Abstract: A hinged lid, for covering a container having an open top defined by an upper rim, comprises a substantially transparent pair of sections hingedly connected to one another along an axis about which at least one of the sections may pivot between closed and open positions. The sections further have respective peripheral portions with corresponding flat lower sides, which are substantially coplanar with one another in said closed position, thereby being engageable with the rim of the container so as to accommodate various sizes thereof and protect food in the container from flies or other contamination. According to one aspect of the invention, the pivotable section can have a notch with flexible bristles associated therewith to accommodate a serving utensil while also minimizing contamination of food in the container. According to another aspect, the invention can further include a strap for removably securing the other section to the container.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for closing an internal divider gate in a livestock transport vehicle (i.e. trailer). The vehicle has one side with an opening. A bar is pivotally connected to the side adjacent to the opening, and is received through the opening such that the bar has an outer bar portion outside the vehicle and an inner bar portion inside the vehicle. A roller is rotatably connected to an inner end defined by the inner bar portion. A handle is preferably fixedly connected to the outer bar portion adjacent to an outer end defined by such bar portion. An operator pulls on the handle to move the outer bar portion outwardly from the side and the inner bar portion in the opposite direction to place the roller in rolling contact with the gate. The bar pushes the gate from an open position and partway to a closed position with the roller in rolling contact with the gate, the gate gaining sufficient momentum to swing the rest of the way to the closed position with the roller out of contact with the gate.