System and method for charging insulated containers with cryogenic liquids

摘要

An insulated container (10) that is open on top and contains phase change material travels along a conveyor (14). The container initially stops under an infrared sensor (16) whereat its initial interior temperature is determined. A microprocessor (20) uses the temperature data to determine the amount of cryogenic liquid that must be added to the container so that its phase change material will be frozen to a predetermined temperature. A cryogenic liquid dispenser (22) charges the container with an amount of cryogenic liquid determined by the microprocessor. The cryogenic liquid dispenser includes a phase separator (36) which depressurizes cryogenic fluid received from a bulk storage tank (40). Once the container is charged, it may be loaded with perishables, examples of which include food, blood or chemicals. <IMAGE>