The present technology is directed to an apparatus for freeze-drying various items. The apparatus described herein includes a reusable sealable container enabling aseptic handling of bulk processed materials. The multi-use tray enables a sterile sealable enclosure for use throughout the freeze-drying process, including: pre-freeze-drying (e.g., filling, handling, storage, transfer), freeze-drying processing, and/or post-freeze-drying (e.g., handling and storage).

This disclosure is directed toward a heated tailgate for use in cold climates. The heated tailgate may be used with a self-contained heated portable vacuum slurry box. The slurry box generally includes a vacuum tank, a structure attached to the tank, a vertical tailgate, and a hook for pulling the slurry box onto a vehicle. The heated tailgate provides that the slurry cuttings within the slurry box which are adjacent to the tailgate do not freeze and provides for a way in which the tailgate may seal to the vacuum box.

A heated slurry transport system for receiving, transporting and unloading a cuttings slurry in a non-frozen manner in cold weather environments. The heated slurry transport system generally includes a portable tank having an interior surface, at least one wall, and a rear door. A layer of insulation surrounds at least a portion of the portable tank to help retain heat within the portable tank. A heating unit is attached to the portable tank and adapted to heat a fluid that is transferred through at least one heat loop attached to the portable tank to heat the interior of the portable tank and the contents of the portable tank.

A product package includes a receiving space (1a), a covering film (7), an inner lining (6) and a body part (2) created out of a single blank. The body part (2) includes walls (2a, 2b, 2c, 8), a bottom (3) and a rim portion (4) as well as a plurality of slots (5) for shaping the receiving space (1a). The rim portion (4) of the body part (2) is a continuous, seamless and planar portion formed out of the same said blank and interconnecting the walls (2a, 2b, 2c, 8) of the body part (2).

A racking system and components are provided in which multiple storage positions are provided for individual storage boxes and automated guided vehicles are present to carry out automated placement, relocation and retrieval of boxes from storage positions in which they are located. The racking system has horizontally extending storage layers in each of which multiple storage positions are located and alternating vertically juxtaposed transfer layers in which automated guided vehicles are movable in at least two directions that are at right angles to each other to place, relocate and retrieve boxes to and from storage positions by vertical movement of the boxes into and out of storage positions in storage layers located above or below a transfer layer. The storage positions have associated with them storage guides for guiding boxes into and out of the storage positions and support arrangements for supporting the boxes in their storage positions.

A door sealing system for a container having a container door is provided. The container can be part of a vacuum system, for example as mounted on a trailer. The sealing system is hydraulically actuated and includes a mechanical lock. A corresponding vacuum system and method of operation are also provided.

There is provided herein a lid for a vacuum storage container, which contains a lid body having a top side and an opposing bottom side, the lid comprising a pressure-release valve having a vacuum-sealed position and a vacuum-release position, and a collar on the bottom side of the lid body having an open end, the pressure-release valve extending from the top side of the lid body into the collar on the bottom side, and a sheath covering the open end of the collar on the bottom side, which sheath reduces a vacuum loss when the pressure-release valve is in the vacuum-sealed position while permitting a release of vacuum when the pressure-release valve is in the vacuum-release position.

An enclosure is provided for encapsulating an article of footware, the enclosure assembled from a first molded form to cover a portion of the article and a second molded form to cover the rest of the article the forms including interfacing edges assembled together over a vacuum seal to produce an air tight body, the body having a vacuum port enabling a vacuum draw on the air tight body, the vacuum pressure sustained within the air tight body after vacuum disconnect and releasable by a release mechanism.

A food package comprising a container having a sealed top layer and comprising a fresh, preservative-free food product comprising chickpeas, such as hummus, which includes no preservatives and exhibits a total yeast and mold counts of less than 10 CFU/g at 28 days after production when stored at 2° C. to 8° C. The package includes a headspace between the fresh hummus and the top sealing layer, the headspace comprising a modified atmosphere which is nitrogen rich, such as 70% N.sub.2:30% CO.sub.2.

Disclosed is a rubber seal for a vacuum receptacle. The rubber seal is not released by a negative pressure developed in the vacuum receptacle. In addition, the rubber seal is excellent in sealing force, and has a body portion that does not bulge outward while being readily mounted on a lid body. The rubber seal includes: the body portion that surrounds the lateral side of an inner space and extends vertically; an elastic sealing wing portion formed to extend outward from the body portion and provided along the circumference of the body portion; and a multi-functional wing portion formed to extend outward from the body portion above the elastic sealing wing portion, and provided along the circumference of the body portion.