Patent ID: 12214938

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.1shows a vapor plug retention apparatus or device, such as a vapor plug retention strap100. The vapor plug retention strap100has one or more connectors, such as a first connector102and/or a second connector104, and a main body106. The vapor plug retention strap100may have any number of connectors, such as the two connectors102,104, as shown inFIG.1, or the four connectors402,404,406,408, as shown inFIG.4.

The one or more connectors102,104and the main body106may 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 connectors102,104and the main body106may be cut from a sheet of HDPE material using a flat pattern.

The first connector102may be positioned on, formed on or otherwise coupled to one side of the main body106and the second connector104may be positioned on, formed on or otherwise coupled to the opposite side of the main body106. 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 inFIG.3Afor example.

The first connector102and the second connector104each have a distal end110,112, respectively, and a proximal end114,116, respectively. The distal end110of the first connector102and the distal end112of the second connector104are outward and away from the main body106. The proximal end114of the first connector102and the proximal end116of the second connector104are in proximity to and/or coupled to the main body106. The proximal ends114,116may be integrally formed with the main body106or may be connected, fastened or otherwise coupled to the main body106.

The first connector102may include a first connector strap portion (“first connector strap”)120and/or a buckle portion (“buckle”)118. The first connector strap120connects the buckle118with the main body106. The second connector104may include a second connector strap portion (“second connector strap”)122and/or a latch portion (“latch”)124. The second connector strap122connects the latch124with the main body106. The length of the first connector strap120and the length of the second connector strap122may be the same or different to accommodate the various size requirements of the dewar. The length of the first connector strap120and the length of the second connector strap122may be of the same length and the latch124may be inserted into the buckle118to lock or secure the first connector102with the second connector104over the center of the lid of the vapor plug.

The buckle118may have a large handle132and the latch124may have a small handle134to allow a user to grasp the buckle118and the latch124, respectively. The large handle132and the small handle134may be used to guide or insert the second connector104into one or more interlocking slots126a-cof the first connector102to interlock the first connector102and the second connector104.

The first connector102may have one or more interlocking slots126a-cand the second connector104may have one or more interlocking flaps130a-c. The one or more interlocking slots126a-cmay be positioned anywhere along the first connector102, e.g., on the buckle118or the first connector strap120. The one or more interlocking flaps130a-cmay be positioned anywhere along the second connector104, e.g., on the latch124or the second connector strap122. The one or more interlocking slots126a-cmay be ribbed or curved-shaped to form a curve-shaped protruding portion128a-c. This allows the second connector104to lock with the first connector102when the second connector104is inserted into the one of the one of more interlocking slots126a-cof the first connector102.

When first connector102and the second connector104are wrapped over the top of the lid of the vapor plug and the second connector104is inserted into one of the one or more interlocking slots126a-cof the first connector102, a tension or force pulls, moves or aligns one of the one or more interlocking flaps130a-cwith the curve-shaped protruding portion128a-ccorresponding to the slot in which the second connector104was inserted into. The interlocking flap130a-cinterlocks with the curve-shaped protruding portion128a-c. This locks the first connector102with the second connector104.

In some implementations, the first connector102and the second connector104use a button, clasp, stud or other fastener to couple the second connector104and the first connector102, as shown inFIG.5for example. For example, one or more buttons502a-con the first connector102may be inserted into a corresponding slot504a-cor clasp onto or fasten with another portion of the button502a-cpositioned on the second connector104.

The vapor plug retention strap100includes the main body106. The main body106may be positioned between the first connector102and the second connector104. The main body106may be formed into any shape and/or size.FIG.2shows a close-up perspective view of the main body106. The main body106may have a top portion202, a bottom portion204and a collar206or other receptacle. The top portion202and the bottom portion204may be two semi-circle or curve shaped portions (“curve shaped portions”).

The two portions202-bmay be made from HDPE to resist cryogenic temperatures and be flexible. When the top portion202and the bottom portion204are curve shaped portions and the neck of the vapor plug is inserted into the collar206, the top portions202and/or the bottom portion204may flex. The two portions202-bmay 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 collar206may be formed within the body106and positioned in between the first connector102, the second connector104, and the top and bottom portions202,204. For example, the top portion202is positioned opposite the bottom portion204. In between the two portions202,204, on one side of the main body106, is the first connector102, and in between the two portions202,204, on the other side of the main body106and opposite the first connector102, is the second connector104.

The collar206may have an inner portion with an inner edge216around 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 collar206receives the neck of the vapor plug of the dewar and retains the neck of the vapor plug within the collar206. For example, the inner edge216may 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 collar206. By interlocking with one or more grooves, the inner edge216locks or inserts into the one or more grooves and secure the main body106of the vapor plug retention strap100around the neck of the vapor plug. The inner portion may have one or more inlets208. The one or more inlets208may be formed along the inner edge216of the collar206.

An inlet208may have a slit210with a through-hole212. The slit210may be formed from the inner edge216of the collar206and lead to the through-hole212. By having multiple inlets208along the inner edge216of the collar206, one or more edge portions214are formed. The one or more edge portions214may be flexible flaps that adjust to the neck of the vapor plug so that the neck of the vapor plug remains retained within the collar206even 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 portions214may adjust to the size or diameter of the neck of the vapor plug as the vapor plug is inserted into collar206. As the neck of the vapor plug is inserted into the collar206, the inner portion of the vapor plug may expand because the one or more edge portions214are flexible. Moreover, the through-hole212may prevent tearing of the vapor plug retention strap100when the neck of the vapor plug is inserted into the collar206.

FIG.3Ashows the first connector102and the second connector104connected, fastened or otherwise coupled to the secure the vapor plug302within the dewar306. The collar206receives and surrounds the neck304of the vapor plug302when the vapor plug302is inserted into the collar206of the vapor plug retention strap100. The first connector102and the second connector104may wrap around the outer circumference of and over the top of the lid308of the vapor plug302. The first connector102and the second connector104couple, connect or otherwise fasten together to interconnect over the top of the lid308. This secures the vapor plug302within the dewar306and prevents the vapor plug302from separating, uncoupling or otherwise disengaging from the dewar306.FIG.3Bshows the first connector102and the second connector104unconnected, unfastened or otherwise decoupled above the top of the vapor plug302.

FIG.4shows a vapor plug retention strap400with multiple connectors, such as a first connector402, a second connector404, a third connector406and a fourth connector408. The vapor plug retention strap400, similarly, retains the vapor plug within the dewar but provides for more securing mechanisms than the vapor plug retention strap100. Each of the multiple connectors may be connected to, formed with or otherwise coupled to the main body106. The multiple connectors may be positioned equidistant along a perimeter of the portions202-bof the main body106. 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 connector402may be positioned adjacent to the second connector404and fourth connector408but opposite the third connector406. The second connector404may be positioned adjacent to the first connector402and third connector406but opposite the fourth connector404.

Each connector connects to, interconnects with or otherwise couples to a corresponding connector. For example, the first connector402may couple with the third connector406and the second connector404may couple with the fourth connector408. The first connector402and the second connector404may have one or more interlocking slots126a-c, slits, buttons or another fastener where the third connector406and the fourth connector408, respectively, are inserted, connected, fastened or otherwise coupled. In some implementations, the first connector402and the third connector404may have a similar strap as the first connector strap120and buckle118as the first connector102and the second connector404and the fourth connector408may have a similar strap as the second connector strap122and latch124as the second connector104.

Exemplary embodiments of the methods/systems have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.