Abstract: A method of supporting a plastic container exposed to elevated temperatures during product filling and packaging to eliminate heat and internal pressure induced distortion, internal vacuum distortion, or structural failure. Plastic containers usually have a body with exterior configuration and a sealable open mouth. The invention provides a method of hot filling, pasteurising and retort processing of conventional containers during product filling where at least a portion of the container is confined in a support casing having an interior cavity mating the exterior configuration of the container body portion. The product is then introduced into the container, and the container mouth is sealed. A positive pressure is induced within the sealed container while the container is exposed to a product processing temperature. An unsupported PET container exposed to high heat and internal pressure variations would distort or fail.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package for packaging food products, composed of an outer sheet made of heat-sealable material and of an undulated inner sheet. In a first step of the method, the two sheets are unwound from respective reels, so that the outer sheet forms two lateral borders left exposed by the inner sheet. By way of appropriate longitudinal movements of the sheets, the inner sheet is centered on the outer sheet so as to form, at their opposite ends, two transverse borders which are perpendicular to the lateral ones.

Abstract: In the process of die-cutting bag stacks to form individual bag tops, die-cut handle apertures, or other mounting apertures, die blade configurations forming the vent lines of an array of vent apertures are also used to bond the outer surfaces of the front and rear bag walls together. The die-cutting operation selectively bonds the successive front and rear bag walls together at or adjacent the cut edges of the vent lines, thereby allowing the bags in a bag stack to subsequently self-open when dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a sealing area of a packaging container in which the sealing area has a predetermined exterior shape. The apparatus includes a generator, a horn and an anvil. The anvil has an abutting portion that conforms to the exterior shape of the sealing area of the packaging container. The plurality of slidable plates may be composed of a ferromagnetic material, a paramagnetic material or a ceramic material. The plurality of slidable plates are supported on an elastic sleeve that allows for the inward movement of the plates when the force exerted by the horn on the sealing area exceeds the elastic force of the sleeve thereby allowing the corresponding plurality of slidable plates to conform to the exterior shape of the sealing area of the packaging container. An electromagnet may be used to restrict the movement of the slidable plates subsequent to their conforming to the exterior shape of the sealing area.

Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.

Abstract: A device in which a set of capsules previously filled with a specific amount is positioned in a set of cavities arranged in plates, the plates assuming two positions, one for receiving the capsules in correspondence with a capsule-filling device, and the other for unloading these, the second operation being performed with the plates in an extended position in respect of the device frame, and the plates have two parts, an upper one which houses the capsules and a lower one which retains these. In the unloading position the lower plates align with the upper ones, thus allowing the capsules to drop through to arrange the gelatine capsules in blister packs.

Abstract: A machine for packaging a mattress in a sheet, comprising horizontal supporting and receiving mattress surfaces, guides for guiding the sheet on a vertical plane, so that by moving the mattress in the advancement direction from the supporting surface toward the receiving surface the sheet is arranged over and under the mattress, a device for joining and cutting the sheet upstream of the mattress and for forming a bag which wraps around the mattress, sheet unwinding assemblies comprising two rollers movable along the receiving surface with a return stroke, the rollers being articulated to rotate between alignment and parallel positions in which they are perpendicular or parallel to the advancement direction and to the sides of the mattress, and actuators for actuating the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention is a saddle girth to be used in conjunction with an English saddle. The saddle girth has a central portion separating two opposing straight segments, each of which extend from the central portion at an angle less than approximately forty-five degrees to form a chevron-like shape. This style of saddle girth inhibits the saddle from shifting along the back of the horse, thus preventing sores and chafing while providing safety for the rider.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar with at least one cutterhead having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of said shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution.

