GB2492562A - Support apparatus and method of transporting an item - Google Patents

Abstract

SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TRANSPORTING AN ITEM A support apparatus for supporting at least one item 310 requiring refrigeration has at least one tray 106, 108, 110, and the or each tray has a body section. The body section has an upper surface 304 and a lower surface 306, and at least one well 300 disposed in the body section for releasably holding the item. The well is arranged to permit fluid flow to the item 310, and the apparatus can be used to transport the item in a cooled state, by use of a refrigeration unit 104. Each well may have an elliptical, ovoid or rectangular cross sectional shape, and a gap between the walls of each well and the item may permit fluid to contact the item. Where several trays are used, the trays may be stackable and trays may include location means which may be a recess and cooperating protrusion on opposing trays. The tray body may be made of polystyrene, and the well may be shaped to receive the item which may be a vial. The refrigeration unit may be a thermoelectric unit, powered by a battery and/or a power socket.

Description

SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TRANSPORTING AN ITEM

[0001] This invention relates to a support apparatus for carrying an item, for example that requires refrigeration. This invention also relates to a method of transporting an item, for example in a refrigerated state.

[0002] Vaccine preventable diseases, such as polio, measles and hepatitis are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries.

Vaccination is one of the most effective disease prevention strategies when implemented properly across all sections of the at-risk population. Immunisation against a disease is achieved only if a potent vaccine is administered. The system used for keeping and distributing vaccines in good condition is called the "cold chain". This consists of a series of storage and transport links, all of which are designed to keep the vaccine at the correct temperature until it reaches the recipient.

[0003] In developing countries, a significant disparity in vaccination rates often exists between children in rural and those in urban areas. In India, for example, 75% of the health infrastructure, medical personnel and other health resources are concentrated in urban areas, yet only 27% of people live in these parts of the country. Further, the weak health infrastructure and unsanitary conditions in rural areas, as compared to urban areas, contributes to an increased incidence of diseases that could be treated by vaccination, such as polio (Samant et a! Public Health Reports, Jan-Feb 2007, Volume 122).

[0004] The above-mentioned poor health infrastructures in rural areas of developing countries such as India, where an efficient vaccination program is needed the most, also have a negative effect on the distribution of the vaccine.

The poor infrastructure can cause disruption to the cold chain, thus rendering vaccine ineffective. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), for example, is proven to be effective in preventing the transmission and spread of polio. OPV may lose 4% to 13% of its potency per day at 25°C, 11% to 21% per day at 31°C, and 26% to 34% per day at 37°C. These temperatures are not atypical in north and north central regions of India from April until June. Polio incidence spikes in these regions during these times, so it can be seen that the cold chain must be maintained for effective eradication programs to be executed.

[0005] OPV, along with other vaccines, must be kept refrigerated from the time they are manufactured until the time that they are administered, otherwise the effectiveness of the vaccine could be reduced to the point that it becomes useless.

It is therefore essential that the cold chain be maintained.

[0006] Whilst reference will predominantly be made to supporting items such as vials containing vaccines, it is to be understood that a support according to the present invention can be used with other items that require refrigeration [0007] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support apparatus for supporting at least one item requiring refrigeration, the apparatus comprising at least one tray, the or each tray comprising a body section, the body section comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one well disposed in the body section for releasably holding an item, the well being arranged to permit fluid flow to the item.

[0008] The or each well may define side walls therearound, said side walls being arranged to grip the item firmly therebetween. The side walls of the or each well may be further arranged to provide a gap between the body section and the item to permit fluid to contact the item. The or each well may have a substantially elliptical, ovoid or rectangular cross sectional shape. The shape of the well may primarily be selected to suite a particular shape of item to be held. For example an item with a square cross section may be held in a rectangular-shaped well, so as to provide a firm grip and a gap to permit fluid contact. However, curved cross-sections typically possess less surface area than rectangular cross-sections.

[0009] The or each well extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of the body section. If so, the or each well may further comprise an abutment arranged to prevent an item being supported therein from slipping through the well. The or each well may extend between the upper surface and the lower surface of the body section.

[0010] The support apparatus may comprise a plurality of trays comprising the at least one tray: the plurality of trays may be arranged to be stacked. The plurality of trays may comprise a respective plurality of wells comprising the or each well: the respective plurality of wells may be arranged so that, when the plurality of trays are stacked, the respective wells of each body section of each tray of the plurality of trays may be substantially in registry so as to create at least one continuous column extending through the length of the combined body sections for permitting fluid flow therealong.

