Abstract: A receptacle comprising a one-piece molded body having opposing end walls and opposing side walls interconnecting the end walls and a bottom collectively defining an inner cavity with an upward facing opening, the body having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the opposing end walls have integral upper handles extending therefrom which are contoured and extend from the upper portion of the body, and wherein the lower portion of the body defines integral lower handles defined in each side of the body so that the receptacle may be lifted from any side thereof. Some forms of the receptacle further having a cover and/or a cart, and methods relating to all the aforesaid items.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a vibration-dampening clip assembly configured to dampen vibrations between a tube member and a structure. The clip assembly may include a base configured to secure to a surface of the structure, at least one first spring member, and at least one second spring member. A tube retention area is defined between the at least one first spring member and the at least one second spring member. The tube retention area is suspended away from the base. The at least one first spring member and the at least one second spring member are configured to absorb vibratory energy generated by or within the tube member.

Abstract: A novel fluid supply cup comprises a flexible liner integral with a container having an opening and a vent. A novel method of manufacturing a lined container comprises the steps of molding a container having a vented thick-walled portion and an integral flexible thin-walled liner, and folding the thin-walled liner into the thick-walled portion. Finally, a novel method of applying a fluid comprises the steps of providing a flexible liner integral with a container having an opening and a vent, loading fluid into the liner, engaging the container with a fluid applicator, flowing the fluid out of the liner into the fluid applicator, collapsing the liner, and flowing the fluid of the fluid applicator.

Abstract: A novel fluid supply cup comprises a flexible liner integral with a container having an opening and a vent. A novel method of manufacturing a lined container comprises the steps of molding a container having a vented thick-walled portion and an integral flexible thin-walled liner, and folding the thin-walled liner into the thick-walled portion. Finally, a novel method of applying a fluid comprises the steps of providing a flexible liner integral with a container having an opening and a vent, loading fluid into the liner, engaging the container with a fluid applicator, flowing the fluid out of the liner into the fluid applicator, collapsing the liner, and flowing the fluid of the fluid applicator.

Abstract: A food service cart assembly having improved panel structures and an improved divider and tray arrangement to increase the thermal insulation efficiency of the assembly. Several different panel structures are disclosed, to reduce thermal transfer between the inside and outside surfaces, and between the inside surfaces in the separate heated and refrigerated compartments of the cart. The divider and food trays reduce airflow and thermal transfer between the heated and refrigerated compartment.

Abstract: An adjustable adapter includes two arms, each having an axis, a surface substantially normal to the axis, wherein the surfaces of the arms face each other, an end and a passageway for fluid communication between the end and the opening, wherein one of the arm ends is for connection to an inlet of an applicator and the other arm end is for connection to an outlet of a container, and a fastener for pivotally coupling the arms. One of the arm surfaces is provided with a groove in fluid communication with both arm openings. The groove is sealed to prevent fluid from leaking from between the surfaces. When the fastener is in a rotation-resisting mode, the fastener forces the surfaces of the arm toward one another sufficiently to increase friction and resist rotation therebetween, and when the fastener is in a rotation-permitting mode, the fastener releases the surfaces sufficiently to decrease friction and permit rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A cover-connector for covering and connecting a fluid supply container to a conduit is provided, wherein one of the container and the conduit has a male frustoconical connecting surface and the other one of said container and said conduit has a threaded connecting surface. The novel cover-connector comprises a conduit side with a conduit connecting region, a container side with a container connecting region, and a passageway between the connecting regions, wherein one of the connecting regions has a female frustoconical surface having an acute frustoconical angle complementary to the male frustoconical connecting surface for frictional connection therebetween, and wherein the other one of the connecting regions has a threaded portion complementary to the threaded connecting surface for threaded connecting therebetween.

Abstract: An injection molded work surface for use in conjunction with a portable clothes washer includes a decorative laminate top surface and an underlying injection molded substrate. The substrate is provided with a connecting structure facilitating convenient attachment to the upper surface of the clothes washer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insert injection molded work surface for use in conjunction with a portable clothes washer. The work surface includes a decorative laminate top surface and an underlying injection molded substrate. The substrate is provided with a connecting structure facilitating convenient attachment to the upper surface of the clothes washer.

Abstract: A carbon steel screw has one or more portions which have been selectively hardened by selective heat treatment and quenching. In one embodiment, an upper portion of the screw head is selectively hardened to prevent or reduce damage when torque is applied using a driving tool. In another embodiment, the screw tip is selectively hardened for more effective penetration into a substrate. Preferably, the selectively heated portions are selectively quenched to reduce or avoid distortion.

Abstract: A snuffback valve assembly comprising a snuffback valve element having a tapered frusto-conically disposed downstream end portion for moving aerodynamically with respect to highly-viscous materials so as to effectively eliminate the phenomenon of bursting upon movement of the snuffback valve element from the closed to opened positions, and an upstream end portion which comprises an annular portion disposed perpendicular to the axis of the valve element, and a sharp-cornered region, for disrupting the flow parameters of the viscous material and for maintaining vacuum conditions within a valve chamber so as to prevent stringing of the viscous material when the valve element is moved from the opened to closed positions.

Abstract: A carbon steel screw has one or more portions which have been selectively hardened by selective heat treatment and quenching. In one embodiment, an upper portion of the screw head is selectively hardened to prevent or reduce damage when torque is applied using a driving tool. In another embodiment, the screw tip is selectively hardened for more effective penetration into a substrate. Preferably, the selectively heated portions are selectively quenched to reduce or avoid distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing reclosable thermoplastic containers which eliminates the need for spot-sealing zipper closures or zipper closure elements to a web of thermoplastic film prior to forming side seals and zipper end seals is provided. Opposing seal jaws provide increased heat and pressure to zipper closures in a manner which results in improved hermetic and fluid-tight side seals and zipper end seals.