Abstract: The present invention relates to a toolbox, particularly a toolbox with a flippable upper lid in which to place tools; the upper lid and the lower lid are respectively installed with protruding axles and grooves, enabling the user to flip the upper lid and slide the upper lid into position in the middle of the lower lid; or the upper lid can be detached from the lower lid. The present invention thus reduces the space occupied by the toolbox, and, with the drawer-like function of the lower and upper lids, enables the user to easily assemble the toolbox and retrieve tools and items from the toolbox conveniently.

Abstract: An organizer preferably for painters or wall paper hangers to hold materials and tools has a work area, paint, can, bucket and lid receptacles. The work area and receptacles provide reservoirs for collecting spills and drips.

Abstract: A tool case has a lid and a base, and a panel arranged therebetween. Various structures are used to trap or otherwise retain tools, tool items or other stored items, such that they cannot accidentally fall out of their “home” positions, but such that they are readily removable by the user when desired. Such structures include, for example, retractable stops, depressions beneath stored items, weight-biased pivoting of holders, spring biasing of holders, trapping of items by the lid or by other item holders within the case, and various clip arrangements. Preferably the lid is transparent, and the tools or other items are arranged by height in step-wise fashion, the panel being stepped accordingly, to maximize visibility.

Abstract: A bottle carrier made of a foldable flat material, particularly cardboard, comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls interconnecting the top wall and bottom wall at the sides, and a handle portion extending across the top wall and into two opposed side walls which is defined by weakening lines in the top wall and the side walls, has a strip-shaped central portion in the top wall and two fork-shaped end portions each of which extends into an adjoining side wall from the top wall and is joined to the side wall at the outer ends.

Abstract: An additive tube containing a selected material, such as bacterial cells or other additive, for addition a liquid enteral nutrition product dispensed from an enteral bag or bottle. Additive tubes are separately packaged to reduce exposure of the additive that is within the additive tube to water and oxygen. Adapters on each end of the additive tube enable attachment of the additive tube to tubing of the enteral nutrition system (the delivery line, other tubes, and enteral bag or bottle) just prior to use with a patient.

Abstract: An accessory card or plastic money holder in standard credit card format includes a rigid container, openable, being on one side provided with a closing mechanism, which is made up of two half-hulls, on one side hinged, on the opposite side joinable in abutment to one another to be engaged in logical correspondence by a combination closing mechanism. The half-hulls are joined along the sides by a membrane as a bellows for each side, the folds of each of which form seatings for the support, along two opposite sides, of the relative plastic card.

Abstract: A bottle (1) includes a base (2) and a continuous sidewall (3) extending upwardly from the periphery of the base (2) to a neck (4). The neck defines an opening (5) which is selectively blocked by a lid (6). Base (2) and sidewall (3) define a cavity for containing a suncream or, the like which a person selectively applies to their skin to reduce the harmful effects of the sun's rays. The package also contains display means for providing a person with the indication of the intensity of UV radiation, or another ambient condition, incident upon the package.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable box which can come in any shape or size and be made up of any rigid material. The box is uniquely designed to allow for a simple one step process using a box with an integrated inflating tube and bottom liner to expand internally by inflation which cushions the article to be shipped 3 dimensionally thus completely protecting the article and removing the need for peanuts, paper or other fillers in boxes used for shipping goods once the box is closed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a childproof blister packaging. In particular, this invention relates to a childproof packaging for readily dispensing tablets or capsules to adults while preventing inadvertent access by children or other minors to said tablets or capsules stored in appropriate blister pack. The childproof blister packing consists of three portions which are formed from a single sheet of suitable card or plastics material. In use, the blister pack is placed into the first portion having apertures which correlate with each respective cup or indentation on the blister pack. The second portion is then folded onto the top of the penetrable foil lid of the blister pack, and the third portion is then folded on top of the second portion and sealed with a suitable adhesive. The first and third portions then form the outer envelope of the childproof packaging. The second portion also has a plurality of moveable closures releasably secured in a plurality of slotted apertures.

