FLEXIBLE CONVERTIBLE HOTPLATE ADAPTER FOR ROUNDED VESSELS AND OBJECTS

Abstract

The present invention is an article or device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a flexible polymeric support comprising a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylindrical portions each having respective upper edges and adapted to be arranged and fixed in at least two configurations such that the upper edges of the concentric hollow cylindrical portions accommodate at least two respective bowl-shaped contours. The present invention also includes a device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels or objects, or regularly-shaped or irregularly-shaped objects and containers comprising a container presenting a flexible polymeric support surface, the container containing a malleable material, such that said flexible polymeric support surface is sufficiently malleable so as to be adapted for the heating such objects or containers. Also included is an arrangement for heating such a container or object, and/or for stirring the contents of such a container, while being supported by the article or device of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a flexible polymeric support comprising a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylindrical portions each having respective upper edges and adapted to be arranged and fixed in at least two configurations such that said upper edges of said concentric hollow cylindrical portions accommodate at least two respective bowl-shaped contours.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said concentric hollow cylindrical portions comprise a heat-conducting polymeric material selected from the group consisting of heat-conducting silicone rubbers.

3. A device according to claim 1 additionally comprising a mechanism for creating a rotating magnetic field for purposes of stirring a vessel containing a magnet and disposed on said contour formed by said concentric hollow cylindrical portions.

4. A device according to claim 1 additionally comprising a thermometer, thermocouple or other temperature-sensing device and an orifice or adaptation to attach a temperature-sensing device.

5. A device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a flexible polymeric support comprising a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylindrical portions each having respective upper edges and adapted to be reversibly moved from a collapsed configuration wherein said upper edges are substantially coplanar to a fixed configuration such that said upper edges of said hollow cylindrical portions accommodate the shape of a bowl-shaped contour.

6. A device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a flexible polymeric support comprising a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylindrical portions each having respective upper edges and adapted to be reversibly moved between two deployed configurations such that said upper edges of said hollow cylindrical portions accommodate respectively the shapes of at least two different bowl-shaped contours.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible polymeric support comprises an upper side adapted to contact a container of one of said at least two bowl-shaped contours and a lower side opposite said upper side, and additionally comprising a container disposed on said lower side of said flexible polymeric support, said container containing a thermally conductive fluid.

8. A device according to claim 5 wherein said flexible polymeric support comprises an upper side adapted to contact a container of said bowl-shaped contour and a lower side opposite said upper side, and additionally comprising a container disposed on said lower side of said flexible polymeric support, said container containing a thermally conductive fluid.

9. A device according to claim 6 wherein said flexible polymeric support comprises an upper side adapted to contact a container of one of said at least two bowl-shaped contours and a lower side opposite said upper side, and additionally comprising a container disposed on said lower side of said flexible polymeric support, said container containing a thermally conductive fluid.

10. A device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a container presenting a flexible polymeric support surface, said container containing a malleable material selected from the group consisting of liquids, pastes, putties, greases, gums or other fluids, such that said flexible polymeric support surface is sufficiently malleable so as to be adapted for the heating of objects or containers selected from the group consisting of rounded containers and objects and other rounded, regularly-shaped or irregularly-shaped objects and containers.

11. A device according to claim 10 additionally comprising handle portion.

12. A device according to claim 10 wherein said flexible polymeric support surface comprises thermal interface silicone rubber selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber compositions and fluoro-silicone rubber compositions containing substantially-uniform dispersions of filler particles chosen from thermally-conducting metals, minerals, ceramics or other inorganic or organic materials.

13. A device according to claim 10 wherein said malleable material is selected from the group consisting of high-temperature-resistant thermal-transfer fluids; silicone oil thermal transfer fluids and silicone fluids, silicone greases and other silicone materials containing a substantially-uniform dispersion of substantially thermally-conducting filler particles such as those selected from particles of heat-conducting metals, mineral particles, ceramic particles, and inorganic or organic materials.

14. A device according to claim 10, said device constructed to form an object or article which is substantially flat on one face and which is, on the opposite face, substantially shaped to form a pocket, socket, depression or basin such as may conform to the profile of a round-bottomed vessel or to the shape of some other rounded or regularly or irregularly shaped object situated or nested in said pocket.

