Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multifunctional lazy susan comprising a multifunctional lazy susan that includes a pedestal, a tray rotatably and detachably fastened to the pedestal, and an arrangement of assembled plates positioned about an axis of rotation that extends through the tray and the pedestal. Each plate includes an aperture radially spaced about and proximate the axis of rotation, and a food or condiment dish is releasably coupled to each assembled plate.

Abstract: A quick assembly retail product display system providing efficient display of retail product. One embodiment of the display system includes a rack, display trays, clips used to mount the display trays on the rack, and graphic components. Retail product is packaged and shipped within the display trays, allowing the display trays and product to be put on display without removing the retail product from the trays. Clips are removably mounted to the rack, allowing multiple configurations of the display system. The rack portion of the display system can be quickly set up and is collapsible when not in use. Additionally, the rack is easily movable, allowing the rack to be placed in many different locations. The graphic components provide advertising space and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to enhance the appearance of the display system.

Abstract: A dish rack convertible between and expanded and collapsed configurations. The dish rack has at least three support surfaces, with a first support surface pivotally connected to a base tray, a second support surface pivotally connected to the first support surface, and a third support surface pivotally connected to the second support surface. In the collapsed configuration, each of the three support surfaces and the base tray are in a generally parallel arrangement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.

Abstract: A display tray which employs a mounting or support panel for attachment to one face of a transparent wall is provided with a floor which extends the full width of the support panel and a containment wall which projects upwardly from the floor. The support panel defines an opening above the floor in the area which supports displayed product so that the product is visible through the transparent wall. The containment wall cooperates with the floor to define a tray cavity which extends the full width of the support panel so that the tray cavity occupies maximum horizontal floor space on the tray and the containment wall at least partially obscures the mounting devices which secure the tray to the transparent wall.

Abstract: Rack includes a left upright frame, a right upright frame, and a connector extending between and joining the left and right frames. The connector defines at least one passage extending along the left upright frame, for example, so that another rack may be nested within a volume defined by the rack for reducing storage space requirements. The rack may have its connector oriented so that the rack has a substantially Z-shaped frame, a substantially X-shaped frame, a substantially U-shaped frame, a substantially V-shaped frame, or a substantially H-shaped frame, for example, when viewed from above. A lifting element may be provided on an upper portion of the rack for use with institutional and industrial lifting mechanisms. The lifting element may be mounted on the rack so as to avoid interference with another rack when the racks are nesting.

Abstract: A shelving system has a plurality of shelves, with each shelf having a plurality of intersecting wire rods. The shelving system also has a plurality of posts connected to the shelves and separating the shelves. A storage bin is adapted for use with the shelving system. The storage bin has a bottom wall, at least one side wall, an interior space enclosed by the at least one side wall and the bottom wall, and a plurality of rails provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall. Each rail has a groove, with the groove of each of the rails aligned to form a row of grooves. The storage bin is seated on one of the shelves, with one of the wire rods in the one of the shelves positioned in the row of grooves to maintain the storage bin at a desired position on the shelf.

Abstract: A tray for components is disclosed. The tray has a tray body having a bottom end mounted with a magnet characterized in that the circumferential edge of the tray body is mounted with a securing module having an engaging slot which urgingly engages with the edge of the tray body, and the securing module is provided with a center shaft for the through-mounting of the tray having a recess.

Abstract: An upstanding Self-Adjusting Volume Display and Merchandise Dispensing System designed to increase merchandise and order picking dispensing efficiency and solve major space problems in a direct marketing distribution facility and other product display situations. The inventive system includes a main high-volume, open-top storage bin or hopper with an inclined floor member slanting toward the front of the hopper and a companion, upstanding, telescoping, self-adjusting volume chute vertically and slidably engaged within the interior of the main hopper. The main hopper has a discharge opening at the bottom of the front panel in which a picking portal is inserted, allowing merchandise filled therein to slide forward to be extracted therefrom.

Abstract: An infant feeding tray prevents an infant from pushing a dish from the eating surface of the tray. The tray includes a dish that is removably locked in an opening in the tray. A cup well is also provided to retain a conventional “sippy” cup therein. The dish is designed with a lip to aid the infant in maneuvering food with a eating utensil. A clamping arrangement permits the tray to be secured to a highchair or to a tabletop. A cover tray having an imperforate surface is disposed over the feeding tray to provide a play surface.

Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly and a seat supported by the frame assembly and capable of movement with a child occupying the seat. A housing is provided on a part of the frame assembly. A receptacle is provided in the housing and is positioned spaced from and faces away from the seat. A storage tray is located in the compartment and defines a storage space on the tray. The tray is movable between an opened position with the storage space and the tray extending outside the housing away from the seat and a closed position with the tray and storage space within the receptacle in the housing.

