JP2005143873A - Freezing container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a long life freezing container enabling storage by freezing in an excellent manner without the need of maintenance for a long period of time. <P>SOLUTION: The freezing container A1 is equipped with a main body 2 of the container which has an opening and closing opening 24 formed on the upper wall 22 and retains a liquified gas 7, a mount tray 4 for placing a plurality of accommodating cases 3 for articles to be frozen for storage, and a support mechanism 5 for rotatably supporting the mount tray 4, and is constituted to take in and out the intended accommodating case 3 from the opening and closing opening 24 by operating to rotate the mount tray 4 to make the accommodating case 3 be situated right below the opening and closing opening 24. The support mechanism 5 is constituted to fit a support cylinder 52 provided on the mount tray 4 to a support post 51 provided upright on the lower wall 23 of the main body 2 of the container, and to rotatably support the mount tray 4 by a spherical body 53 of ceramics set between the upper wall of the support cylinder 52 and the support post 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cryopreservation container that is used in the medical, culture, food field and the like, and cryopreserved in a gas phase or a liquid phase with a cryogenic liquefied gas such as liquid nitrogen. .

  For example, as a cryopreservation container of a gas phase storage type, as shown in FIG. And a mounting tray 4 on which a plurality of storage cases 3 for freezing preservation are placed is rotatably supported by a column 10 erected at the center of the lower wall of the container body 2, Is stored in a cryogenic gas-phase atmosphere with liquid nitrogen 7 stored in the bottom region thereof, and the cryopreserved material stored in the cryopreserved material storage case 3 is cryopreserved (hereinafter referred to as “ Conventional containers ”are known (see Non-Patent Document 1). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, each storage case 3 to be stored for freezing holds a plurality of storage boxes 32 on a case body 33 having a rectangular frame shape elongated in the vertical direction. The inside is divided into a plurality of storage portions 31 for storing the object to be frozen.

In such a conventional container, a support cylinder 11 having the mounting tray 4 formed at the center thereof is fitted to the support column 10, and a plurality of bearings (thrust bearings) 12 are provided between the opposing peripheral surfaces of the both 10 and 11. By interposing, the mounting tray 4 is rotatably supported without contacting the storage liquid surface 7a. In addition, a plurality of operation bars 13 projecting horizontally are provided at the upper end of the support cylinder 11, and the operation tray 13 is artificially rotated from the opening / closing port 24 to rotate the loading tray 4. As a result, the storage object storage case 3 to be frozen can be taken in and out of the opening / closing port 24.
Catalog “LN2 Cryopreservation Container Large DR SERIES”, Taiyo Toyo Oxygen Co., Ltd., November 2002

  By the way, in the conventional container, since there is no lubricant that can be used at extremely low temperatures in the commercially available thrust bearing, the bearing 12 that supports the mounting tray 4 removes the lubricant oil in the commercial product and is in a non-lubricated state. It is used in. On the other hand, a large load is applied to the bearing 12 by the mounting tray 4 and the storage object case 3 to be frozen.

  Accordingly, the bearing 12 is interposed between the opposed peripheral surfaces of the support column 10 and the support cylinder 11 fitted to the support column 10, so that it is impossible to use a space-capable large load-compatible one. When the bearing 12 is used in a non-lubricated state, foreign matters (ice particles, dust, etc.) floating in the container body 2 enter the bearing 12 (for example, between the bearing ball and the bearing housing). The torque required to rotate the loading tray 4 (hereinafter referred to as “required rotational torque”) increases, and wear of the bearing balls or the like is likely to occur. For this reason, the labor burden required for the rotation operation of the mounting tray 4 by the operation bar 13 is large, and frequent maintenance work is required. Such a problem also occurs in the liquid phase storage type in which the cryopreserved material storage case 3 is immersed in the liquid nitrogen 7.

  The present invention is capable of reducing the necessary rotational torque of the mounting tray without causing such problems, and has a long-life cryopreservation capable of performing good cryopreservation without requiring maintenance over a long period of time. The purpose is to provide a container.

