US20030019228A1

US20030019228A1 - Controlled environment and freezer bank system

Info

Publication number: US20030019228A1
Application number: US09/912,107
Authority: US
Inventors: David Bilyeu
Original assignee: Regeneration Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Regeneration Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2001-07-25
Filing date: 2001-07-25
Publication date: 2003-01-30

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system and methods for maintaining a controlled environment having at least one storage compartment which includes at least one portal and additional includes at least one individualized freezer drawer having a sealing means, each storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature, at least one individualized freezer drawer is accessed the constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment is not altered; and at least one floating temperature room which includes a plurality of portals, each floating temperature room is adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment by at least one portal; and at least one working room which includes a plurality of portals, each working room is adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room by at least one portal, the temperature in each working room is maintained higher temperature than the temperature in each floating temperature room; and at least one anteroom, wherein each anteroom includes at least two portals, wherein each anteroom is a barrier between the controlled environment and the surrounding area of the apparatus, wherein the temperature in each anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each working room; and at least one refrigeration means for controlling a variety of temperatures to selected areas with the controlled environment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for a freezer system with a controlled environment for storing banks of individualized freezer drawers, and more specifically, methods and apparatus that stores temperature sensitive materials and permits individual specimens or batches to be accessed without compromising the storage temperature of the specimens or batches.

2. Background of the Invention

Certain geographical locations can be a limiting factor in designing a containment area that can maintain a constant temperature for storing temperature sensitive materials. During the summertime with periods of high humidity, it is extremely difficult to maintain a constant cooled temperature within a containment area.

Specialized laboratories and equipment are commercially designed to accommodate the advances in technology in the fields of chemistry, physics, and biology. One problem in many conventional freezer systems (such as walk-in freezers and chest freezers) is that they require the user to access the stored materials through a large door or a main aisle, which exposes the entire freezer system and stored temperature sensitive materials to ambient temperatures (70° F.) thereby resulting in increased thermodynamic loss. Most controlled environments include walk ways where the entire freezer area is maintained at extreme cold temperatures such as −80° C. Another problem with these types of freezers is that they require the user wear personal protective equipment to prevent hypothermia or frost bite while gaining access to stored items. Today, massive insulation within many containment areas is the most common method to combat the harsh summertime conditions, but this method still does not address the thermodynamic loss associated when opening the containment area in ambient conditions such as 70° F.

An additional problem associated with most conventional freezer systems is the fluctuation of temperatures that may cause premature thawing and unwanted refreezing. This often causes possible irreversible damage to specimens being stored or accessed referred to as “cold shock”, and also cause entry of some bacteria known to contaminate stored samples. It is known that some biological specimens are more susceptible to cold shock that other biological specimens. Most samples that are stored are frozen and when the frozen samples are subjected to fluctuations in temperature it causes ice crystals to melt and assume a fluid liquid form, thus destroying the samples. Another drawback to this process is that it promotes the accumulation of unwanted condensation that provides an environment where various types of microorganisms can spawn and render it very difficult to maintain aseptic conditions. Also, the reformation of ice crystals from unwanted condensation may destroy the samples.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,315,409 and 4,317,665 disclose improvements to cryogenic freezing systems utilizing air at cryogenic temperatures. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,733,848 and 3,868,827, disclose systems where air is taken from the surrounding apparatus and cooled, so when introduced into the freezer at this temperature, quick freezing of articles takes place. These freezers only concentrate on the recirculation of the atmosphere from the freezing compartment. The problem with these systems is that they are susceptible to frost buildup and the recycling of bacteria particles because the air is constantly being reused.

German Patent application No. DE 195 46 984 illustrates a cold chest with drawers for storing goods. The open top side of the drawer must be against the ceiling of the chamber wall in order to seal off the inside of the drawer from the inside of the chamber when pulled out. One problem with this design is that it only permits one level of drawers within a chamber. Another problem with that published patent application is that when the drawer is fully pulled out, the inside of the chamber is still subjected to thermodynamic loss until the spring-loaded door closes, thus exposing the inside of the chamber to the ambient temperatures in the cold chest.

