Abstract: A container neck is used with a tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure. The neck has a multiple of four first helical threads on a neck stretch portion, and at least one external ratchet tooth on a locking wall portion below the neck stretch. The closure has an upper skirt having second helical threads mating with the first helical thread of the neck and a lower skirt with at least one internal ratchet tooth shaped and positioned to engage the external ratchet tooth when the closure is applied to the neck. The teeth formed on the skirt interior and neck exterior are arranged to provide at least one circumferentially extending stretch of the tamper-evident band where the teeth are not engaged. A line of weakness extending vertically through the disengaged stretch of the tamper-evident band is ruptured when the closure is unscrewed from the neck. The number of helical threads is preferably eight and, in any event, a multiple of four.

Abstract: A container having a body and a tamper-evident band and a lid for closing the container. The band has a proximal portion frangibly attached to the container body and a distal portion. The distal portion of the band is deformable to an inward extending orientation with the distal portion shaped and positioned to extend inwardly across the peripheral outer portion of a lid. The deformed distal portion of the band optionally has a curvature of 90.degree. to 360.degree. or more. The lid optionally has an annular groove for concealing the terminus of the band. The lid may also have an outward extending peripheral flange, an upward extending annular rib and a stacking ring for arranging several lids in a nested stack.

Abstract: A tamper-evident snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and a first tamper-evident structure having a first locking member. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. The closure includes a second tamper-evident structure having a second locking member shaped and positioned to engage the first locking member when the closure is applied to the neck.

Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure which is used with a specially shaped container neck is provided with a foil liner. Once the closure is applied to the neck, the foil liner is sealed to the neck of the container. The foil liner includes a tab for removal of the seal disc from the neck. The closure is characterized by the absence of a second liner between the top of the cap and the foil liner. The cap and the foil liner are formed to inhibit adherence of the tab to the interior of the cap.

Abstract: A thin-walled, cup shaped container molded of polypropylene, or other suitable material, is formed with a tamper-evident band initially positioned outside the lip at the top of the container wall. The lower edge of the band is connected to the container by spaced frangible bridges. A lid closes off the top of the container and has an outer and inner skirt respectively fitting outside and inside the container lip. The upper end of the band is formed into an annular inward projection overlying the periphery of the lid. Forming the retainer projection is accomplished by bringing a heated tool in contact with the band to heat the same until near its melting temperature. The tool has slanted walls converging at a radius and shaped to bend the projection approximately horizontally inward. The lid cannot be removed without tearing off the band.

Abstract: A fitment attached around an aperture in a container has a flange from which extends a spout closed by an initially integrally molded externally threaded plug. So long as the fitment and plug are in their original position after molding, the combination is tamper-evident. The plug is moved axially into the spout, with a liquid-tight fit. The plug has an outward extending tab formed with a slot and the fitment has an upward extending finger aligned with the slot in the tab and formed with tangs which lock the finger and tab together as the plug is moved into the spout, thereby making the device tamper-evident. A characteristic of the invention is that a tether interconnects the plug and the upper edge of the spout to prevent disconnection of the one from the other. As a further feature of the invention, an over-size foil seal extends across the bottom of the flange and is welded or otherwise adhered to the bottom of the flange.

Abstract: Neck finishes suitable for containers formed of rigid materials are shaped to overcome problems which would otherwise occur if standard closures which perform satisfactorily with less rigid containers are used. One problem is that plugs (inner skirts) of closures are cut or shaved if they are oversize relative to the inner neck diameter. This problem is overcome by forming a chamfer or radius at the lead-in to the inside corner of the neck. A second problem ("ovality") occurs when the neck is not uniformly round; this problem is overcome by forming a cut-out section at the upper outer corner of the neck so that the maximum neck diameter engages the inside of the outer cap skirt below the top edge, thereby lessening outward distortion of the outer skirt.

