Abstract: In the support arrangements for a semi-membrane tank walls described in the specification, the top and side walls of a semi-membrane tank are provided with stiffener members and a surrounding tank support structure has support members which are connected to the stiffener members through support assemblies which provide vertical support for the tank walls while permitting relative motion in the horizontal direction. Each support assembly includes a bracket affixed to one of the support members and a spool affixed to a wall stiffener along with a thermally insulating block having an end portion slidably received in the bracket and having an internal groove extending in a direction orthogonal to the sliding motion of the end portion. The enlarged head of the spool affixed to the stiffener is received in the groove, thereby permitting relative motion of the tank wall with respect to the support structure and two orthogonal directions while providing load support for the tank wall in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A barrel body with a cross-section surface that approaches the shape of a square with slightly embossed side surfaces and rounded corner areas. The barrel body can be equipped with stiffening elements that run vertically and/or horizontally.

Abstract: A carrying pouch for small articles which include an openable cover that is formed with front and rear faces joined by opposed edge walls and a bottom wall, all contiguous to each other to form an open ended pouch. The articles are receivable within the pouch and one face of the pouch has a through opening therein configured and dimensioned complementally with the cover of the article to permit opening and closing of the article when it is received within the pouch. A tab for receiving a key ring or suitable attachment piece may also be formed integrally with the pouch.

Abstract: A bulk box (200) comprising a base panel (202) and four side panels (204, 206) individually formed and assembled into a container. The bottom surface (232) of the base panel (202) comprises a matrix of pedestals (236) with the ground-contacting face (244) of each of the corner pedestals extending to the cornermost portions of the respective pedestal. The side panels (204, 206) include lateral flanges (254, 274) which overlap to form “double-thickness” corners. The side panels (204, 206) also have upwardly extending tabs (266, 286) and the base panel (202) has notches (242) so that, when a plurality of the bulk boxes are stacked one on top of the other, the tabs of a lower bulk box are received within the notches of an upper bulk box.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag includes two panels sealed to form a container having a bottom and an openable top. The plastic bag further includes lips that are adjacent to the openable top and which are initially joined to one another by a removable element. The removable element when attached indicates that the bag has not yet been used. When the removable element is no longer attached this indicates that the bag may have been used (contaminated). The reclosable plastic bag also includes a closure element for sealing and unsealing the openable top of the bag.

Abstract: A receptacle with compartmented peripheral walls for displaying personalized and changeable graphics is disclosed. The receptacle has an inner cylinder and a transparent outer cylinder which are spaced apart by vertical spacers which divide the cavity between the cylinders into compartments, each of which houses a removable sheet of graphic material. In a preferred embodiment, each compartment is sized to hold a standard, stock sized paper, such as 8½?×11?, so the graphics may be quickly and easily changed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a vessel for high pressure gas, particularly helium, for a space launcher or for a satellite with a short lifetime, includes the steps of: a production of an internal skin of a plastic material selected from polyethylene and crystallized polyamide, a winding a reinforcement of fibers and resins, and a providing the obtained vessel with the necessary conduits and control valves.

Abstract: An injection-molded plastic container or closure has a sidewall extending from a base wall to a rim wall. An upper portion of a segment of the rim wall extends with both outward and inward directional components. A lower portion of the given segment extends with both downward and inward directional components; and at a given level of the lower portion, the given segment has an inner surface and an outer surface that each extend with downward and inward directional components. At the given level the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion are respectively formed by different mold components of one of the mold parts. Upon removal of the container or closure from the mold parts, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion at the given level of the given segment are contemporaneously removed from one of the separated mold parts.

Abstract: A fuel tank body has a double-layer structure composed of an inner tank shell and an outer tank shell, so that an inter-tank-shell space is formed therebetween. Because heat of fuel in the fuel tank body is discharged into the inter-tank-shell space, the temperature of fuel in the fuel tank body is prevented from rising. If the pressure in a canister becomes negative due to a negative pressure in an intake system of an engine, more specifically, a negative pressure in a surge tank leading to an air cleaner, high-temperature air in the inter-tank-shell space between the inner tank shell and the outer tank shell flows into the canister. On the other hand, low-temperature air flows from the air cleaner into the inter-tank-shell space which has become negative in pressure.

Abstract: Collapsible container, preferably a collapsible bulk container, for the transport and storage of fluent and particle bulk goods. The bulk container includes a carrying base member which is provided with skids, collapsible side walls, preferably a so called liner in the form of a bag shaped inner layer and a lid. The side walls are moveably attached to the base member via hinges and that adjacent side walls are joinable. The lid is provided with one or more profiles, which profiles are intended to exert pressure on a part of the upper side of a filled liner, whereby the possibility for the liner to move in relation to the collapsible container during transport is reduced.

