Abstract: A combination sled/spacer comprising a molded body which has tie wires permanently connected thereto. The sled/spacer is adapted to be affixed to the outer surface of a steel reinforcing cage prior to the time that the cage is inserted into a pier hole in the ground. A preferred material for the molded body is a cementitious material, so that the concrete which is poured around the reinforcing cage will be similar to the material from which the sled/spacer is made. A plurality of longitudinal and transverse tie wires is preferred, so that the sled/spacer may be connected easily to both longitudinal and spiral members of a reinforcing cage. A typical sled/spacer has a length within the range of six to twelve inches, and is tapered from a wide surface which lies immediately adjacent the reinforcing cage, to a more narrow surface which bears against the sides of a pier hole. The surface which is expected to rub against the side of a pier hole is preferably convex.

Abstract: A combination support/spacer adapted for attachment to the periphery of a reinforcing cage--prior to the time that the cage is lowered into a pier hole. The support/spacer is configured in such a way as to be aptly referred to as a sled. The sled has a runner which is adapted to be in contact with the earth surrounding a pier hole, and said runner has a substantial flat face so that it provides wide-area contact with the earth. The runner has two ends, both of which are inclined upwardly with respect to the plane of the runner face. Both ends are turned up by the same amount, so that the sled may be mounted on a reinforcing cage without regard to a particular orientation, and so that the sled will perform equally well if the cage is being lowered or raised in the pier hole.

Abstract: An overwrapped carton is formed from a suitably cut and scored paperboard carton blank integrally combined with a flexible overwrap. The carton blank has end closure flaps, one of which is trapezoidal and the overwrap is combined with the blank so that the carton may be set up in tubular form, filled with product and the end closures quickly and expeditiously closed to form a completely overwrapped carton.