[0011] The apparatus may further comprise a locator arrangement on the upper surface and lower surface of each body section, comprising at least one protrusion on each upper surface and at least one recess on each lower surface; the or each protrusion and the or each recess may be arranged so that when a first tray is stacked on top of a second tray, a protrusion on the upper surface of the second tray cooperates with a recess on the lower surface of the first tray. Of course, any alternative means by which a plurality of trays may securely be stacked is within the scope of this invention.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of trays may be arranged side by side. The or each tray may have a substantially rectangular horizontal cross section, and may comprise planar side walls to permit a side by side arrangement.

The skilled man would appreciate that any shape of tray that can tessellate is within the scope of this invention.

[0013] The body section of each tray may be made from a resilient material, for

example polystyrene.

[0014] The at least one well may be shaped to receive a vial. The vial could be arranged to contain a vaccine, biological sample or pharmaceutical.

[00151 According to the present invention, there is also provided a refrigeration apparatus as set forth above in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the refrigeration apparatus comprises a refrigeration unit.

[0016] The refrigeration unit may comprise a thermoelectric unit, or a suitable alternative.

[0017] The or each tray may be adapted for releasable attachment to a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit may contain a battery, which could be a primary or secondary source of power to the refrigeration unit; the refrigeration unit may contain an auxiliary power socket. The auxiliary power socket could be provided in addition to or as an alternative to a battery. The auxiliary power could originate from mains power, a solar panel or an external battery such as a car battery. The refrigeration unit could also include a connection means whereby a plurality of refrigeration units may be connected to share a power supply.

[0018] The refrigeration unit may be releasably attachable to the underside of a tray. The refrigeration unit may comprise an upper surface, the upper surface being shaped to define, when a tray is attached to the refrigeration unit, a fluid flow pathway between a first well in the body section of the tray, the refrigeration unit, and at least a second well in the body section of the tray.

[00191 The support apparatus may further comprise a lid, the lid being releasably attachable to the upper surface of a tray. The lid may comprise an underside, the underside being shaped to define, when the lid is attached to a tray, a fluid flow pathway between a first well in the body section of the tray, the lid, and at least a second well in the body section of the tray. The lid may comprise a carrying handle.

[0020] At least one tray may be releasably arranged between the lid and the refrigeration unit. The or each tray, the refrigeration unit and lid may be attachable by means of a clip arrangement or strap. A plurality or trays may be stacked between the lid and the refrigeration unit, or the plurality or trays may be arranged side by side between the lid and the refrigeration unit, or be stacked and arranged side by side between the lid and the refrigeration unit.

[0021] A continuous flow pathway may be defined between the lid, the or each tray and the refrigeration unit. The flow pathway may be unidirectional.

(00221 The apparatus may further comprise a first continuous column of wells extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit and a second continuous column of wells extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit; the upper surface of the refrigeration unit or the lower surface of the lid may direct the continuous flow pathway through the first continuous column of wells and the second continuous column of wells.

[0023] The apparatus may further comprise a first well extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit and a second well extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit; the upper surface of the refrigeration unit or the lower surface of the lid may direct the continuous flow pathway through the first well and the second well.

[0024] The refrigeration unit may further comprise a fan to urge refrigerated air through the continuous flow pathway. The refrigeration unit may comprise a heat sink thermally coupled thereto. The apparatus may further comprise another fan arranged to cool the heat sink.

[0025] The refrigeration apparatus may comprise a plurality of trays arranged side by side so as to share a single refrigeration unit.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of transporting an item in a cooled state, the method comprising: placing the item in a well of a tray of a support apparatus for supporting the item, the well being arranged to permit fluid flow to the item; coupling the support apparatus to an upper surface of the refrigeration unit; and coupling a lid to an upper surface of the support apparatus, thereby sandwiching the support apparatus between the refrigeration unit and the lid.

[00271 It is thus possible to provide a support apparatus and method of transporting an item that can hold at least one item to be maintained at predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range, in a manner that allows fluid to flow around the at least one item in order to control the temperature thereof. The contents of the items, for example vials, can therefore be kept fresh or at least prevented from overheating and being rendered useless for their intended purpose. The apparatus is sufficiently flexible to allow a variable number of items to be cooled and, when assembled as a refrigeration apparatus, is portable to enable transportation of the items to a destination that can sometimes involve travel through environments where the ambient temperature would ruin the contents of the items.

