Temperature-stabilized storage systems

• US 20100213200A1
• Filed: 02/08/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tokitae LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Jung, Edward K.Y., Whitmer, Charles, Gates, William, Wood, Lowell L. JR., Guo, Zihong, Hyde, Roderick A., Deane, Geoffrey F., Kare, Jordin T., Pegram, Nathan, Fowler, Lawrence Morgan, Peterson, Nels R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,205,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/592.200
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3802 rigid container in the form of a barrel or vat
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3811 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3823 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3825 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3834 the external tray being formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3888 wrappers or flexible containers, e.g. pouches, bags for shock absorbing purposes B65D81/03
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3897 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A substantially thermally sealed storage container includes an outer assembly, including one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially defining at least one thermally sealed storage region, and an inner assembly, including at least one heat sink unit within the at least one thermally sealed storage region, and at least one stored material dispenser unit, wherein the at least one stored material dispenser unit includes one or more interlocks.

Claims

1. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer assembly, including

one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially defining at least one thermally sealed storage region,

wherein the outer assembly and the one or more sections of ultra efficient insulation material substantially define a single access aperture to the at least one thermally sealed storage region; and

an inner assembly, including

at least one heat sink unit within the at least one thermally sealed storage region, and

at least one stored material dispenser unit, wherein the at least one stored material dispenser unit includes one or more interlocks.

4. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermally sealed storage region is configured to be maintained at a temperature substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade.

17. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the one or more interlocks comprises:

at least one substantially cylindrical unit defining an opening configured to receive stored material, wherein the at least one substantially cylindrical unit is configured to rotate around its longitudinal axis.

27. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the at least one stored material dispenser unit comprises:

at least one storage unit exchange unit, wherein the at least one storage unit exchange unit is of a size and shape to contain a single stored unit;

at least one gear mechanism operably attached to the at least one storage unit exchange unit; and

a control mechanism, wherein the control mechanism includes a gear mechanism configured to transmit torque to the at least one gear mechanism operably attached to the at least one storage unit exchange unit.

30. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly further comprises:

at least one stored material egress unit within the at least one thermally sealed storage region.

35. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly further comprises:

at least one storage region alignment unit within the at least one thermally sealed storage region.

40. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 35, comprising:

at least two storage region alignment units on opposing ends of the at least one thermally sealed storage region, the at least two storage region alignment units aligned with the single access aperture.

41. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly further comprises:

at least one stored material retention unit within the at least one thermally sealed storage region.

45. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 41, wherein the at least one stored material retention unit comprises:

a stored material retention region, wherein stored material is retained as a vertical column;

a ballast unit, positioned to maintain the stored material as a vertical column with minimal gaps; and

at least one positioning element configured to retain the ballast unit in a vertical alignment with the stored material retention region.

49. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly further comprises:

at least one retention unit stabilizer within the at least one thermally sealed storage region.

52. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, comprising:

a core stabilizer, wherein a surface of the core stabilizer is attached to a surface of a storage region alignment unit and wherein the core stabilizer is configured to be in alignment with the single access aperture.

53. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 52, comprising:

at least one temperature sensor operably attached to the core stabilizer.

54. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 52, comprising:

at least one optical sensor operably attached to the core stabilizer.

55. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly comprises:

a plurality of heat sink units, wherein the heat sink units are dispersed within the at least one thermally sealed storage region; and

a plurality of stored material dispenser units, each of which is positioned between two heat sink units.

58. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, further comprising:

a GPS device attached to the exterior surface of the substantially thermally sealed storage container.

61. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one transmission unit.

63. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source positioned to illuminate the at least one thermally sealed storage region.

65. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one temperature sensor within the at least one thermally sealed storage region.

66. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more optical sensors within the at least one thermally sealed storage region, the one or more optical sensors oriented to detect stored material.

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70. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer assembly, including

an outer wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage container, the outer wall substantially defining a single outer wall aperture;

an inner wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage region within the substantially thermally sealed storage container, the inner wall substantially defining a single inner wall aperture;

a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall;

at least one section of ultra efficient insulation material within the gap;

a conduit connecting the single outer wall aperture with the single inner wall aperture;

a single access aperture to the substantially thermally sealed storage region, wherein the single access aperture is formed by an end of the conduit; and

an inner assembly, including

one or more heat sink units within the substantially thermally sealed storage region; and

at least one stored material dispenser unit.

77. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall comprises:

substantially evacuated space having a pressure less than or equal to 5×

10<sup>−

4</sup> torr.

88. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the one or more heat sink units comprise:

at least one structural element configured to define at least one watertight region; and

water within the at least one watertight region.

89. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, including a plurality of heat sink units distributed within the substantially thermally sealed storage region, wherein the plurality of heat sink units are configured to form material storage regions between the heat sink units.

92. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the at least one stored material dispenser unit comprises:

an interlock mechanism configured to control egress of a stored material; and

a control interface configured to operate the interlock mechanism.

96. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the at least one stored material dispenser unit comprises:

at least one storage unit exchange unit, wherein the storage unit exchange unit is of a size and shape to contain a single stored material;

at least one gear mechanism operably attached to each of the at least one storage unit exchange unit; and

a control mechanism, wherein the control mechanism includes a gear mechanism configured to transmit torque to the at least one gear mechanism operably attached to each of the at least one storage unit exchange unit, and at least one gear mechanism configured to transmit torque from a dispenser unit operating unit.

99. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the at least one stored material dispenser unit comprises:

at least one substantially cylindrical unit defining an opening configured to receive stored material, wherein the at least one substantially cylindrical unit is configured to rotate around its longitudinal axis.

102. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 99, wherein the at least one substantially cylindrical unit is configured to hold stored vaccine vials.

103. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the inner assembly comprises:

one or more storage region alignment units.

108. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the inner assembly comprises:

at least one stored material egress unit.

113. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the inner assembly comprises:

at least one stored material retention unit.

115. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 113, wherein the at least one stored material retention unit comprises:

a stored material retention region, wherein stored material is retained as a vertical column;

a ballast unit, positioned to maintain the stored material as a vertical column with minimal gaps; and

at least one positioning element configured to retain the ballast unit in a vertical alignment with the stored material retention region.

122. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, comprising:

a core stabilizer.

124. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 122, wherein the core stabilizer is configured to be in alignment with the single access aperture.

125. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 122, wherein the core stabilizer comprises:

at least one temperature sensor operably attached to the core stabilizer.

126. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 122, wherein the core stabilizer comprises:

at least one optical sensor operably attached to the core stabilizer.

132. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, wherein the substantially thermally sealed storage region is configured to be maintained at within a temperature range between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade.

134. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, further comprising:

a GPS device attached to an exterior surface of the substantially thermally sealed storage container.

135. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, further comprising:

at least one power source attached to an exterior surface of the substantially thermally sealed storage container, wherein the at least one power source is configured to supply power to circuitry within the substantially thermally sealed storage container.

137. The substantially thermally sealed storage container of claim 70, further comprising:

at least one transmission unit attached to an exterior surface of the substantially thermally sealed storage container.

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143. A method of assembling contents of a substantially thermally sealed storage container comprising:

inserting, through an access aperture of a substantially thermally sealed storage container, a stored material egress unit;

securing the stored material egress unit to a first storage region alignment unit within a storage region;

inserting, through the access aperture, a stored material dispenser unit;

operably connecting the stored material dispenser unit to the stored material egress unit;

inserting, through the access aperture, at least one stored material retention unit; and

wherein the storage region, the stored material egress unit, the stored material dispenser unit, and the at least one stored material retention unit are maintained within a predetermined temperature range during assembly.

146. The method of claim 143, wherein the securing the stored material egress unit to a first storage region alignment unit comprises:

engaging the stored material egress unit with a surface of the first storage region alignment unit; and

reversibly securing the stored material egress unit to the surface of the first storage region alignment unit.

151. The method of claim 143, wherein the inserting, through the access aperture, at least one stored material retention unit comprises:

inserting the at least one stored material retention unit, wherein the at least one stored material retention unit is maintained at a temperature substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade.

157. The method of claim 143, wherein the inserting, through the access aperture, at least one stored material retention unit comprises:

aligning the at least one stored material retention unit with one or more brackets attached to the first storage region alignment unit; and

allowing gravity to move the at least one stored material retention unit along a pathway defined by the one or more brackets.

159. The method of claim 143, wherein the storage region within the substantially thermally sealed storage container is maintained at a temperature substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade during assembly.

167. The method of claim 143, further comprising:

inserting, through the access aperture, a stored material retention unit stabilizer; and

placing the stored material retention unit stabilizer adjacent to one of the at least one stored material retention unit, the stored material dispenser unit and a second storage region alignment unit within the storage region.

169. The method of claim 167, wherein the placing the stored material retention unit stabilizer comprises:

aligning at least one surface of the stored material retention unit stabilizer with at least one surface of the stored material dispenser unit, wherein the at least one surface of the stored material retention unit stabilizer and the at least one surface of the stored material dispenser unit are configured to mate;

compressing the stored material retention unit stabilizer;

aligning the stored material retention unit stabilizer with a predetermined location of a surface of the second storage region alignment unit; and

releasing the compression on the stored material retention unit stabilizer.

171. The method of claim 143, further comprising:

reducing the temperature of the storage region within the substantially thermally sealed storage container to below 0 degrees Centigrade;

elevating the temperature of the storage region within the substantially thermally sealed storage container to substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade;

inserting, through the access aperture, the at least one stored material retention unit containing stored material, the at least one stored material retention unit containing the stored material having a temperature substantially between approximately 2 degrees Centigrade and approximately 8 degrees Centigrade; and

securing the at least one stored material retention unit containing the stored material to the stored material dispenser unit.

174. The method of claim 143, further comprising:

inserting, through the access aperture, a core stabilizer; and

securing the core stabilizer to a surface of a second storage region alignment unit, so that the core stabilizer functionally extends the access aperture into the storage region.

179. The method of claim 143, further comprising:

adding water to at least one heat sink unit within the storage region, wherein the water is at a temperature substantially between approximately 85 degrees Centigrade and approximately 100 degrees Centigrade;

sealing the at least one heat sink unit;

cooling the storage region and the at least one heat sink unit to below 0 degrees Centigrade; and

warming the storage region to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range above 0 degrees Centigrade.

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182. A substantially thermally sealed storage container, comprising:

an outer assembly, including

an outer wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage container, the outer wall substantially defining a single outer wall aperture;

an inner wall substantially defining a substantially thermally sealed storage region within the substantially thermally sealed storage container, the inner wall substantially defining a single inner wall aperture;

a gap between the inner wall and the outer wall;

at least one section of ultra efficient insulation material within the gap;

a conduit connecting the single outer wall aperture with the single inner wall aperture;

a single access aperture to the substantially thermally sealed storage region, wherein the single access aperture is formed by an end of the conduit; and

an inner assembly, including

one or more heat sink units within the substantially thermally sealed storage region;

one or more storage region alignment units;

at least one stored material dispenser unit;

at least one stored material egress unit;

at least one stored material retention unit; and

at least one core stabilizer.