Educational fungal spore and bacteria microscopy kit

An educational fungal spore or bacteria kit is presented which has three dimensional, full-color depictions of the various fungal spores or bacteria grouped together in a kit. The kit is a common compartmented box having a top that closes to secure the contents of the kit when it is not in use. The compartments each contain a variety of three-dimensional, full-color fungal spores or bacteria models depicting all of the constrictions, attachment scars, septas, and other individual characteristics of fungal spores or bacteria. Located in the lid of the kit is a two-dimensional depiction of the three-dimensional fungal spore or bacteria in the base of the kit. The two-dimensional depictions also have the name of the spore or bacteria depicted below, respectively, in the base of the kit for easy reference. The kit may be used when viewing a sample fungal spore or bacteria under a microscope. The unknown fungal spore or bacteria is compared to the three-dimensional, full-color depiction of the fungal spore or bacteria model in the kit thus making identification of the unknown fungal spore or bacteria quite easy. Since the models are made to scale, and since they are three-dimensional and full-color in nature, the microscopist is able to determine the size and color relationships of the spores or bacteria and to use his visual and tactile senses in the identification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the field of educational kits for use in 
classrooms, hospital laboratories or similar facilities. In particular, 
this invention discloses a three-dimensional Fungal Spore Kit or Bacteria 
kit which display the shapes, colors, and other characteristics of typical 
fungal spores or bacteria for educational purposes. 
Many biological organisms trigger allergic reactions, respiratory 
difficulties, and some types of asthma. Some molds release mycotoxins and 
metabolites that may cause respiratory or thermal discomfort. These spores 
are the reproductive units of fungi and their elimination has become a 
matter of some importance in today's world. 
Fungal spores are typically collected by an air-sampling mechanism. The air 
sampling technique operates on the principle of inertial impaction. 
Particles in the airstream are drawn through a slit of an air-sampling 
apparatus and directed to a sticky surface at a flow rate of approximately 
10 to 15 liters per minute. The particles (mold spores in this case) 
become lodged onto the adhesive surface of the glass slide. The sample is 
stained, magnified 1,000 times and analyzed for the presence of fungal 
spores with a microscope. The microscopist often relies upon spore 
morphology to identify them to the genus level. Some genera are grouped 
together because they cannot be identified based on their microscopical 
morphology alone. The difficult-to-identify fungi and unremarkable fungi 
require a more time consuming and definitive culture technique. 
In regard to the various types of fungi and their environments, it would be 
helpful to know the definition of certain terms. A fungus is any of a 
large group of Thallophytes (a subkingdom without clear distinction of 
roots, stems or leaves and not producing flowers or seeds), and includes 
molds, mildews, mushrooms, rusts and smuts which are parasites on living 
organisms or feed on dead organic materials. Fungi lack chlorophyll and 
will reproduce through means of spores. 
A mold is any of the various fungal growths which degrade organic matter. 
Mildew is a superficial coating or discoloring of organic materials such 
as cloth, leather, vapor, paint and etc., that is caused by fungal 
metabolic activities. Mildew usually occurs in damp conditions. 
The identification of these fungi is of critical importance to the 
environmental well-being and healthy condition of the air and surroundings 
of humans. While there are textbooks which depict the shapes and colors of 
various fungi, none of the books in the prior art make available to the 
microscopist or student a three-dimensional depiction of the various fungi 
along with the color shading and other identifying characteristics. 
Since it is often important to distinguish between the various fungi in 
order to eradicate or deal with their presence, it would be most helpful 
to have a three-dimensional kit or set of three-dimensional, full-color 
fungi which may be used both as a learning tool in an educational setting 
and as a comparative tool in a professional, microscopic identification 
process. It is an object of this invention to provide a number of kits 
which include three-dimensional full-color depictions of typical fungal 
molds or bacteria encountered in the human environment. While this 
invention is not intended to replace traditional reference sources, it is 
a further object of this invention to provide a quite useful tool to aid 
in the identification of fungi by means of three-dimensional, full-color 
reference sources. 
It is a still further object of this invention to augment traditional 
reference materials such as books and slides by allowing one to study the 
spores through visual and tactile senses by observing and touching actual 
three-dimensional, full-color depictions of these spores. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide three-dimensional 
models as examples of a few of the mold spores that are commonly found in 
the air, or of typical bacteria. 
Bacteria are also studied in high schools, colleges and universities. 
