Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for freezing and/or vitrifying biological specimen. The system comprises an encasement (40) arranged to accommodate a cryogenic liquid (C), a support (4) for a recipient vessel, and optionally an upper reservoir (2) with a first overflow rim (5) that allows cryogenic liquid to flow from the upper reservoir into a lower reservoir (12) with a second overflow rim (6). The support may comprise one or more cavities (10) that are suitable to accommodate wells or vials of the recipient vessel. The support may comprise a material that has a wicking effect on the cryogenic liquid, or be disposed on spacers. The system may further comprise pipetting means. The disclosure further relates to a recipient vessel, a vent plate for thawing biological specimen, as well as methods for freezing and/or vitrifying, for storing and for thawing biological specimen.

Abstract: A belt conveyor is configured for conveying products in a conveying direction and defines a width extending in a transverse direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and a height direction orthogonal to the conveying and transverse directions. An ejector is fixed to the belt conveyor and acts in the transverse direction for sorting out/discharging products. The ejector has an end region which faces the product to be sorted out, and has a base body mounted in a base position on the belt conveyor by means of a holder. The basic position of the base body can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device of the holder in the transverse direction within an adjustment path so that the end area of the non-actuated ejector in the transverse direction can protrude across the belt conveyor width by at least half of that width, or more.

Abstract: Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1 . . . 10, 122.1 . . . 10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively.

Abstract: A belt conveyor is configured for conveying products in a conveying direction and defines a width extending in a transverse direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and a height direction orthogonal to the conveying and transverse directions. An ejector is fixed to the belt conveyor and acts in the transverse direction for sorting out/discharging products. The ejector has an end region which faces the product to be sorted out, and has a base body mounted in a base position on the belt conveyor by means of a holder. The basic position of the base body can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device of the holder in the transverse direction within an adjustment path so that the end area of the non-actuated ejector in the transverse direction can protrude across the belt conveyor width by at least half of that width, or more.

Abstract: Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1 . . . 10, 122.1 . . . 10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively.