Cryogenic bottle jacket and related systems and methods

Abstract

A bottle jacket for a cryogenic bottle includes a shroud including a sidewall defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a bottle and a locking feature configured to operatively engage with at least a portion of the bottle to resist movement of the bottle relative to the bottle jacket. The bottle jacket can include a first label affixed to an outer surface of the sidewall and including a first set of indicia. The first set of indicia can be different than a second set of indicia included on a second label affixed to an outer surface of the bottle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to cryogenic vials, and more particularly, to apparatus, systems, and methods for labeling or relabeling cryogenic vials. BACKGROUND

[0002] Various biological products, samples, or specimens, such as those containing viable human cells, including, for example, allogeneic or autologous biopharmaceutical products, must be stored for extended periods of time at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., between -195°C and -150°C) or "ultra-cold temperatures," in order to maintain their integrity. Cryogenic containers or vials, such as those commercially available from Aseptic Technologies, are often used to store and / or transport such products in one or more cryogenic environments. Such vials can come in various sizes, such as having 1 mL, 2 mL, 6 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, and 50 mL capacities. Although cryogenic vials can come in different sizes and configurations, a typical vial includes a hollow cylindrical body made of a transparent material that can withstand cryogenic temperatures.

[0003] In many instances, visual inspection of the contents of the vial by a user (e.g., a technician) through the transparent cylindrical body can not be sufficient for the user to identify the particular product or product type contained in the vial. Accordingly, a label containing indicia that identifies the particular product or product type contained in the vial, as well as other necessary indicia, can be affixed to the outer surface of the sidewall of the cylindrical body.

[0004] Typically, the cryogenic vials are identified at ambient temperature, after which the target product is filled into the vials at cryogenic temperatures. For example, a paper label can be printed with a set of indicia that identifies the particular product or product type to be contained in the cryogenic vial, and the label can be affixed to the vial using a pressure sensitive adhesive at ambient temperature (e.g., between 18°C and 25°C). After the adhesive has fully cured, the target product can be filled into the vial at cryogenic temperatures and subsequently stored at cryogenic temperatures, such as in a cryogenic freezer.

[0005] In some instances, a cryogenic vial can be misidentified with indicia that inaccurately describes the product contained therein or other erroneous indicia. Assuming that a new, correct paper label is to be affixed over the erroneous paper label, the mislabeled vial must first be thawed. However, because the vial must be maintained at cryogenic temperatures in order to preserve the product contained therein, thawing the vial to manipulate such relabeling can cause the product itself to deteriorate or otherwise be damaged. Thus, the vial can remain mislabeled throughout its entire useful life, making it difficult or impossible to accurately identify the actual contents of the vial.

[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved apparatus, systems, and methods for labeling or relabeling cryogenic vials that address these and other problems associated with conventional cryogenic vials and labeling techniques. SUMMARY

[0007] In one embodiment, a sleeve for a cryogenic vial includes a shroud including a sidewall defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a vial and a locking feature configured to operatively engage at least a portion of the vial to resist movement of the vial relative to the sleeve. The sleeve can further include a first label affixed to an outer surface of the sidewall and including a first set of indicia. The first set of indicia can be different than a second set of indicia included on a second label affixed to an outer surface of the vial. Additionally or alternatively, the sleeve can include a window formed in the sidewall of the shroud. In one embodiment, the sleeve includes a base including a central aperture configured to receive an annular protrusion of the vial, wherein the locking feature includes an annular detent extending radially inward from the central aperture to frictionally engage the annular protrusion of the vial. The locking feature can include a plurality of arcuate tabs extending radially inward from an upper portion of the sidewall to abut a portion of the vial. Alternatively, the locking feature can include an annular detent extending radially inward from a lower portion of the sidewall to frictionally engage a portion of the vial. In one embodiment, the sleeve includes a machine-readable code configured to communicate information to a machine identifying one or more contents of the cryogenic vial.

