Abstract: Method and apparatus for thermally protecting a product, when storing and/or shipping a product, to control temperatures products are exposed to. Embodiments increase the amount of time portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time portions of the product experience temperatures outside a desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments incorporate thermally conductive materials, referred to as conductive equalizers, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container, where the conductive materials conduct heat from locations in the package interior to other locations in the package interior.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for shipping products so as to control the temperatures the products are exposed to. Embodiments can increase the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience temperatures outside of the desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments can incorporate biotic materials, such as wood fibers or moss, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container or around a pallet load, such that the biotic materials restrict heat flow from one or more locations on the exterior of the package to one or more other locations in the interior of the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using steam to sterilize liquid dispensers. This is achieved by injecting steam into a drained dispenser machine equipped with a cover having a safety valve that matches the top of the dispenser to provide sealing. The steam is generated by a steam generator physically integrated with the new liquid dispenser machine. The steam circulates through the fluid compartment of the liquid dispenser and continues through its conduits and exits at the taps which are held open by a stepped boss. The sanitizing period can be adjusted and controlled. After sterilizing the machine, the cap of the dispenser is removed and its taps are released in order to return the machine back to its normal operation.