Spherical desiccator

Abstract

A spherical vacuum desiccator consists of two substantially identical shells which are connected together at an engagement region. A receiving segment and connecting segment are positioned in a spaced-apart relationship within the engaging region of each hemispherical shell. In the assembled condition of the invention, each hemispherical shell is disposed in an inverted position with respect to the other shell and the connecting segment of the two hemispherical shells engage at the receiving segment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a desiccator of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view according to section line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view according to section line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the hemispherical shell or sectional view according to section line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the hemispherical shell or sectional view according to section line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the desiccator of the invention in a semi-open position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a pivotal arrangement of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the desiccator of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention showing one hemispherical shell formed with port sub-assemblies;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view according to section line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view showing the detail of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view showing one embodiment of the glove accessory in an assembled condition thereof; and

FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view showing a further embodiment of the glove accessory in an assembled condition thereof.

Claims

1. A spherical vacuum desiccator, comprising: first and second substantially identical hemispherical shells adapted for mutual engagement with each other;each hemispherical shell comprising a body with inner and outer hemispherical surfaces and an engaging region therebetween, a receiving segment and a connecting segment are positioned in a spaced-apart relationship within said engaging region of each said hemispherical shell,whereby, in the assembled condition of the vacuum desiccator said first hemispherical shell is disposed in the inverted position with respect to the second shell and the connecting segment of the first hemispherical shell engages the receiving segment of the second hemispherical shell.

2. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 1, wherein in the assembled condition the inner surfaces of said first and second shells define a substantially hollow operational chamber within the interior of said desiccator having a true spherical configuration.

3. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 1, wherein said outer surfaces of the first and second shells define a body having a true spherical configuration, and said engaging region being disposed within a plane positioned substantially parallel to a surface supporting said vacuum desiccator.

4. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 1, wherein a supportive structure extends outwardly from the outer surface of each said hemispherical shell and said structure is adapted for engagement with a supportive surface.

5. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim according to claim 14, wherein in each said hemispherical shell the engaging region further comprises a flange extending outwardly from said outer surface and circumferentially, so as to substantially surround the outer periphery of the respective shell.

6. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 5, wherein the receiving segment consists of a receiving recess extending inwardly from the outer periphery of the respective projection.

7. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 6, wherein in each said hemispherical shell, the connecting segment consists of a connecting member extending transversely to the surface of the respective projection.

8. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 7, wherein in assembled condition thereof said first hemispherical shell is disposed in an inverted position with respect to said second hemispherical shell in such a manner that said connecting member engages said receiving recess forming a hinge connection facilitating pivotal motion between said first and second hemispherical shells.

9. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 8, wherein in said assembled condition of the desiccator said first hemispherical shell is disposed having said respective interior surface and said receiving recess facing upwardly, so as to receive the respective connecting member of the second shell to facilitate pivotal motion of the second shell with respect to the first shell.

10. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 9, wherein each said hemispherical shell further comprises first and second clamping regions spaced from each other, each said clamping region consists of first and second supporting walls extending outwardly from the flange and connected by a connecting wall, so that an inner cavity is formed within each clamping region surrounded by supporting and connecting walls.

11. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 10, wherein during said pivotal motion of the second hemispherical shell with respect to the first hemispherical shell at least a portion of the connecting segment of the first hemispherical shell is received within the inner cavity of the second hemispherical shell.

12. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 3, further comprising a supporting arrangement consisting of a plurality of supporting subassemblies, each said supporting subassembly is defined by a multiplicity of spaced from each other projections extending from an interior of at least one semispherical shell defining a substantially circular formation.

13. The spherical vacuum desiccator according to claim 12, wherein in the supporting arrangement the circular formations are formed having various diameters and spaced from each other to be disposed within planes substantially parallel to each other and parallel to a plane of an engaging flange of the respective shell.

14. A spherical vacuum desiccator, comprising: first and second substantially identical hemispherical shells adapted for mutual engagement with each other;each hemispherical shell comprising a body with inner and outer hemispherical surfaces and an engaging region therebetween, a receiving segment and a connecting segment are positioned in a spaced-apart relationship within said engaging region of each said hemispherical shell,whereby, in the assembled condition of the vacuum desiccator said first hemispherical shell is disposed in the inverted position with respect to the second shell so that the inner surfaces of said first and second shells define a substantially hollow operational chamber within the interior of said desiccator having a true spherical configuration; andsaid first hemispherical shell being formed with at least one port subassembly provided in a central area of a front region thereof, so as to provide access to the substantially hollow operational chamber, a coupling unit extends outwardly from the outer hemispherical surface of the first shell so as to surround said port subassembly.

15. The spherical desiccator according to claim 14, wherein said at least one port subassembly consists of two port subassemblies, and a said coupling unit comprises a coupling sleeve extending from a flange adapted for engagement with the respective hemispherical shell.

16. The spherical desiccator as claimed in claim 15, wherein said coupling flange is formed with an exterior surface having a convex configuration and an interior surface having a concave configuration, so that said convex exterior surface is adapted for engagement with a semispherical interior surface of the first hemispherical shell.

17. The spherical desiccator as claimed in claim 15, wherein said coupling flange is formed with an exterior surface having a convex configuration and an interior surface having a concave configuration, so that said concave interior surface is adapted for engagement with a semispherical exterior surface of the first hemispherical shell.

18. The vacuum spherical desiccator according to claim 15, further comprising a pair of gloves made of a resilient material and adapted for engagement with the respective coupling sleeves, a restraining arrangement for restraining each said glove against movement relative to the respective coupling sleeve when a hand of a user is being positioned into the glove or removed from the glove.