Abstract: A compartmented bank for holding money to be used for saving, spending or other budgetary purposes. The bank has a hollow body having openings in its upper surface and notched, removable plugs that fit in the openings to help define elongated slots through which coins or paper money can be inserted into the bank.

Abstract: An improved tray or other packaging article having hinged tab portions for securing a vertical support post is provided. The hinged tab portions capture the vertically oriented post and hold it in place for easier assembly of a larger packaging unit.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling adults to perform stock market transactions on behalf of minors and other young persons who have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the stock market. The method comprises enabling an adult to set up and put money into a custodial account that can be accessed by the minor, enabling the minor to make a stock transaction request, notifying the adult of the stock transaction request, and enabling the adult to fulfill the stock transaction request on behalf of the minor. The method can also include instructing the minor on the stock market and evaluating the minor's knowledge of the target stock before transmitting the stock transaction request to the authorizing adult.

Abstract: A post in post structure comprising a short inner post segment and a pair of hollow outer posts slipped over either end of the inner post segment and affixed to the inner post segment. The post in post structure is particularly suitable for use with a product packaging and display system of the kind having vertically spaced trays supported by outer posts located over openings in each tray and inner posts inserted inside the outer support posts and through the tray openings to lock the system together.

Abstract: A removable safety cap (10) for use with an ink cartridge or other fluid holding container having a nozzle (34) extending from the dispensing end. The safety cap (10) prevents the flow of ink out of the cartridge or, if ink escapes past the dispensing nozzle seal, prevents the flow of ink outside the cap (10). The cap (10) also enables the ink cartridge to be set upright with the dispensing end down without the need for a nest or fixture to help support the cartridge.

Abstract: A reinforced corner post assembly for cushioning and protecting a packaged article from axial and lateral forces. The assembly comprises a conventional corner post having an outer wall and an inner wall joined at opposing ends to form a hollow tube and one or more reinforcing tubes disposed longitudinally within the hollow interior of the corner post.

Abstract: A box-like base assembly for holding vertical support posts in an upright position. The base assembly includes an outer base box and a center base member that fits within the outer base box, the center base member having inwardly collapsed sections for holding the vertical support posts in an upright position.

Abstract: A two handled shovel for clearing a surface, the shovel comprising a blade having a leading edge which contacts the surface, a main handle attached to the blade, and an auxiliary handle pivotally attached to the blade near the leading edge. The shovel may be used by one or two users.

Abstract: A modular packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products comprising vertically stacked trays for holding the products, formed tubular spacer sleeves located over openings in each tray such that their hollow interiors communicate with the openings, and support posts inserted inside the spacer sleeves and through the tray openings to lock the trays together. The system is strong enough not only to support the weight of the products on the trays and withstand the vibration and impact forces that can occur during shipping, but to withstand the weight of one or more units stacked on top.

Abstract: An improved open-sided package assembly 10 for protecting and cushioning a product 12 such as a large appliance, the assembly 10 comprising a molded EPS base 14 and top cap 20 and four support posts 16, 18 extending from the base 14 to the top cap 20. The support posts 16, 18 are shaped in such a way that when they are inserted into the base 14 or top cap 20 they do not fall out.

Abstract: A bottom lifting see-through baseloid handling package for a major home appliance or similar product is provided. The package comprises a top cap, a bottom member and corner posts that form an enclosure having open sides to allow the product to be viewed. A plastic bag can be placed over the product and inside the bottom member and top cap. Since the baseloid handling flange is integrally formed in the bottom member, the packaged product is lifted from the bottom.

Abstract: A base pad for supporting and cushioning a product such as a major home appliance. The base pad is made from a tube formed into a desired cross-sectional shape (profile) and folded into a square or rectangular frame-like configuration. V-shaped sections are cut out of the tube to facilitate the folding. The tube may have pockets located at the corners to hold vertical support posts.

Abstract: A washing machine base that protects and cushions the washing machine and secures the washing machine transmission or other mechanism suspended below the washer tub during assembly and shipping, even if the appliance is tilted. The base may be formed entirely from corrugated board and comprises a load bearing tray and an insert disposed within the tray. The tray has a bottom panel for supporting the washing machine and side panels connected to and extending upward from the bottom panel. The insert is formed from a corrugated blank that, when folded in accordion fashion, assumes a substantially pyramid shape defining a centrally disposed opening raised above the bottom panel and configured to receive and secure the washing machine mechanism.

Abstract: An improved support post for cushioning and supporting large products is provided. The post is made from a sheet that is convolutely wound around a mandrel and shaped into a desired shape. The improvement comprises making the sheet from multiple thicknesses of paper so that, upon winding the sheet into a tube, the middle layer of the tube is thicker than the outer layers. The post has a higher axial compression strength than a conventional post, but the same amount (weight) of material.

Abstract: A compartmented bank for holding money to be used for saving, spending, donating, investing or other budgetary purposes. The bank is shaped like an animal and comprises a hollow body and four feet. Each compartment communicates with one of the feet so that money deposited into each compartment can be dispensed through an opening in a corresponding foot. The external surface of the body bears indicia indicating the budgetary purpose of the money placed in each compartment.

Abstract: A single use disposable, recyclable paper pallet for supporting products during storage and shipping is provided. The pallet comprises a corrugated panel resting on multiple, parallel corrugated runners locked together by lateral supports. The runners are made from blanks folded into elongated open-ended box-like shapes. The folded runners have perforated tabs that extend upwards from the top surface of the runners and configured to receive the lateral supports. The lateral supports are formed from a sheet of convolutely wound, formed laminated paper and provide lateral strength so the pallet can be handled with a clamp truck.

Abstract: A modular packaging system for shipping and displaying vertically stacked product containers. The system comprises a top cap, a plurality of corrugated trays with openings formed therein for receiving the bottoms of the product containers and restricting their movement, a bottom tray, a pallet, and vertical support posts that key inside the bottom tray and top cap and through the middle trays to help lock the system together. The entire assembly may be held together with banding and wrapped in a transparent plastic film to protect the product from dust and damage during shipment.

Abstract: An inverter by pass safety switch for rerouting electrical power either through or around AC variable frequency inverter drives during electrical disturbances, thus allowing a motor to continue operation. The switch works in a mechanical fashion, and comprises a contact block containing electrical contacts and cams operably connected to the contacts and mounted on a shaft that can be turned by an operator. The cams are shaped and mounted on the shaft in such a way to provide a desired switching pattern when the shaft is manually rotated.