A device (1) for closing a chamber of a container having an opening for accessing the chamber comprises a plunger, a plunger seat (11), a container carrier (13) and a spacer (12). The plunger seat (11) releasably holds the plunger in a predefined alignment. The container carrier (13) is arranged to be connected to the container in a predefined position and alignment in relation to the opening of the container. The spacer (12) is arranged to position and align the plunger seat (11) adjacent to and distant from the container carrier (13) such that the opening of the container is open when the container is connected to the container carrier (13).

Techniques and technologies are generally described herein for providing shape memory polymer packaging for meat products from sheets or films of shape memory polymer material. Shape memory polymers are a class of smart materials which have the ability to return to their original or trained state from a deformed or temporary state when a stimulus is provided. The stimulus is typically a temperature change. The stimulus may also be exposure to an electric or magnetic field, exposure to light, or even exposure to a particular atmosphere, e.g., water. Shape memory polymers now include many materials, including both thermoplastic materials and thermoset materials (covalently cross-linked). The memory effect of the shape memory polymer is used to shape a meat product and to make the meat product more attractive to a consumer.

Methods of compressing a stented prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. The method including inserting a stented prosthetic heart valve having a self-expandable stent frame into a container, initiating a cooling element in the container, transferring heat through a thermal conductor to cool an interior of the container, reducing a temperature of the self-expandable stent frame while located within the container to a critical temperature of not greater than 8° C., and compressing an outer diameter of the stented prosthetic heart valve while the stented prosthetic heart valve is at the critical temperature.

Methods of compressing a stented prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. The method including inserting a stented prosthetic heart valve having a self-expandable stent frame into a container, initiating a cooling element in the container, transferring heat through a thermal conductor to cool an interior of the container, reducing a temperature of the self-expandable stent frame while located within the container to a critical temperature of not greater than 8° C., and compressing an outer diameter of the stented prosthetic heart valve while the stented prosthetic heart valve is at the critical temperature.

Examples of a pre-cooked instant food products and a process for preparing such food products are described. The process comprises the steps of i) steaming the food product for pre-determined time; ii) immersing the steamed food product in a high concentration cooled brine solution; iii) removing excess water from the surface of the food product; iv) packing a pre-determined amount of the food product into a container and sealing such container, and v) storing the containers of pre-cooked instant food products at temperatures of 2° C. or lower. The container is made of a material safe for keeping food products and is able to withstand temperatures higher than 90° C. The surface of the food product is coated with the salt from the brine solution to preserve it.

Examples of a pre-cooked instant food products and a process for preparing such food products are described. The process comprises the steps of i) steaming the food product for pre-determined time; ii) immersing the steamed food product in a high concentration cooled brine solution; iii) removing excess water from the surface of the food product; iv) packing a pre-determined amount of the food product into a container and sealing such container, and v) storing the containers of pre-cooked instant food products at temperatures of 2° C. or lower. The container is made of a material safe for keeping food products and is able to withstand temperatures higher than 90° C. The surface of the food product is coated with the salt from the brine solution to preserve it.

The present invention relates to a method for inducing artificial hibernation of fish that is capable of transporting the fish in a state of being alive for long hours. According to the present invention, a water temperature is gradually decreased from an initial water temperature to the lowest water temperature, the fish are induced to the artificial hibernation, and they are packed in a waterless state. The packing is carried out in an environment where the lowest water temperature is constantly maintained, and a refrigerant is also packed to constantly maintain a temperature in a packing container, while oxygen is continuously supplied to the live fish induced to the artificial hibernation. The fish are individually packed in the Styrofoam box, and even if an atmospheric pressure in the airport is lowered during transport of the fish, there is no danger of causing respiration of the fish to be hard due to a plastic bag damaged. Through the hibernation inducing method and packing capable of reducing stress of the fish, in addition, the fish can be alive in a waterless environment for 36 hours or more, thereby making possible to globally distribute the live fish.

The present invention relates to a method for inducing artificial hibernation of fish that is capable of transporting the fish in a state of being alive for long hours. According to the present invention, a water temperature is gradually decreased from an initial water temperature to the lowest water temperature, the fish are induced to the artificial hibernation, and they are packed in a waterless state. The packing is carried out in an environment where the lowest water temperature is constantly maintained, and a refrigerant is also packed to constantly maintain a temperature in a packing container, while oxygen is continuously supplied to the live fish induced to the artificial hibernation. The fish are individually packed in the Styrofoam box, and even if an atmospheric pressure in the airport is lowered during transport of the fish, there is no danger of causing respiration of the fish to be hard due to a plastic bag damaged. Through the hibernation inducing method and packing capable of reducing stress of the fish, in addition, the fish can be alive in a waterless environment for 36 hours or more, thereby making possible to globally distribute the live fish.

The present invention involves both an apparatus and an associated method for confirming the presence or absence of closures in a closure nest inside an aseptic chamber. The apparatus comprises a topographical profiler disposed to monitor the closure nests. Vertical displacements in topographical maps obtained by the profiler are compared with information from a database about the nest and closure combinations. Vertical displacements falling outside predetermined upper and lower bounds are deemed absences of closures. The topographical profiler may be disposed outside the aseptic chamber. The system may be automated via a controller and suitable software. In some embodiments the nests and disposed in the monitored area by robotic articulated arms. In other embodiments the closure nests are moved by vacuum pickup systems. The system and method may also be employed to assess the suitability of a closure nest for closing in an aseptic chamber containers in a container nest.

The present invention involves both an apparatus and an associated method for confirming the presence or absence of closures in a closure nest inside an aseptic chamber. The apparatus comprises a topographical profiler disposed to monitor the closure nests. Vertical displacements in topographical maps obtained by the profiler are compared with information from a database about the nest and closure combinations. Vertical displacements falling outside predetermined upper and lower bounds are deemed absences of closures. The topographical profiler may be disposed outside the aseptic chamber. The system may be automated via a controller and suitable software. In some embodiments the nests and disposed in the monitored area by robotic articulated arms. In other embodiments the closure nests are moved by vacuum pickup systems. The system and method may also be employed to assess the suitability of a closure nest for closing in an aseptic chamber containers in a container nest.