[0028] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram, in perspective view, of a refrigeration unit comprising a support apparatus constituting an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram, in exploded view, of the refrigeration unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram, in cross-section, of a support apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram, in plan view, of the support apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram, in cross-section, Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram, in cross-section and perspective view, of the refrigeration unit of Figure 1; and Figure 7 is a schematic diagram, in cross-section, of the refrigeration unit as shown Figure 5 and supplemented with fluid flow lines.

[0029] Throughout the following description identical reference numerals will be used to identify like parts.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a portable refrigeration apparatus 100 comprises a lid portion 102, refrigeration unit 104 and at least one support apparatus sandwiched therebetween. In this example, the refrigeration apparatus comprises a first support apparatus 106, a second support apparatus 108 and a third support apparatus 110, the first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 being stacked. Furthermore, the first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 are stacked on the refrigeration unit 104. The lid portion 102 is disposed upon the uppermost support apparatus, namely the third support apparatus 110 in this example. The first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 together constitute a tray stack. The refrigeration unit 104, the tray stack and the lid portion 102 together form a refrigeration stack.

[0031] Although not shown here, the tray stack may comprise two or more smaller support apparatus arranged side by side. The smaller support apparatus are of a size so that, when arranged side by side, the smaller support apparatus, for example, are of a similar size and shape to a single support apparatus 106, 108, 110. For example, smaller support apparatus may be provided with half the width of the support apparatus 106, 108, 110 shown in Figures 1 and 2, permitting side by side arrangement thereof between the lid portion 102 and the refrigeration unit 104. If two tray stacks are provided side by side sharing a single refrigeration unit 104, then alternatively two lid portions may be provided, one for each stack.

[0032] The lid portion 102 comprises a handle 103 and the refrigeration unit 104 comprises strap anchors 112. Afirst strap 114, is secured at a first end thereof to a first side (not visible in Figures 1 and 2) of the refrigeration stack near a first corner of the refrigeration unit 104 and a second strap 116 is also secured at a first end thereof to the first side of the refrigeration stack, but near a second side corner of the refrigeration unit 104. The first and second straps 114, 116 pass over the refrigeration stack, for example over the lid portion 102 and extend back down to the strap anchors 112 on a second side 118 of the refrigeration stack and are respectively secured to the strap anchors 112. The strap anchors 112 are tensioning clasps, in this example, and so the first and second straps 114, 116 are tensioned sufficiently to maintain the secure coupling of the components of the refrigeration stack. Hence, it can be seen that at least one support apparatus is releasably attachable to the refrigeration unit 104. In this example, all three trays are releasably attachable to the refrigeration unit 104. In particular, the underside of the first support apparatus 106 is releasably attachable to the top of the refrigeration unit 104. It can also be seen that the lid portion 102 is releasably attachable to the top of the third support apparatus 110.

[0033] However, although in this example the use of straps and anchors is described herein, the skilled person will readily appreciate that other techniques for releasably maintaining secure concatenation of the components of the refrigeration stack can be employed, including, for example, clasp or clip arrangements.

[0034] The refrigeration unit 104 comprises a first power interface 120, for example a socket, for coupling the refrigeration unit 104 to an external power source (not shown) to power the refrigeration unit 104 and/or charge an internal battery (not shown) of the refrigeration unit 104. The refrigeration unit 104 also comprises a second or auxiliary power interface 122, for example another socket, for coupling to another refrigeration unit (not shown), thereby enabling refrigeration units to be "daisy chained" to the refrigeration unit 104, which can be connected to the external power source. Such a configuration enables multiple refrigeration units to be charged whilst only connecting one of the multiple refrigeration units to the external power source.

[0035] Referring particularly to Figure 2, the first, second and third support structures 106, 108, 110 are trays comprising a first array of wells 200, a second array of wells 202, and a third array of wells 204, respectively. The refrigeration unit 104 comprises a plurality of parallel elongate recesses 206 and an elongate cooling outlet port 208 at a first side of the plurality of elongate recesses 206 and an elongate cooling inlet port 210 at a second side of the plurality of elongate recesses 206.

[0036] The refrigeration unit 104 also comprises an exhaust port 212 through which warm air can be expelled.

