The present invention relates to a shipping container for cryopreserved biological samples in which a cryopreserved sample can be maintained on arrival at its destination for a period of time, for example several months.

A manually controlled high pressure valve includes a valve body having an air inlet, an air outlet and a mounting hole; an adjusting device arranged in the mounting hole by hermetically connecting to the inside wall of the mounting hole and having an air inlet hole and an air outlet hole; a limiting block arranged below the adjusting device and matched with the adjusting device and the air inlet for controlling the air intake from the air inlet hole of the adjusting device. The limiting block can be jacked up by the high pressure of the air inlet and block off the air inlet to stop jetting outwardly when the gas is not exhausted from the air outlet of the valve; and the limiting block can be removed to form a gap between the limiting block and the inlet hole when it is required to jet outwardly.

Described herein are systems and methods for freezing an alcoholic mixture using liquid nitrogen. The systems may comprise a ferromagnetic capsule configured to receiving an amount of alcoholic mixture, a cap comprising at least one magnet for magnetically sealing the capsule, a wand comprising at least one magnet for magnetically coupling to the capsule or the cap, and a vessel containing a quantity of liquid nitrogen maintained at or below its boiling point. In use, the alcoholic mixture can be poured into the capsule, the capsule can be sealed using the cap, and the wand can be used to submerge the capsule and the cap in the liquid nitrogen for a time sufficient to freeze the alcoholic mixture.

A cold storage assembly for maintaining a temperature of an item includes a shell that defines an interior space. The shell comprises membranous polymer so that the shell is flexible. The shell has a top that is open. A lid is pivotally coupled to a back of the shell adjacent to the top. The shell is configured to insert items into the interior space and the lid is positioned to selectively close the top. A plurality of panels is selectively couplable to an inner surface of the shell. The panels extend between a front and a back of the shell and define a plurality of compartments. The panels are configured to separate the items. A cooling unit that comprises an evaporator and a condenser is coupled to the shell. The cooling unit is positioned to cool the interior space and the items that are positioned therein.

An exemplary method protects a delicate device from potential damage from shock or vibration. A material in a liquid state is placed in contact with the delicate device. The liquid material is cooled causing it to transition to a solid state which stabilizes the delicate device in contact with the solid material against shock and vibration. The solid state material is heated causing it to sublimate into a gas thus releasing the delicate device for operation.

A system is provided for transporting, handling and monitoring samples in a temperature-controlled storage environment. The system includes a handheld carrier configured to transfer samples to and from a temperature-controlled storage station and a temperature-controlled container for receiving and housing one or more carriers. The carrier includes an integrated sample identification and temperature sensing capability configured to monitor a thermal history of one or more samples during transport, handling and storage including as the samples are conveyed between the temperature-controlled storage environment and the temperature-controlled container. That is, the carrier is adapted to be held in the hand during use. A carrier for conveying and monitoring samples during transport, handling and storage is also provided.

A self-chilling food or beverage container including an outer container and a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally of said outer container and having liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) therein, the HEU including a valve member which provides a restricted orifice in one position to allow the liquid CO2 to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state while maintaining pressure in the HEU to keep the residual CO2 in the liquid state and in a second position to provide a substantially unrestricted flow path to permit liquid CO2 to be inserted into the HEU.

A device for cooling a substance stored within the device has a body with an internal compartment for holding the substance to be cooled. The compartment can be sealed closed and can be accessed for adding substance to the compartment for cooling or for removing substance from the compartment after cooling the substance. The body of the device has an internal cavity that surrounds the exterior of the compartment holding the substance to be cooled. Fluidized coolant is injected into the cavity through an injection port to cool the substance contained within the compartment before removing the substance from the compartment for use. The device may include exterior buttons that compress the internal compartment when the buttons are pressed toward each other, which in turn compresses and breaks up the substance contained within the compartment.

A self-cooling container for holding a food or beverage which includes a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally thereof so that the food or beverage is in contact with the outer surface of the HEU, the HEU being closed by a frangible membrane which is punctured by a pierce pin when a twist base activator is rotated in a first direction to create dis-equilibrium to cause liquid carbon dioxide contained within the HEU to pass directly from the liquid to the gaseous state and pass through a restricted orifice to atmosphere to cool the food or beverage.

The invention provides a compact and self-sustained refrigeration system for medical uses, including in hospitals, in clinics and in home uses, including rescue and field emergency situations, independent of external power supply, based on small amounts of liquid carbon dioxide.