U.S. patent application number 10/779987 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for 96 hour duration insulated cryo-pack for maintaining -40 degree fahrenheit.
Invention is credited to Burke, Donald E., Kubica, Robert Dana, Perry, Ralph James.
Application Number | 20050178142 10/779987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34838484 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050178142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perry, Ralph James ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
96 hour duration insulated cryo-pack for maintaining -40 degree
fahrenheit
Abstract
An insulated cryo-pack is provided for sustaining and protecting
a material, having an inner container, a plurality of dry ice
pellets and an outer container. The material is disposed and sealed
within the inner container. The dry ice pellets are disposed in the
outer container with a thickness of at least 2 inches thick on all
sides of the inner container. Preferably, the dry ice pellets is
filled in a barrier bag disposed in the outer container. The
barrier bag assumes the interior contour of the outer container.
The barrier bag includes an open top extending over the height of
the outer container. When the inner container is disposed in the
outer container, the open top of the barrier bag is folded over the
inner container and secured by a tape with a width of about 2
inches.
Inventors: |
Perry, Ralph James;
(Lancaster, CA) ; Burke, Donald E.; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Kubica, Robert Dana; (Lancaster, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bruce B. Brunda
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
Suite 250
75 Enterprise
Aliso Viejo
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
34838484 |
Appl. No.: |
10/779987 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/371 ; 62/384;
62/457.2; 62/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 3/125 20130101;
F25D 2303/082 20130101; F25D 2331/804 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/371 ;
062/530; 062/457.2; 062/384 |
International
Class: |
F25D 003/08; F25D
003/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An insulated cryo-pack for sustaining and protecting a material,
comprising: an inner container for disposing the material therein;
a plurality of dry ice pellets surrounding the inner container,
wherein the dry ice pellets are at least 2 inch thick on all sides
of the inner container; and an outer container for disposing the
inner container and the dry ice pellets therein.
2. The cryo-pack of claim 1, further comprising a barrier bag
filled with the dry ice pellets and wrapping the inner container
therein,
3. The cryo-pack of claim 2, further comprising a lid placed on the
barrier bag over the inner container.
4. The cryo-pack of claim 2, wherein the barrier bag assumes an
interior contour of the outer container.
5. The cryo-pack of claim 2, wherein the barrier bag includes an
open top extending over the height of the outer container.
6. The cryo-pack of claim 5, wherein the open top of the barrier
bag are folded over the inner container and secured by a tape.
7. The cryo-pack of claim 6, wherein the tape has a width of about
2 inches.
8. The cryo-pack of claim 6, wherein the tape is applied
perpendicularly across the folded portion of the barrier bag.
9. The cryo-pack of claim 2, wherein the barrier bag is punched
with a plurality of vent holes.
10. The cryo-pack of Clain 9, wherein the diameter of the vent
holes is about 1/4 inches.
11. The cryo-pack of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer
containers are made of corrugated fiberboard.
12. The cryo-pack of claim 11, wherein the inner container has a
thickness of about 0.255 inches.
13. The cryo-pack of claim 11, wherein the outer container has a
thickness of about 0.255 inches.
14. The cryo-pack of claim 1, wherein the inner container is sealed
by a tape.
15. The cryo-pack of claim 14, wherein the tape has an H-pattern on
a top surface and a bottom surface of the inner container.
16. The cryo-pack of claim 1, wherein the outer container is
secured by a tape.
17. The cryo-pack of claim 16, wherein the tape has an H-pattern on
a bottom surface of the outer container and a T-pattern on a top
surface of the outer container.
18. The cryo-pack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
foam panels disposed in the outer container and surrounding the
inner container.
19. The cryo-pack of claim 18, wherein each of the foam panels has
a thickness of about 2 inches.
20. The cryo-pack of claim 18, wherein seams between the adjacent
foam panels are sealed by tapes.
21. The cryo-pack of claim 18, further comprising at least one
spacer disposed around the inner container within the foam panels,
such that a cavity is formed between the inner container and the
foam panels.
22. The cryo-pack of claim 21, wherein the spacer has a thickness
of about 2 inches.
