System for maintaining materials at freezer temperatures for shipping

A frozen environmental sample temperature control system comprising:

• a frozen formulation, itself comprising:
• water in an amount from substantially 87% to 78% by weight of said formulation, and
• salt in an amount from substantially 13% to 22% by weight of said formulation;
• said system further comprising:
• at least one container containing said frozen formulation;
• and
• a cooler having insulating material disposed between an outer wall and an inner surface that defines an inner chamber sized to contain therein said at least one container and at least one frozen environmental sample for transport, wherein said insulating material comprises a silica based insulating material.

A frozen environmental sample temperature control system comprising:

• a frozen formulation, itself comprising:
• water in an amount from substantially 87% to 78% by weight of said formulation;
• and
• salt in an amount from substantially 13% to 22% by weight of said formulation;
• said system further comprising:
• at least one container containing said frozen formulation;
• and
• a cooler having insulating material disposed between an outer wall and an inner surface that defines an inner chamber that is sized to contain said at least one container and at least one frozen environmental sample for transport,
• wherein said insulating material entirely surrounds said inner surface when said cooler is closed during shipping, and
• wherein said insulating material comprises a closed cell polymeric foam with a foam void volume to total foam volume ratio of greater than substantially 94%.

A frozen environmental sample temperature control system comprising:

• a frozen formulation, itself comprising:
• water in an amount from substantially 87% to 78% by weight of said formulation;
• and
• salt in an amount from substantially 13% to 22% by weight of said formulation;
• said system further comprising:
• at least one container containing said frozen formulation;
• and
• a cooler having insulating material disposed between an outer wall and an inner surface that defines an inner chamber that is sized to contain said at least one container and at least one frozen environmental sample for transport,
• wherein said insulating material entirely surrounds said inner surface when said cooler is closed during shipping, and
• wherein said insulating material comprises an polymeric network with evacuated cells.