Stackable rack system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12448206-B2
Application number	US-202117362420-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2021
Priority date	Jun 29, 2021
Publication date	Oct 21, 2025
Grant date	Oct 21, 2025

Abstract

In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification is embodied in a rack system. The rack system includes a first stackable rack and a second stackable rack. The first stackable rack includes a top ceiling, a bottom surface, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The second stackable rack includes a top ceiling, a bottom surface, a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a shelf. The top ceiling, the bottom surface, the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the shelf of the second stackable rack define a first compartment and a second compartment. The bottom surface of the first stackable rack is slidably coupled with the top ceiling of the second stackable rack.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rack system, comprising:
a first stackable rack including a top ceiling, a bottom surface, a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and
a second stackable rack including a top ceiling, a bottom surface, a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a shelf,
wherein the top ceiling, the bottom surface, the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the shelf of the second stackable rack define a first compartment and a second compartment,
wherein the bottom surface of the first stackable rack comprises a first portion extending laterally outward past the first sidewall, and a second portion laterally outward past the second sidewall, and a portion between the first portion and second portion that is opposite the top ceiling to form an inner enclosure, provides a floor wherein the bottom surface, including the first portion and the second portion, is a single planar and continuous piece,
wherein a first rail comprises a first pair of tabs that extends downwardly from the first portion in a first direction,
wherein a second rail comprises a second pair of tabs that extends downwardly from the second portion in a second direction,
wherein the second stackable rack comprises a first rail extending from the top ceiling adjacent to a first sidewall of the second stackable rack and a second rail extending from the top ceiling adjacent to the second sidewall of the second stackable rack, and
wherein the first rail and the second rail are received into a space defined between the first pair of tabs and the second pair of tabs to couple the bottom surface of the first stackable rack with the top ceiling of the second stackable rack so that the bottom surface of the first stackable rack is coupled with the top ceiling of the second stackable rack.

2. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the first direction is a direction that is parallel to a direction of the first sidewall and the second direction is a direction that is parallel to a direction of the second sidewall, and the first direction and second direction are a same direction.

3. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the first stackable rack has a first size and a first shape and the second stackable rack has a second size and a second shape, the first size or the first shape being different than or the same as the second size or the second shape, respectively.

4. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the first or second compartment of the second stackable rack is capable of receiving a storage container through an opening of the first or second compartment.

5. The rack system of claim 4 , wherein the rack system comprises disposed in the storage container.

6. The rack system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a damping device positioned within the first or second compartment of the second stackable rack and configured to reduce vibration of a storage container received within the first or second compartment when the storage container is inserted into the first or second compartment through an opening of the first or second compartment.

7. The rack system of claim 6 , wherein the damping device comprises a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring is coupled to the shelf or the bottom surface of the second stackable rack and comprises a curved elongated portion that protrudes or curves into the first or second compartment and flexes or compresses to reduce the vibration.

8. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the shelf is configured to be inserted into and removed from the second stackable rack and coupled in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall at various positions to adjust a size of the first or second compartment.

9. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the second stackable rack further comprises a rear wall that extends between the top ceiling and bottom surface and includes at least one uncovered portion through which a storage container received within the first or second compartment is pushed out of the first or second compartment.

10. The rack system of claim 6 , wherein the damping device is further configured to secure the storage container within the first or second compartment.

11. The rack system of claim 4 , wherein the storage container is placed flatly and horizontally on the shelf.

12. The rack system of claim 4 , wherein the rack system comprises a cassette disposed in the storage container.

13. A rack system, comprising:
a first stackable rack including a top ceiling, a bottom surface, a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and
a second stackable rack including a top ceiling, a bottom surface, a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a shelf,
wherein the top ceiling, the bottom surface, the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the shelf of the second stackable rack define a first compartment and a second compartment,
wherein the bottom surface of the first stackable rack comprises a first portion extending laterally outward past the first sidewall, and a second portion laterally outward past the second sidewall, and a portion between the first portion and second portion that is opposite the top ceiling to form an inner enclosure, provides a floor wherein the bottom surface, including the first portion and the second portion, is a single planar and continuous piece,
wherein a first rail comprises a first pair of tabs that extends downwardly from the first portion in a first direction,
wherein a second rail comprises a second pair of tabs that extends downwardly from the second portion in a second direction,
wherein the second stackable rack comprises a first rail extending from the top ceiling adjacent to a first sidewall of the second stackable rack and a second rail extending from the top ceiling adjacent to the second sidewall of the second stackable rack, and
wherein the first rail and the second rail are received into a space defined between the first pair of tabs and the second pair of tabs to couple the bottom surface of the first stackable rack with the top ceiling of the second stackable rack so that the bottom surface of the first stackable rack is coupled with the top ceiling of the second stackable rack,
wherein the first or second compartment of the second stackable rack is capable of receiving a storage container through an opening of the first or second compartment to be placed flatly and horizontally on the shelf,
wherein the bottom surface including the first portion and the second portion extends flat and horizontally.

Assignees

• Cryoport Inc

Inventors

• Onel Bobby
• Bollinger Bret
• Lee Ben

Classifications

• B65D81/02

  specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage {(containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10)} · CPC title

• B65D81/3825

  rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container · CPC title

• B65D2590/0066

  Containers inside the container · CPC title

• A47B47/0091

  Modular arrangements of similar assemblies of elements (for elements or assemblies mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/047, sectional furniture A47B87/00, stackable furniture A47B87/02) · CPC title

• A61J1/05

  for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids {(multiple bags systems for separating or storing blood components A61M1/0209); Infusion or perfusion containers} · CPC title