A method for providing long-shelf life sliced rare, medium rare, and medium cooked roast beef comprises providing whole beef portions; cooking the whole beef portions to an internal temperature of from about 130 to 160 F. to form cooked roast beef portions; slicing the cooked roast beef portions to form sliced cooked roast beef having an average thickness of from about 0.5 mm to 10 mm; disposing the sliced cooked roast beef into a trayless gas impermeable package formed from flexible film, flushing the trayless gas impermeable package with an inert gas comprising carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and from about 0.1% to about 30% carbon monoxide; and sealing the trayless gas impermeable package. Packaged sliced rare, medium rare, and medium cooked roast beef provided in trayless gas impermeable packages in an inert gas comprising carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and from about 0.1% to about 30% carbon monoxide are also described.

A packaging device including a breathable or non-breathable, microwavable composite film structure n the form of a bag, a tray or other type of container is disclosed. The device may include atmospheric control attributes n the form of microperforations, and steam venting mechanisms n the form of precision cuts or channels. The microperforations may form atmospheric conditions within the device for the storage of perishable and/or respiring food products, and the steam venting mechanisms may regulate the pressure and/or heat within the device during microwave cooking of the food products within.

A flexible package with a one-way, pressure-equalizing or degassing valve and method of making the same is provided. The package includes a tortuous path preventing particulate materials, e.g., fine powders, from clogging or interfering with opening and closing of said valve. The package includes a heat seal including discontinuities or gaps which defines a tortuous path between the valve and the compartment within the package in which the particulate material is located, allowing air and internal gases trapped in the package to escape through the valve while preventing fine powders, dust and particulate from reaching the valve body by trapping or collecting them in the tortuous path.

Produce ripening systems and apparatuses are described. A produce ripening apparatus may include a sealed inner package positioned inside a sealed outer package. The sealed inner package may be breakable and may seal a ripening agent inside the sealed inner package. The sealed outer package may be openable and may have an elasticity sufficient to allow pressure to be applied to the sealed inner package through squeezing of the sealed outer package without breaking the sealed outer package. The pressure may be sufficient to break the sealed inner package.

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.

The present disclosure is related to articles (e.g., containers, battery packs, etc.) including a lithium material (e.g., one or more lithium-containing batteries) housed therein. The articles include sulfur hexafluoride located within an interior compartment of the article to provide an inert atmosphere within the interior compartment. The present disclosure is also related to methods of inerting such articles (e.g., containers, battery packs, etc.) with sulfur hexafluoride. Additionally, the present disclosure is related to conveyed (e.g., pumped, blown, etc.) looped cooling apparatuses and systems.

Provided is a perforated plastic bag wherein the volume of said bag is 100 liters or more; wherein the average perforation diameter is 500 micrometers or less; wherein said plastic bag comprises a lower zone and a top zone, wherein the perforation density of said lower zone is greater than the perforation density of said top zone. Also provided is a method of using such a plastic bag.

A method of loading a flexible enclosure, and the flexible enclosure. The enclosure has a floor, a sealable port, and a top enclosure. The top enclosure has an opening that is sealingly closable with an airtight closure. The method includes the steps of selecting a parking location for the enclosure, and positioning the enclosure over the parking location. Equipment, such as a vehicle is loaded in the enclosure. The enclosure is sealed, and the internal atmosphere of the enclosure is modified, such as lowering the oxygen content of the interior atmosphere.

The package includes a plurality of food packages (16) continuing fresh meat food products (17). Each food package is vacuum packaged in a case ready package with a permeable film. The case ready package being sealed within a master pouch (12) having a modified atmosphere. The modified atmosphere having an elevated concentration of carbon monoxide. The fresh meat (17) being in the case ready package and not in direct contact with the modified atmosphere. The fresh meat (17) retaining acceptable color within the case ready package after being removed from the master pouch.

This product based on leaven comprises a package containing living leaven closed with a gas tight seal. The leaven is in a nitrogen atmosphere.