Abstract: A forage harvester header includes a plurality of intake and mowing arrangements disposed side-by-side across the width of the header and adapted for being driven about respective upright axes. Located behind the intake and mowing arrangements and leading to a centrally located discharge channel is a transverse conveying channel having upright conveying drums associated therewith to aid in moving the harvested crop stalks toward the discharge channel. A table is provided across the top of the center two intake and mowing arrangements and mounted centrally in the table is a conveyor arrangement which operates to gather and deliver rearwardly any crop stalks which emerge from the transverse conveying channel and go across the table in the vicinity of the conveyor arrangement.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a cutter bar and a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar. The reel is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the cutter bar and has a plurality of reel bats each having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis. The reel bats are pivotal each about a respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates. The reel co-operates with a cam carried on the header in generally stationary position so that each bat has a crank arm with a cam follower on the crank arm which follows the cam as the reel rotates and causes the required pivotal movement of the bat. The crank arm is arranged at an angle of the order of 135 degrees to the bat fingers so that the cam follower is angularly advanced in the cam relative to the bat axis.

Abstract: In this harvesting machine using shaker members in the form of rods to shake the fruit-bearing bushes and harvest the fruit, each shaker rod has an elongate base part which has, in use, a required flexibility characteristic for the rod in a horizontal plane and which has an oblong cross-section whose height is greater than its width, said cross-section having two main geometrical axes which are respectively horizontal and vertical and dimensions of height and width such that its moment of area about the horizontal main axis is significantly greater than its moment of area about the vertical main axis and its height is less than a predefined value. The base part forms a core for the rod, which can further include a wear part which covers the core and which is made of a material and has a thickness such that the rod has flexibility characteristics in the horizontal and vertical planes that are practically unchanged relative to those of the core, even after substantial wear of the wear part.

Abstract: A pick-up rake has an elongate handle attached to a rake head. The rake head is pivotally attached to a grasping element through a connector element having first and second rake hinges. The connector element enables the grasping element to be pivoted from a stored positioned to a closed position, the connector element pivoting to enable the rake head to remain in contact with a ground surface while the grasping element moves from the stored to the closed positions, despite the pick-up rake being held at a natural 45 degree angle to the ground surface. A slider element and a slider rod cooperate to enable a user to clamp the grasping element against the rake head, thereby grasping debris therebetween and facilitating removal of the debris.

Abstract: An expanded graphite knitting yarn according to the present invention is covered or bound and covered with a reinforcing material made of a braided body such as stainless steel line members, before an outer periphery of an expanded graphite tape having a predetermined width, which has been subjected to a twisting process, is braided. Therefore, an amount of the expanded graphite particles exfoliated from ends of the expanded graphite tape in the twisting process can be significantly reduced. Moreover, this can prevent the expanded graphite particles from being exfoliated from the end of the expanded graphite tape in a braiding process. Furthermore, the plural expanded graphite knitting yarns are put together and subjected to either braiding or twisting process, thereby forming a gland packing. This can enhance a sealing property and a pressure resistance property of the gland packing.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes an outlet for discharging exhaust, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart stub airfoils disposed adjacent the outlet. The airfoils shed vortices for mixing exhaust flow and attenuating noise and reducing infrared signature with minimum performance loss.

Abstract: A side thruster of a flying object of the invention is provided with a solid gas generating agent, a nozzle arranged in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the flying object, a tube body for flowing the gas generated in accordance with a combustion of the solid gas generating agent to the nozzle, the solid gas generating agent being arranged around the tube body, a plurality of orifices provided on a peripheral wall of the tube body along its circumferential direction and capable of injecting the gas generated in accordance with the combustion of the solid gas generating agent toward an axis of the tube body, and a valve provided within the tube body and rotatable around the axis of the tube body so as to open and close the plurality of orifices.

