Dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels, method for manufacturing dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels, and dew condensation prevention method for culture vessels

Abstract

To provide a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel that can reliably prevent dew condensation from occurring on an inner surface of a lid of the culture vessel.SOLUTION: A dew condensation prevention device 1 for a culture vessel prevents dew condensation on an inner surface of a lid of a culture vessel C by placing it on an upper surface of the lid of the culture vessel C. The device includes: a transparent sheet-like device body 10; a heating wire 20 provided on the device body; a power supply wire 23 having one end connected to the heating wire 20; and a power supply-side connector 30 provided on the other end of the power supply wire 23 and capable of connecting the power supply wire 23 to a power supply-side electrical circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel for preventing dew condensation on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel such as a glass petri dish, a method for manufacturing the dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel, and a dew condensation prevention method for a culture vessel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when growing plants in a laboratory, a culture medium is placed inside a colorless, transparent culture container with a lid, such as a glass petri dish, and the plant to be grown is placed in the culture medium.

[0003] When a culture vessel is placed in a laboratory, the moisture contained in the culture medium inside increases the humidity inside the vessel, and when the temperature inside the vessel becomes higher than the temperature in the laboratory, condensation may form on the inside of the vessel's lid.

[0004] When condensation occurs on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel, it becomes difficult to see the target plant placed in the culture medium from outside the culture vessel, making it difficult to observe the state of plant growth. Also, when condensation occurs on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel, it becomes difficult for the light necessary for plant growth to reach the inside of the culture vessel, which may have a negative impact on plant growth. Furthermore, when condensation occurs on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel, the moisture generated by the condensation may cause mold to grow inside the culture vessel.

[0005] For this reason, in order to prevent condensation from occurring on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel, it has been considered to increase the thickness of the lid, thereby reducing the amount of heat transferred between the inside and outside of the culture vessel and suppressing the occurrence of condensation on the inner surface of the lid (see, for example, non-patent document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, (US), Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2007, Vol.91, p.299-304 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in culture vessels with thick lids, heat transfer occurs between the inside and outside of the culture vessel regardless of the thickness of the lid, making it difficult to prevent condensation from forming on the inner surface of the lid.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a condensation prevention device for culture vessels that can reliably prevent condensation from occurring on the inner surface of the lid of the culture vessel, a method for manufacturing a condensation prevention device for culture vessels, and a condensation prevention method for culture vessels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The anti-condensation device for culture vessels of the present invention is a anti-condensation device for culture vessels that prevents condensation on the inner side of the lid of a culture vessel by being placed on the upper side of the lid of the culture vessel, and comprises a device main body formed in the shape of a transparent sheet, an electric heating wire provided on the device main body, a power supply wire having one end connected to the electric heating wire, and a power supply side connector provided on the other end of the power supply wire and capable of connecting the power supply wire to an electrical circuit on the power supply side.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the anti-condensation device for culture vessels according to the present invention has the heating wire having a plurality of straight sections extending in a straight line and connecting sections connecting the ends of adjacent straight sections.

[0011] Furthermore, in the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels according to the present invention, it is preferable that the distance between the adjacent linear portions is within a range of 10 mm to 20 mm.

[0012] In addition, in the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels according to the present invention, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the heating wire is 0.2 mm or less.

[0013] In addition, in the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels according to the present invention, it is preferable that the device body is made of a pair of insulating sheet-like members that sandwich the heating wire.

[0014] Furthermore, the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels according to the present invention preferably includes a main body side connector that enables the power line to be attached to and detached from the device main body.

[0015] In addition, in the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels according to the present invention, it is preferable that the main body side connector is disposed at the center of a side of the device main body which is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0016] In addition, in the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels according to the present invention, it is preferable that the device body includes a display unit that displays a state in which electricity is being applied to the heating wire.

[0017] In addition, the manufacturing method of the condensation prevention device for culture vessels of the present invention includes an electric heating wire arrangement process of arranging an electric heating wire on a transparent sheet-like member, and an electric heating wire covering process of covering the electric heating wire arranged on the sheet-like member in the electric heating wire arrangement process.

