Abstract: A knockdown storage vessel has an internal bladder and external barrel sections. The ends of two barrel sections include a centrally-located bush that can be engaged by a handle so as to secure the barrel sections and allow for rolling transport of the vessel. The vessel barrel sections are dimensioned so as to nest within one another for compact storage.

Abstract: Composite pressurizable structures overwound with fibers or braided bundles of fibers are described. The pressurizable structures comprise one or more axial sections which themselves comprise both concave and convex surfaces. The shape characteristics are related to geodesic as well as to non-geodesic trajectories of the fibers. Axial sections of the pressurizable structures can be rotated, expanded, or bended with respect to their longitudinal axis. Such pressurizable structures may be used in pressure vessels, flexible pipelines, spring elements, robotic actuators, adaptive buildings among other uses. Manufacturing techniques facilitated by the present structures allow for the construction of very large structures.

Abstract: A serving receptacle dispenses food therefrom onto a diner's plate while overcoming the problem of food being dropped onto the table during dispensing. At least one dispensing ramp is coextensive with the serving dish upper surface and extends upward and horizontally over the edge of a diner's plate. Each ramp has two opposed side edges that extend upwardly from the ramp surface to reduce the chances of food or fluid dropping off the ramp during dispensing. The food is moved onto the ramp and then past the leading edge of the ramp, where it will then fall onto the diner's plate. There may be two opposed ramps that also serve as handles. The ramps have an upper surface that is slightly sloped upwardly as it approaches the outer edge of the ramp. This enables liquids to flow back into the dish instead of dripping over the edge. A drip projection under the free edge of the ramp causes liquid at the edge to drip down onto the plate.

Abstract: A dunnage structure comprising a partition matrix made up of folded partitions, each of the partitions having two plies fused together in select locations. The partitions may be made by folding a partition blank and securing a portion of the folded partition blank to itself in predetermined locations. Passages extend through portions of the partitions to allow multiple partitions to be secured together using connectors.

Abstract: A trash receptacle apparatus comprising a first vertical pole, a second vertical pole, a third vertical pole, a fourth vertical pole, a first top bar, a second top bar, a third top bar, a fourth top bar, a first roller pole, a second roller pole, a third roller pole, a fourth roller pole, and a base wherein the poles and base altogether form a frame; a housing for temporarily enclosing the frame; and a plurality of wheel disposed on the bottom panel; wherein a trash bag can be folded over the top poles; wherein a user can pull the trash bag out of the trash receptacle apparatus through the frame without having to lift the trash bag above the trash receptacle apparatus.

Abstract: A unitary, single-piece baking pan support clip for stacking one or more baking pans vertically to save space without contacting or damaging the contents of each stacked pan. Each clip is comprised of a thin, planar rigid bar having a vertical shaft, horizontal and vertical upper arms that contact and support the bottom surface and exterior sidewall of a baking pan and a base having a recess that secures the clips to the interior sidewall and lip bead of the lower pan. The base recess that is shaped as a cylindrical channel to securely snap or fit over the lip bead of the baking pan to which the clip is attached.

Abstract: A cap, for safely filling and closing an engine oil tank, in particular of an aircraft engine, has an elongated tubular body for feeding oil into the tank; a removable cover body for closing an end portion of the tubular body; an oil feed valve located close to the end portion of the tubular body and movable between an open position, allowing oil flow into the tank, and a closed position, preventing oil outflow from the tank; a filter upstream from the oil feed valve; a dipstick for measuring the oil level in the tank, and which is housed in the tubular body and carried by the removable cover body; and a monostable valve controlled by the dipstick.

Abstract: A fluid controlled containment berm system for automatically forming a containment berm to contain hazardous liquid spills involving a vehicle. The fluid controlled containment berm system includes a liner including a floor and a sidewall, a buoyant member attached to an upper portion of the liner, and a pair of diffuser members attached between the floor and the sidewall.

Abstract: A waterproof enclosure primarily for radio frequency transmitters used in an automatic meter reading (fixed or mobile) system is described. In one example embodiment, the enclosure includes a base unit, cover that is press-fit into the base unit and a collar that has interlocking ends that compressively secure the base and cover together. The enclosure assembly further includes a seal member or O-ring that is interposed between bearing surfaces of the lid and base to promote a waterproof seal.

Abstract: A stainless steel, double-skin, industrial, tote tank (100) for transporting dangerous liquids between a dock and an off-shore platform having inner and out tank “skins,” with the opposing walls gapped, except for the flatly engaged, bottom walls. A low-profile 550 gallon tank design has about a four foot height, six foot length and four foot width, allowing a worker to easily view and work with a liquid level gauge and the top fill openings while merely standing next to the tank. The tank top includes a high wall around all of the operative, top elements, confining any spilled liquid, with a typically closed drain line located in the top wall extending to the side for emptying of the spilled liquid. A protectively enclosed, discharge valve line having a bottom drip pan is included at the sloped tank bottom completely within the tank wall confines with a lock-able access door.

Abstract: A combination dip and cake holder and punch bowl is readily configurable between any of three configurations. A platter member has a base with a female receiver, while a first type of receptacle has an extension that is receivable within the receiver so that when the first receptacle faces upwardly, a dip holder is formed. A second receptacle also has an extension that is receivable within the first extension of the first receptacle in order to form a punch bowl. When the first receptacle rests on its rim and the platter member receives the receptacle's extension, the device acts as a cake holder with the second receptacle being used as a cover that sits on the platter member.

Abstract: The present invention is generally comprised of an appliance for holding a bottle (or other object having a threaded opening) and a method of using the appliance. The appliance is generally comprised of a cap member that is removably connected to a container member. In some embodiments of the invention, the cap member has a cylindrical portion adjacent to an opening in the cap member, such cylindrical portion being threaded on its interior surface. In such embodiments, the container member also has a cylindrical portion adjacent to an opening in the container member, such cylindrical portion being threaded on its exterior surface. In such embodiments, the cap member is screwed onto the container member by means of the threads. In other embodiments, the cap member is also comprised of an adjustable connector portion to receive threads on the cylindrical portion of the bottle adjacent to bottle opening.

Abstract: An environmentally-controlled food container, such as a refrigerator, freezer or oven, includes a plurality of walls joined at their edges and joints between adjacent walls. The joints are covered by a seaming tape which includes a plastic film layer and a mesh layer. The mesh layer is formed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion within ±10% of a coefficient of thermal expansion of adjacent wall material. The seaming prevents moisture and bacteria from entering the joints, and does not fracture due to thermal expansion and contraction of the walls.