LABORATORY DEVICE WITH LOW PARTICLE EMISSION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laboratory device, wherein the laboratory device has an outer housing which defines an interior of the device, wherein the laboratory device is designed to assume an operating state at which a pressure in the interior of the device is lower than an ambient pressure in the environment of the laboratory device. The present invention also relates to the use of the laboratory device in a clean room.

Claims

1. A laboratory device, wherein the laboratory device is an incubator, comprising: an outer housing which defines an interior of the device, wherein the laboratory device is designed to assume an operating state at which a pressure in the interior of the device is lower than an ambient pressure in the environment of the laboratory device.

2. The laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory device has an apparatus for generating the pressure difference, wherein the apparatus for generating the pressure difference comprises a fan and/or a pump.

3. The laboratory device according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus for generating the pressure difference is designed to convey gas from the interior of the device into the environment of the laboratory device, wherein the laboratory device has a filter, which filter is arranged between an outlet of the apparatus for generating the pressure difference and the environment of the laboratory device.

4. The laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory device has a total volume in the range of from 0.1 m.sup.3 to 2.5 m.sup.3.

5. The laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory device has an inner housing which defines a chamber, wherein, in the operating state, the pressure in the interior of the device is present in a region that is delimited outside by the outer housing and inside by the inner housing, and wherein the pressure in the interior of the device is less than a pressure in the chamber.

6. The laboratory device according to claim 5, wherein the outer housing comprises: a side housing; a rear housing; a ceiling housing; a lower housing; and a door housing, wherein the rear housing and the door housing are arranged at opposite ends of the laboratory device, wherein the inner housing comprises: side walls; a back wall; a lower wall; a ceiling wall; and a door portion, wherein the laboratory device is designed to generate a negative pressure in a door region which is delimited by the door housing and the door portion.

7. The laboratory device according to claim 2, wherein the laboratory device comprises at least one hose which fluidly connects the apparatus for generating the differential pressure to at least one other region.

8. The laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory device has an apparatus for generating the pressure difference, wherein the apparatus for generating the pressure difference comprises a fan and/or a pump, wherein the laboratory device has an inner housing which defines a chamber, wherein, in the operating state, the pressure in the interior of the device is present in a region that is delimited outside by the outer housing and inside by the inner housing, and wherein the pressure in the interior of the device is less than a pressure in the chamber, wherein the outer housing comprises: a side housing; a rear housing; a ceiling housing; a lower housing; and a door housing, wherein the rear housing and the door housing are arranged at opposite ends of the laboratory device, wherein the inner housing comprises: side walls; a back wall; a lower wall; a ceiling wall; and a door portion, wherein the laboratory device is designed to generate a negative pressure in a door region which is delimited by the door housing and the door portion, wherein the laboratory device comprises at least one hose which fluidly connects the apparatus for generating the differential pressure to at least one other region, and wherein the at least one hose fluidly connects the door region and the apparatus for generating the differential pressure.

9. The laboratory device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one hose is made of a material that has a temperature resistance of up to at least 200° C., preferably up to at least 220° C.

10. The laboratory device according to claim 1, comprising at least one thermal insulation component, wherein the at least one thermal insulation component has a final layer which seals the at least one thermal insulation component, wherein the final layer comprises a film, wherein the film has a temperature resistance of up to at least 200° C., preferably up to at least 220° C.

11. The laboratory device according to claim 2, comprising a control unit which is designed to adapt a conveying capacity of the apparatus for generating the pressure difference to an operating mode of the laboratory device, wherein the control unit has a first operating mode, and the apparatus for generating the differential pressure comprises a fan and a pump, wherein only the fan is active in the first operating mode, wherein the control unit has a second operating mode, wherein both the fan and the pump are active in the second operating mode, wherein the control unit is designed to switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode when a temperature limit value is reached.

12. (canceled)

13. The laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory device has a total volume in the range of from 0.2 m.sup.3 to 1.0 m.sup.3.

14. The laboratory device according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory device has a total volume in the range of from 0.4 m.sup.3 to 0.8 m.sup.3.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0212] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments exemplify and do not limit the present invention.

