Abstract: A sports helmet has: a shell; a face protector; and a face mask disposed on an inner side of the face protector, the face mask having a body overlapping a nose and a mouth and defining a volume between the face and the body, the body defining a top edge for engaging the face and a bottom edge opposed to the top edge and disposed proximate a chin, the bottom edge secured to a lower portion of the face protector at a location spaced apart from the face to define a gap therebetween, and lateral straps secured to one or both of the face protector and the shell for biasing the top edge against the face of the wearer, the body made of a material offering a flow resistance such that an exhalation flow from the wearer is deviated towards the gap and away from the face protector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for refrigerating one or more thermal loads which consists in providing a first CO2 source derived from a mechanical cold system, and in feeding one or more evaporators from said first source so as to cause the CO2 to evaporate thereby cooling said one or more thermal loads. The method is characterized in that it consists in providing a second CO2 source, consisting of a cryogenic storage of CO2, and in inputting CO2 from said second source, so that the flow rate of fluid feeding the evaporator(s) is a mixture of liquid CO2 derived from said first source and liquid CO2 derived from said second source.

Abstract: A method and a device for cooling various articles. A gas stream is cooled with liquid nitrogen and the cooled stream is then applied to articles in order to cool them.

Abstract: Said installation comprises a liquid circulation pipe (13), having an upstream portion (21), a downstream portion (23) and a filtering member (37), inserted between the upstream portion (21) and the downstream portion (23), at least one channel (51) being provided in said filtering member. The channel (51) is at least partially defined by a porous wall (57). Said pipe (13) comprises a double vacuum thermal insulation envelope (14), containing an insulating material, in a part of which the filtering member (37) is secured. One of said portions (21) opens out facing an end of said channel (51). The other of said portions (23) opens out facing at least one area (59) of the porous wall (57). Said invention applies to the production of high flow rate sterile cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cooling a stream of gaseous liquid. The inventive method comprises the following steps: a) the stream of liquid is confined; b) during step (a), liquid nitrogen is sprayed into the stream in order to cool the gaseous liquid; and c) the cooled gaseous liquid is recovered. In addition, another step (step d) is performed before step (b) and, during said step, the gaseous liquid is slowed down by increasing the section of the stream. According to the invention, when articles are being cooled, the gaseous liquid recovered during step (c) is sent to said articles.

Abstract: A plant for liquid-phase filtration of a cryogenic fluid comprising, in an ambient environment:a supply of a cryogenic fluid in liquid phase;a filtration component arranged between an inlet for feeding the cryogenic fluid and an outlet for use of the filtered cryogenic fluid, in which the filtration component filters microorganisms and/or particles and causes a head loss which is less than that which converts liquid phase to a solid or gaseous phase.

Abstract: A solenoid valve is provided that includes a valve body (14) having an inlet duct (18), an outlet duct (24) and a plurality of sequentially operated solenoid actuators arranged in a circular configuration for selectively bringing these two ducts into communication with each other. The valve body includes at least two separate passages (19, 20) which connect the inlet duct to the outlet duct, and each of the solenoid actuators operates to periodically and selectively close off one of said passages. The solenoid valve finds particular application in inerting and pressurizing bottles containing still liquids with nitrogen.

Abstract: Method of sequentially spraying a cryogenic liquid comprising sequentially applying a dose of a propellant gas to a dose of the cryogenic liquid and sequentially spraying this liquid, the pressure of the propellant gas being greater than that of the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a cryogenic liquid comprising a thermally insulated main pipe in which a device for throttling a flow of liquid is mounted, a degassing pipe which is tapped off the upper part of the main pipe downstream of the throttling device.

Abstract: A head (14) intended to be mounted on the end of a transfer line comprising a downstream outlet orifice (39) for liquid. The device comprises an insulating central nozzle (40) in which there is formed a through-opening (44, 45) for the passage of the liquid, an outer chassis (56, 58) surrounding the central nozzle (40) and in which the latter can slide, means (16) of securing the chassis and the transfer line (12) together, and means (84) of elastic return which, in service, press the upstream end (45) of the through-opening (44, 45) of the nozzle against the periphery (38) of the downstream orifice (39) of the transfer line (12). Application to the distribution of liquid nitrogen into cans of preserves.

Abstract: A food processing plant includes a food processing apparatus. The food processing apparatus including a device for setting set-point parameters for operation of the apparatus and a device for controlling operation of the apparatus based on the set-point parameters. The plant also includes a device for acquiring information relating to actual operation of the food processing apparatus, a unit for monitoring the apparatus, the unit being located remote from the apparatus and including a device for detecting anomalies in operation of the apparatus, and a device for communicating the information relating to the actual operation of the apparatus from the apparatus to the remote monitoring unit.