15. A device according to claim 10 comprising concentric circular pleats or folds in the skin of said flexible polymeric support surface such that a pocket of a certain size and shape is formed as a result of one or more of the pleats/folds being substantially tightly folded-in on itself simultaneous with one or more of the other pleats/folds being substantially unfolded; the device thereby being transformable from accommodating a round-bottomed flask of one capacity to then being reversibly transformed to accommodate a round-bottomed flask of a different capacity.

16. A device according to claim 15 comprising flexible pleats or flutes or foldable bands in its skin such that in transforming the device to accommodate round-bottomed flasks of differing capacities the total volume of the device shall remain substantially unchanged even as, simultaneously, the height and diameter/width of the device or article may be changed.

17. A device according to claim 16, said device transformable to accommodate round-bottomed flasks of four different capacities.

18. A device according to claim 15, said device comprising five concentric pleats or folds in one face such that a single device is transformable to accommodate a 100 mL flask by the substantial unfolding of the two innermost pleats while the three outermost pleats are substantially folded and is transformable to accommodate a 250 mL flask by the substantial unfolding of the second and third innermost pleats while the first innermost pleat and the two outermost pleats are substantially folded and is transformable to accommodate a 500 mL flask by the substantial unfolding of the third and fourth innermost pleats while the first and second innermost pleats plus the outermost pleat are substantially folded and is transformable to accommodate a 1000 mL flask by the substantial folding of the innermost two pleats while the outermost three pleats are substantially unfolded.

19. A device according to claim 10 additionally comprising a rigid or semi-rigid part which may be used as a handle to lift or carry said device.

20. A device according to claim 10 additionally comprising a circular band of rigid or semi-rigid material attached to (or near) the device's upper face with the band's diameter parallel with the device's upper face in a manner useful for uniformly folding or unfolding the concentric circular pleats of the device.

21. A device according to claim 10 additionally comprising a partial covering of a second skin or shell, exterior to the first skin or shell, which is substantially thermally-insulating and which is substantially thermally stable at temperatures of 100 C. or greater.

22. A device according to claim 10 additionally comprising a hole, socket, clip or other feature connecting, retaining, or integrating a thermometer, thermocouple or other temperature measuring or heat measuring instrument.

23. A device according to claim 10 said flexible polymeric support surface molded to cast the contours of the lowest section of a Thiele tube, or otherwise shaped in a manner so as to be adapted heating and supporting a Thiele tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a sectioned lateral perspective view of a convertible hotplate adapter in accordance with aspects of the present invention, in a deployed configuration.

[0026] FIGS. 2a through 2d are top sectioned perspective views of a convertible hotplate adapter in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and show in respective deployed configurations.

[0027] FIGS. 3a and 3b are top perspective views of a hotplate bearing a convertible hotplate adapter in accordance with aspects of the present invention, with the convertible hotplate adapter shown in respective deployed configurations.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a convertible hotplate adapter, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, and showing a container in position to be received thereby, in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, a specific preferred embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention as shown in a cut-away, cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the invention device comprises a flexible skin or shell, 5, filled with a liquid, paste, putty, grease, gum or other malleable substance 6.

[0031] The materials of construction of both the skin 5 and the filler substance 6 are chosen from materials which are resistant to substantial degradation when exposed to the range of temperatures the device is expected to experience in normal use; that is, comprising materials which substantially retain their mechanical properties up to temperatures of about 180 C. or greater for practical periods of time. The material of constructions for 5 is chosen from soft, malleable or flexible metals or metal alloys or chosen from high-temperature-resistant organic polymers such as polyimide films. One type of high-temperature-resistant polyimide film is known by the trade name: Kapton (DuPont Chemicals). Most preferentially, the material of construction of 5 is a silicone rubber or a fluorosilicone rubber and, further, 5 preferentially comprises a silicone rubber with superior thermal conductivity, in other words, a material with superior heat conductivity properties. Examples of high-temperature-resistant materials of this type are known in the art as thermal interface silicone rubbers and are materials chosen from various silicone rubber compositions containing substantially-uniform dispersions of filler particles chosen from thermally-conducting metals, minerals, ceramics or other inorganic or organic materials. The chosen thermal interface silicone rubber, preferentially, will have a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W m.sup.1 K.sup.1. In one embodiment the skin/shell, 5, thickness is in the range of about 0.1 mm to 15 mm but preferentially it is about 2 mm in thickness.