Abstract: A flexible zipper intended for use in a package containing powder or other particulate matter. The zipper is designed to be resistant to clogging of the interlocking profiles with powder. This flexible zipper has first and second profiles that interlock in a closed zipper state to define a space therebetween. The space extends in a longitudinal direction, i.e., along the length of the zipper. The bases of both profiles are provided with apertures for enabling powder or other particulate matter trapped in the space between the profiles to pass into the interior volume of a package.

Abstract: A protective case which includes two mating case components and a liner extending between a peripheral area for mating engagement to ensure a relatively sealed relationship when the case components are closed. A latch face is a single elongated element on the front and has two spaced interlocking components to cooperate with hooks in the opposite case component.

Abstract: A tray having prestress sections including a domed shaped bottom and a merchandising window. The window includes a surface parallel to the dome shaped bottom. When the tray is subjected to a load, the dome and the surface of the merchandising window become substantially planar. The front of the tray also includes vertically extending corners that are angled inwardly toward one another from an outer top end to an inner lower end when the tray is empty. When the tray is loaded, the corners deflect toward a vertically extending parallel relationship with respect to one another. The corners adjacent the rear of the tray are fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: A plastics bag has at least one seal (34, 36) extending parallel to the mouth of the bag to close the sides. Preferably, a reclosable zipper seal (36) is provided below a top seal (34). A novel tag is provided, secured to the zipper seal (36) and extending through the top seal (34). The tag (11) is generally M-shaped in cross-section with its outside legs secured to the seals and with an inner tuck which the consumer can withdraw from the mouth of the bag and break open to make an access hole through the seal or seals into the interior of the bag to facilitate full opening of the mouth of the bag. Methods of manufacturing such bags are also described, particularly for use with form-fill-seal machines.

Abstract: A collapsible structure having a plurality of side panels and a floor panel forming an enclosure having an open top. Each side panel comprises a two-ply web of material and a continuous loop frame. One or more handles may be attached to the structure or formed within one or more of the side panels. A method of making and collapsing the structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides liquid surge suppressors and methods of manufacturing such surge suppressors. In one exemplary implementation of the invention, a surge suppressor includes a plurality of flexible longitudinal members, each of which is joined to the other longitudinal members at a first junction and at a second junction spaced from the first junction along a central axis. A generally planar medial disk may lie in a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis and having a generally circular central orifice. The medial disk being joined to a portion of each of the longitudinal members intermediate the first and second junctions and defining a fixed relationship between the longitudinal members.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle including a first member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a projection extending outwardly. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly also includes a second member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a cavity to receive the projection. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly further includes a seal ring disposed in the cavity to engage the first member. The second member has opposed latches adjacent the cavity and being movable to engage the projection for retaining the first member and the second member together.

Abstract: An internal to external self-buoyant straw system for the safe and sanitary removal of contents from aluminum can lift tab containers. The system includes a top straw component (14) cylindrical and hollow in fabrication which vertically slides within close tolerance over its hollow bottom straw component (16) whose lower end is angular cut (30) and held in continuous contact with the container's inner bottom. The top straw component continues its vertical ascent until its integrally fabricated buoyancy float (15) makes contact with the guidance ring (13) which keeps the top straw component directly positioned inline with the container's lid opening. The upper straw component (23) having reached drinking access level may now be angularly adjusted at the outer segmented straw portion (22) for ease of consumption of contents through the rolled lip end (28).

Abstract: This invention concerns a pillow in combination with a hot/cold insulative drink holder, the combination comprising a center mounted insulative drink holder projecting into one side of the pillow, and stitching for securing the insulative drink holder in integral assembly with the pillow. The insulative drink holder thus defines beverage vessel-receiving socket structure with an inside surface of the socket being insulated to preserve preexisting temperature of fluid in a beverage vessel when the same is lodged in the beverage receiving socket structure.

Abstract: A collapsible storage container made of a pair of foldable end panels, each comprising two panel pieces hingedly connected together. The end panels are connected with hinges to two side panels. At the bottom of each side panel a bottom panel is attached with hinges. This means that the collapsible storage container can be put in a usable “box” position by straightening the foldable end panels and folding down the bottom panels, and also can be put in a flat storage position by folding up the bottom panels and folding the foldable end panels until the outside surfaces of panel pieces touch each other.