23. An insulated cryo-pack for sustaining and protecting a
plurality of materials, comprising: a plurality of internal
containers for individually packing the materials therein; an inner
container for disposing the internal containers therein; a layer of
dry ice pellets surrounding the inner container, wherein the layer
of dry ice pellets is at least 2 inch thick; and an outer container
for disposing the dry ice pellets and the inner container
therein.
24. The cryo-pack of claim 23, wherein the internal containers are
made of corrugated fiberboard with a thickness of about 0.255
inches.
25. The cryo-pack of claim 23, further comprising a cellulosic
cushion disposed in the inner container for holding the internal
containers.
26. The cryo-pack of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of
item reference tags attached to the internal containers for
indicating information of the materials contained therein.
27. The cryo-pack of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of
lids disposed on the internal containers.
28. The cryo-pack of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of
holding pads disposed under the internal containers in the inner
containers.
29. The cryo-pack of claim 28, wherein each holding pad comprises a
recessed portion conformal to a periphery of a bottom surface of
the internal container held thereby.
30. The cryo-pack of claim 28, further comprising a plurality of
upper holding pads disposed on the internal containers in the inner
containers.
31. The cryo-pack of claim 23, further comprising a barrier bag
filled with the dry ice pellets and disposed within the outer
container for wrapping the inner container therein.
32. The cryo-pack of claim 31, wherein the barrier bag is punched
with a plurality of vent holes.
33. An insulated cryo-pack, comprising: an inner container
containing at least one material therein; an outer container for
containing the inner container therein; a plurality of foam panels
adjacent to an interior surface of the outer containers; and at
least one spacer disposed around the inner container to immobilize
the inner container, so as to form a cavity between the inner and
outer containers.
34. The cryo-pack of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of
dry ice pellets disposed between the inner and the outer
containers.
35. The cryo-pack of claim 33, wherein the inner and outer
containers are made of corrugated fiberboard.
36. The cryo-pack of claim 33, wherein the spacer has a thickness
of about 2 inches.
37. The cryo-pack of claim 33, wherein the foam panels have a
thickness of about 2 inches.
38. The cryo-pack of claim 33, further comprising a barrier bag
disposed between an exterior surface of the inner container and the
foam panels.
39. The cryo-pack of claim 38, wherein the barrier bag is filled
with dry ice pellets with a thickness of about 2 inches.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates in general to an insulated
cryo-pack for maintaining and protecting material contained
therein, and more particularly, to an insulated cryo-pack capable
of maintaining -40.degree. F. for 96 hours even when the ambient
temperature is elevated higher than 40.degree. F.
[0004] Various types of containers have been developed for
sustaining and protecting materials packed therein for a certain
period of time during air and/or surface shipment. For example, in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,708, an insulated shipping container capable of
holding temperature as low as -30.degree. F. for less than 20 hours
has been disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,170, an insulated
shipping container adapted for transporting multiple temperature
sensitive objects in one overall container over a period of time is
disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,796, a hazardous material
container able to maintain a freezing conditions for 24 hours is
disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,017, an insulated shipping
container is disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,038, a transport
container with layers of flexible insulating material is disclosed.
The transport container is packed with product and slices of dry
ice dissipating within 44 hours. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,491, a
package for temperature-controlled packaging is disclosed. In U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2001/0030194 A1, a
collapsible transport container that includes a collapsible rigid
liner, an elastic insulation means and a rigid insulating plug is
disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,004, a method and an apparatus
for packaging refrigerated goods is disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No.
4,928,847, an apparatus for packaging refrigerated goods capable of
maintain a temperature near a freezing point is disclosed. In U.S.
Pat. No. 6,325,281, a thermally insulating shipping system is
disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,088, a temperature control system
maintaining a target temperature by heat transformation between two
materials having the phase change temperatures higher and lower
than the target temperature. In PCT Application WO 02/099345 A1, a
sorption cooling device is disclosed.
