WO2017083164A1

WO2017083164A1 - Dry shipping container

Info

Publication number: WO2017083164A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/060272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory Bores
Original assignee: Entegris, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-11-10
Filing date: 2016-11-03
Publication date: 2017-05-18

Abstract

A shipping container for shipping and/or storing biological samples. Unlike typical cryogenic shippers, which are based on vacuum flask technology and are intended for shipment and/or storage times of greater than seven days, the shipping container does not rely on a vacuum chamber created between an inner and outer vessel to maintain a cold temperature environment within the shipping container. An inner assembly of the shipping container can be rapidly charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid, after which it is then inserted into an insulative outer assembly. In some cases, the inner assembly of the shipping container can be charged in less than one hour. This decreases the amount of time between sample preparation and shipment, allowing a sample to be shipped more quickly to its intended destination.

Description

DRY SHIPPING CONTAINER

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/253,559 filed on November 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to cryogenic shippers and more particularly, dry shippers for shipping small quantities of samples.

BACKGROUND

Biological samples are often maintained at very low temperatures or cryogenic temperatures (-150 ⁰ C or colder), for storage and shipment. Biological samples can include, but are not limited to, the following: blood, serum, urine, viruses, bacteria, isolated tissue cells in tissue culture, stem cells, cord blood, small multi-cellular organisms, enzymes, human and animal DNA, pharmaceuticals including vaccines, diagnostic chemical substrates, and more complex organisms such as embryos, unfertilized oocytes and spermatozoa. Current shipping containers are generally for large quantities of vials that utilize vacuum based containers for insulation. An example of such a vacuum based container is a vacuum flask also sometimes referred to as a Dewar flask. A vacuum flask is an insulating storage vessel that greatly lengthens the time over which its contents remain hotter or cooler than the flask's surroundings. In general, the vacuum flask consists of two flasks, placed one within the other and joined at the neck. The gap between the two flasks is partially evacuated of air, creating a near-vacuum which significantly reduces heat transfer by conduction or convection. Vacuum flasks are available for shipping a larger number of samples and have long term storage ratings ranging from seven to eighty-five days. Vacuum flasks require "charging" with liquid nitrogen which may delay shipment of samples. Vacuum flasks are charged by adding liquid nitrogen to the container until the liquid level reaches the neck of the shipper. The shipper is then set aside for a minimum amount of time to allow the liquid nitrogen to saturate the absorbent. Excess liquid nitrogen is then poured off from the flask. This process may be repeated a number of times until certain specifications for dry shipment are met. As a result of this charging process, vacuum flasks are also sometimes referred to as "dry shippers". As the life sciences industry continues expand, improvements in size, durability, manufacturing cost, particularly for shipping reduced quantities of samples over short time durations would be well received by industry.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to cryogenic shippers and more particularly, dry shippers for shipping small quantities of samples. According to various

embodiments, a shipping container includes an outer assembly including an insulative material and defining at least one cavity having an inner wall, the cavity sized to receive an inner assembly; and at least one inner assembly sized to be received within the at least one cavity defined by the outer assembly. The at least one inner assembly includes an outer container having an outer wall, a material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid contained within the outer container, and a sample vial receiving cavity sized for receiving a sample vial. The inner assembly can further include an inner container defining the sample receiving cavity. The material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid is disposed between the inner container and the outer container. In some embodiments, the inner container can include a plurality of apertures to permit the cryogenic liquid to absorb into the absorbent material. The material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid can be a super absorbent polymer or an open cell foam, and the insulative material of the outer assembly can include a closed cell foam such as a closed cell polystyrene foam or a closed cell polyurethane foam. In some cases, the inner assembly can be charged in by immersion in a cryogenic liquid for less than about hour and more particularly, for a period of time ranging from about five minutes to about forty- five minutes.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various illustrative embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shipping container according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shipping container shown in Figure 1 taken along line 2-2.

Figure 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of the shipping container shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of the shipping container shown in Figure 1 with an upper portion of the outer assembly removed.

Figure 5 is cross-sectional view of the shipping container shown in Figure 1 taken along line 5-5.

Figure 6 is cross-sectional view of a shipping container in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a shipping container according to still another embodiment of the disclosure.

Figure 8 shows the shipping container of Figure 7 in an open state.

Figure 9 is a partially exploded view of the shipping container of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is an exploded view of the shipping container of Figure 7 showing a number of inner assemblies for holding a sample vial that may be contained within the shipping container.