[0008] In another embodiment, an assembly includes a cryogenic vial and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a shroud including a sidewall defining a cavity and a locking feature. At least a portion of the vial is received by the cavity and the locking feature operatively engages at least a portion of the vial to resist movement of the vial relative to the sleeve. The assembly can further include a first label affixed to an outer surface of the sidewall and including a first set of indicia. In one embodiment, the cryogenic vial further includes a second label affixed to an outer surface of the vial and including a second set of indicia different than the first set of indicia. Additionally or alternatively, the assembly can include a window formed in the sidewall of the shroud. In one embodiment, the cryogenic vial includes an annular protrusion, the sleeve includes a base having a central aperture receiving the annular protrusion, and the locking feature includes an annular detent extending radially inward from the central aperture and frictionally engaging the annular protrusion.

[0009] The locking feature can include a plurality of arcuate tabs extending radially inward from an upper portion of the sidewall and abutting a portion of the vial. Alternatively, the locking feature can include an annular detent extending radially inward from a lower portion of the sidewall and frictionally engaging a portion of the vial. In one embodiment, the sleeve further includes a machine-readable code configured to communicate information to a machine identifying one or more contents of the cryogenic vial.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a method of labeling a cryogenic bottle is provided. The method includes adhering a first label including a first set of indicia to a bottle jacket at ambient temperature, the bottle jacket having a shroud and a locking feature, the shroud including a sidewall defining a cavity. The method further includes placing a cryogenic bottle in a cryogenic environment, placing the bottle jacket in the cryogenic environment, and inserting the cryogenic bottle into the bottle jacket such that the cavity of the bottle jacket receives at least a portion of the bottle and the locking feature operatively engages at least a portion of the bottle to resist movement of the bottle relative to the bottle jacket. The method can further include removing the cryogenic bottle from a removable base prior to inserting the cryogenic bottle into the bottle jacket. In one embodiment, the cryogenic environment includes a cryogenic transport cart. The first set of indicia can be different than a second set of indicia included on a second label adhered to an outer surface of the bottle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the application and, together with the general description of the application given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the application.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cryogenic bottle seated on a removable base.

[0013] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cryogenic bottle of Figure 1 seated on a removable base.

[0014] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing removal of the base from the cryogenic bottle of Figure 1 .

[0015] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the cryogenic bottle of Figure 1 being inserted into an exemplary bottle jacket according to one embodiment of the application.

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cryogenic bottle of Figure 4 seated in the bottle jacket of Figure 1 .

[0017] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cryogenic bottle of Figure 5 seated in the bottle jacket of along section line 6-6.

[0018] Figure 7 Figure 1 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view showing removal of the base from the cryogenic bottle of Figure 4 and insertion of the cryogenic bottle into the bottle jacket of .

[0019] Figure 8is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary cryogenic bottle inserted into another exemplary bottle jacket according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a cryogenic bottle seated in a bottle jacket of Figure 8

[0021] Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cryogenic bottle seated in a bottle jacket of Figure 9

[0022] Figure 11 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view illustrating a cryogenic bottle inserted into a bottle jacket of Figure 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the exemplary cryogenic bottle 10 includes a generally cylindrical body 12 having a sidewall 14 and a bottom wall 16 that together define an interior space 18 for receiving contents of the cryogenic bottle 10. An annular protrusion 20 extends from an outer surface of the bottom wall 16 such that a portion of the bottom wall 16 radially outward of the annular protrusion 20 defines a ledge 22. The role of the annular protrusion 20 and the ledge 22 is described below. In any case, the cylindrical body 12 is made of a material capable of withstanding cryogenic temperatures. The cylindrical body 12 can also be made of a transparent material to allow a user to view contents in the interior space 18 of the cryogenic bottle 10, for example, to visually assess a fill level of the cryogenic bottle 10. For example, the material forming the cylindrical body 12 can be colorless or amber. In one embodiment, for example, the cylindrical body 12 can be composed of a plastic polymer such as cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). As described herein, the illustrated exemplary bottle is manufactured and marketed by Aseptic Technologies of Belgium.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, a first label 24 bearing a first set of indicia 26 is affixed to an outer surface of the sidewall 14 of the cylindrical body 12. The first set of indicia 26 includes user-recognizable text and / or images for visually communicating specific product or product type information to a user and machine-readable coding (e.g., a quick response (QR) code) for optically communicating similar information to a machine by a reader or scanner. The first label 24 can be affixed to the outer surface of the sidewall 14 using a pressure-sensitive adhesive at ambient temperature, after which the target product is filled into the cryogenic bottle 10 in a cryogenic environment. As shown, the first label 24 can wrap a substantial portion of the sidewall and can leave an unobstructed longitudinal gap 28 on the outer surface of the sidewall 14 between lateral ends of the first label 24 so as not to, for example, impede a user's visual assessment of a fill level of the cryogenic bottle 10 through the transparent material of the cylindrical body 12.​​​

