Abstract: A closure is configured for use with a portable cryogenic container or dewar, such as a dry vapor shipper (DVS). The closure has advanced insulating properties which enhances cryogen residence time and also minimizes negative effects on residence time when the dewar is placed on its side, such as during shipping. The closure includes a gas vent in the form of a fluid passage which is particularly sized to minimize thermal leakage and located away from the closure-to-neck interface. Embedded electronics can detect, record, and/or communicate information pertinent to a condition of the storage container in which the closure is installed.

Abstract: A storage system that includes a contents container and a thermal battery, each in thermal communication with a thermal moderator that is constructed and arranged to balance the thermal energy flow between the contents container and the environment with the thermal energy flow between the contents container and the thermal battery. The thermal moderator can include a super-insulating material, a phase change material and/or a heat pipe. The storage system may help to maintain stored contents within a desired temperature range for an extended period of time, while minimizing the likelihood of damage to the contents due to an initial temperature of the thermal battery being outside of the desired temperature range.

Abstract: A thermal storage system for storing or transporting temperature-sensitive contents such as biological or pharmaceutical materials includes a thermally insulated storage container and a contents rack. The contents rack is configured to interact with one or more walls of the insulated storage container to stabilize the contents container at a desired position in the storage container. A contents sleeve and/or contents stabilizers may interact with one or more walls of the storage container. Contents stabilizers may be thermally conductive to provide conductive thermal communication between the stored contents and a phase change material in the storage container located away from the stored contents. The contents rack helps maintain the position of the contents within the storage container as the phase change material changes phase.

Abstract: A thermal storage system includes a thermally insulated storage container and a payload container adapted to retrievably house a temperature sensitive payload. The system includes layers of first and second phase change materials arranged in a stack with the payload container. The first phase change material has a phase change temperature within a target temperature range of the payload, and the second phase change material has a phase change temperature outside the target temperature range. The layers are arranged to isolate the payload from the second phase change material. In the case of biological materials that must not freeze while stored in the container, this arrangement enables a cold pack containing the layers of phase change materials to be placed in direct contact with the contents container even with a cold pack starting temperature well below the freezing point of the contents.

Abstract: A portable cryogenic container includes a porous material configured to absorb a cryogenic coolant such as liquid nitrogen. The coolant-absorbing material at least partially defines a storage cavity in the container that is configured to accept and support a cassette or other type of contents container in which a product to be cryogenically stored is contained. With cryogenic coolant absorbed into the container, the temperature within the storage cavity can be maintained sufficiently close to the boiling point of the cryogenic coolant to preserve post-thaw viability of the stored product for several hours.

Abstract: Thermally-stabilizing pellets are used in a contents container to stabilize the temperature at which temperature sensitive contents are stored in the container. The pellets provide a thermal buffer between the stored contents and the environment outside the contents container that retards the rate of temperature change of the stored contents. The stored contents do not experience the extremes in temperature variation within a passive or active thermally insulated container when at least partially buried in the pellets. The pellets can also help isolate the stored contents from phase change materials that could thermally damage the stored contents with physical contact.

Abstract: A storage container that includes walls having complimentary-shaped edges with complex edge profiles. The complex edge profiles of adjoining walls mate with each other to form an interface that defines a thermal leak path between a storage area of the container and an exterior environment. The thermal leak path has a length that is greater than the thickness of the adjoined walls. In one example, the complex edge profile includes step-shaped features. The walls may also include one or more overlapping super-insulating panels. The panels may be joined to one another with adhesive layers. The super-insulating panels may be also be disposed in a wall including interior and exterior linings that are joined and sealed to define a space between the linings. The space may be evacuated and optionally filled with a super-insulating gas.