Treating An Article Patents (Class 62/62)
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Publication number: 20100242504Abstract: The present invention provides a process for controlling the cooling phase of a container to be cooled for a heat-regenerating adsorption system with the following process steps: definition of a cooling phase cut-off temperature as a function of at least one parameter which is characteristic of the cooling process, recording the outlet temperature of a cooling fluid emerging from the container to be cooled by means of an outlet temperature recording device, and termination of the cooling phase when the recorded outlet temperature of the emerging cooling fluid falls below the defined cooling phase cut-off temperature. The present invention also provides a device for a heat-regenerating adsorption system for controlling the cooling phase of a container to be cooled in accordance with this process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: KAESER KOMPRESSOREN GMBHInventor: Andreas FREDENHAGEN
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Publication number: 20100223936Abstract: A linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for reciprocating movement therein along an axis, the linear compressor having means for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis and means for buffering kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating movement of the compressor piston. The linear compressor includes an elastic element made from composite material operatively associated with at least one of the means for guiding and the means for buffering.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2007Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbHInventor: Jan-Grigor Schubert
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Publication number: 20100220311Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a container configured to contain a coolant within a space. The apparatus further includes a cooling block positioned substantially within the space and having a high heat capacity such that the space not occupied by the cooling block is filled with a coolant to a level at or below the top of the cooling block, and a placement structure having high thermal conductivity positioned on top of the cooling block and outside of the space. A method for cooling an object is also provided, which includes inserting a coolant into a container configured to contain the coolant within a space, and placing the object on a placement structure outside the space. For this method, the placement structure has a high thermal conductivity and is coupled to a cooling block, the cooling block having a high heat capacity and positioned substantially within the space. A two-stage cooling apparatus and method is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Matt Hall, Ren Lu, Wuyi Wang
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Publication number: 20100218515Abstract: An apparatus for chilling beverage containers such as bottles or cans includes a fluid tank containing chilling liquid cooled by a refrigeration unit and a membrane of collapsible thermoplastic polyurethane includes an internal chamber for supporting the container in the liquid, the membrane in the form of a shaped sleeve that surrounds the container to prevent the container coming into direct contact with the chilling liquid but which permits the liquid to transfer heat from the container to cool the contents of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Harvey S. Fink, Lawrrence J. Nolan, Jerry J. Jagodmnski
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Publication number: 20100205982Abstract: A device is disclosed for cooling an energy accumulator in a rail vehicle. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the energy accumulator has a direct thermal connection to an evaporator and the evaporator and a condenser form part of a circuit of a refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Peter Eckert, Michael Meinert, Karsten Rechenberg
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Publication number: 20100199692Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling method and a supercooling apparatus which can maintain an object in a supercooled state. According to the present invention, a supercooling method includes a first cooling step of cooling a stored object toward a cooling temperature below a phase transition temperature thereof, a step of judging whether the stored object is released from a supercooled state in the first cooling step, a step of thawing the stored object when the stored object is released from the supercooled state, and a second cooling step of cooling the stored object toward a cooling temperature below zero that is higher than the lowest temperature of the stored object before the release of the supercooled state, wherein the first cooling step is continuously performed when the object is maintained in the supercooled state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Deok-Hyun Youn, Jae-Hyun Soh, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Won-Young Chung, Hoon Bong Lee
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Publication number: 20100186428Abstract: Heat exchanger, in particular for use in a climate chamber, as well as to a climate chamber provided with such a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger essentially comprises a panel-shaped body (21) of heat-conducting material, which body is provided with fluid lines (22, 23, 24) for the passage of a fluid. The panel-shaped body (21) is provided with perforations (25, 26) for the passage of a gas stream (A) directed transversely to the plane of the panel-shaped body. The heat exchanger is furthermore provided with a medium, supply duct. (27) for supplying a gaseous medium to a plurality of gassing ducts (28). The gassing ducts (28) run parallel to one another along the panel-shaped body (21) and the interior of each gassing duct in each case touches a part of the panel-shaped body (21).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventor: Tjitze Meter
