Transport case and transport cart for biological sample boxes
By using foamed and vacuum insulation panels as insulation materials in the biological sample transport box, combined with liquid nitrogen tubing and the box, the slow leakage problem caused by the vacuum structure was solved, achieving stability in the low-temperature environment and saving liquid nitrogen.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GENEPOINT TECHNOLOGIES (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing biological sample transport boxes have high requirements for vacuum structure technology, which can easily lead to slow leakage, resulting in failure of insulation, and large consumption of liquid nitrogen.
Foamed and/or vacuum insulation panels are used as insulation devices, combined with liquid nitrogen pipes and liquid nitrogen tanks, to avoid vacuum structures, reduce production process requirements, and reduce liquid nitrogen consumption through the uniform arrangement of liquid nitrogen pipes.
It achieves a stable low-temperature environment, avoids the slow leakage problem of vacuum structures, reduces liquid nitrogen consumption, and lowers production costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224577176U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of biological sample technology, and in particular to a transport box and transport vehicle for a biological sample box. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of the biopharmaceutical industry, large-scale biobanks have emerged, and the storage capacity of biological samples is increasing. Biological samples can be stored in biosample boxes. Biosample boxes need to be stored in equipment such as refrigerators, cold storage rooms, and liquid nitrogen tanks. During the transfer of biosample boxes, in order to avoid damage to the bioactivity of biological samples, the biosample boxes need to be placed in a transport box that can create a low temperature.
[0003] To ensure the low-temperature environment of the transfer box, the transfer box in the relevant technology adopts a vacuum structure with a stainless steel welded sealed shell. That is, the stainless steel welded shell of the transfer box is a hollow structure with a vacuum inside. The vacuum structure also has high requirements for the production process. If the process is not up to standard, problems such as slow leakage can easily occur, which will directly lead to the failure of the shell's insulation. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the above problems, this application is made in order to provide a transport box and transport vehicle for a biological sample box that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.
[0005] This application provides a transport box for a biological sample box, comprising: an inner liner defining a receiving cavity with an upper opening; an outer shell disposed outside the inner liner, defining a placement space between the outer shell and the inner liner; a heat insulation device disposed in the placement space, the heat insulation device including a foam and / or vacuum insulation panel; a cover disposed at the upper opening for opening and closing; a liquid nitrogen tank disposed in the receiving cavity, defining a liquid nitrogen chamber for storing liquid nitrogen, the top of the liquid nitrogen tank having a plurality of first openings for temporarily storing the biological sample box; and a liquid nitrogen tube disposed within the liquid nitrogen chamber, the liquid nitrogen tube having an inlet and an outlet, the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen chamber entering the liquid nitrogen tube through the inlet.
[0006] Optionally, the inner liner includes a first bottom plate and a plurality of first side plates extending upward from the end of the first bottom plate; the outer shell includes a second bottom plate and a plurality of second side plates extending upward from the end of the second bottom plate, the second bottom plate being located at the bottom of the first bottom plate, the plurality of second side plates corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of first side plates, and each second side plate being disposed on the outside of the corresponding first side plate located outside the receiving cavity.
[0007] Optionally, the upper ends of the plurality of second side plates and the plurality of first side plates together define the upper opening of the placement space; and the transfer box further includes: a frame disposed at the upper opening for closing the upper opening.
[0008] Optionally, a heat insulation component is provided between the bottom of the liquid nitrogen tank and the inner liner.
[0009] Optionally, the sidewall of the liquid nitrogen tank is spaced apart from the inner liner.
[0010] Optionally, the liquid nitrogen chamber is provided with a plurality of liquid nitrogen tubes, and / or each liquid nitrogen tube is provided with a plurality of tube inlets and a plurality of tube outlets.
[0011] Optionally, the plurality of first openings are evenly spaced, and / or the number of biological sample boxes used for temporary storage on the liquid nitrogen tank is no more than three.
