BREAK AWAY/TEAR AWAY CRYOPRESERVATION VIAL AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING AND USING SAME

• US 20170172140A1
• Filed: 12/15/2016
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Schaefer, Michael Kurt
• Granted Patent: US 10,638,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0263 Non-refrigerated containers specially adapted for transporting or storing living parts whilst preserving, e.g. cool boxes, blood bags or "straws" for cryopreservation
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0284 Temperature processes, i.e. using a designated change in temperature over time
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0081 of objects with parts connected by a thin section, e.g. hinge, tear line
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/712 Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418

Abstract

A vial is described herein that comprises a tubular body which comprises an opened end, a closed end, and a cavity, wherein the opened end is located at one end of the tubular body and the closed end is located at an opposing end of the tubular body. The tubular body further comprises a tear line located therein, wherein the tear line extends across at least a portion of one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across at least a portion of another side of the tubular body. In addition, the tubular body further comprises two flanges extending from the closed end, wherein the two flanges are configured to separate from one another outwardly from the tubular body and apply a force to break-open at least a portion of the tear line to open at least the closed end of the tubular body.

Claims

1. A vial comprising:

a tubular body comprising an opened end, a closed end, and a cavity, wherein the opened end is located at one end of the tubular body and the closed end is located at an opposing end of the tubular body;

the tubular body further comprises a tear line located therein, wherein the tear line extends across at least a portion of one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across at least a portion of another side of the tubular body; and

the tubular body further comprises two flanges extending from the closed end, wherein the two flanges are configured to separate from one another outwardly from the tubular body and apply a force to break apart at least a portion of the tear line and open at least the closed end of the tubular body.

2. The vial of claim 1, wherein the tear line extends from below a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body to below the threaded portion of the tubular body.

3. The vial of claim 1, wherein the tear line extends from a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body and into the threaded portion of the tubular body.

4. The vial of claim 1, wherein the tear line bisects the tubular body.

5. The vial of claim 1, wherein the tear line is a localized thin section within the tubular body.

6. The vial of claim 1, wherein the tubular body further comprises one or more additional tear lines located therein and at least two more flanges two flanges extending from the closed end.

7. The vial of claim 1, further comprising a cap configured to couple to the opened end of the tubular body.

8. A method for using a vial, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a liquid sample into the vial, the vial comprising;

a tubular body comprising an opened end, a closed end, and a cavity, wherein the opened end is located at one end of the tubular body and the closed end is located at an opposing end of the tubular body;

the tubular body further comprises a tear line located therein, wherein the tear line extends across at least a portion of one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across at least a portion of another side of the tubular body; and

the tubular body further comprises two flanges extending from the closed end;

engaging the opened end of the tubular body with a cap to seal the vial;

freezing the liquid sample within the sealed vial;

separating the two flanges from one another outwardly from the tubular body to apply a force to break apart at least a portion of the tear line to open at least the closed end of the tubular body; and

ejecting the frozen liquid sample from the now opened closed end of the tubular body.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the tear line extends from below a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body to below the threaded portion of the tubular body.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the tear line extends from a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body and into the threaded portion of the tubular body.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the tear line bisects the tubular body.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the tear line is a localized thin section within the tubular body.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the tubular body further comprises one or more additional tear lines located therein and at least two more flanges two flanges extending from the closed end.

14. A method for manufacturing a vial, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a mold comprising a cavity section therein that is a negative of a shape of the vial;

injecting a melted material into the cavity section of the mold;

cooling the material within the cavity section of the mold; and

removing the cooled material from the mold, wherein the cooled material is the vial, wherein the vial comprises;

a tubular body comprising an opened end, a closed end, and a cavity, wherein the opened end is located at one end of the tubular body and the closed end is located at an opposing end of the tubular body;

the tubular body further comprises a tear line located therein, wherein the tear line extends across at least a portion of one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across at least a portion of another side of the tubular body; and

the tubular body further comprises two flanges extending from the closed end.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the tear line extends from below a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body to below the threaded portion of the tubular body.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the tear line extends from a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body and into the threaded portion of the tubular body.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the tear line bisects the tubular body.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the tear line is a localized thin section within the tubular body.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the tubular body further comprises one or more additional tear lines located therein and at least two more flanges two flanges extending from the closed end.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the opened end further comprises threads formed therein which are configured to couple to a cap.

21. A method for manufacturing a vial, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the vial which comprises;

a tubular body comprising an opened end, a closed end, and a cavity, wherein the opened end is located at one end of the tubular body and the closed end is located at an opposing end of the tubular body;

the tubular body further comprises two flanges extending from the closed end; and

creating a tear line within the tubular body, wherein the tear line extends across at least a portion of one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across at least a portion of another side of the tubular body.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the tear line extends from below a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body to below the threaded portion of the tubular body.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the tear line extends from a threaded portion of the tubular body across the one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across the another side of the tubular body and into the threaded portion of the tubular body.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the creating step is performed by an automated cutting tool.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the creating step is performed by a material removing device including a machining device, a hot knife, or a die cutting device.