An ideal controlled environment would improve the cost effectiveness and efficiency of maintaining a cooled controlled environment. Most importantly, what is needed is a freezer system with a controlled environment that is designed to prevent the destruction of stored temperature sensitive material when being accessed and eliminate the need for a user to wear extensive personal protective equipment which is necessary when exposed to a freezer system that has aisles maintained at extremely low temperatures. Furthermore, it is desirous to achieve a system whereby a portion of the system can be accessed without subjecting the entire system to ambient temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel methods and apparatus for a freezer system with a controlled environment for storing banks of individualized freezer drawers without having to expose temperature sensitive material to ambient conditions and eliminates the need for a user to wear extensive personal protective equipment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a freezer system with a controlled environment that permits the user to access temperature sensitive materials without having to wear protective equipment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a freezer system with a controlled environment that stores banks of individualized freezer containing temperature sensitive materials without exposing the material to ambient conditions, which may be destroyed or contaminated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an efficient freezer system that requires less energy to maintain stored temperature sensitive material at constant temperatures.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a safe working area when accessing stored temperature sensitive material within extremely low temperature environments.

It is still another further object of the present invention to provide a barrier that protects the storage compartment from being exposed to the outside environment.

The above and other objects are accomplished by a first embodiment of an apparatus for maintaining a controlled environment comprising:

at least one storage compartment, wherein each storage compartment includes at least one portal, wherein each storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature; and

at least one floating temperature room, wherein each floating temperature room includes a plurality of portals, each floating temperature room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment by at least one portal; and

at least one refrigeration system for controlling a variety of temperatures to selected areas with the controlled environment.

A second embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for maintaining a controlled environment comprising:

at least one working room, wherein each working room includes a plurality of portals, each working room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room by at least one portal; and

A third embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for maintaining a controlled environment comprising:

at least one storage compartment, wherein each storage compartment includes at least one portal, wherein each storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature, each storage compartment is dimensioned and configured to store temperature sensitive materials, each storage compartment includes a plurality of individualized freezer drawers including a sealing means, whereby at least one individualized freezer drawer is accessed the constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment is not altered; and

at least one floating temperature room, wherein each floating temperature room includes a plurality of portals, each floating temperature room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment by at least one portal, wherein the temperature of each floating temperature room can be altered to safely accommodate a user without having to wear protective equipment; and

at least one working room, wherein each working room includes a plurality of portals, each working room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room by at least one portal, wherein the temperature in each working room is maintained higher temperature than the temperature in each floating temperature room; and

at least one anteroom, wherein each anteroom includes at least two portals, wherein each anteroom is a barrier between the controlled environment and the surrounding area of the apparatus, wherein the temperature in each anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each working room; and

Further, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is also directed to a method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of:

maintaining a constant temperature within each storage compartment for housing temperature sensitive materials; and

regulating the temperature in at least one floating temperature room to safely accommodate a user without wearing protective equipment when accessing temperature sensitive material housed in the storage compartment, each floating temperature room is adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment; and

providing at least one refrigerating means for controlling a variety of temperatures to selected areas with the controlled environment.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is also directed to a method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of:

maintaining a constant temperature in at least one working room to permit a person to safely analyze and inspect temperature sensitive material, each working room is maintained at higher temperatures than each floating temperature room which is adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room; and

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of:

maintaining a constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment when individualized freezer drawers are accessed; and

maintaining a constant temperature in at least one working room to permit a person to safely analysis and inspect temperature sensitive material, each working room is maintained at higher temperatures than each floating temperature room which is adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room; and

maintaining a barrier in the form of at least one anteroom which is positioned between the controlled environment and the surrounding area, wherein the temperature in each anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each working room; and

