support feet 52 may be configured to automatically move to their respective deployed positions. For example, the weight of the adjustment mechanism 80, including the levers 82a, 82b and the linkages 84a, 84b may tend to cause the support feet 52 to pivot toward their respective deployed positions. The support feet 52 may be moved to their respective stowed positions by moving the levers 82a, 82b and linkages 84a, 84b upwardly. The support feet 52 will remain in the stowed position so long as the levers 82a, 82b and linkages 84a, 84b are held upwardly. Once the levers 82a, 82b are released, the weight of the levers 82a, 82b and linkages 84a, 84b may cause them to move downwardly, thereby causing the support feet 52 to automatically move to their respective deployed positions.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the support feet 52 may not automatically move to any position. Rather, the support feet 52 may be selectively moved to their respective stowed and deployed positions using the adjustment mechanism 80, including the levers 82a, 82b and the linkages 84a, 84b. In addition, the support feet 52 may be selectively moved to their respective stowed and deployed positions by manipulating the support feet 52 themselves, such as by pushing or pulling on any of the upper surface 60, the base surface 62, the sloped surface 64, the tip 66, the back surface 70, and the heel 72.
Referring next to
The housing 110 includes an upper surface 116. An opening 118 in the upper surface 116 provides access to the reservoir 112 and the working fluid 114 therein. The temperature controlled bath 12 may also include a lid 120 that mates with the housing 110 to cover the opening 118.
As discussed above, the rack 10 includes the vessel support 20 for supporting one or more vessels 22. In the embodiment shown, the vessels 22 are in the form of test tubes, but it will be appreciated that other forms of vessels can also be used with the rack 10, such as vials, beakers, and other containers. Each vessel 22 generally includes a vessel body 122 that extends between a base end 124 and an upper end 126. For the vessels 22 shown, the base end 124 is rounded and closed, and the upper end 126 is open. The vessel bodies 122 provide an internal space 128 for containing a material sample.
The vessels 22 are supported by the vessel support 20 as follows. As shown in
The rack 10 having the vessels 22 may be put into the temperature controlled bath 12. For example, a user can grasp the rack 10 by the handles 28a, 28b and hold the rack 10 above the temperature controlled bath 12. As shown in
As shown in
The rack 10 may be raised out of the reservoir 112, as shown in
Once the rack 10 is raised to an appropriate level, the support feet 52 are moved to their respective deployed positions. In some embodiments, the support feet 52 automatically move to their respective deployed positions when the support feet 52 are raised through or past the opening 118 and are no longer constrained from pivoting to the deployed position by the reservoir side walls 113a, 113b. In other embodiments, the support feet 52 may be manually moved to their respective deployed positions. For example, a user can operate the adjustment mechanism 80 or the support feet 52 can be engaged themselves to move the support feet 52 to their respective deployed positions.
Once the support feet 52 are in their respective deployed positions, the rack 10 can be rested on the housing 110 of the temperature controlled bath 12, as shown in
When it is desired to place the rack 10 back into the reservoir 112, a user moves the support feet 52 to their respective stowed positions, as discussed above, and lowers the rack 10, as also discussed above.
Advantageously, because the rack 10 may be placed on the temperature controlled bath 12, it is not necessary to place the rack 10 into another container, onto a tray, or onto an absorbent material when the rack 10 is removed from the temperature controlled bath 12. And since the rack 10 rests directly above the reservoir 112, the working fluid 114 can drain directly back into the reservoir 112. The working fluid 114 is thereby less likely to be spread around and contaminate the laboratory setting. In addition, the supply of working fluid 114 in the reservoir 112 is not diminished, thereby eliminating the need to replenish the working fluid that arose with prior racks.
Further advantageously, the rack 10 is usable with many types of temperature controlled baths, and with many types of vessels or other containers. Where the support feet 52 automatically move to their respective deployed positions, a user can simply raise the rack 10 from the reservoir 112 and immediately set the rack 10 to rest on the upper surface 116 of the housing 110. Thus, no additional steps for moving the support feet 52 to their respective deployed positions are required. In addition, the rack 10 can be put back into the reservoir 112 by moving the support feet 52 to their respective stowed positions and lowering the rack 10 into the reservoir 112.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details of the representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of Applicants' general inventive concept.