[0012] Optionally, the liquid nitrogen chamber has a liquid inlet, and a liquid inlet pipe is provided at the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet pipe is located outside the liquid nitrogen chamber and is used to supply liquid nitrogen to the liquid nitrogen chamber.
[0013] Optionally, the transport box further includes: a placement plate, which is disposed above the liquid nitrogen tank, and is used to place the biological sample box. The placement plate has a plurality of second openings corresponding to the plurality of first openings.
[0014] This application also provides a transport vehicle for biological sample boxes, comprising: a frame, wherein the lower end of the frame is provided with rollers; and a transport box as described in any of the above claims, wherein the transport box is fixed to the frame.
[0015] The biological sample container transport box and trolley provided in this application have foamed and / or vacuum insulation panels in the placement space, thus eliminating the need for a vacuum structure and avoiding problems such as slow leakage due to inadequate vacuum processing, thereby preventing the transport box from failing to maintain its insulation performance. Furthermore, the inclusion of a liquid nitrogen tube reduces excessive liquid nitrogen consumption. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Other objects and advantages of this application will become apparent from the following description of the application with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the application.
[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a transport box according to some embodiments of this application;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a first-view front view of a transport box according to some embodiments of this application;
[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of section AA;
[0020] Figure 4 This is a second-view front view of a transport box according to some embodiments of this application;
[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Sectional view of section BB;
[0022] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a liquid nitrogen tank in a transfer container according to some embodiments of this application.
[0023] In the diagram, 10 is the transport box, 100 is the inner liner, 110 is the receiving cavity, 200 is the outer shell, 210 is the placement space, 300 is the foam, 400 is the vacuum insulation panel, 500 is the cover, 600 is the opening frame, 700 is the liquid nitrogen tank, 710 is the liquid nitrogen chamber, 720 is the first opening, 730 is the liquid nitrogen pipe, 800 is the liquid inlet pipe, 900 is the placement plate, and 910 is the second opening. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only one embodiment of this application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.
[0026] This embodiment provides a transport box 10 for biological sample boxes. Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the transfer box 10 according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a first-view (side) front view of the transport box 10 according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of section AA. Figure 4 This is a second-view (front) front view of the transport box 10 according to some embodiments of this application. Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Sectional view of section BB. Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the liquid nitrogen tank 700 of the transfer box 10 according to some embodiments of this application.
[0027] The transport box 10 includes an inner liner 100, an outer shell 200, a heat insulation device, and a cover 500. The inner liner 100 defines a receiving cavity 110 with an upper opening. The outer shell 200 is disposed outside the inner liner 100, defining a placement space 210 between the outer shell 200 and the inner liner 100. The heat insulation device is disposed in the placement space 210, and the heat insulation device includes foam 300 and / or vacuum insulation panel 400. The cover 500 is disposed at the upper opening for opening and closing the upper opening. The transport box 10 also includes a liquid nitrogen tank 700, which is disposed in the receiving cavity 110. The liquid nitrogen tank 700 defines a liquid nitrogen chamber 710 for storing liquid nitrogen. The top of the liquid nitrogen tank 700 has a plurality of first openings 720 for temporarily storing the biological sample box. The liquid nitrogen chamber 710 is provided with a liquid nitrogen tube 730, which has an inlet and an outlet. Liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen chamber 710 enters the liquid nitrogen tube 730 through the inlet.
[0028] The transport box 10 (also known as a transfer box) is suitable for cryogenic operation and transport of biological sample boxes. For example, the transport box 10 can be used to transport biological sample boxes between the laboratory and the refrigerator.
[0029] Biological sample boxes (also known as cryopreservation boxes or low-temperature storage boxes) define multiple well positions for placing cryovials, which in turn hold biological samples.
[0030] Both the inner liner 100 and the outer shell 200 can be sheet metal structures, such as thin sheet metal structures.