  The present invention provides a container main body storing a cryogenic liquefied gas and a mounting tray on which a plurality of storage objects to be frozen are mounted, and an opening / closing port is formed at a position deviated from the center of the upper wall. And a support mechanism for supporting the mounting tray in the container body so as to be rotatable about the center line of the container body. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object in the cryopreservation container configured so that it can be taken in and out through the opening / closing port by rotating the loading tray so as to be positioned at the position, in particular, the support mechanism is configured as follows. It is suggested to keep.

  That is, in the cryopreservation container of the present invention described in claim 1 (hereinafter referred to as “first cryopreservation container”), the support mechanism includes a support column erected at the center of the lower wall of the container body, A support cylinder provided at the center of the mounting tray and fitted to the support; and a single sphere interposed between the center of the upper wall of the support cylinder and the center of the upper end of the support. It is proposed that the placing tray is configured to be rotatably supported by the support column via the sphere. Generally, ceramics such as alumina are used as the constituent material of the sphere.

  In the cryopreservation container (hereinafter referred to as “second cryopreservation container”) of the present invention described in claim 2, the support mechanism includes a support stand erected on the lower wall of the container body, A receiving body provided on the lower surface portion of the tray and facing the upper surface portion of the support base, and an upper and lower opposing surface portion of the support base and the receiving body are arranged in parallel and in a rollable state. It is proposed that a plurality of spheres are provided, and the mounting tray is rotatably supported by a support base via these spheres. As a constituent material of each sphere, a metal material such as stainless steel is generally used.

In the first or second cryopreservation container, when performing cryopreservation in the gas phase,
The cryogenic liquefied gas is stored in the bottom region of the container body, and the mounting tray is supported by the support mechanism in a state where it does not contact the stored liquid surface. Further, in the first or second cryopreservation container, a plastic operation shaft is connected to the upper wall portion of the support cylinder so as not to be relatively rotatable, and the upper end portion of the operation shaft is located outside the container body. It can be configured to rotate the loading tray to a desired position by projecting through the wall and rotating the operation shaft portion protruding outside the container body by a motor or artificially. . If this is done, the loading tray can be rotated outside the container body, so that the operation bar can be rotated by putting a hand into the cryogenic gas phase region from the opening and closing port, as in conventional containers. Compared to the above, the rotation operation of the mounting tray can be performed more safely. In particular, if the operation shaft is rotated by a motor, as will be described later, the loading tray is automatically rotated so that the place for placing the storage case for the desired frozen storage object is located immediately below the opening / closing port. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability of the cryopreservation container. Further, in the case where such an operation shaft is provided, a through-hole through which the operation shaft is inserted is formed in the upper wall of the container body, and a peripheral portion of the through-hole is made of silicon rubber having an inner diameter smaller than that of the operation shaft. The annular seal plate is fixed, and the operation shaft is inserted into the annular seal plate with its inner peripheral portion elastically expanded and deformed to seal between the operation shaft and the through hole. Keep it. Further, when the opening / closing port is opened / closed by fitting / removing the cap, it is preferable to form one exhaust port penetrating through the cap. If such an exhaust port is provided, when the liquefied gas is replenished, the evaporative gas is exhausted from one place (exhaust port) of the cap, so that the evaporative gas is dispersed in all directions from the gap between the opening and closing port and the cap. Can be prevented, and the anxiety given to the operator can be eliminated. Also, the evaporative gas can be recovered.

