A sealing plate for use with a packaging machine that integrates a seal formed indicia into a portion of a package seal. A package having a seal formed indicia integrated into the package seal, which when the package is opened undergoes undergo a visual transformation, and a method of making the same.

An automatic replenishing system for automatically replenishing preservative gas within a compressible bladder for supply to the inner volume of a vessel. A compressible bladder has an outer wall and an inner volume. A supply conduit receives preservative gas from a source, and a discharge conduit supplies preservative gas to a vessel. An inflation detection system detect a first condition wherein the compressible bladder is inflated to a state of inflation and a second condition wherein the compressible bladder is inflated below the state of inflation. A valve system is operative to prevent preservative gas from flowing from the source of preservative gas and into the compressible bladder when the compressible bladder is in the first condition and to permit preservative gas to flow from the source of preservative gas and into the compressible bladder when the compressible bladder is in the second condition.

A label with a microchannel for venting a package.

A device for controlling package pressure and gas flow for a packaged good comprises a film having a first opening for exposure to the inside of a package and a second opening for exposure to the outside of a package. A channel extends between the first opening and the second opening. The dimensions of the channel are configured to control the rate of flow of CO.sub.2 (cc/min @ 1 PSI) from the inside of the package to the outside of the package and control the oxygen transmission rate (cc/day/Atm) from the outside of the package to the inside of the package so that a flow of CO.sub.2/OTR ratio is at an acceptable level for the packaged good.

A cartridge and a method for testing a biological sample are provided, wherein the cartridge is filled, in an open packaging, with the sample to be tested, and wherein the packaging holds and/or supports the cartridge in a latching manner in an open state.

A self-sealing container, used for transferring one or more air sensitive samples between vacuum systems, includes a housing with a cavity that holds the sample(s), and a lid disposed on top of the housing. The lid is configured to interface with the housing to form a seal over the cavity when the lid is closed. At least two flexure systems, each coupled to the housing and the lid, are disposed on opposing sides of the housing. The flexure systems apply forces to the lid that move the lid horizontally and vertically above the housing, into an open position. A pneumatic actuator, movably coupled to the housing and the lid, that is actuated by a change in ambient pressure. When actuated, it applies forces that move the lid horizontally and vertically to the closed position, in opposition to and in excess of the forces applied by the flexure systems.

A storage system for storing a product sensitive to oxygen or moisture includes a container with a bottom, a top edge defining a top opening, and a wall extending between the bottom and the top edge. The bottom, top edge, and wall define an inside volume. The system further includes a sealing member removably attached to the top edge and sealing the top opening, and a scavenger element in fluid communication with the inside volume, where the scavenger element is constructed to absorb moisture, oxygen, or a combination thereof. The wall and the bottom of the container include layers with at least one of an in-mold label, an oxygen barrier, or a moisture barrier. The system may further include a scavenger compartment and a retainer disc for retaining the scavenging element in the scavenger compartment. The container may optionally be flushed with an inert gas and hermetically sealed, and be closed with a lid.

A system that includes a plurality of banana containers is provided. Each banana container has a first container end to receive an unpeeled banana and a second container end. The system includes a gas dispensing regulator connected to a plurality of banana containers. The gas dispensing regulator includes a plurality of gas meters having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of banana containers. A corresponding meter is connected to the second container end of a corresponding banana container to dispense a corresponding amount of ripening gas into the corresponding banana container. The system can limit the pressure of the ripening gas in the banana container using the closing device to vary the ripening rate of the bananas. This can avoid spoiling the taste of the bananas.

A package comprises an airtight container having an oxygen permeability of less than or equal to 15 ml/m.sup.2dMPa and water vapor permeability of less than or equal to 2 g/m.sup.2d, and a sub-nano membrane structure accommodated in the airtight container. The sub-nano membrane structure having a porous support and a sub-nano membrane. The sub-nano membrane formed on the porous support and having an average pore diameter of less than or equal to 1 nm.

A storage container includes an interior space and a substrate disposed therein, a biological living development material disposed in or on the substrate. The storage container is a sealed capsule to provide an aseptic atmosphere. The substrate is an absorbent material having a water absorption capacity in the dry state of at least 50 g water/cm.sup.3. The storage container has two end segments and a tubular middle segment. The substrate and the development material are arranged in the middle segment. At least a first one of the end segments is arranged opposite the middle segment. The substrate and the development material are arranged in the middle segment. At least a second one of the end segments is arranged opposite the middle segment and has a smaller wall thickness than the middle segment, has a wall material that is more thermally, physically, or chemically susceptible to attack than the middle segment, has a predetermined separation point.