AN AGAR CASTING MACHINE PROVIDING MECHANICALLY HEATED / CONTROLLED CASTING.

Abstract

The invention was developed to prevent the cooling and solidification of agar-containing culture media during pouring into petri dishes in microbiology laboratories, and to enable pouring in controlled volumes; - a container containing agar culture medium (1.1), - at least one heating unit (1.2) surrounding the outer surface of the said chamber (1.1) and providing heat production based on the crystalline heat production principle used in pocket stoves, - at least one heating trigger unit, preferably located on the body, to initiate the heating process (1.3), - at least one piston (1.4) located on the top of the device (1), having a top-pressure piston structure and converting the linear force applied by the user into the rotational movement of a mixing element located inside the chamber (1.1), - at least one mixing element of the wire whisk type which ensures homogeneous mixing of the culture medium (1.5), - a base (1.6) on which the container (1.1) is positioned and which ensures that the device (1) stands stably on a work surface, - preferably at least one handle that enables the user to hold the device ergonomically (1.7) - refers to a mechanically heated, non-electric motorized, manually stirred and controlled pouring agar pouring device (1) which includes at least one ratchet mechanism (1.8) that works with the handle (1.7) and ensures that the culture medium is transferred into petri dishes with each pressing motion using the pressure-based flow control principle.