  In the first and second cryopreservation containers, the support mechanism of the mounting tray is configured as described above, and the weight of the mounting tray and the storage case for the cryopreservation material placed on the tray is set in the vertical direction. Since it is designed to be received by a single sphere (first cryopreservation container) or a plurality of spheres (second cryopreservation container), a loading tray is necessary, unlike the case of using a bearing 12 like a conventional container. The rotational torque can be reduced, and even if a foreign substance floating in the container body enters the support mechanism, the required rotational torque is rarely increased, and smooth rotation with low torque is ensured. Further, in the first cryopreservation container, since the load from the mounting tray and the storage case for the cryopreservation object is received by one sphere, it is superior in durability to the bearing 12 and is supported by rotation due to wear or the like. There is very little loss of function. Such an effect is more prominent particularly when the sphere is made of ceramics excellent in compression resistance and wear resistance. Further, in the second cryopreservation container, even if each sphere is made of a metal that is inferior in wear resistance as compared with ceramics, for example, a plurality of loads due to the loading tray and the storage case for the cryopreservation object are used. Since it is received by the individual spheres, the load borne by each sphere is reduced, so that the rotation support function is hardly reduced by wear or the like. Therefore, according to the first and second cryopreservation containers, the mounting tray can be easily rotated with a small rotational force, and good cryopreservation can be performed without requiring maintenance over a long period of time. In addition, since the support mechanism in these cryopreservation containers is simpler and less expensive than the support mechanism using the bearing 12, the manufacturing cost of the container can be reduced. Furthermore, in the first or second cryopreservation container, the loading tray can be rotated from the outside of the container by the operation shaft extending outside the container body. Can be carried out easily and efficiently.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing a first cryopreservation container A1 of a gas phase storage type. The cryopreservation container A1 includes a container body 2 and a plurality of cryopreservation storage cases 3 as shown in FIG. , A support mechanism 5 that rotatably supports the mounting tray 4 around the center line of the container body 2, and an operation mechanism 6 that operates the mounting tray 4 to a desired rotational position. The cryopreserved material is stored frozen in a cryogenic gas phase formed on the liquid storage surface 7a of the liquefied gas 7.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a container body 2 is a heat insulating container having a vacuum double wall structure in which a container wall composed of a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 and circular upper and lower walls 22, 23 is filled with a heat insulating material 2a (in this example, , With an internal volume of 1400 L). A circular opening / closing port 24 is formed in the upper wall 22 of the container body 2 at a position deviated from the center thereof. The opening / closing port 24 is opened / closed by fitting / removing the cap 25 filled with the heat insulating material 25a. The cap 25 is provided with an exhaust port 25b penetrating therethrough. An exhaust pipe 26 is attached to the upper end of the exhaust port 25b as necessary. A cryogenic liquefied gas (generally liquid nitrogen is used) 7 is stored in the bottom region of the container body 2. The liquid level of the liquefied gas 7 (the height of the stored liquid level 7a) can be confirmed from the outside of the container body 2 by a liquid level gauge (not shown), and is always maintained within a certain range. A plurality of casters 27 are attached to the lower part of the container body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting tray 4 has a disk shape on which a plurality (60 in this example) of frozen storage cases 3 are mounted. Each frozen storage object storage case 3 is provided with a label such as a number for distinguishing it from other frozen storage object storage cases 3. On the other hand, in the mounting tray 4, the mounting location of each frozen storage object storage case 3 is set in advance by the partition plate 41 or the like, and each frozen storage container storage case 3 is designated by a label attached thereto. It is supposed to be placed on the place where it is placed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, each to-be-frozen storage case 3 is the state which laminated | stacked the storage box 32 of the open upper surface which divided the inside into the some storage part 31, and the several storage box 32 to the up-down direction. And a case main body 33 having a frame structure that is detachably held in the storage box 32. A storage object to be frozen (for example, an ampoule containing a microbial cell) is stored in each storage portion 31 of the storage box 32. A handle 34 is attached to the upper surface of the case body 33 with the above-described mark. Further, the case body 33 is provided with a rod-like slide stopper 35 that prevents the case body 33 from falling off by penetrating the storage box 32. The storage box 32 can be taken out from the case body 33 by pulling the slide stopper 35 upward.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the support mechanism 5 is a column 51 standing at the center of the lower wall 23 of the container body 2 and a cylindrical body formed at the center of the mounting tray 4. The support cylinder 52 is fitted, and one ceramic sphere 53 is interposed between the center of the upper end of the support column 51 and the center of the upper wall of the support cylinder 52. As shown in FIG. 2, a conical recess 54 for holding the sphere 53 is formed at the center of the upper end of the column 51, and the sphere 53 is rotatably held. The lower surface of the upper wall of the support cylinder 52 is a smooth horizontal surface 55, and the center portion is received and supported by the sphere 53. Thus, the mounting tray 4 is supported by the support column 51 via the sphere 53 so as to be rotatable around the center line, and is supported at a position where the mounting tray 4 does not contact the liquid storage surface 7a. ing. Oxide ceramics or carbide ceramics can be used as the constituent material of the sphere 53. In this example, alumina is used in consideration of workability and the like. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding portion 51 a where the concave portion 54 for holding the sphere 53 is formed and the supported portion 52 a where the smooth horizontal surface 55 supported by the sphere 53 is formed are the same as the support column 51 and the support cylinder 52. It is composed of a separate metal member (in this example, a stainless steel member) and is devised so that it can be replaced when wear damage is caused by contact with the sphere 53. That is, the holding portion 51a is detachably fixed to the upper end of the support column 51 by an appropriate fixing tool 51b such as a bolt, and the supported portion 52a is formed in an engagement recess 52b formed on the lower surface of the upper wall of the support cylinder 52. The fitting is fixed.