[0005] Although a great variety of containers has been developed
for maintaining and protecting material during shipment, currently,
none of the containers is capable of maintaining the temperature of
the material at sub-zero temperature (-40.degree. F.) for a minimum
timeframe of 72 hours. In the event of inclement weather or
mechanical breakdown during the shipment, delay is inevitable, and
the container of the material may be exposed at an ambient
temperature much higher than the maintaining temperature. There is
thus a substantial need to develop an insulated cryo-pack capable
of maintaining temperature at -40.degree. F. for at least 96 hours
to avoid damage of material to be shipped even when the ambient
temperature is elevated higher than 40.degree. F.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an insulated cryo-pack for
sustaining and protecting a material, comprising an inner
container, a plurality of dry ice pellets and an outer container.
The material is disposed and sealed within the inner container. The
dry ice pellets are disposed in the outer container with a
thickness of at least 2 inches thick on all sides of the inner
container. Preferably, the dry ice pellets is filled in a barrier
bag disposed in the outer container. The barrier bag assumes the
interior contour of the outer container. The barrier bag includes
an open top extending over the height of the outer container. When
the inner container is disposed in the outer container, the open
top of the barrier bag is folded over the inner container and
secured by a tape with a width of about 2 inches. Preferably, the
tape is applied perpendicularly across the folded portion of the
barrier bag; or alternatively, the open top of the barrier bag
includes a zip lock. To avoid rupture of the cryo-pack caused by
sublimation of the dry ice pellets, the barrier bag may be punched
with a plurality of vent holes with a diameter of about {fraction
(1/4)} inches, for example. The inner and outer containers are made
of corrugated fiberboards each with a thickness of about 0.255
inches. Both the inner and outer containers are sealed by
reinforced gummed paper tapes. The tape sealing the inner container
may have an H-pattern on top and bottom surfaces thereof. The tape
securing the outer container has an H pattern and a T pattern on
top and bottom surfaces thereof, respectively.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cryo-pack
further comprises a plurality of foam panels disposed in the outer
container and surrounding the inner container. Each of the foam
panels has a thickness of about 2 inches. The seams between the
adjacent foam panels are sealed by tapes. The cryo-pack further
comprises at least one spacer disposed around the inner container
within the foam panels, such that a cavity is formed between the
inner container and the foam panels. The spacer has a thickness of
about 2 inches.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, an insulated
cryo-pack for sustaining and protecting a plurality of materials
comprises a plurality of internal containers, an inner container, a
layer of dry ice pellets, and an outer container. The internal
containers are used for individually packing the materials therein
and disposed in the inner container. The layer of dry ice pellets
is disposed surrounding the inner container with a thickness of
about 2 inches. The internal, inner and outer containers are made
of corrugated fiberboards each with a thickness of about 0.255
inches. For immobilizing the internal containers in the inner
container, an extruded polystyrene cushion is disposed under the
internal containers in the inner container. Preferably, a plurality
of item reference tags are attached to the internal containers for
indicating information of the materials contained therein, and a
plurality of lids is disposed on the internal containers.
Alternatively, a plurality of holding pads is disposed under the
internal containers in the inner containers. Each of the holding
pads comprises a recessed portion conformal to a periphery of a
bottom surface of the internal container held thereby, and a
plurality of upper holding pads disposed on the internal containers
in the inner containers. The dry ice pellets is filled in a barrier
bag disposed within the outer container for wrapping the inner
container therein.
