Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below −50° C.

A galley cart system employs a dry ice compartment and a refrigeration compartment in a galley cart in flow communication with the dry ice compartment. A ventilation system is in interruptible flow communication with at least the refrigeration compartment and configured to receive gas discharged from at least the refrigeration compartment.

An insulated shipping container is provided for maintaining a substantially uniform internal temperature. The base, walls and lid of an outer box define an enclosure. An insulating body and an insulating cover are located within the enclosure and define an insulated cavity. A chamber having a plurality of chamber sides is configured to hold one or more payloads at the substantially uniform internal temperature. A temperature control material distribution structure is located within the insulated cavity for constraining motion of temperature control material units. The temperature control material distribution structure comprises at least one partitioned tray or trough. The at least one partitioned tray comprises a tray bottom; and a plurality of partition walls extending away from the tray bottom and defining a plurality of partition compartments.

A thermally insulated container for storing and serving frozen confectionery items, wherein the container is preferably arranged to be removably mounted within a service cart, such as an inflight service cart.

A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

The invention relates to a device for metering carbon dioxide snow, comprising a storage container and a discharge opening arranged in the base of the storage container. A horizontally and vertically movable base, by means of which the discharge opening can be opened and closed, is arranged in the region of the discharge opening. A horizontally movable cutting knife is vertically spaced from the base and can be moved into the interior of the storage container. Once the storage container is filled with carbon dioxide snow a metered amount of carbon dioxide snow present between the cutting knife and the base is cut off by the cutting knife and compacted by vertical movements of the base and is then discharged by the base moving into the open position.

The invention relates to a device for metering carbon dioxide snow, comprising a storage container and a discharge opening arranged in the base of the storage container. A horizontally and vertically movable base, by means of which the discharge opening can be opened and closed, is arranged in the region of the discharge opening. A horizontally movable cutting knife is vertically spaced from the base and can be moved into the interior of the storage container. Once the storage container is filled with carbon dioxide snow a metered amount of carbon dioxide snow present between the cutting knife and the base is cut off by the cutting knife and compacted by vertical movements of the base and is then discharged by the base moving into the open position.

A locker system for delivering heat sensitive products comprising a plurality of lockable compartments including at least one refrigerated lockable compartment, a control unit for controlling said plurality of lockable compartments, a cooling device comprising an expansion chamber receiving liquid CO.sub.2 from a reserve of liquid CO.sub.2 and delivering gaseous CO.sub.2 in each of said refrigerated lockable compartments through at least one common duct, and an extraction system to avoid excessive concentration of CO.sub.2 in a building where the locker system is located.

In order to meter carbon dioxide snow, a storage container has an output unit, which comprises: an output opening, which is arranged laterally in the bottom region of the storage container; and a horizontally movable sliding element, which cooperates with the output opening. In order to fill the storage container with carbon dioxide snow, at least two snow horns are provided on the storage container, in which snow horns liquid carbon dioxide is converted into a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and carbon dioxide gas. The mouth openings of the snow horns point toward each other at least in one direction component so that the material flows exiting therefrom are directed at least partially toward each other. This facilitates the separation of snow and gas and increase the efficiency of the device.