Device and method for stabilzing laboratory ware

Abstract

A device for stabilizing laboratory ware includes a container body having a refillable interior space defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines a centrally disposed passageway and has an exterior surface having a size and geometry for resting upon an outer surface of the laboratory ware. The outer wall includes at least one releasably sealable port arrangement for facilitating the introduction of a filler material therein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for stabilizing laboratory ware, comprising: 
 a container body having at least one interior space defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a centrally disposed passageway having an exterior surface sized and shaped for resting against an outer surface of said laboratory ware, and at least one container body opening extending into said at least one interior space; and    sealing means for releasably sealing said at least one container body opening,    wherein said at least one container body opening is sized and positioned for facilitating introduction of a filler material into said at least one interior space, so as to adjust the weight of the device.    
     
     
         2 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of said inner wall completely surrounds said lab ware during use.  
     
     
         3 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container body opening further comprises a resealable port.  
     
     
         4 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said sealing means further comprising a threaded cap for twistingly engaging a threaded port.  
     
     
         5 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of said inner wall is adapted to rest on upon an outer surface of said laboratory ware in either an upright or upside-down container body orientation.  
     
     
         6 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the exterior surface of said inner wall further comprises a pair of inwardly tapering surfaces meeting at an interior edge.  
     
     
         7 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the exterior surface of said inner wall is substantially symmetrical about a horizontal plane intersecting said interior edge.  
     
     
         8 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall of said container body defines a generally rectangular perimeter.  
     
     
         9 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall of said container body defines a generally circular perimeter.  
     
     
         10 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said container body has a frustro-conical geometry.  
     
     
         11 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall of said container defines a generally circular passageway.  
     
     
         12 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall of said container body has an inward taper in the direction from said bottom side to said top side.  
     
     
         13 . A stabilizing device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container body opening extends through the outer wall of said container body.  
     
     
         14 . Stabilizing apparatus for maintaining laboratory ware at a desired depth in a liquid bath, comprising: 
 a container body having at least one interior space defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a centrally disposed passageway having an exterior surface sized and shaped for resting against an outer surface of said laboratory ware, and at least one container body opening extending into said at least one interior space;    sealing means for releasably sealing said at least one container body opening; and    a volume of fill material for at least partially filling said interior space through said at least one container body opening.    
     
     
         15 . A stabilizing apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the type and volume of said filler material is adjustable to facilitate the partial submersion of said container body in said liquid bath, such that position of the lab ware relative to the bottom surface of said bath can be adjusted.  
     
     
         16 . A stabilizing apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said filler material further comprises a solid material.  
     
     
         17 . A stabilizing apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said filler material further comprises a liquid.  
     
     
         18 . A method for stabilizing laboratory ware using a stabilizing container having an interior space, a releasably sealable port arrangement extending into the interior space, and a centrally disposed passageway extending substantially vertically therethrough, the passageway defined by an exterior surface of an inner wall, the method comprising the steps of: 
 adjusting weight of the container by at least partially filling the interior space of said container through said releasably sealable port with a volume of a filler material;    sealing said releasably sealable container port; and    positioning said container body over said laboratory ware such that an upper portion of the laboratory ware extends through said centrally disposed passageway and at least a portion of the exterior surface of said inner wall rests against an outer surface portion of said laboratory ware.    
     
     
         19 . A method for stabilizing laboratory ware as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of positioning the laboratory ware in a liquid bath.