[0018] Furthermore, the method for preventing condensation on a culture vessel according to the present invention is a method for preventing condensation on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel, and includes a placing step of placing a transparent sheet-like member having an electric heating wire disposed thereon on the upper surface of the culture vessel, and a heat dissipation step of dissipating heat from the electric heating wire by passing electricity through the electric heating wire, wherein the heat dissipation step heats the surface temperature of the sheet-like member to between 22°C and 27°C. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, the lid of the culture vessel is heated by heat emitted from a heating wire arranged on a transparent sheet-like member, thereby reliably preventing condensation on the inner surface of the lid of the culture vessel while allowing the inside of the culture vessel to be observed through the sheet-like member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of the main part of a condensation prevention device for a culture vessel, showing the main body side connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a plan view of a dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the state of use of the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels.

[0022] The dew condensation prevention device 1 for a culture vessel of this embodiment is intended to prevent dew condensation on the inner surface of the lid of a culture vessel C used to grow plants, for example, indoors in a building such as a laboratory. The culture vessel C that is the target of dew condensation prevention in this embodiment is, for example, a petri dish made of a colorless, transparent glass member that allows the interior to be seen. The petri dish as the culture vessel C in this embodiment has, for example, an outer diameter of 90 mm and a height of 20 mm.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels comprises a sheet-shaped device body 10, a heating wire 20 arranged inside the device body 10, a power supply wire 23 having one end connected to the heating wire 20, and a power supply side connector 30 connected to the other end of the power supply wire 23.

[0024] The device body 10 is made of a pair of colorless and transparent sheet-like members 11, each having an insulating base layer made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and an adhesive layer made of polyethylene, a thermoplastic resin, laminated thereon. As shown in Fig. 2, the device body 10 is formed by bonding the pair of sheet-like members 11 together. The sheet-like members 11 are, for example, 100 µm thick and formed in a rectangular shape of A4 size (210 mm x 197 mm).

[0025] The heating wire 20 is, for example, a copper wire with an outer diameter of 0.1 mm. As shown in FIG. 2, the heating wire 20 is sandwiched between a pair of sheet-like members 11 that constitute the device body 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the heating wire 20 has a plurality of straight portions 21 that extend linearly and connecting portions 22 that connect the ends of adjacent straight portions 21. The multiple straight portions 21 are each arranged in parallel to one another in the device body 10. The distance W between adjacent straight portions 21 is, for example, 16 mm.

[0026] The material, outer diameter, and overall length of the heating wire 20 are selected so that it generates enough heat to raise the surface temperature of the device body 10 to 22°C or higher and 27°C or lower in an environment where the temperature in the laboratory is 20°C or higher and 25°C or lower.

[0027] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of enabling observation of the plants inside the culture vessel C through the condensation prevention device 1 for the culture vessel, it is preferable that the spacing W between adjacent straight portions 21 of the heating wire 20 is 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and that the outer diameter dimension of the heating wire 20 is 0.2 mm or less.

[0028] The power supply wire 23 is made of the same material as the heating wire 20 and is covered with an insulating material.

[0029] The power supply connector 30 is, for example, a connector conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. The power supply connector 30 is connected to an end of the heating wire 20 and can be connected to an electric circuit on the power supply side. The power supply is, for example, a DC power supply with a voltage of 5V.

[0030] When manufacturing the dew condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels configured as described above, first, the heating wire 20 is arranged on one transparent sheet-shaped member 11 (heating wire arrangement step). Next, the heating wire 20 arranged on the transparent sheet-shaped member 11 is covered with another transparent sheet-shaped member 11 (heating wire covering step).

