Abstract: A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

Abstract: A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

Abstract: A bag dispensing device comprises a box and a roll of bags, the bags being connected together in the roll. Each bag defines a closed bottom end and an upper end that is closed while the bag is part of the roll but that becomes open once the bag is detached from the roll. The roll of bags is located in the container with at least one leading bag thereof extending out of the container so as to be grasped by the user and detached from the roll when a bag is needed by the user for receiving therein a sample or the like.

Abstract: A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

Abstract: A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

Abstract: A bag dispensing device comprises a box and a roll of bags, the bags being connected together in the roll. Each bag defines a dosed bottom end and an upper end that is dosed while the bag is part of the roll but that becomes open once the bag is detached from the roll. The roll of bags is located in the container with at least one leading bag thereof extending out of the container so as to be grasped by the user and detached from the roll when a bag is needed by the user for receiving therein a sample or the like.

Abstract: A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

Abstract: A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

Abstract: A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing a content of a bag in combination with a collection member, the blending device comprising a casing defining a chamber and comprising a mixer and a door. The collection member is adapted to receive therein a bag with a content to be mixed by the blending device and is adapted to be installed in the blending device. When the collection member and the bag are positioned in the chamber and the door is closed, the mixer is operated to act on the bag and cause the content thereof. If the bag ruptures while in the blending device, its content will be collected by the collection member. The collection member is detachably secured at an upper end thereof to the blending device. The collection member typically takes the form of a flexible collection bag that is open-ended at its upper end.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing a content of a bag in combination with a collection member, the blending device comprising a casing defining a chamber and comprising a mixer and a door. The collection member is adapted to receive therein a bag with a content to be mixed by the blending device and is adapted to be installed in the blending device. When the collection member and the bag are positioned in the chamber and the door is closed, the mixer is operated to act on the bag and cause the content thereof. If the bag ruptures while in the blending device, its content will be collected by the collection member. The collection member is detachably secured at an upper end thereof to the blending device. The collection member typically takes the form of a flexible collection bag that is open-ended at its upper end.

Abstract: A disposable sterile plastic bag includes a liquid receiving chamber which can be accessed upon removal of a tear off strip for introducing therein liquids, such as breast milk. The bag also includes a closure member to close the bag once filled with milk. The bag further includes indicia thereon for indicating the volume of milk in the bag, and an extension away from the chamber so that information about the milk can be provided, e.g. by writing, on the bag without danger of piercing the bag. Once opened, the bag can be attached to an outlet port of a breast pump such that pumped milk is conveyed directly and sterilely into the bag, and the bag can then be stored in sub-ambient temperature until ready to be fed to a baby, at which time the bag is opened, the closure is cut off from the bag and the bag is installed on, and used as a liner for, a bag holder which is provided with a cap and nipple and acts as a feeding bottle.

Abstract: A disposable sterile plastic bag includes a liquid receiving chamber which can be accessed upon removal of a tear off strip for introducing therein liquids, such as breast milk. The bag also includes a closure member to close the bag once filled with milk. The bag further includes indicia thereon for indicating the volume of milk in the bag, and an extension away from the chamber so that information about the milk can be provided, e.g. by writing, on the bag without danger of piercing the bag. Once opened, the bag can be attached to an outlet port of a breast pump such that pumped milk is conveyed directly and sterilely into the bag, and the bag can then be stored in sub-ambient temperature until ready to be fed to a baby, at which time the bag is opened, the closure is cut off from the bag and the bag is installed on, and used as a liner for, a bag holder which is provided with a cap and nipple and acts as a feeding bottle.

Abstract: A disposable sterile plastic bag includes a liquid receiving chamber which can be accessed upon removal of a tear off strip for introducing therein liquids, such as breast milk. The bag also includes a closure member to close the bag once filled with milk. The bag further includes indicia thereon for indicating the volume of milk in the bag, and an extension away from the chamber so that information about the milk can be provided, e.g. by writing, on the bag without danger of piercing the bag. Once opened, the bag can be attached to an outlet port of a breast pump such that pumped milk is conveyed directly and sterilely into the bag, and the bag can then be stored in sub-ambient temperature until ready to be fed to a baby, at which time the bag is opened, the closure is cut off from the bag and the bag is installed on, and used as a liner for, a bag holder which is provided with a cap and nipple and acts as a feeding bottle.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing the contents of a plastic bag comprises a casing defining a mixing chamber in which are disposed paddles or the like for acting on the bag and mix the contents thereof, and having a pivotable door for providing access to the chamber and positioning a bag and its contents in this chamber. The door includes a lower container which extends inwardly towards the casing such as to be located in the casing's mixing chamber when the door is a closed position such that spillage resulting from a rupture of the bag in the blending machine is collected in the door's bottom container. Preferably, the door can be easily and completely disconnected from the casing the facilitating the cleaning thereof, for instance following a collection by the container thereof of a spillage.