[0025] The illustrated cryogenic vial also includes a closure member 30 fixed to the cylindrical body 12 opposite the bottom wall 16 for sealingly closing the interior space 18. The closure member 30 can include a pierceable stopper or stop member (not shown) that can be made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such that a syringe can pierce the stop member from the exterior of the cryogenic vial 10 for dispensing product into or withdrawing product from the interior space 18 of the cryogenic vial 10. The illustrated cryogenic vial 10 includes a cap 32 that removably snap fits to the closure member 30 over the stop member to prevent accidental piercing of the stop member.

[0026] As shown, the cryogenic vial 10 is seated on a removable base 34 to facilitate stabilizing the cryogenic vial 10 on a surface, such as the top of a shelf of a cryogenic freezer, and thereby prevent the cryogenic vial 10 from being accidentally tipped over. In this regard, the removable base 34 includes an annular body 36 having a central aperture 38 configured to receive the annular protrusion 20 of the cryogenic vial 10 when the ledge 22 of the cryogenic vial 10 is seated on the annular body 36. A locking feature provided on the annular body 36 includes a pair of semi-annular protrusions or semi-annular detents 40 extending radially inward from the central aperture 38 to frictionally engage the annular protrusion 20 of the cryogenic vial 10. In this regard, the semi-annular detents 40 and the annular protrusion 20 can have relative dimensions that can provide an interference fit therebetween to facilitate retaining the cryogenic vial 10 on the removable base 34.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in the event that the first label 24 of a particular cryogenic vial 10 is determined to have the first set of indicia 26 printed thereon in error, the cryogenic vial 10 can be selectively separated from or removed from the removable base 34 by applying a critical force to the removable base 34 in the direction indicated by arrow Al sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement between the semi-annular detents 40 and the annular protrusion 20, as best shown in Figure 3 .

[0028] Referring now to Figures 4 to 6 , the cryogenic vial 10 can be seated in an exemplary vial sleeve 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure as indicated by arrow A2 in Figure 4 .

[0029] The illustrated bottle jacket 50 includes a generally cylindrical shroud portion 52 that extends axially away from a generally annular base portion 54. The cylindrical shroud portion 52 includes a sidewall 56 that defines a cavity 58 for receiving at least a portion of the cylindrical body 12 of the cryogenic bottle 10. The cavity 58 of the bottle jacket 50 and the cylindrical body 12 of the cryogenic bottle 10 can have relative dimensions that enable a tight fit therebetween. For example, the cavity 58 of the bottle jacket 50 and the cylindrical body 12 of the cryogenic bottle 10 can have relative dimensions such that the outer surface of the sidewall 14 of the cylindrical body 12 is able to slide along the inner surface of the sidewall 56 of the shroud portion 52. In any event, the shroud portion 52 is made of a material that is able to withstand cryogenic temperatures. The shroud portion 52 can also be made of an opaque material to prevent a user from viewing the outer surface of the cylindrical body 12 of the cryogenic bottle 10 in the cavity 58, and more particularly, the first set of indicia 26 printed on the first label 24 affixed thereto. In one embodiment, for example, the shroud portion 52 can be made of a plastic polymer such as cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and / or a metal alloy.