The combination of some or all of the above-mentioned features provides for a controlled environment that includes a number of areas maintained at various temperatures useful in preventing possible destruction of temperature sensitive materials. In addition, the present invention is useful in providing safe accessibility to stored materials within the controlled environment without having to wear protective equipment from extreme cold temperatures.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objectives of the present invention. These objectives should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the features that are more prominent and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner of modifying the invention as will be described.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the present invention, as claimed. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. [0050]
FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram showing the storage compartment having individualized drawers and a floating temperature room according to the present invention. [0051]
FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of the controlled environment showing an arrangement of an anteroom, storage compartment with individualized storage compartments with freezer drawers, floating temperature room, working room, and refrigeration devices according to the present invention. [0052]
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative simplified schematic diagram of the controlled environment showing an arrangement of an anteroom, storage compartment with individualized storage compartments with freezer drawers, floating temperature room, working room, and refrigeration devices according to the present invention.[0053]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to method and apparatus which maintains with a controlled environment for storing banks of individualized freezer drawers and permits individual specimens or batches to be accessed without compromising the storage temperature of the specimens or batches. [0054]
In FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated comprising a [0055] system 10 for maintaining a controlled environment having at least one storage compartment 16, wherein each storage compartment 16 includes at least one portal 18, wherein each storage compartment 16 is maintained at a constant temperature, each storage compartment 16 is constructed to store temperature sensitive materials 26 and includes at least one individualized freezer drawer 28 having a sealing means, and at least one said individualized freezer drawer 28 is accessed such that the constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment 16 is not altered; and at least one floating temperature room 20, wherein each floating temperature room 20 includes a plurality of portals 18, each floating temperature room 20 is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment 16 by at least one portal 18; and at least one refrigeration system 30 for controlling a variety of temperatures to selected areas 16 and 20 with the controlled environment. The temperature of the floating room is preferably regulated by its own thermostat control.
With reference to FIG. 2, the [0056] subject system 10 may further include at least one working room 22, having a plurality of portals 18. Each working room 22 is constructed to be adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room 20 by at least one portal 18. The temperature in each working room 22 is maintained at a higher temperature than the temperature in each floating temperature room 20. The subject system may further include at least one anteroom 24 having at least two portals 18. Each anteroom 24 acts as a barrier between the controlled environment and the surrounding area of the present invention 10.
Preferably, the [0057] present system 10 is constructed to store temperature sensitive materials 26; however, one skilled in the art may incorporate other uses for such controlled environment. Some such temperature sensitive materials 26 include, but are not limited to, biological specimens, chemical compounds, chemical compositions, and products produced by the utilization of cryoelectronics.
In order to prevent contamination and/or destruction of the temperature [0058] sensitive material 26, each individualized freezer drawer 28 preferably comprises a sealing means such as a rubber-like seal. The drawers are preferably arranged 3 to 4 in a vertical row. Temperature regulation of the storage compartment 16 prevents contamination and/or destruction of temperature sensitive materials 26. For example, it has been shown that maintaining a constant temperature ranging between about −20° C. to about −120° C. has effectively reduced or eliminated the contamination and/or destruction of the temperature sensitive materials 26. Thus, the inside temperature of the storage compartment 16 area would ideally be maintained at the above-mentioned ranges where the temperature sensitive materials 26 are housed. Preferably, the temperature in each storage compartment 16 would be maintained at a constant temperature ranging between about −40° C. to about −60° C.
Each [0059] storage compartment 16, floating temperature room 20, working room 22, and anteroom 24 are constructed to include portals 18 such as a door, a window, and a door including a window. At least two doors would be necessary in order for a user to gain access between the above-mentioned areas 20, 22, and 24. These doors may include windows for which the user may glance into each room to determine whether it would be safe to open the door. The portals 18 in the above-mentioned areas 16, 20, 22, and 24 may additionally include other windows, doors, and doors with windows for a variety of purposes.
All [0060] portals 18 within the above-mentioned areas preferably include a sealing means, which provides an airtight seal to aid in the prevention of contamination and thermodynamic loss. Each portal 18 may also be insulated to additionally prevent condensation within the controlled environment. Not only the portals 18, but also the all above-mentioned areas may be insulated to prevent successive thermodynamic loss or condensation.