  Further, an anti-sway bearing 56 is interposed between the opposing peripheral surfaces of the lower end portion of the support column 51 and the lower end portion of the support cylinder 52 to suppress the shake of the mounting tray 4. The bearing 56 does not receive a load in the vertical direction, and may be any bearing that can prevent the support column 52 from swinging without interfering with the rotation of the support cylinder 52. It is not necessary to demonstrate. The steadying bearing 56 is provided as necessary, and may not be provided depending on the structure and use conditions of the first cryopreservation container A1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation mechanism 6 includes an operation shaft 61 connected to the mounting tray 4, a motor 62 with a speed reducer that rotationally drives the operation shaft 61, and a controller that controls the motor 62.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation shaft 61 has a lower end portion connected to the support cylinder 52 and an upper end side portion protruding through the seal portion 8 formed on the upper wall 22 of the container body 2 and projecting outside the container body 2. Is. The operation shaft 61 is made of a plastic material having low thermal conductivity, low temperature resistance, and rigidity. In this example, the operation shaft 61 is made of an epoxy resin. The operation shaft 61 and the support cylinder 52 form the lower end portion of the operation shaft 61 on the involute spline shaft 61a, and the spline shaft 61a on the inner peripheral portion of the connection cylinder 64 standing at the center of the upper wall of the support cylinder 52. A spline groove 64 a that engages with the connecting cylinder 64 is formed, and the spline shaft 61 a is fitted into the connecting cylinder 64 so that the spline shafts 64 a are connected so as not to be relatively rotatable. Although both 61a and 64 are connected so as not to be rotatable relative to each other, they are connected in a flexible state allowing a relative displacement (excluding relative rotational displacement) to some extent.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the seal portion 8 forms a through hole 81 through which the operation shaft 61 is inserted in the upper wall 22 of the container body 2, and an annular seal plate 82 made of silicon rubber in the through hole forming portion of the upper wall 22. And is configured to seal between the through hole 81 and the operation shaft 61. The through-hole 81 is constituted by a cylindrical metal bellows 83, and metal cylinders 84 and 85 welded to the upper and lower ends of the metal bellows 83 are fixed (welded) to the inner and outer wall plates 22 a and 22 b of the upper wall 22. is there. The outer peripheral portion of the annular seal plate 82 is bolted to the upper metal cylinder 84 via a press ring 86. The annular seal plate 82 has an inner diameter d smaller than the diameter D of the operation shaft 61 by a predetermined amount. By inserting the operation shaft 61, the inner peripheral portion 82a of the seal plate 82 is expanded in diameter as shown in FIG. It deforms and seals closely to the outer peripheral surface of the operation shaft 61. As shown in FIG. 4, a metal bellows protective cylinder 81a extending to a position opposite to the lower end inner periphery of the lower metal cylinder 85 is fixed (welded) to the inner periphery of the lower end of the upper metal cylinder 84. Therefore, the operation shaft 61 is prevented from contacting the bellows 83.

  An upper end portion of the operation shaft 61 is connected to a lower end portion of a transmission shaft 66 rotatably supported by a support frame 65 erected on the upper wall 22 of the container body 2 via an appropriate coupling 67. . The connection of the shafts 61 and 66 by the coupling 67 is a fixed connection, and unlike the connection by the spline means 61a and 64a, relative displacement is not allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 62 is fixed to a support frame 65, and an output shaft 62a and a transmission shaft 66 are connected to appropriate power transmission means 68 (in this example, a belt made up of pulleys 68a and 68b and a belt 68c). The loading tray 4 is rotationally driven via the operation shaft 61 by being interlocked and connected by the transmission means).