[0030] The illustrated shroud portion 52 includes a cutout or aperture 60 that extends longitudinally along the sidewall 56. The aperture 60 can overlap the unobstructed longitudinal gap 28 on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 12 of the cryogenic bottle 10 such that a user is able to visually assess the fill level of the cryogenic bottle 10 through the aperture 60 and the transparent material of the cylindrical body 12. In one embodiment, an alignment feature such as a raised relief (not shown) can be disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 12 of the bottle along the unobstructed longitudinal gap 28 and sized and configured to be received by the open end of the aperture 60 and to slide along the aperture 60 toward its closed end when the cylindrical body 12 is inserted into the cavity 58 to facilitate ensuring that the aperture 60 overlaps the unobstructed longitudinal gap 28. Although the illustrated aperture 60 is open-ended, the aperture 60 can alternatively be closed-ended.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, a second label 62 printed with the correct second set of indicia 64 (different from the incorrect first set of indicia 26) is affixed to the outer surface of the sidewall 56 of the shroud portion 52. The second set of indicia 64 includes user-recognizable text and / or images for visually communicating certain product or product type information to a user and machine-readable coding (e.g., a QR code) for optically communicating similar information to a machine by a reader or scanner. The second label 62 can be affixed to the outer surface of the sidewall 56 using a pressure-sensitive adhesive that is cured at ambient temperature prior to insertion of the cryogenic bottle 10 into the bottle jacket 50 in a cryogenic environment.

[0032] The annular base 54 of the bottle jacket 50 includes an annular body 66 having a central aperture 68 configured to receive the annular protrusion 20 of the cryogenic bottle 10 when the ledge 22 of the cryogenic bottle 10 is seated on the annular body 66 to help stabilize the cryogenic bottle 10 on a surface (e.g., the top of a shelf of a cryogenic freezer) and thereby prevent the cryogenic bottle 10 from being accidentally tipped over. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap portion 52 and the base portion 54 are integrally formed together as a single piece. A locking feature is provided on the annular body 66 that includes an annular protrusion or annular detent 70 extending radially inward from the central aperture 68 to frictionally engage the annular protrusion 20 of the cryogenic bottle 10. In this regard, the annular detent 70 and the annular protrusion 20 can have relative dimensions that can provide an interference fit therebetween to help retain the cryogenic bottle 10 in the bottle jacket 50. More specifically, the annular protrusion 20 and the annular detent 70 can interact with one another to resist movement of the cryogenic bottle 10 relative to the bottle jacket 50 to thereby prevent the cryogenic bottle 10 from being accidentally removed from the bottle jacket 50. As shown, the annular detent 70 is circular to help facilitate insertion of the annular protrusion 20 into the central aperture 68. For example, as the annular protrusion 20 is inserted into the central aperture 68, the annular protrusion 20 operatively engages the circular surface of the annular detent 70 to push the annular detent 70 slightly radially outward to accommodate the annular protrusion 20.

[0033] In one embodiment, the annular detent 70 and the annular protrusion 20 can have relative dimensions such that the interference fit provided therebetween is greater or stronger than the interference fit between the semi-annular detent 40 of the base 34 and the annular protrusion 20 of the cryogenic bottle 10, such that a greater critical force is required to remove the bottle jacket 50 from the bottle than is required to remove the base 34 from the cryogenic bottle 10. In other words, the bottle jacket 50 is more difficult to remove from the cryogenic bottle 10 than the base 34. In one embodiment, the bottle jacket 50 is not readily removable from the cryogenic bottle 10 such that the bottle jacket 50 cannot be removed unless the cryogenic bottle 10 and / or the bottle jacket 50 is severely damaged and, thus, can be considered non-removable. Although the illustrated locking feature includes the annular detent 70, it should be appreciated that various other locking features can be used that can interact with one or more features of the cryogenic bottle 10 to resist movement of the cryogenic bottle 10 relative to the bottle jacket 50. For example, a locking feature similar to the semi-annular detent 40 of the base 34 can be used.