[0031] When using the dew condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels, first, a plurality of culture vessels C (six in this embodiment) are lined up in a laboratory, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. Next, the device main body 10 is placed on top of the lined up culture vessels C (placing step), and the power supply side connector 30 is connected to the power supply side electric circuit to pass electricity through the heating wire 20, causing heat to be dissipated from the heating wire 20 (heat dissipation step), and the lids of the plurality of culture vessels C are heated from above by the heat dissipated from the device main body 10. Here, the placing step and the heat dissipation step can be performed in any order.

[0032] In the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessel 1, for example, in an environment where the temperature in a laboratory is 20° C. or higher and 25° C. or lower, the surface temperature of the device body 10 is 22° C. or higher and 27° C. or lower. As a result, the lid of the culture vessel C is heated by the heat emitted from the surface of the device body 10, and the occurrence of dew condensation on the inner surface is suppressed.

[0033] Furthermore, the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessel 1 has an electric heating wire 20 with an outer diameter of 0.1 mm sandwiched between a pair of insulating, colorless, transparent sheet-like members 11. Therefore, even when the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessel 1 is placed on the top side of the culture vessel C, the plant inside the culture vessel C can be seen from above through the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessel 1.

[0034] The dew condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels of the present invention comprises a pair of insulating and transparent sheet-like members 11, a heating wire 20 sandwiched between the sheet-like members 11, a power supply wire 23 having one end connected to the heating wire 20, and a power supply side connector 30 that enables power to be supplied to the heating wire 20.

[0035] In addition, the method for preventing condensation on a culture vessel of this embodiment includes a placing step of placing a transparent sheet-like member 11 having an electric heating wire 20 arranged on the upper side of the culture vessel C, and a heat dissipation step of dissipating heat from the electric heating wire by passing electricity through the electric heating wire, and the heat dissipation step heats the surface temperature of the sheet-like member 11 to 22°C or higher and 27°C or lower.

[0036] As a result, the lid of the culture vessel C is heated by the heat emitted from the heating wire 20 arranged on the transparent sheet-like member 11, thereby reliably preventing condensation on the inner surface of the lid of the culture vessel C while allowing the interior of the culture vessel C to be observed through the sheet-like member 11.

[0037] Moreover, the heating wire 20 preferably has a plurality of linear portions 21 extending linearly and connecting portions 22 connecting the ends of adjacent linear portions 21 to each other.

[0038] This allows heat to be released uniformly over the entire surface of the device body 10, making it possible to heat the entire lid of the culture vessel C uniformly.

[0039] Furthermore, the interval W between adjacent linear portions 21 is not particularly limited, but is preferably within the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, but is not limited to being equal intervals. By setting the interval W to 10 mm to 20 mm, desired heat generation characteristics can be obtained, and temperature unevenness among the culture vessels C under one device main body can be suppressed.

[0040] Furthermore, the visibility of the device main body 10 consisting of the sheet-like member 11 is not reduced by the heating wire 20, so that the inside of the culture vessel C can be observed well, and condensation on the inner surface of the lid of the culture vessel C can be reliably prevented.

[0041] Moreover, the heating wire 20 preferably has an outer diameter of 0.2 mm or less.

[0042] As a result, the visibility of the device body 10 made of the sheet-like member 11 is not reduced by the heating wire 20, and the inside of the culture vessel C can be observed well through the device body 10.

[0043] Furthermore, the device body 10 preferably comprises a pair of insulating sheet-like members 11 that sandwich the heating wire 20 therebetween.

[0044] As a result, the heating wire 20 is covered with the pair of insulating sheet-like members 11, which makes it possible to prevent leakage of electricity, thereby improving safety.

[0045] In addition, the manufacturing method of the condensation prevention device for culture vessels of this embodiment includes an electric heating wire arrangement process of arranging an electric heating wire 20 on a transparent sheet-like member 11, and an electric heating wire covering process of covering the electric heating wire 20 arranged on the sheet-like member 11 in the electric heating wire arrangement process.

