Temperature controlled container

• US 5,934,099 A
• Filed: 07/28/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tcp Reliable Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tcp Reliable Inc.
• Inventors: Villa, Joseph N., Cook, Sanford L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOERRLER, WILLIAM CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/901,570
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 62/60, 62/371, 62/372, 62/457.1, 62/457.2, 62/457.7, 62/530, 206/570
• US Class Current: 62/457.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/165 Cooled holders, e.g. for medications, insulin, blood, plasma
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/383 the external tray being formed with double walls, i.e. hollow
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3832 the external tray being provided with liquid material between double walls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0831 the liquid is disposed in the space between the walls of the container
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0841 external to the container for a beverage, e.g. a bottle, can, drinking glass or pitcher
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0843 on the side of the product
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0845 below the product
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/085 Compositions of cold storage materials
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/803 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/007 Bottles or cans
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/005 Packages for mailing or similar transport of samples

Abstract

A container is disclosed for storing and transporting vessels containing a composition susceptible to physicochemical alteration upon changes in temperature above or below a specified temperature range. It comprises a first housing having a vessel holder, and a heat sink disposed within the first housing. A second housing encloses the first housing, the second housing is preferably comprised of a metallic material and is of a double-walled construction.

Claims

1. A temperature controlled container comprising:

a. an essentially cylindrical first housing closed on one end to form a base and open on the other, forming a cell therein;

b. a heat sink disposed within said cell of said first cylindrical housing and occupying essentially the inner area of said first housing and said cell and forming an airspace therein;

c. a vessel holder adapted to be received within said open end of said first housing, said vessel holder possessing a plurality of downwardly depending elongated tubular retention chambers closed on one end and open on the other and adapted to retain a like number of vessels therein, said downwardly depending elongated tubular retention chambers being spaced in equidistant relation to each other and being disposed in communication with said heat sink, said heat sink being a gel of carboxymethylcellulose and water;

d. a second cylindrical housing closed on one end and open on the other, adapted to retain said first cylindrical housing, said second housing having annular walls;

e. a stop and handle means adapted to withdraw said first cylindrical housing from said second cylindrical housing, and to define an upward boundary for said vessels; and

f. a closure means which reversibly seals said second cylindrical housing and retains said temperature controlled container in a closed condition.

2. A stop and handle means according to claim 1 wherein said stop and handle means is located in a central location in relation to said vessels being arrayed in equidistant conformation thereto.

3. A temperature controlled container comprising:

a. an essentially cylindrical first housing closed on one end to form a base and open on the other, forming a cell therein;

b. a heat sink disposed within said cell of said first cylindrical housing and occupying essentially the inner area of said first housing and said cell and forming an airspace therein;

c. a vessel holder adapted to be received within said open end of said first housing, said vessel holder possessing a plurality of downwardly depending elongated tubular retention chambers closed on one end and open on the other and adapted to retain a like number of vessels therein, said downwardly depending elongated tubular retention chambers being spaced in equidistant relation to each other and being disposed in communication with said heat sink, said heat sink being a gel of carboxymethylcellulose and water;

d. a second cylindrical housing closed on one end and open on the other, adapted to retain said first cylindrical housing, said second housing having annular walls;

e. a stop and handle means adapted to withdraw said first cylindrical housing from said second cylindrical housing, and to define an upward boundary for said vessels;

f. an insulation means disposed above said vessel holder and stop means and in a nesting relationship with a closure means which reversibly seals said second cylindrical housing and retains said temperature controlled container in a closed condition.

4. An insulation means according to claim 3 wherein said insulator is a closed cell polymer.

5. An insulation means according to claim 3 wherein said insulator is chosen from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate.

6. A temperature controlled container comprising:

a. an essentially cylindrical first housing closed on one end to form a base and open on the other, forming a cell therein;

b. a heat sink, said heat sink being a gel of carboxymethylcellulose and water, and disposed within said cell of said first cylindrical housing and occupying essentially the inner area of said first housing and said cell and forming an airspace therein;

c. a vessel holder adapted to be received within said open end of said first housing, said vessel holder possessing a plurality of downwardly depending elongated tubular retention chambers closed on one end and open on the other and adapted to retain a like number of vessels therein, said downwardly depending elongated tubular retention chambers being spaced in equidistant relation to each other and being disposed in communication with said heat sink;

d. a second cylindrical housing closed on one end and open on the other, adapted to retain said first cylindrical housing, said second housing having annular walls;

c. a stop and handle means adapted to withdraw said first cylindrical housing from said second cylindrical housing, and to define an upward boundary for said vessels; and

f. a third cylindrical container, open on one side and closed on the other, adapted to be received within a closure means which reversibly seals said second cylindrical housing and retains said temperature controlled container in a closed condition, said third cylindrical container residing in inverted relation over said first housing.