Abstract: A system for storage, display, retrieval and transportation of flat media includes a base having an upper flat top surface. A pair of diverging rigid wings mount into a pair of slots selected form a laterally extending array of slots across the top surface of the base. At least one clamp for clamping common side edges of flat media storage ages is releasably mountable onto the top surface of the base between the pair of wings so as to provide for expandable storage of clamped packets of storage pages. A clamped packet of storage pages is also releasably mountable into a more readily portable transportation device such as a wallet.

Abstract: An expandable accessory box (10) may be configured in either a retracted configuration or an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the expandable accessory box (10) may be used in connection with a first primary box (51) to accommodate both the base piece of equipment or base component, such as a portable computer for example, and a first volume (A) of accessories to be shipped together with the base component. The first primary box (51) snugly receives both the base component and the accessory box (10) in the retracted configuration. However, the accessory box (10) may be placed in the expanded configuration and used with a second, larger primary box (61) to contain both the base component, the first volume (A) of accessories, and an additional volume (E) of accessories. The second primary box (61) is sized to snugly receive the base component and the accessory box (10) in its expanded configuration.

Abstract: Coil strapped nails and a nailing device using coil strapped nails are provided. The coil may be provided with steel nails (1) having a length of 14 to 25 mm and a shaft diameter of 2 to 3 mm. The nails are held by wires (2,3) 6.5 to 7.5 mm apart, wherein the wires are preferably quenched and tempered. In the center of the coil a wrapping sleeve may be provided having due clearance for the nail heads.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for hydroconverting a heavy hydrocarbon chargestock, wherein said chargestock oil is first contacted with a highly active homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst to effect the hydrogenation reaction so that macromolecular radicals of the residue (the precursor of coke) form as less as possible, thereby decreasing the output of coke in the hydrocracking of the residue; when the reaction proceeds to a certain extent, a solid powder is added to adsorb the macromolecular radicals of the residue formed during the reaction and lower their reaction activity, thereby preventing them from further condensing to coke and/or depositing due to polymerization. The synergetic action of the two sorts of substances makes it possible to produce substantively no coke or less coke during the hydrogenation of residue in a suspension bed and prolong the operation lifetime of the unit.

Abstract: A heavy fraction oil is catalytically cracked by contacting the oil with a catalyst mixture consisting of 60 to 95 wt % of a base cracking catalyst containing an ultra stable Y-type zeolite and less than 0.5 wt % of rare-earth metal oxide, and 5 to 40 wt % of an additive containing a shape-selective zeolite, in a fluid catalytic cracking apparatus having a regeneration zone, a down flow-type reaction zone, a separation zone, and a stripping zone, and under conditions that a reaction zone outlet temperature is in the range of 580 to 630° C., the catalyst/oil ratio is in the range of 15 to 40 wt/wt, and the contact time of hydrocarbons in the reaction zone is in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds. According to the fluid catalytic cracking process, the yield of light-fraction olefins can be enhanced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for drying the charge of a unit that treats petroleum cuts with a low water charge that consists in injecting a hydrolysable chemical compound into said charge.

Abstract: A marking system for use with a multi-spectral imager for use in high throughput sortation of articles having distorted or irregular surfaces is disclosed. Specific uses include, but are not limited to, document sorting, garment and textile rental operations, laundry operations, and mail and package sorting and identification. Methods and apparatus are provided to remotely identify items via information that is wavelength-encoded within an applied mark, as well as a mark reading/decoding scheme. In the preferred embodiment the marks are multi-dimensional. In one preferred embodiment the marks are used to realize multi-dimensional wavelength-enabled coding schemes. The marks can be overlayed one upon another and/or they can contain one or more key regions having at least one predetermined spectral characteristic for providing information related at least to reading and/or decoding the marks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the segregation of particulate materials includes a shear cell having a top, side, and bottom walls. The shear cell is between two stationary walls in a frame and includes a cam pin which rides on top of a cam connected to a rotating motor. A collection tray, including load cells, is placed beneath the perforated bottom wall of the shear cell. Large particles are placed in the shear cell and data collection is begun. Small particles are placed on top of the larger particles and the shear cell is closed. The motor is then turned on, applying strain at a certain strain rate to the particles within the shear cell. The smaller particles percolate through the larger particles and through the perforated bottom wall into the collection tray. Load cells in the collection tray transmit data to a computer for analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing debris from a fluidized sand bed. One or more troughs extend radially from a vertical shaft. Associated with each trough is a perforated chute. The apparatus is placed into the fluidized bed of sand, and rotated. As the apparatus rotates, the perforated chute sifts, or separates, debris from the fluidized sand. That is, the fluidized sand flows through the perforations, but the debris does not. When the apparatus is removed from the fluidized bed, the debris tumbles down the chute, into the troughs, if it has not already done so, and is captured.

