Patent ID: 8163251

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a transfer port for the passage therethrough of articles sealed within a container, comprising: a frame defining a transfer opening; a first heating element extending about the transfer opening; a door movable between an open position spaced away from the transfer opening for allowing the passage of articles therethrough, and a closed position covering the transfer opening for forming a substantially hermetic seal between the door and frame and for preventing the passage of articles therethrough; and a second heating element extending about a peripheral portion of the door, wherein at least one of the first and second heating elements is movable relative to the other and engageable with a portion of the container overlying the transfer opening for heating and excising said portion from a remainder of the container and, in turn, allowing the passage of articles from the container through the transfer opening when the door is in the open position; and an article container comprising: a bag; a mounting member defining a peripheral portion secured to the bag and a second transfer opening formed therethrough; an adhesive superimposed over a portion of the bag overlying the second transfer opening of the mounting member; and a releasable backing superimposed over the adhesive.