Patent Description:
Dry vapor shippers, such as dewar or other vessel, vent liquid nitrogen to prevent the buildup of pressure inside of the vessel, which could cause the dry vapor shipper to explode. The dry vapor shipper has a vapor plug, cork, lid or other cap that rides freely within the neck of the dry vapor shipper. The vapor plug is designed to allow gases to escape from the dry vapor shipper. Since the lid, cap or vapor plug rides freely within the neck of the dry vapor shipper, there is no seal between the vapor plug and the neck of the dry vapor shipper to allow the gas to freely escape. When the vapor plug rides freely, a sudden jarring or movement of the dry vapor shipper may cause the vapor plug to dislodge from the neck of the dry vapor shipper. Thus, if the vapor plug is not retained within the dry vapor shipper and the vapor plug is dislodged during transit, thermal transmission will increase within the dry vapor shipper and the dry vapor shipper warms more quickly and/or the contents of the dry vapor shipper may spill out.

Traditionally, the dry vapor shippers do not have a retaining device that keeps the vapor plug in the neck of the dry vapor shipper during transit. And so, when there are sudden movements during transit, the vapor plug may be dislodged from within the neck of the dry vapor shipper. This results in thermal transmission and increases the temperature within dry vapor shipper causing the contents to warm more quickly.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system, device or apparatus to retain the vapor plug with the dry vapor shipper.

<CIT> discloses a safety closure device adapted to close the mouth of a bottle by frictional engagement. <CIT> discloses a multiple cap arrangement to seal the open end of a container such as a disposable centrifuge container. <CIT> discloses a gas bottle sealing device comprising a cap member arranged to cover an outlet of the gas bottle.

In general, there is described herein a vapor plug retention strap. The vapor plug retention strap plugs, secures and/or otherwise retains the vapor plug within a neck tube of a dewar during transport of the dewar to prevent the vapor plug from jarring out or otherwise dislodging from the neck tube of the dewar.

The vapor plug retention strap includes a first connector, a second connector and a main body. The second connector is configured to couple with the first connector. The main body is coupled in between the first connector and the second connector. The main body has a receptacle formed within that is configured to receive a neck of a vapor plug of a dewar and retain the neck of the vapor plug to secure the vapor plug within the dewar.

These and other embodiments may optionally include one or more of the following features. The first connector and the second connector may each have a distal end positioned away from the main body and a proximal end positioned or coupled to the main body. The distal end of the first connector may be wrapped and connected to the distal end of the second connector over a top of the vapor plug to retain the vapor plug. The main body may have a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first connector and the second connector may be positioned in between the first curved portion and the second curved portion on opposite sides.

The receptacle may have an inner portion. The inner portion may include an inner edge and one or more inlets formed on the inner edge. The one or more inlets may be configured to form multiple sections within the inner portion that adjust to movement of the neck of the vapor plug.

The first connector may be a buckle and a first strap and the second connector may be a latch and a second strap. The latch may be inserted into the buckle to couple the second connector and the first connector. The first strap may couple the buckle and the main body and the first strap may have multiple slots positioned along the first strap between the buckle and the main body. The latch may be inserted into different slots of the multiple slots to adjust a length of the vapor plug retention strap.

There is also described herein a vapor plug retention strap. The vapor plug retention strap includes a buckle with a first strap. The vapor plug retention strap includes a latch with a second strap. The latch is configured to be inserted into the buckle to lock or secure the latch with the buckle. The vapor plug retention strap includes a body portion. The body portion is coupled to the first strap and the second strap. The body portion has a receptacle formed within that is configured to receive a neck of a vapor plug of a dewar. The receptacle is configured to retain the neck of the vapor plug within the receptacle and secure the body portion around the neck of the vapor plug.

There is also disclosed herein a vapor plug retention strap that includes a first connector, a second connector and a body. The second connector is configured to couple with the first connector over a top of a vapor plug. The body is coupled in between the first connector and the second connector. The body has a collar formed within that is configured to receive a neck of the vapor plug and retain the neck of the vapor plug within the dewar when the first connector and the second connector are coupled. The collar is configured to secure the body around the neck of the vapor plug.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the present invention.