Bacteria are important in that they are often associated with food 
consumed by humans. These bacteria include five common food-borne 
pathogens (Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, and 
Salmonella). These food-borne pathogens can be deadly, as evidenced by the 
Salmonella incidents in the United States in the recent past. 
A bacterium is classified into one of several categories by a differential 
staining method devised by Christian Gram in 1884. Gram's method allows 
one to distinguish between various bacteria which may exhibit similar 
morphology. The microorganisms present can be grouped Gram Positive (stain 
purple/blue) and Gram Negative (stain red) according to their reactions. 
The Gram Stain technique is an important diagnostic tool in subsequent 
identification procedures. 
Many bacteria retain the violet iodine combination and stain purple (often 
appearing blue under the microscope). The walls of Gram Positive bacteria 
retain the purple/blue stain. The Gram Negative bacteria cannot retain the 
purple/blue stain. Instead the walls of Gram Negative bacteria show the 
red color caused by the remaining Safranin stain. 
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a bacteria kit 
which includes the common food-borne pathogens and which aids in the 
identification of these bacteria in a manner similar to the fungal spore 
kit described above. 
Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent upon 
reading the below described Specification and Claims. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
This invention comprises an essentially rectangular box, or kit, which is 
divided into a number of different compartments housing three-dimensional, 
full-color representations of various fungal spores. A second kit would 
contain representations of common bacteria. The three-dimensional 
representations of fungi are magnified approximately 2,000 times the 
actual size and the bacteria are magnified 10,000 times. These are 
designed to aid a student or researcher in identifying the various 
different types of fungal spores or bacteria. Each kit or box contains 
actual, three-dimensional representations of the spores, while the lid of 
the box contains a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional 
spores in the box. The lid is arranged such that the two-dimensional name 
and description of the three-dimensional spore or bacterium corresponds to 
the location in the box where that three-dimensional microorganism will be 
found. A typical kit will contain between 10 and 20 representative samples 
of fungal spores or bacteria typically encountered in research of this 
discipline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The fungal spore kit comprises an essentially rectangular box 1 as shown in 
Drawing FIG. 1. This box has an essentially rectangular, compartmented 
three-dimensional base 2 and an essentially flat top 3. The flat top 3 is 
hinged to the essentially rectangular base 2 by conventional hinged means. 
Inside the rectangular three-dimensional base are a number of 
three-dimensional compartments which are adapted to receive the various 
three-dimensional depictions of the fungal spores or bacteria. The fungal 
spores or bacteria vary in length and overall size, and hence the 
compartments would vary in size to accommodate reception of these fungal 
spores, as illustrated in FIG. 1. 
The three-dimensional depiction of these fungal spores and bacteria shows 
not only the general size and shape of a spore, but also shows various 
typical other markings or indentations which make spore identification 
possible. The actual fungal spore or bacteria models may be made of 
polyurethene or a similar material and then may be painted so that the 
spore has the same visual dimensions and color characteristics as spores 
in real life under the microscope. The model could also be made of dry 
clay and then may be pain ted these appropriate colors. 
For example, an apical pore is a terminal opening or thinning of the end of 
the spore which makes it appear as though an opening lies just beneath the 
surface. Some spores might have an attachment scar which is a mark that 
remains at one or more parts of the spore (usually at the ends) after 
separation or detachment from the spore-bearing structure. 
Other spores may have a constriction, or an area around the middle of the 
spore which makes the spore appear as though it has an invisible rubber 
band stretched around its middle. A foot cell is the last cell or segment 
that bends abruptly near its end. A refractive scar is an attachment area 
of the spore which is dark and thickened. It refracts light to appear 
darkened or black while moving the microscope's fine focus knob up and 
down. A septa or septation is an area of a spore that is divided into more 
than one segment by a darkened area or line. 
One or all of the above characteristics may be present in the various 
fungal spores to be identified. In addition, their length with respect to 
their width or height, their thinness or fatness, their various 
colorations, and other characteristics are all important in identifying 
the particular spore under examination. 
Particular spores have particular characteristics all of which are 
important to the functioning and use of this kit for educational o r other 
purposes. The typical spores encountered in investigation of this type are 
contained in one or more of the kits claimed in this invention. Their 
general characteristics can be summarized as follows: 
Torula spores are 20-65.times.5-10 micrometers in size often found in 
straight chain and sometimes branched chain formation. The dark brown or 
olive brown chains may contain rounded or broken ends. The chains are 
usually strongly constricted at the septa. 
