Abstract: A cryogenic freezing method uses a mixture of liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen in amounts approximating the composition of atmospheric air to freeze food products. The mixture preferably includes 18% to 25% oxygen and the balance nitrogen, with small amounts of residuals which are commonly found in air. The present invention involves replacing a liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen cooling medium which is used in known cryogenic freezers with a liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen mixture. The liquid nitrogen and oxygen mixture can be used according the present invention in many of the known freezers using liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen as a cooling medium, including tunnel freezers, spiral freezers, and immersion freezers. The use of a liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen mixture improves the efficiency of a freezer because the cold vapors are not exhausted from the freezer. In addition, the leakage of vapors from the freezer into the room air will not create unsafe conditions for workers.

Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and injecting a sterile cryogenic liquid (for example into a container of food) is provided, as well as a method of use of same. The apparatus includes at least one purge-swept cryogenic liquid filter, the filter including filter media having the capability to effectively sterilize cryogenic liquids, the filter media positioned within a housing to accept non-sterile cryogenic liquid and produce sterile cryogenic liquid, and to recycle an amount of the non-sterile cryogenic liquid. The apparatus further includes at least one sterile cryogenic liquid accumulator, the sterile cryogenic liquid accumulator having a sterile cryogenic liquid outlet for dispensing sterile cryogenic liquid, the sterile cryogenic liquid outlet having a passageway for a sterile cryogenic gas, whereby the sterile cryogenic gas prevents contact of the sterile cryogenic liquid with a non-sterile atmosphere via pressurization and purging during dispensing of same.

Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof. The activity of an enzyme on a substrate can be improved by contacting the enzyme with a noble gas under specific temperatures and pressures. The preferred noble gases are krypton, neon, xenon, argon or mixtures of these gases. The enzymes whose activity can be improved are hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases.

Abstract: A method for preserving fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings, which entails:a) subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to a gas mixture containing about 80% to about 98% N.sub.2 O, about 2% to about 20% O.sub.2, with the remainder being N.sub.2 under refrigeration, andb) subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to a gas mixture containing about 50 to about 80% N.sub.2 O, and a minimum of about 20% O.sub.2, with the remainder being N.sub.2 ; or subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to air at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree. C. to temperature.

Abstract: A gas mixture for preserving fish and sea-food products, comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen and argon with partial pressures in the following range:______________________________________ CO.sub.2 50%-68% O.sub.2 5%-20% Ar 27%-45% ______________________________________This mixture slows down enzymatic reactions and microbiological development at the surface and inside the fish or sea-food product.

Abstract: A leak detecting device for a package having a plastic cover. Before sealing the cover, a gas containing five percent helium is introduced into the package. The package is placed beneath a hood which has an aspiration device to move the air within the hood through a pipe. A helium sensor is placed within the pipe to detect helium which leaks from the package. The hood also carries a plate which is spring mounted and which comes into contact with the package lid as the hood is lowered over the package. This causes additional pressure within the package so as to accelerate the detection of any leak.

Abstract: A gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen and argon is provided to extend the shelf life of sea-food products and fish from 15 to 21 days at the storage temperature of 4.degree.0 C.Comparison is made with similar mixtures comprising nitrogen in lieu of argon which shows the unexpected results obtained with the mixtures of the invention.

Abstract: In the beer industry or the like, presence of oxygen in the headspace of the containers or bottles is particulary undesirable. The sealing cap or lid according to the invention is provided with oxygen absorber or scavenger means sufficient to absorb rapidly the volume of oxygen remaining in the headspace of the container after the filling and sealing operations.