Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macromolecule also are provided.

Abstract: A lockable media storage box includes a base and a lid connected to the base with at least one hinge. The base and lid include elements that cooperate with a lock to allow the lid to be locked in the closed position. In one embodiment, the lock is received in the concave opening disposed at the front of the storage container. The lock may be unlocked with a special key or may be unlocked by destroying portions of the lock that are designed to be destroyed. In another embodiment of the invention, a sliding lock is carried by the container. The sliding lock may be carried inside the container or on the front wall of the container.

Abstract: A storage container for recorded media includes a substantially rigid disc-holding page connected to a cover member along the spine of the cover member so that the container may be open and closed like a book. The connection between the cover member and the page includes an adhesive connection along the spine of the cover member. The adhesive connection is only disposed along one edge of the rigid page.

Abstract: A milking apparatus that is used to extract milk from dairy animals includes a vacuum source, a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; and a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The pulsator is configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner with the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase. The A phase is wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The C phase is wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber. A restrictor is disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber with the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase.

Abstract: Pouches are provided to the user of an automated pouch handling apparatus in a pouch container. The pouches are oriented the same way in the box. The box may be sealed to prevent pouch contamination. A door on the box is opened or removed to define a door opening. A portion of the pouch stack is accessible through the opening. These pouch containers may be stacked near a pouch handling apparatus where the operator may open the door and load the pouch containers directly into the pouch handling apparatus. The pouch handling apparatus removes the pouches directly from the pouch container through the door opening. The apparatus may include a pouch separator that bends the edge of the pouch out through the door and slides the first pouch away from the second pouch.

Abstract: The present invention includes a baluster assembly system comprising: (a) a first baluster portion comprising a first tubular section and having a first attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a first engagement end; (b) a second baluster portion comprising a second tubular section and having a second attachment adapted to be attached to a surface, and a second engagement end; the first tubular section adapted to slidingly engage the second tubular section, and (c) a locking fixture adapted to fix the position of the first baluster portion with respect to the second baluster portion after the first tubular section and the second tubular section have been engaged.

Abstract: A package configuration for holding merchandise includes a rotatable element that selectively displays different information to the user as the element is rotated. The rotatable element is restrained without a central hub or pivot pin. The restraining configuration limits lateral movement and minimizes pinching of the rotatable element. In one configuration, the merchandise storage package has a cover assembly having front and rear covers that define at least one window. Three pocket tabs restrain the lateral movement of the rotatable element. Each pocket tab is integrally folded from the blank used to form the storage package. One of the pocket tabs is double folded over itself to form a spacer having a thickness of three layers of blank material. Another pocket tab is folded over the spacer tab to form a fourth layer of material between the front and back covers.

Abstract: A tarpaulin structure for covering a cargo space and used in combination with a support and retraction system includes a body and an openable sleeve for a plurality of the cross supports of the system. Connectors hold the sleeves closed about the cross supports. The tarpaulin system may be installed onto and removed from the cross supports of a tarpaulin support and retraction system without requiring the user to disconnect the cross supports from the drive cables.

Abstract: A radiant heat barrier may be installed under a wide variety of roofs between the roof supports. In one configuration, the radiant heat barrier is provided in the form of a plurality of boards that are each erectable into a barrier tray having at least one high-reflectivity, low-emissivity surface. The surface reflects a large percentage of the radiation energy back in the direction from where the radiation originated. Each board includes features that allow the board to be formed into different-sized trays. In one configuration, the trays may be configured to fit between the rafters of typical residential construction. The trays include tabs that allow the tray to be mounted to the supports.

Abstract: A pre-filled contact lens container is provided with at least a single sealed receptacle at least partially filled with multi-purpose lens cleaning solution. The container includes a lid that snap fits to the base to seal the receptacle after the receptacle seal has been removed. A person uses the container by removing the seal to expose the solution in the receptacle, placing a lens in the solution, and sealing the receptacle with the lid of the container. The container may be provided in pairs or groups so that multiple lenses may be stored and cleaned. The individual containers may be provided in the form of a perforated sheet so that the user may tear off the number of containers to be used.

Abstract: A media storage and display sleeve is adapted to fit over a media storage container to provide a unique interactive marketing piece to be viewed and handled by the consumer. The sleeve includes an inner sleeve that receives the traditional media storage container and a pair of outer sleeves that slide back and forth over the inner sleeve between closed and open configurations. Stops are used to impede the outer sleeves from being readily removed from the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A media storage container has a sleeve and a slide out tray wherein the sleeve includes a feature that helps to hold the disc in the tray in the event the disc holding hub breaks. In one configuration, the sleeve includes a tab that has been folded over at least once such that the tab is wedged between the inner surface of the upper wall of the sleeve and the top of the disc holding hub. In another configuration, the tab is folded over itself twice to create three layers of tab material between the inner surface of the upper wall of the sleeve and the disc holding hub.