Helminthosporium and Drechslera spores are very large (40-180.times.14-23 
micrometers) in size. They occur singly and contain extremely thick outer 
walls. The spores may be straight or curved, ellipsoid, or slightly club 
shaped. Their pseudoseptate appearance (false septation) distinguishes 
them from most other genera. Their color varies from light brown, golden 
brown, pale or dark brown to olivaceious brown. Sometimes the spores are 
nearly colorless and smooth. A dark brown or black scar is usually obvious 
at the base of the spore. 
Cladosporium spores vary tremendously in size (3-25.times.2-10 
micrometers). Spores occur in chains (often branched), but may be found 
singly. The spores appear barrel-like, cylindrical, spindle-shaped, 
pointed at both ends, egg-shaped, or spherical in shape. They usually show 
protuberant, often refractive scars at the ends. Color ranges from pale, 
tan brown to olivaceous brown. Cladosporium spores may be smooth, rough, 
spiny, or wart-like in appearance. 
Stachybotris spores range from 6-10.times.2-3 micrometers in size. Oblong 
to oval in shape, they appear gray or light gray-brown with black 
splotches on their exterior. Stachybotris spore texture is rough. No 
septation, pores or attachment scars are present. 
Erysiphae and oidium spores are quite large (30-40.times.8-15 micrometers) 
in size. They may be found singly or in chains. The spores are oblong, 
barrel-shaped with flattened ends and contain no color. The surface may be 
smooth or somewhat roughened. 
Peronospora spores range from 20-30.times.10-15 micrometers in size and 
appear tan or nearly colorless. Their shape is ovate with one-widened end. 
The other end tapers to a point. Peronospora spores occur singly and often 
contain an attachment point on the narrow end of the spore. The spore 
margin is frequently enlarged. 
Stemphyllium spores vary in size, 25-45.times.25-30 micrometers. They are 
oblong, ellipsoid, slightly club-shaped, rounded on the ends, and found 
singly. An appendage may be observed at one end. The spores contain 
transverse, longitudinal, and oblique septa. The spores may be smooth, 
warty, or spiny and are pale olive to dark olive-brown in color. The 
midsection is usually constricted as though a rubber band is wrapped 
around the spore's center. 
Pithomyces spores vary in size, 15-30.times.10-18 micrometers. Spores may 
be oblong, club-shaped, or barrel-shaped when the end cells collapse 
inward. They occur singly and often contain three transverse and one 
longitudinal septa but no oblique septa. Spores are straw-colored to dark 
brown and dark brown-black. Their surfaces may be smooth, warty, or rough 
with slightly raised pointed projections. 
Uredinales spores vary in size, 25-40.times.15-25 micrometers. They are 
found singly or in clumps and are irregularly spherical, club-shaped, or 
oval-shaped. Their thick walls often contain spiny projections or lines on 
the surface. The spore usually contains a flat broad attachment area at 
the spore's base. The central contents of the spore are bright yellow to 
yellow-orange in color while the walls are colorless. Sometimes the entire 
spore lacks color. The spores occasionally contain transverse septa. 
Epicoccum spores vary in size. They are usually 14-26 micrometers but are 
frequently much smaller or larger. The larger spores may be as large as 
40-50 micrometers. The spores occur singly and are gold, gold-orange, 
orange-brown, to brown-black in color. Near the broad point of attachment, 
the septa are small and obscure. Farther away from the attachment area, 
the septa are more easily seen and larger. Sometimes the roughly rounded 
spore shows a circular scar in the spore's center. The spores often appear 
rough, warty, and multi-septate. 
Cerecospora spores are very long (often greater than 50 micrometers) and 
slender, tapering to an apex. A very conspicuous circular attachment scar 
(as wide as the spore's diameter) is on the spore's widest end (3-5 
micrometers). The smooth spores may be colorless or contain a faint green 
hue. They often contain multiple septa that may be difficult to see. 
Fusarium spores vary in size, 23-50.times.3-6 micrometers. They are usually 
found singly or occasionally in clumps. They are fusiform-shaped and 
contain a foot cell at one end. The spores are usually colorless but 
occasionally contain a slight pink hue when they are stained with a 
Calbera stain. 