Abstract: For convenient packaging of plastic bookbinding strips, cassettes which may be securely stacked one upon the other are provided. The end edges of each strip are received in channels formed in opposed side rails. The rails are attached to transverse spacer bars which are preferably detachably connected to the side rails and are interchangeable to accommodate strips of different lengths-e.g., 81/2 inches, 11 inches, etc. Cassettes may be securely stacked one upon the other by means of mating stacking struts extending upward and downward from the side rails. Very short stacking struts may be used when packaging flat female binding strips in the cassette. A detent is provided in the ends of the rails preventing removal of strips until the detent is bent out of position. The cassette is especially useful in equipment which mechanically assembles punched sheets and strips preparatory to binding a book in a binding machine.

Abstract: A poultry hock truss for use with a body of eviscerated poultry having hocks and comprising a unitary substantially coplanar thin plastic member. The plastic member includes an anchor element adapted for attachment to the body of eviscerated poultry. A pair of side portions extend upwardly and outwardly from the anchor element and terminate in inwardly curved upper ends. An upper transverse crosspiece joins the inwardly curved upper ends of the side portions and a tab portion depends approximately from the midpoint of the upper transverse crosspiece toward the anchor element. The upper transverse crosspiece, the tab portion, the side portions and the anchor element define a generally heart-shaped opening with first and second juxtaposed lobes. The lobes of the heart-shaped opening are formed to hold the hocks together in juxtaposition.

Abstract: A cattle stanchion for restraining the head of an animal. The stanchion includes a coplanar frame having an upper frame member and a pair of side frame members depending from the upper frame member and defining one stanchion opening therebetween. A restraining bar disposed in the stanchion opening is pivotally mounted to one side frame member for movement between a first position with the restraining bar extending diagonally across the stanchion opening and a second position with the restraining bar having a substantially vertical orientation. The stanchion also includes a securement assembly for securing the restraining bar in the second position.

Abstract: Tools used by masons, painters, plasterers, wallboard tapers and many others are usually cleaned at the end of the day by hosing them off. Water may splash back, wetting the shoes and pants of the workman. Also water may accumulate on the ground or paved surface where cleaning is being carried out, causing the soles of shoes or boots to become soaked. The present invention comprises a hinged member comprising a base on which the workman stands and a vertical leaf in front of the workman to intercept splashes. Side wings may be hinged to the vertical leaf.

Abstract: A cap composed of a snap-on, tamper-evident closure differing from others of this general type is formed with a central sleeve. The bottom of the sleeve is closed off by a removable plug. The exterior of the closure is formed with a bead. The water dispenser is provided with an adapter consisting of an open-bottom outer sleeve into which the neck of the container with the closure in place thereon fits. Centrally disposed in the outer sleeve is a dispenser tube. When the container is inverted its neck is inserted in the outer tube. As the neck and cap are lowered, the dispenser tube enters the cap sleeve and attaches to the plug. Continued lowering of the container causes the plug to slide out of the tube so that liquid in the container flows out through the dispenser tube into the dispenser. When the container is lifted, the plug (which has been attached to the dispenser tube) is pulled back into its original sealed position. The plug and cup are at all times discrete.

Abstract: A metal or wooden picture frame is provided with a traverse brace which comprises a channel having inward turned flange edges. A T-shaped fitting has means for attachment to the frame and a leg which is narrower than the space between the channel flanges but wider than the space between the inturned edges. A lock screw threaded through a tapped hole in the leg is tightened against the channel web, forcing the leg against the inner surfaces of the inturned edges and thus locking the brace to the frame. In one form of the invention the opposite end of the brace is locked to the opposite side of the frame by a similar fitting. Alternatively, a strap may be tightened to opposed brace sections. In a modification, an eye engageable with a picture hook may be locked to the brace. In another modification, an arm may be locked to the channel to extend laterally to receive a screw having a knob bearing against the back of a print, etc, within the frame to prevent sagging.

Abstract: Plastic binding strips, one strip having studs which fit through holes in sheets to be bound, the other strip having holes to receive the studs are bound in a machine which compresses the strips toward each other, then cuts of excess stud length and forms rivet heads on the stud ends to bind the strips together. The present improvement over such machines uses a motor to drive linkages previously manually actuated. The binding motor drives linkages on either side of the machine which cause a transverse pressure bar to apply a pre-selected compressive force on the strips, then to initiate the movement of the knives which cut off the studs and form heads thereon and finally release the compressive force. The cutting and head forming functions are performed by springs which pull a transverse rod rearward of the machine to push rearward a support for the knives. A second motor drives a linkage which returns the pressure bar to its upward position as the binding cycle is completed.