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Publication number: 20100175392Abstract: Provided are electrocaloric devices, pyroelectric devices and methods of forming them. A device which can be a pyroelectric energy generator or an electrocaloric cooling device, can include a first single-layer heat engine having a first side configured to be in contact with a first reservoir and a second side configured to be in contact with a second reservoir, wherein the first reservoir comprises a fluid. The device can also include a second single-layer heat engine having a first side in contact with the first reservoir and a second side in contact with a third reservoir and a channel disposed between the first single-layer heat engine and the second single-layer heat engine, the channel configured to transport the fluid from a first end to a second end. The device can further include one or more power supplies configured to apply voltages to the first and the second single-layer heat engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventors: Kevin J. Malloy, Richard I. Epstein
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Publication number: 20100152895Abstract: A shock freezer for rapidly freezing a sample preparatory to analysis, comprises an insulated closed container containing cryogenic fluid; a tubing disposed through the container having one end in contact with the cryogenic fluid and another end communicating outside the container, the another end for receiving a needle containing a sample to be shock frozen. The tubing has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide a space between an inside surface of the tubing and an outside surface of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide passageway for the cryogenic fluid to flow to the outside. An outlet communicates with an interior of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventor: Zhengshan Dai
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Publication number: 20100107658Abstract: A cooling system and method for cooling devices housed in a data center. A cabinet housing a set of condenser coils is located within the data center positioned on its floor and including fans for drawing air passed the condenser coils and exiting the device angularly to the floor of the data center. The present invention also contemplates the use of redundant compressors and condensers, a system that includes a secondary evaporator coil and configuration which enables the device, under certain conditions, to bypass its compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventor: Richard Erwin Cockrell
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Patent number: 7691626Abstract: A self-contained cell culture apparatus and method of use in which a cell culture may be stored frozen for an extended period, then thawed, incubated and grown in a closed system without additional processing or added constituents. The apparatus and method readily lend themselves to automated handling and analysis by MEMS devices, and find particular application in micro gravity and/or high radiation environments. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Edward R. B. McCabe, Urvashi Bhardwaj, Zakir Rangwala, Yao Hua Zhang
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Publication number: 20100071387Abstract: The method for cooling a liquid (2) in which a coolant comprising a refrigeration-liquefied gas is introduced into the liquid (2) and the corresponding device (1) make possible, in an advantageously simple manner, the production of cooled liquids (2), which, for example, can be used as process water in the production of freshly mixed concrete. In this case the enthalpy content of the coolant, preferably of liquid nitrogen, is utilized in a good manner, by firstly using the vaporization enthalpy, and secondly the heating of the nitrogen after vaporization up to ice temperature, for cooling the liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gerhard Gross, Johannes Beuse, Thomas Kutz, Friedel Theissen, Marc Sporing
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Publication number: 20100075016Abstract: A tempering treatment method whereby the temperature of meat, which involves carcass prepared by slaughtering cattle or poultry and sterilizing and washing, is lowered as close to the ice storage temperature as possible to prevent a temperature rise caused by the actions of enzymes contained within the meat before transporting the meant to a refrigerated storage, which comprises surface-freezing the meat by blowing a cold air stream at about ?20 to about ?40° C. to the meant before conducting the tempering treatment, thus allowing the generation of freezing latent heat in the subcutaneous part owing to the surface-freezing (freezing the subcutaneous tissue), and then rapidly lowering the core temperature inside the meat due to the latent heat released at the melting of the freezing latent heat to thereby conduct the tempering treatment at a temperature of 0 to +15° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoto OKAMOTO, Suguru SAKURAMOTO, Takahiro ARAI, Kouichi TSUBATA, Akira TANIYAMA
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Publication number: 20100064698Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology may involve the use of layered, insulated PCM assemblage that itself comprises: modular insulating foam material 8 that, upon establishment as part of the assemblage, defines inner foam material sides 9 and outer foam material sides 10; thin reflective material 11 established against (whether directly in contact with or not) at least either the inner foam material sides or the outer foam materials sides, and modular, enclosed PCM sections 12 established between the modular insulating foam material and the interior center.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: The University of Wyoming Research Corporation d/b/a Western Research InstituteInventors: John F. Schabron, Susan S. Sorini-Wong, Greg Wong
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Publication number: 20100037630Abstract: The beverage dispensing cooler is a cooler for storing food, drinks, cans, beverages and the like which is divided into a plurality of tubes. Each tube has a slide handle therein which slides the containers outward for easy access via the front of the cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventor: Glenn A. Gadson
