WO2013036809A2 - Boîtier destiné à stocker des fioles - Google Patents

Boîtier destiné à stocker des fioles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013036809A2
WO2013036809A2 PCT/US2012/054227 US2012054227W WO2013036809A2 WO 2013036809 A2 WO2013036809 A2 WO 2013036809A2 US 2012054227 W US2012054227 W US 2012054227W WO 2013036809 A2 WO2013036809 A2 WO 2013036809A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
case
tray
vial
slots
top tray
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/054227
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2013036809A3 (fr
Inventor
Detrick D. HANNAH
Charles R. Jones
Original Assignee
J.L. Clark, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by J.L. Clark, Inc. filed Critical J.L. Clark, Inc.
Publication of WO2013036809A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013036809A2/fr
Publication of WO2013036809A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013036809A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/42—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for ampoules; for lamp bulbs; for electronic valves or tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • B65D25/10—Devices to locate articles in containers
    • B65D25/103—V-shaped elements, e.g. racks, protuberances projecting from a supporting surface, supporting the articles locally at its sides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3825—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container
    • B65D81/3832—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container the external tray being provided with liquid material between double walls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cases for holding vials, and more particularly cooled cases for holding vials for shipping the vials, and even more particularly to hand held sized cases for vials.
  • the vials are typically rather small and their shape cylindrical, placing the vials on a lab bench can result in easily tipping the vials.
  • the present invention relates to new and improved cases for storing vials. More particularly, the present invention relates to new and improved cases for storing vials that are cooled to maintain the temperature of the vials below a predetermined temperature for an extended period of time such as for shipping the vials.
  • a case for storing vials comprising a cover, a container bottom, and top and bottom tray portions.
  • the container bottom provides a storage cavity in which vials can be stored.
  • the cover is movable relative to the container bottom to provide selective access to the storage cavity.
  • the top tray portion defines a first top surface including a plurality of top tray slots. Each top tray slot is configured for receiving a first portion of a vial.
  • the top tray portion defines at least a portion of a first cavity storing a first cooling material therein.
  • the bottom tray portion defines a second top surface including a plurality of bottom tray slots.
  • Each bottom tray slot is configured for receiving a second portion of a vial.
  • the bottom tray portion defines at least a portion of a second cavity storing a second cooling material therein.
  • the first and second cooling materials are the same.
  • the cooling material is a gel.
  • the cooling material could be water or other materials that have a high specific heat, such as similar to water such that the material can absorb a lot of heat.
  • the top tray portion and the bottom tray portion are removable from the container bottom.
  • the top tray portion defines the entire first cavity and the bottom tray portion defines the entire first cavity.
  • the top tray slots have a radius of between about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.
  • the bottom tray slots have a radius of between about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.
  • the top tray slots have a recessed portion that has a larger radius than a main portion of the top tray slots.
  • the main portion being interposed between the recessed portion and the bottom tray when the top and bottom tray portions are within the container bottom and storage cavity.
  • At least one vial including a main body defining a storage region and a cap covering an opening to the storage region.
  • the cap is positioned within the recessed portion when the vial is positioned within a corresponding one of the top tray slots and a corresponding one of the bottom tray slots.
  • the top tray portion is permanently formed with the container bottom.
  • the container bottom includes a sidewall.
  • the sidewall and top tray portion are formed in a one-piece construction (i.e. molded from a single piece of material). The sidewall and top tray portion form part of the first cavity.
  • the container bottom includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending axially therefrom.
  • the bottom wall and sidewall define the storage cavity.
  • the bottom wall forms the top tray portion.
  • a lid portion closes off the rest of the cavity storing the cooling material relative to the top tray portion.
  • the bottom wall is stepped to form a bottom tray portion receiving slot adjacent the top tray portion.
  • a locating wall extends axially from the bottom wall separating the storage cavity into first and second portions.
  • the first portion is sized larger than the second portion.
  • the top tray portion is located in the first portion and the bottom tray portion is located in the second portion.
  • the cover includes a window for viewing the contents of the case.
  • the cover may be formed from a clarified polypropylene to provide the window.
  • a method of storing vials comprising placing a first portion of a case storing a cooling material within a cooled environment, the first portion including vial holding slots for holding a vial; and placing a vial in the vial holding slot after the at least a first portion has been cooled is also provided.
  • a method further comprises placing a second portion of the case storing a cooling material in the cooled environment.
  • the method further comprises aligning the vial holding slots of the first portion with the vial holding slots of the second portion such that a single vial is positioned within a vial holding slot of the first portion and a vial holding slot of the second portion.
  • the method further comprises placing a cover over the case.
  • the method includes using a case according to any one of the prior embodiments.
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective illustration of a cooled case for holding vials according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top perspective exploded illustration of the cooled case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a top perspective illustration of the case of FIG. 1 with the cover removed from the container bottom;
