Abstract: Packing tray for protecting fragile and perishable food items, such as pears, which allows fruit items of varying dimensions and weights to be held securely in each pocket, and which allows a plurality of stacked trays and fruit to be packaged in boxes (e.g., standard carton sizes). The tray is a plastic foam sheet having a top wall and a plurality of recessed cell pockets, each cell pocket having a relatively thinner cell sidewall with expandable (accordion-like) flutes, and a relatively thicker bottom wall also with expandable flutes. This construction allows the cell bottoms in adjacent pockets and in adjacent trays of the stack to move relative to one another to accommodate various sizes and weights of fruit while still protecting the fruit from damage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a hinge in a thermoformed container, such as an egg carton, and the resulting container. The hinge is formed in the mold, by severing a thermoformed container along the length of a hinge line, with the exception of plurality of spaced connecting membranes that are not severed. The alternating severed portions and connecting membranes are referred to herein as a notched hinge connection. The width, depth, and location of the connecting membranes can be adjusted so the hinge area is strong enough to withstand multiple openings during use.

Abstract: Plastic egg cartons having mating cell and lid posts for improved egg protection, and able to accommodate up to jumbo size eggs in a standard footprint. The carton has a base tray and hinged lid, the tray including a plurality of cells for receiving individual eggs, and the tray having a plurality of cell posts each formed at an intersection of four adjacent cells as an extension of the sidewalls of the four adjacent cells. Preferable, each cell post has four generally planar ramp surfaces, one disposed respectively on each of the four sidewall extensions. The lid has a plurality of lid posts for mating with the cell posts when the lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: Plastic egg cartons having mating cell and lid posts for improved egg protection. The carton has a base tray and hinged lid, the tray including a plurality of cells for receiving individual eggs, and the tray having a plurality of cell posts each formed at an intersection of four adjacent cells as an extension of the sidewalls of the four adjacent cells. Preferable, each cell post has four generally planar ramp surfaces, one disposed respectively on each of the four sidewall extensions. The lid has a plurality of lid posts for mating with the cell posts when the lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: Improvements have been made to one or more of a lid, cover, and base of a tri-fold egg carton, the improvements allowing the secure and easy loading and protection of jumbo sized eggs, in cartons that can be processed and packaged with standard equipment and in standard case sizes. Further, in one or more embodiments the improvements provide improved processability with automated labeling equipment. In one or more embodiments, the improvements allow for improved de-nesting of multiple empty cartons, prior to filling.

Abstract: Coextruded plastic capillary tube and method of manufacturing a coextruded tube for collecting a volume of liquid. The tube is disposable, inexpensive to manufacture and can reliably draw blood and other aqueous based fluids into the tube by capillary action, at a fluid uptake level comparable to glass and other commercially pre-treated plastic tubes, without requiring further interior coating.

Abstract: Molded article for medical tubing and the like, and method of manufacture. The molded article is a coextruded tube having a tube wall of a non-conductive thermoplastic polymer and a central tubular bore. The tube further includes a coextruded conductive strip of conductive fibers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the conductive strip being disposed within a tubular passage in the tube wall extending the length of the tube, or within the central tubular bore. The strip is made from a pultruded fiber/polymer compound that can be co-extruded in strip form in the tube to provide an electrically conductive path along the tube length. Advantages include ease of manufacture, and one or more of improved handling (during use), reduced profile and reduced material costs.

Abstract: A tri-fold plastic egg carton for protecting jumbo eggs in both oriented and non-oriented positions. A cell base and cell cover are hingedly connected in a closed position with the cover over the base to form a complimentary 2×6 matrix of cell pockets for holding individual eggs. A lid is hingedly connected to another edge of the base for closing over the assembled cover and base. The non-hinged peripheral edges of the base, cover and lid form a trim perimeter having a turned up lip edge, the lip edges mating when the carton is in the closed position to increase the carton strength. The carton can accommodate a full range of jumbo eggs, and accept a variety of smaller size eggs, while fitting within standard cases and half-cases.

Abstract: Method of fabricating a polymeric tube for attachment to a prefabricated tubular polymer body comprising: selecting an ethylene copolymer functionalized with a conjugated vinyl moiety, and coextruding an outer tubular layer comprised of the selected functionalized ethylene copolymer together with at least one inner tubular layer comprised of a thermoplastic elastomeric material to form a mating tube having an outer surface comprised of the functionalized ethylene copolymer, a central tubular passage having a longitudinal axis and opposing ends.

Abstract: Packing tray for packing fruit and other fragile objects including a drainage system that channels water away from the fruit. The packing tray includes a plurality of cell pockets, each cell pocket having a lowermost sump area with at least one flap door punched out but not removed from the sump area, providing a drainage opening from the cell. Inner and outer cell pocket channels are provided on both the inner and outer surfaces of the cell pockets to direct water flow and removal.

Abstract: Egg carton and method for transporting filled egg cartons that enables ready stacking of multiple cartons, one filled carton on top of another, for stable transport with or without the use of exterior containers for holding together the stack as are typically used in the industry,

Abstract: A mounting pad and method for mounting a plurality of light bulbs in a compact and shock resistant arrangement for storage in a box and for transport, the plurality of light bulbs being arranged in rows generally parallel to each other by mounting the terminal ends of a row of light bulbs in a mounting pad disposed at each terminal end of the bulbs and stacking successive rows of mounted bulbs one on top of each other.

Abstract: Porous leach pipe and method for leaching metals from mining ores. The porous pipe may be buried beneath the surface of a pile of mined ore, providing a more even and uniform distribution of the leaching solution across the pile, increasing metal yields, reducing water consumption and eliminating pooling and ponding of the solution on the top of the piles as occurs with prior art drip line emitters.

Abstract: Tubing comprising an inner layer, an outer layer and a middle layer, wherein the inner layer comprises a polyethylene, the outer layer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane and the middle layer comprises an ethylene ethyl acrylate copolymer or an ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer or an anhydride grafted ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylate copolymers or a mixture of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A tube comprising an inner layer, an outer layer and a barrier layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the barrier layer is bound to the outer layer by a layer of adhesive disposed between the outer layer and the barrier layer and the barrier layer is bound to the inner layer by a layer of adhesive disposed between the inner layer and the barrier layer, wherein the inner layer comprises a polyethylene, the outer layer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane and the barrier layer comprises a material that acts as a barrier to gas.