Abstract: A modular column planter, particularly adapted for household use, comprises a lower, middle and upper container. Each container has a bottom connecting with a sidewall that extends upwardly to define a top opening. On the lower container bottom is a post having a slotted, top retaining cup. Positioned about an opening in a bottom of the middle and upper container is an upright, hollow column and a lower column extension. A top edge of the middle container column is notched while a bottom edge of the upper container lower column extension is slotted. The planter is formed by fitting respectively the bottom of the middle and upper container in the top opening of the middle and upper container. As located, the middle container column extension fits into the lower container retaining cup and the upper container column extension fits into the middle container column upper end. These now joined columns form a watering tube.

Abstract: A fastener particularly adapted for securing an end of a cord in an opening in an object comprises a cylindrical shaped body. Extending through the fastener body is a passageway to hold an end of the cord, for example. In practice, the fastener preferably is made of plastic allowing the fastener to be molded onto the cord. Projecting outwardly on an angle from an inner end of the fastener body is an ear. Because the cord, the fastener ear, or both are flexible, the fastener ear and cord may be pressed into alignment. Once aligned, the fastener and cord end may be threaded through the opening in the object with the ear then returning to its prior nonaligned position. The cord is prohibited from being drawn back through the opening by an interference fit between the fastener ear and the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling and transferring an article formed in an injection molding machine includes a pair of spaced tracks. Inner ends of these tracks are positioned below a mold carried by the machine with the tracks positioned transversely to opening and closing movement of the mold by the machine. On these tracks is a slideable basket which may be moved from the track inner end to an outer end away from the machine. The basket is operatively connected to a pneumatic drive operated by a controller. During forming of the article, the basket moves under the mold. When forming is complete, the mold opens and the article ejected. The article falls into the basket which has a cushioney surface to inhibit damage. Opening of the mold is sensed by the controller to activate the pneumatic drive and move the basket and article to the track outer end where the article is removed. Concurrently the mold closes to begin a further forming cycle.

Abstract: A material handling device for transferring a formed good from an injection molding machine includes a pair of spaced tracks. Inner ends of the tracks are positioned below a mold carried by the machine with the track positioned transversely to opening and closing movement of the mold by the machine. On the track is a slidable basket which may be moved from the track inner end to an outer end away from the machine. Basket movement may be effected by activation of a pneumatic drive formed as part of the track and attached to the basket. During forming of a good, the basket is moved under the mold. When forming is complete, the mold opens and the good ejected. The good falls into the basket which has a cushion-like surface to inhibit damage. Opening of the mold starts a first timing period which lapses to activate the pneumatic drive to move the basket and good to the track outer end for good removal. During this first timing period the mold closes to begin a next forming cycle.

Abstract: A spreader particularly adapted for manual operation over a residential lawn includes a one-piece hopper made of corrosion resistant material. Lugged wheels connect with a shaft which is rotatively carried by and extends through a lower part of the hopper. On the shaft inside the hopper is an agitator bar having outward extending projections. The bar projections align with a series of slots in a rear wall of the hopper for a discharge of material in the hopper to the ground below. To regulate this discharge a movable gate is positioned on an outer side of the hopper slots. Gate movement is effected by a control bar carried in a flow control housing of a handle assembly having an extension attached to the hopper. The degree of gate movement, which affects the size of the slot openings, is regulated by a position of a stop operatively connected to a rotatable dial in the flow control housing.