Sample containment unit and process

Abstract

A sample containment unit and sample containment process are disclosed. The sample containment unit includes a sample containment region, a body extending around the sample containment region, and an access portion configured to selectively enclose the sample containment region. The body includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a foam positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall and the outer wall are a continuous piece of polymeric material. The sample containment process includes positioning a sample in a sample containment unit and transporting the sample containment unit.

1 . A sample containment unit, comprising:
 a sample containment region;   a body extending around the sample containment region; and   an access portion configured to selectively enclose the sample containment region;   wherein the body comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, and a foam positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall;   wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are a continuous piece of rotational-molded polymeric material.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The sample containment unit of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous piece of polymeric material includes a UV-resistant additive. 
     
     
         4 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are connected by a lip configured to contact the access portion upon the enclosing of the sample containment region, the lip being a portion of the continuous piece of polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a surface for receiving a sample container, the surface abutting portions of the body and not abutting the access portion. 
     
     
         6 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a surface for receiving a sample, the surface abutting the access portion and portions of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the access portion is hingedly attached to the body. 
     
     
         8 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a cuboid geometry and the sample containment region includes a cuboid geometry. 
     
     
         9 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the foam is an injected polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         10 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the access portion completely isolate the sample containment region from receiving or releasing moisture. 
     
     
         11 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous piece of polymeric material includes high-density polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the sample containment region has heat transfer properties based upon having a proportionality constant (k) under Newton's law of cooling equation that is less than 0.006. 
     
     
         13 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the access portion is substantially planar. 
     
     
         14 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock for securing the sample containment region. 
     
     
         15 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the sample containment region comprises a first surface, a second surface extending from the first surface, a third surface extending from the second surface, and a fourth surface extending from the third surface and to the first surface. 
     
     
         16 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall of the body comprises a protruding feature arranged and disposed to support a sample container and preventing a majority of the sample container from contacting the inner wall of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The sample containment unit of  claim 16 , further comprising the sample container. 
     
     
         18 . The sample containment unit of  claim 17 , further comprising a heat-transfer device positioned between the sample container and the inner wall of the body. 
     
     
         19 . A sample containment unit, comprising:
 a sample containment region;   a body extending around the sample containment region, the body comprising an inner wall, an outer wall, a lip, and an injected polyurethane foam positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall; and   an access portion hingedly attached to the body and configured to selectively enclose the sample containment region;   wherein the inner wall, the outer wall, and the lip are a continuous piece of rotational-molded high-density polyethylene material.   
     
     
         20 . A sample containment process, comprising:
 positioning a sample in a sample containment unit, the sample containment unit comprising a sample containment region, a body extending around the sample containment region, and an access portion configured to selectively enclose the sample containment region; and   transporting the sample containment unit;   wherein the sample containment region has heat transfer properties based upon having a proportionality constant (k) under Newton's law of cooling equation that is less than 0.006;   wherein the body comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, and a foam positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall;   wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are a continuous piece of rotational-molded polymeric material.   
     
     
         21 . The sample containment unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat-transfer pack positioned between the sample container and the inner wall of the body.