Abstract: A customizable display rack for displaying a plurality of differently-sized products. The display rack is comprised of a housing with two opposing side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, each extending from a bottom wall to form an enclosed space that is accessible from at least one side, the front wall extending to a height that is substantially less than that of the rear wall. The housing is designed to accommodate a predetermined number of large trays, which may form a first row extending substantially the entire distance between each of two opposing side walls of the housing or a second row extending substantially the entire distance between the front wall and the rear wall of the housing. Each large tray may also be designed to accommodate a predetermined number of small trays. The display rack may also include a display holder.

Abstract: Stackable plant trays may be sized with inside dimensions which are the same as conventional flats, but with sides that are substantially taller, thereby permitting plants to be protected when multiple trays of the present invention are stacked together. The sides of the trays may be formed in a lattice or mesh pattern, thereby allowing air and light to freely move through the tray, even with a second tray stacked on top thereof. The present invention provides an improvement over conventional plant trays, which may have sides that are just tall enough to hold the plant pots in place and would not allow for the stacking of one on top of the other.

Abstract: A tray for transporting and displaying baked products is disclosed. The tray can be stacked in a 0° and 180° stacking configuration. The trays further include substantially non-glossy, non-smooth surfaces that allow stickers to be more easily removed, as well as drain channels in the base to facilitate removal of water following washing. The trays further include a scalloped handle on one side of the tray only to allow operators to more easily recognize which side of the tray they are facing. A tray retrieval tool can be used with several hook areas to facilitate retrieval of the trays following washing in high temperature water, or following stacking and storage. The trays further include spacers and spacer holes to place the spacers so that different types of baked products can be accommodated without damaging or destroying the baked product.

Abstract: A method of protectively heating a microtitre well plate from below using infra-red radiation in a centrifugal evaporator, wherein a barrier plate is placed in contact with and surrounding the lower ends of the wells. The barrier plate is adapted to convey heat energy to the wells and contents thereof and is selected to be substantially non-transmittive of radiation having wavelengths in the range 200 nm to 3000 nm, and the surface of the barrier plate which is to receive the wells includes a plurality of sockets in which the closed lower ends of the wells are a snug fit. The plate is adapted to fit between the underside of the wells and a swinging sample holder mount of a centrifugal evaporator, or a shelf of a swinging sample holder mount, having two or more shelves for stacking well plates one above the other in such an evaporator.

Abstract: A cover plate for household appliances having enhanced utilization potential by being at least partially provided with a raised edge on a perimeter thereof.

Abstract: A barbell/dumbbell training support device includes a base with distal ends, a cross support laterally extending equidistantly from each distal end of the base for a predetermined distance, the cross supports being configured to prevent tipping of the support device, an elongated tray configured to support barbells and dumbbells, and connection elements configured to interconnect the base with the elongated tray. Ends of each cross support may have attached thereto pads, covers, or elevated attachments made from flexible and resilient material. The elongated tray is a generally elongated rectangle having a surface and lengthwise sides with ends and widthwise sides with ends. Raised edges extend from each of the corresponding lengthwise and widthwise sides of the tray.

Abstract: A serving tray with function of keeping food fresh in the present invention includes a rotary tray provided with at least one compartment; at least one receiving pan; and a base plate disposed below the rotary tray. In using, after a user puts ice cubes into the at least one compartment, places various food items, such as vegetables, fruits or the like, respectively in the at least one receiving pan, and then locates the at least one receiving pan above the at least one compartment, the food items will soon be spread with cool air coming from the ice cubes and penetrating through a plurality of perforated holes of the at least one receiving pan, thus enabling the food items to be kept fresh in cool temperature in a longer period for being tasted more delicious, and maintained with their individual unique flavors in a sanitary condition.

Abstract: A point-of-sale shelf organizer for product containers which includes a product container organizer; and, an integral literature dispensing chamber. In one of the embodiments of this invention, the front of the organizer includes a mini bill-board extension for display of graphics and/or a promotional message. This organizer is preferably formed from transparent thermoplastic materials so as to permit visual access to the items of promotional literature and graphics that are retained therein.

Abstract: An organizer having a main body portion and a lip portion. The main body portion includes one or more wells, each well having a longitudinal length and a depth, well walls, and a front portion having an opening for receiving at least a portion of a tool. The lip portion is positioned adjacent the main body portion and includes one or more receiving members.

