Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing one or more items, such as pills from a container. The dispensing member is located at or near the top of the container and has an aperture. When the container is closed by a cover and inverted, an item such as a pill passes through the aperture and is positioned between the cover and the top surface of the dispensing member. When the container is turned back to its initial position and the cover removed, a pill can easily be taken off the outer surface of the dispensing member. The dispensing member may form part of the container; may be inserted as a separate member in the container; or it may be located in the cover for the container.

Abstract: A cap device for securing an instrument, such as a ballpoint pen, to a web of flexible material. The device comprises a stem portion and a body portion which collectively define a first, second and third surface, with the first surface being disposed between the second and third surfaces. The surfaces are disposed in a spaced array to form a longitudinally extending gap which is serpentine in cross section and arranged for receipt of the web of material to bend the web about the surfaces to accomplish a substantially non-traumatic gathering of the web by the device. The device is slidable from a first position wherein it covers the tip of the writing instrument to a second position wherein the tip is exposed. Means are provided to ensure that the device does not slide off the instrument.

Abstract: An insertable dispenser for pill bottles having a rigid annular body member with an aperture for the passage of pills. Flexible lip members extend outwardly around the periphery of the body member to allow for a snug friction fit of the body member in a pill bottle. An annular shelf disposed on the inner circumference of the member serves to capture pills passing through the aperture.

Abstract: A removable cover on a container has first and second tabs extending downwardly alongside the upper periphery of a container. Each tab has a latch member in contact with the lower surface of a ledge structure to prevent upward movement of the cover. The cover is removed by simultaneously pushing each tab radially inwardly and then pushing upwardly on the cover.

Abstract: A swab is packaged in a tube having an open end and containing a culture-sustaining or bacteria identification liquid at the bottom of a tube, and a plug including a one-way isolating valve located above the liquid and a barrier member forming a leak-proof chamber between the plug and the barrier member. After removal of the swab from the tube and swabbing of a body canal or the like with the absorbent tip of the swab, the swab may be placed back in the tube with the absorbent tip adjacent the plug and within the substantially air-tight chamber. The plug may then be forced downwardly through the liquid by pressing on the end of the swab or another rigid member telescoped within the tube so as to force the liquid up through the valve into contact with the absorbent tip. A closure or cap which may be used to press on the end of the stick or the rigid member then forms a seal at the open end of the tube.

Abstract: A bottom in a tube having an open end is formed by heating the tube and a supporting mandrel and advancing a sleeve over the end of the tube which flares outwardly after heating so as to collapse the flared end. The collapsed end of the tube is closed by contacting the collapsed end with a mold which cooperates with the sleeve to form the bottom.

Abstract: A valve apparatus is integrally molded from an elastomeric material so as to form a valve seating portion including a valve opening, a valve member and connective strands extending from the valve seating portion to the valve member. The valve member is initially molded on one side of the valve opening, and a portion of the valve member is passed through the opening to the other side thereof. The connective strands are stretched while passing a portion of the valve member through the opening so as to create a bias on the valve member which tends to seat the valve member on the other side of the opening.

Abstract: A process for making a decorative article is provided by selectively oxidizing at least one layer of oxidizable metal to produce color changes in the layer(s) and selectively terminating the oxidation of the metal to set the color in the layer(s) with the desired decorative effect. Preferably, the oxidizable metal is in the form of finely divided particles such as iron, copper or brass powder, which may be adhesively or cohesively secured to a substrate which is preferably porous. Oxidation may be carried out by wetting the metal with a corrosive liquid or humidity in an oxygen containing atmosphere, and the rate and extent of oxidation may be controlled mechanically by occlusive dressings and/or chemically by the use of catalysts. The resulting article exhibits predetermined color patterns characteristic of various stages of oxidation of the metal.

Abstract: A bottom in a tube having an open end is formed by heating the tube and a supporting mandrel and advancing a sleeve over the end of the tube which flares outwardly after heating so as to collapse the flared end. The collapsed end of the tube is closed by contacting the collapsed end with a mold which cooperates with the sleeve to form the bottom.

Abstract: A valve apparatus is integrally molded from an elastomeric material so as to form a valve seating portion including a valve opening, a valve member and connective strands extending from the valve seating portion to the valve member. The valve member is initially molded on one side of the valve opening, and a portion of the valve member is passed through the opening to the other side thereof. The connective strands are stretched while passing a portion of the valve member through the opening so as to create a bias on the valve member which tends to seat the valve member on the other side of the opening.

Abstract: A self-contained separator assembly comprises a container having at least one end open which is adapted to receive blood for subsequent separation into a light phase comprising plasma or serum and a heavy phase comprising the formed elements of blood. A closure is sealed into the open end of the container which may be penetrated by a cannula through which blood may be received into the container. A piston-like plug which forms a seal against the container wall is characterized by an average specific gravity so as to permit the plug to be centrifuged through a blood sample toward the interface of the heavy phase and the light phase. The plug comprises a valve seating portion having a valve opening therein and a valve head adapted to seat on the seating portion and bias means extending between the seating portion and the valve head to bias the head to the seated position on the seating portion after centrifugation.

Abstract: A separator tube for insertion into a collection tube comprises a tubular member having one end closed by a plug. The plug comprises a valve seating portion having a valve opening therein and a valve head adapted to seat on the seating portion and bias means extending between the seating portion and the valve head to bias the head to the seated position on the seating portion when the separator tube is stationary within the collection tube.

Abstract: A swab is packaged in a tube having an open end and containing a culture-sustaining or bacteria identification liquid at the bottom of a tube, and a plug including a one-way isolating valve located above the liquid and a barrier member forming a leak-proof chamber between the plug and the barrier member. After removal of the swab from the tube and swabbing of a body canal or the like with the absorbent tip of the swab, the swab may be placed back in the tube with the absorbent tip adjacent the plug and within the substantially air-tight chamber. The plug may then be forced downwardly through the liquid by pressing on the end of the swab or another rigid member telescoped within the tube so as to force the liquid up through the valve into contact with the absorbent tip. A closure or cap which may be used to press on the end of the stick or the rigid member then forms a seal at the open end of the tube.

Abstract: A swab is packaged in a tube having an open end and containing a culture-sustaining liquid at the bottom of a tube, and a plug including a one-way isolating valve located above the liquid and a barrier member forming an air-tight chamber between the plug and the barrier member. After removal of the swab from the tube and swabbing of a body canal or the like with the absorbent tip of the swab, the swab may be placed back in the tube with the absorbent tip adjacent the plug and within the substantially air-tight chamber. The plug may then be forced downwardly through the liquid by pressing on the end of the swab or another rigid member telescoped within the tube so as to force the liquid up through the valve into contact with the absorbent tip. A closure or cap which may be used to press on the end of the stick or the rigid member then forms a seal at the open end of the tube.