Abstract: A closure system for attachment to and use in gas flushing a container of fresh produce includes a body portion, a closure connected to the body portion, and a pressure-sensitive mechanism connected to the body portion and to the closure that moves the closure to an open position or to a closed position, depending on the pressure exerted on said mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing a cored head of lettuce includes a lettuce head guide that fits into the cored hole of a cored lettuce head; the guide is attached to a support that has an opening through which the guide projects, and, beneath the guide, a system that delivers a wash spray into the cored hole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for packaging whole or partially processed bulk, fresh products under modified atmosphere including placing such produce into bags or other containers for the produce, attaching to the opening at the top of each of the bags or containers a tube having an openable and closable lid, placing the bags or other containers with the tubes attached thereto inside a vacuum chamber, withdrawing air from the vacuum chamber from the bags or other containers until the oxygen concentration in the bags or other containers has reached a desired level, refilling the bags or other containers with one or more gases other than air while restoring the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and outside the bags or other containers at rates sufficient to minimize crushing or bruising of produce in the bags or other containers as the pressure in the vacuum chamber rises from the reduced level to a desired, ambient level.

Abstract: A method for washing a cored head of lettuce includes placing the head in a position such that the cored hole faces downwardly, spraying an aqueous solution upwardly into the cored hole for a time and at a pressure sufficient to wash the hole, and then propelling the cored washed lettuce head upwardly from the washing position onto a conveyor for the lettuce head with minimal damage to that head.