[0009] The present invention further provides an insulated
cryo-pack comprising an inner container, an outer container, a
plurality of foam panels, and at least one spacer. The inner
container containing at least one material to be shipped therein is
disposed in the outer container. The foam panels are disposed
adjacent to an interior surface of the outer containers, and the
spacer is disposed around the inner container to immobilize the
inner container, so as to form a cavity between the inner and outer
containers. A plurality of dry ice pellets may be disposed between
the inner and the outer containers. Preferably, the dry ice pellets
are filled within a barrier bag. The inner and outer containers are
made of corrugated fiberboard. The spacer and the foam panels each
has a thickness of about 2 inches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] These as well as other features of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a cryo-pack provided by the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the process for securing the cryo-pack as
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are exploded view of a cryo-pack containing
multiple materials to be shipped;
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded view of a cryo-pack in which
multiple materials are contained;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a cryo-pack in which a cavity is formed between
inner and outer container;
[0016] FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a corner of the cryo-pack
illustrating how adjacent foam panels are sealed with tapes.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows an exterior feature of one cryo-pack provided
by the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an exterior feature of another cryo-pack
provided by the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows the performance test results of the cryo-packs
with and without a barrier bag at ambient temperature; and
[0020] FIG. 9 shows the performance test results of the cryo-packs
with various configurations while in an environmental test
chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention provides an insulated cryo-pack that
uses dry ice, that is, solid carbon dioxide, as a refrigerant for
maintaining and controlling temperatures of perishable frozen type
materials. Such cryo-pack is designed to maintain the perishable
type materials during a transit at an ambient temperature higher
than 40.degree. F. for at least 72 hours. Preferably, the container
provided by the present invention is of corrugated fiberboard
construction in accordance with the requirements of GFD DAA7319H002
or as specified in the applicable hazardous packaging instruction
(HPI). The commercial application suitable for the cryo-pack
includes: keeping various products such as meats, fish and medical
specimens frozen; maintaining items such as chemicals,
pharmaceuticals and foods at a specified critical temperature,
including sub-zero, frozen and room temperature; preventing product
such as chemicals, plants, medical supplies and fish from freezing;
and minimizing extreme temperature variation for sensitive
instruments, electronics, live fish, plant and flowers.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a cryo-pack of insulated
corrugated fiberboard container. It is appreciated that the
container as illustrated is only for descriptive and informative
purpose. Other configuration may also be applied to achieve the
same objectives. The cryo-pack comprises an outer shipping
container 10, a barrier bag 12, at least one inner shipping
container 14, and a top lid 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the barrier bag
12 has an open top and is placed into the outer container 10.
Preferably, the barrier bag 12 assumes the interior contour of the
outer container 10 with the open top extends over the height of the
outer container 10. The inner shipping container 14 is then placed
in the barrier bag 12, and the portions of the barrier bag 12
extending over the height of the outer container 10 is folded over
the inner shipping container 14, and the seam of the barrier bag 12
is tucked as shown in FIG. 2. Clear poly tape 22 may be applied
perpendicularly across the seam of the barrier bag 12 to secure the
inner shipping container 14 therein. In this embodiment, two pieces
of the poly tape 22 are used, and the width of the poly tape is
about 2 inches. Alternatively, the seam of the barrier bag 12 can
also be closed by a zip lock formed thereon.
[0023] The inner shipping container 14 is fabricated from a
corrugated material with a presently preferred dimension of 9
inches.times.9 inches.times.12 inches. To optimize the protection,
the inner shipping container 14 may be made of 350# double-wall
corrugated material which meets with the ASTM-D-5118 standard.
However, other materials such as 200# single-wall can also be used
for cost reduction. When the perishable type material is disposed
in the inner shipping container 14, the inner shipping container 14
is sealed using a tape (30 as shown in FIG. 3B). Preferably, "H"
patterned and filament reinforced PPP-T-60 tapes with a width of 2
inches are applied seal to top and bottom surfaces of the inner
shipping container 14.
[0024] The barrier bag 12 may be filled with dry ice pellets with a
thickness of at least 2 inches, such that when the inner container
14 is disposed in the barrier bag 12, each side of the inner
container 14 is covered with a layer of dry ice pellets with a
thickness no thinner than 2 about inches. To avoid rupture of the
cryo-pack caused by sublimation pressure of the dry ice pellets,
three vent holes 24 may be punched in a top surface of the barrier
bag 12. In this embodiment, vent holes 24 are punched through the
barrier bag 12 with a diameter of about 1/4 inches. When the inner
shipping container 14 is wrapped within the barrier bag 12 and
disposed in the outer container 14, the lid 16 is placed on top of
the folded barrier bag 12, and the top panels 20 of the outer
container 10 are folded over the lid 16 and secured by a tape.
Preferably, similarly to the tape 30, the tape for sealing a bottom
surface of the outer container 10 includes an "H" patterned and
filament reinforced PPP-T-60 tape with a width of 2 inches, while
the tape for securing a top surface of the outer container 10
includes a "T" patterned and filament reinforced PPP-T-60 tape with
a width of 2 inches. The "T" patterned tape applied on the top
surface of the outer container 10 results in an unsealed edge
allowing the pressure built up by the sublimation of dry ice to be
released therefrom, such that rupture of the cryo-pack caused by
the build-up pressure is further prevented.