Disclosed herein are systems, apparatuses and devices for transporting and storing a liquid or gas, such as liquid nitrogen. The system, apparatus or device may be a vapor plug retention strap that locks, holds or otherwise configured to retain the vapor plug around the neck of the dewar. Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages.

Typically, the vapor plug rides freely in the neck of the dry vapor shipper, such as a dewar. The vapor plug rides freely to allow gases within the dry vapor shipper to escape to prevent a buildup of pressure inside the dry vapor shipper. There is usually no device that secures the vapor plug to the neck of the dewar, and so, when the dewar is transported, the vapor plug may rise out of the neck of the dewar or otherwise be jarred out of the neck of the dewar. This may result in thermal transmission to the dewar, which causes the dewar to warm more quickly. Thus, by securing the vapor plug to the neck of the dewar with a vapor plug retention strap, the vapor plug is secured to the neck of the dewar and the contents of the dewar are prevented from spilling out and/or the amount of thermal transmission to the dewar is reduced, which allows cryogenic temperatures to be maintained for a longer period of time.

Other benefits and advantages of the vapor plug retention strap include the capability to secure different sizes of vapor plugs to different sizes of dewars. For example, the length of the connectors that secure the top of the vapor plug may be adjustable to accommodate vapor plugs having lids of different diameters. In another example, an inner portion of a body of the vapor plug retention strap may be flexible to accommodate vapor plugs having necks of different diameters and/or the insertion of the vapor plug. Additionally, the vapor plug retention strap may be made of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that withstands cryogenic temperatures and is cut from a sheet to provide a very economical solution to secure the vapor plug with the neck of the dewar. Moreover, the vapor plug retention strap is easily replaceable due to the use of the cost-effective materials, such as HDPE. This allows the vapor plug retention strap to be thrown away after a single-use.

<FIG> shows a vapor plug retention apparatus or device, such as a vapor plug retention strap <NUM>. The vapor plug retention strap <NUM> has one or more connectors, such as a first connector <NUM> and/or a second connector <NUM>, and a main body <NUM>. The vapor plug retention strap <NUM> may have any number of connectors, such as the two connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, or the four connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The one or more connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and the main body <NUM> may be integrally formed and may be made from a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material that is flexible and is made to withstand cryogenic temperatures. The one or more connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and the main body <NUM> may be cut from a sheet of HDPE material using a flat pattern.

The first connector <NUM> may be positioned on, formed on or otherwise coupled to one side of the main body <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may be positioned on, formed on or otherwise coupled to the opposite side of the main body <NUM>. When there are multiple connectors, each connector may be positioned equidistant from an adjacent connector and/or opposite and directly aligned with another connector of the multiple connectors. Each connector may connect or couple to the corresponding opposite connector when wrapped over the top of the lid of the vapor plug, as shown in <FIG> for example.

The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> each have a distal end <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, and a proximal end <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The distal end <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> are outward and away from the main body <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> are in proximity to and/or coupled to the main body <NUM>. The proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> may be integrally formed with the main body <NUM> or may be connected, fastened or otherwise coupled to the main body <NUM>.

The first connector <NUM> may include a first connector strap portion ("first connector strap") <NUM> and/or a buckle portion ("buckle") <NUM>. The first connector strap <NUM> connects the buckle <NUM> with the main body <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> may include a second connector strap portion ("second connector strap") <NUM> and/or a latch portion ("latch") <NUM>. The second connector strap <NUM> connects the latch <NUM> with the main body <NUM>. The length of the first connector strap <NUM> and the length of the second connector strap <NUM> may be the same or different to accommodate the various size requirements of the dewar. The length of the first connector strap <NUM> and the length of the second connector strap <NUM> may be of the same length and the latch <NUM> may be inserted into the buckle <NUM> to lock or secure the first connector <NUM> with the second connector <NUM> over the center of the lid of the vapor plug.

