Transport container for hazardous material

• US 20050023282A1
• Filed: 07/28/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated (Quest Diagnostics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated (Quest Diagnostics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Murrer, Albert Andrew III
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/592.200
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 9/36 by packaging; by baling

Abstract

A container system and a method for transporting hazardous materials is disclosed. One embodiment of the container system includes a soft-sided outer shell and an inner frame. The outer shell is at least partially collapsable when unsupported. The outer shell may include a plurality of vertical walls integrally formed with a bottom and an open top. A lid may be adapted to be selectively secured to the vertical walls to close the outer shell. A fastener, such as a zipper, may be provided to secure the lid to the vertical walls. The inner frame has rigid walls and is adapted to support the outer shell when the inner frame is inserted inside the outer shell. The inner frame is at least partially collapsable. One embodiment of the method includes providing a soft-sided container that is at least partially collapsable when unsupported. Hazardous material is positioned into the container. The hazardous material supports the container from within and causes the container to assume an at least partially assembled configuration. In another embodiment of the method, a soft-sided outer shell that is at least partially collapsable when unsupported is provided. An inner frame is inserted into the outer shell. Hazardous material for transport, for example, is then positioned into the outer shell in an assembled configuration.

Claims

1. A method of transporting hazardous material, comprising:

providing a soft-sided container, said container being at least partially collapsable when unsupported;

positioning hazardous material into said container, said hazardous material supporting said container from within and causing said container to assume an at least partially assembled configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said hazardous material includes an organ.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said soft-sided container satisfies IATA 602 requirements for an outer packaging.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said soft-sided container includes vent holes.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

removing said hazardous material from said container; and

collapsing said container.

6. A container system, comprising:

a soft-sided outer shell, said outer shell being at least partially collapsable when unsupported; and

an inner frame having rigid walls;

wherein said inner frame is adapted to support said outer shell when said inner frame is inserted inside said outer shell;

wherein said inner frame is at least partially collapsable.

7. The container system according to claim 6, further comprising hazardous material positioned within said outer shell.

8. The container system according to claim 7, wherein said hazardous material, includes an organ.

9. The container system according to claim 6, wherein said outer shell satisfies IATA 602 requirements for an outer packaging when supported from within by said inner frame.

10. The container system according to claim 6, wherein said soft-sided outer shell includes vent holes.

11. The container system according to claim 6, wherein said outer shell comprises:

a plurality of vertical walls integrally formed with a bottom and an open top; and

a lid adapted to be selectively secured to said vertical walls to close said outer shell.

12. The container system according to claim 11, further comprising a fastener to secure said lid to said vertical walls.

13. The container system according to claim 12, wherein said fastener is a zipper.

14. The container system according to claim 11, wherein said bottom is structurally reinforced.

15. The container system according to claim 6, wherein said outer shell includes an outer fabric layer and foam insulation for thermally insulating an interior of said shell from an external environment.

16. The container system according to claim 15, wherein said outer fabric includes polyester.

17. The container system according to claim 6, wherein said inner frame comprises:

a pair of opposing, rigid longitudinal walls; and

a pair of opposing, collapsable side walls, each of said side walls linking an end of one of said longitudinal walls to an end of the other of said longitudinal walls, said side walls adapted to collapse to allow a reduction in a distance between said longitudinal walls.

18. The container system according to claim 17, wherein said inner frame further comprises:

a rigid bottom pivotably engaged to one of said pair of opposing rigid walls, said rigid bottom adapted to selectively pivot between a first open position and a second collapsed position.

19. The container system according to claim 17, wherein said inner frame further comprises a fastener to secure said side walls in a collapsed position.

20. A method of transporting hazardous material, comprising:

providing a soft-sided outer shell, said outer shell being at least partially collapsable when unsupported;

inserting an inner frame into said outer shell, said inner frame having rigid walls and being adapted to support said outer shell in an assembled configuration; and

positioning hazardous material into said outer shell in an assembled configuration.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said hazardous material includes an organ.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

removing said hazardous material from said outer shell;

removing said inner frame from said outer shell;

collapsing said inner frame; and

collapsing said outer shell.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein said inserting said inner frame into said outer shell satisfies IATA 602 requirements for an outer packaging.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein said soft-sided outer shell includes vent holes.