Ascospores vary tremendously in color, shape and size (7 to 100 
micrometers). Their shape varies from oval, elliptical, lemon-shaped, 
cylindrical, to fusiform. Ascospores lack attachment scars, pores, pegs, 
or attachment areas. Occasionally, they are surrounded by a gelatinous 
sheath. Transverse septation varies from none to several. They may be 
colorless, tan, yellow, to dark brown. 
Scopulariopsis spores are 8-12 micrometers in size. The round spores are 
found singly or in chains. An obvious border around the perimeter of the 
spore with a flattened truncate base on the spore's end is visible. The 
spore surface has a rough spiny surface. They are usually colorless, but 
may contain gray to light tan or greenish tint. 
Use of this three-dimensional model kit to identify the above described 
spores or bacteria is accomplished when the microscopist or instructor 
follows a simple set of instructions. First, the microscopist would rotate 
the spore under visual inspection under the microscope to its various 
orientations. Spores orient themselves on the sample slide in such a way 
that they may not resemble pictures and reference slides in every 
orientation and therefore the rotation of the spore greatly enhances the 
ability of the microscopist to make the identification. 
The second step in utilizing this three-dimensional kit would be to view 
the reference material which may now be accomplished without the necessity 
of removing the sample slide from the microscope stage. The location and 
view of the questioned sample can thus remain in view in the microscope 
while the microscopist is looking at the reference spore or bacteria 
three-dimensional model from the kit. 
The third step would be to demonstrate important identifying 
characteristics of spore morphology, such as attachment scars, foot cells, 
constrictions, or similar individual characteristics. 
The kit can be used to familiarize the microscopist with the size 
relationships of spores and their structures. It can also be used to teach 
students and other researchers about spore morphology and the identifying 
characteristics of mold spores. 
In the typical application for this fungal spore kit, an air sampler, 
microscope and associated implements would be used. The air sampler is 
used to capture the spore while a light microscope and 100 power Oil 
Immersion Objective would be used to magnify and view the spores. Slides 
and coverslips would also be necessary to prepare the sample as would the 
standard stain and immersion oil. Once the sample has been prepared and 
placed under the microscope, the three-dimensional kit of mold spores or 
bacteria can be used in the manner described above to identify spores or 
bacteria and to teach others in the identification of fungal spores or 
bacteria unknowns. 
Since there are a wide variety of fungal spores and bacteria, and a wide 
variety of possible applications of these kits, the precise content of the 
kits would vary considerably. However, two preferred embodiments of the 
kit have been found to be particularly useful thus far for instructional 
and educational purposes. 
The first kit, and the one depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, shows ten different 
compartments containing Gram Positive and Gram Negative bacteria. This kit 
is an Educational Bacteria Three-Dimensional Model Kit. Bacteria, like 
fungal spores, vary in size, shape, and appearance. This second kit 
includes three-dimensional depictions of common bacteria, such as 
salmonella gram negative. The Salmonella Gram Negative is located at 
location 4 of the kit as shown on FIGS. 1 and 2. Located in position 5 is 
Staphylococcus Gram Positive, while Streptococcus Gram Positive is 
position 6. Escherichia coli Gram Negative located in compartment 7, 
Listeria Gram Positive in compartment 8, Lactobacillus Gram Positive in 
compartment 9, Campylobacter Gram Negative in compartment 10, Pseudomonus 
Gram Negative in compartment 11, Bacillus Gram Positive in elongated 
compartment 12 and Clostridium Gram Positive is located in elongated 
compartment 13. 
Within all of these ten various compartments would be located, in the 
rectangular compartmented base, the three-dimensional, full-color 
representations of the above listed bacteria. The graphical chart and 
locator shown in FIG. 2 would be secured to the inside top of the box at 
33. 
The five common food-borne pathogens are divided into five separate genus 
and can be described as follows. 
The Salmonella genus includes Salmonella Enteritidis and S. typhi. They are 
Gram negative and range from between 2.0-5.0.times.0.7-1.5 micrometers in 
size. Salmonella is found in raw meats, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and 
cantaloupe peelings. However, it may also be found in household pets 
including turtles, cats, dogs, birds, fish and rodents. 
The genus Streptococcus includes beta-hemolytic streptococci. They are Gram 
positive and range between 0.5-2.0 micrometers in diameter. They may be 
found in dairy products, water, dust, vegetation, and in the respiratory 
tract of animals and humans. 
The genus Escherichia includes E. Coli and Escherichia coli. Escherichia 
are Gram negative and are from 2.0-6.0.times.1.1-1.5 micrometers in size. 
