Abstract: A substantially planar shipping container blank is configured for planar stacking to permit compact packaging but simplifies the ease of assembly into a triangular shipping container. The container blank is foldably divided into a rectangular longitudinal section, two end sections, and a closure tab. The interior surfaces of certain portions of the end sections are pre-mounted to the interior surface of the longitudinal section. By folding the longitudinal section of the blank along two pre-pressed longitudinal fold lines, the end sections of the blank automatically fold along pre-pressed angular fold lines to form a triangular shipping container. The container can thereafter be fastened shut by folding the closure tab along a third pre-pressed longitudinal fold line and affixing the tab to the exterior of the container.

Abstract: An electrical power source including a free-piston Stirling engine driving an alternator to supply power through a bus to a user load and controlled by an engine/alternator controller. A bidirectional DC/DC converter is connected between a battery and the bus. The stroke of the engine piston is modulated between a maximum and a minimum stroke to maintain the bus voltage at a design nominal bus voltage (V1), and charge the battery if it is not charged, when and so long as the bus voltage does not fall below a design nominal bus voltage (V1). The Stirling engine is operated at its maximum piston stroke, and the battery is charged if it is not charged, when the bus voltage is in the range between the design nominal bus voltage (V1) and a design minimum battery charging bus voltage (V2).

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a food slicing machine having a product holder that is driven cyclically through a food slicing blade along an arcuate or linear path. The clamping mechanism is driven by the drive means that drives the product holder, thereby assuring the timing of the clamping during the cutting portion of the stroke. A drive rod extends from the drive means, which can be a driveshaft, and extends to a plate that is pivotably mounted to the product holder. The plate pushes plungers through the sidewall of the holder to seat against and clamp the food product against the sidewall of the holder.

Abstract: A wire harness for preventing water from contacting capped, connected electrical wires. A lid and a base define an interior chamber. The base has fingers extending vertically upwardly for holding wire caps and connected electrical wires therein. A shelf protrudes from the inner surface of each finger to provide a platform for the bottom edge of the wire cap to seat against, securing the wire cap against downward movement. The sidewalls of the lid extend a predetermined distance below the shelves of the fingers to form a rim that creates a double air trap within the harness for preventing water from contacting the conductive portions of the wires.

Abstract: A wall support and reinforcing apparatus that applies a constant force on a structural support member, such as a steel I-beam, that is adjacent the wall. The apparatus includes a bias that is interposed between the building, or a bracket mounted to the building, and the structural member. Thus, the bias force is applied to straighten the wall at all times, thereby having the straightening effect and keeping the structural member from being displaced laterally due to complete release of all forces to the structural member.