[0034] Reference will now be made to Figure 7A method of marking or re-marking a cryogenic vial 10 includes removing the base 34 from the cryogenic vial 10 as indicated by arrow Al and inserting the cryogenic vial 10 into the vial sleeve 50 (having the second label 62 affixed thereto) as indicated by arrow A2 until the ledge 22 of the cryogenic vial 10 rests on the base 54 of the vial sleeve 50 and the annular protrusion 20 of the cryogenic vial 10 is in frictional engagement with the annular detent 70 of the base 54 to lock the cryogenic vial 10 in the vial sleeve 50. The steps of removing the base 34 from the cryogenic vial 10 and / or inserting the cryogenic vial 10 into the vial sleeve 50 can be performed in a cryogenic environment with the cryogenic vial 10 already filled in order to prevent the contents of the cryogenic vial 10 from spoiling. In one embodiment, one or both of these steps can be performed in a cryogenic transport cart. For example, a filled cryogenic vial 10 can first be removed from a cryogenic freezer and placed in a cryogenic transport cart, the cryogenic vial 10 can be separated from the base 34 in the cryogenic transport cart. The vial sleeve 50 can be placed into the cryogenic transport cart and allowed to cool to cryogenic temperatures. The cryogenic vial 10 can then be inserted into the vial sleeve 50 in the cryogenic transport cart. The cryogenic vial 10 seated in the vial sleeve 50 can then be returned to the cryogenic freezer for continued storage and can be easily retrieved by a user and / or machine by identifying the second set of indicia 64 on the vial sleeve 50.

[0035] Thus, in the event that the first indicia 26 printed on the first label 24 do not properly identify the contents of the cryogenic vial 10 or are otherwise inaccurate or do not meet expectations for any reason, the second set of indicia 64 can be used to easily identify the cryogenic vial 10 through the vial sleeve 50 while maintaining cryogenic temperatures in order to preserve the contents of the cryogenic vial 10, the second indicia correctly identifying the contents of the cryogenic vial 10 and / or providing other desired information. Alternatively, the vial sleeve 50 can be used to initially identify the cryogenic vial 10 in the event that the cryogenic vial 10 has not previously been identified. In one embodiment, the non-removability of the vial sleeve 50 from the cryogenic vial 10 can leave evidence of tampering in the event that a user attempts to remove the cryogenic vial 10 from the vial sleeve 50.

[0036] Reference will now be made to Figures 8 to 10 Another exemplary cryogenic vial 110 includes a generally cylindrical body 112 having a sidewall 114 and a bottom wall 116 and a generally frustoconical and / or cylindrical neck 120 that together define an interior space (not shown) for receiving the contents of the cryogenic vial 10. As shown, a circular ledge 122 extends between the sidewall 114 and the neck 120.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, a first label 124 bearing a first set of indicia 126 is affixed to the outer surface of the sidewall 114 of the cylindrical body 112. As shown, the first label 124 can wrap a substantial portion of the sidewall 114 and can leave an unobstructed longitudinal gap 128 between the lateral ends of the first label 124 on the outer surface of the sidewall 114 so as not to, for example, impede a user's visual assessment of the fill level of the cryogenic bottle 110 through the transparent material of the cylindrical body 112.

[0038] The illustrated cryogenic bottle 110 also includes a closure member 130 secured to the neck 120 for sealingly closing the interior space and a cap 132 removably snap-fitted to the closure member 130.

[0039] Various other features of the cryogenic bottle 110 can be generally similar to those described above with respect to the cryogenic bottle 10 and, therefore, are not repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0040] As shown, the cryogenic bottle 110 can be seated in another exemplary bottle sleeve 150 according to another embodiment of the present application as indicated by arrow A3 in FIG. 15. Figure 8

[0041] The illustrated bottle sleeve 150 includes a generally cylindrical shroud 152 extending axially away from a generally annular base 154. The cylindrical shroud 152 includes a sidewall 156 defining a cavity 158 for receiving the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic bottle 110. The cavity 158 of the bottle sleeve 150 and the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic bottle 110 can have relative dimensions that enable a tight fit therebetween. For example, the cavity 158 of the bottle sleeve 150 and the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic bottle 110 can have relative dimensions such that the outer surface of the sidewall 114 of the cylindrical body 112 is slidable along the inner surface of the sidewall 156 of the shroud 152. In any event, the shroud 152 is made of a material that is capable of withstanding cryogenic temperatures. The shroud 152 can also be made of an opaque material to prevent a user from viewing the outer surface of the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic bottle 110 in the cavity 158 and, more particularly, the first set of indicia 126 printed on the first label 124 affixed thereto. In one embodiment, for example, the shroud 152 can be made of a plastic polymer such as cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and / or a metal alloy.

