Abstract: An improved polo mallet includes a single-cane upper shaft portion spliced to a twin-cane lower shaft portion which is securely joined to a mallet head. The upper shaft portion maintains the flexibility required for effective game play while the lower shaft portion provides increased strength and durability at the point of frequent breakage for increasing the useful life of the polo mallet. The lower shaft portion is secured within a non-circular aperture in the mallet head to thereby prevent shaft twisting or rotation which may cause unnecessary premature breakage. This invention further includes a cost-effective method of repairing broken polo mallets whereby a broken shaft is removed and replaced with a twin-cane shaft which is then spliced to the remaining original shaft and is insertably secured within corresponding apertures in the mallet head.

Abstract: A carton divider comprising a structural web surrounding a plurality of preformed lateral flaps each circumscribed in part by an edge broken away from the web along a readily frangible line of weakness extending from one end to another end of a laterally extending hinge line arranged on the web. The plurality is arranged as laterally extending flap pairs, each pair comprising a laterally elongated first flap in laterally spaced relation across an intermediate isthmus of the web, from a laterally shorter second flap. A longitudinal array of such pairs have adjacent pairs with a mutually laterally reversed symmetry with laterally offset isthmuses arranged in a contiguous series forming a serpentine spine running along a central longitudinal axis of the web. The elongated flaps are arranged with proximal edges thereof adjacent the central axis in spaced relation from the axis sufficient to admit a divider insert to be positioned in upright supported relation by and between the proximal edges.

Abstract: The handle reinforcing portion of a combined divider and handle reinforcing insert for a paperboard carton is formed with a three-ply thickness. The blank from which the divider is formed has first and second divider panels and first and second handle panels. A first handle reinforcing sub-panel is severed from the first divider panel and extends longitudinally inwardly from a first end edge of the first divider panel and is hingedly connected to the lower edge of the first handle panel along a hinge line. A second handle reinforcing sub-panel is hingedly attached to the second edge of one of the first or second handle panels and extends longitudinally therefrom. The first and second sub-panels are located between the first and second handle panels and having a combined surface area substantially matching that of the first handle panel to provide a third ply of thickness between the first and second handle panels when they are secured to one another.

Abstract: A heating stand for supporting an item which is to be heated in a microwave oven. The stand comprises a boxboard blank having a microwave intereactive layer of material on its upper face. The interactive layer extends continuously between first oppositely disposed edges, and is spaced laterally inwardly from the second side edges thereof to form uncoated margins at each of the second edges of the blank. The blank is creased to provide fold lines which define a platform panel, support leg panels and leg bracing panels. The platform panel is proportioned to provide support for an article to be heated. The support leg panels are foldable along their crease line to project downwardly from the platform in use to support the platform in an elevated position in a microwave oven. The leg bracing panels are foldable along their crease line to project downwardly from the platform in use and are connectable to the support leg panels to rigidifying the support leg panels.

Abstract: A tearing edge is formed at an edge of a paperboard blank according to the present invention by arranging a plurality of paperboard blanks in a stack with the edges which are to be reinforced disposed in a common plane and applying a clamping force to the stack of blanks and applying to the edges which are to be reinforced a coating fluid of a type which is at least semi-rigid when set and allowing the coating to set to form a rigidifying edge and thereafter releasing the clamping force to permit separation of the blanks from the stack.