Description

1 TARIFF AN AGAR CASTING PROVIDING MECHANICALLY HEATED / CONTROLLED CASTING. THE DEVICE Technical Area 5 This invention is intended for the production of microorganisms in microbiology laboratories. Preparation of agar-containing culture media used, maintaining their temperature, homogenization. laboratory-based mixing and controlled pouring into petri dishes. It relates to the technical field of devices and culture medium preparation equipment. More specifically... The invention involves maintaining temperature during the pouring of agar-containing culture media, ensuring homogeneity. a mechanical system that enables mixing and controlled volume casting. It relates to a heated agar pouring device. State of the Art Solids used for the production of microorganisms in microbiology laboratories Culture media mostly contain agar. Agar-containing culture media are kept at approximately 50–60 °C. It is in liquid form within the temperature range and rapidly transforms into gel / solid form as the temperature decreases. It starts. Therefore, culture media are usually prepared in a heated water bath, hot plate, incubator or After being melted in the microwave and brought to the appropriate temperature, 20 pieces are manually poured into petri dishes. is poured. In some laboratories, during the pouring process, the bottle / erlenmeyer flask is held by hand or Pouring is done using simple holders; for homogeneity, hand shaking or limited methods are used. Mixing is applied. The methods used in current applications, especially in series, In situations where casting is required, this leads to the following problems: • When the culture medium cools during the pouring process, the agar gel transforms and loses its fluidity; 25 This situation can make pouring into petri dishes difficult, cause the pouring to be interrupted, or This causes the culture medium to be reheated. • When adequate and continuous mixing cannot be ensured before or during casting The agar and other ingredients may not be homogeneously distributed. This can happen between the petri dishes. This can lead to differences in density / solids, precipitation, or surface irregularities. 30 • The volume poured into Petri dishes largely depends on the user's dexterity. This This situation leads to a volume difference between petri dishes and affects experimental reproducibility. It causes a decrease. 2 • The need to process quickly to delay solidification, especially in intensive processes. The number of samples puts pressure on the user; the need for reheating is part of the process. It prolongs the process and reduces efficiency. In current technology, there are 5 methods for controlled distribution of viscous fluids. Improved piston-type dough dispensing containers and similar solutions are available. For example... Patent number US2590921A describes the process of processing dough-like materials using a piston mechanism. The distribution is explained, and in patent number US5687640A, it describes a viscous pancake-like product. A dispensing device for pouring mixtures is described. Such solutions are used in food. These are intended for applications and contain agar, used in microbiology laboratories. Temperature sensitivity of culture media, sterile handling requirements, and homogeneity needs. It was not designed with that in mind. On the other hand, solutions containing agar or agarose are heated. Heating pads and cover systems for restraint are also known; for example Patent number US20140069910A1 describes maintaining the temperature of agar or agarose gels. A heating pad solution is described. However, such solutions only provide heating. 15 It focuses on the function of mixing and controlled volume casting. It is not presented in an integrated manner. It is commonly used in microbiology laboratories. Heated magnetic stirrers and hot plates are used to heat agar-containing culture media. Although they allow for mixing, these devices allow for direct, portable and dosing of liquids into petri dishes. It does not include an integrated mechanism that enables controlled casting. This 20 For these reasons, current technical solutions involve temperature control during the pouring of agar-containing culture media. A single system meets the needs for preservation, homogeneous mixing, and controlled volume casting. It fails to meet the requirements in a safe and repeatable manner. For these reasons, current technical solutions are problematic during the pouring of agar-containing culture media. Maintaining temperature, homogeneous mixing, and controlled volume casting requirements in a single 25 The system is failing to meet the requirements in a secure and repeatable manner. Furthermore, the technical components of the devices / apparatus included in the known state of the art are quite... They are different. None of the devices / apparatus in question contain agar-based culture medium. A heating gel / pocket heater that surrounds the reservoir and heats up automatically, based on the principle of a self-heating structure. There is no working heating pad or ring form. 30 3 Brief Description of the Invention This invention is intended for the production of microorganisms in microbiology laboratories. During the shelf life of agar-containing culture media that solidify rapidly upon cooling. It keeps the liquid form, allows for homogeneous mixing while in liquid form, and facilitates pouring. 5 Heated, which ensures that the temperature is maintained during the process and that it is poured in controlled volumes. a mechanically heated agar pouring device with manual mixing and dosage control It is related. In this context, the invention has implications for microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biology, and clinical laboratory sciences. 10 in the field of solid culture medium preparation and casting systems used in applications It is entering. In microbiology applications, agar-containing culture media are stored at temperatures of approximately 50–60 °C. It exists in liquid form during this range, but rapidly solidifies as the temperature decreases. This Solidification is the process of pouring the culture medium evenly and homogeneously into petri dishes. This makes it difficult; in current applications, it forces the user to work quickly, reheat, or 15 This forces irregular pouring. The device described in the invention is a culture medium containing agar. heating pads or rings surrounding the reservoir and operating on the principle of a heating gel / pocket heater. Thanks to this, it maintains the temperature of the contents throughout the shelf life, preventing the agar from deteriorating early. It prevents solidification. The heating elements are integrated into the outer surface of the chamber and It ensures safe and homogeneous heating of the culture medium without direct contact. 20 The mixing element inside the device is designed in the form of a wire whisk. It is operated mechanically by a push-button piston mechanism located in the upper section. When the user presses down on the piston, the linear motion transforms into a rotational motion in the mixer. It is transferred in this way and the homogeneity of the culture medium is maintained. This structure is electric motor It provides safe, quiet, and laboratory-appropriate mixing without requiring any additional tools. 25 The device features an ergonomic handle and pressure-based flow control. This principle ensures that the culture medium is transferred to petri dishes with each pressing motion. It includes a ratchet mechanism. This standardizes the casting process, allowing the user... Volume differences caused by various factors are reduced, and serial petri dish casting processes are carried out under aseptic conditions. It becomes repeatable. 30 In these respects, the invention facilitates the maintenance of temperature and homogeneity of agar-containing culture media. By enabling the provision and controlled casting of this product and its integration into a single device, 4 According to current manual casting methods used in microbiology laboratories It offers significant technical convenience and transaction security. The device described in this invention is used in microbiology laboratories for the preparation of agar-based culture media. designed for preparing and pouring into petri dishes, heating, mixing and 5 It is a device that combines controlled casting functions on a single structure. (Figure 1) As can be seen, the device consists of a piston structure operated from the top, a transparent chamber, and the chamber itself. thick cylindrical rings surrounding the inner mixing element, positioned on the housing It consists of a central heating button, an ergonomic handle, and a lower support base. The push-button piston mechanism located at the top of the device can be pushed down 10 by the user. It is operated with the correct application of force. This pressing motion occurs inside the chamber. The transmission is mechanically carried out in such a way as to cause the mixing element to rotate. The mixing element has a wire whisk type structure and contains agar during pressing. This ensures homogeneous mixing of the culture medium. This prevents the agar from precipitating and regulates temperature. Phase separations due to differences are prevented. 