Abstract: An injection element for a combustion component running on two propellants, includes a first, central injection channel, which is connectable to a first propellant supply for a first propellant, and a second injection channel, which annularly surrounds the first injection channel. The second injection channel is connectable to a second propellant supply for a second propellant. The injection element includes a third injection channel, which annularly surrounds the second injection channel and which is in fluid communication with the first injection channel.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide sensor placed downstream of the catalytic converter and a temperature sensor placed upstream of the converter in a diesel engine provide information to build a real time CO conversion efficiency versus catalyst temperature curve to determine whether a catalyst has deteriorated beyond a predetermined point with respect to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) requirements. Pre catalyst CO concentration is inferred from the engine operating conditions, and catalyst temperature is determined using the temperature sensor output and the engine exhaust flow heat transfer model. The real time curve is compared to a reference curve to determine catalyst performance. Catalyst performance with respect to CO conversions can then be correlated to that for HC and NOx to meet OBD requirements.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for adaptive control of a purge time and a fill time for an emission control device used to reduce emission of a selected constituent gas, such NOx, of an engine's generated exhaust gas, with optimization and adapting of stored values to reflect changes in device operating conditions. The invention determines a present value representative of the quantity of oxygen stored in the device, as well as a present value for the maximum device NOx-storage capacity to provide real-time adjustment of purge and fill time to achieve optimum overall operation of the device. The invention also periodically determines actual fill times which corresponding to optimal fill times to generate adaptive values for use during normal open-loop control.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an engine exhaust gas cleaning system which can accurately judge whether or not there is the remaining capacity in an NOx trapping amount of an NOx trapping agent, can optimize the timing of NOx purge control, and can diagnose the deterioration of the NOx trapping agent.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine estimates an oxygen storage amount of a catalyst based on a record of an oxygen storage amount, and controls an air-fuel ratio based on the estimated oxygen storage amount. The catalyst is divided into multiple sections in a flow direction of an exhaust gas, the oxygen storage amount in a specified section is estimated according to a behavior of an exhaust gas on upstream and downstream sides of the respective specified sections, and the air-fuel ratio is controlled based on the estimated oxygen storage amount in the specified section.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a system for feeding a reducing agent into a catalyst device. A first reservoir is provided and has a solid reducing agent, a second reservoir is provided and has a solvent for the solid reducing agent, and a reducing agent solutions is produced from the solid reducing agent and the solvent. The reducing agent solution is intermittently stored in a third reservoir, and the reducing agent solution is fed from the third reservoir into the catalyst device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve reliability of exhaust emission purification in an exhaust emission purifying device having an NOx catalyst and an bypass path bypassing the NOx catalyst.

Abstract: An exhaust filtration system for filtering exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine may comprise a fan having an intake side and a discharge side and an air inlet operatively associated with the intake side of the fan. A filter having an inlet surface and an outlet surface is positioned adjacent the fan so that the inlet surface of the filter is positioned adjacent the discharge side of the fan. An influx tube connected to the internal combustion engine is positioned so that its outlet end is located adjacent the intake side of the fan, so that the fan draws in air from the air inlet and exhaust gases from the outlet end of the influx tube and discharges a mixture of air and exhaust gases from the discharge side and into the inlet surface of the filter.

Abstract: A regeneration method for a hydraulic system enables the fluid being forced from a first actuator to be used to power a second actuator. Often the force of the load acting on a hydraulic actuator is used to move the actuator into a given position which motion forces fluid from the actuator. Rather than simply draining that fluid to the system tank, the fluid is routed to a second actuator to be powered when the pressure of the fluid draining at the first actuator is greater than the pressure required to power the second actuator. At other times the draining fluid can be used to drive the pump which has been configured to operate as a motor thereby driving the prime mover connected to the pump. Alternatively the draining fluid can be routed to an accumulator where it is stored under pressure until needed to power an actuator of the system. A unique bidirectional pilot operated poppet valve.

Abstract: A symmetric pump having a symmetric end cap attached to a symmetric housing is disclosed. The end cap is attachable in a first position or a second position wherein the second position is rotated relative to the housing. A trunnion arm extends in a first direction and a system port opens in a first orientation when the housing is connected to the end cap in a first position, The end cap includes structure such that the housing may be connected in a second position so that the trunnion arm extends in a second direction while maintaining the system port opening in the first orientation. The end cap may be provided with a symmetric porting system. A control device for affecting movement of the swashplate is disclosed. Methods of locking the swashplate into a predetermined position are also taught.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydropneumatic pressure intensifier comprising a radial seal (24, 27). Said seal is arranged between working pistons (2) and the cylinder bore which accommodates said pressure intensifier or in a bore hole (15) between the working chamber (3) and a storage area (14), whereby the radial seals consist of viscoplastic and flexible synthetic material.