Figure 1 1 is a close of up view of a portion of the shipping container shown in Figure 7.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The detailed description and the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The illustrative embodiments depicted are intended only as exemplary. Selected features of any illustrative embodiment may be incorporated into an additional embodiment unless clearly stated to the contrary.

The shipping containers as described herein are configured for shipping and/or storing biological samples under low temperatures or cryogenic temperatures (-150 ° C or colder) where the shipping and/or storage duration is anticipated to be a few days. For example, the shipping containers, as described herein, can be used to ship and/or store samples for a period of: less than seven days; less than five days; less than three days; less than two days; or, in some cases, within a twenty-four hour time period. Unlike typical cryogenic shippers which are based on vacuum flask technology and which are intended for shipment and/or storage times of greater than seven days, the shipping containers, as described herein, do not rely on a vacuum chamber created between an inner and outer vessel to maintain a cold temperature environment within the shipping container. In addition, the inner assembly(s) of the shipping containers, as described herein, can be rapidly charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid, an example of which is liquid nitrogen. This decreases the amount of time between sample preparation and shipment, minimizing wait times on the receiving end, which can be important in critical care situations. In some cases, the inner assembly(s) of the shipping container can be charged in less than one hour. More particularly, the inner assembly(s) can be charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid for amount of time ranging from: about five minutes to about forty- five minutes; about five minutes to about thirty-five minutes; about five minutes to about thirty minutes; about five minutes to about twenty minutes; and about five minutes to about fifteen minutes. In such cases, the quantity of nitrogen provided to the inner assembly can be calculated such that it will be of sufficient quantity to maintain a desired cold temperature for the desired duration. By eliminating the outer and inner vessels typically used in a vacuum flask, both the weight and the cost of the shipping container can be reduced. In some cases, the outer assembly of the shipping container can be recyclable. In addition, the shipping container can be disposable such that it is suitable for single-use applications.

Figures 1-5 show different views of an exemplary shipping container 10 for shipping and/or storing biological samples under cold temperature conditions and in some cases, cryogenic temperature conditions. While the shipping container 10, as described herein, is intended to receive and retain biological samples, one of ordinary skill in the art of shipping containers would recognize the container's applicability for other sample types.

The shipping container 10 can be sized and configured to receive a single sample or multiple samples. In some cases, the shipping container 10 can be configured to receive and retain a small number of samples ranging from one sample to a dozen samples. More particularly the shipping container 1 Ocan be configured to receive and retain between one and six samples. The size of the sample vials to be received within the shipping container can range from about 0.5 mL to 10 mL, but not limited to these.

As shown in Figure 1, the shipping container 10 has a generally cylindrical shape, but other shapes such as rectangular and hexagonal are also contemplated. In some cases, the shipping container 10 can have a contoured outer surface to facilitate handling by a person. In still other cases, the outer surface of the shipping container 10 can include various surface features, such as gripping features, to facilitate easy manipulation by a person handling the shipping container.

Referring now to Figures 1-5, the shipping container 10 includes an outer assembly 14 and an inner assembly 26 for holding a sample vial. The outer assembly 14 can be manufactured from an insulative material. In some

embodiments, the insulative material may be a closed cell polymeric foam having a thermal conductivity of about less than 0.03 W/mK. Suitable insulative materials include closed cell polyurethane foams and closed cell polystyrene foams. In some cases, the outer assembly 14 can include an outer containment for containing the insulative material (not shown) but this is not required. In other embodiments, the insulative material can include an aerogel. Aerogels are good insulators and also have a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.03 W/mK. In embodiments where an aerogel is used as the insulative material, the outer assembly 10 can include an inner wall and an outer wall. The aerogel is contained within a space defined between the inner wall and outer wall. The inner and outer walls can be

manufactured from a material capable of withstanding low temperatures of less than -150° C.

The outer assembly 14 includes an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 22. The upper portion 18 of the outer assembly 14 is configured to mate with the lower portion 22 to provide an enclosed internal environment within the shipping container 10. In some embodiments, as best viewed in Figures 3 and 4, each of the upper portion 18 and the lower portion 22 of the outer assembly defines a cavity 30 for receiving at least a portion of an inner assembly 26. In other embodiments, such as shown in Figure 6, the outer assembly 114 of a shipping container 1 10 includes a plurality of cavities 130, each configured to receive at least a portion of an inner assembly 126 for holding a sample vial as described herein. The outer assembly 1 14 and each of the inner assemblies 126 have the same or similar features to the outer assembly 14 and inner assembly 26 describe herein.

