U.S. patent application number 13/000833 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for laboratory reactor with a reaction vessel.
This patent application is currently assigned to IKA-WERKE GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Erhard Eble, Andreas Zeller.
Application Number | 20110116976 13/000833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40902895 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110116976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zeller; Andreas ; et
al. |
May 19, 2011 |
LABORATORY REACTOR WITH A REACTION VESSEL
Abstract
A laboratory reactor (1) with a reaction vessel (2) for
receiving media or substances to be processed has devices or units
for processing or mixing media or components and for measuring, the
devices or units being able to engage in the reaction vessel or
reactor vessel (2) from above or below. On the lower side of the
base (5), the laboratory reactor (1) has placement feet (6) which
are mounted movably or flexibly and are connected to a weight
measuring device or to sensors belonging to a weight-measuring
device such that the weight of the product to be processed or a
change in weight can be determined without complicated additional
weighing operations.
Inventors: |
Zeller; Andreas; (Bad
Krozingen, DE) ; Eble; Erhard; (Bad Krozingen,
DE) |
Assignee: |
IKA-WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
Staufen
DE
|
Family ID: |
40902895 |
Appl. No.: |
13/000833 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
May 13, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/003383 |
371 Date: |
January 10, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 15/00194 20130101;
B01J 19/0053 20130101; G01G 19/30 20130101; B01L 7/00 20130101;
B01L 99/00 20130101; B01F 15/00311 20130101; B01J 19/1806 20130101;
B01J 19/0006 20130101; B01J 19/0066 20130101; B01L 2300/14
20130101; G01G 21/23 20130101; G01N 5/00 20130101; B01J 19/00
20130101; B01F 15/00201 20130101; B01L 2300/02 20130101; B01J
2219/00184 20130101; B01F 7/16 20130101; B01J 2219/00162 20130101;
B01J 2219/00011 20130101; B01F 7/1605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/119 |
International
Class: |
B01J 19/18 20060101
B01J019/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 029 900.6 |
Claims
1. A laboratory reactor (1) comprising a closed reaction vessel
(2), connected to a device for changing pressure that is adapted to
accept substances to be processed or to be mixed or to be made
reacting with each other, at least one processing or measuring
aggregate or agitator engaging said vessel (2), a holder for
receiving the vessel (2), which has a base facing a support area,
several placement feet (6) are provided at a bottom of the holder,
supported elastically or adjustable or movable in an upward or
vertical direction against a return force or spring force and a
weighing device being provided or connected or effectively
connected to the placement feet (6).
2. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein a portion of
a movable support of the placement feet (6) is in an effective
connection to the weighing device.
3. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the placement feet (6) at least partially comprises a
spring-elastic material and is provided with a transfer element
connected to the weighing device, movable by an elasticity of the
placement foot (6).
4. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein some of the
placement feet (6) or all placement feet (6) are supported in an
elastic or movable fashion and provided or connected or in an
effective connection to the weighing device.
5. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein at least two
of the placement feet (6) are mechanically connected to each
other.
6. A laboratory reactor according to claim 5, wherein a connection
between two of the placement feet (6) has a distance between them
and the support area or at least of the two placement feet (6) are
combined or connected in one piece to a wide support base,
comprising or impinging two of the weighing devices.
7. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic
or adjustable or movable support feet (6) impinge levers (7) or
rockers or end pieces, which cooperate with the weighing devices or
are connected thereto or are in an effective connection
thereto.
8. A laboratory reactor according to claim 7, wherein the levers
(7) or rockers or end pieces, movable by the placement feet (6),
are provided with force measurement sensors or measuring strips or
Piezo-elements as components of the weighing device.
9. A laboratory reactor according to claim 8, wherein the force
measurement sensors combine several or all of the placement feet
(6) to a microprocessor or computer in a manner such that weight
forces compensated by the individual placement feet are at least
one of added or averaged.
10. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein further
comprising an electronic storage for recipes, in which individual
components of components of mixtures defined according to their
material and weight are stored and can be processed menu-controlled
by way of integrated weighing functions.
11. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein an
operating, control or storage unit (10) is provided and connected
to the laboratory reactor (1) or a housing in a detachable fashion
and connected to drive parts located in the laboratory reactor (1)
and other aggregates via radio frequency or cable connection.
12. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein the agitator
or mixer or processing aggregate comprises a torque detection
function, which occurs via a power draw of a drive motor.
13. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein a torque
control is provided at the agitator or mixer or the processing
aggregate, that includes settings that determine the torque.
14. A laboratory reactor according to claim 1, wherein the device
for changing the pressure, to create an overpressure or a vacuum in
the laboratory vessel (2) upon it being sealed, is a pump that can
be or is connected to the laboratory reactor (1) or the reaction
vessel (2).
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a laboratory reactor with a
reaction vessel, closed and connected to a device for changing the
pressure, i.e. with a device for creating overpressure or a vacuum,
to accept media to be processed and/or to be mixed and/or to be
made reacting with each other or at least with one processing
and/or measuring aggregate or mixing and/or agitating device
engaging said vessel, as well as a holder for receiving said
vessel, which has a base facing a support area.
[0002] Such laboratory reactors are known in multiple forms and
different designs. Frequently they are designed in a modular
fashion and serve to optimize and reproduce chemical reaction,
mixing, dispersing, and/or homogenization processes on a laboratory
scale. For example, the following processes can be performed
thereby: [0003] the production of cremes, lotions, emulsions, and
liposome-preparations of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic field,
[0004] the integration of solid matters, such as calcium carbonate,
talcum, titanium dioxide, and other substances into liquid
polymers, [0005] the integration of additives and solid polymer
compounds into mineral oils, [0006] the grinding and defibration of
solid matter and fibers in liquids and polymers.
[0007] Such laboratory reactions can frequently be adjusted by the
user to the respective objective. Here, for example temperature
measuring devices, agitators, dispersing devices, and/or
thermostats can be used, and also be adjusted in various manners,
such as program-controlled via computers and/or microprocessors.
Here, single-walled and dual-walled vessel can be used with or
without bottom drains made from a special glass or stainless steel,
with generally the basic equipment includes a stand system for
connecting on the one hand the vessel and on the other hand the
arrangements, apparatuses, and measuring devices to be used. The
connection for the devices is frequently embodied such that the
processing and measuring devices can be mounted above the vessel so
that they can engage the vessel from above.
[0008] Additionally, laboratory reactors are known in which a drive
shaft for a mixing device is inserted into the vessel through the
bottom.
[0009] In such laboratory reactors for the processing of
substances, frequently importance is given to very precisely
(defined) amount, which during the processing may change, if
applicable, and which are to be filled either successively or also
simultaneously, or which may change during processing with regards
to their weight or due to chemical reactions, if for example a
heating function is included.
[0010] In order to allow filling or refilling or gradually adding
additional material during processing it had to be ensured in the
past that such substances are added in precisely the correct
amount, i.e. each of them had to be measured in advance. This is
considered cumbersome and expensive.
SUMMARY
[0011] Therefore the object is to provide a laboratory reactor of
the type defined at the outset, by which the filling, refilling,
and/or adding can be performed in a simple and controlled
fashion.
[0012] In order to attain this object the laboratory reactor
defined at the outset is characterized such that on the bottom of
the holder several placement feet are provided or connected or
effectively fastened, in their operating position pointing upwards
or in a vertical direction, supported in an elastic or adjustable
or movable fashion against a return or spring force.
[0013] In this way it is possible, during the processing of
substances, to determine changes of the amount to be processed, for
example by way of evaporation, and to introduce substances or
products, subsequently to be added, in their correct weight or
amount without being required to separately dose the components to
be added. Additionally, if necessary a constant monitoring of the
weight of the processed mixture of substances is possible. Further,
a very precise dosing of individual components of the mixture can
occur during their filling process into an already installed
reaction vessel.
[0014] It is particularly beneficial for a part of the movable
support of the placement foot or feet to be effectively connected
to a weighing device. Here, a simple design option is to render the
mobility of the placement feet to be effective at a weighing or
measuring device.
[0015] In a modified embodiment the placement foot or feet may
comprise at least partially a spring-elastic material and include a
transmission element to the weighing device based on the elasticity
of the placement foot or placement feet.
[0016] It is particularly beneficial if several or, preferably, all
placement feet are supported in an elastic or movable fashion and
provided on or connected to a weighing device. This results in a
particularly precise weighing of mixtures and components of
mixtures.
[0017] Another modified version may provide that at least two
placement feet or several or all placement feet are connected to
each other mechanically. This is another way to impinge or control
an appropriate weighing device.
