Abstract: A substantially cylindrical condiment container with a vertically sliding cap to cover and uncover a dispensing outlet opening in the top portion of the container. Preferably, the outlet opening is in the side wall of the container body and the cap slides up to unblock the opening and down to block it. Optionally, a rotary pre-measuring dispense structure can be located at the lower end of the container to dispense condiments in pre-measured increments through an outlet in the bottom of the container. Preferably, the top portion of the container is wider than the middle portion to facilitate hanging the container from support arms on a support such as a carousel.

Abstract: Condensate accumulating in the incoming outside air flow passages of a heat exchanger is fed back into the exhaust flow passages of the heat exchanger to provide improved heat transfer in the heat exchanger, and to avoid the necessity for drainage of the condensate from the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plastic multi-tube panel core and a solid plastic housing, with opposed-flow heat exchange and inlet-outlet extensions from only one side of the core.

Abstract: Condiment grinder and dispenser in which the usual shield for protecting the adjustment screw on the end of the drive shaft is replaced and the screw is secured against accidental removal and loss by providing a stop structure which is attached to or integral part of the end of the drive shaft. This structure, unlike a shield, does not interfere with the adjustment of the coarseness of the grind produced by the grinding dispenser, and yet maintains the integrity of the device without undue complexity or manufacturing expense.

Abstract: The high-altitude balloon has a skin made of nearly evacuated electrostatically inflated cells which provide thermal insulation to minimize heat loss from the gas in the balloon, while transmitting heat from the sun to heat the gas. The lower surface of the balloon is reflective to microwave or laser beams. A stable array of the balloons is maintained at a high altitude and is used to facilitate communications in a world-wide communications system. Ascent of the balloon is well controlled and weight is minimized by starting with lighter-than-air gases in liquid form, releasing a lifting gas into the craft, and then using the empty containers to store the remaining gas when the balloon is aloft.

Abstract: One embodiment of the carrier has a central vertical support panel structure with two foldable receptacles extending outwardly from the vertical support panel structure. The outside wall of each receptacle is extended upwardly and bent over to cover the receptacle, and the top portions of those walls are joined together to form a carrying handle structure, either with or without the upper portion of the vertical support panel structure. The portions of the outside walls forming the covers can have openings to receive the necks of bottles such as wine and beer bottles to give added lateral support for the bottles. A simplified embodiment uses only one of the foldable receptacles and has two lateral side walls which extend upwardly and join together to form a handle structure.

Abstract: The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure, and a pair of foldable receptacles extending outwardly from opposite sides of the vertical support structure. The receptacles have automatically-opening bottom walls with symmetrical bottom panels which overlap to even-out the strength of the bottom walls and minimize areas of reduced strength. At least two opposed bottom panels are shaped to interlock with one another to hold the carrier open once it has been unfolded. Elongated, connected reinforcing flanges strengthen the carrier in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A foldable carrier is provided with a vertical support panel structure made as a first component, and an external side wall structure as a second component. The vertical support panel structure and the external side wall structure are joined together to form two separate receptacles extending from opposite sides of said vertical panel structure to hold objects to be carried in the carrier. Preferably, the vertical support panel structure is made of an untreated and relatively inexpensive material, and the external side wall structure is made of a material treated to give it good resistance to weakening when wet.

Abstract: A foldable carrier for beverages and other objects has a pair of folding receptacles extending outwardly from a central vertical support panel structure. Horizontal slits are formed in the side walls across two or four corners of the carrier, and the resulting horizontal strips of material are bent inwardly to form dividers for separating objects from one another in the receptacles. If the slits are positioned just below the upper edges of the side walls, bending the strips inwardly effectively forms compartments of reduced height to facilitate the accommodation of objects of varying height, and/or displaying additional areas of the beverage containers and their labels.

Abstract: The carrier has a vertical support structure, a pair of foldable receptacles extending from opposite sides of said vertical support structure. The receptacles have automatically unfolding bottom walls. Each receptacle has at least one divider member extending upwardly and laterally from the upper edge of one side-wall of each receptacle to a reinforcing panel secured to said vertical support structure. The dividers and reinforcing panels are formed in a foldable blank from a single sheet of material and need no gluing to secure them to the carrier structure.

Abstract: The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure with two foldable receptacles extending outwardly from the vertical support panel structure. The outside wall of each receptacle is extended upwardly and bent over to cover the receptacle, and the top portions of those walls are joined together to form a carrying handle structure, either with or without the upper portion of the vertical support panel structure. The potions of the outside walls forming the covers can have openings to receive the necks of bottles such as wine and beer bottles to give added lateral support for the bottles.

Abstract: Substantially cylindrical condiment container with a vertically sliding cap to cover and uncover a dispensing outlet opening in the top portion of the container. Preferably, the outlet opening is in the side wall of the container body and the cap slides up to unblock the opening and down to block it. Optionally, a rotary pre-measuring dispense structure can be located at the lower end of the container to dispense condiments in pre-measured increments through an outlet in the bottom of the container.

Abstract: The carrier has a folded-panel central vertical support structure with a handle and a pair of trays or receptacles attached to the central support structure, and an optional auxiliary tray with a slotted bottom which can be fitted onto the central support panel. A folded side-wall structure can be unfolded to start the formation of the trays, and a plurality of folded flanges unfold to form a bottom for each receptacle. Dividers separate each receptacle into the three compartments to hold six beverage or other containers in the trays or receptacles. The carriers can be made from a single sheet and advertising printed entirely on one side to facilitate efficient fabrication at a moderate cost.

Abstract: Peppercorns and coarse salt are selectively stored, ground and dispensed. Two squeeze-levers are provided for actuating the grinder, with a lock for selectively disabling one of them so that only one condiment is dispensed at a time. Means is provided for increasing the quantity of condiment ground for each stroke of the grinder lever.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is made economically by pressure-forming cavities in relatively thick thermo-plastic panels, interleaving them with other thermo-plastic panels having separate gas flow conduit structures, and securing the panels together. Preferably, the heat exchanger is an opposed-flow-heat-exchanger giving improved heat-transfer efficiency.

Abstract: A cutting board is fitted with a removable cup, preferably adjustable, which is positioned so as to receive cut food particles swept off the board into the cup. A barrier is provided on the board surface to prevent spillage of food which misses the cup. The cup is semi-cylindrical and fits into a recess in the board.

Abstract: The food carrier has a central vertical support panel with a handle and a pair of trays with beverage cup holders attached to the central support panel. A folded side-wall structure can be unfolded to start the formation of the trays, and a folded bottom panel or two-panel structure unfolds into the side-wall outline to stabilize the side-wall and hold the carrier erect while it is resting on a flat surface thus to make unfolding and loading the carrier quicker and easier. An auxiliary tray can be slipped into the central vertical support to hold solid foods, and both beverages and solid foods can be carried. Advantageously, the auxiliary tray can have substantially the same structure as the first carrier unit, except it has no beverage-receiving holes. It can be mounted to ride “piggyback” on the first carrier, or it can be used alone.

Abstract: The carrier has an automatic self-locking bottom construction which is actuated simply by placing a beverage or other container onto a bottom panel which traverses the whole width of the bottom and causes one or more tabs to snap into slots to perform the locking function. Special covered auxiliary containers which slip down over the upstanding handle of the carrier are provided for carrying donuts, rolls, pizza slices, sandwiches, or other food items, together with beverages in the carrier. Preferably, the container is made to be oven-proof so that the food items can be heated in the trays before mounting the trays on the carriers. The food items can be stored in the covered trays safely before distribution so as to speed the distribution process.