Abstract: In a cylindrical screen of the invention, screen bars are disposed in parallel with intervals therebetween, and the screen has a cylindrical shape having a height larger than a diameter. The screen bars adjacent to each other form each longitudinal slit, and the screen bars are stopped by a ring. In the screen bars, the longitudinal slits are divided in the middle by a member having a width larger than a thickness of the ring in a direction transversely crossing the longitudinal direction of the screen bar. Accordingly, in the cylindrical screen of the invention, a mat formed on the screen can be easily peeled off.

Abstract: A method for sweeping mail pieces from pockets of a sorter including the steps of (1) sorting mail pieces to a plurality of pockets based upon a preselected sorting criteria, (2) positioning an unloading robot adjacent to a selected one of the pockets when the pocket has received a predetermined volume of mail pieces, the robot carrying a tray having upright side walls and bottom wall, (3) engaging the pocket with a sweeping apparatus, (4) removing mail pieces in the pocket with the sweeping apparatus, (5) loading the removed mail pieces into the tray carried by the robot, and (6) carrying the tray containing the removed mail pieces to a destination with the robot. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dialyzing apparatus including a dialyzer which removes water from blood of a patient at a water-remove rate during a dialysis operation, a blood-pressure-change-related-information obtaining device which obtains a plurality of sorts of blood-pressure-change-related information each of which is related to a change of a blood pressure of the patient during the dialysis operation, and a water-remove-rate control device which controls the water-remove rate of the dialyzer, based on the plurality of sorts of blood-pressure-change-related information, according to a predetermined control manner.

Abstract: An electric thermos bottle capable of filtering flowing water comprises a thermos bottle, an internal glass container, a heating pipe, a water pump, a filter, and a water supply pipe. The internal glass container is disposed in the thermos bottle and forms a water-storing space therein. The heating pipe and water pump are disposed at the bottom of the water-storing space, and the filter is disposed at the top thereof. One end of the water supply pipe is connected to the water pump, and the other end thereof forms a reflux mouth and a water outlet respectively disposed above the filter and outside the thermos bottle. The water outlet is connected with a water button. Water in the water-storing space can flow via the water supply pipe to the filter and back to the water-storing space by continual action of the water pump, preventing peculiar smell and filtering out impurities.

Abstract: An aquarium filtering system for gravity flow systems wherein a float valve is incorporated in the drain conduit from the aquarium, wherein the float valve is operated by the water level of filtered water within a sump, such that if the water level in the sump rises above a predetermined level due to inadequate water return to the aquarium, the drain conduit will be closed by the float valve. A pre-filter is incorporated in the drain conduit to filter water upstream of the float valve, with the filter preferably being a sock filter enclosed in a sealed housing which remains filled with water. Most preferably, the float valve and any pumps utilized in the system are submerged within the water in the sump to reduce noise.

Abstract: A system for filtering and treating waste generated or collected in the water of a fish pond. The system includes a pump, pre-filter, piping, a valve assembly, and a filter media container enclosing a plurality of discrete filter media. The filter media are generally hollow, plastic structures with a plurality of external ribs and internal dividing walls. The filter media has a high surface area-to-volume ratio and can support a high volumetric density of naturally occurring heterotrophic bacteria. The heterotrophic bacteria establish colonies on the internal and external surfaces of the filter media and biologically metabolize waste that is trapped on the media. The bacterial metabolization transforms much of the waste to an aesthetically and biologically neutral form thereby reducing the need for chemical treatment of the pond water. The system includes a backwashing mode to agitate and remove unreacted waste from the system and direct the waste stream out of the system, preferably to be used as fertilizer.

