Abstract: A lid for a container is provided generally comprising a main body and a door having a flip section pivotally connected to a push section, the push section pivotally connected to the main body. The main body includes a recess that defines a pivot wall. The flip section is positioned to engage the pivot wall and rotate relative to the push section in response to downward pressure on the push section. A detent mechanism is used to control opening the door in at least two stages. In the first stage, the detent mechanism substantially fixes the push section in a closed position, and in the second stage substantially fixes the push section in an open position. In one embodiment, the floor of the recess is sloped to increase container space and limit flexure of the push section of the door.

Abstract: A tamper resistant closure overcap for a rectangular metal spice can covers each of the dispensing ports and openable flaps on the serving lid of the can. The closure has a top panel and a downward depending rectangular border that hugs the outer periphery of the serving lid. The closure is supported in spaced relationship with the serving lid to provide a gap for receiving promotional materials. The border includes a skirt and a tear away strip that can be fully or partially disconnected along a scored line of weakness to remove the closure. A support wall extends above the top panel to facilitate vertical stacking of multiple spice containers.

Abstract: A wooden spool held together with a novel tie rod assembly and a method of assembly the spool between a pair of dies. The novel tie rod assembly includes elongate tie rods having a bent end or otherwise deformed first end and a plurality of grooveless retaining rings. The tie rods are inserted through the end flanges and the transverse barrel of the of the spool. The retaining rings are pressed axially on the smooth second ends of the tie rods which project axially from one of the flanges. The spool can be assembled between a pair of dies. The base die includes locating recesses to receive the bent ends of the tie rods and the top die includes engaging pins for pressing the retaining rings on the opposite ends of the spool.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a candle can of the type normally filled with an ignitable fuel. The candle can includes an upstanding continuous sidewall that is integrally coupled to a stamp formed candle can bottom structure at an outer periphery of the candle can bottom structure. The integral coupling of the sidewall to the bottom structure establishes a can support ring to engage a support surface. The stamp formed can bottom structure is so formed as to provide within the can an internally upwardly directed dome upon which a candlewick carrying element may be securely located within a dish shaped indentation in an apex region of the dome. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the intersection of the sidewall and the upwardly directed dome of the can bottom structure establishes an annular internal volume of fuel separated by the dome from a candlewick flame near the end of both the candlewick life and the supply of fuel.

Abstract: A wire spool comprising three structural components including two end flanges and a rigid fiberboard barrel. The end flanges may be molded plastic or stamped sheet metal. The end flanges have central plug portions that are mechanically locked into the barrel. The central plug portions include teeth which dig into the barrel to substantially permanently secure the end flanges to the barrel such that the wire spool has sufficient strength to allow electricians to pick up a fully loaded wire spool by the end flange and such that the end flanges cannot typically be removed by hand except with the assistance of leverage tools. The plug portion also may include elongate axially extending lugs that engage the barrel and enhance torque transfer between the barrel and the end flanges.

Abstract: A die and method of assembling a high torque capacity metal spool. The spool comprises a cylindrical barrel, a pair of flanges and a pair of flange hubs. The die includes a support member and a curling member that is adapted to move relative to the support housing. The die is adapted to be driven towards a matching die to press a spool therebetween. Each curling member includes an annular curling face which is adapted to curl and compress metal edges of the cylindrical barrel, the flanges and the flange hubs into tightened curls. The tightened curls secure the cylindrical barrel with the flanges and flange hubs. Each die further includes a plurality of nibs carried by the support housings which project outward from the curling face of the curling member after the tightened curls have been formed to swage a plurality of detents into the tightened curls of the spool. The resulting detents in the metal spool provide for increased torque transfer between the flanges, the flange hubs and the cylindrical barrel.

Abstract: A snap-on closure prevents flaps from coming unsnapped or popping open during assembly of the closure onto the neck of a container. The snap-on connection between the container and the closure includes a circular groove and a circular rib projecting into the groove. The closure includes dispensing ports such as sifter holes, a pouring hole, and/or a spooning hole which are closed by hinged flaps which snap-on the horizontal platform of the closure. The flaps may include plugs which project into their respective dispensing openings and provide a seal against the wall of the opening. The closure also includes a resilient crush seal which engages the neck of the container to provide a seal between the closure and the container.

Abstract: A die and method of assembling a high torque capacity metal spool. The spool comprises a cylindrical barrel, a pair of flanges and a pair of flange hubs. The die includes a support member and a curling member that is adapted to move relative to the support housing. The die is adapted to be driven towards a matching die to press a spool therebetween. Each curling member includes an annular curling face which is adapted to curl and compress metal edges of the cylindrical barrel, the flanges and the flange hubs into tightened curls. The tightened curls secure the cylindrical barrel with the flanges and flange hubs. Each die further includes a plurality of nibs carried by the support housings which project outward from the curling face of the curling member after the tightened curls have been formed to swage a plurality of detents into the tightened curls of the spool. The resulting detents in the metal spool provide for increased torque transfer between the flanges, the flange hubs and the cylindrical barrel.

Abstract: A high torque capacity metal spool. The spool comprises a cylindrical barrel, a pair of flanges and a pair of flange hubs. Formed metal curls formed of metal edges of the cylindrical barrel, the flanges and the flange hubs secure the cylindrical barrel to the flanges and flange hubs. The spool includes a plurality of detents in the tightened curls of the spool. The detents in the metal spool provide for increased torque transfer between the flanges, the flange hubs and the cylindrical barrel. The ability to transfer torque increases the applicability of the spool to wire winding and pulling functions. Flattening paste also covers a metal surface in the curl to increase the coefficient of friction therein and further increase the torque transmissibility capacity.

Abstract: A sealed metal container adapted for use with candles. The container is coated with a layer of sealing compound so that the side and bottom seams of the container do not leak flowable material. The container includes a stamp formed base which is characterized by having an internally upwardly directed dome upon which a candle wick carrying element may be securely located on an apex region of the dome. The sealing compound contains a mixture of synthetic wax with sufficient adhesive so that the compound bonds to the surface of the container. Appropriate ratios of synthetic wax and adhesive material are mixed together so that the sealing compound has sufficient flexibility. A method for forming a sealed metal container is also provided in which the sealing compound is melted, pressurized, and sprayed through a nozzle toward the interior surface of the container. The container may be preheated and rotated during spraying to ensure complete coverage.

Abstract: A low profile container for packaging a compact disc (CD) and a 3.5" floppy disc. The container has separable container top and bottom. The container bottom has a dish with a depth greater than the combined thickness of the CD and the floppy disc and two separate levels for receiving respectively the CD and the floppy disc. In one embodiment, the dish has a circular depression for receiving the optical disc, and four notches on the wall of the circular depression for receiving the four corners of the floppy disc.

Abstract: A metal container which includes two drawn container halves joined by an injection molded plastic ring. The container halves can be identical and of low profile, with upstanding walls terminating in formed edges of substantially the same size and shape. The ring includes a pair of opposed channels sharing a common base, and the formed edges of the respective container halves fit into the opposed channels of the ring. The channels and formed edges are adapted to provide tailored fitting and retention characteristics, so that one of the container half is gripped more securely by the ring, and the other container half is more readily removable.