Abstract: A brake cable assembly includes a cable movably received in a sheath and an outer tube is mounted to the sheath and has an aperture defined through a wall of the outer tube. A shoulder extends inward from an inner periphery of the outer tube. A lubrication sleeve is received in the outer tube and contacts an end surface of the shoulder. Lubrication liquid is dropped to the lubrication sleeve via the aperture. The cable extends through the lubrication sleeve so as to be lubricated during operation. A seal member seals the aperture.

Abstract: A winding stem (10) is connected to an inner end (11a) of a mainspring (11), and an outer end (11b) of the mainspring (11) is connected to a barrel drum (12). A braking plate (15) is placed inside a braking case (14), and the braking case (14) is filled with a fluid (16). An uneven joint portion (10b) is formed at the lower end of the winding stem (10), and is engaged with an uneven joint portion (15b) of the braking plate (15) placed in the braking case (14). By adopting the above configuration which can simplify the structure of the mainspring mechanism having the braking plate and which can reduce the number of components, the size and production cost of the mainspring mechanism can be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle lift control maintains multiple points of a lift system within the same horizontal plane during vertical movement of the lift engagement structure by synchronizing the movement thereof. A vertical trajectory is compared to actual positions to generate a raise signal. A position synchronization circuit synchronizes the vertical actuation of the moveable lift components by determining a proportional-integral error signal.

Abstract: A vibration reduction apparatus for an elevator includes acceleration sensors for detecting vibrations of a elevator car, controllers for calculating forces to be applied to the elevator car, based an signals output by the acceleration sensors, and actuators for applying forces to the elevator car in accordance with the forces calculated by the controller. A dead band filter, which has a dead band region corresponding to noise level of the acceleration sensors, and an integrator, which integrates the signals output by the acceleration sensors after filtering by the dead band filter, are located in the acceleration sensors, or in the controllers, or between them.

Abstract: A screw actuator comprises a housing (1), a nut (A) and a screw (16) one of which is axially fixed with respect to the housing and the other of which is axially displaceable with respect to the housing for moving an actuating head, as well as a motor (2) which comprises a stator (6) connected to the housing, and a rotor (7). The rotor (7) of the motor is supported rotatably on a sleeve (8), said sleeve has an inwardly directed flange (21), which carries an excentric hub (23). The excentric hub (23) rotatably supports a gear wheel (24) through bearing (30), the outer teeth of which gear wheel (24) engage the inwardly directed teeth of the ring gear (25). The ring gear (25) is driving screw (16) which is rotatably supported in the housing (1). The nut (17) of the screw mechanism (4) is slidably, but not rotatably with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A dual mode drum brake device of this invention is subject to lightning and low-cost without over braking during the parking brake operation. Pistons 10, 11 in a cylinder device 9 push and rotate brake shoes 2, 3 to be separated apart around an abutment point with an anchor 8 during the service brake operation, thereby functioning as a leading trailing brake. An operation force W of the parking brake rotates a lever 14 in a counterclockwise direction around a pin 13, one end of the lever 14 rotates the brake shoe 3 outwardly around a protuberance 12a via the pin 13, and the other end of the lever 1 rotates the lever 12 in a clockwise direction via a strut 15 around the protuberance 12a to rotate the brake shoe 2 outwardly around the abutment point with the anchor 8 via the protuberance 12a.

Abstract: A bidirectional self-contained end-of stroke snubbing device (20) includes a housing (21), a rod (22) movable relative to the housing, a single fluid-filled variable-volume chamber (23) communicating with a fluid sump (24) through an orifice (65), and a lost-motion mechanism for selectively reducing the volume of the chamber proximate either end of the stroke of the rod-like member. The mechanism will force fluid from the chamber through the orifice to decelerate and cushion movement of the rod-like member relative to the housing proximate either end of its stroke.

Abstract: A reduced-vibration tube array is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of tubes in a fixed arrangement and a plurality of damping members positioned within the tubes. The damping members include contoured interface regions characterized by bracing points that selectively contact the inner surface of an associated tube. Each interface region is sized and shaped in accordance with the associated tube, so that the damping member bracing points are spaced apart a vibration-reducing distance from the associated tube inner surfaces at equilibrium. During operation, mechanical interaction between the bracing points and the tube inner surfaces reduces vibration by a damage-reducing degree. In one embodiment, the interface regions are serpentine shaped. In another embodiment, the interface regions are helical in shape. The interface regions may be simultaneously helical and serpentine in shape.

