Abstract: A flat (40) for containing a plurality of nestable pots (20). Flat (40) includes a like plurality of “cells” (42) each sized and configured to frictionally hold one of the pots (20). Each cell (42) includes a frame (44) and a plurality of “struts” (54), each strut including a top portion (58) and a bottom portion (60). The top and bottom strut portions have different angles, so that only the strut bottom portions, which are angled at approximately the same angle as the sides of the pots (20), actually grip the pot(s); whereas the strut top portions (58) angle away from the pots and do not frictionally grip same. Preferably, the strut bottom portions (60) grip the bottom portion of the lower pot (of a stack of nested pots) in register with the “dead space” (32) between the nested pots.

Abstract: A rising stem plug valve has a valve body housing that receives a plug. A handle assembly is attached to the plug for rotational movement of the plug between operative positions. A control assembly is attached to the plug for unseating and seating of the plug within the valve body. The plug includes at least one plug portion having openings corresponding to an interior configuration. Ring cords substantially surround the openings in the plug to create a seal therearound. The plug may include upper and lower plug portions with an untapered portion located between them. An O-ring is located on the untapered portion of the plug to maintain separation between the upper and lower plug portions.

Abstract: An attachment that allows a drilling machine, such as a drill press, to simultaneously bore the plurality of holes required for mounting a hardware component to a workpiece. In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment is adapted to simultaneously bore, in a desired disposition, all three holes needed to mount European style hinges in a single stroke. The hinge boring attachment includes a drilling head, which attaches to the chuck of the drilling machine. The drilling head rotatably supports a plurality of boring bit mounting shafts, corresponding to the number of holes to be drilled and interconnected with drive trains for translating the rotation of a center shaft, attached to the chuck of the drilling machine, to all shafts. A stabilizing arm is further preferably provided to clamp the drilling head to the support post of the drill press and roll smoothly along the support post during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A microwave cooking grill comprises a grill element which is a continuous conductive loop shaped into a plurality of linear segments. Substantially the entire loop is capable of collecting microwave energy without the use of designated antenna portions. In one embodiment, the grill elements are provided within a microwave cooking grill and steamer which has a bottom tray and a top lid. A pair of grill assemblies are provided each of which includes a plurality of the grill elements attached to a rack. One of the grill assemblies is placed within the tray and the other grill assembly is attached to the lid. A comestible is placed between the grill assemblies whereby the continuous grill elements of each grill assembly contact the comestible and grill the comestible as the grill elements absorb microwave energy. Alternatively, the grill assemblies may be flipped whereby the grill elements face away from the comestible and the comestible is sandwiched between flat steaming surfaces of each rack.

Abstract: A synthetic wood material and method are disclosed, including providing a plurality of continuous glass fibers oriented substantially in the longitudinal axis and coated with a resorcinol modified phenolic resin binder substantially free from catalyst. In one aspect, the synthetic wood material is oxidatively treated to restore color. In one aspect, the fibers and binder are precoated with a furfuryl alcohol resin prior to the pultrusion step to form the synthetic wood.

Abstract: A lamination machine for adhesively heat laminating adjacent surfaces of two lengths of material to each other. The machine includes a flatbed pre-laminating station with upper and lower pre-lamination conveyor belts and banks of heater components immediately above and below. At least one pre-lamination belt is vertically movable to establish and adjust a gap between belts while its associated bank of heating elements is vertically pressuredly movable to thereby tightly maintain proximity of heater elements, belts, and laminate materials. Situated immediately downstream is a pressure roller independently vertically movable to establish and adjust laminate gap distance and, during lamination operation, tensioned against a lower conveyor belt guide roller and movable by a roller pressure driver toward the guide roller.

Abstract: A lamination machine for adhesively heat laminating adjacent surfaces of two or more layers of material to each other. The machine includes upper and lower opposing conveyor belts disposed one above the other to form a lamination passage therebetween and through which layers of material travel during lamination. At least one pressure roller is tensioned against the layers to be laminated. A heating module is disposed between the entrance and pressure roller, while a cooling module is disposed between the pressure roller and an exit. The heating module provides a plurality of rigidly maintained single-structure extruded heater components for melting an adhesion constituent disposed between the layers of material in preparation for lamination.

