Patent ID: 8247217

Claim:
Apparatus for maintaining a plurality of sample vessels at a uniform temperature by pressing said plurality of sample vessels against a common temperature-controlled heat-conductive block containing indentations complementary in shape to said sample vessels, with a uniform force distribution across all of said sample vessels, said apparatus comprising: a base configured to receive said block in a fixed position; a lid joined to said base through a connector permitting raising and lowering of said lid over said base, said lid having mounted thereto a pressure plate having a planar undersurface, said pressure plate positioned on said lid to oppose and align with said block when said lid is lowered, and said pressure plate joined to said lid through a universal joint allowing said pressure plate to pivot upon contact with said plurality of sample vessels to cause said undersurface to contact each of said vessels with substantially equal contact force; guide means for maintaining vertical alignment of said pressure plate with said block during pivoting of said pressure plate; and clamping means for clamping said lid over said base while causing said pressure plate to press said sample vessels into said indentations at a preselected force.