Temperature-Buffered Storage Container for Cryogenic Shipping Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature-controlled storage containers, such as dewars, struggle to maintain optimal temperature ranges during shipping due to pressure changes and structural issues, and traditional void fill materials fail to provide adequate cushioning for temperature-sensitive items.

Innovation Solution

A storage container design featuring inner and outer voids, with a temperature buffering material and item rack, that maintains temperature stability and protects items through customizable voids and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional void fill materials (bubble wrap, air pillows, packing peanuts) are used for temperature-controlled shipping, then cushioning is provided, but the materials fail to maintain temperature stability and lose their cushioning properties at extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature instabilityVSAvoidcushioning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into separate compartments: an inner container for the item, an outer container, and intermediate spaces filled with temperature buffering material. This segmentation allows different materials to serve different functions - cushioning in the inner container and temperature control in the intermediate spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structures including vacuum insulation layers combined with reflective barriers, and temperature buffering materials such as phase change materials or thermal mass substances combined with cushioning materials. These composite structures provide both thermal control and mechanical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If pressure-resistant packaging is used to protect items during shipping, then structural strength is improved, but the packaging becomes overly rigid and loses cushioning properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging structure applies different properties to different locations: the inner container and handle provide structural strength for protection, while the intermediate spaces and void fill materials provide cushioning. This local differentiation allows the package to be strong where needed and cushioning where impacts occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If temperature preservatives (e.g., liquid N2) are used to maintain optimal temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but the preservatives deplete quickly and require frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidtemperature maintenance duration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the thermal parameters of the container system by adding vacuum insulation layers and reflective barriers, thereby reducing heat transfer rates. This allows temperature preservatives to maintain effective temperatures for longer durations by slowing down the rate of temperature change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature buffering material provides continuous thermal protection throughout the shipping process, maintaining temperature stability without interruption or depletion. The phase change materials or thermal mass substances continuously absorb or release heat as needed, providing ongoing temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Temperature

If heavy-duty insulation is added to maintain temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but the container weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidcontainer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses thin vacuum insulation layers and flexible reflective barrier films to provide effective thermal insulation. These thin-film solutions achieve temperature control with minimal added weight compared to traditional thick insulation materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The container effectively maintains temperature-sensitive items within a desired range for extended periods by using temperature modulating substances and structural features that enhance cushioning and protection during transit.

Implementation Method 1

an outer void is defined between at least one of the inner walls and the external wall, the outer void configured to receive a temperature buffering material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 2

double-walled vacuum flask configured to receive the storage container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS20250353659A1Temperature controlled container and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 CRYOPORT INC

AI summary

A storage container is provided. The container may be insertable into a cold-storage dewar or other cold-storage container and may have multiple compartments. A payload item may be inserted into a tray and placed in one compartment for cold storage. Temperature buffering material may be inserted into one or more other compartment to provide for increased holding time at or near a desired temperature.