Hexagonal Cryovial Box Design for Circular Freezer Space Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage and transportation systems for cryovials in cryogenic freezers and dry shippers are inefficient due to wasted space and cumbersome handling, particularly for smaller diameter vials, which require inefficient geometry or cumbersome canes for storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
The use of stackable hexagonal boxes with internal frames and concentric rings of holes to maximize storage density and a canister system with a castellated top for easy access and efficient stacking, allowing for seamless integration between storage and transportation while maintaining low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional square or rectangular boxes are used to store cryovials in circular cryogenic freezers, then the storage system is simple to manufacture, but significant wasted space occurs between the boxes and the circular wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hexagonal geometry instead of conventional square or rectangular boxes. The hexagonal shape better approximates a circle than square boxes do, allowing tighter packing in the circular payload compartment of cryogenic freezers and dry shippers. This curvature adaptation maximizes the use of available circular space while maintaining the structural benefits of polygonal geometry for manufacturing and stacking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If smaller diameter cryovials (8.5 mm) are stored in conventional rectangular SBS format boxes, then the boxes can accommodate standard laboratory formats, but the storage efficiency in circular containers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal box design serves multiple functions: it maintains compatibility with standard cryovial diameters (including 8.5 mm SBS format vials), enables efficient packing in circular containers, and allows for systematic organization through concentric ring arrangements. The universal design accommodates different vial sizes and formats while optimizing space utilization across various cryogenic storage applications.
3Ease of operation
If canes with clipped cryovials are used in small dry shippers, then individual vials can be accessed, but the handling becomes cumbersome and space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal box design segments the storage system into modular units that can be systematically arranged in concentric rings. Each hexagonal box contains multiple vials organized in a grid pattern, allowing for efficient access and retrieval. This segmentation eliminates the need for cumbersome cane systems while maintaining individual vial accessibility through the structured hexagonal framework.
4Ease of manufacture
If square boxes are stacked in circular dry shippers, then the loading process is simple, but the payload compartment space is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal box design with flat tops and bottoms maintains stacking simplicity like square boxes, while the hexagonal cross-section better fits the circular payload compartment. This geometric adaptation allows boxes to be easily stacked vertically while maximizing the horizontal space utilization in circular containers, thereby improving transportation efficiency without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly increases storage and transportation efficiency by up to 65% and 162% respectively, and enables easy, user-friendly access to individual vials while maintaining the required low temperatures, improving upon conventional square and rectangular box systems.
Implementation Method 1
Because the insulation in cryogenic containers (LNVP storage tanks and dry shippers) is a vacuum
Implementation Method 2
the insulation in cryogenic containers (LNVP storage tanks and dry shippers) is a vacuum
Implementation Method 3
Temperatures ranging between −150° C. and −196° C. (the boiling point of liquid nitrogen at standard pressure) can easily be maintained using carefully controlled LNVP technology
Implementation Method 4
the boiling point of liquid nitrogen at standard pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A cryovial storage system is provided for use in LNVP storage and transportation freezers. The system comprises a hexagonal box that can be used modularly in both vertical and horizontal dimensions to more efficiently fill the functional space within cryogenic freezers and dry shippers. Also provided is a canister and insert system configured to receive a stack of hexagonal boxes (or multiple stacks of hexagonal boxes) and a method for accessing only the topmost box in a stack while retaining the other boxes in the stack below and a system that provides ease of transferability of boxes between storage freezers and dry shippers.