Abstract: A two-stage brake valve, has a pair of stages with different effective areas which become effective in succession upon an actuation of the valve, including a larger area fill chamber and a smaller area pressure chamber. A fill stage pressure relief valve is connected between the fill chamber and a reservoir. The relief valve includes a valve element, which is exposed to the pressure in the reservoir and spring force, and which is exposed to pressure in the fill chamber, so that it opens upon a pre-set brake pressure existing in the fill chamber. The relief valve also includes a pressure relief piston which can be exposed to the pressure in the fill chamber, and which can be exposed to the pressure in the pressure chamber. The piston has a free end which engages the valve element, and forces the valve element in its opening direction with increasing pressure difference between the pressure chamber and the fill chamber.

Abstract: A device for transferring EGR gasses from the exhaust collector of a supercharged internal combustion engine to its inlet conduit includes, besides a supercharge unit, a venturi device having the purpose of sucking the EGR gasses from the exhaust collector into the inlet conduit in order to overcome the high gas pressure in the pressurized charging air in this conduit. In order to adjust the amount of sucked-in EGR gas to the different load points, under which the engine works, an injector tube is arranged in the inlet section to the canal of the venturi device, through which injector tube the EGR gasses are led into the inlet conduit. The free end of this injector tube delimits, together with the surrounding canal wall, a ring-shaped passage, whose cross-sectional area may be varied by an axial relative motion between the injector tube and the venturi device.

Abstract: An exhaust power recovery system for internal combustion engines. The engine exhaust gases drive a gas turbine that in turn drives a hydraulic turbine pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid which then in turn is the driving source for a hydraulic motor which transmits power to the engine shaft. In a preferred embodiment for a turbocharged engine, the hydraulic fluid is also used as the drive fluid in a hydraulic supercharger system that provides additional supercharging at low engine speeds to supplement the exhaust driven turbocharging system. In this embodiment the pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the supercharger hydraulic turbine is provided by a pump driven by the engine shaft. A hydraulic fluid control system is provided to match compressed air flow with engine needs. In this preferred embodiment more than enough energy is recovered from the exhaust gasses by the exhaust power recovery system to operate the hydraulic supercharger system.

Abstract: A pre-mixture forming swirler in a gas turbine pre-mixed flame type low NOx combustor is improved so as to accelerate mixing of fuel and air and to prevent the occurrence of flame stagnation and burning of components. In particular, a three-dimensional swirler is constructed such that each swirler vane is twisted from a hub side thereof to a tip side so that a fitting angle of the tip side relative to a center axis of a fuel nozzle is larger than an angle of the hub side. Thereby, while the angle of the hub side is set smaller so that flame stagnation and burning of components resulted therefrom may be prevented from occurring, the angle of the tip side may be selected so that the shearing flow necessary for appropriate mixing of fuel and air is obtained. Thus, favorable pre-mixing is achieved, life deterioration due to burning, etc., is prevented and combustion efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A combustor dome assembly includes a spectacle plate having an opening formed therein that defines an inner circumferential edge, at least one swirler assembly defining an inner cylindrical surface, and at least one deflector having an outer cylindrical surface. These components are arranged such that the outer cylindrical surface is joined to the inner circumferential edge and to the inner cylindrical surface. One preferred method of manufacturing the combustor dome assembly includes placing a first ring of joining material over the outer cylindrical surface. Then, the outer cylindrical surface is inserted into the spectacle plate opening so that the first ring is sandwiched between a first surface of the spectacle plate and a shoulder formed on the deflector. A second ring of joining material is next placed over the outer cylindrical surface, and a third ring of joining material is inserted into an annular groove formed in the inner cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling flow of cooling steam in an advanced machine is provided. The advanced machine includes a gas turbine, which is connected to a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) via HP and/or IP valves. The HRSG provides cooling steam to cool the gas turbine using a high pressure drum. The pressure of the high pressure drum is measured during start-up of the advanced machine. A pressure setpoint associated with providing cooling steam via valves is set equal to the lowest measured pressure of the high pressure drum that is greater than a floor pressure setpoint for the gas turbine. Therefore, when the high pressure drum is pressurized above the floor pressure setpoint during start-up, the pressure in the HP drum is maintained.