  Since the controller is composed of a combination of commercially available devices, the details thereof will be omitted. However, depending on the signal from the input unit and the input unit for inputting the label data attached to each frozen storage case 3 And a control unit that controls the motor 62 via an encoder or the like, and the mounting tray 4 is placed so that the mounting position corresponding to the sign input to the input unit is located immediately below the opening / closing port 24. The rotation is controlled. Therefore, by placing the sign attached to the desired storage object storage case 3 into the input unit, the placement place designated by the sign is placed immediately below the opening / closing port 24. The tray 4 is automatically rotated, and the cryopreserved material storage case 3 can be stored in the container body 2 from the opening / closing port 24 or taken out of the container body 2.

  In addition, each component of 1st cryopreservation container A1 is a metal material (in this example, stainless steel) excellent in low temperature resistance except heat insulating materials 2a and 25a, the spherical body 53, the operation shaft 61, and the annular seal board 82. ).

  In the first cryopreservation container A1 configured as described above, the placement location designated by the mark attached to the cryopreservation storage case 3 storing the cryopreservation is just below the opening / closing port 24. The storage case 3 can be stored or removed from the opening / closing port 24 by rotating the mounting tray 4 so as to be positioned. The rotation of the loading tray 4 to such a position is automatically performed by the driving force of the motor 62 by inputting the data of the mark to the input unit of the controller. As compared with the case where the operation bar 13 is rotated by putting a hand in the extremely low temperature gas phase region from 24, the rotation operation of the mounting tray 4 can be performed safely and easily. In particular, when the cap 25 is removed, it is difficult to visually recognize the inside of the container body 2 from the opening / closing port 24 due to contact between the cryogenic gas and the air in the container body 2, and the rotation position where the loading tray 4 is desired. However, if the rotation position of the loading tray 4 is automatically controlled as described above, the loading tray 4 can be easily and accurately operated to a desired rotation position. In addition, it is possible to efficiently and easily put in and out the storage case 3 to be stored. In addition, since the loading tray 4 is rotated while the opening / closing port 24 is closed with the cap 25, the loading tray 4 needs to be rotated with the cap 25 removed as in the case of the conventional container. Thus, the opening time of the opening / closing port 24 is short when the storage case 3 to be stored is taken in and out, and heat loss due to the opening of the opening / closing port 24 is extremely small.

  Thus, the upper end portion of the mounting tray 4 (the upper end portion of the support cylinder 52) is received and supported by the support column 51 via one alumina sphere 53, and is mounted on the mounting tray 4 and this. Since the load of the plurality of cases to be stored 3 is only received by the single sphere 53, foreign matter floating in the container body 2 enters between the sphere 53 and its contact portions 54, 55. Even in such a case, the rotation support function of the loading tray 4 is not deteriorated or impaired, and the loading tray 4 can be smoothly rotated, and the required rotational torque is extremely small. This advantage is also the same in the liquid phase storage type first cryopreservation container B1 described later. In addition, since the sphere 53 is made of alumina excellent in compression resistance and wear resistance, the sphere 53 is not worn even after long-term use, and the rotation support function of the loading tray 4 is maintained for a long time. Well maintained. Therefore, as compared with the case where the bearing 12 like the conventional container is used, the rotation support of the mounting tray 4 can be performed well over a long period of time, and there is no need to perform maintenance over a long period of time. Furthermore, the support mechanism 5 using a single sphere 53 is simpler in structure and lower in manufacturing cost than that using the bearing 12, and is extremely advantageous from the viewpoint of manufacturing economy of the container A1.

  Further, the operation shaft 61 may be shaken by vibration or the like with the rotation of the mounting tray-4. However, when the operation shaft 61 is shaken, the inner periphery of the annular seal plate 82 is also shown in FIG. The portion 82a is elastically deformed with the swing of the operation shaft 61, and the seal between the through hole 81 and the shaft operation shaft 61 is satisfactorily performed. Further, since the operation shaft 61 is made of plastic (epoxy resin) having low thermal conductivity, the operation shaft 61 does not conduct heat into the container body 2 through the operation shaft 61, and the operation shaft 61 is located above the container body 2. There is no heat loss due to passing through the wall 22.

