Abstract: A shipping container with an outer shipping container shell and a support assembly for holding a dewar vessel within the outer shipping container shell and providing impact and vibration resistance to the dewar vessel. The dewar vessel has an inner vessel that holds a specimen chamber and plastic foam between its inner wall and the specimen chamber. The specimen chamber allows liquid cryogen to pass through it into the plastic foam, allows liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the plastic foam into it, and acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the plastic foam from entering into it. The specimen chamber is an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible such as an aerated polypropylene foam. The plastic foam is an open cell plastic foam such as a phenolic foam. The plastic foam can hold a normal charge of liquid cryogen in a dry vapor state regardless of the container's spatial orientation.

Abstract: A containment system for samples of dangerous goods stored at cryogenic temperatures includes a bag made of a cryogenically compatible polymer film and a porous structural cartridge made of a polypropylene polymer compound for holding a plurality of sample receptacles separate from one another to comply with the standards of UN Class 6.2 certification. The porous structural cartridge has a cartridge base with a plurality of sample receptacle apertures for holding the plurality of sample receptacles. A cartridge cover mates with the cartridge base to enclose the plurality of sample receptacle apertures. Additional cartridge bases can be included as part of the porous structural cartridge. Each cartridge has sufficient absorbing capacity to absorb the entire contents of all of the sample receptacles held within its sample receptacle apertures.

Abstract: A shipping container with an outer shipping container shell and a support assembly for holding a dewar vessel within the outer shipping container shell and providing impact and vibration resistance to the dewar vessel. The dewar vessel has an inner vessel that holds a specimen chamber and plastic foam between its inner wall and the specimen chamber. The specimen chamber allows liquid cryogen to pass through it into the plastic foam, allows liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the plastic foam into it, and acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the plastic foam from entering into it. The specimen chamber is an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible such as an aerated polypropylene foam. The plastic foam is an open cell plastic foam such as a phenolic foam. The plastic foam can hold a normal charge of liquid cryogen in a dry vapor state regardless of the container's spatial orientation.

Abstract: A disposable shipping container for storing materials at cryogenic temperatures with: a specimen holding chamber, an open cell plastic foam material surrounding the specimen holding chamber for holding liquid nitrogen in suspension, a plurality of insulating and cushioning materials surrounding the plastic foam, a removable and replaceable primary cap for enclosing the specimen holding chamber allowing for the insertion and removal of the specimen from the specimen holding chamber and for adding liquid nitrogen to the plastic foam. A secondary removable and replaceable cap covers the primary cap. A preferred embodiment includes a specimen holding chamber that is comprised of a resin impregnated paper cylinder at its top half and a similarly sized stainless steel mesh screen cylinder attached to the lower edge of the paper cylinder at the specimen holders bottom half. The stainless steel cylinder has an attached stainless steel mesh floor at its lower most portion.

Abstract: A rapid freezing apparatus utilizes a flexible bag surrounding a cooling chamber for containing solid carbon dioxide formed in situ.