[0213] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the laboratory device;

[0214] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the laboratory device;

[0215] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the laboratory device;

[0216] FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 3, particularly showing a filter;

[0217] FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of the laboratory device with the door closed;

[0218] FIG. 6 is the perspective front view with the door open; and

[0219] FIG. 7 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the laboratory device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0220] It is noted that not all drawings bear all reference signs. Instead, in some of the drawings, some of the reference signs have been omitted for brevity and ease of presentation. Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0221] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the laboratory device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The laboratory device 1 comprises an outer housing 10 which has a side housing 12, a rear housing 18, a ceiling housing 14, a lower housing 16, and a door housing 19. The rear housing 18 and the door housing 19 are at opposite ends of the laboratory device 1. The laboratory device 1 comprises an apparatus for generating the pressure difference, which apparatus has a fan 30. The laboratory device 1 further comprises an inner housing 20 which has side walls 22, a rear wall 28, a lower wall 26, a ceiling wall 24, and a door portion 29. The inner housing 20 can thus in particular define an inner chamber, for example an incubation chamber.

[0222] An intermediate region is defined between the outer housing 10 and the inner housing 20, which intermediate region comprises a rear region (between rear housing 18 and rear wall), side regions (between side housing 12 and side walls 22), and a door region between the door housing 19 and the door portion 29.

[0223] The fan 30 is arranged in the rear region so that air is drawn from the outer housing into the laboratory atmosphere to create a negative pressure within the outer housing (and in particular within the intermediate region). The apparatus for generating the pressure difference, in particular the fan 30, generates a flow in the direction of the apparatus for generating the pressure difference, in particular in the direction of the rear region. This flow is also present in particular in the portion between the lower housing 16 and the lower wall 26, which portion is referred to as the lower region, and in the portion between the ceiling housing 14 and the ceiling wall 24, which portion is referred to as the ceiling region.

[0224] The flow of air generated can transport particles, which are detached in the interior of the device, in the direction of the apparatus for generating the pressure difference. The door region may be fluidically connected to the rear region, the lower region, the ceiling region, and/or the side region. The connection can also exist in the open state of the laboratory device 1. A thermal insulation component can be arranged in the interior 31 of the device and in particular can fill the gap between the outer housing and the inner housing. Incomplete filling of the volume is advantageous in this case, so that air ducts are formed between the surfaces of the housing and the thermal insulation component, which air ducts are fluidically coupled to the apparatus for generating the differential pressure. For this purpose, in particular, openings are provided between the different regions of the outer housing. The flow of air directed from the apparatus for generating the differential pressure in the direction of the laboratory atmosphere can be passed through a filter.

[0225] The inner housing 20 can have a frame for receiving sample holders, in particular for receiving tray inserts, which are preferably made of metal.

[0226] The rear region can form a switch box which is separated from the interior of the device by a further wall. A flow of air from the interior of the device into the switch box can be realized through openings in the further wall. The apparatus for generating the pressure difference is arranged at least in the form of the fan in the switch box.

[0227] The apparatus for generating the pressure difference can comprise a pump 32 which can be designed in particular as a negative pressure pump or as a vacuum pump. The pump 32 can be arranged in the control cabinet and is fluidically coupled to the fan. This coupling can be realized, for example, by a pump outlet which is directed into the control cabinet, so that exhaust air from the pump 32 can be transported through the filter by means of the fan.

[0228] The pump 32 can be connected on the inlet side to a hose 33 which is at least partially arranged in the interior 31 of the device. The hose can be routed into the door region in order to generate a negative pressure in the door region and/or to generate or increase a flow of air for sucking particles out of the door region. In particular during a heating phase or sterilization phase of an incubator, the door region can have increased particle emission, with the particles being able to be transported away through the hose 33. At the connection of the lower housing 16 and the door housing 19, a connecting portion can be provided which fluidically connects the corresponding regions. The hose 33 can also be arranged in the connecting part. Furthermore, the connecting portion may be crescent-shaped, and an interior space of the connecting portion may be sealed against the door housing 19 and/or the lower housing 16 to establish flow communication between the door housing 19 and the lower housing 16 via the connecting portion.