Abstract: A clutch engaging and disengaging apparatus 1 is provided with a motor 2, a motion converting mechanism 3 that converts the rotational motion of the motor 2 into linear motion, a load storing mechanism 4 that stores a load when the motion converting mechanism 3 moves linearly in one direction and releases the stored load when the motion converting mechanism 3 moves linearly in the opposite direction, and a hydraulic mechanism 6 that uses the linear motion of the motion converting mechanism to produce hydraulic pressure and engage or disengage the clutch. The load storing mechanism 4 has an assist spring 41 that is coupled to the motion converting mechanism 3 and can extend and contract in response to the linear motion of the motion converting mechanism 3 and a spring cover 44 that supports an axially facing end part of the assist spring 41.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, braking a vehicle by selectively providing pressurized transmission fluid through at least one valve to brake a vehicle drivetrain proportionally to the engagement of a brake system activation means.

Abstract: Automated currency changing machine (10) accepts twenty dollar bills and dispenses a combination of dollar and non-cash items in exchange. Bill intake module (20) receives a bill and checks its value and authenticity Programmable controller (32) calculates change to be given by change dispensing module (40), according to a pre-determined algorithm. A combination of dollar bills and non-cash items, such as coupons or tokens, is dispensed. Non-cash items have “cash equivalent value” to the customer and a smaller “cost equivalent value” to the business where machine (10) is in use. The combined value of dollar bills and “cash equivalent value” of non-cash items is preferably equal to or greater than the value of bill proffered by customer. The combined value of dollar bills and “cost equivalent value” of non-cash items is preferably less than the value of bill proffered.

Abstract: A self propelled vehicle for transport and placement of an onboard supply of fill material in an onboard hopper. The hopper is connected to said vehicle at a point operatively positioned to discharge fill material placed therein on a conveyor belt mounted to a support structure. The fill material is deposited on the conveyor at a receiving and discharged at the distal end of the conveyor either directly or via a flow director attached to the distal end attached thereto. The flow director bifurcates the stream of fill material allowing the operator to place more or less of the fill in two streams using a plurality of independently adjustable channeling ramps. The hopper is optionally adjustable from an angle normal to the vehicle to allow for adjustment in the vehicle center of gravity on grades. The flow director can also be configured for attachment to existing conveyors to increase their utility or used as part of the entire self propelled device in a single unit.

Abstract: A method for feeding automatically metal profiles in bar form entails gripping a group of the metal profiles from a magazine for collecting the profiles and transferring the group of metal profiles or their end to a raised position. The raised metal profiles are arranged on a movable transfer device provided with means for separating the metal profiles, at which the initial portion of a preset number of metal profiles to be fed to the machine at each work cycle is conveyed transversely and counted. The metal profiles are transferred, in the counted number, at receiving elements of the machine, while the excess metal profiles are unloaded inside the collection magazine.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus is composed of a motor-installed roller (2), cams (3), a rotation axis deflector (4), a drive pulley (5), a driven pulley (6), an endless belt (7), a flat support (8) and a spring (9). The roller (2) and the deflector (4) take their position enclosed with the belt (7), and the shaft (15) of the roller (2) is operatively connected by the deflector (4) to the drive pulley (5). A sleigh-shaped top plate (25) of the support (8) intervenes between the roller (2) and the back surface of belt (7), and when the cylindrical casing (12) of this roller rotates, the cams (3) will also rotate to raise the support (8) and lift the upper transporting path of the belt (7), so that the apparatus is rendered so smaller in size that it can be used as a cross transporter adapted for installation in any desired space.

Abstract: Apparatus for the alignment of a plurality of bottles whose body is in the shape of a parallelepiped, and which are furthermore oriented in such a manner that said bottles are provided with respective axes centered on to the respective mouth, and the respective walls are inclined at either acute or obtuse angles with respect to the plane passing through said axes, in which there is provided a structure comprising two comb-like members (10, 11) and plurality of cylindrical cups (26) inserted in appropriate housings provided between said comb-like members (10, 11), wherein said cups (26) hold respective bottles (3) and are made in such a manner as to ensure that the corners of the bottles (3) are capable of being arranged in contact with the inner surface of said cups; said surface is in the shape of a plurality of plane surfaces spaced from each other by configurations in the shape of an arc of a circle having a radius (R) that is equal to the inner radius of the cups (r).