  • FIG. 4 is a top partial perspective illustration of the top tray removed from the container bottom of the case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 has the top tray inserted into the container bottom of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom illustration of the cover of the case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a bottom exploded illustration of the case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 8 is an end view illustration of the case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective exploded illustration of a top tray of the case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 10 is a top perspective illustration of the case of FIG. 1 with the cover removed and the vials removed;
  • FIG. 11 is a top illustration of a bottom tray of the case of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 12 is a top illustration of an alternative container bottom of an alternative embodiment of a cooled case
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional illustration of the container bottom of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is a bottom illustration of the container bottom of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a case 100 configured to hold and ship a plurality of vials 108 (see FIG. 2) therein.
  • the case 100 is configured, as will be more fully described below, to assist in maintaining the temperature of the vials 108 below a predetermined temperature for an extended period of time when exposed to a predetermined environmental condition.
  • the case 100 generally includes a cover 102 attached to a container bottom 104.
  • the cover 102 may be friction fit or snap fit engaged with an open end of the container bottom 104.
  • the cover 102 and container bottom 104 may be hingedly connected to one another and formed from a single unitary piece of material.
  • cover 102 and container bottom 104 are formed from molded plastic material, such as for example polypropylene.
  • the case 100 including a plurality of vials 108 is illustrated in an exploded form.
  • the case 100 also includes a pair of trays in the form of a top tray 110 and a bottom tray 112.
  • the top and bottom trays 110, 112 are removable from the container bottom 104.
  • the top and bottom trays 110, 112 are cooled trays that store a cooling material (typically gel) in cavities formed at least in part thereby.
  • the cooling gel is a type of gel that can be placed in a refrigerator or freezer and used as a cooling agent to cool the temperature of the case 100.
  • the top tray 110 has a plurality of top tray slots 116 configured to receive in close fitting fashion a top portion of the vials 108.
  • the top tray slots 116 are laterally spaced apart from one another by partitions 118.
  • the close fitting relationship between the top tray slots 116 and the outer periphery of the top portion of the vials 108 promotes good thermal contact therebetween.
  • the partitions 118 are preferably hollow and include gel therein.
  • the bottom tray 112 includes a plurality of bottom tray slots 122 that receive a bottom portion of the vials 108.
  • the top tray slots 116 align with corresponding ones of the bottom tray slots 122 for receipt of vials 108 (see FIG. 3).
  • the bottom tray slots 122 are separated by intermediate partitions 124.
  • Partitions 124 positioned towards the middle of the bottom tray 1 12 include grip tabs 126 to facilitate grasping and grabbing the bottom tray 112 and removing it from the container bottom 104.
  • the gripping tabs 126 extend above a top surface of partitions 124.
  • the container bottom 104 is generally rectangular in cross-section and includes a bottom wall 130 from which a side wall 132 axially extends.
  • the side wall 132 defines the rectangular periphery of the container bottom 104.
  • the bottom wall 130 and side wall 132 generally bound an interior storage cavity 134 in which the top and bottom trays 110, 112 are stored.
  • the container bottom 104 includes a locating wall 136 that is used to locate the top tray 110 within the internal storage cavity 134. More particularly, if the bottom tray 112 is removed from the internal storage cavity 134 such as for use at the lab bench, the top tray 110 will be substantially fixed in position within the container bottom 104 by the locating wall 136.
  • the locating wall 136 extends axially from an interior surface 138 of the bottom wall 130. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the locating wall 136 partitions the internal storage cavity 134 into a top tray storage portion 140 and a bottom tray storage portion 142.
  • the cover 102 generally includes a top wall 144 that includes a window portion 146 (see FIG. 6) that provides visual access to the interior of the case 100 in a fully assembled state.
  • the cover 102 may be formed from a clarified polypropylene as a single piece such that the window portion 146 can be formed as a continuous piece with the rest of the cover 102.
  • Axially extending from an inner/bottom surface of the top wall 144 is a pair of parallel spaced apart side walls 148, 150.
  • the inner side wall 148 is radially spaced inward from the outer side wall 150 to form a receiving channel 152 radially therebetween.
  • the receiving channel 152 is sized and configured to receive therein the distal end 154 of side wall 132 of the container bottom 104.
  • the cover 102 can include an axial extending locating flange 158 on an outer/top surface of the top wall 144 that is sized and configured to mate with a corresponding locating channel 160 (see FIG. 7) formed in the bottom surface 162 of the bottom wall 130 of the container bottom 104 so as to provide a stackability feature between a plurality of cases 100.
  • the mating relationship between the locating flange 158 and a locating channel 160 of a separate case 100 prevents sliding of one case relative to the other.
  • an outer surface 164 of one of the sides of the container bottom 104 formed by the side wall 132 includes a pair of feet 166.
  • the feet 166 extend laterally outward from the outer surface 164 a distance Dl that is equal to a lateral overhang of the cover 102 from the outer surface 164.
  • This provides a generally planar arrangement between the outer surface 168 of outer side wall 150 of cover 102 and the distal ends 170 of feet 166. Again, this planar relationship allows for locating the case 100 on this side without tipping.
  • top tray 110 is illustrated from the bottom in exploded form.
  • the top tray 110 includes an internal cavity 174 in which a cooling material such as a cooling gel can be stored.
  • the cooling material is something that can be used to maintain a cool temperature such as a gel pack that can be placed in a freezer.
  • the internal cavity 174 is provided between a body portion 176 and a lid portion 178.
