Abstract: A container for fast cooling of milk and its preservation and transportation at an optimal temperature (0.degree.-4.degree. C.) comprises a body (11) consisting of an internal recipient (12) defining a tank (13) for containing the milk and an intermediate shell (14) surrounding the internal recipient (12) and connected in a sealed manner therewith to define between the recipient (12) and the intermediate shell (14) a jacket (18) designed to contain liquid at a freezing temperature lower than a predetermined preservation temperature. The container is covered with an insulating external shell (20). Ducts (30) for circulation of the refrigerating fluid are arranged in the jacket (18). There can also be provided means (48,49,54) for the controlled input of milk up to thermal contact with the refrigerating walls of the recipient (12) and means (35) for mixing the milk in the tank (13) during cooling and preservation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for absorbing heat and preserving fresh products under optimal conditions is described. The products are introduced into a chamber of which at least 70%-80% of the wall surfaces consists of box-shaped interspace panels filled with a thermal capacitance fluid having a freezing temperature with a *.DELTA.T included between -1.degree. and -4.degree. C. compared to the refrigeration temperature. Disposed within the panel interspace are circulating circuits containing a brine fluid fed at a temperature having a *.DELTA.T included between -5.degree. and -30.degree. C. compared to the refrigeration temperature. The brine circuit is disposed within the panel interspace for distributing the exchange between the brine fluid and the thermal capacitance fluid so as to keep the *.DELTA.T between the maximum and minimum temperature points of the wall under 5.degree. C., preferably not higher than 2.degree. C. and particularly not higher than 1.degree. C.