Abstract: A tote collapser can be used for unlatching and collapsing walls of a shippable tote. The collapser includes a mounting frame, and a set of collapser brackets. The mounting frame can include a first frame member and a second frame member movable relative to each other. The set of collapser brackets can include a first and a second collapser brackets attached to the first frame member, and a third and a fourth collapser brackets attached to the second frame member. Each collapser bracket can include an indexer shaped to align the tote in a specified orientation, a retainer extending perpendicularly from the indexer and configured to engage with top side of the sidewalls, a bumper shaped to engage with a latch on a sidewall of the tote, and a receiving space between the indexer and the bumper to receive a thickness portion of the sidewall of the tote.

Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to vacuum preservation of items, and particularly to a flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems, wherein the flexible vacuum sealing adapter includes a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container, a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment; and a deflection interface, the deflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.