Abstract: A container of opening a container is provided. The container includes an outer shell slidably carrying a dispensing cartridge between open and closed states. A cooperating catch arrangement is operably interposed between the outer shell and the dispensing cartridge. The cooperating catch arrangement has a locked state that fixes the dispensing cartridge in the closed state relative to the outer shell and an unlocked state in which the dispensing cartridge is permitted to slide relative to the outer shell from the closed state to the open state. The cooperating catch arrangement is operable to be transitioned from the locked state to the unlocked state by resiliently reducing a width of the outer shell along a compression axis which resiliently expands a thickness of the outer shell along an expansion axis to disengage cooperating catch arrangement. A method of opening includes compressing the outer shell to disengage the cooperating catch arrangement.

Abstract: A metal container having a metal and a metal bottom that slide relative to one another along a sliding axis is provided. The metal container includes a plastic lid insert attached to the metal lid and a plastic bottom insert attached to the metal bottom that operably couple the metal lid to the metal bottom and provide the structures allowing for a relative sliding motion between the metal lid and the metal bottom.

Abstract: A server lid for a container with an integral tear strip tamper evident feature is presented. A tear strip for the tamper evident feature is molded as an adjunct to a base member which forms the closure. The tear strip is joined to the base by at least one frangible web, and hinges about the frangible web to overlie front edges of one or more flaps formed in the server lid. Ultrasonic welds connect the overlying tear strip to the flaps or adjacent the flaps for providing a tamper evident feature. The shape of the server lid provides stackability in that the base rim of the container will fit over the upper portion of the lid, including frangible webs to allow interfitting of one container bottom with the container closure of the next, to allow the containers to be stacked on a shelf without substantial danger of slipping or tipping.

Abstract: A seamless candle can is formed in a blank and draw operation, and includes a complex bottom structure formed at the end of the drawing process. The bottom structure includes an annular base which occupies less than 30% of the area of the bottom surface, and a raised central platform for supporting a wick structure. The platform is raised at least 0.25 inch above the container bottom. A gently sloping surface joins the annular support ring to the central platform. The distance by which the platform is raised and the angle of the connecting surface are adapted to prevent overstretching of the material during the formation of the bottom, so as to prevent the formation of holes in the seamless can which would cause leaks. The central platform serves to support a wick sustainer at a location above the bottom of the can in order to reduce the possibility of flash-over.

Abstract: A seamless candle can is formed in a blank and draw operation, and includes a complex bottom structure formed at the end of the drawing process. The bottom structure includes an annular base which occupies less than 30% of the area of the bottom surface, and a raised central platform for supporting a wick structure. The platform is raised at least 0.25 inch above the container bottom. A gently sloping surface joins the annular support ring to the central platform. The distance by which the platform is raised and the angle of the connecting surface are adapted to prevent overstretching of the material during the formation of the bottom, so as to prevent the formation of holes in the seamless can which would cause leaks. The central platform serves to support a wick sustainer at a location above the bottom of the can in order to reduce the possibility of flash-over.

Abstract: A seamless candle can is formed in a blank and draw operation, and includes a complex bottom structure formed at the end of the drawing process. The bottom structure includes an annular base which occupies less than 30% of the area of the bottom surface, and a raised central platform for supporting a wick structure. The platform is raised at least 0.25 inch above the container bottom. A gently sloping surface joins the annular support ring to the central platform. The distance by which the platform is raised and the angle of the connecting surface are adapted to prevent overstretching of the material during the formation of the bottom, so as to prevent the formation of holes in the seamless can which would cause leaks. The central platform serves to support a wick sustainer at a location above the bottom of the can in order to reduce the possibility of flash-over.

Abstract: Presented is a design aid and method for use in designing a two dimensional graphical illustration for a two dimensional sheet to be formed into a three dimensional item such as a decorative tin or metallic container. The graphical design aid comprises a two dimensional graphical surface which defines various regions of relative distortion resulting from the manufacturing process whereby the three dimensional item is formed from the two dimensional sheet. Once the various regions of relative distortion have been mapped, they are preferably filled with a graphical distortion designator such as a fill color and/or pattern. The various regions may conform to or depart from design lines based upon the distortion or function of the resulting region of the formed three dimensional item.

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.