The inner assembly 26 is configured to receive a sample vial 28, and is configured to be received in and removed from the outer assembly 14. The inner assembly 26 includes an outer container 32, an inner container 36 and a material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid 40 disposed between the outer container 32 and the inner container 36. The inner assembly 26 is charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid for a predetermined amount of time after which a sample vial may be added. After charging, the inner assembly 26 can be inserted into the outer assembly 14, and the outer assembly 14 can be closed and sealed for shipment.

As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the outer container 32 can include two or more protrusions 44 extending away from an outer wall 46 of the outer container. In some cases, the outer container 32 can include two to six protrusions 44. The two or more protrusions 44 can be spaced an equal distance from one another about the perimeter of the outer container 32. Providing an equal spacing between the protrusions 44 permits the inner assembly 26 to be centered within the cavity 30 defined by the upper and/or lower portions 18, 22 of the outer assembly 14. As best seen in Figure 4, the two or more protrusions 44 can be configured as fins or ribs that extend at least partially along a length of the outer container 32 from a top to a bottom of the container 32. In some cases, the protrusions 44 can be configured as ribs or fins that extend along the entire length of the outer container 32 from the top to the bottom of the container 32. In other cases, the protrusions 44, can be configured as spokes that extend away from a top and/or bottom of the outer container 32.

When the inner assembly 26 is received within a cavity 30 defined by the upper and/or lower portions 18, 22 of the outer assembly 14, the two or more protrusions 44 space the inner assembly 26 away from inner wall 48 of the cavity 30, and also limit the amount of contact between the outer wall 46 of the outer container 32 and the inner wall 48 of the cavity 30 defined by upper and/or lower portions 18, 22 of the outer assembly 14. Limiting the amount of contact between the inner assembly 26 and the outer assembly 14 minimizes the amount of heat transferred from the outer assembly 14 to the inner assembly 26, slowing down the rate of temperature change of the inner assembly 26 due to thermal conduction between the two assemblies.

The outer container 32 can be fabricated from a polymeric or metallic material, and defines an interior space 52 for receiving an absorbent material core 40. The absorbent material core 40 defines a cavity 56 for receiving the inner container 36 such that the absorbent material core 40 is disposed between the outer container 32 and the inner container 40 when the inner assembly 26 is fully assembled. The absorbent material core 40 can include a super absorbent polymer that is capable of absorbing a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen. Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are well known and can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass. The amount of super absorbent polymer used to form the core 40 should be capable of absorbing a sufficient amount of cryogenic liquid so as to maintain a desired temperature for shipment of the sample for up to seven days.

The inner container 36 has a size and shape generally corresponding to the size and shape of the cavity 56 of the absorbent material core 40 such that it can be received within the cavity 56. Additionally, the inner container 36 defines a sample vial receiving cavity 66 (Figures 3 and 4) sized and shaped to receive a sample vial 28. The inner container 36 can be fabricated from a polymeric material or a metallic material. In some cases, the inner container 36 can include a plurality of apertures 58 distributed about a perimeter of the container 36. When the inner assembly 26 is immersed in a cryogenic liquid during charging, the plurality of apertures 58 permit the cryogenic liquid to flow into the absorbent material core 40, where it can be absorbed until the absorbent material core 40 is fully saturated or charged.

Additionally, in some cases, the inner container 36 includes a flange 62 such that when the inner assembly 26 is fully assembled, the flange 62 contacts and rests on a top surface of the absorbent material core 40 and also an upper edge of the outer container 32 to define an enclosed space between the inner container 36 and the outer container 32 within which the absorbent material core 40 is contained. In some cases, the flange 62 is solid. In other cases, the flange 62 also includes a plurality of apertures.

A sample vial 28 can be received in the sample receiving cavity 66 defined by the inner container 36. In some cases, the sample vial 28 is received in the cavity 66 such that at least a portion of the sample vial extends above a top surface of the inner container 36 such that when an upper portion 18 of the outer assembly is removed, the sample vial 28 is accessible to a human or automation equipment handling the sample vial. Additionally, enough of the sample vial 28 extends above a top surface of the inner container 26 such that a top portion of the sample vial 28 can be easily grasped by a human or automation equipment for removal from the supping container.