Abstract: A combined cycle system includes gas and steam turbines, a saturator and a fuel gas superheater for supplying moisturized heated fuel gas to the gas turbine, a gas turbine exhaust heat recovery system for generating steam and heating water for the superheater and a saturator heater for a recycle water conduit. A constant ratio of water supplied to the fuel gas saturator to dry fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas saturator and Wobbe number is maintained by adjusting the flow of the recycle water stream. Additional properties of the moisturized fuel gas, such as temperature, moisture content, composition, and heating value, are also used to control the water recycle stream to supply consistent moisturized fuel gas to the gas turbine system.

Abstract: A steam-injection type gas turbine system provided with a waste-heat boiler uses surplus steam effectively for cooling the stationary blades of a turbine. The steam-injection type gas turbine system includes an air compressor (2) for compressing air, a combustor (3) for mixing a fuel with compressed air to burn the fuel, a turbine (4) driven by the energy of a combustion gas produced by the combustor (3), a waste-heat boiler (10) using an exhaust gas (G) discharged from the turbine (4) as a heat source, a steam supply system (23) for distributing steam generated by the waste-heat boiler (10) to the combustor (3), the stationary blades (68B) of the turbine (4) and external steam loads (22), and a steam distribution adjusting means (32) for preferentially supplying steam to the external steam loads (22), adjusting the rate of supply of steam to the combustor (3) and supplying the rest of the steam to the stationary blades (68B).

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein some or all of the refrigeration necessary to drive the rectification is generated by periodically magnetizing and demagnetizing a bed of magnetizable material, passing refrigerator gas through the bed to produce cold refrigerator gas, and passing refrigeration from the cold refrigerator gas into the rectification system.

Abstract: A vehicle system for transferring thermal energy in relation to a vehicle fluid includes at least one thermoelectric device, having at least two surfaces, concurrently dissipating thermal energy on a first surface and absorbing thermal energy on a second surface, mounted in proximity to a contained vehicle fluid so as to provide thermal communication between the contained vehicle fluid and either the cooler or the warmer surface of the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A device for cooling and tapping of beverages that are delivered in containers. It integrates a cooling unit to an insulated casing. Inside the casing a cooling volume is formed, that is closed by a bonnet. The cooling volume is formed as a tub. Beverage containers are inserted into this tub. The casing is swivel-mounted on a stand and is equipped with a tapping unit.

Abstract: A self-heating container (10) has an internal cavity (22) for its contents and an external cavity (20) for a heating mechanism, for example, comprised of first and second chemically reactive materials which are arranged to be mixed when heating is required. A closure (30) closes the external cavity (20). When the heating mechanism is operated to mix the chemicals and cause an exothermic reaction, vapour, such as steam and hot air, is produced. The closure (30) carries an annular sealing flange (100) which engages with an annular shoulder (102) of the container. The sealing flange (100) seals the external cavity to atmosphere and preserves the reactivity of the chemicals therein. However, the sealing flange (100) is moved away from the shoulder (102) when the generation of the vapour increases the pressure in the external cavity (20) whereby the vapour is vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A cooler cabinet having an opening defining an access to the interior of the cabinet, the rear of the cabinet being the coldest part of the cabinet, the cabinet comprising at least one shelf with spaced apart vertical walls which together define a flow path having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being at the front of the cabinet so that food containers to be cooled can be retrieved in succession, the flow path being arranged so that containers pass through the rear of the cabinet before they reach the outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling refrigeration including a simulated product temperature sensor operable to measure a simulated product temperature from a refrigeration case and a transceiver in communication with said simulated product temperature sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit data. A receiver receives the wirelessly transmitted data and a controller in communication with the receiver controls the refrigeration system based upon the wirelessly transmitted data from the refrigeration case.

Abstract: Refrigerants containing HCFC's are replaced with new blends by using R-236fa and R-125, or R-125 with R-245fa, or R-236ea, or R-134a with R-236fa in place of HCFC's. No hardware or oil composition changes are required to maintain temperatures, pressures and capacity substantially unchanged in a refrigeration system.

