Cryogenic container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10174985-B2
Application number	US-201815884569-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 31, 2018
Priority date	Jan 20, 2009
Publication date	Jan 8, 2019
Grant date	Jan 8, 2019

Abstract

The invention relates to a cryogenic container for storing and/or transporting a medium, in particular a biochemical and/or medical product. The cryogenic container comprises at least one primary container, which has at least one flexible film bag. The flexible film bag is designed to receive the medium. The cryogenic container furthermore comprises at least one secondary container, which at least partially surrounds the primary container and is preferably at least partially flexible. The secondary container has at least one opening for insertion of the primary container. The secondary container furthermore has at least one preferably at least partially flexible outer sleeve. The secondary container furthermore has at least one heat exchanger space, which is arranged between the outer sleeve and the flexible film bag and receives at least one fluid heat exchange medium.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cryogenic container for storing and/or transporting a medium comprising:
a primary container formed as a flexible film bag configured to receive a medium; and
a secondary container at least partially surrounding the primary container, wherein the secondary container is at least partially flexible and has at least one opening configured to be opened and closed for the introduction and/or removal of the primary container and for preventing introduction and/or removal of the primary container, respectively, wherein the secondary container is configured to adapt completely or partially to the shape of the primary container introduced into the secondary container, the secondary container comprising a two-walled receiving bag having an at least partially flexible outer sleeve and an at least partially flexible inner sleeve and a heat exchanger space arranged between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve configured to allow a fluid heat exchange medium to flow between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve contacting the flexible film bag.

2. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger space comprises a channel between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve for receiving the fluid heat exchange medium for freezing and/or thawing the medium received in the primary container.

3. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger space comprises a spacer element arranged therein, wherein the spacer element is configured to permit the fluid heat transfer medium to flow therethrough, and wherein the spacer element maintains a spacing between the outer sleeve and the flexible film bag.

4. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve of the secondary container comprises at least one metal film and/or at least one plastic film and/or a paper film coated with a metallic material.

5. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are connected to each other in at least one area to close off the heat exchanger space.

6. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , wherein the secondary container comprises:
a first connector for delivery of the heat exchange medium; and
a second connector for removal of the heat exchange medium;
wherein the first connector and the second connector are fluidly connected to the heat exchange space, and further wherein the at least one channel through which the heat exchange medium is configured to flow is formed in the heat exchanger space between the first connector and the second connector.

7. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , wherein the secondary container further comprises an element configured to control or regulate filling of the heat exchanger space.

8. The cryogenic container of claim 7 , wherein the element comprises a float valve.

9. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , further comprising a substantially dimensionally stable outer container, wherein the outer container is configured to receive the secondary container having the primary container received therein, the outer container is further configured to shield the secondary and primary containers from external mechanical action.

10. The cryogenic container of claim 9 , wherein the outer container comprises a corrugated board.

11. The cryogenic container of claim 1 , further comprising a connector configured to reversibly couple the cryogenic container to at least one supply device for supplying the heat exchange medium to the cryogenic container.

12. A cryogenic container for storing and/or transporting a medium comprising:
a primary container formed as a flexible film bag configured to receive a medium; and
a secondary container at least partially surrounding the primary container, wherein the secondary container is at least partially flexible and has at least one opening configured to be opened and closed for the introduction and/or removal of the primary container and for preventing introduction and/or removal of the primary container, respectively, wherein the secondary container is configured to adapt completely or partially to the shape of the primary container introduced into the secondary container, the secondary container comprising an at least partially flexible outer sleeve and an at least partially flexible inner sleeve and a heat exchanger space arranged between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve configured to allow a fluid heat exchange medium to flow between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve contacting the flexible film bag, wherein the inside surface of the inner sleeve faces the primary container and the outside surface of the inner sleeve faces the outer sleeve.

Assignees

• Hoffmann La Roche
• Hoffmann La Roche

Inventors

• Arnitz Theo
• Liebig Carsten

Classifications

• F25D3/107

  portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally · CPC title

• F25D2331/8014

  for medical use · CPC title

• F25D3/105 Primary

  Movable containers · CPC title

• A01N1/0268

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A01N1/0257

  Human Necessities · mapped topic