Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for freezing the exterior crust of products, such as food products, in a manner that does not cause the exterior of the product to adhere to the surface on which it is placed during or after the freezing.

Disclosed are methodology and apparatus for freezing the exterior crust of products, such as food products, in a manner that does not cause the exterior of the product to adhere to the surface on which it is placed during or after the freezing.

Methods and vitrification systems for biological samples are provided. The vitrification system has a rotatable cryowheel (210) with a facing surface (220). Droplets of a composition that includes a biological sample are released onto the facing surface. Droplets are rapidly pulled beneath the surface of the cryogenic coolant (160) to generate vitrified samples (180). Methods and cryopreservation devices are also provided that incorporate the vitrification systems.

Methods and vitrification systems for biological samples are provided. The vitrification system has a rotatable cryowheel (210) with a facing surface (220). Droplets of a composition that includes a biological sample are released onto the facing surface. Droplets are rapidly pulled beneath the surface of the cryogenic coolant (160) to generate vitrified samples (180). Methods and cryopreservation devices are also provided that incorporate the vitrification systems.

An apparatus, system, device, and the like, for a liquid nitrogen dispensing head that may be used in a system for cooling aggregate, such as may be found in a batch plant involved in producing concrete. The dispensing head is positioned over a conveyor belt that conveys aggregate to a mixing apparatus to produce concrete. The head dispenses liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate to cool the aggregate and may include interior chambers separated by one or more baffles. The chambers may reduce the pressure of the liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate in relation to the flow pressure of the liquid nitrogen entering the dispensing head. In another example, an assembly may include sidewalls that extend to the aggregate on either side of the head to form a cooling tunnel through which the aggregate is conveyed and is exposed to the liquid nitrogen being dispensed from the head.

An apparatus, system, device, and the like, for a liquid nitrogen dispensing head that may be used in a system for cooling aggregate, such as may be found in a batch plant involved in producing concrete. The dispensing head is positioned over a conveyor belt that conveys aggregate to a mixing apparatus to produce concrete. The head dispenses liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate to cool the aggregate and may include interior chambers separated by one or more baffles. The chambers may reduce the pressure of the liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate in relation to the flow pressure of the liquid nitrogen entering the dispensing head. In another example, an assembly may include sidewalls that extend to the aggregate on either side of the head to form a cooling tunnel through which the aggregate is conveyed and is exposed to the liquid nitrogen being dispensed from the head.

Equipment for manufacturing pellets of liquid or pasty products, comprising a tunnel and comprising a conveyor belt capable of transporting the product to be processed in the equipment along a processing path that passes through the various zones of the equipment, wherein the conveyor belt is equipped with unitary moulds, or else unitary moulds are formed in the structure of the conveyor belt, wherein the equipment comprises a pellet demoulding zone situated at the outlet of the tunnel or immediately downstream of the outlet of the tunnel, the demoulding zone operating in a rotation zone of the conveyor, and wherein the structure of the belt allows each pellet to be automatically demoulded by ejection, the ejection being effected by a given element of the structure of the conveyor belt on account of opposing forces being applied to the walls of the mould in the demoulding zone.

Equipment for manufacturing pellets of liquid or pasty products, comprising a tunnel and comprising a conveyor belt capable of transporting the product to be processed in the equipment along a processing path that passes through the various zones of the equipment, wherein the conveyor belt is equipped with unitary moulds, or else unitary moulds are formed in the structure of the conveyor belt, wherein the equipment comprises a pellet demoulding zone situated at the outlet of the tunnel or immediately downstream of the outlet of the tunnel, the demoulding zone operating in a rotation zone of the conveyor, and wherein the structure of the belt allows each pellet to be automatically demoulded by ejection, the ejection being effected by a given element of the structure of the conveyor belt on account of opposing forces being applied to the walls of the mould in the demoulding zone.

A horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus is deployed in a process for separating resinous trichomes rich in flavoring, aromatic and/or medicinal components produced in plant trichome glands from unwanted plant matter. The process physically separates resin rich beads at the trichome gland head from extraneous plant matter by one or move separation sieves. The sieves are provided in or as a casing over a rigid frame member. The sieves are mesh fabric bags or screen that are easily opened and replenished in a batch operating mode, and are removable from the frame for cleaning and maintenance. Other aspects of the invention include processes that improve process efficiency and speed, and yield products of superior quality.

A horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus is deployed in a process for separating resinous trichomes rich in flavoring, aromatic and/or medicinal components produced in plant trichome glands from unwanted plant matter. The process physically separates resin rich beads at the trichome gland head from extraneous plant matter by one or move separation sieves. The sieves are provided in or as a casing over a rigid frame member. The sieves are mesh fabric bags or screen that are easily opened and replenished in a batch operating mode, and are removable from the frame for cleaning and maintenance. Other aspects of the invention include processes that improve process efficiency and speed, and yield products of superior quality.