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Publication number: 20100041094Abstract: A mobile intra-operative microscopic diagnosis laboratory capable of analyzing fresh tissue specimens and providing intra-operative consultation within 20 minutes is described. The mobile laboratory is preferably a van and contains a cryostat for freezing the fresh tissue specimens and a means for cutting the specimens. In addition, it also contains the means for reading the slides to make microscopic diagnosis and a means for handling for fresh tissue and a means for indicating various locations in the specimen, preferably by inking them. It preferably contains a stainer for staining the samples and an intercom for communicating the microscopic diagnosis back to the operating room.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventor: V. Raman Sukumar
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Publication number: 20100011785Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally provide a load lock chamber capable of controlling the temperature of the substrate therein. The load lock chamber may have one or more cooling fluid introduction passages that extend across the chamber. Cooling fluid, such as nitrogen gas, may flow through the cooling fluid passage and enter the load lock chamber. The cooling fluid passages may have openings to permit the cooling fluid to exit the passages and enter the load lock chamber. The openings may be arranged to permit a greater amount of cooling fluid to enter the load lock at locations corresponding to the substrate positions that are in contact with an end effector that places the substrate into the load lock chamber. Additionally, the openings may be arranged to permit a greater amount if cooling fluid to enter the load lock chamber in the center of the chamber as compared to the edge of the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Mehran Behdjat, Shinichi Kurita, Makoto Inagawa
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Publication number: 20100005814Abstract: A method for cooling a cryostat configuration (1, 1?) during transport, wherein the cryostat configuration (1) comprises a superconducting magnet coil (2) in a helium tank (8) containing liquid helium (9), which is surrounded by at least one radiation shield (10), wherein the cooling inside the cryostat configuration (1, 1?) in stationary operation is performed entirely without liquid nitrogen by means of a refrigerator, characterized in that during transport, the refrigerator is switched off and instead, liquid nitrogen (6) is conducted from an external nitrogen vessel (4) via a supply tube (7) from the nitrogen vessel (4) to the cryostat configuration (1, 1?) and brought into thermal contact with the radiation shield (10) by means of a thermal contact element (11) in the cryostat configuration (1, 1?). In this way, the consumption of liquid helium during transport can be greatly reduced and the possible transport time of a charged superconducting magnet configuration increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Bruker BioSpin GmbHInventor: Marco Strobel
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Publication number: 20100005828Abstract: One embodiment of a disposable/reusable beverage cooling device adapted for use with an insulated beverage holder, may be comprised of an enclosure and a refrigerant. One enclosure may be comprised of a generally flexible and substantially leak-proof reusable, recyclable or biodegradable material having a shape adapted to be received by a beverage insulator cavity. The enclosure may generally surround the refrigerant material, which may be comprised of a generally non-toxic environmentally friendly and/or biodegradable gelatinous material. Upon placing one or more cold beverage cooling devices into the beverage insulator cavity, a beverage container may be placed into the cavity proximal the cooling device. The cooling device may be adapted to keep the beverage and beverage container in the insulator at a lower temperature for a longer period.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventor: David Fedell
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Publication number: 20100000236Abstract: A method of freezing food for later thawing and use which includes the steps of packing a food product in a container for freezing, cooling the food substantially throughout the bulk thereof to about 10° C. and then cooling the food substantially throughout the bulk thereof preferably from about 10° C. to about ?10° C. in approximately 10 minutes to less than approximately 40 minutes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventor: Hideyoshi OKITA
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Patent number: 7634917Abstract: The invention relates to a cryoapparatus for freezing and/or thawing a sample (1), especially in the cryopreservation of a biological sample (1), with a coolable cooling space (3) and with a sample container (10) arranged in the cooling space (3) for temporarily receiving the sample (1) when freezing or thawing the sample (1). It is suggested that the sample container (10) can be tempered separately from the cooling space. Furthermore, the invention includes an associated operating method.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Günter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann, Young-Joo Oh, Uwe Schön
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Publication number: 20090308084Abstract: A cooler/counter merchandising display unit combination wherein a merchandising cooler is integrated into various counter arrangements, the cooler being substantially contained within the footprint of the merchandising counter or check-out counter arrangement. In one embodiment, a modular refrigerated cooler is interfaced with a docking base unit which can be positioned, secured or interfaced at the end of a particular service counter, or between two counter portions. In another embodiment, the docking base unit is integrally formed into the merchandising counter and the modular refrigerated cooler is again interfaced with the integrated docking base unit. In still another embodiment, the service counter, docking base unit and refrigerated cooler are all integrated into a one-piece counter arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: PRESENCE FROM INNOVATION, LLCInventors: Robert E. Kreutzer, Donald J. Miller, JR.
