Storage/containment unit for flexible pouch filled with biopharmaceutical fluid, and method of assembling a freeze/thaw containment system, using a protecting body

A protecting device for use in freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials contained in a flexible pouch, the protecting device comprising:

• a protecting body comprising two plates for protecting the flexible pouch, the protecting body comprising a longitudinal axis and having four sides, the four sides comprising two longitudinal sides extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and two other sides that include a first end side and a second end side each perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• an attachment system for fastening the two plates so that in an assembled state of the two plates, the protecting body comprises a peripheral margin that extends annularly in a protecting body reference plane, the peripheral margin being provided with at least one opening able to receive at least one port of the flexible pouch,
• the two plates having a same thickness that is lower than 2 mm so that the protecting body is a thin body, are formed to be elastically more deformable, define two mutually unfixed facing parts forming a covering part for covering the flexible pouch, the covering part being surrounded by the peripheral margin, each of the two plates having a density superior to 1.10 g/cm3 and being made of plastic material,
• wherein in the assembled state:
• the two plates are configured to sandwich the flexible pouch for constraining the flexible pouch in a filled state of the flexible pouch, the protecting body being deformable due to shrinking of the two plates in at least one direction belonging to the protecting body reference plane,
• the two plates respectively form a first outer surface and a second outer surface of the protecting body, facing in opposite directions, at least one amongst the first outer surface and the second outer surface being a surface having a plurality of ribs, which extend at least on a peripheral annular region of the covering part, along the peripheral margin, in order to locally structure the covering part of the protecting body, and
• the protecting body extends planar in an empty state of the flexible pouch, along the protecting body reference plane, so that a protecting body constraining effect applies in relation with the pouch until the flexible pouch is emptied.