Abstract: A fluid filtration assembly (10) operable to provide both return-side and supply-side filtration, as, for example, of a fluid entering and leaving a sump (14) as it circulates in a vehicle transmission (12). The fluid filtration assembly (10) broadly comprises a return-side filter (18) and a supply-side filter (20). The return-side filter (18) includes a filter media (33) operable to filter relatively small particles. Fluid flow through the return-side filter (18) may be accomplished using any of three described alternative embodiments, including upflow, downflow, and direct feed. The supply-side filter (20) includes a filter media (42) for filtering needed fluid as it is drawn back into circulation. The supply-side filter media (42) is a low restriction filter media operable to filter only relatively large particles, thereby decreasing bottle-neck effects and minimizing pressure drops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a point-of-use water treatment system unit. The unit includes a filter housing assembly having a filter tank assembly and a closure which utilizes a handle and cammed reciprocating lock blades to secure the closure to the filter tank assembly. A UV tank assembly includes a planar baffle plate and a vaned baffle plate to induce plug flow about a UV lamp assembly. A UV lamp assembly is used which simultaneously electrically and sealingly mounts to a UV tank assembly and electrical cap assembly using a bayonet mount. A bi-planar manifold assembly is used to interconnect components of the WTS unit and to provide an envelope for accommodating a water pipe assembly. The bi-planar manifold assembly enhances the compactness of the design of the WTS unit. Also, a support plate is disclosed which provides support to subcomponents of the WTS unit while also dissipating heat from a UV tank assembly.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for cantileverly mounting in an off-line condition in an axially component of a water system with the dispenser apparatus carrying a water treatment composition therein that can be released into a water system with one embodiment of the dispenser apparatus including a pair of replaceable containers for holding a water treatment composition with the containers serially located so that the water flowing into one container flows into the second container with the second container removable from the first container so that the second water treatment composition can be replenished without having to replenish the water treatment composition in the first container.

Abstract: A fluid filter for a vehicle solenoid valve includes a male end piece, a female end piece, and a medial end piece therebetween. A first screen connects the male end piece to the central support piece and a second screen connects the female end piece to the central support piece. The female end piece is formed with a hole. A post extends from the male end piece. When the filter is wrapped around a solenoid valve, the hole engages the post and is heat staked to hold the filter snugly around the valve with the screens covering the valve ports.

Abstract: The invention recites a filtration tank including a chamber for holding liquid to be filtered, the filtration tank comprising a fluid inlet for providing liquid to the chamber. The filtration tank further includes a fluid outlet and at least one filter block disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the at least one filter block includes a porous cap having an average pore size of up to about 250 microns.

Abstract: The invention is related to mining industry, namely to devices for dispersion of solid minerals in particular quartz sands and associated minerals.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a plastic two-piece filter restraint housing 38 having a spring 32 within each two post portion of the device which spring is held therein when the portions of the restraint are joined together. The housing 38 utilizes four pivotal end tabs 16 that are removable, pivotal, circular wedge angled supports 16 or optional straight wedge shaped supports 40 that will accommodate the standard circular or square coffee filter holder assembly 20. The filter device of the present invention keeps a coffee filter from collapsing while brewing automatic drip coffee by compressing the tabs 16 on the device, inserting them inside the coffee filter 18 and holder assembly 20 and then releasing the tabs 16 of the device so that they will retain the filter 18 firmly in position. The interchangeable tabs 16, 40 will accommodate a circular or square type filter assembly.

Abstract: A spiral wound filter element is disclosed which includes at least three radially successive prequalifying sections of filter medium commencing with a radially outer prequalifying section of filter medium and concluding with a radially inner prequalifying section of filter medium, each prequalifying section of filter medium having a number of perforation formed therein, wherein the number of perforations in the filter medium of each radially successive prequalifying sections is less than the number of perforations in the filter medium of a radially preceding prequalifying section, and further including a radially inner qualifying section of filter medium succeeding the radially inner prequalifying section, the radially inner qualifying section of filter medium having imperforate filtering layers.