[0229] FIG. 2 shows a further schematic cross-sectional view of the laboratory device 1, with the door being arranged on the left in this view; this view is accordingly rotated by 180° around the z-axis in relation to the view in FIG. 1. A housing compartment 34 is provided in the rear housing 18 of the laboratory device 1, which housing compartment has a permanent exhaust air outlet. The filter can be arranged at the exhaust air outlet. Furthermore, an air-filled closing apparatus 35 is arranged on the door housing 19. The door housing can be mechanically locked to the lower housing 16 with the closing apparatus 35 in order to prevent the laboratory device 1 from being opened unintentionally. Furthermore, the closing apparatus can be locked to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the laboratory device. With a closing of the closing apparatus 35, the seal 29 can be subjected to a static pressure. The lower housing 16 may be in the form of a double floor, with an outer wall being sealed against the laboratory atmosphere. A volume formed by the double floor can be fluidically coupled to the rear region or the switch box. A thermal insulation in the form of thermal insulation components can be arranged in the interior 31 of the device. The interior of the device can be—as already described—in particular fluidly coupled, so that gas can be conveyed from one region of the interior of the device to another region of the interior of the device. With a fluidic coupling, a flow of air can be generated in the interior of the device by means of the apparatus for generating the differential pressure, which apparatus is arranged in the switch box. At least one homogeneous pressure, in particular a negative pressure, can be achieved within the interior of the device with a fluid-technical coupling. The door may include a seal that seals the door relative to the side housing 12. The side wall 22 can have receptacles for tray inserts.

[0230] FIG. 3 shows a perspective rear view of an embodiment of the laboratory device 1. In particular, a filter holder 37 is arranged on the rear side 36 of the laboratory device 1 and is attached to the rear housing 18 by means of a releasable connection, in particular a plurality of screw connections. The filter holder 37 comprises a frame 38 on which the screw connections are arranged. Furthermore, the filter holder comprises a filter opening on which a protective screen 39 is arranged. The filter holder 37 can be placed on a housing surface of the rear housing 18. The filter 50 and/or the protective screen 39 may be offset inwardly from a surface of the filter holder 37. The protective screen 39 can have a periodic, in particular hexagonal screen web structure.

[0231] Furthermore, ventilation openings 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, 40-4 are provided on the housing surface of the rear housing 18, through which ventilation openings air can flow into the laboratory device, in particular into the rear housing 18, or the control cabinet. This flow of air can be used to cool electronic components inside the control cabinet. Laboratory air, which is sucked in via the ventilation openings 40-1, 40-2, 40-3, 40-4, can be filtered via the filter 50 and released into the laboratory atmosphere.

[0232] FIG. 4 shows a detail of an embodiment of the rear housing 18. The frame 38 of the filter holder 37 is attached to the rear housing 18 with a plurality of holding means, in particular screw or rivet connections. The filter holder 37 is designed to be releasable in order to be able to change the filter. The holding means can be arranged circumferentially on an edge of the filter holder 37. The holding means can be arranged substantially equidistantly with respect to a circumference of the filter holder 37.

[0233] FIG. 5 shows a perspective front view of an embodiment of the laboratory device 1. The door housing 19 comprises a user interface with a display and input means. The closing apparatus 35 may include a lock cylinder having a keyhole arranged on the side housing 12. The closing apparatus 35 can be lockable via the keyhole, so that the door housing 19 cannot be opened in a closed state.

[0234] FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the laboratory device 1. The door portion 29 comprises a glass door suitable for closing the inner housing 20. The glass door may abut a front device surface enclosing the ceiling housing 14, the lower housing 16, and/or the side housing 12. A seal can be arranged on the front surface of the device, against which the glass door can abut in a closed state, so that the glass door closes the inner housing 20 in a sealing manner.

[0235] The closing apparatus 35 may have a closing opening in the lower region, in which closing opening a pin of the closing apparatus, which is arranged on the door, can engage. With the door closed, the pin arranged in the closing opening can be locked. The lower portion can also have a separately attached housing part in which the closing opening can also be arranged. The side housing 12 can laterally close off the outer housing 10 at a full device height, with a lower housing 16 being arranged between the opposite side housings 12.

[0236] FIG. 7 shows a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the laboratory device 1 from above. The door is pivotally attached to the side housing 12 by a hanger apparatus to open the outer housing 10 and allow access to the inner housing 20. The intermediate region is between the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 10.

[0237] The regions in the intermediate space between the outer housing and the inner housing can be at least partially provided with insulation components, in particular with thermal insulating material. Accordingly, the fan 30 is fluidically connected to the intermediate compartment to direct particulate transport to a filter, which may be arranged downstream of the fan 30 with respect to the flow of air. As previously described, sub-regions (e.g., inside the door) can also be connected to a pump via hoses, so that particles can be transported to the pump via the hoses, and an outlet of the pump can be fluidically coupled to the fan.

[0238] Whenever a relative term such as “about,” “substantially,” or “approximately” is used in this document, that term is intended to include the exact term as well. In other words, for example, “substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(precisely) straight.”

[0239] While a preferred embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, a person skilled in the art will understand that this embodiment has been provided for illustrative purposes only and should in no way be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined by the claims.