Christy P Thomas

US Patent:

6467642, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/753194

Inventors:

Patrick L. Mullens - Covina CA 91724
Gregg Emmel - Marina Del Rey CA 90292
Kevin Giesy - Chino Hills CA 91709
Christy Thomas - Marina Del Rey CA 90292

International Classification:

F17C 100

US Classification:

2205601, 22056012, 2203671, 22056007

Abstract:

A shipping container with an outer shipping container shell and a support assembly for holding a dewar vessel within the outer shipping container shell and providing impact and vibration resistance to the dewar vessel. The dewar vessel has an inner vessel that holds a specimen chamber and plastic foam between its inner wall and the specimen chamber. The specimen chamber allows liquid cryogen to pass through it into the plastic foam, allows liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the plastic foam into it, and acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the plastic foam from entering into it. The specimen chamber is an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible such as an aerated polypropylene foam. The plastic foam is an open cell plastic foam such as a phenolic foam. The plastic foam can hold a normal charge of liquid cryogen in a dry vapor state regardless of the containers spatial orientation.

US Patent:

20020083717, Jul 4, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/753207

Inventors:

Patrick Mullens - St. Covina CA, US
Gregg Emmel - Marina Del Rey CA, US
Kevin Glesy - Chino Hills CA, US
Christy Thomas - Marina Del Rey CA, US

International Classification:

F17C011/00
F25B019/00

US Classification:

062/046100, 062/051100

Abstract:

A containment system for samples of dangerous goods stored at cryogenic temperatures includes a bag made of a cryogenically compatible polymer film and a porous structural cartridge made of a polypropylene polymer compound for holding a plurality of sample receptacles separate from one another to comply with the standards of UN Class 6.2 certification. The porous structural cartridge has a cartridge base with a plurality of sample receptacle apertures for holding the plurality of sample receptacles. A cartridge cover mates with the cartridge base to enclose the plurality of sample receptacle apertures. Additional cartridge bases can be included as part of the porous structural cartridge. Each cartridge has sufficient absorbing capacity to absorb the entire contents of all of the sample receptacles held within its sample receptacle apertures. The bag can be a polyimide film or a fluorinated ethylene propylene resin that meets American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specification D2116-97 for FEP-Fluorocarbon Molding and Extrusion Materials. Specific examples of especially useful polymer films include Kapton polyimide film and Teflon FEP. The bag has a sealing mechanism that will seal the bag when it is actuated. The sealing mechanism can be a mechanical closure constructed of two materials with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion, an adhesive joint or a heat seal.