Abstract: A beverage container for use in a holder having an outer wall and an inner wall which form a space therebetween for receiving the base of the beverage container. The base of the beverage container includes a substantially vertical surface disposed inwardly from the container outer surface and extending upwardly from the container lower surface. When the beverage container is within the holder it is easily removed therefrom in a vertical direction without frictional resistance. When the beverage container is tipped within the holder, however, it is wedged between the inner and outer walls of the holder and thus prevents the contents from spilling.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated panel having high thermal insulating value is described together with a method of making such a panel. The panel is formed of peripherally welded metallic wall members which define a cavity within which a solid compressed block of particulate material is disposed. The particulate material, preferably an activated carbon black, a silica gel or a combination thereof, serves as a barrier to radiant thermal transmission through the panel, acts as a getter to maintain the vacuum in the cavity, and, with proper density, supports the walls of the panel against collapse when the cavity is evacuated. In one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum insulated panel is covered on one side with a polyurethane foam insulating material.

Abstract: Cup holder for a cup, the holder having at least one recess on a side. The recess is partially surrounded by a projecting track which has a guiding head. A cup with a ring can be pushed substantially horizontally to the side and the ring is guided by the guiding bead until the cup reaches a point where it is free to drop into the corresponding recess. The cup holder can be used in a vehicle to minimize spillage.

Abstract: A storage and display case includes a base having recesses for holding tools. The base includes front and rear angled sides that are angled outwardly from a bottom surface towards a top surface. A transparent cover is pivotally mounted on the base on an axis that is substantially parallel to the rear angled side, and is adapted to pivot between a closed position wherein the case is covered and an open position wherein the cover abuts the rear angled side. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the cover in its fully opened position with the cover abutting the rear angled side. When the cover is in its open position, with the cover abutting the rear angled side, the case can be supported on the cover with the base being at an angle to the horizontal that permits easy access to any tools contained therein. A hook portion can be placed along the front angled side whereby the case can be suspended from a hanger strip mounted on a wall.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a container having a portion for receiving a beverage made by passing hot water over an ingredient and a basket for holding a beverage ingredient provided at an upper end of the container. When hot liquid is supplied into the basket, a hot liquid and beverage ingredient mixture exits from the basket into the receiver portion. In embodiments of the present invention, the receiver portion and a reservoir from which the hot liquid originates are disposed side-by-side. Embodiments of the present invention have elements that shield the beverage ingredient from microwave energy and/or an element or elements that insulate the hot liquid and beverage ingredient mixture.

Abstract: A shelf adapted to be easily mounted to or removed from a vertical surface by a bracket has a generally L-shaped cross section defining a horizontal base portion and a vertical leg portion. A first mounting element is disposed on the leg portion adjacent the juncture of the leg portion and base portion for engaging the bracket. A second mounting element is disposed adjacent the distal edge of the leg portion for engaging the bracket wherein one of the first and second mounting mechanisms is engaged with the bracket and the other is engaged with the wall. When the second mounting element engages the bracket, the shelf has a generally L-shaped appearance and a generally inverted L orientation when the first mounting element engages the bracket whereby the orientation of the shelf is selectable. The bracket preferably includes a longitudinal channel which is coextensive with the shelf for supporting the latter.

Abstract: Pump dispensers dispense liquids from the interior of a container without the need for removing the top. The pump dispenser employs a manually operated disk to which a diaphragm is attached to force air from an air chamber into the container interior where it displaces the liquid contents forcing them up a fluid tube and out a spout. A valve seals the air chamber except during pumping to prevent the entry of liquids into the air chamber.

Abstract: This spherical insulated container is constructed from a pair of concentric spheres between which is formed a chamber. Communication of liquids to be thermally insulated within the interior sphere is provided by adjacent openings in each sphere defining a mouth area. Either a thermally insulating cap or pump dispenser seals the mouth of the container. A pump dispenser provides a convenient mechanism for dispensing liquids from a spherically shaped insulated container.

Abstract: A closure member for an open-ended container having a resilient bottom closure member in which the outer edge thereof is sealable against the inside walls of the container. The closure member comprises a cam member attached to a pivotally mounted rocker which is adapted to act on the bottom closure member distorting it sufficiently to break the seal of the closure member against the inside wall of the container.In another embodiment the closure member comprises a resilient bottom closure member in which the outer edge thereof is sealable against the inside walls of the container, and a flexible or resilient top closure member, wherein in one position of the flexible top closure member the bottom closure member is in sealable contact with the inside walls of the container, and wherein in another position of the flexible top closure member the bottom closure member is distorted sufficiently to break the seal of the closure member against the inside walls of the container.

Abstract: Trays for holding prepared food are provided with an element extending from the upper surface of each tray which engages the lower surface of another tray in a stack and are dimensioned so that the bottom of each tray when in the stack is at an angle to the horizontal.

Abstract: A food service device including a food-carrying cart which can be stored inside a refrigerator is provided with elements for heating the food before meals are served. The electrical system is comprised of switching devices which actuate the heating elements depending upon the presence and orientation of food trays on the shelf of the cart; a self-aligning coupling which can supply electrical power to the cart's heaters when the cart is placed in the refrigerator; and a timer which controls the duration of time the electrical heaters are energized to warm the food prior to service, and provide a keep-warm timing sequence for holding the heated food within a refrigerated environment.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated bottle utilizing a wide opening vacuum filler is disclosed. A thin walled liner is disposed in the interior of the filler and extends upwardly therefrom to form a narrow mouth opening to the lined interior for providing the pouring and thermal insulating characteristics of a narrow mouth vacuum filler bottle.

Abstract: An insulated tray for holding and serving food or the like, either directly on the tray or in receptacles supported on the tray. One embodiment comprises upper and lower cover members made of thin impervious material, preferably plastic sheet material, the space between said cover members being filled with insulating foam, preferably plastic foam, the edges of said cover members being joined around the periphery of the tray, the upper cover member being dished to form one or more receptacles for holding food or the like, the upper cover member being formed with a groove extending around one or more of the dished portions, the lower cover member being formed with a complementary tongue, whereby a plurality of the trays may be stacked with the tongue of one tray nesting in the groove of the underlying tray, the tongue and groove forming a seal around the dished portion. In another embodiment, the lower cover member is omitted.