[0037] The first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 comprise respective locator protrusions 214, which can be considered pins or pegs. In this example, the locator protrusions 214 are located at each corner of the first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 on an upper side of the support apparatus 106, 108, 110. In this respect, the side on which the locator protrusions are positioned need not be the upper side, but rather the side from which items placed in the wells protrude, the locator protrusions 214 extending beyond the expected protrusion height of the items located in the wells. The opposite side of the first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 each comprise locator recesses 216 for receiving the locator protrusions 214 of adjacent support apparatus. The provision of such a locator arrangement enables the first array of wells 200, the second array of wells 202 and the third array of wells 204 to abut each other in the tray stack whilst being in registry with each other, particularly vertically adjacent wells.

[0038] Similarly, the refrigeration unit 104 comprises locator protrusions 212 and the lid portion 102 comprises locator recesses 214 in order enable the refrigeration unit 104 to be abutted with the first support apparatus 106 such that the plurality of parallel elongate recesses 206, the elongate cooling inlet port 208 and the elongate cooling outlet port 210 are aligned with ends of columns of wells extending at the first support apparatus 106 to the third support apparatus 110.

Similarly, the lid portion 102 can be abutted with the third support apparatus 110 such that elongate lid recesses (not shown) in an underside of the lid portion 102 are in registry with ends of the columns of wells at the third support apparatus 110.

[0039] The various component parts of the locator arrangements described herein are, in this example, integrally formed with the first, second, and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110, the refrigeration unit 104 and/or the lid portion 102.

[0040] Turning to Figures 3 and 4, as mentioned above, the support apparatus 106, 108, 110 each comprise a body section each having the first array of wells 200, the second array of wells 202, and the third array of wells 204, respectively, formed therein. Each well 300 is shaped so as to define side walls that grip firmly the item to be placed therein. However, in order to enable fluid to flow past the items placed in the wells, the wells are shaped so as to provide an internal surface 400 defining a gap or clearance 402 between a body section 302 of the support apparatus and the item inserted in the well 300 so that, in use, a fluid can flow to and around the item inserted in the well 300. Nevertheless, the side walls of the well 300 grip the item firmly therebetween. In this example, the well is substantially elliptical in cross-section. However, the skilled person should appreciate that other shapes can be employed and the wells 300 can be ovoid or rectangular in cross-section.

[0041] The support apparatus 106, 108, 110 has an upper surface 304 and a lower surface 306. The wells 300 formed in the support apparatus 106, 108, 110 each extend between the upper surface 304 and the lower surface 306 of the support apparatus 106, 108, 110. The wells 300 also each comprise an abutment 308 therein to prevent the item from slipping through the well 300.

[0042] In this example, the item to be supported is a vial 310, for example a vial containing a vaccine. However, other substances can be contained in the vials, for example a biological sample or a pharmaceutical. Furthermore, although in this example, the item described herein is a vial, the skilled person should appreciate that the item can be any item requiring a temperature controlled environment, for

example a bottle.

[0043] In this example, the first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, are formed from a thermally insulating material. The first, second and third support apparatus 106, 108, 110 are formed from a resilient material. Polystyrene is one example of a suitable material.

[0044] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the lid portion 102 comprises the elongate lid recesses 500 or channels. When assembled as the tray stack, the abutted wells, one above the other, define a plurality of continuous cooling columns. When the tray stack is part of the assembled refrigeration stack, the elongate recesses 206 of the refrigerator unit 104 serve to provide fluid connection between the bases of adjacent columns of wells between the cooling inlet port 208 and the cooling outlet port 210. The elongate lid recesses 500 serve to provide fluid connection between the tops of adjacent columns of wells between the cooling inlet port 208 and the cooling outlet port 210. The elongate base recesses 206 of the refrigeration unit 104 and the elongate lid recesses of the lid portion 102 oppose each other and are staggered as well so that a continuous path is defined from an initial column of wells 502 fluidly coupled to the cooling outlet port 210 to a final column of wells 504 fluidly coupled to the cooling outlet port 210 and passing through each row of columns of wells (the rows being defined in the direction into the sheet with respect to Figure 5).

[0045] In this example, due to the elongate nature of the base recesses 206, the outlet port 208 and the inlet port 210, the refrigeration stack comprises sets of columns of wells that share a common lower recess or channel provided by the refrigeration unit 104 and a common upper recess or channel provided by the lid portion 102. The sets of common channel-connected columns of wells reside in parallel with each other In this example, the plane of each set of the columns of wells extends into the sheet with respect to Figure 5 and can be considered, for example, as rows of sets of columns of wells. As the tops of the adjacent sets of the columns of wells and the bases of the sets of the columns of wells are coupled in an alternating manner, the sets of columns of wells are coupled so as to form a continuous flow path between the inlet port 208 and the outlet port 210.