Abstract: A sterilizable installation for supplying at least one dose of a cryogenic liquid to a use station, wherein said installation comprises, along a fluid transfer line;a source of a first cryogenic liquid;a reservoir, suitable for temporary storage of the first cryogenic liquid, comprising a plural number of parts which are assembled using welds executed according to welding techniques that produce total penetration with no lap between two welded parts, such that the reservoir does not include rough spots or other sites of bacterial contamination and providing resistance to temperature fluctuations; andmeans for withdrawing, in continuous or discontinuous fashion, the first liquid from the reservoir to supply the use station.

Abstract: Two electrovalves (7A, 7B) are grouped in a same block (7) and disposed in parallel between a supply conduit (5) and a distribution conduit (6). Each electrovalve is provided with a micrometric adjustment screw (9A, 9B) which can be actuated from outside the block. When one of the electrovalves is in operation to deliver successive identical quantities of liquid, the other electrovalve is adjusted as a function of a new value and, during changeover, it suffices to switch the electrovalves. The same block (7) can contain a third electrovalve (7C) for blowing gas under pressure to expel the remaining drops within the distribution conduit. The liquid and the gas are two phases of the same fluid.

Abstract: A self-contained device for the supply of energy to an apparatus (7) driven by gas under pressure, comprises a portable reservoir (1) of cryogenic liquid, and structure associated with the reservoir to withdraw and vaporize liquid from the reservoir and to send it to the apparatus (7). Two circuit portions (2.sub.1, 2.sub.2) incorporate vaporizers (5.sub.1, 5.sub.2) and are delimited between non-return valves (4.sub.1, 4.sub.2) upstream and control valves (6.sub.1, 6.sub.2) downstream. When open, the control valves drive the apparatus (7). The reservoir (1) is of the double wall type (1.sub.1, 1.sub.2), at least one upstream part of the circuit portion (2.sub.1, 2.sub.2) being disposed between these walls (1.sub.1, 1.sub.2). The two circuit portions are in parallel (2.sub.1, 2.sub.2) and the respective valves (6.sub.1, 6.sub.2) are sequentially controlled by a control device (9, 12) which is sensitive to the pressure (P.sub.1, P.sub.2) prevailing in the circuit portions (2.sub.1, 2.sub.2).

Abstract: Device for freezing products, comprising a vibrating trough (2) comprising a bottom wall (3) on which the products (9) to be frozen move in contact with a layer of liquefied gas (7). The bottom wall (3) has a pattern of alternating projecting and hollow parts. The projecting parts are distributed in a regular pattern and are in continuous registry with the hollow parts. The height (h) of the projecting parts does not exceed half the thickness (e) of the layer of liquefied gas. The projecting parts have a constant height (h). The bottom wall (3) is an embossed metal sheet, preferably of stainless steel.

Abstract: Process and device for freezing substances contained in a receptacle, in which the receptacle (4) is placed on a support (7) and is moved along the support in a path. The support is a conveyor, preferably a vibratory conveyor, and is maintained partially immersed in a liquefied gas (13). The level of the liquefied gas (13) does not exceed the height of the substance in the receptacle (4). The vibratory conveyor comprises a vibrating trough (1) having two opposed walls (9) defining between them a guide channel (3) for the receptacles (4) and, on opposite sides, a chamber (10) for distribution of liquefied gas. A device (11) provides liquefied gas to each chamber (10). The bottom (7) of the vibrating trough (1) is of embossed sheet metal.

Abstract: A device for recycling a cryogenic liquid in a circuit (1) comprising at least one section (2) substantially at ambient pressure, the device comprising: a) a first cryogenic reservoir (4) to recover the liquid at the outlet of the section, this reservoir being provided with structure (4.sub.3, 6.sub.1, 7.sub.1, 8.sub.1) to pressurize the recovered liquid, b) a second cryogenic reservoir (5) continuously pressurized in operation and connected to the circuit (1) upstream of the section (2) open to the air to supply it with pressurized cryogenic liquid, the second reservoir being in selective fluid communication (16) with the first reservoir, and c) a device (12) responsive to a predetermined relationship of the levels of filling of the two reservoirs selectively to actuate the pressurization structure (4.sub.3, 6.sub.1, 7.sub.1, 8.sub.1) of the first reservoir (4) so as to transfer into the second reservoir (5) cryogenic liquid contained in the first reservoir.

Abstract: Quantities of liquid are distributed via a conduit (5) connected to a source (4) of the liquid, by periodically opening and closing a closure member (7) disposed in the conduit, and injecting, during a predetermined period, immediately after the 5 closing of the closure member (7), a quantity of gas into the conduit portion (6)immediately downstream of the closure member. The duration of the cycle between two successive openings of the closure member (7)is less than 0.1 second. The liquid is an inert liquefied gas, e.g. nitrogen or argon. The injected gas is the same as the liquefied gas and comes from a same cryogenic receptacle (1). The invention is useful for rendering inert or pressurizing containers of food products.