Referring now back to Figure 3, the inner assembly 26 can include a first portion 70 and a second portion 74. Each of the first and second portions 70, 74 of the inner assembly 26 includes an outer container 32 having an outer wall 46, an inner container 36 defining a sample receiving cavity 66 and an absorbent material core 40 for absorbing a cryogenic liquid disposed between the outer container 32 and the inner container 36. As shown in Figure 3, the first portion 70 of the inner assembly 26 is received within a first cavity 30 defined within the upper portion 32 of the outer assembly 14 and the second portion 74 is received in a second cavity 30 defined by the lower portion 22 of the outer assembly 14. In use, when the upper portion 18 of the outer assembly 14 is removed from the lower portion 22, the first portion 70 of the inner assembly 26 is removed along with the upper portion, exposing a top portion of the sample vial 28 for removal and handling.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a shipping container 110 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the shipping container 1 10 includes an outer assembly 1 14 having a plurality of cavities 130. While four cavities 130 are shown, it will be generally recognized that the outer assembly 114 can include fewer or greater number of cavities 130. Each of the cavities 130 is adapted to contain an inner assembly 126 for holding a sample vial. The outer assembly 1 14 and each of the inner assemblies 126 have the same or similar features to the outer assembly 14 and inner assembly 26, as described herein.

Figures 7-1 1 show various views of a shipping container 210 in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of the shipping container 210 in a closed state (Figure 7) and an open state (Figure 8). As can be seen in Figures 7-10, the shipping container 210 includes an insulative outer packaging 216. In some cases, the insulative outer packaging 216 can be a flexible outer packaging, and can include an insulative material 220 contained between a first, inner flexible wall 222 and a second, outer flexible wall 224. In some cases, the insulative material 220 can be an aerogel or a bubble material having a low thermal conductivity of less than 0.03 W/mK. The first and second walls 222, 224 can be fabricated from a metallized film, polymeric film or other suitable material that provides a high thermal resistance so that the amount of heat transferred to the insulative material from the surrounding environment is low. Suitable polymeric materials include polyesters and polyurethanes. In some cases, the outer packaging 216 can be fabricated such that it includes one or more panels. Because of the low thermal conductivity of the insulative material, the amount required to achieve the desired insulative properties for shipment is low, thus reducing the weight and the cost of the outer packaging which in turns, provides a cost-effective container for storing and/or shipping biological samples.

In some cases, as shown in Figure 7, the outer packaging 216 can include a closure 218 for closing the outer packaging to provide a sealed environment within which one or more sample vials can be contained for storage and/or shipment. The closure 218 can be any of a zipper type closure, a press to close type closure, a sealable line of adhesive, or a pull-away type closure. In some cases, the closure 218 is a re-sealable closure. Once the closure 218 is opened, an inner packaging 225 containing one or more sample vials can be removed from the flexible outer packaging 216 as shown in Figure 9.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the inner packaging 225 is configured to receive an outer assembly 226 within in which one or more sample vials can be contained. . In some cases, the inner packaging 225 can include a sleeve 227 within which the outer assembly 214 is inserted. The outer assembly 214 includes a first insulative block 229 configured to mate with a second insulative block 231. The first and second blocks 229, 231 forming the outer assembly 214 can be fabricated from an insulative material such a closed cell polystyrene or polyurethane foam. The sleeve 227, if used, ensures that the first and second blocks 229, 231 remain mated together during shipment, and also provides structural support the flexible outer packaging 216.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first insulative block 229 and the second insulative block 231 forming the outer assembly 214 each include one or more cavities 230 for receiving at least a portion of an inner assembly 226 for holding a sample vial. In some cases, as shown, the first and second insulative blocks 229, 231 can be configured to receive and retain a plurality of inner assemblies 226, each inner assembly 226 configured to hold a sample vial. In the example shown in Figures 10 and 1 1, the first and second blocks 229, 231 of the outer assembly 214 include four cavities 230 for receiving and retaining an inner assembly 226.

However, it will be generally understood by those of skill in the art that the blocks 229, 231 forming the outer assembly 214 can be configured to receive and retain a fewer or greater number of inner assemblies 226.

Similar to the inner assembly 26 as described herein with reference to Figures 2-4, each inner assembly 226 is configured to receive and retain a sample vial, and is configured to be received in and removed from the outer assembly 214. The inner assembly 226 includes an outer container 232, an inner container 236 and a material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid 40 disposed between the outer container 232 and the inner container 236. Each of the inner assemblies 226 can be charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid for a predetermined amount of time after which a sample vial may be inserted into the inner assembly 226. After charging, each of the inner assemblies 226 can be inserted into in the outer assembly 114. The outer assembly 1 13 can then be closed and inserted into the flexible outer packaging 216 for shipment.

