Container for Transporting Temperature Controlled Items

Abstract

A reusable container for transporting temperature controlled items, which includes an outer case including a lid, and an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid. A generally rigid well is located inside the insulating later. At least one cooling element is provided, which is capable of maintaining temperature within a prescribed temperature range for predetermined periods of time, the cooling element being disposed within the well and at least partially defining a receptacle area. A caddy can be located in the receptacle area, at least partially surrounded by the cooling element, and is designed to accommodate at least one item to be transported. The cooling element may include a phase change material sealed within a plastic surround, and is designed to be separately removable and freezable prior to use. Temperature logging and/or location logging devices may be included.

1 . A container for transporting temperature controlled items comprising: 
 an outer case including a lid;    an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid;    a generally rigid well located inside the insulating layer disposed in the outer case;    at least one removable cooling element, the at least one cooling element being capable of maintaining temperature within a prescribed temperature range for predetermined periods of time upon being kept at a predetermined temperature prior to use, the at least one cooling element being disposable within the well and at least partially defining a receptacle area; and    a caddy locatable in said receptacle area and designed to accommodate at least one item to be transported, wherein said caddy is at least partially surrounded by the at least one cooling element.    
   
   
       2 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature data-logging device for monitoring, collecting and reporting data concerning the item being transported.  
   
   
       3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling element comprises cooling material disposed therein, the cooling material comprising a phase change material.  
   
   
       4 . The container according to  claim 3 , wherein the phase change material is sealed within the cooling element.  
   
   
       5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling element at least partially comprises an ABS plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling element is shaped so as to substantially surround the caddy.  
   
   
       7 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein the cooling element comprises a bottom, side walls and at least one top portion, wherein the top portion is hingedly attached to the side walls.  
   
   
       8 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling element is removable from the container so as to be separately freezable prior to use.  
   
   
       9 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer case further comprises means for lifting and towing the container.  
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein the lifting and towing means comprises at least one of a reinforced handle, a wheel assembly, a telescopic handle, a non-retractable handle, and a shoulder strap.  
   
   
       11 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer case further comprises of at least one information sleeve adapted to hold identification information concerning the biological material or pharmaceutical being transported.  
   
   
       12 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the outer case and includes closing means for closing the container.  
   
   
       13 . The container according to  claim 12 , wherein the closing means are selected from the group consisting of twist latches and at least one zipper.  
   
   
       14 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the caddy is provided with at least one tamper resistant seal.  
   
   
       15 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer is formed of polyurethane material.  
   
   
       16 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the well is formed of PE plastic.  
   
   
       17 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting means of the inner caddy includes a handle.  
   
   
       18 . The container according to  claim 2 , further comprising a communications device capable of communicating temperature data to a user.  
   
   
       19 . The container according to  claim 2 , further comprising an alarm to alert a user if the temperature recorded by the temperature data-logging device falls outside a predetermined range.  
   
   
       20 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a location detecting device for tracking the location of the container during transport.  
   
   
       21 . The container according to  claim 20 , further comprising a communications device capable of communicating at least one of temperature and location data to a user.  
   
   
       22 . A container for transporting temperature controlled items comprising: 
 an outer case including a lid;    an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid; and    at least two cooling elements, the cooling elements each being capable of maintaining temperature within a prescribed temperature range for predetermined periods of time upon being kept at a predetermined temperature prior to use, the cooling elements being disposed within the insulating layer and each defining a receptacle area designed to accommodate at least one item to be transported,    wherein each cooling element is designed to maintain an item located within the receptacle area at a different predetermined temperature.    
   
   
       23 . The container according to  claim 22 , wherein each cooling element includes a phase change material.  
   
   
       24 . The container according to  claim 22 , further comprising a temperature data-logging device for monitoring, collecting and reporting data concerning the biological material or pharmaceutical being transported.  
   
   
       25 . A container for transporting temperature controlled items comprising: 
 an outer case including a lid;    an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid;    a flexible foil barrier positioned between the outer case and the insulating layer;    at least one cooling element, the at least one cooling element being capable of maintaining temperature within a prescribed temperature range for predetermined periods of time upon being kept at a predetermined temperature prior to use, the at least one cooling element being disposed within the flexible foil barrier and at least partially surrounding a receptacle area; and    a receptacle located in said receptacle area and designed to accommodate at least one item to be transported, wherein said receptacle is at least partially surrounded by the at least one cooling element.    
   
   
       26 . The container according to  claim 25 , further comprising a second flexible foil barrier surrounding said receptacle.  
   
   
       27 . The container according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one cooling element includes a phase change material.  
   
   
       28 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein the phase change material is sealed within sealed within the cooling element.  
   
   
       29 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein the cooling element at least partially comprises an ABS plastic.  
   
   
       30 . A container for transporting temperature controlled items comprising: 
 an outer case including a lid;    an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid; and    a removable cooling element capable of maintaining temperature within a prescribed temperature range for predetermined periods of time upon being kept at a predetermined temperature prior to use,    wherein the cooling element is shaped so as to define a receptacle area therein, into which at least one item for transportation may be placed such that the item for transportation is substantially surrounded by the cooling element.    
   
   
       31 . The container according to  claim 30 , wherein the cooling element includes a bottom, side walls and at least one lid portion, the at least one lid portion being hingedly attached to at least one side wall to allow access to the receptacle area defined within the cooling element.  
   
   
       32 . The container according to  claim 30 , wherein the cooling element comprises phase change material disposed therein.  
   
   
       33 . The container according to  claim 32 , wherein the phase change material is sealed within the cooling element.  
   
   
       34 . The container according to  claim 30 , wherein the cooling element at least partially comprises an ABS plastic.  
   
   
       35 . A method of transporting temperature controlled items comprising the steps of: 
 supplying a container having an outer case including a lid; an insulating layer substantially inside the outer case and the lid; at least one removable cooling element disposable within the outer case and at least partially defining a receptacle area that is at least partially surrounded by the at least one cooling element;    removing the at least one removable cooling element from the container;    cooling the at least one removable cooling element for a predetermined period of time in a freezer, refrigerator or other temperature controlled environment;    replacing the at least one removable cooling element in the container;    placing the item to be transported in the receptacle area defined in the at least one cooling element;    closing the container so as to substantially surround the at least one cooling element by the insulating layer; and    transporting the biological material and/or pharmaceuticals.    
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the at least one removable cooling element is frozen for at least 24 hours prior to replacement in the container for use.  
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the at least one removable cooling element is conditioned after cooling and prior to replacement in the container for use, by placing the cooling element at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.  
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the at least one cooling element comprises cooling material sealed therein, the cooling material comprising a phase change material.  
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising the step of monitoring at least one of temperature within the caddy and location of the container during transportation of the container.  
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising the step of inserting a standby cooling element into the receptacle to maintain internal temperature conditions prior to placing the item to be transported into the receptacle.