Abstract: A toothbrush cleaning assembly includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. An upper edge of the peripheral wall defines an opening extending into the housing. A cover is selectively positioned over the opening for selectively closing the opening. An ultra violet light emitter is mounted in the housing. A power supply is electrically coupled to the light emitter. A panel has a top side and a bottom side. The panel is removably positioned in the housing such that the bottom side abuts the bottom wall. The top side has a plurality of wells extending therein. Toothbrushes may be removably positioned in the wells and the light emitter turned on such that the toothbrushes are exposed to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An expandable dish rack with a drainage channel and port. The rack is expandable to hold larger dishes and increase its capacity.

Abstract: A clip is provided for holding a stack of trays and a tray cover. The clip has a base having a width providing clearance for a width of a tray and a cut-away relief area for finger access. First and second opposing resilient side walls and a resilient back wall extend upward from the base, forming a structure with an open front and top. First and second resilient, elongated and downwardly curved members are included, each having a proximal end attached to an upper front of a corresponding side wall, and a distal end attached to the back wall. The resilient members are positioned so as to apply pressure to first and second opposing perimeter portions of a tray placed in the clip.

Abstract: A shelf box-type modular elements for stacking and presenting two-dimensional piece goods in a substantially vertical orientation, which elements can be introduced into a rack or frame. The modular elements are trays that are parallel-piped in at least their ends zones, with an angle (&agr;, &bgr;, &ggr;) smaller 90°, that remain open towards the top and that have a low-cut portion on the front wall. The front wall can also be transparent. A display consisting of a rack or frame includes at least one vertical compartment, open towards the front, and having trays introduced individually one on top of the other. The lateral walls and the intermediate walls of the vertical compartment(s) are provided with elements fro introducing and fixing the trays at an angle. The elements are arranged in such a manner that the front wall and the lateral walls of the trays extend in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: An upstanding Self-Adjusting Volume Display and Merchandise Dispensing System designed to increase merchandise and order picking dispensing efficiency and solve major space problems in a direct marketing distribution facility and other product display situations. The inventive system includes a main high-volume, open-top storage bin or hopper with an inclined floor member slanting toward the front of the hopper and a companion, upstanding, telescoping, self-adjusting volume chute vertically and slidably engaged within the interior of the main hopper. The main hopper has a discharge opening at the bottom of the front panel in which a picking portal is inserted, allowing merchandise filled therein to slide forward to be extracted therefrom.

Abstract: A platter cart has a wheeled base and at least one vertical support extending upwardly from each side of the base at a location spaced between the front and rear end of the base. A series of front shelves are secured to extend forwardly from the supports at spaced intervals, and a series of horizontal rear shelves are secured to extend rearwardly from the supports at spaced intervals. Each rear shelf is vertically offset from the front shelves, so that two platter carts can be nested together by pushing a rearward cart into the end of a front cart with the front shelves of the rearward cart nesting into the spaces between the rear shelves of the front cart.

Abstract: A one piece display stand for the point-of-sale display of produce, such as bananas, manufactured out of a closed cell foam material and of solid construction, with generally flat sides and bottom and a top surface having a number of concave troughs for holding the produce. The display stand is used in a retail setting by first being placed onto a table or other support structure, and then having produce placed within the concave troughs of the top surface. The troughs hold the produce in a visually pleasing manner, while the foam construction of the stand protects the produce from damage.

Abstract: A glass and cup holding assembly for an automatic dishwasher includes a rack and a rack extender. The rack has side walls with an upper edge having spaced apart upwardly opening sockets. The rack extender has side walls with a lower edge defining connector pins each having a shaft, at least a portion of which tapers inwardly from the lower edge, and an enlarged head defining a catch surface. The pins engage the sockets such that the shaft is disposed within the socket and the head catch surface engages an underside of the upper edge of the side wall.

Abstract: The device for use with a support for goods which are to stand in rows on the shelves of a shop or store-room, in particular such goods as are arranged in compartments formed by transverse dividers. The support comprises a track (6) provided with sawtooth racks (8) and a support device (7) that can be moved along the track, with a bottom plate (13), a suport back (15) projecting upward from the bottom plate, and backward-projecting locking elements (16) which interact with the sawtooth rack (8) in the track. The device comprises an operating tool (10) arranged under the bottom plate (13) of the support device (7) in such a way that it can be pulled out. The operating tool is designed with lugs projecting upward from it arranged to interact with the bottom plate (13) of the support device when the opeating tool (10) is pulled out, in order to bring the support device forward by means of a forward movement of the operating tool, for moving forward goods which are supported by the support device.

Abstract: A highly functional desk organizer includes a base (10) with a bottom surface (12) and a top surface (16), (108) with a thickness that is relatively small in relation to the periphery of the base (10). An array of three pockets (26), (28), (30); (110), (112), (114) is located on the top surface (16), (108) that includes a relatively shallow pocket (28), (112) in the center of the array and is adapted to receive and provide support for a note pad, and the two side pockets (26), (30); (110), (114) on each side of the central pocket (28), (112) which are deeper than the central pocket (28), (112) and adapted to receive paper clips, rubber bands, business cards or the like. Two cylindrical pockets (32), (34); (116), (118) are located in the top surface (108) and are substantially identical and relatively deep in relation to the central pocket (28), (112).

