Abstract: A motorized rotating apparatus for the interior, thermally insulated compartment of a refrigerator is described. The apparatus has one or more guiding tracks and one or more movable shelves that remain upright while being moved up or down. The apparatus employs a motor which is configured to automatically rotate the shelves, moving them vertically and horizontally in the process. The apparatus facilitates access to the contents of the interior of the refrigerator without needing to reach to the rear of the refrigerator, nor bend down to reach contents at the bottom of the refrigerated insulated compartment.

Abstract: An automated, ultra-low temperature freezer having multiple structural features that reduce heat transfer into the freezer, protect its internal mechanical devices against low temperature mechanical binding of their movements, allow defrosting and autoclaving as a result of only minimal changes to the conventional CO2 emergency backup system. A group of freezers are arranged so they can simultaneously provide an HVAC function. A vial management system allows biological samples or vials to be automatically placed in and recovered from the freezer and associates the temperature history with each sample or vial that it was subjected to during its storage.

Abstract: A coin acceptor includes first and second members initially spaced apart from one another and frictionally carrying a third member. Moving the first and second members toward one another displaces the third member a distance corresponding to the weight of the coin selectively positioned on the third member. The distance which the third member is displaced is compared with a reference position.