WO2013036809A2

WO2013036809A2 - Case for storing vials

Info

Publication number: WO2013036809A2
Application number: PCT/US2012/054227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Detrick D. HANNAH; Charles R. Jones
Original assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.
Priority date: 2011-09-09
Filing date: 2012-09-07
Publication date: 2013-03-14
Also published as: WO2013036809A3

Abstract

In one embodiment, a case for storing vials comprising a cover, a container bottom, and top and bottom tray portions is provided. 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.

Description

CASE FOR STORING VIALS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Small vials having the general dimensions of approximately one-quarter to three- quarters of an inch in diameter and one inch to two and a half inches in length are often used for holding chemicals, proteins, or biological products or samples that are often used in research laboratories. These vials are also used for mixing of various components to do testing. The products in the vials are often required to stay below a predetermined temperature for an extended period of time. This is particularly true while shipping the vials from one location to another location. For instance, the vials may need to be shipped from a preparation laboratory to a test facility.

[0003] Because the vials are typically rather small and their shape cylindrical, placing the vials on a lab bench can result in easily tipping the vials.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to have an apparatus and method that provides for maintaining a temperature range for shipping the vials as well as or in the alternative the ability to organize and hold the vials while being used in the laboratory.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 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.

[0006] In one embodiment, a case for storing vials comprising a cover, a container bottom, and top and bottom tray portions is provided. 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.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first and second cooling materials are the same. In a preferred embodiment the cooling material is a gel. In other embodiments, 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.

[0008] In one embodiment, the top tray portion and the bottom tray portion are removable from the container bottom.

[0009] In one embodiment, the top tray portion defines the entire first cavity and the bottom tray portion defines the entire first cavity.

[0010] In one embodiment, the top tray slots have a radius of between about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bottom tray slots have a radius of between about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.

[0012] In one embodiment, 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.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least one vial is provided 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.

[0014] In one embodiment, the top tray portion is permanently formed with the container bottom. [0015] In a more particular embodiment, 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.

[0016] In one embodiment, the container bottom includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending axially therefrom. The bottom wall and sidewall define the storage cavity.

[0017] In a more particular embodiment, 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.

[0018] In one embodiment, the bottom wall is stepped to form a bottom tray portion receiving slot adjacent the top tray portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, 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. In one embodiment, the top tray portion is located in the first portion and the bottom tray portion is located in the second portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] In one embodiment, a method further comprises placing a second portion of the case storing a cooling material in the cooled environment. The at least a second

portion includes vial holding slots. 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.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method further comprises placing a cover over the case. [0024] In other embodiments, the method includes using a case according to any one of the prior embodiments.

[0025] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a top perspective illustration of a cooled case for holding vials according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a top perspective exploded illustration of the cooled case of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a top perspective illustration of the case of FIG. 1 with the cover removed from the container bottom;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a top partial perspective illustration of the top tray removed from the container bottom of the case of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 5 has the top tray inserted into the container bottom of FIG. 4; [0032] FIG. 6 is a bottom illustration of the cover of the case of FIG. 1; [0033] FIG. 7 is a bottom exploded illustration of the case of FIG. 1; [0034] FIG. 8 is an end view illustration of the case of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective exploded illustration of a top tray of the case of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a top perspective illustration of the case of FIG. 1 with the cover removed and the vials removed; [0037] FIG. 11 is a top illustration of a bottom tray of the case of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 12 is a top illustration of an alternative container bottom of an alternative embodiment of a cooled case;

[0039] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional illustration of the container bottom of FIG. 12; and

[0040] FIG. 14 is a bottom illustration of the container bottom of FIG. 12.

[0041] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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. In alternative embodiments, the cover 102 and container bottom 104 may be hingedly connected to one another and formed from a single unitary piece of material.

Typically, the cover 102 and container bottom 104 are formed from molded plastic material, such as for example polypropylene.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 2, 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. In this embodiment, 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. [0045] 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.

[0046] The bottom tray 112 includes a plurality of bottom tray slots 122 that receive a bottom portion of the vials 108. Preferably, when the case 100 is fully assembled 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 1, 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.

[0051] With reference to FIG. 8, 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.

[0052] With reference to FIG. 9, 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. In a preferred embodiment, 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.

[0053] 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. Once the internal cavity 174 is filled with the cooling material, the lid portion 178 can be closed and then sealed to the body portion 176. Preferably, the sealing is performed by a welding process and more preferably by ultrasonic welding. However, 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. Once fully assembled, the top tray 110 is easily removable from the container bottom 104. [0054] The bottom tray 112 is formed in a substantially similar manner.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 10, 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.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 2, 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. As such, a scientist can remove the bottom tray 112 from the container bottom 104 and place the bottom surface 184 on a lab bench. In such an arrangement, 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. With reference to FIG. 1 1, 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.

[0057] From an end view, 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.

[0058] It is also desired, such that 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.

[0059] FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment. In this 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. As such, unlike the prior

embodiment, 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.

[0060] The container bottom 204 will be generally configured to receive a cover much like the prior embodiment cover 102.

[0061] In this embodiment, 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. As can be seen, 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.

[0062] The bottom tray slots 222, in this embodiment, are formed in the container bottom 204. With reference to FIG. 13, 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.

[0063] In use, the various embodiments of the cases illustrated in the prior

embodiments, have 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. [0066] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non- claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0067] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A case for storing vials comprising:

a cover;

a container bottom providing a storage cavity in which vials can be stored, the cover being movable relative to the container bottom to provide selective access to the storage cavity;

a top tray portion defining a first top surface including a plurality of top tray slots, each top tray slot configured for receiving a first portion of a vial, the top tray portion defining at least a portion of a first cavity storing a first cooling material therein, and

a bottom tray portion defining a second top surface including a plurality of bottom tray slots, each bottom tray slot configured for receiving a second portion of a vial, the bottom tray portion defining at least a portion of a second cavity storing a second cooling material therein.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second cooling materials are the same.

3. The case of claim 1 , wherein the top tray portion and the bottom tray portion are removable from the container bottom.

4. The case of claim 3, wherein the top tray portion defines the entire first cavity and the bottom tray portion defines the entire first cavity.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the top tray slots have a radius of between about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.

6. The case of claim 1 or 5, wherein the bottom tray slots have a radius of between about 0.125 inches and 0.5 inches.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein 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.

8. The case of claim 7, further comprising at least one vial including a main body defining a storage region and a cap covering an opening to the storage region, the cap being 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.

9. The case of claim 1 , wherein the top tray portion is permanently formed with the container bottom.

10. The case of claim 9, wherein container bottom includes a sidewall, the sidewall and top tray portion are formed in a one-piece construction, the sidewall and top tray portion form part of the first cavity.

11. The case of claim 1 , wherein container bottom includes a bottom wall and a sidewall extending axially therefrom, the bottom wall and sidewall define the storage cavity.

12. The case of claim 11 , wherein the bottom wall forms the top tray portion.

13. The case of claim 12, wherein the bottom wall is stepped to form a bottom tray portion receiving slot adjacent the top tray portion.

14. The case of claim 11, further comprising a locating wall extending axially from the bottom wall separating the storage cavity into first and second portions, the first portion sized larger than the second portion.

15. The case of claim 14, wherein the top tray portion is located in the first portion and the bottom tray portion is located in the second portion.

16. The case of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a window for viewing the contents of the case.

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.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising placing a second portion of the case storing a cooling material in the cooled environment, the at least a second

portion including vial holding slots;

further comprising 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.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising placing a cover over the case.

The method of claim 17 using a case according to any one of claims 1-16.