[0042] The illustrated shroud 152 includes a cutout or aperture 160 extending longitudinally along the sidewall 156. The aperture 160 can overlap the unobstructed longitudinal gap 128 on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic bottle 110 so that a user can visually assess the fill level of the cryogenic bottle 110 through the aperture 160 and the transparent material of the cylindrical body 112. Although the illustrated aperture 160 is closed-ended, the aperture 160 can alternatively be open-ended. ​

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, a second label 162 printed with the correct second set of indicia 164 (different from the incorrect first set of indicia 126) is adhered to the outer surface of the sidewall 156 of the cover portion 152. The second set of indicia 164 includes user-recognizable text and / or images for visually communicating specific product or product type information to a user and machine-readable coding (e.g., a QR code) for optically communicating similar information to a machine by a reader or scanner. The second label 162 can be adhered to the outer surface of the sidewall 156 using a pressure sensitive adhesive that is cured at ambient temperature, after which the cryogenic bottle 110 is inserted into the bottle sleeve 150 in a low temperature environment.

[0044] The annular base portion 154 of the bottle sleeve 150 includes an annular body 166 having a central aperture 168. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover portion 152 and the annular base portion 154 are integrally formed as a single piece. A lower locking feature is disposed at or near the interface between the annular body 166 of the annular base portion 154 and the sidewall 156 of the cover portion 152, which includes an annular protrusion or annular detent 170 extending radially inward from the sidewall 156 for frictional engagement with the outer surface of the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic bottle 110. In this regard, the annular detent 170 and the cylindrical body 112 can have relative dimensions that provide an interference fit therebetween to help retain the cryogenic bottle 110 in the bottle sleeve 150. More specifically, the cylindrical body 112 and the annular detent 170 can interact with one another to resist movement of the cryogenic bottle 110 relative to the bottle sleeve 150, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the cryogenic bottle 110 from the bottle sleeve 150. As shown, the annular detent 170 is circular to help the cylindrical body 112 advance within the cavity 158 toward the annular body 166. For example, as the cylindrical body 112 advances toward the annular body 166, the operative engagement of the cylindrical body 112 with the circular surface of the annular detent 170 can urge the annular detent 170 slightly radially outward to accommodate the cylindrical body 112.

[0045] An upper locking feature is provided at or near the upper end of the shroud portion 152, which upper locking feature includes a plurality of arcuate tabs 172 extending radially inward from the sidewall 156 and opposite the annular base portion 154 for abutting and / or mechanically engaging the circular ledge 122 of the cryogenic bottle 110 when the cylindrical body 112 is seated in the cavity 158. In this regard, the arcuate tabs 172 and the cylindrical body 112 can have relative dimensions that allow at least a portion of each arcuate tab 172 to extend over at least a portion of the circular ledge 122 and thereby sandwich the cylindrical body 112 between the arcuate tabs 172 and the annular base portion 154 so as to facilitate retaining the cryogenic bottle 110 in the bottle jacket 150. More particularly, the circular ledge 122 and the arcuate tabs 172 can interact with one another to resist movement of the cryogenic bottle 110 relative to the bottle jacket 150, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the cryogenic bottle 110 from the bottle jacket 150. As shown, at least the upper surfaces of the arcuate tabs 172 are sloped downwardly toward the annular base portion 154 to facilitate insertion of the cylindrical body 112 into the cavity 158. For example, operative engagement of the cylindrical body 112 with the downwardly sloped upper surfaces of the arcuate tabs 172 as the cylindrical body 112 is inserted into the cavity 158 can urge the arcuate tabs slightly radially outwardly, thereby allowing the cylindrical body 112 to pass therebetween.