In the first embodiment, each floating [0061] temperature room 20 is maintained at a temperature that is higher from the constant temperature in each storage compartment 16 to safely accommodate a user without having to wear protective equipment. Another aspect of the present invention is maintaining successive temperatures whereby the coolest room would be each storage compartment 16 area (e.g. −50° C.) and warmer temperatures would successively increase in the floating temperature room 20 (e.g. −23° C.), then if there is a working room 22 (e.g. 4° C.), and if there is a anteroom 24 (e.g. 25° C.). Thus, where the system 10 includes a working room 22, then its temperature would be maintained at a higher temperature than the temperature in each floating temperature room 20. The methods of the present invention 10 mentioned above, will be discussed later in the detailed description. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention 10, the temperature in each working room 22 would be in the range of about −1° C. to 10° C.
Each refrigeration means [0062] 30 may be utilized for producing a variety of temperatures within the controlled environment. The refrigeration means 30 can either be housed within or outside the controlled environment, preferably outside the controlled environement. The refrigeration means relates to conventional refrigerator/freezer systems that effectuate lower temperatures through condensing a refrigerant, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,733,848; 3,868,827; 4,315,409; and 4,317,655, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred refrigerants include RF508B and RF 507.
One skilled in the art of constructing controlled environments would appreciate that the arrangement of the above-mentioned temperature controlled areas can have many configurations to accommodate both supply and accessibility. However, the arrangement would depend on accessibility described above through [0063] portals 18 must be achieved in order for the apparatus 10 to function properly.
For example, each [0064] storage compartment 16 opens into a floating temperature room 20, and each floating temperature room 20 opens into a working room 22. As illustrated in FIG. 2 there are as many as three storage compartments 16 arranged to open through portals 18 into two floating temperature rooms 20. In system shown in FIG. 3, there are as many as five storage compartments 16 arranged to open through portals 18 into five floating temperature rooms 20.
Freezer systems today are designed to store temperature sensitive items such as biological specimens, chemical compounds, chemical compositions, and products produced by the utilization of cryoelectronics. The [0065] present invention 10 could be configured to accommodate the above-mentioned types of temperature sensitive material 26; however, this list is not exhaustive. For example, a temperature sensitive material 26 such as allograft and xenograft bone and tissue specimens are very sensitive to many environmental factors, including temperature, light, physical trauma, and a variety of chemicals. The present invention 10 is a solution to both the temperature and contamination factors mentioned-above, which causes damage by the thawing, and recrystallization of water while bacteria contaminates the stored biological materials. One skilled in the art could see that the present invention 10 could additionally operate to function as a freezer system for other controlled environment situations.
Each [0066] storage compartment 16 is constructed to store temperature sensitive materials 26. The shape, size, and position of each storage compartment 16 usually will depend on the items being stored and accessed, as well as the amount of space available to accommodate the system 10. Each storage compartment 16 may further include at least one individualized freezer drawer 28 having a sealing means. As each individualized freezer drawer 28 is accessed, the temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment 16 is not altered and remains constant.
In FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the [0067] present system 10 is shown that is configured to have several rows of storage compartments 16. Two anterooms 24 are positioned at two opposite corners of the row of storage compartments 16.
In the all of the embodiments described herein, each [0068] storage compartment 16 of the freezer bank system 10 could additional include partitions between each individualized freezer drawers 28 to further aid in the prevent of thermodynamic loss.
A further embodiment of the invention pertains to a method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of: maintaining a constant temperature within a storage compartment for housing temperature sensitive materials; and regulating the temperature in at least one floating temperature room to safely accommodate a user without wearing protective equipment when accessing temperature sensitive material housed in the storage compartment, each floating temperature room is adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment; and providing at least one refrigerating means for controlling a variety of temperatures to selected areas with the controlled environment. [0069]
The foregoing method may additionally include the step of maintaining a constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment when individualized freezer drawers are accessed, as well as additionally comprises the step of maintaining a barrier in the form of at least one anteroom which is positioned between the controlled environment and the surrounding area, wherein the temperature in each anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each working room. [0070]
During the development of the [0071] present invention 10, it was realized that there were several factors that had a clear bearing on the required longevity, and that must be considered to achieve the required length of storage and accessibility to stored items. Thermodynamic loss, personal safety, product destructibility, and energy efficiency are all factors that are addressed in all the embodiments of the present invention 10. Furthermore, the subject system and methods are able to achieve superior maintenance of temperature sensitive materials while also providing an organized freezer bank system that requires less space than conventional walk-in freezer systems
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the specific embodiments disclosed above may readily be utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other methods or apparatus for carrying out the same purpose of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. [0072]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A controlled environment system comprising:

