Abstract: A method for creating spout assembly for use with a container having an internal chamber in communication with a predefined opening includes molding steps. A hollow body is molded of a first material and includes a passage therethrough. A base member of a second material is molded over the hollow body in a mold using at least a part of the hollow body as at least a part of the mold, The base member is configured to be secured to the container and is configured to cover the predefined opening. The step of molding the base member over the hollow body is carried out such that the hollow body is rotatably mounted to the base member to be movable between an open position and a closed position upon completion of the molding step.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular/powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket (330) to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates sealing features, and a geometry for container wall junctions (50) that can have curvilinear and angled or rectilinear profiles. A scoop 32 is releasably carried in the lid (L, D) and can include a rim portion (36,a,b,c) that can be formed and or flexed to be congruent to the profiles.

Abstract: A container comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. Each of the walls has a substantially rectangular shape. The rectangular shape of each wall enables the container to be stored easily on a shelf or counter-top. The top wall and portions of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall form a lid. The lid is pivotally attached to the rear wall by a hinge. The lid can be opened by rotation thereof about the hinge. The front wall has at least one recess and the rear wall has at least one recess. The at least one recess of the front wall and the at least one recess of the rear wall are adjacent to the first side wall. The recesses provide a grip feature, which enables the user to manipulate the lid of the container with one hand when the container rests on a flat surface, e.g., a tabletop or a counter top.

Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular/powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket (330) to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates sealing features, a geometry for container wall junctions (50) and a junction congruent scoop (32) enabling easy access to the contents, and a strength improving receptacle (280) with indentations (290) that interlock with flex clips (310) of a J-shaped collar (300), and which accommodate wide tolerance variations between the collar (300) and receptacle (280).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf tee includes a step of molding a shaft using a first moldable material. The method also includes molding an upper portion of the tee using a second moldable material. The upper portion has a ball receiving structure. A portion of either the shaft or the upper portion is used as a part of a mold for the molding of the other of the shaft or the upper portion.

Abstract: A rotate mechanism includes a fixed frame unit, a rotating frame unit, a first bearing, and a prime mover. The rotating frame unit is rotatably coupled to the fixed frame unit and rotates about an axis. The rotating frame unit includes a first surface for receiving a machine tool element to be rotated. The first bearing is configured to exert an axially outward force on the rotating frame unit. The first bearing rotates about an axis that extends in substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotating frame unit. The first bearing is axially movable within a cavity of at least one of the rotating frame unit and the fixed frame unit. The prime mover is coupled to the rotating frame unit to effectuate rotational movement thereof.

Abstract: A valve stem construction for a manipulable valve member used to control fluid flow through a valve. The valve stem extends externally of the valve housing for engagement by a valve handle used to manipulate the valve member between open and closed positions. The valve is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced concave splines extending longitudinally on the outer surface of the valve stem. The splines are spaced so as to maximize transmission of rotational torque while minimizing flexure and twisting of the valve stem. The spacing and configuration of the individual splines also ensure a strong mating fit with the valve handle.

Abstract: A closure for a liquid container, such as a sports drink bottle, includes a base component that is engaged over the mouth of the container, and a cap component engaged on the base component for movement from a closed position to an open position by pressure from the lips of the consumer. The base component includes a valve element supported on a fenestrated pedestal. The cap component includes a body defining a drinking surface for contacting the lips of the consumer and an annular sealing disc recessed below the drinking surface. The sealing disc is retained by the valve element against the force of a resiliently deformable seal disposed between the base component and the cap component. The seal has a sealing rim that is in constant contact with the base portion and provides an upward spring force to hold the sealing disc in the normally closed position. The seal includes a flexible hinge that allows the resiliently deformable seal to bow outward or bellows when the cap is depressed.

Abstract: A continuous flexible conduit is formed from like-configured components, each having a male joint member and a female joint member with a passageway extending therethrough. The female joint member is over-molded about a corresponding male joint member to form a substantially fluid-tight articulating joint. In a method of producing the flexible conduit, a single-shot molding process is used to form each like-configured component, with each newly formed component indexed within the single-shot mold so that the male joint member is within the female mold cavity for the formation of the next component. In an alternative embodiment, a continuous conduit is formed of two different sets of like configured components—one set having only female joint members and the other set having only male joint members. A two-shot molding process is described for continuous production of the flexible conduit using these two sets of components.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media includes a reel core, a first flange and a second flange. The first flange comprises a flange body having a periphery, and further includes an outer rim extending axially outward and radially outward from the periphery with respect to the reel core. The reel core extends between said first flange and said second flange.

