Protective enclosure for hazardous material primary containers

A method of packaging for transport a hazardous material which is held in a container, said method comprising the steps of:

• enclosing said container within an enclosure device characterized by a line of weakness along one side and tab means projecting from said side in close proximity to said line of weakness;
• cushioning said container with a resilient liner disposed between the container and the enclosure device;
• impregnating said resilient liner with a germicidal/pesticidal agent;
• and
• placing the top on said enclosure in a manner so as to substantially impede its removal;
• and
• whereby when said container is to be removed from said device said tab means may be pulled thereby destroying said device while opening it to accommodate removal of said container.

A protective device for packaging a container holding hazardous materials such as those containing viable microorganisms, said device comprising:

• an enclosure having a bottom and a side wall which presents a top section of the enclosure having a size to receive and hold said container therein;
• a top for said enclosure, said top being separate from the enclosure and having a size and shape to be inserted into said top section to close the enclosure and enclose the container therein;
• means for locking said top in said top section to impede removal of the top therefrom;
• a line of weakness on said side wall;
• and
• means for providing a tab on the side wall in proximity of said line of weakness, said tab being accessible for pulling to break the side wall along said line of weakness in a manner to effect release of said locking means and allow removal of the top to provide access to the container.