at least one storage compartment, wherein each said storage compartment comprises at least one portal, wherein each said storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature;

at least one freezer drawer comprising a sealing means, wherein said at least one freezer drawer is positioned in said storage compartment and configured such that said at least one said individualized freezer drawer is accessed without altering said constant temperature in the remaining area within each said storage compartment;

at least one floating temperature room, wherein each said floating temperature room includes a plurality of portals, each said floating temperature room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each said storage compartment by at least one portal; and

at least one refrigeration means for controlling a variety of temperatures to selected areas with the controlled environment.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one working room, wherein each said is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each said floating temperature room by at least one portal, wherein the temperature in each said working room is maintained at a higher temperature than the temperature in each said floating temperature room.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one anteroom, wherein each said anteroom includes at least two portals, wherein each said anteroom is a barrier between the controlled environment and the surrounding area of said system.

4. The system in claim 1, wherein each said storage compartment is dimensioned and configured to store temperature sensitive materials.

5. The system claim 4, wherein said temperature sensitive material is selected from the group consisting of biological specimens, chemical compounds, chemical compositions, and products produced by the utilization of cryoelectronics.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said sealing means is a rubber-like seal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each said storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature ranging of about −20° C. to about −120° C.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature ranging of about −40° C. to about −60° C.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each said portal is a door, window, or a door comprising a window.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said portal comprises a sealing means which provides an airtight seal to aid in the prevention of contamination and thermodynamic loss.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said portal is insulated to prevent condensation or thermodynamic loss.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein each said storage compartment, each said floating temperature room, each said working room and each said anteroom are insulated to prevent thermodynamic loss or condensation.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein each said floating temperature room is maintained at a temperature is higher from the constant temperature in each said storage compartment to safely accommodate a user without having to wear protective equipment.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein each said floating temperature room includes a means for altering the temperature within said floating temperature room to safely accommodate a user without having to wear extensive protective equipment.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature in each said working room is maintained higher temperature than the temperature in each said floating temperature room.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein the temperature in said working room is between about −1° C. to 10° C.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein each said refrigeration means for producing a variety of temperatures within the controlled environment is housed outside the controlled environment.

18. A system for maintaining a controlled environment comprising:

at least one storage compartment, wherein each said storage compartment includes at least one portal, wherein each said storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature;

at least one floating temperature room, wherein each said floating temperature room includes a plurality of portals, each said floating temperature room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each said storage compartment by at least one portal;

at least one working room, wherein each said working room includes a plurality of portals, each said working room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each said floating temperature room by at least one portal; and

19. The system of claim 18, further comprises at least one anteroom, wherein each said anteroom includes at least two portals, wherein each said anteroom is a barrier between the controlled environment and the surrounding area of the present invention.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein each said storage compartment is dimensioned and configured to store temperature sensitive materials.

21. A system for maintaining a controlled environment comprising:

at least one storage compartment, wherein each said storage compartment includes at least one portal, wherein each said storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature, each said storage compartment is dimensioned and configured to store temperature sensitive materials, each said storage compartment includes at least one individualized freezer drawer including a sealing means, whereby at least one said individualized freezer drawer is accessed the constant temperature in the remaining area within each said storage compartment is not altered;

at least one floating temperature room, wherein each said floating temperature room includes a plurality of portals, each said floating temperature room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each said storage compartment by at least one portal, wherein the temperature of each said floating temperature room can be altered to safely accommodate a user without having to wear protective equipment;

at least one working room, wherein each said working room includes a plurality of portals, each said working room is dimensioned and configured to be adjacent and accessible to each said floating temperature room by at least one portal, wherein the temperature in each said working room is maintained higher temperature than the temperature in each said floating temperature room;

at least one anteroom, wherein each said anteroom includes at least two portals, wherein each said anteroom is a barrier between the controlled environment and the surrounding area of the apparatus, wherein the temperature in each said anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each said working room; and

22. A method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of:

maintaining a constant temperature within a storage compartment for housing temperature sensitive materials; and

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of maintaining a constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment when individualized freezer drawers are accessed.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprises the step of maintaining a barrier in the form of at least one anteroom which is positioned between the controlled environment and the surrounding area, wherein the temperature in each anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each working room.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein each storage compartment is maintained compartment at a constant temperature ranging of about −20° C. to about −120° C.

26. The method of claims 22, wherein each storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature ranging of about −40° C. to about −60° C.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein in the controlled environment is insulated to prevent condensation or thermodynamic loss.

28. A method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of:

maintaining a constant temperature within at least one storage compartment for housing temperature sensitive materials;

regulating the temperature in at least one floating temperature room to safely accommodate a user without wearing protective equipment when accessing temperature sensitive material housed in the storage compartment, each floating temperature room is adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment;

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of maintaining a constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment when individualized freezer drawers are accessed.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprises the step of maintaining a barrier in the form of at least one anteroom which is positioned between the controlled environment and the surrounding area, wherein the temperature in each anteroom is maintained higher than the temperature in each working room.

31. A method for producing a controlled environment for safely storing and accessing temperature sensitive materials comprising the steps of:

maintaining an constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment when individualized freezer drawers are accessed; and