Abstract: A case for holding and dispensing small components such as orthodontic O-rings. Most of the component is fictionally or otherwise retained within the case, and only a small component portion extends from the case to be accessible to and grasped by the tips of a plier-like extraction tool. The case prevents the tool tips from closing over the entire component which would require component repositioning before placement.

Abstract: An inexpensive reusable insulated jacket for removably receiving an open beverage can therewith, and to maintain its contents in refrigerated condition, having a cover for preventing windblown sand and other foreign materials from entering the can and thereby contaminating its contents. The jacket is designed so that it is comprised of only two separate molded pieces of insulating material, a cylindrical cup-like member and a cover, the cover being secured to the cup-like member solely by a small elastic band anchored upon the cup-like member and extending over the cover while urging same toward closed protecting position.A bearing surface is molded into the cover and cooperates with a bearing surface molded into the cup-like member, so as to obviate the need for a fixed hinge member, the latter being difficult to secure and maintain in molded insulating material and relatively expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A package for uniform microwave cooking of a food item such as an egg roll, which requires surface browning or crispening, comprises a drapable, liquid permeable, microwave susceptive composite material draped around the food item, and a paper board holder having at least one cutout portion into which the wrapped food item nestles.

Abstract: Apparatus for separately holding a multiplicity of each of several different sized elastic bands such as rubber bands. The apparatus includes a body having a multiplicity of storage regions, each of which has a storage slot. Further, the circumferences of at least two of the storage slots in different storage regions are different from one another. More specifically, a storage region is formed by disposing a first storage slot having a first circumference between two other restraining or confining ridges or regions, each of which ridges or regions has a larger circumference than the first region. Different sized elastic bands are then wrapped about the body in the different storage regions. The circumference about the body in a storage slot of a particular storage region which is appropriately sized to hold a particular elastic band is at least as large as the circumference of the inside surface of the elastic band.

Abstract: An orthodontic elastic band having an orally-acceptable elastomeric material which is natural, natural-synthetic or synthetic rubber or theromplastic polymeric material, and a flavoring substance uniforming dispersed therein. Preferred embodiments have 0.1-10 parts by weight, and most preferably 1-5 parts, of the flavoring substance per 100 parts elastomeric material. Preferred flavoring substances are flavoring oils, and the preferred elastomeric materials are the rubbers, most preferably natural rubber. Also disclosed is an orthodontic treatment method including releasing a flavoring substance from an intraoral elastic band by contact thereof with the oral environment to encourage frequent elastic band replacement.

Abstract: An article holder having general utility for receiving and securely holding various articles, objects or other entities in a secure and safe manner. The article holder includes a wall, base or other supporting panel-like structure having an opening therein having a periphery defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced segments forming a receiver for an article, object or other entity together with resilient means which resists radial expansion of the segments and exerts radial inward force on the segments for secure engagement with an article, object or other entity inserted into the receiver defined by the circumferentially spaced segments. The shape or configuration, size and materials from which the article holder is constructed may be varied depending upon the end use requirements.

Abstract: A package comprising a case which comprises a bottom member and a cover member, and a plurality of disk-form magnetic recording mediums, each having a central hole, which are contained in the case in a stacked state one on another while an upright pillar standing on the center of the bottom member is relatively inserted into the central holes of the disk-form magnetic recording mediums. The package may be tied from the outside by binding means or may be wrapped by a plastic film by means of a vacuum packing. The disk-form magnetic recording mediums packed in the case are protected from the dust and the moisture perfectly, and the damage of the recording mediums caused by the rubbing therebetween by vibrations or the like during the transit can be prevented by the upright pillar inserted into the holes of the recording mediums.

Abstract: A coupler and protector device for two remote control units is provided and consists of a pair of elastic straps which will hold the two remote control units together in a back to back relationship so that a person can use both units at the same time. The elastic straps will prevent damage to the units by absorbing shock thereto if dropped or hit against any hard surface.

Abstract: An article of manufacture including a mounted glass thermometer has been developed which resists breakage of the glass thermometer tube. The thermometer tube is mounted on backing using flexible elastomeric rings which encircle the thermometer tube and two protrusions integral with and extending from said backing in the same plane as the backing.

Abstract: A collapsible, self-erecting hollow structure which is formed from an integral blank of paperboard which is cut and scored to form a plurality of side and end walls which when erected form the hollow structure. Each of the plurality of side and end walls are hingedly connected along one edge thereof with at least one other wall. The hollow structure also has at least two flaps, each of which is hingedly connected along one edge thereof with at least one of the plurality of side walls. These flaps each is cut and scored to form an attachment and further is folded and affixed to one of the plurality of end walls on the side thereof which is interior of the erected hollow structure. An elastic means such as a rubber band is secured under tension to the attachments and normally pulls the two end walls to which the flaps are hingedly connected toward one another and thereby erecting said hollow structure. The hollow structure may also have affixed to it a copy extender.

