A delivery apparatus and method for delivering liquid cryogen to a chilling application includes a liquid cryogen feed tank; a liquid cryogen conduit in fluid communication between the liquid cryogen feed tank and the chilling application, wherein the chilling application uses the liquid cryogen to produce an exhaust gas; a device for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas, the device in operative communication with a controller; and wherein the controller is in communication with the temperature measuring device and a flow control valve, and is configured to receive a signal corresponding to the temperature of the exhaust gas from the temperature measuring device to vary the speed of delivery of the liquid cryogen through the liquid cryogen conduit to the chilling application in response to the temperature of the exhaust gas.

A composition for cryopreservation of cells and tissues of human and other animals in a safe manner without using toxic substances such as DMSO, as well as for freeze preserving or freeze-drying of foods and pharmaceuticals. In embodiments, -poly-L-lysine is reacted with succinic anhydride so that 60% or more of amino groups are blocked; and, thus obtained polymer compound is added to Dulbecco-modified eagle MEM culture medium (DMEM) on market sale to form a cryopreservation liquid. In embodiments for foods or pharmaceuticals, the -poly-L-lysine derivative was added by 0.5-10 wt % to curb freeze concentration.

A cooler including a compartment, a conduit including a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, food product at a first product temperature entering the first end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with and for supplying fluid through the fluid discharge, the fluid being at a first fluid temperature less than the first product temperature, the pressurized fluid source being operable to propel the fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion and to cool the food product to a temperature below the first product temperature.

In a freezer having an internal space therein in which a blower and an impingement plate are disposed and through which a conveyor for a food product passes, an impingement apparatus, includes a hood disposed at the internal space for coacting with the blower and the impingement plate, the hood including a sidewall defining a sub-chamber in which the blower is received; and a pipe having an end opening into the sub-chamber for introducing a pulse of cryogen to the sub-chamber for increasing a pressure in the sub-chamber and contacting the impingement plate. A related method is also provided.

A method and associated equipment for obtaining a product in the form of deep-frozen, dissolved-gas-rich granules, particles or beads from a liquid, semi-liquid or pasty matrix, comprises the following steps: gasification of the matrix by incorporating a gas; dispensing the matrix in the form of drops; and cryogenically freezing the matrix drops by immersion in a cryogenic fluid. The step of gasification of the matrix involves dissolving a large amount of the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic fluid in the drops by increasing the number of gas molecules in a high gas density zone, called high molecular density zone, located above the surface of the cryogenic fluid and on the path of the matrix drops before they are immersed in the fluid.

A method and associated equipment for obtaining a product in the form of deep-frozen, dissolved-gas-rich granules, particles or beads from a liquid, semi-liquid or pasty matrix, comprises the following steps: gasification of the matrix by incorporating a gas; dispensing the matrix in the form of drops; and cryogenically freezing the matrix drops by immersion in a cryogenic fluid. The step of gasification of the matrix involves dissolving a large amount of the gas generated by the evaporation of the cryogenic fluid in the drops by increasing the number of gas molecules in a high gas density zone, called high molecular density zone, located above the surface of the cryogenic fluid and on the path of the matrix drops before they are immersed in the fluid.

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 process for metering the disposition of a food product into cavities forming a pellet. The cavities are defined in a conveyor as individual cavities. Each cavity defines a specific volume. The process includes supplying a quantity of food product in a supply chamber which includes a plurality of nozzles aligned above the conveyor. The nozzles are aligned with a predetermined portion of the cavities. A predefined supply of food product is dispensed and metered through each nozzle. The food product is dispensed through the nozzles into the cavities without exceeding the specific volume of the cavity. The food product is frozen into an individual quick frozen pellet starting immediately upon disposition in one of the cavities. The step of metering the predefined amount of food product includes metering a predetermined weight of the food product.

A cryogen injection apparatus for injecting a cryogenic substance to a blender includes at least one nozzle constructed for being in fluid communication with an interior of the blender; a heat transfer fluid for being operationally associated by conduction with the at least one nozzle; and a heat transfer housing supporting the at least one nozzle and having a space therein for receipt of the heat transfer fluid to warm the at least one nozzle. A related method is also provided.

A cooler including a compartment, a conduit including a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, food product at a first product temperature entering the first end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with and for supplying fluid through the fluid discharge, the fluid being at a first fluid temperature less than the first product temperature, the pressurized fluid source being operable to propel the fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion and to cool the food product to a temperature below the first product temperature.