Multi-purpose containment apparatus for controlled rate freezing and long term cryogenic storage, and method of use

• US 20060196193A1
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kathleen Heather Byrne
• Original Assignee: Kathleen Heather Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Kathleen Heather
• Granted Patent: US 7,870,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/62
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/263 for ventilating the contents B65D5/4295, B65D51/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/005 using containers

Abstract

A containment apparatus (10) having a floor wall (12) with four side walls (16) extending therefrom and an opening (13) at the top. Each of the side walls (16) and the floor wall (12) include apertures (20) defined within to allow air to flow freely throughout the containment apparatus. A lid (18) may be provided to place on the containment apparatus to cover the opening (13). A divider (21) made of interlocking wall strips (23) that connect to define a plurality of separate compartments (25). Each interlocking wall strip (23) having multiple apertures (20) defined within to allow for free airflow around, through and between each compartment (25). An alternative embodiment of the divider (31) is comprised of a molded material such as plastic for holding thermosensitive product vials. The alternative divider (31) having a plurality of aligned wells (39). Each well (39) being adapted to support one thermosensitive product vial.

Claims

1. A multipurpose containment apparatus for use in controlled rate freezing and cryogenic storage comprising:

a floor wall having multiple apertures defined therein;

a plurality of side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from said floor wall,

wherein each of the respective side walls have multiple apertures defined therein, and

wherein each of the respective side walls terminates at a top end, and

wherein the apparatus is capable of providing substantially free airflow throughout during a controlled rate freezing process.

2. The multipurpose containment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floor wall is substantially rectangular or square and the containment apparatus has four side walls.

3. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising;

a removable lid capable of fitting upon the top ends of the side walls.

4. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the containment apparatus is comprised of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, cardboard, a plastic or other resin, or any combination thereof.

5. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for positioning and separating a plurality of thermosensitive product vials within the containment apparatus.

6. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said means for positioning and separating the thermosensitive product vials comprises:

a divider, said divider comprising a plurality of interlocking wall strips transversely connected to define a plurality of smaller compartments, said wall strips having multiple apertures defined therein,

wherein the divider is capable of providing substantially free airflow throughout said divider.

7. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the divider is comprised of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, cardboard, a plastic or other resin, or any combination thereof.

8. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said means for positioning and separating the thermosensitive product vials comprises:

a divider, said divider comprising a plurality of wells defined therein for receiving thermosensitive product vials for positioning and separating said vials within the containment apparatus.

9. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the divider is further comprised of means for securing the divider to the side walls, the floor wall, or both.

10. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the securing means is further comprised of a groove on the bottom side of the divider, so that the divider is capable of being secured to the top end of the side walls.

11. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the divider is comprised of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, cardboard, a plastic or other resin, or any combination thereof.

12. A multipurpose containment apparatus for use in controlled rate freezing and cryogenic storage comprising:

a floor wall having a plurality of apertures defined therein;

four side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from said floor wall, wherein each of the respective side walls have multiple apertures defined therein, and wherein each of the respective side walls terminates at a top end;

a divider, said divider comprising a plurality of wells defined therein for receiving thermosensitive product vials for positioning and separating said vials within the containment apparatus; and

wherein the apparatus is capable of providing substantially free airflow throughout during a controlled rate freezing process.

13. The multipurpose containment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the floor wall is substantially rectangular or square.

14. A multipurpose containment apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising;

a removable lid capable of fitting over the divider or fitting upon the top ends of the side walls.

15. The multipurpose containment apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

means for securing said divider within to said side walls, said floor wall, or both.

16. A method for controlled rate freezing and subsequent cryogenic storage of thermosensitive products comprising the steps of:

a) providing a multipurpose containment apparatus, comprising;

a substantially square or rectangular floor wall having multiple apertures defined therein;

four side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from said floor wall, wherein each of the respective side walls have multiple apertures defined therein, and wherein each of the respective side walls terminates at a top end; and

means for positioning and separating a plurality of thermosensitive product vials within the containment apparatus;

wherein the apparatus is capable of providing substantially free airflow throughout during a controlled rate freezing process, and

b) placing said product vials within said positioning and separating means;

c) placing said containment apparatus in a controlled rate freezer;

d) freezing said thermosensitive products vials;

e) removing said container from said controlled rate freezer; and

f) placing said container into a cryogenic storage freezer.

17. A method for controlled rate freezing and subsequent cryogenic storage of thermosensitive products as in claim 16, wherein the containment apparatus further comprises;

a removable lid capable of fitting upon the top ends of the side walls.

18. A method for controlled rate freezing and subsequent cryogenic storage of thermosensitive products as in claim 16 wherein said means for positioning and separating the thermosensitive product vials of the containment apparatus further comprises:

a divider, said divider comprising a plurality of interlocking wall strips transversely connected to define a plurality of smaller compartments, said wall strips having multiple apertures defined therein,

wherein the divider is capable of providing substantially free airflow throughout said divider.

19. A method for controlled rate freezing and subsequent cryogenic storage of thermosensitive products as in claim 16 wherein said means for positioning and separating the thermosensitive product vials of the containment apparatus further comprises:

a divider, said divider comprising a plurality of wells defined therein for receiving thermosensitive product vials for positioning and separating said vials within the containment apparatus; and

means for securing the divider to the side walls, the floor wall, or both.