The outer container 232 of each of the inner assemblies 226 can include two or more protrusions 244 extending away from an outer wall 246 of the outer container. In some cases, the outer container 232 can include two to six protrusions 244. The two or more protrusions 244 can be spaced an equal distance from one another about the perimeter of the outer container 232. Providing an equal spacing between the protrusions 244 permits each of the inner assemblies 226 to be centered within each respective cavity 230 defined by the first and second blocks 229, 231 of the outer assembly 214. As described herein, the two or more protrusions 244 can be configured as fins or ribs that extend at least partially along a length of the outer container 232 from a top to a bottom of the container 232. In some cases, the protrusions 244 can be configured as ribs or fins that extend along the entire length of the outer container 232 from the top to the bottom of the container 232. In other cases, the protrusions 244, can be configured as spokes that extend away from a top and/or bottom of the outer container 232.

When an inner assembly 226 is received within a cavity 230 defined by the first and second blocks 229, 231 of the outer assembly 124, the two or more protrusions 244 space the inner assembly 226 away from inner wall of the cavity 2, and also limit the amount of contact between the outer wall 246 of the outer container 232 and the inner wall of the cavity 230. Limiting the amount of contact between the inner assembly 226 and the first and second blocks 229, 231 forming the outer assembly 214 minimizes the amount of heat transferred from the outer assembly 214 to the respective inner assemblies 226, slowing down the rate of temperature change of the inner assemblies 226 due to thermal conduction between the two assemblies.

Each outer container 232 of the individual inner assemblies 226 can be fabricated from a polymeric or metallic material, and define an interior space 252 for receiving an absorbent material core 240. The absorbent material core 240 defines a cavity 256 for receiving the inner container 236 such that the absorbent material core 240 is disposed between the outer container 232 and the inner container 240 when each of inner assembly 226 is fully assembled. The absorbent material core 240 can include a super absorbent polymer that is capable of absorbing a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen. Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are well known and can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass. The amount of super absorbent polymer used to form the core 240 should be capable of absorbing a sufficient amount of cryogenic liquid so as to maintain a desired temperature for shipment of the sample for up to seven days.

Each inner container 236 of the individual inner assemblies 226 has a size and shape generally corresponding to the size and shape of the cavity 256 of the absorbent material core 240 such that it can be received within the cavity 256.

Additionally, each inner container 236 defines a sample vial receiving cavity 266 sized and shaped to receive a sample vial 228. The inner container 236 can be fabricated from a polymeric material or a metallic material. In some cases, each of the inner containers 236 can include a plurality of apertures 258 distributed about a perimeter of the container 236. When each of the inner assemblies 226 is immersed in a cryogenic liquid during charging, the plurality of apertures 258 permit the cryogenic liquid to flow into the absorbent material core 240, where it can be absorbed until the absorbent material core 2 is fully saturated or charged.

Additionally, in some cases, each of the inner containers 36 includes a flange 262 such that when each of the inner assemblies 226 are fully assembled, the flange 262 contacts and rests on a top surface of the absorbent material core 40 and also an upper edge of the outer container 232 to define an enclosed space between the inner container 236 and the outer contained 32 within which the absorbent material core 240 is contained. In some cases, the flange 262 is solid. In other cases, the flange 262 also includes a plurality of apertures.

A sample vial 228 can be received in the sample receiving cavity 266 defined by the inner container 236. In some cases, the sample vial 228 is received in the cavity 266 such that at least a portion of the sample vial extends above a top surface of the inner container 236 such that when the first or second block 229, 231 of the outer assembly 214 is removed, the sample vial 228 is accessible to a human or a machine handling the sample vial. Additionally, enough of the sample vial 228 extends above a top surface of the inner container 236 such that a top portion of the sample vial 228 can be easily grasped by a human or automation equipment for removal from the supping container.

In some cases, as shown, each of the inner assemblies 226 can include a first portion 270 and a second portion 274. Each of the first and second portions 270, 274 of the inner assembly 226 includes an outer container 232 having an outer wall 246, an inner container 236 defining a sample receiving cavity 266 and an absorbent material core 240 for absorbing a cryogenic liquid disposed between the outer container 232 and the inner container 236. The first portion 270 of an inner assembly 226 is received within a first cavity 230 defined within either of the first or second blocks 229, 231 of the outer assembly 214 and the second portion 274 can be received in a second cavity 30 defined by the opposite block of the outer assembly 214. In use, when the firs block 229 of the outer assembly 214 is removed from the second block 231, the first portion 270 of the inner assembly 226 is also removed, exposing a top portion of the sample vial 228 for removal and handling.