Abstract: A filter having a substantially cylindrical or slightly tapered body design which has a plurality of elongated apertures formed therethrough. Each aperture is defined side to side by a pair of elongated, wedge-like rib members disposed one on each side of each aperture, and top to bottom by a pair of cross members which present a substantially square top side and an angularly declining bottom side. The end effect is a substantially rectangular entry aperture for fluid flow with the exception of the declining bottom side which promotes smooth, low resistance entry flow. The present invention is also directed to a method of manufacture of filters having the above-described characteristics. In particular, the preferred method involves an injection molding process in which a molten plastic (such as high-density polyethylene, HDPE) is injected into a two-part mold.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for purifying liquids containing impurities, has a main fluid conduit forming a passage with an inlet for receiving raw liquid to be purified, and first and second outlets. A discharge conduit is in the passage and is connected to the first outlet. A stator is positioned in the fluid passage for imparting an initial swirling axial movement to the raw liquid. A rotor positioned in the fluid passage upstream of the discharge conduit and downstream of the stator, imparts a further swirling axial movement to the raw water in the fluid passage for causing solids in the raw liquid to migrate outwardly. Clean liquid enters the discharge conduit to exit the separator via the first outlet, and solids laden liquid passes the discharge conduit and exits the separator via the second outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and installation for treating a polluted aqueous liquid having a COD value caused by organic compounds present therein and a BOD/COD ratio smaller than 0.2. To reduce the COD value, the polluted aqueous liquid is percolated through a packed filter bed (7) of a carrier material, in particular of activated carbon, which is colonised with aerobic bacteria and which forms an adsorbent for at least part of said organic compounds. To provide a thin, fully aerated biofilm of bacteria on the carrier material so that no oxygen has to be dissolved under pressure in the liquid, the filter bed is kept at the most partially submerged in the liquid percolating therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel multi-layered, composite microporous membrane comprising in at least one layer a highly electropositive hydrophilic material distributed throughout wherein the material is capable of irreversibly binding nucleic acid and, optionally, at least one layer where the material is associated with sequence-specific peptide nucleic acids, permitting the simultaneous or sequential capture, amplification and/or identification of specific nucleic acid sequences of interest. Also disclosed herein are methods of use of the composite membranes of the invention in applications based on the sequence-specific capture and/or amplification and identification of nucleic acid from complex biological samples.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions. More particularly the invention relates to a method for fractionating a solution by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process in which the dissolved substances present in the feedstock are separated in the partial packed beds, and the formed separation profile is circulated more than once or less than once through the chromatographic separation loop during one cycle.

Abstract: This invention provides an immobilized G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) on a support in a liquid chromatography system. The method of the invention provides means of evaluating the attachment of an agent to a GPCR comprising the steps of: (a) immobilizing a GPCR on an artificial membrane support in a column, (b) exposing the support with the GPCR to test the agent at varying concentrations in a liquid chromatography system, (c) eluting the test agent from the column, and (d) evaluating the elution profile of the test material from the column. Using this method, it is possible to evaluate the interaction of the test agent with the GPCR. Following elution, it is possible to directly determine molecular structure by passing the elute through other testing devices such as a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for purifying nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA or proteins such as enzymes and antibodies from microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria or animal and plant tissues, the apparatus being capable of fast processing of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid slurry with concrete grindings to separate constituents thereof, the constituents including water, sand and cement particles, the method including removing solids (e.g. large concrete fragments, rock, etc.) from fluid slurry with vibratory separation apparatus, the vibratory separation apparatus having screen apparatus for separating materials, the vibratory separation apparatus producing wet solids flowing off the top of the screen apparatus and a fluid stream containing water and cement particles, the fluid stream discharged beneath the screen apparatus, feeding at least a portion of the fluid stream to centrifuge apparatus, and separating cement particles from the fluid stream with the centrifuge apparatus and producing a stream of water with the centrifuge apparatus; and re-usable cement particles recovered using such a method.

