Patent ID: 7704458

Claim:
A support device for centering a reaction vessel on an upper surface of a stirrer hotplate, said device comprising: a base unit including a substantially centrally positioned recessed portion defining an annular side wall that extends inwardly from an upper region towards a lower region and a base, said lower region including a cylindrical cavity formed at an underside of said base unit, said cylindrical cavity being open at one end capable of receiving and locating over and about said upper surface of said stirrer hotplate, said cylindrical cavity being positioned below said recessed portion, said cylindrical cavity being concentrically aligned with said recessed portion, said cylindrical cavity being configured for substantially centering said base unit on said upper surface of said stirrer hotplate; and an insert formed non-integrally with said base unit, said insert being configured to seat within but at a distance above said recessed portion so that said insert is concentrically aligned with said recessed portion and said cylindrical cavity, wherein said distance is a gap greater than zero, said insert comprising at least one reaction vessel receiving portion capable of seating and locating about a portion of a reaction vessel, wherein said insert and said base unit are solid.