  In addition, when the liquefied gas is replenished, the evaporated gas is dispersed in all directions from the gap between the opening / closing port 24 and the cap 25. Since the cap 25 is provided with the exhaust port 25b, the evaporated gas is exhausted exclusively at one location. It will be exhausted from the opening | mouth 25b, and the anxiety given to an operator can be wiped off. The exhaust direction from the exhaust port 25b can be arbitrarily adjusted by attaching an exhaust pipe 26 to the exhaust port 25b as shown by a chain line in FIG. Further, it is possible to connect the exhaust pipe 26 to the exhaust duct as required.

  FIG. 7 is a longitudinal side view showing the second cryopreservation container A2 of the gas phase preservation type. As shown in FIG. 7, the cryopreservation container A2 includes the container body 2 and a large number of cryopreservation storage cases. 3, a support tray 9 that supports the mounting tray 4 so as to be rotatable around the center line of the container body 2, and an operating mechanism that operates the mounting tray 4 to a desired rotational position. The cryopreserved material is cryopreserved in a cryogenic gas phase region formed on the liquid storage surface 7a of the liquefied gas 7, as in the first cryopreservation container A1 described above. Is.

  Since the second cryopreservation container A2 has the same configuration as the first cryopreservation container A1 except for the configuration of the support mechanism 9, the same components are first described in FIGS. The same reference numerals as those of the components in the cryopreservation container A1 are attached, and the details thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the support mechanism 9 includes a cylindrical base portion 91a erected at the center of the lower wall 23 of the container body 2 and a disk-shaped support portion 91b fixed to the upper surface thereof. A base 91, an annular receiver 92 fixed to the center of the lower surface of the mounting tray 4, a plurality of metal spheres 93 interposed between the support base 91 and the receiver 92, and a mounting tray 4 is a cylindrical body formed at the center of the hollow shaft 94 with the lower end fixed to the receiver 92 and the center of the upper surface of the support 91b. And a support column 95 inserted through the hollow shaft 94.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper and lower surfaces of the support 91 and the receiver 92, that is, the upper surface of the support 91 b and the lower surface of the receiver 92 are annular with the same diameter and concentric with the container body 2. Grooves 96 and 97 are formed, and a plurality of metal spheres (in this example, stainless steel spheres) 93 are engaged with the annular grooves 96 and 97 in a rollable state. The placing tray 4 is supported on a support base 91 via a metal sphere 93 so as to be rotatable around the center line. The metal sphere 93 is not accommodated in the annular grooves 96 and 97 in close contact with each other, and can roll in the annular grooves 96 and 97 as the loading tray 4 rotates. They are stored in a state where a slight gap is generated between them. Specifically, the number of the metal spheres 93 is set to be about 1 to 2 less than the number of the metal spheres 93 when they are housed in the annular grooves 96 and 97 in close contact with each other. The support base 91 has a height such that the upper surface portion (the upper surface portion of the support portion 91b) is positioned slightly higher than the stored liquid surface 7a, and the mounting tray 4 does not contact the stored liquid surface 7a. It is supported so that it can rotate freely. Further, a small bearing 98 for steadying is interposed between the opposing peripheral surfaces of the small-diameter support shaft 95a protruding from the center of the upper end of the support column 95 and the adapter ring 94a fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the hollow shaft 94. Therefore, the shaking of the loading tray 4 is suppressed. The bearing 98 does not receive a load in the vertical direction, and may be any bearing that can prevent the column 95 from swinging without hindering the rotation of the hollow shaft 94, and is a general bearing function like the bearing 12 in the conventional container. It is not necessary to demonstrate. That is, the steadying bearing 98 is for suppressing the shaking during rotation of the mounting tray 4, and the rotation support of the mounting tray 4 is performed exclusively by the sphere 93. Further, the steady-state bearing 98 is provided as necessary, and may not be provided depending on the structure and use conditions of the second cryopreservation container A2. Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, an annular wall 91d is erected on the outer peripheral portion of the support portion 91b so as to prevent entry of foreign substances as much as possible. Similarly to the first cryopreservation container A1, the same connecting cylinder 64 as that in the first cryopreservation container A1 is erected on the upper end portion of the hollow shaft 94. 61 is splined. Moreover, each structural member of the said container A2 is comprised with the metal material (this example stainless steel) excellent in low temperature resistance except the heat insulating materials 2a and 25a, the operating shaft 61, and the annular seal board 82. .

