IP Library Granted Patent US 12,331,883
Granted Patent B2
US 12,331,883 · App. 18/136,821 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Dry vapor dewar temperature monitoring retrofit lid adapter

Inventors: Bret Bollinger (Yorba Linda, CA); Ben Lee (Corona, CA)
Assignee: Cryoport, Inc.
F17C13/026F17C13/025F17C13/06F17C2205/0311F17C2270/0509
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,331,883
App. No.
18/136,821
Granted
Jun 17, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Method, system, apparatus, and/or device for monitoring a shipment. The vapor plug system includes a vapor plug. The vapor plug fits onto a shipper and partially seals contents within a payload area of a shipper. The vapor plug system includes a sensor that is configured to measure or determine a condition or location of the shipper. The vapor plug system includes an electronic device that has a display. The display is configured to provide the condition or the location to a user. The vapor plug system includes a vapor plug adapter. The vapor plug adapter includes a recessed pocket that is configured to receive the electronic device. The vapor plug adapter includes an opening within the recessed pocket and is configured to receive the sensor and allow the sensor to be inserted into the payload area of the shipper.

Claims (34)

1. A vapor plug system, comprising:

a vapor plug configured to fit onto a shipper and partially seal contents within a payload area of the shipper;

a sensor configured to measure or determine a condition or location of the shipper;

an electronic device coupled to the sensor; and

a vapor plug adapter coupled to the vapor plug and configured to cover the vapor plug, the vapor plug adapter including:

a pocket configured to receive the electronic device,

wherein the vapor plug adapter has a cover,

wherein the cover is configured to fit the pocket and enclose the electronic device; and

an opening within the pocket that is configured to receive the sensor and allow the sensor to be inserted into the payload area of the shipper, wherein the sensor is a thermocouple that has a wire, wherein the opening receives the wire that is inserted into the payload area of the shipper.

2. A vapor plug system, comprising:

a vapor plug configured to fit onto a shipper and partially seal contents within a payload area of the shipper;

a sensor configured to measure or determine a condition or location of the shipper;

an electronic device coupled to the sensor; and

a vapor plug adapter coupled to the vapor plug and configured to cover the vapor plug, the vapor plug adapter including:

a pocket configured to receive the electronic device,

wherein the vapor plug adapter has a cover,

wherein the cover is configured to fit the pocket and enclose the electronic device; and

an opening within the pocket that is configured to receive the sensor and allow the sensor to be inserted into the payload area of the shipper, wherein the vapor plug adapter has a lid that includes the pocket and the opening.

3. The vapor plug system of claim 1 , wherein the shipper is a dewar designed to withstand cryogenic temperatures.

4. The vapor plug system of claim 3 , wherein the electronic device is a data logger and the vapor plug adapter is configured to integrate with various types of data loggers, sensors and dewars of different sizes and shapes.

5. A vapor plug adapter, comprising:

a vapor plug lid having a pocket configured to receive an electronic device and having an opening, the opening being configured to receive a sensor; and

a cover configured to cover and enclose the electronic device within the pocket,

wherein the pocket has one or more notches configured to receive one or more protrusions of the cover, wherein the cover is configured to be locked or unlocked within a seat of the pocket.

6. The vapor plug adapter of claim 5 , wherein the vapor plug lid is configured to couple with a frame of a vapor plug of the dewar.

7. The vapor plug adapter of claim 5 , wherein the pocket is configured to receive different types of data loggers and monitoring devices and couple with different types of vapor plugs or lids of various dewars of different sizes and shapes.

8. A vapor plug adapter, comprising:

a vapor plug lid having a pocket configured to receive an electronic device and having a sensor (i) associated with the electronic device and (ii) inserted into a payload area of a dewar,

wherein the electronic device is a data logger that has a display; and

a cover configured to cover and enclose the electronic device within the pocket, wherein the cover has a first hole and a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are configured to be gripped, held or twisted to twist the cover clockwise or counter-clockwise to a closed position or an open position when the cover is positioned to cover and enclose the electronic device within the pocket.

9. A vapor plug adapter, comprising:

a vapor plug lid having a pocket configured to receive an electronic device and having a sensor (i) associated with the electronic device and (ii) inserted into a payload area of a dewar,

wherein the electronic device is a data logger that has a display; and

a cover configured to cover and enclose the electronic device within the pocket, wherein when the cover is in a closed position the cover is prevented from being lifted out of the pocket and when the cover is in a open position the cover is removable from the pocket.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2023
From: BOLLINGER, BRET; LEE, BEN
To: CRYOPORT, INC.
Reel/Frame 063869/0743 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16742618 · Jan 14, 2020
Related Publication 20230258302A1 · Aug 17, 2023
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