Incubator having combined HEPA and VOC filter

• US 6,878,177 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thermo Forma Inc.
• Inventors: Wager, Raquel, Lohr, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, MINH CHAU THI
• Application Number:
  US09/941,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 553/501, 553/852, 554/17, 554/71, 554/86, 554/98, 554/70, 554/72, 219/407, 219/408, 219/520, 219/522, 600/22, 422121-125, 422/99, 422/109, 436/183, 435/303.1
• US Class Current: 55/385.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2267/40 Different types of filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/2411 Filter cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/64 arranged concentrically or coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/02 by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/025 Environmental chambers incubators for culturing cells C12M41/14; test chambers to test weather resistance G01N17/002
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/50 for storing hazardous materials in the laboratory, e.g. cupboards, waste containers sample containers B01L3/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/10 Means to control humidity and/or other gases
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 37/02 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/14 Incubators; Climatic chambers per se B01L1/00

Abstract

A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber adapted to be heated and humidified. An easily accessed blower is located within the gaseous environment of the incubator chamber and includes a HEPA filter and VOC filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber.

Claims

1. A controlled atmosphere incubator comprising:

a heater;

a cabinet including a chamber housing a gaseous environment, said chamber being in thermal communication with the heater and surrounded by top, bottom, rear and side walls and having a front side with an opening;

an outer door pivotally mounted to said front side;

a high flow rate blower mounted within said cabinet and including an inlet and an outlet, wherein said high flow rate blower is configured to move air through said incubator at a rate of at least five cubic feet per minute;

a plenum formed in said chamber and providing an air circulation path through said chamber, said plenum being partially formed by a plate mounted across said chamber and between the inlet and outlet of said blower; and

a VOC filter removably attached to the inlet of said blower, said VOC filter being disposed within the gaseous environment of said chamber.

2. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 1 further including a HEPA filter coupled to said VOC filter and contained within said chamber.

3. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 2 wherein said VOC filter is disposed circumferentially about said HEPA filter.

4. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 2 wherein said VOC filter further includes a first molecular sieve element.

5. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 4 wherein said first molecular sieve element is selected from the group consisting of carbon, activated carbon, silica, zeolites, and silica zeolites.

6. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 5 wherein said VOC filter further includes a second molecular sieve element.

7. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 6 wherein said second molecular sieve element is selected from the group consisting of carbon, activated carbon, silica, zeolites, and silica zeolites.

8. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 1 wherein said plate is mounted adjacent an upper wall of said chamber to form said plenum between said plate and said upper wall.

9. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 8 wherein said inlet extends below said plate and said VOC filter is mounted adjacent to a lower surface of said plate.

10. A controlled atmosphere incubator comprising:

a cabinet including a chamber having walls enclosing an interior incubating space;

a plenum formed in said chamber and providing an air flow path through said chamber;

a high flow rate blower mounted in said air flow path of said chamber, said air flow path extending through said interior incubating space, wherein said high flow rate blower is configured to move air along said air flow path through said incubator at a rate of at least five cubic feet per minute;

a HEPA filter removably mounted within said chamber and in said air flow path to filter air traveling to said blower; and

a VOC filter removably mounted within the gaseous environment of said chamber and coupled to said HEPA filter, wherein one of said VOC filter and said HEPA filter is disposed circumferentially about the other of said VOC filter and said HEPA filter.

11. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 10 wherein said VOC filter is disposed circumferentially about said HEPA filter.

12. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 10 wherein said VOC filter further includes a first molecular sieve element.

13. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 12 wherein said first molecular sieve element is selected from the group consisting of carbon, activated carbon, silica, zeolites, and silica zeolites.

14. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 13 wherein said VOC filter further includes a second molecular sieve element.

15. The controlled atmosphere incubator of claim 14 wherein said second molecular sieve element is selected from the group consisting of carbon, activated carbon, silica, zeolites, and silica zeolites.