They are found in almost every category of food. 
Members of the genus Lactobacillus seldom cause human disease. They are 
Gram positive and have a size of 0.5-1.2.times.1.0-10.0 micrometers. They 
primarily produce lactic acid from the fermentation of glucose. 
Campylobacter genus includes the Campylobacter jejuni. Campylobachter are 
Gram negative and range in size from 0.5-5.0.times.0.2-0.5 micrometers. 
The genus Bacillus is Gram positive and ranges in size from 
0.5-2.5.times.1.2-10 micrometers. Bacillus is widely distributed in nature 
and frequently contaminates laboratory cultures. 
The genus Staphylococcus includes Staphylococcus aureus and is Gram 
positive. Its size is normally between 0.5-1.,5 micrometers. 
The genus Listeria includes Listeria mononcytogenes. It is gram positive 
and ranges in size from 0.5-2.0.times.0.4-0.5 micrometers. Listeria 
exhibits tumbling motility and is found nearly everywhere in nature, 
including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, raw milk, potatoes, 
radishes and cucumbers. 
The genus Pseudomonas includes Psuedomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas 
aeruginosa. Pseudomonas is Gram negative and has a size of approximately 
0.5-1.0.times.1.5-5.0 micrometers. 
The genus Clostridium includes C. perfringens and C. botulinium. 
Clostridium is Gram positive especially in young cultures and has a size 
of 0.3-2.0.times.1.5-20.0 micrometers. Clostridium is widely distributed 
in soil, dust, and water and also found in the intestinal tract, unclean 
wounds and infections in the body. 
In the three-dimensional model bacteria kit, the bacteria are constructed 
so as to be approximately 10,000 times the actual size of the bacteria as 
they appear in nature. The bacteria kit models are appropriately colored 
in accordance with their Gram stain reactions. This unique coloring 
enables the student or researcher to quickly identify the different types 
of bacteria by comparing the unknowns with the models. 
Another typical kit would contain a different grouping of fungal spores, to 
be used for slightly different purposes than the Gram Positive or Gram 
Negative bacteria of Kit #2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This first kit would 
contain 19 separate fungal spores located in 19 separate compartments in a 
rectangular compartmented base 2. 
As shown in Drawing FIG. 3, the following fungal spores located in that 
particular fungal spore kit are as follows: Torula at location #14, 
Helminthosporium and/or Drechslera at location #15, Cladosporium at 
location #16, Stachybotris at location #17; Erysiphae and/or Oidium at 
location #18, Peronospora at location #19, Stemphyllium at location #20, 
Pithomyces at location #21, Uredinales (Rust) at location #22, Epicoccum 
at location #23, Cercospora at location #24, Fusarium at location #25, 
Ascospore at location #26, Scopulariopsis at location #27, Basidiospore 
(2) at location #28, Alternaria (2) at location #29, Penicillium and/or 
Aspergillus at location #30, Ustilago (Smut) at location #31, and 
Curvularia at location #32. 
This first kit provides a different grouping of fungal spores which may be 
used for scientific purposes different from the bacteria kit listed in 
FIGS. 1 and 2. These fungal spores may be conveniently grouped in kits 
depending on their particular uses. For example, fungal spores commonly 
found in air ducts, vents, or other ventilation systems may be grouped in 
one fungal spore kit if the investigation is centering on that type of 
airborne fungal spore. Additionally, other kits may be grouped according 
to bacteria commonly found in foods or in and around restaurants or the 
preparation of foods. Yet another kit may consist of fungal spores grouped 
according to the types of spores that may be found growing in the forest, 
or skin, or other living matters. 
The above description of the fungal spore or bacteria kits is meant as a 
means of illustration only and not as a means of limitation. The general 
concept of having a three-dimensional, full-color kit comprising a number 
of generally grouped fungal spores or bacteria is one important aspect of 
this invention. Another important aspect of this invention, is the concept 
of providing three-dimensional, full-color fungal spores or bacteria for 
use in the laboratory or in teaching situations. Yet another important 
aspect of this invention is the method of use of the kits while in the 
laboratory setting, enabling the microscopist to view three-dimensional, 
full-color depictions of fungal spores or bacteria while still keeping his 
microscope slide in place. Obviously, many three-dimensional, full-color 
fungal spores and bacteria exist and may be grouped in the form of kits 
and used in the manner specified or in a similar manner. All of the above 
concepts are within the spirit and keeping of the instant disclosure.