# US 10,363,560 B1 · System and methods of preserving integrity and securely transporting biological specimens to a depository and devices for securely storing biological specimens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,363,560 B1 - Document ID: US10363560B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/409,324 - Filed: 2017-01-18 - Granted: 2019-07-30 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-03 - Applicants: Keith Charette; Lynn Nordyk; Karen C. Paolella - Inventors: Keith Charette; Lynn Nordyk; Karen C. Paolella - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10363560B1 ## CPC - B01L 3/508: {Rigid containers without fluid transport within} - A47G 29/141: {comprising electronically controlled locking means} - A47G 29/30: Accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, means for leaving messages - B01L 1/50: {for storing hazardous materials in the laboratory, e.g. cupboards, waste containers (sample containers B01L3/50)} - B01L 3/50853: {with covers or lids (closures for test tubes B01L3/50825)} - E05B 39/005: {Locks with means for tracking the location of locked items, e.g. freight containers} - E05B 65/00: Locks {or fastenings} for special use - A47G 2029/1221: {comprising means to detect or prevent a terrorist attack, e.g. to detect anthrax-laced letters} - A47G 2029/142: {the receptacle interior being adapted to receive a transportable deposit container for food or large parcels} - A47G 2029/149: {with central server link} - B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering - B01L 2300/023: Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using Bluetooth® - B01L 2300/04: Closures and closing means - E05B 2047/0094: {Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract A system and methods of securely storing biological samples prior to the secure transportation of the biological and/or biohazardous specimens to a depository where the system can determine the locations and pickup times of the couriers transporting the enclosures from the storage unit to the depository. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A storage unit for securely holding one or more enclosures enclosing one or more biological specimens until said enclosures are removed from said storage unit for transport to a depository wherein subsequent analysis of said biological specimens can transpire; said storage unit comprising: a) a lower section and an upper section, wherein said upper section comprises a pivotable deposit-only gate for receiving temporary deposits of said enclosures such that after deposit onto and closure of said pivotable deposit-only gate, said enclosures drops into said lower section; b) a door and lock combination allowing removal of said enclosures from said storage unit; c) a communications module; d) one or more hardware components in communication with said communications module; said one or more hardware components selected from the group consisting of an enclosure detection sensor capable of detecting entry of said enclosures into said lower section, an internal temperature sensor, said door lock and lock combination comprising an energy source status monitor, an open/close sensor for said door, a door opening signal receiver, an electrically or manually actuated lock for said door, a gate movement sensor and/or a holder for temporarily holding said enclosures detector positioned about a lower section for detecting said holder; e) an energy source; and f) an ultraviolet light positioned within said storage unit and operably connected to said door, wherein, when said storage unit does not contain any of said enclosures, and said door is closed, said ultraviolet light is activated, for a predetermined time, to reduce microbial growth. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said communications module is capable of communicating, via a network, with an operations center remote from said communications module. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The storage unit of claim 2 further comprising a photovoltaic panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The storage unit of claim 2, wherein said ultraviolet light has a wavelength of about 253 nanometers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The storage unit of claim 4, wherein said holder comprises insulation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The storage unit of claim 4 comprising: a) a riser; or b) a vertical mounting apparatus; or c) a floor mounting apparatus. ### Claim 7 A storage unit for securely holding one or more enclosures enclosing one or more biological specimens until said enclosures are removed from said storage unit for transport to a depository, wherein subsequent analysis of said biological specimens can transpire; said storage unit comprising: a) a first section for receiving said one or more enclosures; b) a door and lock combination allowing removal of said one or more enclosures from said storage unit; c) a communications module in communication with an enclosure detection sensor capable of detecting entry of said one or more enclosures; d) an energy source; and e) an ultraviolet light positioned within said storage unit and operably connected to said door, wherein, when said storage unit does not contain any of said enclosures, and said door is closed, said ultraviolet light is activated, for a predetermined time, to reduce microbial growth. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The storage unit of claim 7 comprising a second section and a deposit-only gate receiving temporary deposits of said enclosures prior to deposit into said first section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The storage unit of claim 8 further comprising a holder for temporarily holding said enclosures, wherein said holder optionally comprises insulation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The storage unit of claim 9, wherein said deposit-only gate is pivotable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The storage unit of claim 8, wherein said communications module is in communication with one or more of the following: an energy source status monitor, an open/close sensor for said door, a door opening signal receiver, said door lock and lock combination comprising an electrically or manually actuated lock for said door, a gate movement sensor and/or a holder detector positioned about said first section for detecting a holder for temporarily holding said enclosures. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The storage unit of claim 11, wherein said communications module is capable of communicating, via a network, with an operations center remote from said communications module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The storage unit of claim 12 further comprising a photovoltaic panel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The storage unit of claim 13 comprising: a) a riser; or b) a vertical mounting apparatus; or c) a floor mounting apparatus. ### Claim 15 A storage unit for securely holding one or more enclosures enclosing one or more biological specimens until said enclosures are removed from said storage unit for transport to a depository; said storage unit comprising: a) a first section for receiving one or more of said enclosures; b) a door and lock combination allowing removal of said one or more enclosures from said storage unit; c) an open/close sensor for said door; d) an energy source; and e) an ultraviolet light positioned within said storage unit and operably connected to said door, wherein, when said storage unit does not contain any of said enclosures, and said door is closed, said ultraviolet light is activated to reduce microbial growth. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The storage unit of claim 15 comprising a second section and a deposit-only gate receiving temporary deposits of said enclosures prior to deposit into said first section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The storage unit of claim 16 further comprising a holder for temporarily holding said enclosures, wherein said holder optionally comprises insulation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The storage unit of claim 17, wherein said deposit-only gate is pivotable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The storage unit of claim 18 comprising one or more hardware components in communication with a communications module; said one or more hardware components selected from the group consisting of an enclosure detection sensor capable of detecting entry of said enclosures into said first section, an internal temperature sensor, an energy source status monitor, said open/close sensor for said door, a door opening signal receiver, said door lock and lock combination comprising an electrically or manually actuated lock for said door, a gate sensor for movement of said opening and/or a holder detector positioned about said first section for detecting said holder. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The storage unit of claim 19, wherein said communications module is capable of communicating, via a network, with an operations center remote from said communications module. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The storage unit of claim 20 further comprising a photovoltaic panel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The storage unit of claim 21 comprising: a) a riser; or b) a vertical mounting apparatus; or c) a floor mounting apparatus.