[0046] In one embodiment, the bottle jacket 150 can not be readily removable from the cryogenic bottle 110 such that the bottle jacket 150 cannot be removed unless the cryogenic bottle 110 and / or the bottle jacket 150 is severely damaged, and thus the jacket can be considered non-removable. Although the illustrated lower and upper locking features include the annular detents 170 and the arcuate tabs 172, respectively, it should be understood that various other locking features can be used that are capable of interacting with one or more features of the cryogenic bottle 110 to resist movement of the cryogenic bottle 110 relative to the bottle jacket 150. For example, locking features similar to the semi-annular detents 40 of the base portion 34 can be used.

[0047] Various other features of the bottle jacket 150 can be generally similar to those described above with respect to the bottle jacket 50, and thus are not repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0048] Reference is now made to Figure 11A method of marking or re-marking a cryogenic vial 110 includes inserting the cryogenic vial 110 into the vial sleeve 150 (with the second label 162 affixed thereto) as indicated by arrow A3 until the bottom wall 116 of the cryogenic vial 110 rests on the annular base 154 of the vial sleeve 150, the cylindrical body 112 of the cryogenic vial 110 is in frictional engagement with the annular detent 170, and the arcuate ledge 172 abuts the circular ledge 122 to lock the cryogenic vial 110 in the vial sleeve 150. The step of inserting the cryogenic vial 110 into the vial sleeve 150 can be performed in a cryogenic environment with the cryogenic vial 110 already filled to prevent the contents of the cryogenic vial 110 from spoiling. In one embodiment, this step can be performed in a cryogenic transport cart. For example, a filled cryogenic vial 110 can first be removed from a cryogenic freezer and placed in a cryogenic transport cart. The vial sleeve 150 can be placed in the cryogenic transport cart and allowed to cool to cryogenic temperatures. The cryogenic vial 110 can then be inserted into the vial sleeve 150 in the cryogenic transport cart. The cryogenic vial 110 seated in the vial sleeve 150 can then be returned to the cryogenic freezer for continued storage and can be easily retrieved by a user and / or machine by identifying the second set of indicia 164 on the vial sleeve 150.

[0049] Thus, in the event that the first indicia 126 printed on the first label 124 do not correctly identify the contents of the cryogenic vial 110 or are otherwise inaccurate or do not meet expectations for any reason, the second set of indicia 164 can be used to re-identify the cryogenic vial 110 through the vial sleeve 150 while maintaining cryogenic temperatures to preserve the contents of the cryogenic vial 110, the second indicia correctly identifying the contents of the cryogenic vial 110 and / or providing other desired information. Alternatively, the vial sleeve 150 can be used to initially identify the cryogenic vial 110 in the event that the cryogenic vial 110 has not previously been identified. In one embodiment, the non-removability of the vial sleeve 150 from the cryogenic vial 110 can leave evidence of tampering in the event that a user attempts to remove the cryogenic vial 110 from the vial sleeve 150.

[0050] As noted above, the second set of indicia 64, 164 provided on the vial sleeve 50, 150 can include machine-readable coding, such as a graphical QR code, for optically communicating a particular product or product type to a machine by a reader or scanner. Alternatively, the machine-readable coding can be provided by any other suitable automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology or technologies. For example, the machine-readable coding can be provided by one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags (not shown) located on the vial sleeve 50, 150.

[0051] Although the illustrated QR code is incorporated into the second set of indicia 64, 164 on the second label 62, 162 affixed to the outer surface of the sidewall 56, 156 of the bottle sleeve 50, 150, the machine-readable code can alternatively be provided on the bottle sleeve 50, 150 in other locations separate from the second label 62, 162. For example, the machine-readable code can be located on the outer surface of the bottom of the bottle sleeve 50, 150, such as on the bottom surface of the annular body 66, 166 of the bottle sleeve 50, 150, so as to be acquired by a reader or scanner from the underside of the bottle sleeve 50, 150. In any case, such machine-readable code can be read or interpreted by a reader or scanner that is manually controlled by the user or automatically controlled by a machine that receives information from the code.

[0052] While various aspects of principles have been described for a variety of embodiments, it is to be understood that not only can each of the features be implemented independently, but these features can be used in combination with each other. Numerous additional modifications and variations within the scope of the concepts will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of this description. It is intended that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, all variations be encompassed by the application.