  In the second cryopreservation container A2 configured as described above, as in the first cryopreservation container A1, the second cryopreservation container A2 is designated by a label attached to the cryopreservation storage container 3 that stores the cryopreservation storage. The storage case 3 can be stored or taken out of the opening / closing port 24 by rotating the mounting tray 4 so that the mounting location is located immediately below the opening / closing port 24. The rotation of the mounting tray 4 to such a position is automatically performed by the driving force of the motor 62 by inputting the data of the mark to the input unit of the controller. It is safer and easier. Further, the opening time of the opening / closing port 24 when the storage case 3 to be stored for freezing is taken in and out is short, and heat loss due to the opening of the opening / closing port 24 is extremely small.

  Thus, the central portion of the lower end (the receiving body 92) of the mounting tray 4 is received and supported by the support base 91 immediately below it via the plurality of spheres 93, and is mounted on the mounting tray 4 and this. Since the load of the cryopreserved material storage case 3 is received by the plurality of spheres 93 that are in a rollable state that are not in close contact with each other, foreign matter floating in the container body 2 has entered the support area by the spheres 93. Even in such a case, the rotation support function of the loading tray 4 is not deteriorated or impaired, and the loading tray 4 can be smoothly rotated, and the required rotational torque is extremely small. This advantage is the same also in the liquid cryopreservation type second cryopreservation container B2 described later. In addition, since the load that each sphere 93 bears is small, even if it is a steel ball that is inferior in wear resistance compared to ceramics, the sphere 93 will not be worn even after long-term use. The rotation support function of 4 is well maintained over a long period of time. Therefore, as compared with the case where the bearing 12 like the conventional container is used, the rotation support of the mounting tray 4 can be performed well over a long period of time, and there is no need to perform maintenance over a long period of time. Further, the support mechanism 9 in which a plurality of spheres 93 are arranged so as to be able to roll is simpler in structure and less expensive to manufacture than the one using the bearing 12, and from the viewpoint of manufacturing economy of the container A2. Is also very advantageous. Needless to say, in the second cryopreservation container A2, in addition to the above-described points, the same operational effects as the first cryopreservation container A1 can be achieved.

  By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be appropriately improved and changed without departing from the basic principle of the present invention. For example, the first or second cryopreservation container can be used not only in the above-described gas phase storage type but also in a liquid phase storage type as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. That is, both the first cryopreservation container B1 shown in FIG. 10 and the second cryopreservation container B2 shown in FIG. 11 are positions where the stored liquid level 7a is immersed in the cryopreservation material storage case 3 on the mounting tray 4. The cryopreserved material is cryopreserved in the liquid phase by raising the temperature to the same level. Except for this point, it has the same configuration as the cryopreservation containers A1 and A2, and has the same effects. It is what you play. Further, in any of the cryopreservation containers A1, A2, B1, and B2, the operation shaft 61 is artificially rotated by attaching an operation handle to a portion protruding outside the container body 2. be able to. In this case, display means capable of displaying the relationship between the rotational position of the operation handle and the rotational position of the mounting tray 4 is provided, and the mounting tray 4 can be brought to a desired position without visually recognizing the inside of the container body 2 from the opening / closing port 24. It is preferable to allow rotation. Of course, like the conventional container, the operation bar 13 may be attached to the hollow shafts 54 and 94 without providing the operation shaft 61, and the operation bar 13 may be artificially operated from the opening / closing port 24. In addition, as a constituent material of the sphere 53 in the cryopreservation containers A1 and B1, in addition to the above-described ceramics such as alumina, metal materials such as cemented carbide and stainless steel are used depending on the use conditions of the containers A1 and B1. In addition to the above-described metal materials such as stainless steel, ceramics may be used as the constituent material of each sphere 93 in the cryopreservation containers A2 and B2, depending on the use conditions of the containers A2 and B2. It is also possible to use it.

It is a vertical side view which shows an example of a 1st cryopreservation container. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a main part (support mechanism) of FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional plan view of the principal part along the III-III line of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a main part (seal part) of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a state in which the operation shaft is swung. It is a perspective view which shows a to-be-frozen preservation | save thing storage case. It is a vertical side view which shows an example of a 2nd cryopreservation container. FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of a main part (support mechanism) of FIG. 7. It is a cross-sectional plan view which follows the IX-IX line of FIG. It is a vertical side view which shows the modification of a 1st cryopreservation container. It is a vertical side view which shows the modification of a 2nd cryopreservation container. It is a vertical side view which shows a conventional container.