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Patent number: 7632469Abstract: A specimen holder for a high-pressure freezing device comprises a first shaped part (2) and a second shaped part (3) that form, in the mutually joined state, a specimen space (6). The first shaped part (2) is embodied in a cup shape, and possesses a bottom (5) that closes off the specimen chamber (6) toward the outside to prevent contact between the specimen and a pressure medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventor: Fritz Bierleutgeb
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Publication number: 20090282843Abstract: A blank, carton, package, and method for enclosing a plurality of containers in a carton is disclosed. The carton includes first and second top panels, first and second side panels, and a bottom panel. The top panels each include separation lines with one top panel disposed over the other top panel when formed as a carton. The carton is openable along the separation lines to expose the containers. The carton is capable of receiving a cooling substance therewithin when the top panels are separated along the separation lines. The carton including at least two handle tear lines with a handle disposed therebetween. The handle capable of being engaged to move the carton or package as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventor: Kirsten L. Brand
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Publication number: 20090255293Abstract: The present invention provides an easy and convenient way of cooling or chilling beverage containers. An ice mold is filled with water. The water is froze in the ice mold to form a block of ice having at least one beverage recess formed therein. The block of ice is removed from the ice mold and placed in the basin of the sink such that the block of ice is closely supported by the basin of the sink and beverage containers can be received in the beverage recesses in the block of ice.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Rohit Ravindran Thali, Shawn J. Booth
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Publication number: 20090193817Abstract: The invention concerns a method for refrigerating one or more thermal loads which consists in providing a first CO2 source derived from a mechanical cold system, and in feeding one or more evaporators from said first source so as to cause the CO2 to evaporate thereby cooling said one or more thermal loads. The method is characterized in that it consists in providing a second CO2 source, consisting of a cryogenic storage of CO2, and in inputting CO2 from said second source, so that the flow rate of fluid feeding the evaporator(s) is a mixture of liquid CO2 derived from said first source and liquid CO2 derived from said second source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSInventors: Jean-Pierre Germain, Didier Alo, Jean-Yves Thonnelier
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Patent number: 7568353Abstract: A method of storing biological samples in which the biological samples are stored in a stack within a vessel interior of an insulated vessel. A pool of liquid cryogen is maintained within the vessel interior by condensing cryogenic vapor boiled off of the pool of liquid cryogen with a cryocooler having a cold finger. The cryocooler and cold finger are positioned so that a cold heat exchanger of the cold finger is in thermal contact with the cryogenic vapor and is positioned above the stack, so as to also maintain a temperature difference within the insulated vessel, between a bottom region of the stack and a top region of the stack, of no greater than about 65K.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bryce Mark Rampersad, John Henri Royal, Barry Alan Minbiole
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Publication number: 20090183515Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and dispensing frozen edible products is provided, comprising a chill cabinet inside which is situated an insulated container equipped with passive cooling means, and which contains one or more frozen edible products. A method for displaying and dispensing frozen edible products from the apparatus is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Michael John Hale, Daniel Matthew Mayes
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Publication number: 20090158754Abstract: This invention disclosed a freezer; and it's control method. The freezer includes the casing and the top board, on which a pad for placing wine cups and bottles and for easy wine pouring is equipped. There is a fast cooling chamber at the ventilation opening of the freezer, and a clapboard to adjust temperature is placed in the freezer, dividing the freezer into two chambers vertically. Air return openings are equipped above and beneath the clapboard. The said fast cooling chamber includes an air outlet pipe. The pipe is fixed on the wall of the freezer, just wrapping the ventilation opening. The said clapboard to adjust temperature includes a board, sealed with tapes at both front and back, making the front part joint the glass door and the back part joint the internal wall of the freezer. At the same time, the air return opening can be open or closed dependent on need to form different temperature control of the fast cooling chamber and the two chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicants: QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL ICEBOX CO., LTD, HAIER GROUP COMPANYInventors: Biao LI, Jianlin Song, Deku Tian, Jingchun Wang, Yue Liu, Jianfang Zhao, Cheng Hu, Gang Li