Claims

1. A sleeve for a cryogenic vial, the cryogenic vial including a body and an annular protrusion, the body having a sidewall and a bottom wall, the sidewall and bottom wall defining an interior space for receiving contents of the cryogenic vial, the annular protrusion extending axially away from the bottom wall, the sleeve comprising: a base portion defining an annular body having a central aperture configured to receive the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial; a cover portion extending axially away from the base portion and including a sidewall, the sidewall of the cover portion defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the body of the cryogenic vial; a locking feature disposed on the annular body of the base portion and configured to operatively engage at least a portion of the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial to resist movement of the cryogenic vial relative to the sleeve, the locking feature including an annular detent extending radially inward from the central aperture; and the annular detent being sized relative to the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial such that operative engagement of the annular detent with the annular protrusion renders the cryogenic vial non-removable from the sleeve.

2. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprising: a first label affixed to an outer surface of the sidewall of the sleeve and including a first set of indicia.

3. The sleeve of claim 2, wherein the first set of indicia is different than a second set of indicia included on a second label affixed to an outer surface of the cryogenic vial.

4. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprising: a window formed in the sidewall of the cover portion.

5. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the annular detent includes a circular surface configured to be pushed radially outward to accommodate the annular protrusion during operative engagement of the annular detent with the annular protrusion.

6. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprising: a machine-readable code configured to convey information to a machine identifying one or more contents of the cryogenic vial.

7. An assembly comprising: a cryogenic vial including a body and an annular protrusion, the body having a sidewall and a bottom wall, the sidewall and bottom wall defining an interior space for receiving contents of the cryogenic vial, the annular protrusion extending axially away from the bottom wall; and a sleeve comprising: a base portion defining an annular body having a central aperture configured to receive the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial; a cover portion extending axially away from the base portion and including a sidewall, the sidewall of the cover portion defining a cavity; and a locking feature disposed on the annular body of the base portion, the locking feature including an annular detent extending radially inward from the central aperture; wherein at least a portion of the body of the cryogenic vial is received by the cavity, and wherein the annular detent operatively engages at least a portion of the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial to render the cryogenic vial non-removable from the sleeve.

8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: ​ ​ a first label affixed to an outer surface of a sidewall of the collar and including a first set of indicia.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cryogenic vial further comprises a second label affixed to an outer surface of the cryogenic vial and including a second set of indicia different from the first set of indicia.

10. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a window formed in the sidewall of the shroud.

11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the annular detent includes a circular surface configured to be pushed radially outward to accommodate the annular protrusion during operative engagement of the annular detent with the annular protrusion.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the collar further comprises a machine-readable code configured to convey information to a machine identifying one or more contents of the cryogenic vial.

13. A method of labeling a cryogenic vial, the cryogenic vial comprising a body and an annular protrusion, the body having a sidewall and a bottom wall, the sidewall and bottom wall defining an interior space for receiving contents of the cryogenic vial, the annular protrusion extending axially away from the bottom wall, the method comprising: affixing a first label including a first set of indicia to a collar at ambient temperature, the collar having a base, a shroud, and a locking feature, the base defining an annular body having a central aperture configured to receive the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial, the shroud extending axially away from the base and including a sidewall, the sidewall of the shroud defining a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the body of the cryogenic vial, the locking feature disposed on the annular body of the base and configured to operatively engage at least a portion of the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial, the locking feature including an annular detent extending radially inward from the central aperture; placing the cryogenic vial in a cryogenic environment; placing the collar in the cryogenic environment; and inserting the cryogenic vial into the collar such that the cavity of the collar receives the at least a portion of the body of the cryogenic vial and the annular detent operatively engages the at least a portion of the annular protrusion of the cryogenic vial to render the cryogenic vial non-removable from the collar.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: removing the cryogenic vial from the removable base prior to inserting the cryogenic vial into the collar.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cryogenic environment comprises a cryogenic transport cart.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first set of indicia is different from a second set of indicia included on a second label affixed to an outer surface of the cryogenic vial.

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