Incubator

• US 5,773,287 A
• Filed: 10/02/1995
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter Michael Binder
• Original Assignee: Peter Michael Binder
• Inventors: Binder, Peter Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/538,020
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 435/303.1, 435/809, 219/392, 219/393, 219/385, 219/401, 219/407, 312/31.2, 312/209, 422/104, 119/6.6
• US Class Current: 435/303.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/14 Incubators; Climatic chambers per se B01L1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/32 of substances in solution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00455 Controlling humidity in analyser
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/809 Incubators or racks or holders for culture plates or containers

Abstract

An aeration incubator achieves a high atmospheric humidity in the interior working space of the incubator by placing a heated water tub in the working space. In order to avoid condensation on the walls of the incubator tank, a condensate tub is also placed in the working space. The condensate tub is maintained at a temperature which is slightly lower than the temperature of the working space. The condensate tub produces a defined coldest location in the working space, so that condensation occurs primarily in the condensate tub.

Claims

1. Incubator, comprising:

a working space formed inside walls of a tank, said working space having a floor portion;

a hot air mantle, provided outside the tank in heat conductive contact with the walls, for heating said working space to a predetermined working space temperature;

a heatable water tub, located inside said working space, said water tub being maintained at a temperature at least substantially equal to the working space temperature in order to generate a high atmospheric humidity within said working space;

a condensate tub, located inside the working space, said condensate tub having an evaporation surface for receiving condensate and being maintained at a temperature less than the working space temperature; and

means for maintaining a temperature difference between said heatable water tub and said condensate tub in order to provide a high atmospheric humidity inside said working space while keeping a remainder of said working space relatively free of condensation.

2. Incubator, according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said water tub and said condensate tub are formed in the floor portion.

3. Incubator, according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said water tub and said condensate tub are formed as basins placed on the floor portion in heat conductive contact with the floor portion.

4. Incubator, according to claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining a temperature difference comprises:

heaters, disposed about the floor portion and at least partially outside the tank, for heating water in said water tub; and

cooling means, disposed about an outside area of the floor portion, for cooling said condensate tub.

5. Incubator, according to claim 4, further comprising:

means for regulating said cooling means.

6. Incubator, according to claim 2, wherein said means for maintaining a temperature difference comprises:

heaters, disposed about the floor portion and at least partially outside the tank, for heating water in said water tub; and

cooling means, disposed about an outside area of the floor portion, for cooling said condensate tub.

7. Incubator, according to claim 6, further comprising:

means for regulating said cooling means.

8. Incubator, according to claim 3, wherein said means for maintaining a temperature difference comprises:

heaters, disposed about the floor portion and at least partially outside the tank, for heating water in said water tub; and

cooling means, disposed about an outside area of the floor portion, for cooling said condensate tub.

9. Incubator, according to claim 8, further comprising:

means for regulating said cooling means.

10. Incubator, according to claim 4, wherein said cooling means cools said condensate tub by directing a cool air supply from outside the tank.

11. Incubator, according to claim 10, further comprising:

heat insulation disposed outside the tank; and

a shaft, for guiding the cool air supply from outside the incubator past said heat insulation.

12. Incubator, according to claim 11, further comprising:

a ventilator, for directing the cool air supply through said shaft.

13. Incubator, according to claim 12, wherein said ventilator is responsive to temperature of air outside of said incubator.

14. Incubator, according to claim 5, wherein said means for regulating is responsive to temperature of air outside of said incubator.

15. Incubator, according to claim 3, wherein said water tub is separate from and insulated from said condensate tub.

16. Incubator, according to claim 15, wherein said water tub and said condensate tub are independently located on the floor portion.

17. Incubator, according to claim 16, wherein said condensate tub is arranged in an opening of, and is surrounded by, said water tub.

18. Incubator, according to claim 17, wherein said condensate tub includes a drip brim that overlaps an edge of said water tub.

19. Incubator, according to claim 17, wherein said condensate tub has a portion of an edge that fits closely against an edge of said water tub in order to form a vapor block.

20. Incubator, according to claim 18, wherein said condensate tub has a portion of an edge that fits closely against the edge of said water tub in order to form a vapor block.

21. Incubator, according to claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

22. Incubator, according to claim 2, further comprising means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

23. Incubator, according to claim 3, further comprising means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

24. Incubator, according to claim 7, wherein said means for regulating said cooling means further includes means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

25. Incubator, according to claim 9, wherein said means for regulating said cooling means further includes means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

26. Incubator, according to claim 13, wherein said cooling means further includes means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

27. Incubator, according to claim 14, wherein said means for regulating further includes means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

28. Incubator, according to claim 18, further including means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

29. Incubator, according to claim 19, further including means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

30. Incubator, according to claim 20, further including means for maintaining the condensate at a temperature of approximately 3°

C. lower than the working space temperature.

31. Incubator, comprising:

a working space formed inside walls of a tank, said working space having a floor portion;

a hot air mantle, provided outside the tank in heat conductive contact with the walls, for heating said working space to a predetermined working space temperature;

a heatable water tub, located inside said working space, said water tub being maintained at a temperature at least substantially equal to the working space temperature in order to generate a high atmospheric humidity within said working space;

a condensate tub, located inside the working space, said condensate tub having an evaporation surface for receiving condensate and being maintained at a temperature less than the working space temperature; and

heaters, disposed about the floor portion and at least partially outside the tank, for heating water in said water tub, which provide a high atmospheric humidity inside said working space while keeping a remainder of said working space relatively free of condensation.

32. Incubator, comprising:

a working space formed inside walls of a tank, said working space having a floor portion;

a hot air mantle, provided outside the tank in heat conductive contact with the walls, for heating said working space to a predetermined working space temperature;

a heatable water tub, located inside said working space, said water tub being maintained at a temperature at least substantially equal to the working space temperature in order to generate a high atmospheric humidity within said working space;

a condensate tub, located inside the working space, said condensate tub having an evaporation surface for receiving condensate and being maintained at a temperature less than the working space temperature; and

a shaft for guiding a cool air supply from outside the tank to said condensate tub, which provides a high atmospheric humidity inside said working space while keeping a remainder of said working space relatively free of condensation.