In use, one or more inner assemblies for holding a sample vial may be rapidly charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid such as, for example, for a predetermined amount of time. In some cases, the one or more inner assemblies can be charged in less than one hour. More particularly, the one or more inner assemblies can be charged by immersion in a cryogenic liquid for amount of time ranging from: about five minutes to about forty-five minutes; about five minutes to about thirty-five minutes; about five minutes to about thirty minutes; about five minutes to about twenty minutes; and about five minutes to about fifteen minutes. In such cases, the quantity of nitrogen provided to the inner assembly can be calculated such that it will be of sufficient quantity to maintain the needed temperature for the desired duration. After the desired amount of inner assemblies have been charged, a sample vial containing a biological sample requiring cold shipment or storage is inserted into the sample vial receiving cavity of the inner container of the inner assembly. The inner assembly is then inserted into an outer assembly for shipment. In some cases, the outer assembly containing one or more inner assemblies each holding a sample vial may be contained within a flexible outer packaging. In some cases, the shipping containers can be used to ship and/or store samples under low temperatures or cryogenic temperatures (-150 ° C or colder) for a period of time of: less than seven days; less than five days; less than three days; less than two days; or, in some cases, within a twenty-four hour time period.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yet other embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claims hereto attached. Numerous advantages of the disclosure covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respect, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shipping container comprising:

an outer assembly comprising an insulative material and defining at least one cavity having an inner wall, the cavity sized to receive an inner assembly; and

at least one inner assembly sized to be received within the at least one cavity defined by the outer assembly, the at least one inner assembly comprising an outer container having an outer wall, a material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid contained within the outer container, and a sample vial receiving cavity sized for receiving a sample vial.

2. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly further comprises an inner container and wherein the material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid is disposed between the inner container and the outer container.

3. The shipping container of claim 2, wherein the inner container comprises a plurality of apertures.

4. The shipping container of claim 2, wherein the inner container of the inner assembly defines the sample vial receiving cavity, wherein when sample vial is received within the sample vial receiving cavity, a portion of the sample vial extends above a top surface of the inner container.

5. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion comprises an outer container having an outer wall, a material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid contained within the outer container, and a sample vial receiving cavity sized for receiving a sample vial.

6. The shipping container of claim 5, wherein the outer assembly includes an upper portion configured to mate with a lower portion, wherein the first portion of the inner assembly is received within a first cavity defined within the upper portion of the outer assembly and the second portion of the inner assembly is received within a second cavity defined within the lower portion of the outer assembly, wherein the upper portion of the outer assembly, including the first portion of the inner assembly is removable from the lower portion of the outer assembly including the second portion of the inner assembly.

7. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the outer container includes at least two protrusions such that when the inner assembly is received in the at least one cavity defined by the outer assembly, the at least two protrusions cause the outer container to be spaced apart from the inner wall of the at least one cavity of the outer assembly.

8. The shipping container of claim 7, wherein the at least two protrusions are spaced an equal distance from one another about the perimeter of the outer container of the inner assembly.

9. The shipping container of claim 8, wherein the at least two protrusions extend at least partially along a length of the outer container.

10. The shipping container of claim 8, wherein the at least two protrusions extend along an entire length of the outer container from a top of the outer container to a bottom of the outer container.

11. The shipping container of claim 8, wherein the at least two protrusions comprise spokes located at a top and/or bottom of the outer container.

12. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid is a super absorbent polymer.

13. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the material for absorbing a cryogenic liquid is an open cell foam.

14. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the insulative material of the outer assembly comprises a closed cell foam.

15. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the insulative material of the outer assembly comprises an aerogel.

16. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the outer assembly comprises a first block configured to mate with a second block, wherein at least one of the first and second blocks defines at least one cavity, and wherein the at least one inner assembly is received in the least one cavity defined by the first and/or second block.

17. The shipping container of claim 16, further comprising an inner sleeve sized to receive the first block and the second block.

18. The shipping container of claim 16, further comprising a flexible outer packaging configured to receive the outer assembly.

19. The shipping container of claim 18, wherein the outer packaging comprises an aerogel.

20. The shipping container of claim 1, wherein the inner assembly can be rapidly charged by immersing the inner assembly in a cryogenic fluid for five to thirty minutes.