Abstract: A system or producing ice cream includes a brine tank configured to cool a brine solution, and a freezer which includes a brine conduit and an ice cream mixing tank. The brine conduit is disposed around the ice cream mixing tank such that the brine solution is in thermal contact with the ice cream mixing tank for removing heat from content in the ice cream mixing tank. The system further includes a device for measuring a property of the brine solution flowing out of the freezer, and a baffle disposed in a brine outlet line for regulating the flow of the brine solution therethrough in response to the measured property of the brine solution.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for freezing biopsy material. The apparatus includes a container that includes an inner wall and an outer wall defining a space therebeween for receiving a material adapted to withstand a temperature below ?20° F. The apparatus further includes a cooling insulating medium that is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall, a biopsy holding section that is disposed in the cavity and that is configured for holding the biopsy material, and a brine solution that is disposed in the cavity such that the biopsy material held in the biopsy holding section is completed submerged in the brine solution.

Abstract: A treatment system, in particular a system using a brine solution for chilling or freezing tissue samples, includes a working vessel wherein samples can be treated, and a replacement cartridge having a first compartment with an inlet, and a second compartment with an outlet, wherein the second compartment is collapsible. A first conduit connects the working vessel to the inlet; and a second conduit connects the outlet to the working vessel. Used working fluid can be moved from the tank to the first compartment via the first conduit, and fresh working in the second compartment can be forced into the second conduit as the second compartment collapses. A holding vessel can be provided in the first conduit for holding used fluid, or in the second conduit for holding the fresh fluid, while the working vessel is cleaned.

Abstract: A method of freezing with brine comprising releasing at least one ingredient in an effective amount from an automated device into the brine so that the brine is rendered unusable for its intended purpose, thereby ensuring that the brine is used only in a optimal composition.

Abstract: A method of freezing with brine comprising releasing at least one ingredient in an effective amount from an automated device into the brine so that the brine is rendered unusable for its intended purpose, thereby ensuring that the brine is used only in a optimal composition.

Abstract: A method of evaluating freshness of a fish product by cutting a small quantity of sample from the fish product, adding an effective amount of a staining reagent containing at least one of a cell-permeant dye and a cell-impermeant fluorescent dye onto the sample, incubating the sample for a predetermined duration, and determining the freshness of the fish product based on the fluorescence emitted from the sample.

Abstract: A sock has a leg portion, a heel portion, an instep portion, a toe portion, and a pair of lateral metatarsal joint portions where the instep portion meets the toe portion. The sock has a first material thickness at the instep portion and the toe portion, and a second material thickness at at least one of the lateral metatarsal joint portions, wherein the second material thickness is less than the first material thickness.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient having a fungal infection comprises administering an effective fungal infection treatment amount of an antiviral agent, such as valacyclovir, to eliminate the symptoms of the fungal infection.

Abstract: A sock has a leg portion, a heel portion, an instep portion, a toe portion, and a pair of lateral metatarsal joint portions where the instep portion meets the toe portion. The sock has a first material thickness at the instep portion and the toe portion, and a second material thickness at at least one of the lateral metatarsal joint portions, wherein the second material thickness is less than the first material thickness.

Abstract: A method of evaluating freshness of a fish product by cutting a small quantity of sample from the fish product, adding an effective amount of a staining reagent containing at least one of a cell-permeant dye and a cell-impermeant fluorescent dye onto the sample, incubating the sample for a predetermined duration, and determining the freshness of the fish product based on the fluorescence emitted from the sample.

Abstract: Delivery items ordered over the Internet by a particular time in the early evening may be delivered by the next morning to a location within a 5-6 hour delivery radius of a warehouse, according to one specific aspect of the present invention. The order for the delivery items is filled at the warehouse, where the items are placed in a tote for delivery. The filled tote is placed on a movable rack, which is transferred to a vehicle. At the delivery destination, the driver removes the tote and secures it via a system of one or more chains and/or cables which are contained in a delivery box which is secured outside the delivery destination. Later, the customer can unlock the chains from the tote in order to bring the tote inside and/or to remove the delivery items from the tote.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a brine composition for freezing an item is in a desired balance. The method includes: adding an effective amount of dye into the brine composition, cooling the dye composition to a pre-determined temperature, and comparing the color of the brine composition to a pre-established correlation of color and brine composition at the pre-determined temperature, thereby determining whether the brine composition is in the desired balance.

Abstract: A method for freezing a meat product on a die cut presentation board is disclosed. The presentation board comprises two opposite surfaces and a hole at the center of the presentation board. The hole is substantially covered with a heat conducting foil. The meat product together with the presentation board covered with the heat conducting foil is vacuum sealed in a bag prior to freezing.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient having a fungal infection comprises administering an effective fungal infection treatment amount of an antiviral agent, such as valacyclovir, to eliminate the symptoms of the fungal infection.

Abstract: Improved brine solutions and uses thereof for uncontaminatedly and/or efficiently freezing items such as foods, and biological samples. In accordance with one embodiment, a brine solution containing a sufficient amount of dye in conferring the solution a distinctive color is used in the freezing process. In accordance with another embodiment, a brine solution containing deionized water is used for improving the freezing efficiency and/or freezing capacity.

Abstract: Delivery items ordered over the Internet by a particular time in the early evening may be delivered by the next morning to a location within a 5-6 hour delivery radius of a warehouse, according to one specific aspect of the present invention. The order for the delivery items is filled at the warehouse, where the items are placed in a tote for delivery. The filled tote is placed on a movable rack, with shelves that are pitched such that when a tote is removed, another tote falls into the space previously occupied by the first tote. Racks holding the totes are transferred to a first vehicle, typically a large trailer, that transports the racks to a transfer point where one or more racks are transferred to a second smaller vehicle, such as a van. The van delivers the totes to customers along a pre-established route.

Abstract: A method of freezing a food product comprises the step of forming an indentation on the frozen food product. Such indentation is capable of being irreversibly altered after the frozen food product is thawed so that it is an indication that the frozen food product has been thawed during storage.