The disclosure of the present patent application relates to microbial culturing, and particularly to a petri dish for growing microbes under controlled oxygen supply as per requirement for aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms having variable lockable mechanism.

Background of the Invention:
Petri dishes are generally used for microbial cultivation consisting of a dish with a low side dish that surrounds the bottom of a circular plane, and a lid shaped like a lid that can loosely cover the support. Currently, petri dishes of various sizes are used for microbial culture, but petri dishes having a diameter of 9 cm and a height of 15 mm are most common. In the early days, glass was used as a material for making petri dishes, but nowadays, disposable petri dishes made of plastic are mainly used. Commercially available plastic Petri dishes feature three or more 0.1-0.5 mm high protrusions on the inner top of the cover or on the side of the base to prevent the base and the cover from sticking. There is a little space between the cover and the base to prevent the petri dish from sealing because it prevents contamination by other microorganisms and keeps fresh air from containing the gas and oxygen essential for growth.

The culture dish is a laboratory dish for culturing microorganisms or cells, and is an important laboratory utensil for culturing microorganisms or cells. The existing culture dish consists of a cover and a dish body, the cover and the dish body are mutually independent and separated, and the cover is easy to slide and break or lose in an experiment; when the dish body filled with the culture is closed with the cover, the condition that the cover and the dish body are sealed after being closed can be caused, the currently used culture dish is sealed by being usually wrapped with an adhesive tape when the cover and the dish body are sealed, and the sealing effect is poor.

Petri dish is a commonly used tool in microbiology to grow microbial cultures. The petri dishes are widely used which contains two plates, a receptacle and an additional lid which fits over the bottom one. The petri dish is filled with a microbial culture medium that provides an environment for the growth of microorganism and cells. Evenly spreaded microbial culture on a petri dish enables the isolation of an individual microorganism for its further identification and utility. The petri dish is incubated at different temperatures in an incubator, depending upon the microbes to be isolated. Microorganism are divided into four major groups namely aerobic that requires oxygen, facultative anaerobes which can grow with or without oxygen, micro aerobic, which can grow only in the very low levels of oxygen, and anaerobes which cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Various designs of petri dishes are available to grow such microorganisms which have variable locking mechanisms to grow such microorganisms.

CN211255911U discloses a dish structure includes: (a) a bottom container having an outer cylindrical wall and a diametric base interconnecting the outer cylindrical wall; (b) a lid having an inverted cylinder provided with a downwardly extending cylindrical wall, the lid being sized so that the downwardly extending cylindrical wall associates with the outer cylindrical wall of the bottom container; (c) a frictionally-engagable member integral with the surface of the downwardly extending cylindrical wall of the lid; (d) a frictionally engagable member integral with the surface of the wall of the bottom container; and (e) at least one of the bottom container and the lid being formed of flexibly deformable synthetic plastic material, which is thin enough to have the characteristics of being flexibly deformable. By such structure the lid and bottom container base may remain loosely assembled (unlocked), or by user manipulation be tightly assembled into a reversibly locked configuration.

US20050089997A1 discloses a petri dish comprising (a) a circular dish supported on a circular base, said dish having a bottom plate and a bottom cylindrical side wall, and (b) a circular lid having a top plate and a top cylindrical side wall, said lid sized so as to fit over the bottom cylindrical side wall of said dish wherein said base and said lid are provided with locking means for securing said base and lid in locking engagement, said locking means comprising at least two pairs of locking members, each of said pairs of locking members comprising (i) a radial sheath having an entry, and (ii) an elongate radial tab sized and shaped so as to be slidably engagable with said radial sheath and wherein said sheath is integral with said lid and said tab is integral with said bottom cylindrical side wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,769,936 discloses a typical contact plate which is pre-loaded with growth medium under sterile conditions. However, the drawback in the design is as the lid and base are held together by resiliently contact the side walls of the dish so as to form a compression fit. That is often not very tight resulting into disengagement between the lid and base, which can lead to contamination when handling the petri plate for transportation and storage for incubation. Therefore, it is desirable to have a lockable contact plate that provides a locking mechanism between the lid and the base, and which may be readily lockable and unlockable from each other, when required.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,606 describes two pairs of locking members consisting of redial sheath and a sheath engaging tab, so as matingly engage each other by rotating lid relative to base.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,286,450 relates to culture systems and apparatuses which can be used to cultivate microorganisms in a low-oxygen environment. The invention describes petri dish comprising a base, a sidewall extending from the base, and a track extending outwardly from an outer surface of the sidewall. The lid comprises a central horizontal wall and a recess formed by two sidewalls and a top wall. The lid falls relative to the base of the dish when the lid is rotated in an opposite circumferential direction, and wherein, during rotation of the lid, the at least one key is configured to engage with the at least one-track portion, and the key engages the track, and the seal is broken when the dish and lid are rotated in the other circumferential direction.