  • the top tray 110 is formed from a single continuous piece of material and the lid portion 178 is hingedly attached to one of the sides of the body portion 176 by a living hinge. This configuration reduces the number of molds necessary to form the parts.
  • the lid portion 178 may include a flange extending axially from an inner surface thereof that is sized and configured to be received in the internal cavity 174 of the body portion 176 for locating the lid portion 178 relative to the body portion 176 during assembly.
  • the lid portion 178 can be closed and then sealed to the body portion 176.
  • the sealing is performed by a welding process and more preferably by ultrasonic welding.
  • other methods of sealing can be done by mere mechanical engagement or by including an adhesive material between the lid portion 178 and the body portion 176.
  • the top tray 110 is easily removable from the container bottom 104.
  • the bottom tray 112 is formed in a substantially similar manner.
  • the container bottom 104 is illustrated with the top and bottom trays 110, 112 inserted therein.
  • the vials 108 are removed illustrating how the top tray slots 116 axial align with the bottom tray slots 122 such as illustrated by axis 182.
  • the top and bottom trays 110, 112 combine to provide a supporting surface to support the vials 108.
  • the bottom surface 184 of the bottom tray 112 that is adjacent side wall 132 when inserted in container bottom 104 is configured to rest on a table.
  • a scientist can remove the bottom tray 112 from the container bottom 104 and place the bottom surface 184 on a lab bench.
  • the bottom tray slots 122 will be arranged with axis 182 (see FIG. 10) substantially aligned in a vertical orientation. This will allow access to the bottom tray slots 122 so that the scientist can use the bottom tray 112 to support or store vials during the use of the vials 108, such as for filling or removal of products from the vials 108.
  • the bottom tray slots 122 have a recessed end portion 186 that will be axially spaced away from the top tray 110 when assembled.
  • This recessed end portion 186 forms a continuous periphery that will receive an end of a vial 108 opposite the end of the vial 108 that is configured to be opened for access to products.
  • the recessed end portion 186 is preferably configured for a friction fit with the received end of the vials 108.
  • both the top and bottom trays 110, 112 have a generally L- shaped cross-section. This shape provides for increased volume for storing the cooling material.
  • the partitions 118, 124 extend only a portion of the outer periphery of the vials 108.
  • This arrangement allows for easily grasping and gripping the vials once installed in the top and bottom trays 110, 112. However, this is not entirely necessary, as the entire bottom tray 112 can be removed from the container bottom 104 which will provide additional access to the vials 108 by the scientists such as by the portion that will be extending laterally beyond the bottom tray 112.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment.
  • the container bottom 204 has a bottom tray portion 212 unitarily formed into a single one piece component with the rest of the container bottom 204.
  • the container bottom 204 has a bottom tray portion 212 unitarily formed into a single one piece component with the rest of the container bottom 204.
  • the bottom tray portion 212 is not removable from the rest of the container bottom 204. This design is configured to try to provide for an increased volume for storing cooling material in the internal cavity 214 and reduce molds.
  • the container bottom 204 will be generally configured to receive a cover much like the prior embodiment cover 102.
  • a lid portion 220 is formed as a component of the container bottom 204 and connected to the rest of the container bottom 204 via a living hinge 228.
  • an inner surface of the lid portion 220 has the axially extending flange 221 that is configured in size to be inserted into the internal cavity 214 for locating the lid portion 220 relative to the rest of the container bottom 204 and particularly the body 223 thereof.
  • the bottom tray slots 222 are formed in the container bottom 204.
  • the bottom wall 230 of the container bottom 204 is generally stepped in cross-sectional profile. More particularly, the bottom wall 230 includes a recessed portion 233 and a raised portion 235.
  • the stepped configuration of the bottom wall 230 assists in delineating a bottom tray receiving pocket 237 formed between an end wall 239 and side wall 232.
  • This bottom tray receiving pocket 237 receives a bottom tray, such as bottom tray 112 of the prior embodiment.
  • the recessed portion 233 makes that portion of the storage cavity deeper.
  • the cooling material which allows the case to remain cool during shipment. More particularly, the cooling material will be placed in a refrigerator or freezer prior to use to drop the temperature thereof. Then, the case will be filled with vials. During shipment, the case 100 will then be placed into a thermal envelope that assists in thermally insulating the envelope from the external environment. The case 100 can then be shipped.
  • the tray slots will typically have a radius of between about 1/8 and 3/4 inches.
  • the total length of the top and bottom tray slots will typically be between 1 and 3 inches.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte, selon un mode de réalisation, à un boîtier destiné à stocker des fioles qui comprend un couvercle, une partie inférieure de récipient et des parties de plateau supérieure et inférieure. La partie inférieure du récipient présente une cavité de stockage dans laquelle des fioles peuvent être stockées. Le couvercle est mobile par rapport à la partie inférieure du récipient afin d'offrir un accès sélectif à la cavité de stockage. La partie de plateau supérieure définit une première surface supérieure comprenant une pluralité de fentes de plateau supérieur. Chaque fente de plateau supérieur est configurée pour recevoir une première partie d'une fiole. La partie de plateau supérieure définit au moins une partie d'une première cavité qui stocke un premier matériau de refroidissement à l'intérieur de cette dernière. La partie de plateau inférieure définit une seconde surface supérieure comprenant une pluralité de fentes de plateau inférieur. Chaque fente de plateau inférieur est configurée pour recevoir une seconde partie d'une fiole. La partie de plateau inférieure définit au moins une partie d'une seconde cavité qui stocke un second matériau de refroidissement à l'intérieur de cette dernière.
PCT/US2012/054227 2011-09-09 2012-09-07 Boîtier destiné à stocker des fioles WO2013036809A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161532973P 2011-09-09 2011-09-09
US61/532,973 2011-09-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013036809A2 true WO2013036809A2 (fr) 2013-03-14
WO2013036809A3 WO2013036809A3 (fr) 2013-05-10