Abstract: A tamper-evident thermoplastic fitment having a spout and a closure for said spout are welded to a polymer-coated paperboard container or to a flexible plastic container. The fitment and closure are initially molded simultaneously but with a substantial space between the two parts interconnected by an elongated runner which conducts molten plastic from the closure to the fitment. Upon retraction of the core of the mold, the closure is pulled into the spout until shoulders on the parts engage, whereupon the closure is stripped from the mold core. The runner comprises a tear tab which slides through an apertured space on the closure. When the parts engage tangs on the tear tab engage the space, making the assembly tamper-evident. The fitment has a flange which may be welded or otherwise secured to the container. The tab may be pulled by the consumer to open the container. The closure may be unscrewed from the spout or otherwise disengaged.

Abstract: A fitment for a container, such as a carton, has an attachment flange adapted to be sealed to the carton around a pour hole therein. The fitment has a cylindrical spout formed with vertically spaced seal bead and locking bead. The closure has a top disk with a depending skirt dimensioned to slidably fit within the spout. The exterior of the skirt has an external locking bead at its lower end positioned to lock under the fitment locking bead to hold the closure in place and a seal surface to be engaged by the fitment seal bead. Initially the fitment and spout are molded as a unit, the locking bead of the closure and the top edge of the fitment spout being joined by a circular frangible link. The combination is tamper-evident since access to the interior of the carton cannot be obtained without breaking the link. As an alternative, the cap may be separated from the spout and slid inside the spout. Separate cooperable means on the cap disk and fitment flange make this alternative tamper-evident.

Abstract: A fitment to be attached to an apertured wall of a container or the like is initially formed (as by plastic molding) with a thin cylindrical plastic molding) with a thin cylindrical wall dimensioned to fit inside the aperture in the container. A flange is formed on the exterior of the cylindrical wall to fit against the exterior of the container wall, surrounding the aperture therein. Preferably the flange slants downward-outward. A curling tool is forced against the end of cylindrical wall, curling it outward-upward to fit tightly against the interior of the container wall opposite the flange, thereby crimping the fitment to the container. Curling of the cylindrical wall may be performed either before or after the fitment is installed on the carton. The fitment is formed to be closed by a cap and preferably to engage the cap in a tamper-evident manner. In a preferred form of the invention the cap and fitment are initially molded as a unitary member.

Abstract: Different stem sections, made by injection plastic molding or other manufacturing processes are assembled to produce an artificial plant. Some of the sections resemble sections of natural plant stems from which artificial leaves or flowers extend. Other sections are spacers. Each section is formed with a bore, dimensioned to receive a common wire. The upper end of the wire receives a flower head molded or otherwise adhered thereon. One end of each section is formed with a reduced external diameter plug and the opposite end with an enlarged internal diameter bore or socket. Hence adjacent sections are threaded on the wire from the bottom up and detachably, and preferably rotatably, joined together by inserting the plug of one section into the socket of the next. The structure at the upper end of the plant varies depending on what, if any, natural plant is being imitated. In a typical embodiment, the upper end section receives the upper end of the wire and has a style and stigma.

Abstract: A debinding apparatus for inclusion in a machine adapted to bind together sheets formed with first apertures spaced longitudinally on one edge thereof. The machine uses a first narrow thermoplastic strip which has studs projecting therefrom and spaced complementary to the first apertures in the sheets and a second narrow strip formed with second apertures spaced complementary to the first apertures in the sheets. The machine has a frame and a platen for supporting the second strip with the sheets superimposed on the second strip and the studs of the first strip extending through the first and second apertures and protruding below the second strip. In addition, the machine includes a plurality of cutting elements, heating elements for heating the cutting elements, and a mechanism for moving the cutting elements to cut off excess stud length and to initiate the formation of heads on the ends of the studs.