Abstract: An upright file storage unit which includes an open-frame defined by a pair of upright and laterally spaced side frame members and upper and lower cross frame members which extend transversely between and interconnect the side frame members. The lower end of the storage unit is supported directly on a floor, and an upper end is supported on a portion of an upright wall member. The side frame members define therein vertically spaced openings such that mounting elements of a hanging-type file folder or other accessories can be engaged within a pair of laterally adjacent and vertically aligned openings of the respective side frame members. The side frame members are inclined relative to the vertical so that the hanging file folders can be arranged are in vertically staggered relationship with one another to provide ready visual access to documents stored therein.

Abstract: A merchandise display fixture for connection to an upright of a gondola display. The display fixture includes a cavity defined by a wall having front, rear, and side wall portions; and at least one mounting hook that extends from the rear portion of the wall. The display fixture is then mounted to a single upright of a gondola display such that the upright is located in a central location relative to the rear portion of the fixture.

Abstract: Rack or frame may be substantially V-shaped. The substantially V-shaped configuration enhances the strength and nestability of the rack. The rack may be an oven rack with a lifting element suited for being lifted by oven rack lifting equipment. Rack may accommodate one or more objects, such as trays, per level. Nested racks greatly reduce storage space requirements.

Abstract: A floating partition provides a visual divide along a long section of boxes in a rack and box filing system. The floating partition has a thin panel with top and bottom fingers. The fingers rest on respective rails of the system rack. A bottom edge of the partition panel is spaced from a base cover. A tab on at least the top finger enables the floating partition to be installed anywhere along the rails. A three-dimensional contour along a front edge of the floating partition enhances the visual divide along the boxes and also increases panel rigidity.

Abstract: A merchandiser display fixture for connection to the upright of a gondola display. The invention also relates to a blank from which the fixture can be made as well as a method of making the fixture from the blank.

Abstract: A sterilizable bracket (10) for supporting medical instruments (22) includes a resilient body (12) that surrounds and encapsulates a relatively rigid metal skeleton (14) which is attached to a plurality of studs (16) which secure the bracket (10) to a sterilizable tray (18). instruments (22) are received in indentations (24) in the resilient body (12). Each indentation (24) includes a plurality of ribs or fingers (28) which permit sterilizing steam to flow around the instruments (22). The resilient body (12) comprises a silicone material which encapsulates the skeleton backbone (14) which, in turn, gives the bracket (10) strength and flexibility. Threaded studs (16) having a slot (46) at one end and threads (50) at the other are employed to attach the bracket (10) to the sterilizable tray (18). The slot (46) in the head (44) of each of the studs (16) receives the metal skeleton backbone (14).

Abstract: A container (10) has a tray-like bottom (11) and a cover (12). The bottom (11) has two protrusions or supporting handles (13, 14), suitable to hang the bottom on two parallel guides, located in a horizontal plane. The container has a nose or hook at its front side, for coupling another container, placed in front of it. This container (10) may be used to supply meals for passengers by using a trolley during passenger transport and avoids the necessity of a serving tray, on which the container is placed.

Abstract: A carrier structure comprises a carrier base which is not thermally deformable and a portion of which is also transparent to electromagnetic radiation. An adhesive layer is disposed on a surface of the carrier base. Semiconductor chips or other items adhere to the adhesive layer, which is cross-linked when it is desired to remove the chips. Once the chips have been removed, the adhesive layer may be removed from the carrier base. The carrier base can be re-used to transport and hold semiconductor chips after application of a new adhesive layer. A carrier frame may releasably support the carrier base.

Abstract: A storage tray for storing magnetized magnets for assembly in a disc drive. The tray includes a base having a support surface and a cover sized to cover the support surface. The base is formed of a material having magnetic properties for attracting magnetized magnets for removably supporting the magnets until assembled in a voice coil motor.

Abstract: A platter cart for carrying a plurality of loaded trays has an upwardly extending, wheeled support frame and a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves secured between the opposite sides of the frame. Each shelf comprises a bar extending between the sides of the frame and formed into a serpentine configuration including at least a central portion of generally W-shape, the serpentine configuration having a central axis of symmetry aligned with the central axis of the frame. The sides of the cart are generally tapered inwardly from the rear to the front end of the frame, and the frame is open at its rear end so that carts can be nested together with the W-shaped shelves and tapered sides interfitting for nesting purposes.