Abstract: A bidirectional pump is provided which includes a pair of impellers each operable for pumping liquid in one direction of operation. One of the impellers has modified vane structure for reducing turbulent liquid flow conditions when rotated in a reverse direction in a volute pump cavity. The modified vane structure reduces noise emission characteristics of the impeller when operated in a pump cavity substantially depleted of liquid.

Abstract: A plastic receptacle or basket is provided for transporting, storing and displaying bakery, and other products, and which may be stacked on top of other like receptacles at three different levels. The receptacle of the invention is constructed so that it may be stacked on another like receptacle at a first and a second stacking level without any need to slide or rotate the receptacles with respect to one another so that the receptacles may be conveniently stacked at the bakery manually or by simple mechanical means, or in the route trucks where space is at a premium. In addition, the receptacles may be stacked at a third stacking level, if so desired, by rotating the receptacles 180.degree. with respect to one another from position of first and second stacking levels.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided for transporting, storing and displaying bakery, and other products. The receptacle is constructed so that it may be stacked on or nested into other like receptacles without any need to slide or rotate the receptacles with respect to one another; so that the receptacles may be conveniently stacked by automatic equipment at the bakery, and stacked or nested on route trucks where space is at a premium.

Abstract: A retainer bar assembly is provided comprising a vertical bar pivotally mounted at one corner of a rack to be movable from a first position, in which trays may be inserted into or removed from the open front of the rack, to a second position in which the bar extends vertically upwardly across the front of the rack to hold the trays securely in the rack and to prevent the trays from falling out of the rack, as the rack is transported from one location to another.

Abstract: A container is provided for bulk mail, and the like, which has the form of a wheeled rack. The container is constructed to have a lower shelf and an intermediate shelf, both of which are hinged to a frame, and both of which may be turned to an upright position when the container is not in use to enable the container to be nested into other like containers so as to conserve space. Also, the intermediate shelf may be turned up when the container is in use to provide sufficient space within the container for large or bulky packages or mail sacks. The container also has a flexible webbing member attached to the forward edge of a hinged frame which supports the intermediate shelf. The webbing member may be extended upwardly and downwardly from the forward edge of the frame across the open front of the container to enclose the upper and lower portions of the open front so as to retain the load within the container.

Abstract: Compounds having a cation which is tetrathiafulvalene of 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diylidene-bis-1,3-dithiole or both, and an anion which is 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane or 11,11,12,12-tetracyano-2,6-naphthaquinonedimethane or both, are described. The above compounds are characterized by anions and cations which are both odd-electron species.

Abstract: A cargo security system is provided which can easily be mounted in delivery trucks of a wide variety of sizes, and which provides a positive means for preventing the load in the trucks from sliding, especially when the load comprises stacks of receptacles supported on wheeled dollies. The security system of the invention comprises a plurality of upright support posts which are mounted on the deck of the truck and which are attached to the underside of the top of the truck along a fore and aft axis displaced from one of the side walls of the truck. A similar security system may be mounted on the truck adjacent the opposite side wall thereof.

Abstract: A cooking pan assembly is provided which has particular utility in the industrial cooking of food, such as tuna fish. The cooking pan is particularly constructed so that it may conveniently be transported on usual conveyors within the cooking facility. Crimped wire-formed ends are provided for the pan which serve as handles and which prevent the contents of the pan from sliding through the front or rear ends thereof. The wire-formed ends are crimped loosely to the side walls and bottom of the pan for sanitary reasons so that there is only a point contact between the wire-formed ends and the sides and bottoms, and no areas are formed which would be conducive to build up of bacteria. There are no welds between the end members and the bottom or side walls of the pan, since such welds would produce two separate surfaces in intimate contact with one another which could harbor bacteria. The pan assembly is easy to clean thoroughly by a simple spray wash since there are no nooks or crannies in the assembly.

Abstract: A transporter is provided for bulk mail, and the like, in the form of a wheeled rack. The wheeled rack is constructed to have a lower shelf and an intermediate shelf, both of which are hinged to the frame of the rack, and both of which may be turned up to an upright position when the rack is not in use to enable the rack to be nested into other like racks so as to conserve space. The rack also has upper and lower extensible gates which are hinged to the forward edge of the intermediate shelf, and which may be turned to an upright position within the rack with the intermediate shelf when the rack is not in use. The gates, moreover, may be turned and extended to enclose the upper and lower portions of the open front of the rack, and locked in place, when the intermediate shelf is turned down to its operative, load-supporting position.