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Publication number: 20090151366Abstract: A specimen carrier bag of the type useful for transporting clinical specimens from a specimen collection site to a laboratory site for analysis is provided with a small, light weight preferably disposable refrigerator unit which can be stored for extended periods without loss of cooling capacity and activated for cooling specimens in the carrier bag during transport, thereby avoiding the need to keep dry ice on hand for this purpose. In presently preferred embodiments the refrigerator unit has a battery driven compressor for circulating a working fluid such as freon or a battery powered thermoelectric heat pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventor: Abner Levy
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Publication number: 20090151365Abstract: The present invention provides azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245cb) with either the Z isomer of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yeZ) alone or with mixtures of the E and Z isomers of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225 yeZ and HFO-1225 yeE) and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants, and in process for separating azeotrope-like mixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Hang T. Pham, Ryan J. Hulse, Rajiv R. Singh
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Publication number: 20090139248Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the transport of temperature sensitive products including an insulated container, an insulated lid, a fastener to secure the lid to the container, an active heat exchanger, a thermal circuit to circulate heat exchange, a temperature sensor read by a temperature regulating circuit that maintains a temperature range, a power source, and a support frame that arranges the elements of the device with the overall center of mass at a location adapted for transport and storage of the device. Disclosed is also a method of transport for temperature sensitive products including securing the temperature sensitive product within an insulated container with a lid, removing heat from the container to maintain a temperature range, strapping the device onto the user's back and adjusting to the shape of the user, freeing both hands during transport of the device, and minimizing hindrances to user mobility caused by the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: ETHAN J. CRUMLIN, GEOFF BECKER, SHAUNA JIN, AMY LAI WONG, NATHAN BARKER BALL, GABRIEL NESTOR SANCHEZ, DANIEL GEORGE WALKER, CHRISTOPHER PAUL POSSINGER, OLUMUYIWA ONI, EMILY SMITH, KABIR JAMES MUKADDAM, MYRAIDA A. VEGA GONZALEZ
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Publication number: 20090139247Abstract: Rapid chilling apparatus for beverages comprising a receptacle (2) adapted to accommodate beverage containers (3) of differing length, and cooling means adapted to cool down said receptacle (2), wherein said receptacle (2) comprises a plurality of electrodes (4) arranged in succession one after the other along an inner surface (5) of said receptacle (2), said inner surface (5) being adapted to support a container (3) in such manner that the electrodes (4) turn out as being distributed along the whole length of the container (3), said electrodes (4) being connected to circuit means (6) adapted to detect and measure the capacitance value on each electrode (4) as brought about by the presence of a container (3) made of a conductive material in proximity of the same electrode (4) so as to determine the actual length of the container (3), or, in the case of a container (3) made of a non-conductive material, said capacitance value as brought about by the presence, inside the container, of beverage liquid in proximiType: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.Inventors: Girish Pimputkar, Andrei Uhov, Roberto Giordano
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Publication number: 20090133411Abstract: A method and system for controlled rate freezing of biological materials is provided. The presently disclosed system and method provides the ability to rapidly cool the biological materials contained in vials or other containers within a cooling unit via forced convective cooling using a laminar and uniform flow of cryogen in proximity to the plurality of vials disposed within the cooling unit. The rapid cooling of the biological materials is achieved by precisely controlling and adjusting the temperature of the cryogen being introduced to the system as a function of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventor: Alan Cheng
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Publication number: 20090133410Abstract: A method and devices for rapid cooling of small biological samples by plunging them in a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, or contacting them with a cryogenic metal surface, reduce or eliminate the cold gas layer that forms above the liquid cryogens or cryogenic surfaces, producing an abrupt transition from ambient (e.g., room) temperature to the cryogen temperature as the sample enters the liquid or contacts the surface. To reduce or eliminate the effects of the cold gas layer, a flow of warm dry gas can be directed along the plunge path, for example. By removing this cold gas layer, cooling times for a 10 micron sample (the size of single cells and the smallest protein crystals now used protein crystallography) will decrease to ˜0.001 s.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Robert E. Thorne, Matthew W. Warkentin, Viatcheslav Berejnov
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Patent number: 7531769Abstract: A vacuum furnace adapted to cool a load. The vacuum furnace has one or more means for cooling a fluid and a muffle substantially comprised of carbon fiber composite and substantially containing the load. The fluid flows in a substantially unidirectional flow substantially within the muffle.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Inventor: Guy Smith