[0031] Liquid nitrogen refers to liquid nitrogen gas. It absorbs a large amount of heat when it vaporizes. Liquid nitrogen (often written as LN2) is the liquid form of nitrogen gas at low temperatures. The boiling point of nitrogen is -196°C. In industry, liquid nitrogen is obtained by fractional distillation of air. The air is first purified and then liquefied under pressure and cooling. The components in the air are separated by their different boiling points.
[0032] The vacuum insulation panel 400 (also known as a VIP) can be attached to the placement space 210. The foam 300 can be LBA foam (also known as R1233zd(E) foaming agent, which refers to a foaming agent with trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropylene as the main component. LBA foaming agent is a new generation of physical foaming agent with excellent comprehensive performance and is environmentally friendly). The foam 300 can be bonded to the vacuum insulation panel 400 to form a whole.
[0033] Understandably, the inner liner 100, outer shell 200, and insulation device can be combined to form a box, and the cover 500 and the box mainly provide insulation and sealing for the storage of liquid nitrogen.
[0034] The liquid nitrogen tank 700 can be installed at the bottom of the containment cavity 110 or in other locations using various methods such as adhesive bonding, threaded connection, or snap-fit. The installation of the liquid nitrogen tank 700 facilitates the temporary storage of biological samples in gaseous liquid nitrogen, avoids contamination, facilitates temperature uniformity, and reduces excessive consumption of liquid nitrogen.
[0035] The liquid nitrogen tank 700 has a sealed shell made of welded stainless steel sheet metal. Its top surface has a first opening 720 (also called an evaporation hole), inside which is a liquid nitrogen tube 730 (also called an evaporation coil). When liquid nitrogen is added, the internal pressure increases, and the liquid nitrogen enters the coil from the tube inlet, then evaporates at the tube outlet to cool the sample. The evaporation holes are distributed as needed, thus achieving uniform temperature. Understandably, there can be multiple tube outlets evenly spaced.
[0036] Most cryogenic transfer boxes using related technologies employ a vacuum structure with a stainless steel welded sealed shell. To withstand external atmospheric pressure, the vacuum structure requires overall structural strength, necessitating a certain thickness for the stainless steel plates, all of which increase product costs. Furthermore, the vacuum structure places high demands on the manufacturing process; if the process is not up to standard, problems such as slow leakage can easily occur, directly leading to the failure of the shell's insulation.
[0037] Understandably, the containment cavity 110 is used to hold liquid nitrogen and to temporarily store the biological sample box. The tube outlet is located at the upper end of the liquid nitrogen tube 730, and the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen cavity 710 enters the liquid nitrogen tube 730 through the tube inlet and evaporates at least partially at the tube outlet.
[0038] The transport box 10 of this biological sample container provided in this embodiment has a foamed 300 and / or vacuum insulation board 400 in the placement space 210, thus eliminating the need for a vacuum structure and avoiding problems such as slow leakage due to inadequate vacuum processing, thereby preventing the insulation performance of the transport box 10 from failing. Furthermore, the inclusion of a liquid nitrogen tube can reduce excessive consumption of liquid nitrogen.
[0039] In some embodiments, the inner liner 100 includes a first bottom plate and a plurality of first side plates extending upward from the end of the first bottom plate, and the outer shell 200 includes a second bottom plate and a plurality of second side plates extending upward from the end of the second bottom plate. The second bottom plate is located at the bottom of the first bottom plate, and the plurality of second side plates correspond one-to-one with the plurality of first side plates. Each second side plate is disposed on the outside of the corresponding first side plate located on the outside of the receiving cavity 110.
[0040] Specifically, there can be four first side plates and four second side plates. The four first side plates are arranged along the front, back, left, and right sides respectively, and the four second side plates are arranged along the front, back, left, and right sides respectively. Thus, the overall structure is simple and stable.
[0041] In some embodiments, the upper ends of the plurality of second side plates and the plurality of first side plates together define the upper opening of the placement space 210. The transfer box 10 also includes a frame 600 disposed at the upper opening for closing it. The frame 600 improves the stability of the overall structure and facilitates the manufacturing of the transfer box 10.