Explanation of symbols

  A1, B1 ... first cryopreservation container, A2, B2 ... second cryopreservation container, 2 ... container body, 3 ... cryopreservation material storage case, 4 ... loading tray, 5 ... support mechanism, 6 ... operation mechanism, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Cryogenic liquid gas (liquid nitrogen), 7a ... Storage liquid surface, 8 ... Seal part, 9 ... Support mechanism, 21 ... Perimeter wall of container main body, 22 ... Upper wall of container main body, 23 ... Lower wall of container main body, 24 ... Opening and closing port, 25 ... Cap, 25b ... Exhaust port, 32 ... Storage box, 33 ... Case body, 51 ... Support column, 53 ... Support cylinder, 53 ... Sphere, 54, 55 ... Recess, 61 ... Operation shaft, 62 ... Motor, 66 ... Transmission shaft, 68 ... Power transmission means, 81 ... Through hole, 82 ... Ring seal plate, 82a ... Inner peripheral portion of ring seal plate, 83 ... Bellows, 91 ... Support base, 91b ... Support portion, 92 ... Receptor, 93 ... sphere, 96,97 ... annular groove.

Claims (8)

A container body that stores an extremely low temperature liquefied gas while forming an opening / closing port at a position deviated from the center of the upper wall, a mounting tray on which a plurality of storage objects to be stored are placed, and a container body And a support mechanism for rotatably supporting the mounting tray around the center line of the container main body so that the desired storage case for the object to be frozen is placed at a position directly below the opening / closing port. In the cryopreservation container configured to be able to be taken in and out from the opening / closing port by rotating the mounting tray to
The support mechanism includes a support column that is erected at the center of the lower wall of the container body, a support tube that is provided at the center of the loading tray and is fitted to the support column, the center of the upper wall of the support tube, and the upper end of the support column. A cryopreservation container comprising a single sphere interposed between the central portion and a mounting tray that is rotatably supported by a support via the sphere. The cryopreservation container according to claim 1, wherein the sphere is made of ceramics. A container body that stores an extremely low temperature liquefied gas while forming an opening / closing port at a position deviated from the center of the upper wall, a mounting tray on which a plurality of storage objects to be stored are placed, and a container body And a support mechanism for rotatably supporting the mounting tray around the center line of the container main body so that the desired storage case for the object to be frozen is placed at a position directly below the opening / closing port. In the cryopreservation container configured to be able to be taken in and out from the opening / closing port by rotating the mounting tray to
The support mechanism is a support stand erected on the lower wall of the container body, a receiver provided on the lower surface portion of the mounting tray and opposed to the upper surface portion of the support table, and a vertically opposed surface portion of the support table and the receiver A plurality of spheres arranged in an annular shape in parallel and in a rollable state, and the mounting tray is rotatably supported by the support table via these spheres. A cryopreservation container characterized by comprising. 4. The cryopreservation container according to claim 3, wherein each sphere is made of metal. The liquefied gas is stored in the bottom region of the container body, and the mounting tray is supported by the support mechanism in a state of not contacting the stored liquid surface. A cryopreservation container according to claim 3 or claim 4. A plastic operation shaft is connected to the upper wall portion of the support cylinder so as not to be relatively rotatable, and an upper end side portion of the operation shaft protrudes through the upper wall to the outside of the container body, and projects out of the container body. The configuration is such that the loading tray is rotated to a desired position by rotating the operation shaft portion by a motor or artificially. A cryopreservation container according to claim 4 or claim 5. A through-hole through which the operation shaft is inserted is formed in the upper wall of the container body, and an annular seal plate made of silicon rubber having an inner diameter smaller than that of the operation shaft is fixed to the peripheral portion of the through-hole, 7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein the operation shaft is inserted while the inner peripheral portion is elastically expanded and deformed to seal between the operation shaft and the through hole. The cryopreservation container described. The opening / closing port is opened / closed by fitting / removing the cap, and the cap is formed with one exhaust port penetrating the cap / opening / closing port. The cryopreservation container according to claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, or claim 7.

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