15 The main container holding the culture medium is made of transparent material, allowing the user to... It allows observation of the liquid level and flow rate inside. On the reservoir The measurement markings on the surface enable controlled transfer of culture medium during casting. thick cylindrical rings surrounding the outer surface of the chamber ensure the device's heating element is 20°C. These are the basic elements that provide the function. These rings operate like a pocket stove. It includes resistive heating structures based on the principle of resistive heating. The heating system is located on the housing. The area is manually activated via a single, central round button. The user By pressing this button, the heating rings begin to heat up and the agar inside the chamber is released. The temperature of the culture medium is maintained at a level that will keep it in liquid form throughout its shelf life. 25 The heating elements distribute the heat homogeneously around the perimeter of the chamber without direct contact with the culture medium. It is positioned to facilitate heat transfer. Located on the side of the device. The ergonomic handle ensures safe and controlled use during casting. Thanks to the mechanism that works with the lever, a certain amount is released with each pressing motion. The culture medium is transferred to petri dishes. This structure allows for volume differences of 30 between petri dishes. By preventing its occurrence, it increases experimental reproducibility. The broad scope located in the lower section... The base structure ensures that the device is positioned in a balanced and stable manner on the work surface. This ensures that the culture medium containing hot agar does not tip over, splash, or spill during pouring. The risks associated with accidents are reduced. With this design, the device in question aims to maintain the temperature of agar-containing culture media. Homogeneous mixing and controlled volume pouring processes are performed on a single device. by bringing together existing manual methods used in microbiology laboratories It offers a safer, more efficient, and repeatable solution. 5 Thanks to this invention, early problems encountered during the pouring of agar-containing culture media have been eliminated. Problems such as solidification, loss of homogeneity, and irregular volume casting are eliminated. is removed. Maintaining the temperature of the culture medium via heating rings is done manually. Homogeneous mixing is ensured by the piston-type structure and controlled casting. 10 Thanks to its mechanism, each petri dish can be filled with a repeatable and standard volume of culture medium. This makes the transfer possible. Thus, occupational safety and process are improved in laboratory applications. Speed, aseptic conditions, and experimental reproducibility are significantly improved. This invention, compared to electric automatic agar pouring systems, requires an external power source. It does not require any additional materials, it has a practical and portable design, and it includes an integrated heating system. And because it can be produced at a lower cost, it is important in laboratory applications. It offers advantages. The device subject to the invention (1) includes a reservoir (1.1) made of transparent material. Heater Unit (1.2) is in the form of a cylindrical ring surrounding the outer surface of the reservoir (1.1) 20 It is structured. In addition, the heating unit (1.2) is a sodium acetate-based crystalline heating medium. It contains and generates heat through an exothermic crystallization reaction following triggering. It transmits the heat it produces peripherally without directly contacting the chamber (1.1). In addition, the trigger unit (1.3) is preferably a single, central unit located on the device body. It is a positioned round key. 25 Explanation of the Figures Figure 1: General view of the device described in the invention, shown from a perspective side perspective. Explanation of References in Figures To better understand the invention, the parts shown in the figures are individually numbered. and their corresponding numbers are given below: 30 6 1. Device 1.1. Reservoir 1.2. Heating unit 1.3. Trigger unit 1.4. Piston 5 1.5. Mixing element 1.6. Base 1.7. Handle 1.8. Latch mechanism Detailed Description of the Invention 10 Pouring agar-containing culture media into petri dishes in microbiology laboratories. during this process, to prevent the culture medium from cooling and solidifying, and to pour in a controlled volume. The invention in question was developed to enable the use of mechanically heated, electrically powered devices. an agar casting machine that does not involve a motor, and can perform manual mixing and controlled pouring. device (1); 15 - a container containing agar culture medium (1.1), - surrounding the outer surface of the said chamber (1.1) and used in pocket stoves At least one heating unit that generates heat based on the principle of crystalline heat generation. (1.2), - a 20mm toggle switch, preferably located on the body, for initiating the heating process. a unit that triggers a slight heating (1.3), - the device has a top-pressure piston structure located on the top (1) and the linear force applied by the user located inside the reservoir (1.1) at least one piston (1.4) which converts the rotational motion of a mixing element into a rotary motion. - at least one 25mm wire whisk type that ensures homogeneous mixing of the culture medium. Mixing element (1.5), - the container (1.1) is positioned and the device (1) is stable on a work surface a base that allows it to stand in this way (1.6), - preferably ensuring the device is held ergonomically by the user. ergonomic at least one handle (1.7) 30 7 - working in conjunction with the handle (1.7) and pressure-based flow control the principle is to transfer the culture medium to petri dishes with each pressing motion It includes at least one latch mechanism (1.8) that provides The reservoir (1.1) is preferably transparent. The heating unit (1.2) is preferably in the form of a cylindrical ring. The heating unit (1.2) is 5 in pocket stoves. Similar to the structure used, it contains a crystalline heating medium based on sodium acetate. This crystalline structure is normally in a liquid state and after being triggered... It is a system that releases heat through an exothermic reaction by crystallizing. The trigger unit (1.3) for the heating process is preferably a single unit located on the device (1) housing and It is a central round button. This button is a metal 10 located within the crystalline heating system. It is designed to activate the trigger element (click disc). The user must activate this The crystallization process begins when the button is pressed, and homogeneous crystals form along the cylindrical rings. Heat is generated. This heat is transferred peripherally without direct contact with the chamber. It is transmitted and ensures that the agar-containing culture medium remains in liquid form throughout the casting process. The crystal heating system operates without the need for an external power source, battery, or accumulator for 15 hours. It works. Heat generation continues throughout the natural duration of the crystallization process, and the process It automatically terminates when completed. Heating time and total heat capacity depend on the amount of heat used. depending on the amount of crystalline medium, the size of the rings, and the volume of the reservoir It can be designed. This time is required for pouring the agar-containing culture medium into petri dishes. It is determined to cover the time interval. The tank capacity is 20 in different volumes. It is manufacturable and scalable for capacities ranging from 100 mL to 1000 mL. It is structured as the reservoir (1.1) capacity increases, the trigger unit which consists of crystalline heating rings. (1.3) The dimensions and the amount of crystalline medium it contains are also increased proportionally, so that the large Homogeneous and sufficient heating is also ensured in bulk culture media. Located on the reservoir (1.1) The milliliter indicator is based on one-tenth (1 / 10) of the total volume, and there are 25 different It maintains the same reading logic across all capacities. The top-pressure piston structure located on the top of the device (1) is controlled by the user. The applied linear force is applied by the wire whisk type mixer located inside the hopper (1.1). It converts the element (1.5) into rotational motion. Thanks to this mechanical transmission, the culture medium It is mixed homogeneously before or during casting, and the agar precipitates in 30 minutes. This is prevented. The mixing process is quiet and laboratory-safe, requiring no electric motor. It has a suitable structure. The ergonomic handle located on the side of the device (1) is made of cast iron. 8 It provides the user with a secure grip during operation. Push-type piston (1.4) and cast iron. The mechanism works together to release a controlled and repeatable volume of culture medium with each press. It makes it possible to transfer it to petri dishes. The wide base (1.6) structure located in the lower section. This structure ensures that the device remains stable on the work surface. With this design, the invention... The subject device (1) is for maintaining the temperature and homogeneity of agar-containing culture media. The processes of supplying and pouring in controlled volumes are all carried out within a single system. by combining, according to the existing manual methods used in microbiology laboratories It offers a safer, more practical, and repeatable solution. Industrial Applicability of the Invention This invention is intended for the production of microorganisms in microbiology laboratories. Preparation of agar-containing culture media used, maintaining their temperature, homogenization. laboratory-based mixing and controlled pouring into petri dishes. It relates to the technical field of devices and culture medium preparation equipment, and to industry. It is applicable. The invention is not limited to the above descriptions; a person skilled in the field can easily identify the invention within 15 years. It can present different applications. These are the claims of the invention and the protection sought. should be evaluated within this context. 25

