Thermal and/or light protective container assemblies and their methods of use

Abstract

The invention features a thermal and/or light-protective container assembly that includes a flexible outer and inner layer, as well as a thermoregulatory material disposed between said outer and inner layers. In general, the invention is directed to a thermal and/or light-protective container assembly, such as a form-fitting sleeve, that includes a flexible layered wall having an opened end and a contiguous closed end, wherein the wall defines a centrally located cavity. The wall further includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein uniformly disposed between the outer and inner layers is a thermoregulatory material that is configured for insulating an object, and/or for transferring heat or cold to the object, and/or maintaining the temperature of the object disposed within the defined cavity of the sleeve.

1 . A thermal protective sleeve, comprising: 
 a flexible layered wall having an open end and a contiguous closed end, and defining a centrally located cavity, said layered wall comprising an outer layer and an inner layer; and    a thermoregulatory material disposed uniformly between said outer and said inner layers of said wall in at least said contiguous closed end,    wherein said thermoregulatory material is capable of maintaining the temperature of a substance disposed within the cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said thermoregulatory material is ammonium nitrate or calcium chloride.  
   
   
       3 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of foamed rubber, vulcanized rubber, neoprene, polyurethane, nylon, lycra, plastic, and metal.  
   
   
       4 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer further comprises a protective silicon coating.  
   
   
       5 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein at least one surface of a layer of the thermal protective sleeve comprises a non-absorbent material so as to make the layer non-absorbent.  
   
   
       6 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 5 , wherein an inner surface of said outer layer comprises a non-absorbent material so as to make the inner surface of said outer layer non-absorbent.  
   
   
       7 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the outer or inner surface of said inner layer comprises a non-absorbent material.  
   
   
       8 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers is light-resistant.  
   
   
       9 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is configured for receiving a material selected from the group consisting of a test tube, vial, ampule, titer plate, a micro array substrate, a Petri dish, a vase, a bottle, a flask, a beaker, a cup, and a flower.  
   
   
       10 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a test tube, vial, ampule, titer plate, a micro array substrate, a Petri dish, a vase, a bottle, a flask, a beaker and a cup disposed in said cavity.  
   
   
       11 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve further comprises a detachable top for closing said open end.  
   
   
       12 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 11 , wherein said sleeve comprises a locking element configured for securing said detachable top in a closed position.  
   
   
       13 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve comprises an attachment element for attaching said assembly to an external member, wherein said attachment element is a member selected from the group consisting of a snap, a draw string, a button, a zip closure, and a hook and loop fastener attachment.  
   
   
       14 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a transparent element.  
   
   
       15 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 14 , further comprising a cover element configured for covering and uncovering said transparent element and a locking element configured for locking said cover element in a closed position.  
   
   
       16 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 15 , wherein said locking element comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a snap, a draw string, a button, a zipper, and a hook and loop fastener attachment.  
   
   
       17 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein said transparent element is made from plastic or silica.  
   
   
       18 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said wall further comprises a plurality of openings, so as to allow a user to access an object disposed in the cavity; and a plurality of flaps configured for closing said openings.  
   
   
       19 . The thermal protective sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealable valve for introducing and removing said thermoregulatory material into said sleeve.  
   
   
       20 . A rack support containing one or more of the thermal protective sleeves of  claim 1.