Abstract: A receiving cradle for the pre-packaging of items (e.g., stamp booklets) to be oriented in and then dispensed from a criss-cross stack. Initially, pairs of rubber bands are placed on the fixture in a preferred sequence, followed by the loading of alternately stacked booklets forming the criss-cross stack to ultimately be placed into the booklet dispenser equipment. When the prearranged criss-cross stack has been set into place, the operator sequentially draws the rubber bands from their pre-set positions over the opposed corners of the criss-cross stack. The result is an integral stack, rubber banded together, forming a criss-cross booklet package in preassembled form, ready for prompt loading into a dispenser mechanism.

Abstract: A carrying case for drill bits has concave rectangular top and bottom panels pivotably mounted at their rear long edges to a narrow, rectangular hinge strip and fastenable at the front edges of the panel to form a closed box. A drill bit holding block extending inward from the inner surface of the hinge strip contains a plurality of parallel bores disposed perpendicularly downward from the flat upper surface of the block. A longitudinally disposed slot cut through the rear surface of the block communicates with each bore. An elastic band looped around the block and lying in the slot is deformable by a longitudinally disposed, grooved compression strip extending inward from the top panel of the case to apply compressive holding forces on the shanks of drills contained within the bores in the holding block, thereby securing the drills in position with the box closed.

Abstract: A dual carton for holding separate quantities of articles, such as bottles, jars or cans. A pair of open-topped cartons, which may be of the same or different sizes, are assembled with a vertical wall of each in abutting relationship and held in this position by a shrink band extending around the assemblage, adhesive tapes connecting the two cartons or glue spots between the two cartons adjacent the bottom one-third of the carton height. A one-piece cover or cap fits over both cartons and is provided with side flaps that are glued to the carton side walls. Handholes are provided in the cartons and/or the cap flaps adjacent the top edges. The cap is provided with a slit or tear strip across the middle above the abutting sides of the cartons.

Abstract: A lay flat tube plastic multi-packaging device for containers is disclosed as having upper and lower band segments with the upper and lower band segments being configured and arranged to engage upper and lower areas of the containers through elastic gripping engagement thereof for carrying said containers.

Abstract: A reed holder comprises a base member and a cover member. The base member includes at least one elongate, rigid member defining a planar, reed-receiving surface and at least one reed retaining member for removably securing a reed against the reed-receiving surface. The cover member defines an open-ended enclosure co-extensive with a predetermined portion of the planar reed-receiving surface for enclosing a tip portion of a read. Coacting assembly structures on the base member and on the cover member are provided for effecting non-removable assembly of the base member with the cover member.

Abstract: A collapsible solution container is disclosed having a flat rectangular bottom wall, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The side walls and end walls are hingedly attached to the bottom wall and cooperate to define a container when positioned perpendicular to said bottom wall. A resilient band is extended along the outer surfaces of the side walls and the inner surfaces of the end walls, said band causing the container to be automatically erected from a flat collapsed position. A flexible waterproof sheet is adhered to the inner surfaces of the container and extends between the side walls and end walls to provide a waterproof interior for the container.

Abstract: A plastic device for supporting an elongated object comprises a plurality of looped strips of successively greater sizes from the smallest looped strip at the innermost position with the opposite terminals of the looped strips continuously joined into one lateral edge of a common base piece. These looped strips are each provided on the outer side at the central portion thereof with a fastening piece adapted to be brought into engagement with a hook provided on the remaining lateral edge of the base piece. The supporting of an elongated object with this plastic device is accomplished by selecting from among the looped strips the strip of a size befitting the diameter of the elongated object, wrapping it around the elongated object and bringing the fastening piece of the selected strip into engagement with the hook of the base piece.

Abstract: A product and method for packaging a flush valve on a display card wherein the valve is self-supporting on the card and the package requires no components or elements other than the valve and the card. The flush valve includes a flanged body portion received in an aperture in the card with the flange overlying a surface of the card. An elongated flexible lift strap extending from the valve is wrapped around the card and valve to hold the valve in place on the card. An end of the strap is frictionally retained in an opening in the card to maintain the strap in its wrapped condition.

Abstract: The plastics material device has a plurality of generally quadrilateral openings for receiving and gripping the containers. The openings have their sides formed by strips and each of the strips of two opposite, corresponding sides of each opening are orientated along their length, the strips of the remaining two opposite sides not being substantially orientated. The strips, at least, have substantial elasticity.

