Abstract: A clip for controlling a toothpaste tube when the end of the tube is folded into flattened coil. The clip is made of a resilient material and comprises an integrally attached front and back member. The front member terminates in an inwardly depending lip which, when engaging the edge of a fold made in the emptied part of the tube, prevents the coil from unfolding and the tube from slipping from the clip. The short lip near the open end of the clip holds the tube in the clip without having the clip clamp onto the tube. Thus the clip opening can be large enough to enable the tube to be easily inserted. The back member flares outwardly, allowing the contents of the tube to be easily expressed therefrom.

Abstract: A step stool comprising a base having a top surface adapted to be located upwardly from the ground; an aperture through the top surface; an elongated support; a platform on the support, the support being movable longitudinally through the aperture between a collapsed position in which the platform lies on the top surface and an extended position in which the platform is spaced upwardly from the top surface; and engagement means on the support operative to engage the surround of the aperture on one side of the aperture with the support bearing against the surround of the aperture on the opposite side of the aperture, to retain the support in its extended position against downward force exerted on the platform.

Abstract: The relative positions between a pair of moving objects and the velocity of one of such objects is controlled so as to synchronize the movements of the objects. Synchronization is achieved through the use of a novel sensor mechanism and a control circuit associated therewith. The sensor mechanism, which may be mounted on a molten metal pouring machine, includes a moving beam which carries a probe which describes the same circular arc regardless of where positioned on the beam. The probe contacts an object on a conveyor, for example a mold to be poured, and a signal generator mechanically coupled to the moving beam will provide an output signal commensurate with the relative position and velocity of the tool and workpiece.