Family

ID=47832787

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/054227 WO2013036809A2 (fr) 2011-09-09 2012-09-07 Boîtier destiné à stocker des fioles

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2527320A (en) * 2014-06-17 2015-12-23 Jo Scott Container

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0397607B1 (fr) * 1989-04-03 1993-01-13 Qts S.R.L. Conteneur isotherme et réfrigéré pour le transport de flacons de médicaments et du matériel s'y rapportant
US5494166A (en) * 1993-01-15 1996-02-27 Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. Container for holding elongated article
WO1998011861A1 (fr) * 1996-09-23 1998-03-26 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Mallette-glaciere pour flacons contenant des medicaments
WO2011072078A2 (fr) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-16 Life Technologies Corporation Systèmes de conditionnement et procédés de transport de flacons

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0397607B1 (fr) * 1989-04-03 1993-01-13 Qts S.R.L. Conteneur isotherme et réfrigéré pour le transport de flacons de médicaments et du matériel s'y rapportant
US5494166A (en) * 1993-01-15 1996-02-27 Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. Container for holding elongated article
WO1998011861A1 (fr) * 1996-09-23 1998-03-26 Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Mallette-glaciere pour flacons contenant des medicaments
WO2011072078A2 (fr) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-16 Life Technologies Corporation Systèmes de conditionnement et procédés de transport de flacons

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2527320A (en) * 2014-06-17 2015-12-23 Jo Scott Container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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