Abstract: A collapsible boom for use in confining oil spills on water formed of an elongated curtain of flexible material having along the upper edge a tubular portion and along the lower edge a flexible ballast, such as a chain, the curtain containing a plurality of spaced-apart short length cylindrical floats in the upper tubular edge, each float having a passageway therethrough permitting the flow of air through the float and to all parts of the interior of the upper tubular edge, and at least one closure cap permitting, as the curtain is expanded, air to flow into the upper tubular edge so that the boom when placed on water will float and, when removed from water and collapsed into a stored position will permit air to escape, the opening being closeable while the boom is in use on water.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and storing frangible material, such as glass plates and the like and including a storage console including two generally vertically disposed frames spaced longitudinally away from one another, each of the frames defining a pair of vertically spaced channel-like guideways, with each of the guideways being provided with a compressible deformable element defining a series of plate edge receiving recesses, a pair of elongated upright stanchion members movable to and from a position causing the compressible elements to compressingly engage the edges of a series of plates received within the recesses, whereby to support, constrain and suspend the plates in a unified mass, and a pallet-like base and optional shroud for enclosing the constrained plates and providing for convenient transport and storage thereof.