[0025] In the present invention, the required amount of dry ice
depends on the sizes of the inner and outer shipping containers.
For example, for a cubic inner container with an inner dimension of
9.times.9.times.9 inch3 and an outer dimension of
9.31.times.9.31.times.9.31 inch3 (which is equal to 0.47 ft3), to
allow a layer of dry ice pellets with a thickness of about 2 inches
surrounding the inner container, the inner dimension of the outer
container is 13.3.times.13.31.times.13.31 inch3 (which is equal to
1.36 ft3). Therefore, the required volume of the dry ice pellets is
1.36 ft3-0.47 ft3=0.89 ft3. The weight of dry ice pellets per cubic
foot is 60 lbs; and therefore, the required quantity of the dry ice
pellets is 0.89 ft3.times.60 lbs/ft3=53.40 lbs. For a thickness of
about 2 inches, the outer dimension of the outer container is about
(13.31+4.12).times.(13.31+4.12).times.(13.31+4.12) inch3, and the
volume of the outer container is 17.43.times.17.43.times.17.43
cubic inches.
[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B show an embodiment of a cryo-pack containing
two materials therein. As shown in FIG. 3A, two materials are
individually packed in two internal containers 32 constructed using
corrugated fiberboard in accordance with ASTM-D-5118 or the
applicable hazardous packaging instruction (HPI). An item reference
tag 33 is attached to each container 32 for indicating the
information of the materials contained therein. Before disposing
the internal containers 32 in an inner shipping container 35, a
cellulosic cushion (kimpac) 34 is used for holding the internal
containers 32. Two top lids 36 are then placed on top of the
internal containers 32 disposed in the inner shipping container 35.
The top lids 36 may also contain content or item information of the
materials covered thereby. The inner shipping container 35 is then
sealed by a tape 30, preferably an "H" patterned and filament
reinforced PPP-T-60 tape with a width of 2 inches. The sealed inner
shipping container 30 is then wrapped by a barrier bag 36 in an
outer shipping container 37 as shown in FIG. 3B. Similarly, the
barrier bag 36 may be filled with a layer of dry ice pellets with a
thickness of about 2 inches.
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B show another embodiment of a cryo-pack
containing multiple materials therein similar to the embodiment as
shown in FIGS. 3A through 3B. In this embodiment, instead of using
a kimpac, a pair of pads 44 is used to hold the internal containers
32. Each of the pads 44 has a perforation or recess 45 conformal to
a profile of the bottom surface of the internal container 32 held
thereby. Therefore, the internal containers 32, while being
disposed and sealed in the inner shipping container 30, are
immobilized during shipment. In addition to the holding pads 44, a
pair of overhead pads 47 is further placed on top of the lids 36
for holding the internal containers 32 in place.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the cryo-pack provided by
the present invention. In FIG. 5, the barrier bag filled with dry
ice pellets is not shown for clarity. It is anticipated that the
barrier bag is used in this embodiment in the manner as disclosed
in the previous embodiments. The material to be shipped is sealed
in an inner container 50. Between the outer container 52 and the
inner container 50, a plurality of insulating materials such as
foam panels 53, 54 and 55 are disposed. In accordance with the
geometry of the inner container 50, a bottom foam panel 53, four
side foam panels 54 and a top foam panel 55 are used. Around the
top, bottom and two elongate side walls of inner container 50,
least one rectangular frame-like spacer 57 is used for holding the
inner container 50, such that a cavity is formed between the foam
panels 53, 54 and 55 and the inner container 50 for improve
insulation effect. Preferably, the thickness of the spacer 57 is
about 2 inches, and tapes 58 are applied to the seams between the
foam panels 53, 54 and 55 as shown in FIG. 5A to avoid heat loss
therethrough.
[0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the exterior feature of the cryo-packs
provided by the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the
top panel of the outer containers 60 is partially sealed by a "T"
shaped tape 62. That is, the tape 62 is applied to the elongate
seam across the top panel and only one top edge of the top panel,
such that the seam at the opposing top edge allows the sublimation
of dry ice being released therethrough. Labels are applied to
various places of the outer container 60. For example, on the side
panel of the outer container 60, labels for indicating the content
of refrigerant, content of material to be shipped, and form of
material to be shipped are applied. On the top panel of the outer
container 60, a label of handling instruction 66 is applied.