[0046] According to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture the dew condensation prevention device 1 for a culture vessel inexpensively and easily with a simple configuration.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the culture vessel C is used to grow plants, but this is not limited to this. The condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels can also be used when culturing, for example, animal cells in the culture vessel C.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the device main body 10 is shown formed from an A4-sized rectangular sheet-like member 11, but this is not limited to this, and the device main body may be formed from a sheet-like member of a size corresponding to the outer diameter dimension of the culture vessel C and the number of culture vessels C whose lids are to be heated simultaneously.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the device body 10 is shown as being made up of a pair of sheet-like members 11 each having an insulating base layer and an adhesive layer laminated thereon, but this is not limiting. The device body 10 may be formed by bonding together a sheet-like member having an adhesive layer and a sheet-like member having no adhesive layer, or by interposing an adhesive as a separate member between a pair of sheet-like members having no adhesive layer. Alternatively, the device body may be made up of a single sheet-like member, with a heating wire disposed on one side of the sheet-like member, and an insulating material applied to the surface of the sheet-like member where the heating wire is disposed, thereby covering the heating wire with the insulating material and securing it to the sheet-like member.

[0050] In addition, in the above embodiment, the heating wire 20 is made of copper wire, but this is not limited to this, and any conductive wire-shaped, strip-shaped, or string-shaped member such as aluminum wire or nichrome wire may be used.

[0051] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the heating wire 20 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 so that multiple straight portions 21 extending across the entire width of the sheet-shaped member 11 are substantially parallel to each other, and the ends of adjacent straight portions 21 are connected by a connecting portion 22. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the heating wire 20 may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 so that multiple straight portions 21 extending across the entire width of the sheet-shaped member 11 are arranged in the transverse direction of the sheet-shaped member 11, and the ends of adjacent straight portions 21 are connected by a connecting portion 22. Furthermore, the heating wire arranged in the device main body may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member so that multiple straight portions extending across the transverse direction of the sheet-shaped member are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member, and the ends of adjacent straight portions are connected by a connecting portion, forming a plurality of groups of heating wires.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the spacing W between adjacent straight portions 21 of the heating wire 20 is 16 mm, but this is not limited to this. The spacing W between adjacent straight portions 21 may be partially different in the device body as long as it is within a range of 10 mm to 20 mm.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the heating wire 20 is made of a material, has an outer diameter, and has a total length that provides a heat output that will raise the surface temperature of the device body 10 to 22°C or higher and 27°C or lower in a laboratory environment with a temperature of 20°C or higher and 25°C or lower. However, this is not limitative. The heating wire is not limited to a material, outer diameter, and total length that are adjusted to raise the surface temperature of the device body to 22°C or higher and 27°C or lower; the material, outer diameter, and total length may be adjusted depending on the target surface temperature of the device body. The surface temperature of the device body may also be controlled by arranging a variable resistor in the heating wire and adjusting the magnitude of the electrical resistance.

[0054] In addition, in the above embodiment, a DC power supply with a voltage of 5V is used as the power supply, but this is not limiting, and the power supply may have a voltage less than 5V or greater than 5V.

[0055] Figures 5 to 7 show another embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of a dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels. Figure 7 is a side view of the main part of the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessels, showing the main body side connector. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0056] 5, a plurality of linear portions 21 each extending over the entire longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 are arranged in the lateral direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 so as to be approximately parallel to one another. Also, a plurality of linear portions 21 each extending over the entire lateral direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 are arranged in the lateral direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 so as to be approximately parallel to one another. In addition, a plurality of linear portions 21 each extending over the entire lateral direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 are arranged in the lateral direction of the sheet-shaped member 11 so as to be approximately parallel to one another.

[0057] The dew condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels of this embodiment is provided with a main body side connector 24 that enables the power line 23 to be attached and detached to the device main body 10. When the power line 23 is connected to the device main body 10, the power line 23 of the dew condensation prevention device 1 for culture vessels is electrically connected to the heating wire 20.

[0058] 5 to 7, the main body connector 24 is a connector that complies with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, such as USB Type C. The main body connector 24 is disposed at the center of one side of the rectangular device main body 10. The area of ​​the device main body 10 near the main body connector 24 is reinforced with an acrylic plate.