Thus, there are certain requirements which need to be addressed for inventing a useful petri dish. There is need of a petri dish which can be used for growing aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. These needs are met by the present invention, with an objective of solving the problem of requirement of oxygen in the petri dish. For this purpose, the present invention relates to a petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism to regulate availability of oxygen for aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms.

Summary of the Invention:

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

There is need of a petri dish which can be used for growing aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. These needs are met by the present invention, with an objective of solving the problem of requirement of oxygen in the petri dish. For this purpose, the present invention relates to a petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism to regulate availability of oxygen for aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. The novel petri dish consists of two components, top lid which covers the bottom container. These mating of the top and bottom components help to restrain movement of the Petri dish and prevent the petri dish from being exposed to ambient air while it is being transported and incubation. The lid and base of the dish when the lid is rotated in clockwise direction, and wherein, during rotation of the lid, the threads are able to cooperate by a relative rotary movement of one dish relatively to the other that screws onto threads, making them thus interdependent on each other. That said locking means are borne by the peripheral walls and the petri dish can be sealed variably in a loose to air tight position. Thus, enabling the petri dish an ability to lock and regulate oxygen as per requirements of aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. Being locked by screw cap mechanism it is easy to close and open the petri dish. Optionally, the hermetic sealing can also be further supplemented by application of inert substances like petroleum gel onto threads to create air tight seal, while maintaining ease of closing and opening of the petri dish.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

Objective of the invention:
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques and processes.

Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism comprising; a pair of plates (1, 2) categorized as a upper plate (1) and lower plate (2), wherein said upper plate portion (1) and said lower plate portion (2) of said petri dish is assembled with the help of single start threads locking mechanism, plurality of grips (3) provided on said outer portion of said upper plate (1) of said petri dish for the better gripping to lock and unlock said petri dish so that it does not slip from the hands of user while operating, and plurality of screws on the thread it is easy to open and close the petri dish.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a petri dish having controlled oxygen supply as per requirements for the growth of aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a petri dish having variable locking mechanism

How the foregoing objects are achieved will be clear from the following brief description. In this context, it is clarified that the description provided is non-limiting and is only by way of explanation. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the foregoing description proceeds, taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Brief Description of the drawings:

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a 3D Assembled view of petri dish in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a Front view of petri dish in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates 3D Isometric View (Lower Plate of Petri Dish) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a Side View (Lower Plate of Petri Dish) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a Cross sectional view (Lower Plate of Petri Dish) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 illustrates 3D Isometric View (Upper Plate of Petri Dish) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 illustrates 3D cross sectional isometric view for the upper plate of petri dish in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional front view of the upper plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprise", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The terms “having”, “comprising”, “including”, and variations thereof signify the presence of a component.