[0030] In FIG. 8, a performance test of the cryo-pack with and
without the barrier bag. To perform the test, a temperature sensor
is applied on the exterior surface of the cryo-pack. For example,
the temperature sensor can be secured to the exterior surface of
the cryo-pack by a 2-inch wide clear tape. Another temperature
sensor is disposed within the inner container with a probe
protruding from one corner thereof, and the proximal corner of the
outer container. Thereby, the ambient temperature and the product
temperature can be read. The curve 80 represents the ambient
temperature, the curve 82 represents the product temperature of the
cryo-pack without the barrier bag, and the curve 84 represents the
product temperature of the cryo-pack with the barrier bag. For both
the curves 82 and 84, the cryo-pack includes RSC-ASTM-D-5118,
double-wall inner and outer shipping containers, a 2-inch thick, 25
PSI Dow square-edge extruded foam in between, and 51.60 lbs of dry
ice. The dimensions of the outer and inner shipping containers are
18.times.18.times.18 inch3 and 9.times.9.times.9 inch3,
respectively. As shown, by exposing the cryo-pack without the
barrier bag at an ambient temperature of about 60.degree. F., the
produce temperature 82 descends from about 10.degree. F. to about
-105.degree. F. in about 36 hours, and up to 96 hours, the curve 82
rises to about -45.degree. F. For the cryo-pack with the barrier
bag, under the same ambient temperature condition 80, the product
temperature decreases to -110.degree. F. within 30 hours, and the
product temperature remains under -40.degree. F. for about 120
hours.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows the temperature variation of cryo-packs
disposed in a high-temperature environmental heat chamber. As
shown, the chamber temperature (curve 90) fluctuates between
80.degree. F. and 130.degree. F. The curve 92 represents the
product temperature of a generic container, which refers to a
corrugated RSC measuring approximately 14".times.14".times.20" that
has been lined with 1.0 lb/ft3 density, 1" expanded polystyrene
foam (four side pieces and one piece on each of the top and
bottom). This type of container is sometimes reused for short
duration shipments of frozen materials after it is received with
various frozen commodities from the suppliers. The curve 94
represents the product temperature of a cryo-pack with Dow
square-edge foam and the barrier bag. The curves 96 and 98
represent the product temperature of cryo-packs with the
configurations met with normal and modified HPI-019, which is a
container configuration developed to support shipments of hazardous
materials as defined by the Department of Transportation. The
quantity of dry ice contained in each cryo-pack is about 49.5 lbs.
Table I shows the temperature for each cryo-pack at different
elapsed time.
1 TABLE I Cryo-pack Dow HPI-019 HPI-019 generic Time square-edge
Normal Modified container Elasped (.degree. F.) (.degree. F.)
(.degree. F.) (.degree. F.) 0 Hours 8.1 -4.5 16.1 -81.5 6 Hours
-32.8 18 Hours -78.8 21 Hours -84.0 24 Hours -88.4 -94.6/-93.6
-69.2/-63.2 -120.2 48 Hours -89.3 -103.4/-103.6 -96.1/-93.4 -113.1
72 Hours -52.3 -99.7/-101.2 -100.1/-99.6 -64.2 96 Hours 0.7
-62.2/-65.2 -70.0/-72.4 +33.2 108 Hours -40 110 Hours +31.2 112
Hours -40 123 Hours 0 136 Hours 0
[0032] According to the performance test, the cryo-pack provided by
the present invention maintains the product temperature lower than
-40.degree. F. for at least 72 hours even when the ambient
temperature fluctuates between about 80.degree. F. to about
130.degree.. By disposing the cryo-pack in an environmental
temperature at about 60.degree. F., the product temperature is
maintained no higher than -40.degree. F. for at least 96 hours.
[0033] Therefore, when inclement weather or mechanical breakdown
occurs to cause delay of shipment, the product contained in the
cryo-pack provided by the present invention is adequately
maintained and protected for at least 72 hours.
[0034] This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the
present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is
not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations,
whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by
the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type
of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of
skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
* * * * *