An applicator or applicator system used for handling samples in an analytical laboratory setting. In particular, the invention the applicator or applicator system is capable of capping an analytical sample tube by applying a capping material to an opening of an analytical sample vessel, the applicator or applicator system including g a dispenser configured to dispense a substantially continuous length of a capping material, such that a region of the substantially continuous length of capping material is located on or about an opening of an analytical sample vessel held in a predetermined orientation.

The invention relates to a method for sealing an opening of a packaging, in which the packaging includes at least a peripheral wall with a peripheral top edge. The peripheral top edge forms the contour of the opening, including the following process steps: positioning a flexible film/foil layer over the peripheral top edge in such a way that the opening is completely covered and the film/foil layer overhangs beyond the peripheral top edge; heat-sealing the film/foil layer to the peripheral top edge of the packaging; folding the part of the film/foil layer overhanging beyond the opening towards the peripheral wall; heat-sealing the folded-over film/foil layer to the peripheral wall at a distance from the peripheral top edge, in which case a contact point of a device for heat-sealing the folded-over film/foil layer to the peripheral wall at a distance from the peripheral top edge does not move with respect to the film/foil layer during the heat-sealing, at least for as long as the contact point is in contact with the film/foil layer. The invention also relates to a device for heat-sealing according to the above method, and to a packaging manufactured in this way.

Disclosed is a specimen processing method of processing, by using a specimen processing device, a urine specimen contained in a specimen container having an opening. The method includes: sealing, with a seal, the opening of the specimen container containing the urine specimen; aspirating the urine specimen in the specimen container by using an aspiration tube, of the specimen processing device, which has penetrated through the seal; and processing the aspirated urine specimen.

A tray for receiving sausages is provided. The tray includes cells which are adapted to substantially match the shape of sausages or other soft materials. The tray may be vacuum sealed to cause a relatively uniform top surface suitable for stacking. The tray may be sealed without pre-freezing the sausages and without causing significant deformation to said sausages upon thawing. The tray may be loaded in an automated manner without the use of robotic arms placing individual sausages into the tray.

A novel lower tool enables a packaging machine having a molding station with a trough to be used to produce skin packaging having a flat base plate. The lower tool includes a body base and a flat upper surface and is arranged in the molding station of the packaging machine such that the flat upper surface of the lower tool covers the trough. The lower tool fits detachably into a lower tool holder of the packaging machine. During the packaging production, the flat upper surface supports the flat base plate of the packaging. Suction applied via a passage through the flat upper surface is used to hold the flat base plate onto the flat upper surface. The lower tool is a means for converting the packaging machine from producing a first type of packaging having a trough-shaped carrier into producing a second type of packaging that has a flat carrier.

The aim of the present application is to register a conventional beverage capsule refilling device of the type that comprises a cup bindable to a sealing sheet; and a beverage capsule refilling method, such that it makes it possible to reuse the existing capsules, generally made of plastic, in a simple, quick, clean, reliable and ecological manner.

A container has a product in a product-receiving area and has a sealing area surrounding the product-receiving area. A length of film is arranged over the container. A space above the film is evacuated using an evacuating portion of an upper sealing module arranged over the film, so as to cause a portion of the film to conform to the upper sealing module. An area of the film is cut out by moving a cutting tool relative to the upper sealing module from a recessed position to a cutting position. The cut-out area of film includes the portion of the film conformed to the upper sealing module, is brought into contact with the sealing area of the container by moving the upper sealing module relative to the container, and is sealed to the sealing area of the container using a heat sealing portion of the upper sealing module.

A sealing station for a packaging machine, the sealing station may be a tray sealer. The sealing station includes an upper die with a sealing plate and a lower die with a tray holder for receiving at least one packaging tray to be sealed. A cutting blade is arranged within the sealing station, and cuts a lid for closing the packaging tray out of a top film. The cutting blade has an endless cutting edge for cutting out the lid along its contour. The cutting blade includes a first and a second blade section, for cutting out a first and second section of the contour of the lid respectively. The second blade section may produce a tear-off corner in the lid projecting beyond the edge region. The sealing station may include a first clamping jaw on the sealing plate, and a second clamping jaw on the tray holder.

A tray for receiving sausages is provided. The tray includes cells which are adapted to substantially match the shape of sausages or other soft materials. The tray may be vacuum sealed to cause a relatively uniform top surface suitable for stacking. The tray may be sealed without pre-freezing the sausages and without causing significant deformation to said sausages upon thawing. The tray may be loaded in an automated manner without the use of robotic arms placing individual sausages into the tray.

Described is a packaging, and method and system for packaging an individual and single serving of plant matter, such as a cannabis flower. Also described are a method of making and using for the packaging.