[0032] The composition of the moldable/malleable/fluid filler material 6 is to be chosen from high-temperature-resistant thermal-transfer fluids, some examples of which are known by the trade names of Paratherm (Paratherm Corp.), Dowtherm (Dow Chemical Corporation), and Therminol (Eastman Chemical Co.). Still other high-temperature-resistant thermal transfer fluids and materials are known to persons skilled in the art. The preferred moldable/malleable filler substance is a silicone oil such as Syltherm XLT HTF, Syltherm 800 Stabilized HTF, Syltherm HF HTF, (all marketed by Dow Chemical Company) or a silicone fluid, silicone grease or silicone paste and, further, 6 is preferentially a silicone oil, a silicone fluid, a silicone grease or a silicone paste containing a substantially-uniform dispersion of substantially thermally-conducting filler particles such as are chosen from particles of various metals, mineral particles, ceramic particles or other inorganic materials. A silicone paste with continuous thermal stability to 200 C. and very high thermal conductivity is marketed under the trade name Omegatherm 201 by OMEGA Engineering, Inc. Heat-Away 6400 is a high-temperature thermally conductive, copper-filled silicone grease marketed by Aremco Product, Inc. and suitable for heat transfer applications from 51 C. to 288 C. Still other suitable high-temperature thermally conductive fluids, pastes or greases are known to persons skilled in the art.

[0033] In one embodiment, the device is constructed to form an object or article which is substantially flat on one face (designated as the bottom) and is substantially shaped, on the opposite face, (designated as the top) to form a pocket, socket, cavity or basin such as may conform to the profile of a round-bottomed vessel or to the shape of some other rounded or regularly or irregularly shaped object to be situated or nested in the pocket.

[0034] Another embodiment is also shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the device substantially forms the contours of a truncated cylinder in its overall shape and is substantially flat on one face of the cylinder (designated as the bottom). In this embodiment of the present invention, the device may be reshaped or transformed from being adapted to accommodate a flask of one of four different capacities, either 1.0 L, 500 mL, 250 mL, or 100 mL to then, reversibly, be reshaped or transformed to accommodate a flask of one of the remaining three capacities. For example, the device adapted to accommodate a 1.0 L capacity flask may be changed to accommodate a flask of 500 ml capacity and then reversed to again accommodate a 1.0 L flask. This embodiment of the present invention comprises five concentric circular pleats or flutes (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) which are formed as folds in the skin 5 of the top face of the device such that a basin or crater of a certain size and shape is formed as a result of a process whereby one or more of the pleat/flutes is substantially tightly folded-in on itself and whereby, simultaneously, one or more of the other pleats/flutes is substantially opened or unfolded. Viewing the device as truncated cylinder, the circumferential edge profile comprises a lower lateral circumferential segment, 12, of about 1.0 in in width, a center circumferential segment, 13, of about 1.5 inches in width and an upper lateral circumferential segment, 14, of about 1.0 in in width. The skins or surfaces of the three circumferential segments 12, 13, 14, are substantially folded, forming, within each, one or more pleats or flutes, preferably, with the longer aspect of each pleat or flute oriented perpendicular to the circumference of the cylindrical shape of the device. The angles formed by intersection of the upper circumferential segment, 12, and lower circumferential segment, 14, with the center circumferential segment 13, and, in turn, the angle formed by intersection of the upper circumferential segment with the top face and the intersection of the lower circumferential segment with the bottom face, are changeable by compressing (squeezing) or relaxing the center circumferential wall.

[0035] Viewed as a cylinder, changing the device's diameter by compression of (squeezing) the side(s) of the device will cause the incompressible filler fluid to push the top face up and away from the bottom face. In other words, the height of the device will vary inversely with its diameter because the volume of the device will remain essentially constant even as the device is adjusted to accommodate flasks of different capacities.

