Labconco Corporation

Gary P Roepke

Kevin C Gilkison

Larry W Nelson

Jerry O'Dell

Charles A Moss

Larry G Hambleton

James F Ptacek

Jim Hunter

Lowell L Kuhn

Greg Krueger

Mary Ellen Kennedy

Burt Rhea

Gerhard W Knutson

Kermit W Dyer

Yu Rich Ma

Gerald J O'Dell

A biological safety cabinet is provided that includes a frame. The frame defines a protected work area and encloses the work area on all but one side. A sash is coupled to the frame that at least partially encloses the side that is not enclosed by the frame. A blower is coupled to the frame generally above the work area. The blower is adapted to circulate air through the work area to make the work area a negative pressure area so that harmful materials are confined. A sash grill is coupled to the frame generally below the sash that has a curved top surface. The curved sash grill provides a superior and less turbulent air-flow into the work area, thereby better containing any harmful materials. The curved sash grill is perforated, and the curvature and perforations of the sash grill compensate for partial blockage by such things as the user's arms and other objects. The curvature of the sash grill also avoids a sharp angle at the same height as the work surface which reduces the chance of contact and possible breakage of labware as it is moved into the cabinet.

Biological safety cabinet with improved air flow

Laboratory balance enclosure

Laboratory hood with clear panels on four sides

A low air volume exhaust hood is based on the concept of zone laminar flow through the hood as the hood sash is raised to different levels. Laminar flow is achieved through a plurality of plenum zones constructed at the rear of the cabinet. Preferably the zones are created by utilizing different sized openings in a rear baffle of the cabinet which presents the plenum chamber. Alternatively, distinct independent plenums may be formed and coupled with a common exhaust structure. By utilizing laminar flow which is directed through different zones corresponding to different open positions of the sash, a lower volume of air can be moved through the hood while achieving desired levels of evacuation. Performance of the hood is further enhanced by a novel air foil design at the floor of the hood which promotes a sweeping flow of air across the floor. Turbulent flow is further reduced by a sash handle design which allows air to flow beneath the terminal edge of the sash at the same velocity as air entering the hood through the primary sash opening. A directional baffle for bypass air moving down the inside of the sash helps to control air flow in the upper portion of the hood.

Low air volume laboratory fume hood

A laboratory fume hood has a cabinet structure, which defines an enclosed work area, and a primary exhaust assembly. The primary exhaust assembly serves to contain fumes within the work area and then exhaust the fumes. It effects a flow of a volume of air through the work area and in many instances is designed to maintain a constant face velocity across an access opening in the front wall of the fume hood. A secondary collection device is disposed within the fume hood for removing a concentration of fumes from a small portion of the work area. The secondary collection device includes a collector head disposed in the work area and a conduit connected to the primary exhaust assembly. A portion of the air flowing through the work area is directed to the primary exhaust assembly through the secondary collection device. The volume of air passing through the secondary device should not be high enough to adversely affect the containment capabilities of the primary exhaust assembly. A blower may be provided to facilitate air flow through the secondary collector. A scrubber assembly or carbon filter assembly may be coupled with the primary exhaust assembly to purify the air collected by the secondary collection device.

Fume hood with secondary exhaust collection device

A method of evaporating liquid from a liquid and solid solution in a container within a chamber involves moving the container in an orbital motion such that the solution forms a vortex configuration within the container and also involves directing gas into the container. The gas is directed into the container from a point source above the liquid in the container to decrease the partial pressure on the solution thereby increasing the evaporation rate of the liquid from the solution. To further increase evaporation of the liquid, heat may be applied to the container. The temperature within the chamber may be regulated by sensing the temperature within the chamber and controlling the application of heat to the container in response to the temperature sensed within the chamber. An alternative method of evaporating liquid from a liquid and solid solution in a container within a chamber also involves moving the container in an orbital motion, but further involves drawing a vacuum within the chamber rather than directing gas into the container.

Vortex evaporation

A vortex evaporator having a holder for holding at least one container presents a chamber wherein liquid is evaporated from a liquid and solid solution in a container. The vortex evaporator also includes a drive mechanism, coupled to the holder, for moving each container in an orbital motion within the chamber to cause the solution in the container to form a vortex configuration. The vortex evaporator further includes a gas supply system for directing gas into the container to increase the evaporation rate of the liquid and a control system for controlling operation of the vortex evaporator. In an alternative embodiment, a vacuum supply system may be utilized instead of the gas supply system. Further, the vortex evaporator will preferably include a heater, at least one liquid level sensor, a heat sensor and a motion dampening assembly all located within the chamber.

Vortex evaporator

Growing community of inventors

Blue Springs, MO, United States of America

Gary P Roepke