Abstract: A multi-roll segment package (101) for plastic tape comprises a plurality of roll segments made up of concentrically disposed spiral winding groups (119) separated and defined by helical winding portions of tape (121) connecting the spiral winding groups on adjacent roll segments. The spiral winding groups of the end roll segments (111A), (111B) comprise at least 2.5 times the number of windings as the center roll segments (115A), (115B), (115C). The roll package features high wind density and good resistance from telescoping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shipping a bundle containing elongated articles comprises a stretch film wrapping a plurality of elongated articles and at least one lift strap. Looped ends of the lift straps are routed though holes cut in the stretch film. An overhead crane lifts the bundle with or without a spreader bar. Support blocks, attached by adhesive strips to the bottom of the bundle, support the bundle above the load surface to allow insertion of a lift device such as a lift fork below the bundle. Edge protectors may be used with the lift straps at the edges of the bundle.

Abstract: A multi-roll segment package provides a method of winding a single length of plastic tape on a plurality of closely spaced roll segments. The roll segments are wound on a core with the length of tape continuous from the inner diameter of the first roll segment to the segment outer diameter of the last roll segment. Tape protectors made of a stiff web material enclose a portion of the lengths of tape between segment outer diameters to the next sequential segment inner diameter. The tape protectors stabilize the tape as it is turned or folded to the core of the next sequential roll segment position.

Abstract: A microplate assembly with closure comprises a microplate base 101 having a geometric array of wells 103. Vials 113 of borosilicate glass inserted into the wells comprise flanges on the top portion of the vials. Closure 117 comprises an array of caps 119 having a complementary geometric pattern to the wells of the microplate base. The caps each comprise a septum and are connected by a thin membrane 121. Each cap comprises a sidewall 403 having a vial engagement ring which snaps over the flange 115 of the vials. Septum openings 135 in the caps extend through the top of the caps and provide a means to fill and evacuate the vials with a penetration device passing through the septa of the caps of the closure.

Abstract: A bottom-seal bag for wickets comprises wicket holes positioned outside an interior side gusset fold when the bag is in a lay-flat condition. The wicket hoes pass through the back panel and side gussets, and in some embodiments, the front panel. Front cut lines in the front panel and front gusset portion reduce the separation force of the front panel of the bag from the wicket as compared to the back panel of the bag. The front cut lines are positioned outside the interior side gusset fold in a lay-flat condition. The cut lines may be continuous or non-continuous. The cut lines allow the front panel and front gusset portions of the bag to be easily separated from the wicket with a low pulling force to reduce operator fatigue and improve reliability of bag filling and separation operations. Additional pulling force separates the back panel and back gusset portion from the wicket, completely releasing the bag.

Abstract: A retractable cover apparatus for truck beds comprises a rectangular shaped flexible web having a front end fixed to the shell of a spring powered roll. Brackets fix the roll to either side wall at the forward portion of the bed. The spring is chosen to provide at least the minimum retracting force which provides stability of the cover web without side fasteners. A back fastener secures the cover web to the back of the truck bed. A pull strap attached to the back end of the cover web allows extension and retraction of the cover web by a single operator from the back of the truck.

Abstract: A multi-ply paper web comprises a base ply of a post-manufactured sheet such as reused old newsprint or reused office waste. An upper and/or lower ply bonded to the base ply covers any printing or contamination of the base ply, thus allowing the resulting web to be reprinted or used for writing or packaging grades. The base ply is not repulped, reducing water and energy usage in the manufacturing process. The upper and lower plies may be wet formed or dry formed. Dry-formed upper and/or lower plies result in a paper product utilizing little or no water in the manufacturing process, and no aqueous effluent. The post-manufactured base ply provides the strength ply. Multiple layers in the base ply or, alternatively, a contrast-reducing process on printed surfaces of the base ply, reduce show through of the final web.

Abstract: A machine for winding plastic tape on a core comprises a first tape guide fixed transversely on a frame of the machine. A second tape guide attached to a telescoping pivot arm remains aligned to the first tape guide as a linear slide translates the pivot arm transversely across a rotating core. A third tape guide, fixed to the linear slide, feeds the tape from the second tape guide to the rotating core. The tape aligning features of the machine provide large roll package diameters and high winding speeds.

Abstract: A sleeve label having an open top and bottom for sleeving a product such as a bottle, jug, or drum. The sleeve label comprises a plastic film printed on one surface with a solvent base ink. The printed surface is coated with a UV curable coating, covering the printed side including the solvent base ink. Upon curing with UV energy, the coating protects the ink from smearing in contact with solvents. The coating also protects the ink from mechanical damage such as scratching or abrasion. The UV curable coating may be applied to the film with a flexographic print station, or other roll or blade coaters. The coating may be of the free radical acrylate or cationic epoxy types.

Abstract: A machine for capping a tray of specimen vials comprises two driven rollers, a table, and a frame. The tray of vials having caps set in the vials but not fully inserted in fed into the entrance end of the machine. A first driven roller engages the caps, inserting the caps to a first inserted position and driving the tray to the second driven roller. The second driven roller engages the caps in the first inserted position, inserting the caps to a fully inserted position and driving the tray to the exit end of the machine. The machine may be made from a wood planer by disabling the rotating blade.

