Slab gel dryer and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dehydrating slab gels comprising a porous filter sheet for contacting the slab gel on one side thereof, an overlay sheet for contacting the slab gel on the other side thereof, said overlay sheet having a smooth non-porous surface thereby being nonadherent to the slab gel, a platen, said platen having a depression formed on one side having boundaries including a bottom with a predetermined area for receiving said overlay and porous filter sheets, a compliant cover overlaying said depression and having a size greater than said predetermined area, said depression having an opening through one boundary thereof, means for communicating a vacuum source with said opening for producing low pressure in said depression, means for uniformly supporting and for providing substantially uniform dispersal of said low pressure over the side of said porous filter sheet facing said bottom boundary, and a heater disposed on the other side of said platen, so that when the slab gel is placed between said overlay and porous filter sheets and disposed in said depression and low pressure is induced therein, ambient pressure forces said compliant cover against the periphery of said depression thereby providing a seal therebetween and said overlay sheet holds the slab gel firmly against said porous filter sheet, whereby moisture in the slab gel is vaporized by said heater and removed from said depression through said opening and the slab gel is fixed onto said porous filter sheet in a dehydrated condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for drying slab gels having a metal platen with electrical strip heaters mounted on one side thereof and a depression formed in the other side which serves as a drying chamber. The slab gel is laid on a sheet of porous filter paper over which is laid a sheet of non-porous material having non-adhesive qualities relative to the slab gel. The mounted and covered slab gel is placed in the depression and a compliant cover sheet is placed over the top of the depression overlapping the platen around the periphery of the depression. An open passage is formed through one edge of the platen in communication with the depression therein. The strip heaters are connected to an electrical power source and the open passage is connected to a vacuum source. The pressure in the depression is reduced relative to ambient pressure causing the compliant cover to be forced against the platen around the periphery of the depression for sealing the drying chamber. Moisture vaporized from the slab gel is removed through the open passage. A thermostat may be used to control the temperature of the platen and a timer may be used to provide for a predetermined period of heating and evacuation of the drying chamber. A temperature sensor may be placed in intimate contact with the slab gel for producing a signal to a relay for interrupting heater power when slab gel temperature rises through a predetermined temperature after substantially all of the moisture content has been vaporized from the slab gel.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for dehydrating slab gels comprising a porous filter sheet for contacting the slab gel on one side thereof, an overlay sheet for contacting the slab gel on the other side thereof, said overlay sheet having a smooth non-porous surface thereby being nonadherent to the slab gel, a platen, said platen having a depression formed on one side having boundaries including a bottom with a predetermined area for receiving said overlay and porous filter sheets, a compliant cover overlaying said depression and having a size greater than said predetermined area, said depression having an opening through one boundary thereof, means for communicating a vacuum source with said opening for producing low pressure in said depression, means for uniformly supporting and for providing substantially uniform dispersal of said low pressure over the side of said porous filter sheet facing said bottom boundary, and a heater disposed on the other side of said platen, so that when the slab gel is placed between said overlay and porous filter sheets and disposed in said depression and low pressure is induced therein, ambient pressure forces said compliant cover against the periphery of said depression thereby providing a seal therebetween and said overlay sheet holds the slab gel firmly against said porous filter sheet, whereby moisture in the slab gel is vaporized by said heater and removed from said depression through said opening and the slab gel is fixed onto said porous filter sheet in a dehydrated condition.
- 7. An apparatus for drying slab gels comprising a support frame, a platen supported on said support frame and having a drying chamber formed on one side thereof, means for supporting a slab gel formed for positioning in said drying chamber, said means for supporting contacting one side of the slab gel, whereby the other side is an exposed side, a cover for contacting said platen around the periphery of said drying chamber, means for heating said drying chamber, means for overlying the exposed side of the slab gel and in contact therewith, said means for overlying having a smooth nonporous surface thereby being nonadherent to the slab gel, and vacuum means in communication with said drying chamber for reducing the pressure therein relative to ambient pressure, whereby ambient pressure forces said cover against said platen thereby providing a peripheral seal for said drying chamber, so that when a wet slab gel is placed on said means for supporting, moisture vapor is removed therefrom and from said drying chamber by said vacuum means and the slab gel is fixed on the means for supporting.
Specification