Abstract: A remote inspection device for a refrigerator receives information about an operating state of the refrigerator transmitted from the refrigerator via a communication network continuously or at predetermined intervals. The remote inspection device further inspects the refrigerator on the basis of the received information.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a main refrigeration circuit having a condensing stage, wherein a first refrigerant in a high pressure gas state is condensed at least partially to a liquid state. The condensing stage has a pair of stand-alone condensing stage closed loops in heat exchange relation with the main refrigeration circuit. The stand-alone condensing stage closed loops are parallel one to another and each comprise a second refrigerant circulating between at least a heat absorption stage, wherein the second refrigerant absorbs heat from the first refrigerant in the main refrigeration circuit so as to condense the first refrigerant to the liquid state, and a heat release stage, wherein the second refrigerant releases the absorbed heat. The condensing stage has modulating valves for selectively and quantitatively modulating the temperature of said first refrigerant and compressor head pressure.

Abstract: A refrigerant cycle has a main expansion valve communicating with an inlet header which in turn communicates with a plurality of flow passages moving towards an evaporator coil. Each of the plurality of passages is provided with an individual restriction which provides additional expansion. The individual restrictions can each be separately controlled or designed such that the flow through each of the passages can be tailored to optimum efficiency and operation within the evaporator coil. However, the use of the main expansion valve in series with these restrictions ensures that each of the restrictions can be relatively simple items. Further, the use of the separate restrictions provides a system which has a simplified inlet header system.

Abstract: A cooler housing capable of encasing, protecting, and supporting cooler components, particularly components necessary for use as a portable evaporative cooler. Though the housing described herein may be used in cooling devices ranging from simple conventional fans to complex heat exchanger devices, the preferred embodiment of this invention is preferably used in conjunction with a portable evaporative cooler employing this housing and further comprising a motor that drives a pump connected to a sump tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooling a carbonated beverage stored in a container and dispensing non-foamed carbonated beverage. A method of cooling and delivering non-foamed beverage with the apparatus is also provided. The beverage is preferably beer. The apparatus comprises a housing that has a number of chambers. A chamber can optionally be provided for receiving a number of beer kegs. A pressurizing device is attached to a beer keg for maintaining the beer under pressure in the keg. A conduit is received in one of the chambers and communicates between the beer keg and a tap located on the exterior of the apparatus. A water and ice cooling mixture is circulated over the conduit in the same chamber for cooling the conduit. A perforated vessel surrounds the conduit to protect the conduit and the agitators from being damaged by ice particles. At least two agitators for circulating the cooling fluid over the conduit are located in chamber where the conduit is received.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker of the open-cell type including a box-type housing, a plurality of spaced ice making cell casings arranged on a horizontal plane in an upper portion of the housing and opened downward, a cooling pipe mounted on the cell casings to be supplied with refrigerant from a freezing circuit, and a sprinkler mounted within a bottom portion of the housing and placed under the cell casings to spout ice making water into the respective cell casings, wherein a base plate is mounted within the upper portion of the housing to form an ice making chamber, and wherein the ice making cell casings are secured to a bottom surface of the base plate, while the cooling pipe is mounted on the base plate at positions located above the cell casings and welded to an upper surface of the base plate.

Abstract: Methods for storing items are provided. In this regard, one such method includes: providing an item; providing a container; placing the item in a storage chamber of the container; and moving a cap of the container to a closed position. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A sippy cup or other spill-resistant container including a cold plug for cooling liquids placed therein. The sippy cup includes a cup body that surrounds a beverage storage chamber. A bottom wall of the cup body defines an opening. In one embodiment, a support flange extends upward from the bottom wall into the fluid storage chamber and surrounds the opening. In another embodiment, a support flange extends upward through the opening into the fluid storage chamber from a sleeved cap. The cold plug structure includes a tube-shaped body enclosing a refrigerant and having a closed end that extends through the central opening into the fluid storage chamber. A base of the cold plug structure is secured to the bottom wall of the cup body, and is supported by the support flange to prevent displacement of the cold plug caused by dropping or otherwise jarring the sippy cup.