Claims

9 REQUESTS 1. Pouring agar-containing culture media into petri dishes in microbiology laboratories. during this process, to prevent the culture medium from cooling and solidifying, and to pour in a controlled volume. developed to enable this; - a container containing agar culture medium (1.1), 5 - surrounding the outer surface of the said chamber (1.1) and used in pocket stoves At least one heating unit that generates heat based on the principle of crystalline heat generation. (1.2), - a switch, preferably located on the body, for initiating the heating process. A slight heating trigger unit (1.3), 10 - the device has a top-pressure piston structure located on the top (1) and the linear force applied by the user located inside the reservoir (1.1) at least one piston (1.4) which converts the rotational motion of a mixing element into a rotary motion. - at least one wire whisk type device that ensures homogeneous mixing of the culture medium. Mixing element (1.5), 15 - the container (1.1) is positioned and the device (1) is stable on a work surface a base that allows it to stand in this way (1.6), - preferably at least a device that allows the user to hold it ergonomically. a handle (1.7) - working together with the handle (1.7) and pressure-based flow control 20 the principle is to transfer the culture medium to petri dishes with each pressing motion characterized by containing at least one latch mechanism (1.8) that provides Mechanically heated, no electric motor, manually mixed and controlled. an agar casting device capable of casting (1).

2. Request 25, characterized by containing a reservoir (1.1) made of a transparent material. A device like the one in 1 (1).

3. Heater structured in the form of a cylindrical ring surrounding the outer surface of the reservoir (1.1). a device (1) as in request 2 characterized by unit (1.2).

4. It contains a sodium acetate-based crystalline heating medium and after triggering... 30 characterized by a heating unit (1.2) that produces heat by exothermic crystallization reaction. a device like the one in request 3 (1).

5. Heater that transmits the heat it produces circumferentially without directly contacting the chamber (1.1). a device (1) as in request 4 characterized by unit (1.2).

6. A round, preferably single and centrally located, emblem on the device body. a device (1) as in request 5 characterized by a trigger unit (1.3) which is a key. 10 20 30