[0046] Although the sets of the columns of wells are, in this example, coupled in accordance with the direction of extension of the base recesses 206, the outlet port 208 and the inlet port 210, the sets of the columns of wells can be arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction described herein.

In this respect, the elongate recesses or channels of the refrigeration unit 104 and the lid portion 102 can be arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to that described herein. Alternatively, the lower surface of the lid portion 102 and the upper surface of the refrigeration unit 104 can be arranged so that the columns of wells are individually coupled or strung together so that a single, rather than parallel, fluid pathway extends between the inlet port 210 and the outlet port 208. As a further alternative, the lower surface of the lid portion 102 and the upper surface of the refrigeration unit 104 can be arranged to support multiple chains of fluidly connected columns of wells. Each chain of columns of wells can extend independently and/or in isolation with respect to other chains of columns of wells, for example substantially in parallel, between the inlet port 210 and the outlet port 208, i.e. sets of columns of wells are not in fluid communication with each other by virtue of sharing common recesses or channels between the outlet port 210 and the inlet port 208. In such an example, each elongate recess 206 can comprise a plurality of longitudinal spaced baffles or walls.

[0047] The refrigeration unit 104 also comprises a first fan 500 operably coupled to the battery of the refrigeration unit 104. A cooling device 508, for example a thermoelectric device, such as a Peltier device, is centrally mounted adjacent a cooling pathway 510 downstream of the direction of flow of the first fan 500. The cooling device 508 is coupled to a first heat sink 512 on one side thereof and a second heat sink 514 on a second side thereof. The second heat sink 514 is disposed in the cooling pathway 510. The cooling device 508 is also coupled to a temperature control circuit (not shown), the temperature control circuit comprising one or more temperature sensors (also not shown) located in the refrigerator unit 104. The temperature control circuit supports a control loop in order to maintain a predetermined temperature in the refrigeration stack compatible with the item to be cooled and/or the contents thereof. In another embodiment, one or more support apparatus can be provided with one of more temperature sensor embedded therein and arranged to provide electrical connections so that when the support apparatus are stacked, an electrical coupling to a controller (not shown) of the refrigeration unit 104 is achieved.

[0048] The cooling outlet port 208 fluidly communicates with the base of the initial columns of wells 502, the cooling outlet port 208 being located downstream of the cooling device 508. The cooling inlet port 210 is disposed upstream of the first fan 500 and is in fluid communication with the base of the final columns of wells 504.

[0049] A second fan 516 is disposed beneath and adjacent the first heat sink 512.

[0050] In operation (Figure 7), the cooling device 508 is activated and causes the second heat sink 514 to cool and the first heat sink 512 to heat up. Air is drawn from the final columns of wells 504 by the first fan 506 and passes through the second heat sink 514, whereupon the air is cooled before passing back into the first columns of wells 502 via the cooling outlet port 208. The air then follows a meandering or serpentine-like flow pathway 700 back to the cooling inlet port 210, the cooled air passing around the items disposed in the individual wells in the fluid pathway followed by the cooled air. By the time the cooled air reaches the cooling inlet port 210, the temperature of the air has risen and so requires cooling by drawing the warmed air through the second heat sink 514 again. As can be seen from Figure 7, the flow pathway is, in this example, unidirectional.

[0051] During this cooling process, as intimated above, a side of the cooling device 508 that is in thermal contact with the first heat sink 512 heats up considerably and, in order for the cooling device 508 to operate efficiently, needs to be cooled. Consequently, the second fan 516 draws hot air away from the first heat sink 512, expelling the hot air through the exhaust port 212, thereby cooling the first heat sink 512. It should therefore be appreciated that the portable refrigeration apparatus 100 comprises a heat pump.

[0052] Whilst the above embodiments are set out above for exemplary purposes, the skilled person should appreciate that variations exist within the scope of the appended claims. For example, although use of three support apparatus has been described herein, a greater or smaller number of support apparatus can be employed. By way of further example, although reference is made herein to cooling of items, the apparatus and method described herein is suitable for other temperature control applications and cooling is not the sole intended application.

