Abstract: A temperature controlled container comprises exterior wall structure, interior wall structure positioned within the exterior wall structure, the interior wall structure at least partially defining an interior space configured to hold one or more products for shipping, and a chamber defined between the interior and exterior wall structure, the chamber configured to retain thermal storage medium to provide a thermally insulative layer at least partially protecting the interior space.

Abstract: A storage unit comprises a casing defining an interior space for holding at least one item, a thermal element lining an interior surface of at least one side of the casing, and at least one thermal battery thermally coupled to the thermal element.

Abstract: A storage tank comprises: a body having opposite open ends; end plates removably connected to the opposite open ends of the body, one of the end plates comprising an inlet and an outlet; and a piston floatably mounted within the body. The piston is movable towards the end plate having the inlet and the outlet during discharge of ice-slurry contained within the storage tank via the outlet.

Abstract: A thermal shield comprises an insulation layer having a space defined therein, wherein a low-conductivity material fills the space, and a valve configured to connect to a vacuum to remove air from the space, thereby increasing insulating properties of the insulation layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling temperature sensitive products comprises an ice-making machine comprising at least one nozzle for discharging ice-slurry from the ice-making machine, and at least one conveyor configured to convey at least one temperature sensitive product to a location to receive ice-slurry discharged through the at least one nozzle such that the at least one temperature sensitive product is exposed to ice-slurry

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an ice-making machine comprises a generally cylindrical, tubular body defining a generally cylindrical, internal heat exchange surface, and at least one refrigerant circuit comprising at least one refrigerant passage disposed about the outer surface of the tubular body, at least a portion of the refrigerant circuit being brazed to the outer surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: A thermal shield comprises an insulation layer having a space defined therein, wherein a low-conductivity material fills the space, and a valve configured to connect to a vacuum to remove air from the space, thereby increasing insulating properties of the insulation layer.

Abstract: When products to be shipped are temperature-sensitive, it is necessary to maintain a substantially uniform and constant temperature to avoid spoilage. As a result, thermal shields are often placed on top of the products. Many designs for thermal shields have been considered in the past but improvements are still desired. Accordingly, there is provided a multilayer thermal shield (100) comprising a thermally conductive layer (108), and at least one heat exchange fluid circuit (120) coupled to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer, the at least one heat exchange fluid circuit comprising at least one inlet (124) configured to permit the ingress of heat exchange fluid. The thermal shield further comprises an outer insulation layer (104) connected to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer (108) and comprising grooves designed to receive the heat exchange fluid circuit.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an ice-making machine comprises a generally cylindrical, tubular body defining a generally cylindrical, internal heat exchange surface, and at least one refrigerant circuit comprising at least one refrigerant passage disposed about the outer surface of the tubular body, at least a portion of the refrigerant circuit being brazed to the outer surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: When products to be shipped are temperature-sensitive, it is necessary to maintain a substantially uniform and constant temperature to avoid spoilage. As a result, thermal shields are often placed on top of the products. Many designs for thermal shields have been considered in the past but improvements are still desired. Accordingly, there is provided a multilayer thermal shield (100) comprising a thermally conductive layer (108), and at least one heat exchange fluid circuit (120) coupled to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer, the at least one heat exchange fluid circuit comprising at least one inlet (124) configured to permit the ingress of heat exchange fluid. The thermal shield further comprises an outer insulation layer (104) connected to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer (108) and comprising grooves designed to receive the heat exchange fluid circuit.

Abstract: A temperature controlled container comprises exterior wall structure, interior wall structure positioned within the exterior wall structure, the interior wall structure at least partially defining an interior space configured to hold one or more products for shipping, and a chamber defined between the interior and exterior wall structure, the chamber configured to retain thermal storage medium to provide a thermally insulative layer at least partially protecting the interior space.

Abstract: A storage unit comprises a casing defining an interior space for holding at least one item, a thermal element lining an interior surface of at least one side of the casing, and at least one thermal battery thermally coupled to the thermal element.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A method of cooling foodstuff comprises immersing at least one perforated container containing foodstuff into an ice slurry bath for a period of time sufficient to allow ice slurry to enter the at least one perforated container and then subsequently removing the at least one perforated container from the ice slurry bath. Various apparatuses for cooling foodstuff are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting ice crystal formation on a heat exchange surface in an ice-making machine comprises at least one microphone monitoring the sound made by a rotating blade assembly within the ice-making machine during ice slurry formation. A filter filters the output of the microphone to remove background noise. A comparator receives the output of the filter and compares the filtered microphone output with a threshold to determine if the filtered microphone output signifies ice crystal formation on the heat exchange surface. The operation of the ice-making machine can then be adjusted in a manner to allow the formed ice crystals to be removed from the heat exchange surface.