Abstract: A multiply paper web comprises a base ply of a post-manufactured sheet such as reused old newsprint or reused office waste. An upper and/or lower ply is bonded to the base ply to cover any printing or contamination of the base ply, thus allowing the resulting web to be reprinted or used for writing or packaging grades. The base ply is not repulped, reducing water and energy usage in the manufacturing process. The upper and lower plies may be wet formed or dry formed. Dry formed upper and/or lower plies result in a paper product utilizing little or no water in the manufacturing process, and no aqueous effluent. The post-manufactured base ply provides the strength ply.

Abstract: A portable flush toilet and enclosure comprises an operating mode and a storage mode. In the operating mode, a flush toilet inside a personnel enclosure or cabana is connected to a first waste tank external to the enclosure. A second waste tank external to the enclosure receives liquid waste from the first waste tank. The second waste tank provides flush fluid to the flush tank. In the storage mode, the first waste tank and the second waste tanks are disconnected from the flush toilet and flush tank and stored within the enclosure.

Abstract: A vehicle warning device comprises a visual indicator activated by a deceleration sensor upon emergency deceleration of the vehicle. The visual indicator is powered by a base inserted into a vehicle lamp socket. In the preferred embodiment, the base is part of an adapter comprising an adapter socket for receiving the vehicle lamp. The adapter allows installation of the warning device by simply plugging the adapter into the vehicle lamp socket without wiring or mounting changes to the vehicle. The preferred embodiment comprises a stroboscope for providing a highly visible indication of an emergency braking state.

Abstract: A string cutter head for weed trimmers comprises a solid seamless hub having an upper disk and a lower disk. The lower disk comprises at least two pairs of vertically drilled holes for installation of a monofilament cutting string. The upper disk acts as a spacer from the trimmer housing to allow installation and removal of cutting string without removal of the cutting head from the weed trimmer. Several holes of different diameters may be used for different diameter strings. The hub comprises a threaded connection for attachment to the shaft end of the trimmer. In the preferred embodiment, the hub is machined from aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An electrical safety device comprises a sensor strip disposed in the insulation of a wire or in the insulation of a sheath enclosing a bundle of insulated electrical conductors. The sensor strip comprises a distributed overtemperature sensing portion comprising a conductive polymer having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity which increases with temperature sufficient to result in a switching temperature. A mechanical damage sensing portion comprises a strip disposed in the sheath in a mechanical damage sensing pattern which becomes damaged or open upon mechanical damage of the sheath before the bundle of conductors are damaged. The overtemperature sensing portion and the mechanical damage sensing portion may be the same sensing strip disposed in the sheath and arranged in a helical relationship with a longitudinal axis of the sheath.

Abstract: A sign for highway use or advertising comprises a sign stand 100 and a replaceable stretch sleeve 401. The sign stand comprises a base 120 and two vertical columns 106, 107 having receiving surfaces 106D, 108D comprising recesses 106F, 108F and raised portions 106E, 108E. The sleeve is stretched over the vertical surfaces and is retained in the recesses of the vertical surfaces by the raised portions. The sleeve is made of polyethylene film and contains indicia 407. The stretchable sleeve provides a means to easily replace the indicia of the signs. The sleeve is reusable and recyclable.

Abstract: An electrical safety device comprises a sensor strip disposed in the insulation of an electrical power cord or other electrical apparatus. The sensor strip is made of a conductive polymer with a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity which increases with temperature. The sensor strip forms a series connected loop connected to an impedance measuring circuit. A relay interrupts current to the conductors of the cord when the impedance of the sensor strip increases due to an overtemperature condition. The sensor strip is positioned between the conductors of the cord and the outside surface of the cord. The position of the sensor strip allows the strip to act as a mechanical damage sensor, opening the series connected loop before an energized conductor is exposed.

Abstract: An environmentally sensible package for delicate items comprises a base and a cover. The package is enclosed by a container such as a corrugated box for shipping. The base of the preferred embodiment comprises a central component cavity suspended by a perimeter portion comprising a cover interlock, a flexible surface, a sloped wall and four independent flanges. The perimeter portion provides necessary vertical and lateral flexibility to the component cavity and provides the vertical clearance required for displacement of the component cavity. The independent flanges reduce transmitted shock to the component cavity by flexing upon impact without transmitting the shock to adjacent flanges through the corner portion.The package is made of a rigid plastic such as PVC to reduce bulk and make recycling more economical compared to expanded foam packaging. The use of a clear material allows viewing of the protected component when enclosed by the package.

Abstract: A sleeve label for containers comprises a multi-function tab separated from the sleeve label by a seam generally parallel to the axis of the sleeve. The sleeve is made of a stretchable plastic with memory. The sleeve is stretched over the container and relaxed, securing the sleeve to the container. The tab may contain indicia. Alternative embodiments of the tab include a bottom seam to form a storage pocket and perforations to allow removal of the tab. A heat slit aperture in the tab forms a convenient carrying handle for the container.