[0053] Although the support apparatus have been described herein as part of the refrigeration apparatus, the skilled person should appreciate that each support apparatus can serve the purpose of not only being part of a portable refrigeration apparatus for transportation, but can also be disposed in a fridge ready to be transported or ready for use at a destination. Furthermore, the lid and refrigeration unit can be returned to base for reuse with more or other trays. Indeed, the trays can be reusable or disposable.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims: 1. A support apparatus for supporting at least one item requiring refrigeration, the apparatus comprising at least one tray, the or each tray comprising a body section, the body section comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one well disposed in the body section for releasably holding an item, the well being arranged to permit fluid flow to the item.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A support apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each well defines side walls therearound, said side walls being arranged to grip the item firmly therebetween.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A support apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the side walls of the or each well are further arranged to provide a gap between the body section and the item to permit fluid to contact the item.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A support apparatus as claimed in any of Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the or each well has a substantially elliptical, ovoid or rectangular cross sectional shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each well extends between the upper surface and the lower surface of the body section.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A support apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the or each well further comprises an abutment arranged to prevent an item being supported therein from slipping through the well.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of trays comprising the at least one tray, the plurality of trays being arranged to be stacked.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A support apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the plurality of trays comprise a respective plurality of wells comprising the or each well, the respective plurality of wells being arranged so that, when the plurality of trays are stacked, the respective wells of each body section of each tray of the plurality of trays is substantially in registry so as to create at least one continuous column extending through the length of the combined body sections for permitting fluid flow therealong.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A support apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, further comprises a locator arrangement on the upper surface and lower surface of each body section, comprising at least one protrusion on each upper surface and at least one recess on each lower surface, the or each protrusion and the or each recess being arranged so that when a first tray is stacked on top of a second tray, a protrusion on the upper surface of the second tray cooperates with a recess on the lower surface of the first tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of trays, the plurality of trays being arranged side by side.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A support apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, the plurality of trays each having a substantially rectangular horizontal cross section, and planar side walls to permit a side by side arrangement thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the body section is made from a resilient material.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the body section is made from polystyrene.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one well is shaped to receive a vial.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A refrigeration apparatus comprising the support apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and further comprising a refrigeration unit, wherein the or each tray is arranged for releasable attachment to the refrigeration unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the refrigeration unit comprises a thermoelectric unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein the refrigeration unit contains a battery.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the refrigeration unit contains an auxiliary power socket.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the refrigeration unit includes a connector to facilitate connection of a plurality of refrigeration units in order to share a power supply.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 19, wherein the refrigeration unit is releasably attachable to the underside of a tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the refrigeration unit comprises an upper surface, the upper surface being shaped to define, when a tray is attached to the refrigeration unit, a fluid flow pathway between a first well in the body section of the tray, the refrigeration unit, and at least a second well in the body section of the tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid, wherein the lid is releasably attachable to the upper surface of a tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the lid comprises an underside, the underside being shaped to define, when the lid is attached to a tray, a fluid flow pathway between a first well in the body section of the tray, the lid, and at least a second well in the body section of the tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 or Claim 23, wherein at least one tray may be releasably arranged between the lid and the refrigeration unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 24, wherein a continuous flow pathway is defined between the lid, the or each tray and the refrigeration unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, further comprising a first continuous column of wells extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit and a second continuous column of wells extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit, the upper surface of the refrigeration unit or the lower surface of the lid directing the continuous flow pathway through the first continuous column of wells and the second continuous column of wells.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, further comprising a first well extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit and a second well extending between the lid and the refrigeration unit, the upper surface of the refrigeration unit or the lower surface of the lid directing the continuous flow pathway through the first well and the second well.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 27, wherein the lid comprises a carrying handle.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 28, wherein the or each tray, the refrigeration unit and lid are attachable by means of a clip arrangement or strap.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the refrigeration unit further comprises a fan to urge refrigerated air through the continuous flow pathway.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the refrigeration unit comprises a heat sink thermally coupled thereto.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 31, further comprising another fan arranged to cool the heat sink.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. A refrigeration apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, when dependent on Claim 10, wherein a plurality of trays are arranged side by side so as to share a single refrigeration unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>34. A method of transporting an item in a cooled state, the method comprising: placing the item in a well of a tray of a support apparatus for supporting the item, the well being arranged to permit fluid flow to the item; coupling the support apparatus to an upper surface of the refrigeration unit; and coupling a lid to an upper surface of the support apparatus, thereby sandwiching the support apparatus between the refrigeration unit and the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. A support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>