A method and a cryogenic sample positioning system are provided which include: a sample holder cassette that is vertically coupled to a carousel gear through a first shaft. Each sample holder cassette has a first degree of rotation about the first shaft. A first planet drive gear underlies and is vertically coupled to the carousel gear through a second shaft that extends from the carousel gear through the first planet drive gear. The carousel gear has a second degree of rotation about the second shaft that is different from the first degree of rotation. A planet gear that is laterally connected to a second planet drive gear is interposed between each of the carousel gear and the first planet drive gear. Each of the planet gear and the second planet drive gear selectively define the first degree of rotation, without affecting the second degree of rotation of the carousel gear.

A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing liquid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing liquid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing liquid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing liquid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing liquid.

A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing liquid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing liquid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing liquid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing liquid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing liquid.

A low temperature storage system, a transport mechanism, and a low temperature storage vessel are provided, which enable downsizing and simplification of the transport mechanism, as well as stable transport of stored objects. A low temperature storage system (1) includes a low temperature storage vessel (10) and a transport mechanism (20). The transport mechanism (20) includes a reciprocating part (30) that has a holding part (35) and that is capable of reciprocating along a transfer direction, and guide unit (40). The guide unit (40) include an in-vessel guide (50) fixedly placed inside the low temperature storage vessel (10), and a telescopic guide (60) configured to be able to extend and contract along the transfer direction. The telescopic guide (60) is provided independently of the in-vessel guide (50) so as to be connectable to the in-vessel guide (50).

A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing fluid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing fluid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

The efficiency of a device for cooling or heating objects on a belt that moves through a path of a helix, in which gaseous cooling or heating medium is circulated within the device, is improved by positioning fans that circulate the cooling or heating medium so that the fans are distanced from the top of the helix.

A method for freezing a food product in a cryogenic freezer includes sensing at least one physical characteristic of the food product in real time, providing a cryogenic substance to the food product for heat transfer at said food product, automatically self-adjusting the heat transfer at the food product responsive to the sensing the at least one physical characteristic, and continuously self-adjusting the heat transfer for bringing the food product to a select temperature. A related freezer apparatus is also provided.

A method for freezing a food product in a cryogenic freezer includes sensing at least one physical characteristic of the food product in real time, providing a cryogenic substance to the food product for heat transfer at said food product, automatically self-adjusting the heat transfer at the food product responsive to the sensing the at least one physical characteristic, and continuously self-adjusting the heat transfer for bringing the food product to a select temperature. A related freezer apparatus is also provided.

The present invention relates to a temperature treatment apparatus (1) for solidifying portions of fluid. The apparatus comprises an endless product conveyor belt (7) comprising a plurality of moulds (8) made of elastic material, each of the plurality of moulds having an open end and each of the plurality of moulds being arranged to convey a portion of fluid during solidifying of the same, a first impingement temperature treatment device (4) arranged in a first temperature treatment zone (A), a second impingement temperature treatment device (5) arranged in a second temperature treatment zone (B), wherein the first temperature treatment zone is arranged upstream the second temperature treatment zone with regard to a direction of movement of the portions of fluid during use of the apparatus, wherein the first temperature treatment zone is arranged to solidify a crust on the portions of fluid at least on a surface of the fluid closest to the open end of the moulds when the moulds comprising portions of fluid are conveyed through the first temperature treatment zone, and wherein the second temperature treatment zone is arranged to further solidify each portion of foodstuffs such that at least partly solidified portions are formed when the moulds comprising portions of fluid are conveyed through the second temperature treatment zone.