Flexible life sciences matter transfer pouch

Abstract

A flexible life sciences materials transport pouch having a phase change material contained therein. The pouch includes an interior compartment adapted to hold the contents at a predetermined temperature range. The pouch includes at least two side walls joined together at a seam and further including a lower gusset allowing the pouch to stand upright. The pouch further contains at least one secondary interior compartment adapted to hold a quantity of phase change material. The phase change material may contained within its own container, such as a separate pouch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pouch, comprising:
 a first side portion having an outer wall and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to define a first enclosed area;   a second side portion having an outer wall and an inner wall joined together along their perimeters so as to define a second enclosed area;   a first insulating element disposed in the first enclosed area adjacent the outer wall;   a first phase change element disposed in the first enclosed area adjacent the inner wall, the first phase change element being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material disposed therein;   a second insulating element disposed in the second enclosed area adjacent the outer wall;   a second phase change element disposed in the second enclosed area adjacent the inner wall, the first phase change element being a sealed flexible container having a phase change material disposed therein;   the inner and outer walls being a thin flexible sheet;   the first and second side portions being joined together along a part of their perimeters so as to define a receiving area, the first and second side portions not being joined together along part of their perimeters so as to define a receiving opening communicating with the receiving area;   a sealing element for sealing the receiving opening so as to enclose a life sciences materials transport pouch in the receiving area; and   the outer walls being clear such that the insulating element is visible.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the phase change material in the phase change elements is disposable with a phase change transition temperature in the range of 2-8 degrees C. (+/−0.5). 
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a bubble wrap, an insulating material, a foam and/or a Thinsulate® material. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the sealing element is integral with either the first portion or the second portion. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 4  wherein the sealing element is a flexible flap adapted to connect with the other of the first portion or the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 5  wherein the flap or the other of the first portion or the second portion includes an adhesive to seal the pouch. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the first phase change element includes two separated compartments each of which containing a phase change material. 
     
     
         8 . A pouch comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion;   a first wall and a second wall, the first portion, the second portion, the first wall and the second wall sealed together so that the edges of each of the first wall, the second wall, the first portion and the second portion seal together on at least three edges;   a main compartment formed between the first wall and the second wall, the main compartment adapted to hold biological matter;   a first compartment formed between the first portion and the first wall, the first compartment adapted to hold a first phase change element; and   a second compartment formed between the second portion and the second wall, the second compartment adapted to hold a second phase change element.   
     
     
         9 . The pouch of  claim 8  wherein both the first compartment and the second compartment each contain a phase change element. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a bubble wrap material, an insulating material, a foam and/or a Thinsulate® material. 
     
     
         11 . The pouch of  claim 8  wherein a sealing element is provided and is integral with either the first portion or the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein the sealing element is a flexible flap adapted to connect with the other of the first portion or the second portion. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch of  claim 12  wherein the flap or the other of the first portion or the second portion includes an adhesive, Velcro®, zipper, Ziploc® and/or hook/loop to seal the pouch. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch of  claim 8  wherein the first phase change element includes two separated compartments each of which containing a phase change material. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch of  claim 8  wherein both the first compartment and the second compartment include an insulating layer. 
     
     
         16 . A pouch comprising:
 a receiving area and an enclosed area, the receiving area positioned directly adjacent to the enclosed area, a panel separating the receiving area from the enclosed area;   the receiving area configured to hold a life sciences material; and   the enclosed area having a phase change material contained therein so as to regulate the temperature of the life sciences material contained within the receiving area.   
     
     
         17 . The pouch of  claim 16  wherein the phase change material has a transition temperature in the range of 2 to 8 degrees C. (specifically 5 degrees +/−0.5). 
     
     
         18 . The pouch of  claim 16  wherein a second enclosed area is positioned also adjacent to the receiving area, the second enclosed area spaced apart from the first enclosed area. 
     
     
         19 . The pouch of  claim 16  wherein the phase change material has a phase change transition in the range of −5 to 25 degrees C. (+/−0.5). 
     
     
         20 . The pouch of  claim 16  wherein the phase change material has a transition temperature for a controlled room temperature replication in the range of 2 to 25 degrees C. (+/−0.5).