Abstract: The system and method for the creation of lyophilized beads using an automated or semi-automated system. The system can include a dispense head used in conjunction with a fluid system for dispensing a fluid containing a biological container. The dispense head can dispense droplets of fluid into a container containing a liquid coolant such as liquid nitrogen. The coolant can freeze the droplets solid, and you can dispense more beads into the system.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member.

Abstract: A sandwich wrap includes a heat seal coating which, after a sandwich has been wrapped into a package, and heat has been applied to the heat seal coating, produces a seal that prevents the package from accidentally becoming unwrapped during handling. A portion of the wrap located remotely of the heating surface remains unsealed, and can be peeled away to gain access to the sandwich.

Abstract: A sandwich wrap comprising a sheet wrap attached to a base strip The base strip is elonaated in a longitudinal direction and includes at least one tear line extending between the longitudinal ends. The base strip is longer than the sheet wrap in the longitudinal direction, while the sheet wrap is longer than the base strip in the lateral direction. The longitudinal ends of the base strip extend beyond the respective longitudinal edges of the sheet wrap. The sheet wrap is more pliable than the base strip.

Abstract: A packaging system assembly for carry-out food includes (a) a plurality of sealable and stackable disposable containers; and (b) a multilayer composite carry-out bag which is preferably substantially water vapor and liquid-impervious provided with an apertured handle and at least front, back and preferably bottom panels, said carry-out bag further including a mechanical interlock for securing the front panel thereof to the rear panel thereof in generally water vapor impermeable relationship. The bottom panel is preferably substantially congruent in shape to the sealable and stackable disposable containers and is characterized by an internal perimeter sized to accommodate a stack of the plurality of sealable containers having a common outer container perimeter to form the packaging system assembly and maintain the stack in alignment during transport thereof.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a bowl with a generally planar central portion, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall defines an annular sealing region with an annular sealing portion, a stop ridge and a laterally extending retaining shelf. A lid is provided with a peripheral portion adapted to be retained by the annular base sealing portion and to be secured by the stop ridge. In one preferred embodiment, the lid is a planar paperboard lid provided with a tab and the annular sealing portion of the base is an undercut groove in its sidewall.

Abstract: A sandwich wrap includes a base strip to which a sheet wrap is affixed, the sheet wrap extending beyond two opposing edges of the base strip. To wrap a sandwich, the sheet wrap is wrapped around the sandwich and the base strip is folded around the sheet wrap. The ends of the base strip are secured together either permanently or removably. To gain access to the sandwich, the consumer either disconnects the ends of the base strip and unfolds the sheet wrap, or the consumer removes a tear strip which divides the base strip into half-sections, whereby the user may discard one of the half sections and grip the other half section to hold the sandwich.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member. A matching sealing lid is typically provided with a dome, a flexible sidewall and an annular sealing portion configured to cooperate with the base stop ridge and the sealing surface of the serving member in order to seal the container.

Abstract: At least one container is disposed in contact with at least one mandrel to cause a thermoplastic polymeric film on the container to foam and become a heat insulative layer. The mandrel is heatable to a predetermined temperature and the container is in direct contact therewith or disposed thereon for a predetermined period of time, to thereby cause the foamable material on the container to foam. A method of making a web of heat insulative nonwoven material includes providing a web of nonwoven material, applying a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material to a first surface of the web to form a web laminate, placing the web laminate in contact with a heated surface, heating the web laminate and thereby expanding the layer of thermoplastic material with moisture that is vaporized from the nonwoven material. The web laminate may then be fabricated to form a container or a portion of a container.

Abstract: A disposable filter press device for making a brewed beverage from a combination of liquid and material to be brewed includes a first disposable cup and a second disposable cup. The first disposable cup has a closed bottom, an open top and a sidewall extending around the entire circumferential extent of the first cup, while the second disposable cup is sized and configured to be positioned in the first cup. The second cup has a bottom end, an open top and a sidewall extending around the entire circumferential extent of the second cup. The second cup also includes a filter for filtering the brewed beverage from the material used to brew the brewed beverage as the second cup is moved relative to the first cup. The filter press device can also be provided with a mechanism for connecting the second cup to the first cup with the second cup being in an inverted, bottom end up position.

Abstract: A laminate and a coated web suitable for use as containers exhibiting a static decay of at least 90% in less than 2 seconds while measured at +/-5,000 volts, at 10% relative humidity and 24 hours conditioning is disclosed. The laminate and coated web comprise a paper substrate or a synthetic fiber substrate, a first coating on at least one surface of said paper substrate comprising synthetic hectorite clay and optionally a second coating comprising an organic or inorganic pigment applied over at least one of said coatings. These laminates are useful as antistatic coated paper containers.

Abstract: A method for wrapping sandwich products that include a heel of bread and a crown of bread involves placing the heel of bread on a flat sheet of packaging wrap, placing the crown of bread on the packaging wrap adjacent one of the corners of the packaging wrap, dressing the heel and/or the crown of bread, and then carrying out various folding steps to produce a wrapped or packaged sandwich product. The folding steps include inwardly folding the corner of the packaging wrap on which the crown of bread has been placed together with the crown of bread to position the crown of bread on top of the heel of bread and with the corner of the wrap being positioned in overlying relation to the crown of bread. A second portion of the packaging wrap is then inwardly folded to lie adjacent the folded corner, a third portion of the packaging wrap is inwardly folded to lie adjacent the folded second portion, and then a fourth portion of the packaging wrap is inwardly folded to lie adjacent the folded third portion.

Abstract: A novel two-part coating composition and method for its production are disclosed. The novel coating composition comprises one part including a synthetic hectorite clay and a peptizer such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate. The other comprises a hydrophilic air curable epoxy resin. Films and food pouches made from said film are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated polyolefin film and method for its production is disclosed. The coating comprises a synthetic fluid hectorite, a peptizer such as sodium tetrapyrophosphate and a hydrophilic air curable epoxy resin. Food pouches made from said film are also disclosed.