Abstract: A closure for a liquid container, such as a sports drink bottle, includes a base component that is engaged over the mouth of the container, and a cap component engaged on the base component for movement from a closed position to an open position by pressure from the lips of the consumer. The base component includes a valve element supported on a fenestrated pedestal. The cap component includes a body defining a drinking surface for contacting the lips of the consumer and an annular sealing disc recessed below the drinking surface. The sealing disc is retained by the valve element against the force of a resiliently deformable seal disposed between the base component and the cap component. The seal has a sealing rim that is in constant contact with the base portion and provides an upward spring force to hold the sealing disc in the normally closed position. The seal includes a flexible hinge that allows the resiliently deformable seal to bow outward or bellows when the cap is depressed.

Abstract: A sprinkler cover assembly includes a polymeric sprinkler housing which is configured to receive a sprinkler head. The sprinkler cover assembly also includes a polymeric cover for covering an open end of the polymeric sprinkler housing. Moreover, the sprinkler cover assembly includes a thermoreactive adhesive disposed between the polymeric sprinkler housing and the polymeric cover so as to secure the polymeric cover to the polymeric sprinkler housing.

Abstract: A spout assembly for use with a container having an internal chamber in communication with a predefined opening that is sealed with a frangible sealing material includes a base member, a hollow body, and a puncture member. The base member is configured to be secured to the container, and is further configured to cover the predefined opening. The hollow body defines a passage therethrough and is rotatably mounted to the base member to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The puncture member is formed with the hollow body, the puncture member configured to puncture the sealing member when the hollow body is moved from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A continuous flexible conduit is formed from like-configured components, each having a male joint member and a female joint member with a passageway extending therethrough. The female joint member is over-molded about a corresponding male joint member to form a substantially fluid-tight articulating joint. In a method of producing the flexible conduit, a single-shot molding process is used to form each like-configured component, with each newly formed component indexed within the single-shot mold so that the male joint member is within the female mold cavity for the formation of the next component. In an alternative embodiment, a continuous conduit is formed of two different sets of like configured components—one set having only female joint members and the other set having only male joint members. A two-shot molding process is described for continuous production of the flexible conduit using these two sets of components.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media includes a reel core, a first flange and a second flange. The first flange comprises a flange body having a periphery, and further includes an outer rim extending axially outward and radially outward from the periphery with respect to the reel core. The reel core extends between said first flange and said second flange.

Abstract: A rotate mechanism includes a fixed frame unit, a rotating frame unit, a first bearing, and a prime mover. The rotating frame unit is rotatably coupled to the fixed frame unit and rotates about an axis. The rotating frame unit includes a first surface for receiving a machine tool element to be rotated. The first bearing is configured to exert an axially outward force on the rotating frame unit. The first bearing rotates about an axis that extends in substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotating frame unit. The first bearing is axially movable within a cavity of at least one of the rotating frame unit and the fixed frame unit. The prime mover is coupled to the rotating frame unit to effectuate rotational movement thereof.

Abstract: A reel for supporting wound flexible media includes a core, a first flange and a second flange. The core has a first pliable end and a second end, the first pliable end defining a first cross-sectional shape. The first flange has an outer section and an inner section. The outer section includes an inner rim, the inner rim including a radially inward extending ridge defining at least a portion of a periphery corresponding substantially to the first cross-sectional shape and configured to deformingly engage the first pliable end. The inner section includes an outer rim, the outer rim including a radially outward extending ridge defining at least a portion of a periphery corresponding substantially to the first cross-sectional shape and configured to deformingly engage the first pliable end. The second flange is coupled to the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media includes a core, first and second flanges, and at least one locking ring. The core has first and second ends, an inner surface and an outer surface. The first flange, which attaches to the first end of the core, includes a first plurality of flexible fingers that extend axially inward the core adjacent to said inner surface proximate the first end. Likewise, the second flange, which attaches to the second end of the core, includes a second plurality of flexible fingers that extend axially inward the core adjacent to said inner surface proximate the second end. The locking ring urges the first plurality of flexible fingers to the inner surface proximate the first end.

Abstract: An air vent assembly for directing airflow includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The air vent assembly further includes a first plurality of vanes, each of said first plurality of vanes rotatably secured to the housing. A first link member is rotatably secured to each of the first plurality of vanes such that rotation of one of the plurality of first vanes rotates each of the first vanes. The air vent assembly further includes a second plurality of vanes, each second vane is rotatably secured to the housing. A second link member is rotatably secured to each of the plurality of second vanes such that rotation of one of the plurality of second vanes rotates each of the plurality of second vanes. Each of the first vanes rotates about one of a first set of parallel axes and each of the second vanes rotates about one of a second set of parallel axes. The first set of axes is coplanar with, and nonparallel to, and the second set of axes.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting wound flexible media includes first and second flanges, a core, and at least one single piece connector. The core is interposed between said first flange and said second flange. The first flange has at least one aperture and at least one protruding feature corresponding to said aperture. The at least one single piece connector includes a first interlocking end that extends through an aperture of the second flange and through the at least one aperture of the first flange, wherein said first interlocking end engages the protruding feature to inhibit a de-insertion alignment of the first interlocking end with the at least one aperture.