[0018] The connection of two placement feet may show a distance
between them and the support area or at least two support feet can
be connected in one piece to form a wide support foot, which
comprises or impinges a joint weighing device or two separate ones.
In this way, the stability of the laboratory reactor can be
improved and simultaneously the weighing function can be achieved.
With regards to common laboratory reactors having several
individual placement feet an embodiment is preferred, though, in
which these several individual placement feet each cooperate with
one weighing device, for example via appropriate sensors, such that
even existing laboratory reactors can largely remain unchanged, but
may be retrofitted with the respective movable and elastic
placement feet comprising a weighing function.
[0019] A preferred embodiment may provide that the elastic or
adjustable or movable placement feet impinge levers or rockers or
end pieces, which cooperate with the weighing device or are in an
effective connection therewith or alternatively comprise a weighing
device.
[0020] The levers or rockers or end pieces, movable via the
placement feet, may be provided with sensors for measuring force or
with measuring strips or Piezo-elements as the components of a
weighing device. This way, an appropriate weighing function can be
realized within a minimum amount of space.
[0021] It is beneficial for the sensors for measuring forces of
several or all placement feet to be combined with a microprocessor
or a computer such that the weight forces compensated at the
individual placement feet are added and/or averaged. This way,
right from the start the user is provided with one weight statement
and/or a total weight or its change can be displayed in a suitable
fashion or be forwarded to a control device, which can react to the
change of weight.
[0022] One embodiment of the laboratory reactor according to the
invention may provide that it comprises an electronic storage for
recipes, in which individual components of mixtures are stored,
defined according to substance and weight, and thus the integrated
weighing function can be processed menu controlled. This way,
frequently repeated processing and mixing steps can be considerably
automated and streamlined.
[0023] Another embodiment may provide that an operating, control,
and/or storage unit is arranged at and connected to the laboratory
reactor or a housing in a detachable fashion and is connected to
the driving parts, located in the laboratory reactor or the
housing, to the weighing device and/or additional aggregates by way
of a radio or cable connection. This way, the user can also operate
the laboratory reactor from a greater distance and/or read the
various displays, which is advantageous for example when the
laboratory reactor shall be operated under a protective cover, for
example an exhaust, and the user still intends to perform operation
functions.
[0024] The agitation and/or mixing device or processing aggregate
of the laboratory reactor may provide a torque detection, which may
particularly occur via the current draw of the drive motor. If
applicable, if a speed control is provided, its setting may also be
used to determine the torque. If the torque changes due to a change
in viscosity, this may also be a reason to add one or more
substances, with here it may be important that this occurs by a
predetermined weight, which is easily possible in a simple fashion
using the placement feet and the weighing device.
[0025] The device to change the pressure, i.e. to create an
overpressure or preferably a vacuum in the reaction vessel, sealed
appropriately tightly, may also be a pump, for example a vacuum
pump, connected or able to be connected to the laboratory reactor
or the reactor vessel. Thus, this device for changing the pressure
may be allocated to the laboratory reactor regardless if said
device is a direct part of the laboratory reactor or an
independent, separate device. This may lead to a change of weights
in another processing step of materials or substances in the
laboratory reactor, which can be detected by the weighing device
according to the invention and corrected, if necessary.
[0026] Primarily in combinations of individual or several of the
above-described features and measures a laboratory reactor
develops, in which the weight of the matter to be processed or made
to react and any potential change in weight, either during
processing or during the addition of other components, can
immediately be recognized and detected and, if necessary, corrected
or evaluated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In the following an exemplary embodiment of the invention is
explained in greater detail using the drawing. It shows, in a
partially schematic illustration:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laboratory reactor
according to the invention with a reaction vessel and a fastening
rod for mounting processing and/or measuring aggregates or devices,
such as mixers and/or agitators, dispersing or homogenization
devices, with a fastening to the ground being provided, at which
placement feet are arranged at the bottom,
[0029] FIG. 2 is a view of the bottom of the base of the laboratory
reactor, and
[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section through the
base in the area of an placement foot according to the sectional
line D-D in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In the exemplary embodiment a laboratory reactor, marked 1
in its entirety, comprises a reactor or reaction vessel, marked 2
in its entirety, for accepting and processing substances, which
shall be processed and/or mixed in a suitable manner or can react
with each other, which in turn can occur via processing and/or
measuring devices and aggregates, not shown in greater detail in
the drawing, and which may be inserted into the reaction vessel 2,
for example, in the area of the lid 3. Alternatively, at or in the
area of the lid 3 a device, not shown in greater detail, for
changing the pressure in the appropriately sealed reaction vessel 2
may be connected or potentially connected, for example a pump or
preferably a vacuum pump. Such devices may be fastened at a
fastening rod 4, allocated to the overall fastener of the
laboratory reactor 1, for example in an adjustable and/or
detachable fashion, if such aggregates or devices are not engaging
the reaction vessel or reactor vessel 2 from below.