[0059] 6, a display unit 25 is disposed near the main body connector 24 of the device main body 10, which displays the state of current flowing through the heating wire 20. The display unit 25 is, for example, a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode (LED) connected to the heating wire 20, and emits light when supplied with power.

[0060] Furthermore, the main body connector 24, the display unit 25, and the heating wire 20 near the main body connector 24 and the display unit 25 in the device main body 10 are covered with a caulking agent such as silicone resin, and also with waterproof tape, thereby preventing water from entering the current-carrying parts of the device main body 10.

[0061] Thus, according to the anti-condensation device for culture vessels of this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, the lid of the culture vessel C is heated by heat emitted from the heating wire 20 arranged on the transparent sheet-like member 11, so that condensation on the inner surface of the lid of the culture vessel C can be reliably prevented while the inside of the culture vessel C can be observed through the sheet-like member 11.

[0062] Furthermore, it is preferable that the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessel 1 includes a main body side connector 24 that enables the power line 23 to be attached to and detached from the device main body 10.

[0063] This allows the device main body 10 and the power line 23 to be handled separately by removing the power line 23 from the device main body 10, so that the power line 23 can be wired after the device main body 10 is installed, or the device main body 10 can be installed after the power line 23 is wired, thereby improving the degree of freedom in handling.

[0064] Furthermore, the main body side connector 24 is preferably disposed in the center of a side of the device main body which is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0065] This makes it possible to easily route the power line 23.

[0066] Furthermore, the device body 10 preferably includes a display unit 25 that displays the state in which the heating wire 20 is energized.

[0067] This allows visual confirmation of whether or not the heating wire 20 is energized, thereby improving safety during use of the dew condensation prevention device for culture vessel 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Condensation prevention device for culture vessels 10. Device body 11 Sheet-like member 20 heating wire 21 Straight section 22 Connecting part 23 Power line 24 Main unit connector 25 Display section 30 Power supply connector C Culture vessel

Claims

1. A dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel that prevents dew condensation on the inner surface of the lid of the culture vessel by being placed on the upper surface side of the lid of the culture vessel, a device body formed in the shape of a transparent sheet; a heating wire provided in the device body; a power supply wire having one end connected to the heating wire; a power supply side connector provided at the other end of the power supply line and capable of connecting the power supply line to an electric circuit on the power supply side. Condensation prevention device for culture vessels.

2. The heating wire is a plurality of linear portions extending linearly; and a connecting portion that connects the ends of the adjacent straight portions. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 1.

3. The distance between adjacent linear portions is within a range of 10 mm to 20 mm. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 2.

4. The heating wire has an outer diameter of 0.2 mm or less. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 1.

5. The device body is made of a pair of insulating sheet-like members that sandwich the heating wire. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 1.

6. A main body side connector is provided to enable the power line to be attached to and detached from the main body of the device. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 1.

7. The main body side connector is disposed at the center of one side of the rectangular device main body. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 6.

8. The device body is provided with a display unit that displays the state of current flowing to the heating wire. The dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel according to claim 1.

9. A method for manufacturing a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel that prevents dew condensation on the inner surface of a lid of a culture vessel, a heating wire arrangement step of arranging a heating wire on a transparent sheet-like member; and a heating wire covering step of covering the heating wire arranged on the sheet-like member in the heating wire arrangement step. A method for manufacturing a dew condensation prevention device for a culture vessel.

10. A method for preventing condensation on the inner surface of a lid of a culture vessel, comprising: a placing step of placing a transparent sheet-like member on the upper surface of the culture vessel, the transparent sheet-like member having the heating wire disposed thereon; a heat dissipation step of dissipating heat from the heating wire by passing electricity through the heating wire, The heat dissipation step heats the surface of the sheet-like member to a temperature of 22° C. or higher and 27° C. or lower. Method for preventing condensation for culture vessels.

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