Abstract: Bags are dispensed from a stack of bags by locating the stack of bags on a dispensing surface and elastically pinching the stack of bags to the dispensing surface with an elastic compression means. The bags are thus capable of being removed from the stack one at a time without otherwise disrupting the stack.

Abstract: A ball holder, particularly a tennis ball holder, capable of retaining one or two balls and easily attachable to the clothing is provided in which the two ball holder comprises a vertical strut member; an upper planar ball retaining member extending outwardly from the upper edge of said strut member; a lower planar ball retaining member extending outwardly from the lower edge of said strut member; and a cylindrical ball retaining member joined to the central portion of said strut member and lying between said upper and lower planar ball retaining members. The holder preferably employs elastic ball retaining members which extend from the outer regions of the planar ball retaining members to the cylindrical ball retaining member. A single ball retaining member is provided having a lower planar ball retaining member, arched ball gripping members and elastic ball retaining members.

Abstract: A sterilizable holder for a fiber optic surgical unit or similar delicate medical instrument including a base, an outline of the instrument formed on the base, pairs of retainer pegs located about the outline on the base and elastic bands engaging the pegs to secure the instrument on the holder. The instrument outline may be etched on the base or printed onto the base. The base may be made of transparent plastic and all parts may be conventionally gas sterilized at temperatures of 135.degree. F. or less.

Abstract: Packaging means for storing, mailing or transporting a plurality of small objects having pointed ends. The package has a sheet of compressible foam material having a plurality of tapes attached to one face of the sheet for receiving the pointed objects to a stored position in which the points are embedded in the foam. The foam sheet is rolled into a scroll and maintained in position by a pair of rods, connected to opposite ends of the sheet, which are tied together.

Abstract: An elastic binding device for circumferentially containing a bundle. A closed-loop elastic band is stretched around the bundle and through itself with a pin holding the ends of the band.

Abstract: A wire basket with a bail type handle or dual bail handles which are removable and may be flexibly attached to the basket.

Abstract: A safety matchpacket cover to prevent children from using any match, the device comprising a paperboard, plastic, metal or wood plate with lateral grooved guides to slide in same cover or dispenser a safe from burns and waterproof matchpacket, the device also comprising an elastic cord or rubber band that retracts the matchpacket back to its enhoused original position in the matchpacket cover or dispenser, and primarily comprising a concealed lock that prevents matches to be withdrawn from dispenser or matchpacket cover, unless unlocking the matchpacket. This concealed and unperceptable lock is effective and strong enough to prevent children and infants from releasing and lighting matches and eventually producing fires at home when same children or infants are alone.

Abstract: A one piece, all plastic bait bucket or container is adapted to be manufactured at minimum cost by blow molding techniques. The lightweight and durable bucket for live bait has a side wall door which is integrally hinged to the body of the bucket and may be held normally closed by an elastic band arrangement. The tapered shape of the bucket facilitates towing through water and enables a greater separation of the live bait in the bucket to keep the bait alive longer.

Abstract: A musical instrument reed storage assembly including a base piece with a flat surface on each opposite side thereof and with musical instrument reeds with flat surfaces abutting the base piece flat surfaces and with two elastic bands spaced apart and extending over the base pieces and over the reeds for holding the reeds straight and flat on the base piece and with the elastic bands having holes for aeration of the reeds. The base piece has indicia for identifying and sequential use of the reeds and the base piece also has an area which receives pencil or pen writing for identifying the assembly.

Abstract: A container and dispenser for a rolled sheet of gauze material which permits a user to dispense a selected length of gauze without touching the surface of the gauze during the dispensing operation, and which prevents the dispensing of additional gauze at other times.

Abstract: A low cost, easily fabricated wallet and holder particularly for credit card receipts, small pieces of paper and the like comprises a pair of opposed panels. An elastic member joins the panels and is positioned proximate the periphery thereof. The elastic member biases the panels together allowing temporary separation thereof and insertion of the papers therein. The outboard faces of the panels provide a large and conspicuous area on which various advertising indicia may be placed.The aforementioned abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A continuous band of impervious elastic material covers and seals the closure around the periphery of a piece of luggage or similar container. An opening is provided, where necessary, through which the luggage handle protrudes. Various cross-sectional shapes are described for achieving close-fitting conformity with the peripheral side surfaces of the luggage.

Abstract: Container suitable for accommodating a tape cassette.

Abstract: Packaging in the form of a carrier for holding and carrying a plurality of containers such as cans, bottles, jars and the like is disclosed. The carrier comprises at least one packaging band which completely encloses a plurality of containers arranged in at least one row while incompletely enclosing the periphery of any individual container. At least one carrying band is associated with the at least one packaging band to provide means for grasping and lifting the container package. Several combinations of enclosed rows, each containing a plurality of containers, are disclosed along with appropriate carrying bands.