[0032] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 the
laboratory reactor 1 as a whole can be placed upon a support area
and for this purpose it comprises four placement feet 6 at the
bottom of its base 5, shown particularly in FIG. 2, facing said
support area. In the operating position according to FIG. 3, they
are supported in an elastic or adjustable or movable fashion
upwards or in the vertical direction against a return force or
spring force and are provided or connected or in an effective
connection to a weighing device in a manner to be described in the
following such that the weight of the reactor or reaction vessel 2
and its content can be determined and monitored. Additionally the
material to be processed can be correctly dosed with regards to
weight and one or more components can also be added subsequently
with their weight portions being correct, with any changes in
weight occurring in this context immediately being detected and
monitored by the weighing device.
[0033] The placement feet 6 are here supported on the base 5 of the
laboratory reactor 1, with its bottom facing the support area.
[0034] According to FIG. 3 it is provided that a portion of the
movable support of the placement feet 6 is in an effective
connection to the weighing device, with the weighing device itself
not being shown. Here, it is discernible that the placement feet 6
each impinge a lever 7 embodied as a spring, which is deflected by
an increase of the weight force and thus a stronger displacement of
the foot 6 into its support. These spring-like levers 7, movable by
the placement feet 6, may be provided or cooperate with
force-measuring sensors or measuring strips or Piezo-elements, not
shown in greater detail, which are parts of a weighing device. This
way, with increasing weight the motion of the foot 6 may deform the
elastic lever 7 into the base 5 to a greater extent and transfer
said deformation via the above-mentioned sensors to the weighing
device.
[0035] Here, the lever 7 embodied as a spring is protected at its
bottom by a cover 8 and thus it cannot be activated
unintentionally. This cover 8 and the elastic lever 7 are here
fastened and/or stretched by a screw 9 to the base 5.
[0036] The force measuring sensors of all placement feet 6 can here
be combined, in a manner not shown in greater detail, with a
microprocessor or computer, so that all weight force--portions
compensated by the individual placement feet 6 can be added to a
total weight.
[0037] In FIG. 1, an operating unit 10 is discernible at a
laboratory reactor 1, which may also be embodied as a control
and/or storage unit, and be detachably connected to the laboratory
reactor 1 or a housing allocated thereto, and connected via radio
frequency or a cable connection to drive parts or aggregates
located in the laboratory reactor 1 or its housing. In this way,
the operating unit 10 can also be operated at a distance from the
actual laboratory reactor 1, if the laboratory reactor 1 shall be
used at a position hard to access.
[0038] The agitator(s) and/or mixer(s) or processing aggregate(s),
either engaging the reactor vessel 2 from above through a lid 3 or
from below, may comprise torque detection, not shown in greater
detail, which may particularly occur via the power draw of the
drive engine of such a device or aggregate. Further, a speed
control may be provided at an agitator and/or mixer or processing
aggregate, with its setting may serve to determine the torque.
[0039] In FIG. 1 it is discernible that the reactor or reaction
vessel 2 is closed and this allows for the provision of a device
for changing the pressure, i.e. a device for creating an
overpressure or a vacuum, in order to allow influencing the
reaction of the substance located inside the vessel 2.
[0040] The laboratory reactor 1 with a reaction vessel 2 for
accepting media or substances to be processed comprises devices or
aggregates to process or mix media or components or also to measure
them, which can engage the reaction or reactor vessel 2 from above
or also from below. At the bottom of the base 5 the laboratory
reactor 1 comprises placement feet 6, which are supported in a
movable or elastic fashion and which are connected to a weight
measuring device or sensors allocated to a weight measuring device
such that the weight of the substance to be processed or any change
of weight can be determined without any expensive additional
weighing processes.
* * * * *