IP Library Granted Patent US 8,387,818
Granted Patent B2
US 8,387,818 · App. 13/422,720 · Granted Mar 5, 2013

Container for suspending an insulating bulb

Inventor: Eric Cognard (Fontenay les Louvets, FR)
Assignee: ST Reproductive Technologies, LLC
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,387,818
App. No.
13/422,720
Granted
Mar 5, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a container for transporting and/or storing products, and particularly a cryostat type container, having an external packaging structure having a plurality of walls defining an internal volume within which an insulating bulb is suspended, the insulating bulb having a body formed by an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an internal volume and the body having an opening leading into the internal volume of the insulating bulb and a cover formed from one of the plurality of walls of the external packaging structure, the cover having a tubular element capable of contacting the insulating bulb to suspend the insulating bulb within the internal volume that receives the insulating bulb, the cover also allowing passage of materials through the opening when the insulating bulb is suspended.

Claims (19)

1. A device for transporting products comprising:

a) an external packaging structure comprising a plurality of walls defining an internal volume that receives an insulating bulb;

b) an insulating bulb comprising a body formed by an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall defining an internal volume and said body having an opening leading into said internal volume of said insulating bulb; and

c) a cover formed from one of the plurality of walls of the external packaging structure, the cover having a tubular element capable of contacting said insulating bulb to suspend said insulating bulb within said internal volume that receives said insulating bulb, said cover allowing passage of materials through said opening when said insulating bulb is suspended.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the tubular element comprises a lower block that extends at least partially through said opening.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said lower block comprises radially arrayed lugs capable of contacting said inner wall of said insulating bulb to suspend said insulating bulb.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the radially arrayed lugs are movable between a retracted position and a locked position and when in the locked position, the lugs engage the inner wall of the bulb to suspend the bulb vertically within the internal volume defined by the external packaging structure with no contact between the outer wall of the bulb and the walls of the external packaging structure.

5. The device according to claim 2 further comprising a control component that when introduced into said tubular element, displaces said lower block radially outward so that said the lower block contacts said inner wall to suspend said insulating bulb within said internal volume that receives said insulating bulb.

6. The device according to claim 5 further comprising a closing component having a flange equipped on its outer vertical face with an annular locking ring capable of complimentarily engaging a flange of said control component having an inner vertical face with at least one locking detent to irreversibly lock said closing component with said control component.

7. The device according to claim 6 further comprising a positioning means capable of maintaining said control component in a center position within said internal volume of said insulating bulb and ensuring mechanical connection between said control component and said inner wall.

8. The device according to claim 7 further comprising absorption means capable of absorbing a cryogenic fluid, said absorption means located within all or a part of said internal volume of said insulating bulb.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein said positioning means comprises an absorption means capable of absorbing a cryogenic fluid, said absorption means located within all or a part of said internal volume of said insulating bulb.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a monoblock element.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein said monoblock element exhibits an elastic deformation capacity to limit movement of said insulating bulb in said internal volume that receives an insulating bulb.

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein said monoblock element comprises an upper horizontal face and a lower horizontal face.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the upper horizontal face comprises an exterior surface of said external packaging structure.

14. The device according to claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a detachable cover.

15. The device according to claim 1 wherein the external packaging structure comprises a cylindrical sidewall, a horizontal wall forming a bottom and said cover.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cover further comprises ribs, ribs are made in the shape of arms extending radially from an outer edge of the cover towards the center of the cover.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2021
From: ST REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 055787/0898 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2021
From: BBVA USA, FORMERLY KNOWN AS COMPASS BANK
To: ST REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055643/0032 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 7, 2012
From: ST REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: COMPASS BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 028922/0587 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2012
From: COGNARD, ERIC
To: ST REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 027880/0110 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 07 54114 · Mar 29, 2007 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12450543
Related Publication 20120211498A1 · Aug 23, 2012