Abstract: A container, such as a nursery container, includes a tag attached thereto in a manner to render the tag tamper resistant and tamper evident. The container includes at least one slit formed in the side wall of the container for receiving the tag. The slit can be provided in the side wall at the upper end or at a point between the upper end and the bottom. The tag has a coupling member at one end with at least one projecting hook-like member. The coupling member is inserted through the slit until the projecting member hooks over the exposed edge of the slit to resist separation of the tag from the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered crimping tool. In the parent application, referenced above, the tool, having a plurality of crimping jaws, is used to secure a cap onto a bottle or vial. In this application, the tool, having a pair of opposed crimping heads, is used to crimp a solderless terminal, splice, butt connector, or the like, having a wire inserted into a shaft and to be retained therein. The powered tool has a housing portion which the user holds and includes switches for the user to control the plunger and the crimping action. Selected mating crimper heads in the plunger and the crimper housing effectuate the crimping of the selected terminal to retain the wire therein. These mating crimper heads can be changed to accommodate a variety of different size and shape terminals, splices, butt connectors, wires, and the like. Terminals may be insulated or not. Wires may be stranded or solid.

Abstract: A rising stem plug valve has a valve body housing that receives a plug. A handle assembly is attached to the plug for rotational movement of the plug between operative positions. A control assembly is attached to the plug for unseating and seating of the plug within the valve body. The plug includes at least one plug portion having openings corresponding to an interior configuration. Ring cords substantially surround the openings in the plug to create a seal therearound. The plug may include upper and lower plug portions with an untapered portion located between them. An O-ring is located on the untapered portion of the plug to maintain separation between the upper and lower plug portions.

Abstract: The present invention is a corner molding particularly useful in the construction of juvenile furniture. The corner molding has an elongate body with an interior, a first rounded side, and a second side opposite the rounded side, with a pair of acutely V-shaped channels extending along the length of the body. The first rounded side and each of the V-shaped channels preferably form a pair of rounded outer edges therebetween. Each V-shaped channel receives a substantially rectangular edge of a planar member to form a rounded corner such that the planar members are held substantially perpendicular relative to each other, with smooth joints between the outer edges and planar members. The present invention further provides a method of attaching a pair of planar members within acutely V-shaped channels of a corner molding to thereby provide a rounded corner having smooth joints between the planar members and the corner molding.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a toy refrigerator with a body and a door that has an activity surface, which is either a metallic surface or a writing surface, such as a whiteboard. The body and the door is made either from plastic material or from wood. The activity surface is used as a space to teach children through use of additional play items such as magnetized alphabets or figures. The activity surface is alternatively used as writing or drawing or posting surface.

Abstract: A push stick for use with woodworking equipment is provided with a main body having two stepped portions or notches for positive engagement with a work piece. The push stick has an ergonomically designed, open grip handle and non-slip pads on working surfaces for control and ease of use.

Abstract: A row of openings on the same axis are located on a rotary fitting mounted on a front face of a cylindrical nozzle body having a longitudinal bore. A nozzle retainer is mounted within the longitudinal bore and has a tapered seal within an inner channel. A passageway within the tapered seal aligns with a channel in the rotary fitting leading to the row of openings. A filled resin is pumped through the nozzle openings via a standard resin gun. When the nozzle openings plug with resin, the rotary fitting is turned 180 degrees and the plug material is evacuated by a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing and attaching solder balls to a substrate having conductive pads in a predetermined pattern is disclosed. The substrate is placed on a carrier plate. An alignment plate having holes corresponding to the predetermined pattern is mated to the carrier plate with its holes aligned with the predetermine pattern on the substrate. Solder balls are loaded into each hole of the alignment plate. The solder balls may be loaded with a vacuum plate which uses vacuum to pick up solder balls in the predetermined pattern and place them over the holes on the alignment plate. The vacuum is released for dropping the balls in the holes of the alignment plate. Alternatively a shutter plate having holes corresponding to the holes on the alignment plate is fitted on the alignment plate and afforded slidable movement between an offset position and an aligned position. A ball is loaded in each hole in the shutter plate when it is in its offset position.