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Publication number: 20090094994Abstract: A beverage container is provided with an integral cooling element to maintain a beverage at a cooled temperature after exposure to a warmer environment. The cooling element incorporates use of solid/liquid phase change material. When the beverage is chilled, the phase change material is maintained in a solid state below its melting temperature. When the beverage container is exposed to a warmer environment, such as during consumption, the phase change material undergoes a phase change thereby absorbing heat from the surrounding beverage. The cooling element can either be attached to the inside of the container or free-floating, but in either case, is in direct contact with the beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Mark Alan Willcoxen, Daniel Alan Thieman
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Publication number: 20090077997Abstract: A cooling container is provided for keeping food held in any size food container cool during serving. The cooling container is made from flexible fabric with elastic about its edge. The fabric has a plurality of cooling chambers filled with a cooling medium about its surface. The cooling container is placed into a freezer until the cooling medium is frozen. Then, the cooling container may be placed around a food container by stretching its elastic portion around the food container. If the cooling container thaws, it can be easily removed and replaced with a second frozen cooling container. The first cooling container may be re-used or disposed of.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Christine Lowrey, Patricia Falk
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Publication number: 20090064691Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling goods presentation refrigerator for presenting refrigerated goods or frozen goods, with a vertical access opening to the goods chamber that is subdivided into vertically superposed compartments. The current of cooling air is conducted out of the head part directly into the shelf compartments arranged underneath it, during which the cooling air flows from the top downward through one shelf compartment after the other and from the lowest shelf compartment it is trapped in a collection chamber arranged underneath it and subsequently prepared by the cooling unit for the next circulation. The head part of the goods presentation refrigerator comprises an air-permeable separating wall against the adjacent shelf compartment. The shelf compartment bottoms are air-permeable, so that the current of cooling air can flow successively downward through the shelf compartments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventor: Albert Weiss
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Publication number: 20090064690Abstract: A cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system and method are provided. The disclosed system includes a mechanical freezer compartment adapted for freezing food products, a cryogen injection system adapted to directly inject cryogen into the mechanical freezer compartment, an exhaust system adapted to rapidly evacuate cryogen vapors from the freezer compartment; and a freezer control system adapted to operatively control the exhaust system and cryogen injection system in response to selected inputs. The selected inputs may include user inputs as well as inputs received from a temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment and a gas analyzer adapted to monitor concentrations of selected gases within the freezer compartment. Access to the freezer compartment is prevented during cryogen injection and when the atmosphere in the freezer compartment is not safe as determined by the gas analyzer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: John Martin Girard, David Joseph King, Theodore Hall Gasteyer, III, John Nicholas Hryn, Raymond James Schaeffer
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Patent number: 7497087Abstract: A liquid cooler is disclosed that includes a housing and at least two heatsinks attached with the housing. The heatsinks each include a top wall with an inwardly facing wall, a bottom wall with an inner surface, interior sidewalls and an interior lower wall. The inner surface is formed to surround and contact a portion of an outer surface of a container. The inwardly facing wall, the interior sidewalls, and the interior lower wall define a cavity. The interior lower wall of the cavity includes at least one heat fin. An outer covering is included and surrounds the heatsink. A method of rotation is provided to rotate the heatsink and the outer covering.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Inventor: Philip Molfese
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Publication number: 20090023128Abstract: A cryopreservation storage device (100), in particular for cryopreservation of biological samples, comprises a plurality of multi sample modules (20) being adapted for accommodating the biological samples and sample memories, a module control device (30) controlling an access to sample memories accommodated by the multi sample modules (20), and a data interface (41) for accessing to the module control device (30), wherein the module control device (30) includes a data management processor (31), which can be controlled via the data interface (41). Furthermore, a cryopreservation apparatus including at least one cryopreservation storage device (100) and a method for cryopreservation of biological samples are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Heiko Zimmermann, Günter R. Fuhr, Stephen Shirley, Frank Ihmig
