Abstract: A low profile beverage container holder having a base support for supporting the beverage container and a wall which extends around the base and thereby defines a cavity for receiving the beverage container. The holder is also provided with a wedging structure. In the preferred embodiment, the wedging structure comprises an annular rib disposed in the cavity and projecting upwards from the base support. Thus, when the beverage container is tipped, the annular rib contacts the concavity on the bottom surface of the beverage container and the container is thereby wedged between the annular rib and the low sidewall. A plurality of beverage containers which are adapted to be received within the beverage container holder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A constructional toy comprises main building blocks which are typically square, triangular or rectangular in cross-section and moulded in a suitable plastics material. Each block has respective dovetail-shaped grooves in each of its side faces. The toy also includes principal connecting elements each having a star-shaped cross-section, the grooves being complementary in shape to the shape of the half of any connecting element on one side of a plane which longitudinally bisects the connecting element and the opposed included angles between opposed pairs of adjacent points of its star shape. So two main elements can be secured together in at least four different orientations, successively spaced apart by 90.degree., by sliding one pair of adjacent points of a connecting element into a groove in one main element and sliding the same or another pair of adjacent points into a groove in the other main element.

Abstract: A system for supporting at least one article, comprising an article support member and a base support member for supporting a base member of the article support. The article support comprises a member comprising a first end including a base member projecting therefrom, and a second end including an article support portion capable of supporting at least one article. The base support member comprises a wall which defines a cavity for receiving a portion of the base member projecting from the first portion of the member. Further, the cavity is provided with a protrusion. Preferably, the base support member comprises a cupholder in an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated panel having high thermal insulating value and long vacuum life, and a method of making such a panel are disclosed. The panel is formed of peripherally welded metal wall members which define a cavity within which, in one embodiment, a compressed block of particulate material is disposed. The particulate material, in this embodiment, serves as a barrier to radiant thermal transmission through the panel, acts as a getter to maintain the vacuum in the panel, and supports the walls of the panel against collapse when the cavity is evacuated. The vacuum insulated panel can be covered with a polyurethane foam insulating material. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the filler within the cavity is a sandwich comprising a compressed layer of particulate material suspended between two layers of fiberglass.

Abstract: A low profile beverage container holder having a base support for supporting the beverage container and a wall which extends around the base and thereby defines a cavity for receiving the beverage container. The holder is also provided with a wedging structure. In the preferred embodiment, the wedging structure comprises an annular rib disposed in the cavity and projecting upwards from the base support. Thus, when the beverage container is tipped, the annular rib contacts the concavity on the bottom surface or the beverage container and the container is thereby wedged between the annular rib and the low sidewall. A plurality of beverage containers which are adapted to be received within the beverage container holder are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beverage container for use in a holder having an outer wall and an inner wall which form a space therebetween for receiving the base of the beverage container. The base of the beverage container includes a substantially vertical surface disposed inwardly from the container outer surface and extending upwardly from the container lower surface. When the beverage container is within the holder it is easily removed therefrom in a vertical direction without frictional resistance. When the beverage container is tipped within the holder, however, it is wedged between the inner and outer walls of the holder and thus prevents the contents from spilling.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated panel having high thermal insulating value is described together with a method of making such a panel. The panel is formed of peripherally welded metallic wall members which define a cavity within which a solid compressed block of particulate material is disposed. The particulate material, preferably an activated carbon black, a silica gel or a combination thereof, serves as a barrier to radiant thermal transmission through the panel, acts as a getter to maintain the vacuum in the cavity, and, with proper density, supports the walls of the panel against collapse when the cavity is evacuated. In one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum insulated panel is covered on one side with a polyurethane foam insulating material.

Abstract: Cup holder for a cup, the holder having at least one recess on a side. The recess is partially surrounded by a projecting track which has a guiding head. A cup with a ring can be pushed substantially horizontally to the side and the ring is guided by the guiding bead until the cup reaches a point where it is free to drop into the corresponding recess. The cup holder can be used in a vehicle to minimize spillage.

Abstract: A storage and display case includes a base having recesses for holding tools. The base includes front and rear angled sides that are angled outwardly from a bottom surface towards a top surface. A transparent cover is pivotally mounted on the base on an axis that is substantially parallel to the rear angled side, and is adapted to pivot between a closed position wherein the case is covered and an open position wherein the cover abuts the rear angled side. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the cover in its fully opened position with the cover abutting the rear angled side. When the cover is in its open position, with the cover abutting the rear angled side, the case can be supported on the cover with the base being at an angle to the horizontal that permits easy access to any tools contained therein. A hook portion can be placed along the front angled side whereby the case can be suspended from a hanger strip mounted on a wall.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a container having a portion for receiving a beverage made by passing hot water over an ingredient and a basket for holding a beverage ingredient provided at an upper end of the container. When hot liquid is supplied into the basket, a hot liquid and beverage ingredient mixture exits from the basket into the receiver portion. In embodiments of the present invention, the receiver portion and a reservoir from which the hot liquid originates are disposed side-by-side. Embodiments of the present invention have elements that shield the beverage ingredient from microwave energy and/or an element or elements that insulate the hot liquid and beverage ingredient mixture.

Abstract: A shelf adapted to be easily mounted to or removed from a vertical surface by a bracket has a generally L-shaped cross section defining a horizontal base portion and a vertical leg portion. A first mounting element is disposed on the leg portion adjacent the juncture of the leg portion and base portion for engaging the bracket. A second mounting element is disposed adjacent the distal edge of the leg portion for engaging the bracket wherein one of the first and second mounting mechanisms is engaged with the bracket and the other is engaged with the wall. When the second mounting element engages the bracket, the shelf has a generally L-shaped appearance and a generally inverted L orientation when the first mounting element engages the bracket whereby the orientation of the shelf is selectable. The bracket preferably includes a longitudinal channel which is coextensive with the shelf for supporting the latter.

Abstract: An alignment aid for use in installing a reference system of known type which reflects an image of an indicator mark mounted on a gun turret, back into the gun sight via a mirror mounted at the muzzle end of the gun barrel, for comparison with a reference mark on the graticule of the gunsight, thereby to indicate any angular deviation between the muzzle axis and the gunner's line of sight. The alignment aid, which is used in setting the mirror to provide initial coincidence between the indicator mark image and the reference mark, consists of a highly reflective viewing screen attachable to the turret adjacent the indicator mark, and a projection lamp attached to the gun sight so as to protect an image of the reference mark onto the screen, via the telescopic optics of the gunsight and the mirror.

Abstract: Trays for holding prepared food are provided with an element extending from the upper surface of each tray which engages the lower surface of another tray in a stack and are dimensioned so that the bottom of each tray when in the stack is at an angle to the horizontal.

Abstract: An insulated tray for holding and serving food or the like, either directly on the tray or in receptacles supported on the tray. One embodiment comprises upper and lower cover members made of thin impervious material, preferably plastic sheet material, the space between said cover members being filled with insulating foam, preferably plastic foam, the edges of said cover members being joined around the periphery of the tray, the upper cover member being dished to form one or more receptacles for holding food or the like, the upper cover member being formed with a groove extending around one or more of the dished portions, the lower cover member being formed with a complementary tongue, whereby a plurality of the trays may be stacked with the tongue of one tray nesting in the groove of the underlying tray, the tongue and groove forming a seal around the dished portion. In another embodiment, the lower cover member is omitted.