Laboratory Climatic Cabinet Having Improved Interior Humidification

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laboratory climatic cabinet, in particular, a gassed incubator, having an interior enclosed by a housing and a steam generator arranged outside the interior, which has a heating device for heating a water reservoir and for generating water steam and is connected to the interior via a steam feed line. The steam generator is connected via a water feed line to an unpressurized water container and the water container is arranged in such a manner that the water level in the water container is above the water level in the steam generator during the steam generation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In combination, a laboratory climatic cabinet having an interior enclosed by a housing and a steam generator arranged outside the interior having a heating device for heating a water reservoir and for generating water steam and being connected to the interior via a steam feed line,
 wherein the steam generator is connected via a water feed line to an unpressurized water container and the water container is arranged in such a manner that the water level in the water container is located above the water level in the steam generator during the steam generation.   
     
     
         2 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the water feed line leaves the water container in a base region and opens into a base region of the steam generator. 
     
     
         3 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the water container is arranged relative to the steam generator in such a manner that, during the steam generation, a desired overpressure results in the steam generator because of the difference of the water levels, the height difference (h) of the water levels being at least 6 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam feed line rises from the steam generator to the opening into the interior. 
     
     
         5 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam feed line is provided with a valve. 
     
     
         6 . The combination according to  claim 5 , wherein a return line is led from the steam feed line into the water container, the return line leading out of the steam feed line between the valve and an opening into the interior. 
     
     
         7 . The combination according to  claim 5 , wherein the steam feed line, in the region between the valve and the incubator, is provided with an insulation and/or heating device. 
     
     
         8 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the water container has a heating device for heating the water reservoir, to a temperature between 60° C. and below 100° C. 
     
     
         9 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein a PTC element is provided for setting the temperature of the water reservoir in the steam generator and/or in the water bath. 
     
     
         10 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the laboratory climatic cabinet comprises a gassed incubator. 
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 3 , wherein the water container is arranged relative to the steam generator in such a manner that, during the steam generation, a desired overpressure results in the steam generator because of the difference of the water levels, the height difference (h) of the water levels being between 6 and 60 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The combination according to  claim 3 , wherein the water container is arranged relative to the steam generator in such a manner that, during the steam generation, a desired overpressure results in the steam generator because of the difference of the water levels, the height difference (h) of the water levels being between 15 cm and 60 cm. 
     
     
         13 . The combination according to  claim 3 , wherein the water container is arranged relative to the steam generator in such a manner that, during the steam generation, a desired overpressure results in the steam generator because of the difference of the water levels, the height difference (h) of the water levels being between 20 and 30 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the water container has a heating device for heating the water reservoir to a temperature between 70 to 90° C. 
     
     
         15 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the water container has a heating device for heating the water reservoir to a temperature approximately 80° C.