Abstract: An improved food storage device for holding food items in a controlled environment, typically heated, is disclosed. The device can hold different foods under different conditions for different amounts of time. Among the improvements is an intuitive programming interface. The device may be programmed by selecting different options displayed on different displays associated with different specific food storage positions by pressing a button associated with the display displaying the option. The device may have synchronized displays allowing users to more quickly assimilate displayed information.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.

Abstract: A container holder adapted to hold a container between two spaced apart prongs is provided herein. The prongs clamp the container with a clamping force large enough to hold the container, but small enough to avoid damaging the container. The prongs may be spaced apart to fit different-sized containers, while the clamping force still meets these criteria. The clamping force may be provided by a substantially constant-force spring or a variable-force spring. In a method according to the present invention, a stack of nested containers is held in a container holder as described, for subsequent removal of a selected container from the stack.

Abstract: A container holder adapted to hold a container between two spaced apart prongs is provided herein. The prongs clamp the container with a clamping force large enough to hold the container, but small enough to avoid damaging the container. The prongs may be spaced apart to fit different-sized containers, while the clamping force still meets these criteria. The clamping force may be provided by a substantially constant-force spring or a variable-force spring. In a method according to the present invention, a stack of nested containers is held in a container holder as described, for subsequent removal of a selected container from the stack.

Abstract: An improved food storage device for holding food items in a controlled environment, typically heated, is disclosed. The device can hold different foods under different conditions for different amounts of time. Among the improvements is an intuitive programming interface. The device may be programmed by selecting different options displayed on different displays associated with different specific food storage positions by pressing a button associated with the display displaying the option. The device may have synchronized displays allowing users to more quickly assimilate displayed information.

Abstract: A stapler including a base having a first end, a second end, and opposite sides. A staple magazine is connected to the base for movement with respect to the base during stapling operations. A cover assembly is connected to the base. The first end of the base includes first and second hip portions such that the staple magazine and cover assembly are received within the hip portions. In some embodiments, the hip portions each include a cutout portion. In other embodiments, the hip portions each include a rib extending inwardly toward the magazine.

Abstract: A stapler and detachable accessory combination includes a stapler having a base with an accessory storage chamber. A detachable accessory defines an operating end, a non-operating end, and a grasping portion intermediate the operating and non-operating ends. The detachable accessory is insertable into and removable from the storage chamber such that the operating end leads during insertion into the storage chamber and the non-operating end leads during removal from the storage chamber. The accessory can be a staple remover, a hole punch, a pencil sharpener, or other office tool.

Abstract: A telephone distribution center for organizing, labeling, and coupling multiple paired input telephone wires to multiple output telephone wires. Paired input lines can be coupled to respective pairs of punch down terminal strips. Each punch down terminal strip is an electrically conductive terminal strip inserted into a row of insulation displacing punch down connectors. Multiple paired output lines can be coupled to one or more punch down terminal strip pairs thereby coupling one or more paired output lines to the desired input line pair or pairs. A convenient place is provided for labeling the location of the telephone jack to which each paired output wire leads. A wire channel, wire channel hooks, and tie wire loops are provided for organizing paired input and output telephone wires. Mounting holes are also provided for fastening the telephone wire distribution center to a wall or other suitable mounting surface.

Abstract: A cable splice enclosure made up of: (1) a splice enclosure tube having two compressible ends with annular ledges inside the compressible ends; (2) first and second compressible grommets adapted to be inserted into the compressible ends; and (3) two outer shells adapted to be fastened to said first and second compressible ends of the cable splice enclosure tube. The outer shells have an inclined outer end portion that: (1) holds the compressible grommets in abutted relation to the annular ledges; and (2) compresses the compressible ends, which, in turn, radially compresses the grommets to form a watertight seal around the cables to be spliced. In a different embodiment, which is suitable for enclosing butt-splices, the splice enclosure tube has an open compressible end and a closed end. The open compressible end of the butt-splice enclosure tube uses the same parts and works the same as both ends of the splice tube extender.

Abstract: An enclosure for protecting cable splices having a pair of outer shells, a pair of inner shells, an extender between the pairs of inner and outer shells, and clips inside the inner shells for resisting forces applied to the spliced cables that would tend to separate the spliced cables. The cables to be spliced are passed through a hole in the outer shell, inner shell, and compressible grommets in the inner shells, and space for the cable splices is provided by the extender tube. As the outer shells are threaded onto the extender tube, a seal is formed around the splice by the compression of the grommets and the joining of the inner ends of the inner shells with the ends of the extender tube.

Abstract: A cable splice protector for protecting one or more cable splices located in an inner recess defined by the combination of a first inner shell and a second inner shell, an outer recess for containing the two inner shells including a first outer shell and second outer shell, the cable splice being compressively sealed from the element where the spliced cables pass through apertured grommets associated with the first and second inner shells.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the length of wires includes connector assemblies, a current source circuit, a voltage gain circuit, analog-to-digital converter, a read-only memory, a microprocessor and a display unit. The connector assemblies are connected across the ends of the wire whose length is to be determined. The current source circuit is used to selectively supply different values of currents to the wire whose length is to be determined. The voltage gain circuit is responsive to the different values of currents for selectively generating a plurality of different voltage levels for each of the different values of currents so as to provide an analog voltage signal having a predetermined range. The analog-to-digital converter is responsive to the analog voltage signal for converting the same to a first digital signal corresponding to a resistance of the wire.