Abstract: A collapsible box for storing liquids, the box capable of being stacked while filled and then collapsed for convenient storage and return shipping when not filled. The box includes a base having a lip extending upwardly along the edges of the bottom panel. An upper sleeve is connected to the base by a base hinge, the upper panel being foldable by way of several other hinges to either an open or a closed position. A lid has a lip extending downwardly to selectively surround the top edges of the upper sleeve when the upper sleeve is in the open position, thereby forming an enclosure.

Abstract: A packaging system for an elongate medical device includes a sheet of material which defines a generally planar surface for receiving the elongated medical device thereon. A plurality of butterfly tabs are adhesively attached to the planar surface at selected locations to retain the medical device in position. The butterfly tabs eliminate weaving of catheters onto mounting cards having tabs punched therethrough. The butterfly tabs preferably include at least two adhesive-coated wing portions connected by a linking portion that overlies the medical device and is preferably free of adhesive.

Abstract: A packaging component and packaging system are disclosed. In an embodiment specifically adapted as a system for packaging vehicular radiators, the invention provides a generally planar tray member component as a blank having two opposed sides, with a portion of each opposed side being foldable out of the plane of the tray member to yield arms to the tray. Strapping is supplied which is engageable with the arms when the arms are folded upon the radiator placed upon the tray member. Opposed ends for the tray member have a portion which is likewise foldable out of the plane of the tray member, yielding legs to the tray when so folded. The packaging system can include at least one stand-off element mountable on one of the radiator and the tray member operating as a spacer and positioner relative to a container within which the tray member is received with the stand-off element mounted in place.

Abstract: A flexible pressure vessel is constructed from at least one pair of upper and mating lower dome shaped cell portions. Upper and lower passageway portions extend outwardly from each cell portion to surrounding sheet material. The portions are joined to form a passageway for connection to a valve or another cell. Upper and lower reinforcing rings surround the cell portions. Blankets of fiber reinforced material are attached over the cell portions and stitched in place through the surrounding resilient material. Cell shaped sponges impregnated with absorbent materials are encased in impermeable plastic tubing and inserted into the cells. High-strength filaments are wound around the tubing to provide additional pressure handling capability. Heat-reflecting plastic film or metal foil is inserted between blankets and the cell portions. Reinforcing rings are attached over and fastened through the blankets around the cells. An apparatus and method are described for constructing the flexible pressure vessel.

Abstract: A case for storing and displaying spools of thread is disclosed. The case comprises two trays preferably connected by a plurality of hinges. Inside each tray are elongate spines that extend longitudinally. Pins connected to the spine extend in a direction perpendicular to the spines. Spools are placed on the pins when stored. The pins are sized to provide a friction fit with the hollow inside portion of the spools. A tab is connected to each pin. When the tab is depressed, the pin is raised, allowing easy access to the desired spool. The pins are connected to the spine by a resilient U-shaped joint. The entire case is preferably made of transparent plastic material, such as polypropylene.

Abstract: The explosion resistant cargo container includes a frame including a main section and an angled projecting section, and is formed from a plurality of support members. The frame is covered with one or more explosion resistant sheets to form the explosion resistant side panels. The explosion resistant panels comprise a plurality of layers of explosion resistant sheets. The explosion resistant panels may also include a sheet of polycarbonate, and may also include padding or insulation placed between layers of the explosion resistant sheets. The side panels and flexible door comprise one or more of explosion resistant sheets, with one or more of the sheets of the plurality of explosion resistant sheets have edges wrapped around and secured to one or more mounting strips, with the edges of the plurality of explosion resistant sheets and mounting strips being bonded together. The mounting strips are currently preferably formed of metal, such as aluminum.

Abstract: A cushioning member formed by stacking a plurality of sheet-like cushioning materials and surrounding the periphery of the cushioning materials with a sheet-like member.

Abstract: In order to provide a container and display system incorporating the container for a retail environment, the combination includes a product container and a display container. The product container comprises a base portion and a lid portion and, likewise, the display container comprises a base portion and a lid portion with the base portion being sized to hold a plurality of the product containers. Further, the display container also visibly displays at least one physical characteristic of the product container to a consumer who may wish to purchase the product.

Abstract: An inflatable corner cushion for protecting a corner of an object is disclosed. The inflatable corner cushion may have two triangular, inflatable cushions. Each cushion may have two edges meeting to form a V-shape. The two edges may be sealed together along the V-shaped edges such that, when the chambers are at least partially inflated, a combination of the chambers forms a pocket for enclosing a corner of an object. An inflatable coner cushion may be placed on each corner of an object. The objects and cushion may then be placed in a shipping box. In such a condition, the pocket surrounds each corner such that they are protected from impacts from all directions.

Abstract: A package for holding an article has a front portion with a sheet generally defining a plane and has an outer rim. The package also has a back portion with an area and an outer periphery. The back portion is configured to be secured to said front portion. An inner opening is defined by the back portion so that the inner opening has an area substantially smaller than the area of the back portion. A separately formed first blister is shaped for defining a first pocket configured for receiving at least a portion of the article. The first blister also has a peripheral edge configured for attachment to the back portion in a region of the inner opening of the back portion.