[0036] This embodiment of the present invention further comprises a lifting ring, 3, (FIG. 1). The lifting ring is substantially flat and circular with a thickness of about 4 mm, an inner diameter of about 140 mm and an outer diameter of about 170 mm. The lifting ring is attached to the skin or shell 5 with its center located at the center of the top face. The composition of the lifting ring 3 is chosen from materials which are both substantially ridged and which are substantially thermally stable at temperatures of 150 C. or greater. Materials of construction for the lifting ring are chosen from metals, glass-fiber-reinforced phenolic resin composites, ceramics and from other suitable materials known to persons skilled in the art. The lifting ring, 3, is attached by means of rivets or other mechanical fasteners or it is attached by means of an adhesive, the adhesive being stable to the elevated temperatures expected to be experienced by the device. Alternatively, the lifting ring, 3, may be encapsulated within, or otherwise integrated with the skin of the device.

[0037] FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d illustrate four modalities or transformations of one embodiment the present invention rendered in four cross-sectional views. FIG. 2a illustrates one modality or transformation of the present invention adapted to accommodate a 100 mL flask by the substantial unfolding of pleats 1 and 2 while pleats 3, 4 and 5 are substantially folded. FIG. 2b illustrates another modality or transformation of the present invention adapted to accommodate a 250 mL flask by the substantial unfolding of pleats 2 and 3 while pleats 1, 4 and 5 are substantially folded. FIG. 2c illustrates still another modality or transformation of the present invention adapted to accommodate a 500 mL flask by the substantial unfolding of pleats 3 and 4 while pleats 1, 2 and 5 are substantially folded. FIG. 2d illustrates still another modality or transformation of the present invention adapted to accommodate a 1000 mL flask by the substantial folding of pleats 1 and 2 while pleats 3, 4 and 5 are substantially unfolded.

[0038] In one embodiment, the lifting ring 3, is encapsulated by a coating, designated as the lifting ring shell, 2, (FIG. 1) which is about 2 mm in thickness. The composition of the lifting ring shell ring shell 2 is chosen from, thermally-stable materials and preferentially, it comprises a material with relatively low thermal conductivity such as a silicone rubber which contains no thermally-conductive filler material. One purpose for the lifting ring shell is to provide insulation and a cooler surface to touch with the hand. Attached to or integrated with the lifting ring are two or more handles, for example, 1, (FIG. 1). In one embodiment the handle, 1, is an expanded region of the lifting ring extending beyond the lateral margins of the top face of the device. The purpose of the lifting ring is to provide a place for attachment of the handle or handles, and, in addition the lifting ring facilitates the adjustment of the device to flasks of different capacities by facilitating the opening (unfolding) and closing (folding) of the concentric pleats.

[0039] In one embodiment, the device or article comprises a partial covering of a second skin or shell, 4, (FIG. 1) exterior to the first skin or shell, which is substantially thermally-insulating and which is substantially thermally-stable at temperatures of 100 C. or greater.

[0040] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrate one embodiment of the present invention in two of its four potential configurations/transformations. FIG. 3a illustrates the invention adapted for use with a 100 mL round-bottomed flask and FIG. 3b illustrates the invention adapted for use with a 1000 mL flask. FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b further illustrate the present invention in combination with hot plate stirrers and with round-bottomed flasks, thus showing the utility of the present invention as a means of heating rounded laboratory vessels.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the present invention comprises a thermally conductive fluid within a thermally conductive skin and forms the overall shape of a truncated cylinder. This embodiment further comprises an angled U-tube-shaped pocket, 15, visibly emerging from the top face as two circular holes. This embodiment further comprises a slot or channel 16, about 5 mm in width, extending across the top face of the device from one hole to the other hole and further extending downward perpendicular to the top face, to a depth such that it merges with the U-shaped pocket, 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the effect of the overall shape of the U-shaped pocket in combination with the slot allows a Thiele tube 17, to be snuggly fitted into the device and supported in an upright position by the device.

[0042] Another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a thermocouple integrated with the device or inserted in slots or holes in the device such that the thermocouple probe may be plugged by means of a thermocouple pair of wires into the external temperature control of a hotplate or similar device.

[0043] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims, which themselves constitute part of the disclosure, all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

[0044] The following references are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

US PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0045]

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FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0046]

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