Abstract: Divalent and trivalent metal salts are added to the solution containing the fluorine compound and the polymer containing fluorine to precipitate the layered double hydroxide containing the fluorine compound between layers. At this time, the polymer containing fluorine suspended in the solution is also coagulated to precipitate. By these processes, the fluorine compound is fixed with high rate to separate from the solution with the polymer containing fluorine, and recovered if necessary. By this treatment process, the fluorine compound and the polymer containing fluorine, contained in the wastewater etc. can be separated easily, and the burden to environment or ecosystem can be reduced.

Abstract: In a method of purifying an aqueous solution contaminated by an aluminium salt and salts of less noble metals, an alkali is first added to the aqueous solution followed by adding metallic aluminium. This results in the precipitation of aluminium as well as the less noble metals, which are subsequently removed.

Abstract: Aqueous suspensions of paints in waste waters can be treated to detackify the paint and facilitate its removal by contacting the paint suspension at a pH of from about 5 to about 14 with a polyarylamine that is produced by reacting an aldehyde with an arylamine in the presence of an acid in an aqueous suspension. The same polyarylamine can also be used for reducing the color content of highly colored liquids. Compositions containing the polyarylamine are also described.

Abstract: A chemical decontamination apparatus an oxidizing solution reservoir for storing oxidizing agent decontamination agent of a decontamination tank subsequent to oxidizing decontamination, a reducing solution reservoir for storing reducing agent decontamination agent of the aforementioned decontamination tank subsequent to reducing agent decontamination, and a transfer pump for mutual transfer of decontamination agent between the aforementioned decontamination tank and reservoir; and is designed to permit repeated use of decontamination agent.

Abstract: A water treating system utilizes antimicrobial sand filter for killing bacteria and preventing microbial growth. Said antimicrobial sand filter consists of organic quaternary ammonium salt and inorganic metal compound.

Abstract: A process for reducing hair, trash or fibrous materials concentration in a waste water treatment system having a membrane filter in conjunction with a bioreactor comprises flowing a portion of mixed liquor through a screen in a side stream. The flow rate of the mixed liquor through the screen is about no more than the average design flow rate of the waste water treatment system. The screenings can be either treated or disposed of directly or in combination with the waste activated sludge. The openings of the screen are between about 0.10 mm and about 1.0 mm in size as can be provided by, for example, a rotary drum screen. The invention can be used to provide both screening and sludge thickening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling the drill cuttings removed from the drilling mud of an oil and gas well drilling rig is disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a shaker for separating drill cuttings from the mud, conduit for transporting the drill cuttings so separated to an extruder where the separated cuttings are crushed and compacted into a plurality of discrete compacted pellet-like bodies of a substantially uniform size. Once extruded into pellets, the pelletized cuttings are transported by conveyors to fill collapsible, sealable storage bags that have be positioned on bag racks. When filled the storage bags are filled and then ultimately delivered to a desired location for disposal or further handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling, processing and disposing the drill cuttings removed from the drilling mud of oil and gas well drilling rigs is disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a shaker for separating drill cuttings from the mud, conduit for transporting the drill cuttings so separated to an extruder where the separated cuttings are compacted into a plurality of discrete compacted pellet-like bodies. The pellets substantially reduce the volume of drill cuttings. There is also a substantial reduction in the retained fluid volume, including the volume of environmentally harmful fluids, after the cuttings are compacted. Once extruded into pellets, the pelletized drill cuttings are transported to a desired end location that may include dumping the pellets offshore.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.

Abstract: A holiday light storage system, for storing holiday light strings having a main cord and a plurality of dangling strands spaced along and extending from the main cord, using a storage device having a base, a hub extending upward from the base, and a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub. The main cord is wrapped around the hub above the spokes, the main cord is supported by the spokes, and the dangling strands hang perpendicularly downward from the main cord. Accordingly, the holiday lights are maintained in a substantially tangle-free condition. The base preferably allows the hub to rotate to facilitate wrapping the light strings around the hub, and removal of the light strings from the hub.