A vacuum assisted storage device may include a body having one or more walls which may define a storage cavity. Objects may be positioned within the storage cavity, and the storage cavity may be surrounded by an air impermeable material. The body may comprise a cavity closure which may govern access to the storage cavity by being movable between a closed position and an open position. When the cavity closure is in the closed position, air may be prevented from entering the storage cavity. A vacuum pump may be in communication with the storage cavity, and the vacuum pump may be operable to pump air out of the storage cavity thereby decreasing the volume of the storage cavity and optionally decreasing the size of one or more objects within the storage cavity.

A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which comprises: a body; and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material (not shown), the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position (shown in FIG. 8) where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position (shown in FIG. 9) which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The device is characterized in that the body slideably supports the sample collection member, and in that the body or collection member include a ramp-like projection portion (116 FIG. 10) operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect said transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

An electrostatic discharge bag may include a bottom portion, and a front portion integrally connected to the bottom portion and including a first inside-out creased edge. The electrostatic bag may include a first side portion integrally connected to the bottom portion and the front portion and including a second inside-out creased edge and a first pair of outside-in creased edges, and a second side portion integrally connected to the bottom portion and the front portion and including a third inside-out creased edge and a second pair of outside-in creased edges. The first and second pairs of outside-in creased edges may enable the electrostatic discharge bag to collapse inward and downward toward the bottom portion. The electrostatic discharge bag may include a rear portion integrally connected to the bottom portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion and including a fourth inside-out creased edge.

An electrostatic discharge bag may include a bottom portion, and a front portion integrally connected to the bottom portion and including a first inside-out creased edge. The electrostatic bag may include a first side portion integrally connected to the bottom portion and the front portion and including a second inside-out creased edge and a first pair of outside-in creased edges, and a second side portion integrally connected to the bottom portion and the front portion and including a third inside-out creased edge and a second pair of outside-in creased edges. The first and second pairs of outside-in creased edges may enable the electrostatic discharge bag to collapse inward and downward toward the bottom portion. The electrostatic discharge bag may include a rear portion integrally connected to the bottom portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion and including a fourth inside-out creased edge.

Combination beverage containers and storage vessels. Various embodiments are configured to store a consumable beverage or otherwise consumable liquid as well as at least one second item which may comprise an edible foodstuff, toy, novelty, etc. all in one convenient container. In some embodiments, the second items may be stored directly in the vessel separated from the liquid or the second items may be stored in a second container that may be removably seated in a portion of the vessel. The vessels may or may not be hand-held.

Combination beverage containers and storage vessels. Various embodiments are configured to store a consumable beverage or otherwise consumable liquid as well as at least one second item which may comprise an edible foodstuff, toy, novelty, etc. all in one convenient container. In some embodiments, the second items may be stored directly in the vessel separated from the liquid or the second items may be stored in a second container that may be removably seated in a portion of the vessel. The vessels may or may not be hand-held.

A multilayer container for elevated temperature, high pressure processing of a material within the container, using a pressure transmission liquid within the container, the multilayer container having, a container wall having an inner layer formed of a plastic for containing the liquid in contact with the inner side thereof and at least one further layer outboard of the inner layer and formed of different plastic from the inner layer, wherein the inner layer has a compression heating coefficient at least as high as the compression heating coefficient of the pressure transmission liquid in contact with the inner side thereof and the at least one further layer has a lower thermal conductivity at ambient pressure and temperature than the inner layer.

A multilayer container for elevated temperature, high pressure processing of a material within the container, using a pressure transmission liquid within the container, the multilayer container having, a container wall having an inner layer formed of a plastic for containing the liquid in contact with the inner side thereof and at least one further layer outboard of the inner layer and formed of different plastic from the inner layer, wherein the inner layer has a compression heating coefficient at least as high as the compression heating coefficient of the pressure transmission liquid in contact with the inner side thereof and the at least one further layer has a lower thermal conductivity at ambient pressure and temperature than the inner layer.

A package of smokeless tobacco includes a flavor patch located in the package to provide flavor to smokeless tobacco. Also disclosed is a method of packaging smokeless tobacco by combining a package with a flavor patch disposed inside the package, the flavor patch comprising a flavor and an adsorbent, so that the flavor patch resides in an interior of the package; and adding smokeless tobacco to the package with the flavor patch.

A package of smokeless tobacco includes a flavor patch located in the package to provide flavor to smokeless tobacco. Also disclosed is a method of packaging smokeless tobacco by combining a package with a flavor patch disposed inside the package, the flavor patch comprising a flavor and an adsorbent, so that the flavor patch resides in an interior of the package; and adding smokeless tobacco to the package with the flavor patch.