Abstract: A protective canister for computer discs comprises a hollow tube and a pair of end caps for closing the tube and fixing a central post therein. A stack of alternate computer discs and spacers having aligned central apertures is loaded onto the center post and clamped in the canister by way of a pair of platforms carried by the end caps about the central post. The elements of the canister are preferably constructed from hydrocarbon-based polymers and, after loading, the canister is sealed in shrink film so that the discs are protected in an environment which is free of particulate matter.

Abstract: An improved lid for covering containers, such as tumblers or the like, has a mouthpiece with at least a portion of the mouthpiece shaped to fit within the lips of a person drinking from the container. The mouthpiece has a valve at its base, operated by the drinker's lips, by the application of pressure on opposite sides of resilient walled containers, or by pressure on a portion of the lid. The mouthpiece, with valve on the lid, prevents spilling of the liquid, if the container is accidentally dropped, precludes spilling of the liquid during the time the drinker is engaged in drinking the liquid from the container, even when the drinking is done under adverse conditions, and provides facilitated means for adding condiments to a hot beverage for consumption by a user. Features are further provided for more effectively securing the valve to preclude inadvertent spilling from "wave action" of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: An improved lid for covering containers, sucn as tumblers or the like, has a mouthpiece with at least a portion of the mouthpiece shaped to fit within the lips of a person drinking from the container. The mouthpiece has a valve therein operated by the drinker's lips or by the application of pressure on opposite sides of resilient walled containers. The mouthpiece with valve on the lid prevents spilling of the liquid, if the container is accidentally dropped, precludes spilling of the liquid during the time the drinker is engaged in drinking the liquid from the container, even when the drinking is done under adverse conditions, and provides facilitated means for adding condiments to a hot beverage for consumption by a user. Features are further provided for more effectively securing the valve to preclude inadvertent spilling from "wave action" of the liquid within the container.

Abstract: A sanitary refuse device for collecting waste products such, for example, as the droppings of dogs, cats, and other animals. A hollow, cane-like, substantially vertical handle has a pistol-type grip at its upper end and a pair of normally open, spring-biased, pick-up jaws at its lower end, one of the jaws being fixedly connected to the lower end of the handle and the other jaw being pivotally mounted so as to swing to and from the fixed jaw. A trigger in associated relation with the piston-type grip is connected to the pivoted jaw through the medium of an actuating rod which passes through the handle and normally exists under compression in order to maintain the pivoted jaw in its open position against the action of the associated spring. Retraction of the trigger places the actuating rod under tension so that it becomes a pull rod and causes the pivoted jaw to swing towards the fixed jaw into a closed position.