There are certain requirements which need to be addressed for inventing a useful petri dish. There is need of a petri dish which can be used for growing aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. These needs are met by the present invention, with an objective of solving the problem of requirement of oxygen in the petri dish. For this purpose, the present invention relates to a petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism to regulate availability of oxygen for aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. The novel petri dish consists of two components, top lid which covers the bottom container. These mating of the top and bottom components help to restrain movement of the Petri dish and prevent the petri dish from being exposed to ambient air while it is being transported and incubation. The lid and base of the dish when the lid is rotated in clockwise direction, and wherein, during rotation of the lid, the threads are able to cooperate by a relative rotary movement of one dish relatively to the other that screws onto threads, making them thus interdependent on each other. That said locking means are borne by the peripheral walls and the petri dish can be sealed variably in a loose to air tight position. Thus enabling the petri dish an ability to lock and regulate oxygen as per requirements of aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Being locked by screw cap mechanism it is easy to close and open the petri dish.

Optionally, the hermetic sealing can also be further supplemented by application of inert substances like petroleum gel onto threads to create air tight seal, while maintaining ease of closing and opening of the petri dish.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a novel petri dishes have been described, embodying the principles and concepts of the disclosed subject matter will be described.

In various aspects, the disclosure relates to embodiments of an apparatus of growing microbial cultures that may be useful for manipulating a microbial sample in a laboratory or other controlled environment.

The apparatus of growing microbial cultures, as depicted in FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of lower plate portion 2 of a novel petri dish which can be used for growing aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms. Lower plate of petri dish portion 2 consists of single-start external threads portion 4 that has only one start point and it has equal lead and pitch. Lead is the axial distance that threads advances in one revolution.

The hermetic sealing can also be further be strengthened by application of inert substances like petroleum gel onto threads to create air tight seal, without affecting the closing and opening of the petri dish.

The apparatus of growing microbial cultures, as depicted in FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of upper plate of a novel petri dish which consists of single start internal threads portion 5 on the internal surface. It also consists of grips portion 3 on the outer surface of the petri plate so that it does not slip from the hand while locking and unlocking.

There is grips portion 3 associated to the petri plate so that it does slip from the hands while tighten and loosen it. The ability to grasp using a grip involving the tips of the thumb and fingers will increase the grip force.

Further, the petri dish has the following features:
• That said locking means are borne by the peripheral walls and the petri dish can be sealed variably in a loose to air tight position.
• The variable locking ability of the petri dish that screws onto threads regulate oxygen as per requirements of aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms.
• The hermetic sealing can be further strengthened by application of inert substances like petroleum gel onto threads to create air tight seal, without affecting the closing and opening of the petri dish.
• Due to threads on the petri plate it is easy to open and close the petri dish.
• Due to grips on the petri plate, it is easy to lock and unlock it and it will also increase the grip force.

The novel invention will be useful as an apparatus that is convenient to use and provide a practical solution to the provision of regulating the oxygen in petri dish, thereby being able to grow aerobic, facultative anaerobes, micro aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.
While the invention has been described with respect to petri dish which include presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many variations of these embodiments are envisaged within the scope of the present invention.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

I/ WE CLAIM:

1. A petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism comprising;

- a pair of plates (1, 2) categorized as a upper plate (1) and lower plate (2), wherein said upper plate portion (1) and said lower plate portion (2) of said petri dish is assembled with the help of single start threads locking mechanism,
- plurality of grips (3) provided on said outer portion of said upper plate (1) of said petri dish for the better gripping to lock and unlock said petri dish so that it does not slip from the hands of user while operating,
- plurality of screws on the thread it is easy to open and close the petri dish.
2. The petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said variable lockable mechanism provides variable locking ability to said petri dish that screws onto threads.
3. The petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said variable locking ability of said petri dish regulates the oxygen as per requirements of aerobic, facultative anaerobes, microaerobic, and anaerobic microorganisms.
4. The petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein inert substances like petroleum gel onto threads creates air tight seal.
5. The petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said single start thread locking system comprises of a pair of single start thread (4, 5), categorized as a single start internal threads (5) and single start external threads (4), wherein said single start internal threads portion (5) is embedded on the internal surface of said upper plate and said single start external threads portion (4) is embedded on the internal surface of said lower plate.
6. The petri dish for growing microbes with variable lockable mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grips increase the gripping force and the ability to grasp by a user.