Cole-Parmer Model 34788-00 Stainless Steel Glove Box with Acrylic Viewing Window

Overview

The Cole-Parmer Model 34788-00 is a rigorously engineered inert-atmosphere glove box designed for routine handling of air- or moisture-sensitive materials in academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial laboratory environments. Constructed with electropolished 304 stainless steel for structural integrity and corrosion resistance, the enclosure features a precisely angled 6.35 mm-thick acrylic viewing window that eliminates optical distortion while maintaining mechanical robustness and chemical compatibility with common solvents and cleaning agents. Unlike polymer-bodied alternatives, this stainless steel architecture ensures long-term dimensional stability, vacuum integrity, and compliance with ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom-compatible surface finish requirements when maintained per manufacturer protocols. The system operates as a passive inertization platform—requiring external nitrogen or argon supply—and is intended for applications where strict oxygen and humidity control (down to <100 ppm O₂ and <100 ppm H₂O, achievable via optional purge cycles and integrated sensors) is essential but not mandated by real-time feedback loops.

Key Features

• Electropolished 304 stainless steel main chamber and transfer lock housing, providing superior resistance to oxidation, pitting, and organic solvent exposure.
• Optically corrected 6.35 mm acrylic front viewport mounted at a fixed ergonomic angle to minimize parallax error and visual strain during extended manipulation tasks.
• Dual 1/4″ OD stainless steel ball valves for independent control of gas inlet and exhaust—enabling manual purging, pressure balancing, and safe venting procedures.
• Integrated analog hygrometer (20–95% RH range) located at upper-right corner of viewport frame, offering immediate visual verification of ambient humidity trends without requiring digital interface access.
• Pre-installed medium-duty latex gloves (15 cm cuff diameter, 61 cm length) with reinforced wrist seals and tactile sensitivity optimized for fine motor tasks including crystallization seeding, electrode assembly, and powder weighing.
• Modular transfer chamber (22 × 21 × 21 cm external; 68.6 × 50.8 × 50.8 cm internal) featuring identical valve configuration and viewport geometry, enabling sequential sample introduction without chamber atmosphere compromise.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 34788-00 accommodates solid powders, granular reagents, small-scale reaction vessels (up to 500 mL round-bottom flasks), and pre-assembled electrochemical cells. Its chamber volume (~177 L net internal) supports standard labware such as desiccators, Schlenk lines, and glove-compatible balances. While the base unit does not include active gas purification or continuous monitoring systems, it is fully compatible with third-party O₂/H₂O analyzers (e.g., MBRAUN or Vacuubrand sensor modules) and can be retrofitted with HEPA/ULPA filtration for particulate control. The design adheres to general safety principles outlined in ANSI Z9.5–2022 (Laboratory Ventilation) and supports institutional adherence to GLP documentation standards when used with validated purge protocols and logbook-based atmospheric verification.

Software & Data Management

This glove box operates as a hardware-only platform with no embedded firmware, touchscreen interface, or data logging capability. All operational parameters—including purge duration, inlet pressure, and observed humidity—are manually recorded using institutionally approved lab notebooks or electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 audit-trail requirements. Valve positions, glove integrity checks, and chamber leak-rate verification (per ASTM E493–21) are documented as part of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Integration with external environmental monitoring systems is achieved via analog voltage outputs or 4–20 mA signal inputs on compatible add-on modules—not included with the base model.

Applications

• Handling of pyrophoric catalysts (e.g., Ni(RAE), Co₂(CO)₈) and alkali metal reagents (NaH, t-BuLi) under inert conditions.
• Preparation and storage of moisture-sensitive battery electrode slurries and solid-state electrolyte precursors.
• Crystallization experiments requiring controlled vapor-phase equilibration (e.g., anti-solvent diffusion with THF/hexane systems).
• Assembly of OLED test devices and perovskite solar cell prototypes in sub-100 ppm H₂O environments.
• Stability testing of hygroscopic APIs per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines, when paired with validated desiccant purge cycles.
• Training platforms for undergraduate and graduate students in safe inert-atmosphere technique development.

FAQ

Does the 34788-00 include an internal gas purification system?
No. It is a passive glove box requiring external inert gas supply and optional aftermarket purification units.
Can the acrylic viewport be replaced with laminated glass for enhanced impact resistance?
Yes—Cole-Parmer offers certified replacement viewports (C-34790-30) meeting ASTM D5422 impact rating requirements upon request.
What is the maximum allowable working pressure differential for safe operation?
The chamber is rated for ±0.5 psi (±3.45 kPa) gauge pressure relative to ambient; exceeding this may compromise glove seal integrity.
Is the unit compatible with VHP (vaporized hydrogen peroxide) decontamination cycles?
Not recommended—acrylic viewport and latex gloves are incompatible with VHP; alternative sterilization must use low-concentration ethanol/isopropanol wipes.
Are replacement gloves available in nitrile or fluorocarbon variants?
Yes—Cole-Parmer supplies C-34788-GLOVE-NITRILE and C-34788-GLOVE-VITON kits, each with custom-fit wrist flanges and chemical resistance certifications per ASTM D6319.