# US 9,516,944 B2 · Sterilizable platform with configurable frame and method of constructing

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- Number: US 9,516,944 B2
- Document ID: US9516944B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/573,876
- Filed: 2014-12-17
- Published: 2015-11-12
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-16
- Applicants: Steven Lawrence
- Inventors: Steven Lawrence
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516944B2

## CPC

- A47B 13/06: of metal {(A47B13/023 takes precedence)}
- A47B 47/047: {Modular arrangements of similar assemblies of elements}
- A47J 31/0636: {suspended from the top of the beverage container so as to remain in contact with the prepared infusion (tea eggs A47G19/16)}
- A47J 31/20: having immersible, e.g. rotatable, filters
- A61B 50/10: Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
- A61B 50/15: Mayo stands; Tables
- B21D 47/04: composite sheet metal profiles
- C12C 11/006: {Fermentation tanks therefor}
- C12C 13/10: Home brew equipment
- A47B 7/00: Tables of rigid construction
- A47B 2037/005: {Tables specially adapted for laboratories}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- B01L 9/02: Laboratory benches or tables; Fittings therefor
- E04B 2001/2415: {Brackets, gussets, joining plates}
- E04B 2001/2472: {Elongated load-supporting part formed from a number of parallel profiles}
- E04C 2003/0413: {being built up from several parts}
- A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B)
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F)
- C12C: BEER; PREPARATION OF BEER BY FERMENTATION (ageing or ripening by storing C12H1/22; methods for reducing the alcohol content after fermentation C12H3/00; methods for increasing the alcohol content after fermentation C12H6/00; venting devices for casks, barrels or the like C12L9/00); PREPARATION OF MALT FOR MAKING BEER; PREPARATION OF HOPS FOR MAKING BEER
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S)

## Abstract

A free standing self sterilizable device and method of construction by connecting together a plurality of connected individual modular components. The individual modular components are provided in such manner to enable multiple configurations in frame structure shape when assembled. The device is self sterilizing by its material composition, its open smooth surface and its downward or horizontal slanting surfaces. The device herein is intended for use in the food or medical industry.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A plurality of modular components for forming a self sterilizable frame structure, wherein
each individual modular component of said plurality of modular components comprising flat planar nonporous material having a front surface and back surface,
each said individual modular component of said plurality of modular components having a length wherein said length terminates at a first end and a second end,
each said individual modular component of said plurality of modular components having a cross sectional shape defined by one or more bends along and parallel to its said length, each said bend comprising an angle starting from 45 degrees to 90 degrees,
each said first end and second end terminating relative to its said length at a 45 degree or 90 degree cross sectional slant,
said front and back surfaces of each individual modular component having no overlap, crevices, hollow space, cracks, or such space wherein debris may be isolated or trapped,
each said individual modular component connectable to another said individual modular component at their respective first or second ends to form an angular connection, said angular connection having an angle starting at 90 degrees and up to 180 degrees,
each said individual modular component connectable to another individual modular component between said first or second end by seamless connection without overlap between their respective connecting surfaces,
a plurality of said individual modular components connectable at their respective first and second ends to form a free standing frame structure,
said front and back surfaces of each individual modular component in connected form of said free standing frame structure is horizontal or downward angled.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The plurality of modular components of claim 1 wherein each of said modular components has one or more support tabs, said one or more support tab comprising material that coextends from the material of said length of each said individual modular component, said one or more support tab extending perpendicularly from said first or second ends of said length of each said individual modular component and terminating with round edges.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method of constructing a modular a self sterilizable free standing frame structure from a plurality of individual modular components of claim 1 wherein
said first or second end of a first individual modular component connecting to a first or second end an exposed surface of a second individual modular component to form an angular connection,
said connection between said first and second individual modular components being seamless,
a plurality of three or more of said individual modular components connecting at their respective first and second ends to form a free standing frame structure, and
said free standing frame structure comprising a self sterilizable surface wherein said front and back surfaces of each individual modular component of said plurality of individual modular component in connected form is horizontal or downward slanting.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of constructing a modular self sterilizable free standing frame structure according to claim 3, further providing a self sterilizable support tab wherein said flat planar material of each individual modular component extending coextensively at a right angle from its respective length forming one or more self sterilizable support tab.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A self sterilizable free standing frame structure comprising:
a plurality of modular components according to claim 1, wherein each individual modular component of said plurality of individual modular components interconnect at their respective first or second ends by seamless weld,
said plurality of individual modular components comprising three or more said individual modular component positioned in vertical manner, each said vertically positioned individual modular component connected at their first end to one or more individual modular component positioned in horizontal manner, three or more horizontally positioned individual modular component interconnected at their first and second ends, forming a self sterilizable free standing frame structure.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The self sterilizable free standing frame structure according to claim 5 having no upward slanting surfaces.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The self sterilizable free standing frame structure of claim 5 wherein all surfaces are horizontal or downward angled.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The plurality of modular components of claim 1, wherein said flat planar material further comprising solid nonporous self-sterilizable material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The plurality of modular components of claim 1, wherein each of said individual modular components has two or more angled bends along and parallel to its said length, each said angle bend along said length need not have the same angle of bend as the other along said length.