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Publication number: 20090019865Abstract: Various embodiments for an apparatus and method for preparing frozen tissue specimens are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a sample container for receiving an excised tissue sample and embedding material. The sample container includes a flat base along which the tissue sample is flattened. The apparatus further includes a freezing box with a freezing platform and a freezing agent. The sample container is placed on the freezing platform to begin the freezing process. A chuck with a generally planar surface can be placed on the sample container during the freezing process joining the chuck, tissue specimen, and sample container base in generally parallel planes. In some cases, the sample container can be made from a suitable material, such as plastic, that is at least semi-transparent to allow visual confirmation of tissue flatness and freezing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Colin Henderson, Claire Temple-Oberle
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Publication number: 20090000769Abstract: A temperature controlled loadlock chamber for use in semiconductor processing is provided. The temperature controlled loadlock chamber may include one or more of an adjustable fluid pump, mass flow controller, one or more temperature sensors, and a controller. The adjustable fluid pump provides fluid having a predetermined temperature to a temperature-controlled plate. The mass flow controller provides gas flow into the chamber that may also aid in maintaining a desired temperature. Additionally, one or more temperature sensors may be combined with the adjustable fluid pump and/or the mass flow controller to provide feedback and to provide a greater control over the temperature. A controller may be added to control the adjustable fluid pump and the mass flow controller based upon temperature readings from the one or more temperature sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Chun-Hsien Lin, Jyh-Cherng Sheu, Ming-Feng Yoo, Kewei Zuo
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Patent number: 7464593Abstract: A new and improved metallurgic treatment and verification system and method. The system comprising several components in combination. First provided is an object to be tested. The object has a structural resonant frequency. Next provided is a vibration analyzer having a signal sending component and a signal receiver. Lastly provided is a cooling chamber having an enclosed space therein. The method comprises performing a first vibrational test on an object, and then cooling the object. The object is cooled for a specified amount of time and then allowed to return to ambient temperature at a rate determined by the physical characteristics of the object. A second vibrational test is performed and the data is compared with the first vibrational test to determine the effectiveness of the thermal treatment of the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventor: Francis Masyada
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Publication number: 20080276771Abstract: A machining method and an article manufactured therefrom, the method improving mechanical properties in a work surface by performing a very shallow machining pass using a cutting tool, in combination with application of a cryogenic fluid to the work surface and the cutting tool, the combination compressive force and cryogenic cooling increasing hardness, increasing compressive residual stress, and reducing surface roughness in the manufactured article.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Ranajit Ghosh, Daniel James Gibson
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Patent number: 7449546Abstract: A method of storing solutions of reduced glutathione for extended periods of time, by dissolving reduced glutathione in an aqueous medium having a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 to produce a reduced glutathione solution; reducing the temperature of the reduced glutathione solution to a predetermined temperature which is sufficiently low to prevent oxidative dimerization of glutathione without freezing the aqueous medium; and storing the reduced glutathione solution at the predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Kromar Medical CorporationInventors: Rod Harbin, Larry Stephens
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Publication number: 20080271476Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for cooling a plurality of containers. Preferably, the apparatus and method comprise a plurality of compartments operable to receive and retain the plurality of containers. Further, a liner is provided that is in operative engagement with at least two of the compartments. The liner is provided with chemicals that cause an endothermic reaction to cool the compartments when the chemicals are activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventor: Elias Langguth
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Patent number: 7434410Abstract: A reversible ice chest is shown having oppositely arranged, hinged lids. The lids allow the ice chest to be open and filled from either of two opposite directions. This allows a user to, for example, place drinks to be cooled on top of ice in a half filled chest. The chest would then be turned upside down, thereby covering the drinks with ice. The drinks could be accessed through the lid which is now facing up toward the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Inventor: Robert G. Ford
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Publication number: 20080209919Abstract: A system can include a heat transfer structure and a heat exchanger. The heat transfer structure is to cool an object, and the heat exchanger is to cool a portion of the heat transfer structure. The system can be cooled significantly faster than a conventional system that uses conductive cooling. The system has no or less liquid cryogen that would be vaporized as compared to a conventional system that immerses the object to be cooled within a bath of liquid cryogen or has a substantial mass of liquid cryogen within a cooling loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: PHILIPS MEDICAL SYSTEMS MR, INC.Inventors: Robert A. Ackermann, Philippe Menteur, Chandra T. Reis