Abstract: Viable fluids such as blood components are rapidly frozen in plastic or the like pouches for transportation and/or storage by placing a flat pouch slack filled with fluid between two substantially planar parallel restraining surfaces such as metal plates of greater perimeter than the flattened slack filled pouch which are rigid enough to prevent sagging of the pouch when it is vertically disposed and flexible enough to accommodate expansion of the pouch flat sides during the freezing operation. The restraining surfaces are retained against separation by retaining means applied against at least a portion of the outer surfaces of each pouch restraining means and the entire assembly is immersed in a cryogenic medium to rapidly freeze the fluid.

Abstract: A flexible tubular casing article having an end closure comprising a base portion and a series of triangular flaps extending from said base portion, each of said triangle flaps having a common vertex and being folded, preferably in a common direction, over a portion of an adjacent flap, and anchor means for anchoring said flaps against at least a part of said base portion.A method of forming the end closure is also included.

Abstract: The disposable package comprises an upper layer composed of a thin film plastic material having a sealed pleated section extending from opposite parallel sides intermediate the ends thereof and an elongated vent disposed within the pleated section. The sealed pleated section is adapted to open exposing the vent at a predetermined temperature below the cooking temperature of the product.

Abstract: Viable fluids such as blood components are rapidly frozen in plastic or the like pouches for transportation and/or storage by placing a flat pouch slack filled with fluid between two substantially planar parallel restraining surfaces such as metal plates of greater perimeter than the flattened slack filled pouch which are rigid enough to prevent sagging of the pouch when it is vertically disposed and flexible enough to accommodate expansion of the pouch flat sides during the freezing operation. The restraining surfaces are retained against separation by retaining means applied against at least a portion of the outer surfaces of each pouch restraining means and the entire assembly is immersed in a cryogenic medium to rapidly freeze the fluid.

Abstract: A multi-pack container package is provided comprising at least two containers arranged in a substantially abutting array and a flexible plastic film about and retaining said array of containers, said film having upper end portions thereof infolded to form integral finger grip pockets for grasping and carrying the package.

Abstract: Viable fluids such as blood components are rapidly frozen in plastic or the like pouches for transportation and/or storage by placing a flat pouch slack filled with fluid between two substantially planar parallel restraining surfaces such as metal plates of greater perimeter than the flattened slack filled pouch which are rigid enough to prevent sagging of the pouch when it is vertically disposed and flexible enough to accommodate expansion of the pouch flat sides during the freezing operation. The restraining surfaces are retained against separation by retaining means applied against at least a portion of the outer surfaces of each pouch restraining means and the entire assembly is immersed in a cryogenic medium to rapidly freeze the fluid.

Abstract: A package is provided comprising a plurality of articles having an upper end portion of smaller cross-section arranged in an abutting array of at least two rows and a flexible plastic film about and retaining said array of articles, said film having portions thereof infolded between the upper end portions of abutting articles of opposite ends of the array of articles whereby an integral reinforced finger grip is formed for grasping and carrying said package. Also provided is a method for making a package comprising enveloping an abutting array of articles, each article having an upper end portion of smaller cross-section, with a flexible plastic film and infolding and tucking portions of said film between the upper end portions of abutting articles at opposite ends of the array of articles whereby means for carrying said package is formed.