The buckle <NUM> may have a large handle <NUM> and the latch <NUM> may have a small handle <NUM> to allow a user to grasp the buckle <NUM> and the latch <NUM>, respectively. The large handle <NUM> and the small handle <NUM> may be used to guide or insert the second connector <NUM> into one or more interlocking slots 126a-c of the first connector <NUM> to interlock the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>.

The first connector <NUM> may have one or more interlocking slots 126a-c and the second connector <NUM> may have one or more interlocking flaps 130a-c. The one or more interlocking slots 126a-c may be positioned anywhere along the first connector <NUM>, e.g., on the buckle <NUM> or the first connector strap <NUM>. The one or more interlocking flaps 130a-c may be positioned anywhere along the second connector <NUM>, e.g., on the latch <NUM> or the second connector strap <NUM>. The one or more interlocking slots 126a-c may be ribbed or curved-shaped to form a curve-shaped protruding portion 128a-c. This allows the second connector <NUM> to lock with the first connector <NUM> when the second connector <NUM> is inserted into the one of the one of more interlocking slots 126a-c of the first connector <NUM>.

When first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are wrapped over the top of the lid of the vapor plug and the second connector <NUM> is inserted into one of the one or more interlocking slots 126a-c of the first connector <NUM>, a tension or force pulls, moves or aligns one of the one or more interlocking flaps 130a-c with the curve-shaped protruding portion 128a-c corresponding to the slot in which the second connector <NUM> was inserted into. The interlocking flap 130a-c interlocks with the curve-shaped protruding portion 128a-c. This locks the first connector <NUM> with the second connector <NUM>.

In some implementations, the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> use a button, clasp, stud or other fastener to couple the second connector <NUM> and the first connector <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> for example. For example, one or more buttons 502a-c on the first connector <NUM> may be inserted into a corresponding slot 504a-c or clasp onto or fasten with another portion of the button 502a-c positioned on the second connector <NUM>.

The vapor plug retention strap <NUM> includes the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may be positioned between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may be formed into any shape and/or size. <FIG> shows a close-up perspective view of the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may have a top portion <NUM>, a bottom portion <NUM> and a collar <NUM> or other receptacle. The top portion <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM> may be two semi-circle or curve shaped portions ("curve shaped portions").

The two portions <NUM>-b may be made from HDPE to resist cryogenic temperatures and be flexible. When the top portion <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM> are curve shaped portions and the neck of the vapor plug is inserted into the collar <NUM>, the top portions <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> may flex. The two portions <NUM>-b may redirect any gas that escapes away from the dewar. Moreover, the curve shaped portions, in combination with a foam collar in a package, may prevent movement of a dewar within the packaging during transport. The curve shaped portions may stabilize the dewar within the packaging by transferring any forces from the dewar due to the movement to the foam collar.

The collar <NUM> may be formed within the body <NUM> and positioned in between the first connector <NUM>, the second connector <NUM>, and the top and bottom portions <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the top portion <NUM> is positioned opposite the bottom portion <NUM>. In between the two portions <NUM>, <NUM>, on one side of the main body <NUM>, is the first connector <NUM>, and in between the two portions <NUM>, <NUM>, on the other side of the main body <NUM> and opposite the first connector <NUM>, is the second connector <NUM>.

The collar <NUM> may have an inner portion with an inner edge <NUM> around the receptacle area that receives the neck of the vapor plug. The collar may be shaped as a circle, oval, ellipse or other polygonal shape and may have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the neck of the dewar. The collar <NUM> receives the neck of the vapor plug of the dewar and retains the neck of the vapor plug within the collar <NUM>. For example, the inner edge <NUM> may interlock with one or more grooves or channels of the neck of the vapor plug of the dewar to retain the neck of the vapor plug within the collar <NUM>. By interlocking with one or more grooves, the inner edge <NUM> locks or inserts into the one or more grooves and secure the main body <NUM> of the vapor plug retention strap <NUM> around the neck of the vapor plug. The inner portion may have one or more inlets <NUM>. The one or more inlets <NUM> may be formed along the inner edge <NUM> of the collar <NUM>.