Abstract: A stackable display tray including a shell having a plurality of sides defined by an equal number of corners, a substantially closed bottom having bottom corners corresponding with the corners of the shell, and a top having top corners corresponding with the corners of said shell. The top includes at least two first openings each adjacent to an independent top corner, and the bottom includes at least two second openings each adjacent to an independent bottom corner. The display tray also includes a side panel member having at least two angular panels positioned within the shell adjacent at least two of the corners and including a tab projecting from the top of at least two of the angular panels. At least two of the first openings each receive the tab of one of the angular panels positioned within the shell and at least two of the second openings are each adapted to receive a tab of an angular panel of a side panel member which projects out from a top of an adjacent display tray positioned below the bottom.

Abstract: A housing comprised of a first member, a second member, a seal, and electronics. The first member has a body comprised of a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first member comprises at least one pin protruding from the first end portion of the first member. The second member has a body and a cavity, with the body comprised of a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the second member is configured to mate with the first end portion of the first member. The first end portion of the second member comprises at least one groove configured to engageably receive the pin of the first end portion of the first member. The seal is configured to fit between the first member and the second member. The electronics is configured to mount within the cavity of the second member.

Abstract: A packaging assembly includes a frame member and a retention member which is not permanently affixed to the frame member. The frame member can include a variety of features which allow the retention member to be tightened around an article to be packaged and thus protected from shocks and impacts during transport, display, and/or retail use. The retention member can be formed as a sleeve or with pockets for engaging the frame member.

Abstract: A shoe sole (6) provided with a number of rigid spikes or nails (12) on its face in contact with the ground, said spikes or nails being not fixedly secured to the sole but being able to pass from a first extracted position in contact with the ground to a second retracted position not interfering with the trampling surface because of the combination of folding spike support means which can be overturned with first and second grooves or recesses (20) formed in the sole within which such spike support means can be accommodated in the extracted and the rest positions.

Abstract: A footwear sole include a rubber inner sole and a textile outer sole. The textile outer sole is at least partially impregnated into at least one surface of the inner sole. A method of forming a footwear sole includes the steps of forming at least one inner sole and at least partially impregnating a textile material into at least a portion of at least one surface of the inner sole.

Abstract: A vessel including a vessel body formed of metal and having an approximately cylindrical wall, a bottom and a cover, and a plastic ring provided at each of opposite ends of the vessel body and extending radially beyond the vessel body, with at least one of the plastic rings including a flange ring, a shaped ring which abuts a section of the vessel body, and an intermediate ring which connects the flange ring with the shaped ring and has a neck portion.

Abstract: A carrier for coiled filaments comprises a longitudinal base having a first end including a reinforced edge, a second end, and a first ledge opposite a second ledge. There is a raised platform between the first ledge and the second ledge. The raised platform has a first row of projections extending above the raised platform adjacent to the first ledge of the base. A second row of projections extends above the platform adjacent to the second ledge of the base, in parallel relationship to the first row of projections. The raised platform accommodates a plurality of rectangular envelopes each sized to mount in overlapping relationship between the first row of projections and the second row of projections. Each envelope contains a filament so that the ends of the filament extend out of the envelope from openings in the corners of the envelope. A first rail of resilient material mounted on the first ledge includes a plurality of slits each to receive one end of a filament.

Abstract: A flexible pressure vessel is constructed from at least one pair of upper and mating lower dome shaped cell portions. The dome portions are molded from sheets of resilient material and joined together by radio frequency welding or high-strength adhesives. Upper and lower passageway portions extend outwardly from each cell portion to the surrounding sheet material. When the cell portions are joined the passageway portions are joined to form a passageway for connection to a valve or another cell. Upper and lower rings surround the upper and lower cell portions to provide reinforcement for the cells. First and second blankets of heavy-duty fiber reinforced material are attached over the upper and lower cell portions and stitched in place with heavy-duty stitching extending through the resilient material surrounding the cell portions. Cell shaped sponges impregnated with absorbent materials are encased in liquid and gas impermeable plastic tubing and inserted into the cells prior to joining of the cell portions.

Abstract: A receptacle is fabricated to be folded prior to disposal to minimize waste disposal space. The receptacle includes a first portion including a plurality of fold lines and having a first surface area. The fold lines permit the receptacle to be folded prior to disposal such that the first portion has a second surface area. A fastening mechanism is attached to the receptacle on the first portion. The fold lines are formed to fold the receptacle such that the fastening mechanism maintains the receptacle in a folded position for disposal.

Abstract: A protective device for holding an apparatus having an interaction field is formed from a dimensionally stable protective housing having a lower housing part and an upper housing part. The lower housing part and the upper housing part are releasably connected with one another and an inside contour of the protective housing is adapted and constructed to closely receive the apparatus. The protective housing may be watertight and is provided with a flexible operating area to enable an interaction field to be viewed and manipulated. The operating area may be integral with the rest of the protective housing. Seals are provided between the apparatus and the upper and/or lower housing part and possibly also between the upper and/or lower housing parts themselves. The seals may be formed of a sealing lip or O-ring mating with a circumferential groove. The protective device may also include sealed feedthroughs for connectors, such as cables and external sensors.