[0042] The outer shell 200, inner liner 100, and mouth frame 600 form a hollow body. A VIP board is attached inside the hollow layer, and the other parts are filled with LBA foam 300. Specifically, the mouth frame 600 can be a plastic mouth frame.
[0043] The transfer box 10 in this embodiment adopts a foam 300 structure and is pre-assembled together with a plastic frame 600. The entire box structure is simple and durable, with lower production requirements and simpler process. While ensuring the product's heat preservation, it is also low in cost, making it more competitive in terms of cost.
[0044] In some embodiments, a heat insulation element is provided between the bottom of the liquid nitrogen tank 700 and the inner liner 100, and / or, the sidewall of the liquid nitrogen tank 700 is spaced apart from the inner liner 100.
[0045] Specifically, the insulation component can be a plastic insulation block. The inner liner 100 and the liquid nitrogen tank 700 do not directly contact each other. The bottom of the inner liner 100 is a plastic insulation block. There is an air buffer layer between the transfer box and the liquid nitrogen storage tank. This avoids the sudden low temperature during liquid nitrogen filling, which could cause the inner liner 100 of the transfer box 10 to shrink violently, resulting in the inner liner 100 and the foam 300 detaching and affecting the insulation performance.
[0046] In some embodiments, the liquid nitrogen chamber 710 is provided with a plurality of liquid nitrogen tubes 730, and / or each liquid nitrogen tube 730 is provided with a plurality of tube inlets and a plurality of tube outlets. The plurality of liquid nitrogen tubes 730 may be arranged at equal intervals, and the plurality of tube inlets and the plurality of tube outlets may be arranged at equal intervals.
[0047] Specifically, the liquid nitrogen tube 730 includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section extends horizontally, and one of its lateral ends is connected to the lower end of the second section. The third section extends horizontally, and one of its lateral ends is connected to the upper end of the second section. The tube inlet is located at the lower end of the first section, and the tube outlet is located at the upper end of the third section. Figure 6 The dashed arrow indicates the direction of liquid nitrogen addition, and the solid arrow indicates the direction of liquid nitrogen evaporation.
[0048] In some embodiments, the plurality of first openings 720 are evenly spaced, and / or the number of biological sample boxes temporarily stored on the liquid nitrogen tank 700 is no more than three. For example, the plurality of first openings 720 are evenly spaced in a matrix, and the number of biological sample boxes temporarily stored on the liquid nitrogen tank 700 is one.
[0049] In this embodiment, the transfer box 10 is designed with a liquid nitrogen tank 700 inside. The liquid nitrogen tank 700 is designed with an evaporation tube, which can ensure the uniformity of liquid nitrogen evaporation and reduce the evaporation area of liquid nitrogen, thereby reducing the amount of liquid nitrogen consumed.
[0050] In some embodiments, the liquid nitrogen chamber 710 has a liquid inlet, and a liquid inlet pipe 800 is provided at the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet pipe 800 is located outside the liquid nitrogen chamber 710 and is used to supply liquid nitrogen to the liquid nitrogen chamber 710. The liquid inlet pipe 800 facilitates the filling of liquid nitrogen.
[0051] In some embodiments, the transport box 10 further includes a placement plate 900, which is disposed above the liquid nitrogen tank 700. The placement plate 900 is used to place the biological sample box, and the placement plate 900 has a plurality of second openings 910 corresponding to the plurality of first openings 720.
[0052] The placement plate 900 (also called a partition) is used to place the biological sample box. The lower end of the placement plate 900 may have a first protrusion and the upper end may have a second protrusion. The second protrusion is used to connect with the inner liner 100, and the first protrusion is used to limit the liquid nitrogen tank 700, so that the side wall of the liquid nitrogen tank 700 is spaced apart from the inner liner 100. Multiple second openings 910 can be evenly arranged at intervals, for example, in a matrix-like evenly spaced arrangement, and the first opening 720 and the second opening 910 can correspond one-to-one.
[0053] In related technologies, liquid nitrogen storage devices typically employ a welded, sealed stainless steel shell with a vacuum system for insulation, often supplemented by fiberglass reinforcement. This structure offers good insulation, but its manufacturing process is highly demanding, particularly regarding the welded sections. Defects such as pinholes and cracks are unacceptable, as these can lead to leaks. Once the vacuum is compromised, the shell's insulation fails. Furthermore, to withstand atmospheric pressure, the shell requires sufficient rigidity, making it susceptible to denting from impacts during use. Additionally, stress on the welds can cause cracking, leading to leaks and compromised vacuum.
[0054] The transport box 10 of the biological sample box provided in this embodiment is provided with foam 300 and / or vacuum insulation board 400 in the placement space 210, so that there is no need to set up a vacuum structure, avoiding problems such as slow leakage caused by inadequate vacuum process, and thus avoiding the failure of the heat preservation of the transport box 10.
[0055] This embodiment also provides a transport vehicle for a biological sample box, comprising: a frame, the lower end of which is provided with rollers; and a transport box as described in any of the above claims, the transport box being fixed to the frame. It should also be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.
[0056] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of this application shall be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A transport case for biological sample cassettes, characterized in that, include: Inner liner, which defines a receiving cavity with an upper opening; An outer shell is disposed on the outside of the inner liner, and a placement space is defined between the outer shell and the inner liner; A heat insulation device is provided in the placement space, the heat insulation device including foamed and / or vacuum insulation panels; A cover is provided at the upper opening to enable the opening and closing of the upper opening; A liquid nitrogen tank is disposed in the receiving cavity, the liquid nitrogen tank defines a liquid nitrogen chamber, the liquid nitrogen chamber is used to store liquid nitrogen, and the top of the liquid nitrogen tank has a plurality of first openings for temporarily storing the biological sample box. A liquid nitrogen tube is disposed inside the liquid nitrogen chamber. The liquid nitrogen tube is provided with an inlet and an outlet. Liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen chamber enters the liquid nitrogen tube through the inlet.
2. The transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner liner includes a first bottom plate and a plurality of first side plates extending upward from the end of the first bottom plate; The outer casing includes a second base plate and a plurality of second side plates extending upward from the end of the second base plate. The second base plate is located at the bottom of the first base plate. The plurality of second side plates correspond one-to-one with the plurality of first side plates, and each second side plate is disposed on the outside of the corresponding first side plate located outside the receiving cavity.
3. The shipping box of claim 2, wherein, The upper ends of the plurality of second side plates and the plurality of first side plates together define the upper opening of the placement space; and the transfer box further includes: A frame is provided at the upper opening to close the upper opening.
4. The transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, A heat insulation component is provided between the bottom of the liquid nitrogen tank and the inner liner.
5. The transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side wall of the liquid nitrogen tank is spaced apart from the inner liner.
6. The transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid nitrogen chamber is provided with a plurality of liquid nitrogen tubes, and / or each liquid nitrogen tube is provided with a plurality of tube inlets and a plurality of tube outlets.
7. The transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first openings are evenly spaced, and / or the number of biological sample boxes used for temporary storage on the liquid nitrogen tank is no more than three.
8. The transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid nitrogen chamber has a liquid inlet, and a liquid inlet pipe is provided at the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet pipe is located outside the liquid nitrogen chamber and is used to supply liquid nitrogen into the liquid nitrogen chamber.
9. The shipping box of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: A placement plate is disposed above the liquid nitrogen tank and is used to place the biological sample box. The placement plate has a plurality of second openings corresponding to the plurality of first openings.
10. A transport cart for biological sample cassettes, characterized in that, include: The frame is equipped with casters at its lower end; The transfer box according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is fixed to the frame.