An inlet <NUM> may have a slit <NUM> with a through-hole <NUM>. The slit <NUM> may be formed from the inner edge <NUM> of the collar <NUM> and lead to the through-hole <NUM>. By having multiple inlets <NUM> along the inner edge <NUM> of the collar <NUM>, one or more edge portions <NUM> are formed. The one or more edge portions <NUM> may be flexible flaps that adjust to the neck of the vapor plug so that the neck of the vapor plug remains retained within the collar <NUM> even when the vapor plug is jarred, dislodged or otherwise uncoupled from the neck of the dewar due to movement while transporting the dewar, for example. The one or more edge portions <NUM> may adjust to the size or diameter of the neck of the vapor plug as the vapor plug is inserted into collar <NUM>. As the neck of the vapor plug is inserted into the collar <NUM>, the inner portion of the vapor plug may expand because the one or more edge portions <NUM> are flexible. Moreover, the through-hole <NUM> may prevent tearing of the vapor plug retention strap <NUM> when the neck of the vapor plug is inserted into the collar <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> connected, fastened or otherwise coupled to the secure the vapor plug <NUM> within the dewar <NUM>. The collar <NUM> receives and surrounds the neck <NUM> of the vapor plug <NUM> when the vapor plug <NUM> is inserted into the collar <NUM> of the vapor plug retention strap <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may wrap around the outer circumference of and over the top of the lid <NUM> of the vapor plug <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> couple, connect or otherwise fasten together to interconnect over the top of the lid <NUM>. This secures the vapor plug <NUM> within the dewar <NUM> and prevents the vapor plug <NUM> from separating, uncoupling or otherwise disengaging from the dewar <NUM>. <FIG> shows the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> unconnected, unfastened or otherwise decoupled above the top of the vapor plug <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a vapor plug retention strap <NUM> with multiple connectors, such as a first connector <NUM>, a second connector <NUM>, a third connector <NUM> and a fourth connector <NUM>. The vapor plug retention strap <NUM>, similarly, retains the vapor plug within the dewar but provides for more securing mechanisms than the vapor plug retention strap <NUM>. Each of the multiple connectors may be connected to, formed with or otherwise coupled to the main body <NUM>. The multiple connectors may be positioned equidistant along a perimeter of the portions <NUM>-b of the main body <NUM>. The multiple connectors may be equidistance to balance any force equally across the lid of the vapor plug of the dewar when interconnected. Each connector may be adjacent to two other connector and opposite a third connector. For example, the first connector <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the second connector <NUM> and fourth connector <NUM> but opposite the third connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the first connector <NUM> and third connector <NUM> but opposite the fourth connector <NUM>.

Each connector connects to, interconnects with or otherwise couples to a corresponding connector. For example, the first connector <NUM> may couple with the third connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may couple with the fourth connector <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> may have one or more interlocking slots 126a-c, slits, buttons or another fastener where the third connector <NUM> and the fourth connector <NUM>, respectively, are inserted, connected, fastened or otherwise coupled. In some implementations, the first connector <NUM> and the third connector <NUM> may have a similar strap as the first connector strap <NUM> and buckle <NUM> as the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> and the fourth connector <NUM> may have a similar strap as the second connector strap <NUM> and latch <NUM> as the second connector <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A vapor plug retention strap (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a first connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a second connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to couple with the first connector; and
a main body (<NUM>) coupled in between the first connector and the second connector and having a receptacle (<NUM>) that has an inner edge (<NUM>) with one or more edge portions (<NUM>) formed from one or more inlets (<NUM>), the receptacle with the one or more edge portions along the inner edge being configured to:
receive a neck of a vapor plug (<NUM>) of a dewar (<NUM>),
adjust to movement of the neck of the vapor plug, and
retain and secure the neck of the vapor plug within the dewar.