Chamber for culturing cells and method for making same

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for making an incubator, as well as an incubator structure. The disclosed method includes molding a chamber body. The chamber body defines an interior and an opening to the interior, and a door is provided to selectively seal the opening to the interior. During the molding of the chamber body, a component is included in the chamber body. In a particular embodiment, the component may be a sensor, a bracket for receiving another part, a leg, an adaptor, a wire, a connector, a heating element, a window, a hinge, a label, indicia, or a gasket. Preferably, this method of creating a chamber involves rotational molding, although other methods of forming, such as stereolithography, are also possible as would be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art.

1 . A method for creating an incubator comprising the steps of: 
 a) molding a chamber body, the chamber body defining an interior and an opening to the interior;    b) during the molding of the chamber body, including at least one component in the chamber body; and    c) providing a door to selectively seal the opening.    
   
   
       2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a sensor, a bracket for receiving another part, a leg, an adaptor, a wire, a connector, a heating element, a window, a hinge, a label, indicia, and a gasket.  
   
   
       3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of molding is by rotational molding.  
   
   
       4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the door includes: 
 molding the door; and    during the molding of the door, including at least one component in the door.    
   
   
       5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber body includes a raised, annular feature that contacts a surface of the door to effectuate sealing of the opening.  
   
   
       6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is fabricated from one or more of the materials selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, an additive, polycarbonite and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of molding the chamber body includes the steps of molding the chamber body of a first material and molding about the first material with a second material.  
   
   
       8 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein one of the materials expands after application to form an insulating layer.  
   
   
       9 . A method for creating an incubator comprising the steps of: 
 forming a chamber body, the chamber body defining an interior and an opening to the interior; and    during the forming of the chamber body, forming a door substantially simultaneously with the chamber body so that the door exists as a unit with the chamber body and selectively seals the opening.    
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the steps of forming are by rotational molding.  
   
   
       11 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of including at least one component in the chamber body and door unit during the forming of the chamber body and door unit.  
   
   
       12 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of forming a hinge structure during the forming of the chamber and door unit, such that the hinge exists as a unit with the chamber and door and allows the door to move with respect to the chamber.  
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the door is formed to include a raised, annular feature that contacts a surface of the chamber body to seal the opening.  
   
   
       14 . A wall for an incubator comprising: 
 a first layer; and    a second layer integral with the first layer.    
   
   
       15 . An incubator wall as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the second layer completely surrounds the first layer.  
   
   
       16 . An incubator wall as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a third layer of the wall integral with the second layer.  
   
   
       17 . An incubator wall as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first layer of the wall is composed of a different material than the second layer of the wall.  
   
   
       18 . An incubator wall as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first layer is composed of a material that expands after application to form an insulating layer.  
   
   
       19 . An incubator wall as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first and second layers are formed by successive rotational molding steps.  
   
   
       20 . An incubator wall as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the wall is a double wall that defines a hollow space, the hollow space containing a material for affecting a performance of the wall.