Abstract: Controlled atmosphere cabinet has enclosure (110;210) with means providing visibility (110F; 210F) of its interior from outside, gas supply (113-116, 212-216) for desired or target composition of internal atmosphere, controlled lock-type access (112) for manual introduction and removal of items, and hand/arm access port provision (111A, B; 211A, B) for manipulation of said samples in the cabinet. Gas supply associated control means (230-240) serves during use of the cabinet (other than normal atmosphere augmenting in use of the lock-type access) for additional gas supply further to correct or compensate for effects actually or potentially adverse to maintaining the desired or target internal atmosphere composition, via operator-actuated input means (121t, 123; 222) and/or means (122, 124, 139; 225) for sensing prescribed conditions to which the control means is responsive for said additional gas supply.

Abstract: The invention provides an exemplary anaerobic cabinet system which comprises as least one anaerobic cabinet which defines an enclosure interior of which is visible from outside of the cabinet. The cabinet includes a mechanism for inducing and maintaining a prescribe low oxygen internal atmosphere within the enclosure. The cabinet further includes at least one hand/arm access port, a controlled lock-type access mechanism for manually introducing and removing items through the port, and a hand/arm access port provision which is operably coupled to the lock-type access mechanism for manipulating items within the cabinet. The lock-type access mechanism comprises a door provision which in combination with the port provision define an import chamber for loading and/or unloading items to and from the enclosure through the port.