Abstract: Bottles fed continuously to a wrapping line are ordered into groups by a device comprising a conveyor belt positioned downstream of a feed station from which the bottles emerge, and a separating system, operating in conjunction with the conveyor belt, by which the advancing bottles are divided into groups before passing forward to the wrapping stations. The separating action is performed by first and second flexible bands looped around respective pulleys within vertical planes, using sets of first and second locating elements anchored respectively to the first and to the second flexible band, which are brought to bear alongside and at right angles to the conveyor belt so as to engage in contact with the bottles.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor of the present invention includes a frame, which comprises spaced apart side frame members, and a plurality of rollers that are rotatably supported between the side frame members. The conveyor includes a stop member and an actuator that selectively moves the stop member between an extended position wherein at least a portion of the stop member is extended above the conveying surface for stopping one or more articles conveyed on the conveying surface and a retracted position wherein the stop member is below said conveying surface. The actuator and the stop member are supported and positioned between said side frame members when the stop member is moved between its retracted position whereby the stop member and the actuator comprise a low-profile stop assembly.

Abstract: This conveyor system provides head-to-head or head-to-tail placement of product. More specifically, the system is configured to use the minimum acceleration necessary to perform the targeted spacing. Feedback control continuously readjusts acceleration to perform the given work. The system uses one or more contiguous variable speed conveyors that work together to space items by a calculated amount at each output juncture attempting minimum acceleration necessary to perform the given work. During product transition, an acceleration match is made with downstream conveyor where additional spacing correction can occur. Feedback control is used to continually readjust acceleration as necessary to meet spacing requirements.

Abstract: The particulate material handling system comprises a tube, an endless belt that passes through the tube and returns outside of the tube, and a flighting that is suspended a predetermined distance from the belt through the entire length of the tube. The distance may be varied for the various materials being handled. An intake hopper is mounted at one end of the tube for receiving the material to be moved and a discharge spout is mounted at the other end of the tube for discharging the material from the tube. The endless belt and flighting are driven such that their speed may be varied and such that their relative speeds are synchronized to drive the material at substantially the same speed whether it is being carried by the belt or the flighting. The combination of the belt and the flighting drives the material through the tube, minimizing damage to the material, which may be granular fertilizer, pulse crops, grains or other particulate material.

Abstract: The reciprocating floor conveyor employs slide bearings with a base, a left side wall, a right side wall, and left and right wings that extend outward from the side walls. The base has a lower surface that sits on cross beams between adjacent guide beams. The left wing sits on the left guide beam. The right wing sits on the right guide beam. A left upper finger snaps under a support plate on the left guide beam and a right upper finger snaps under a support plate on the right guide beam to hold the slide bearing in place. The slide bearing extends from the front of the conveyor to the rear of the conveyor and seals the opening between adjacent guide beams that extend from the front end to the rear end of the floor conveyor. Slide surfaces on the base and the wings support floor slats.

Abstract: An electromagnetically driven transport device 1 includes a transport unit 4 for transporting an article M to be transported, an electromagnetically driven vibrating unit 2 for vibrating the transport unit 1 to transport the article, a frequency controlling unit 14, a time detecting unit 15 and a frequency setting unit 16. The frequency controlling unit 14 controls a driving frequency of a driving power source 13 of the vibrating unit 2. The time detecting unit 15 detects a time length T during which when the driving frequency is changed the driving current of the vibrating unit at each of frequency exceeds a reference current value. The frequency setting unit 16 is operable to set an actual driving frequency based on the time length T detected by the time detecting unit 15.

Abstract: A pivotable wall assembly for retaining material on a conveyor belt allows for the wall to be pivoted down for easy access to the inside surface of the wall. Numerous wall assemblies may be attached end to end in individually pivoted back. The easy access makes it quicker and safer to inspect the inside walls to make adjustments, and to remove or replace the liners, the walls and the conveyor idlers. The easy access reduces the man-hours of labor for inspections, adjustments and liner replacements reducing the cost of conveyor maintenance. The modular construction of the pivotable walls allows easy assembly and disassembly. The pivotable walls can be used with hoppers, or other material handling structures. The top and bottom walls have angled portions for engagement with each other to reduce noise, vibrations and dust resulting in less corrosion and wear on the system.

Abstract: A chain conveyor formed from a plurality of modules or links (1a, b, c) connected together by pins c2a, b) which are inserted through holes (4, 4A) present in the modules or links (1a, b, c) and are prevented from escaping by axially counteracting elements (5) mounted in seats (6) also present in the modules or links (1a, b, c), in which the axially counteracting elements (5) present a flexible tang (5c) which, when the axially counteracting element is mounted in the seat (6), intersects an end portion (4A) of the holes (4, 4A) through which the pin (2a, b, c) is inserted, to thus prevent the pin withdrawing from the holes (4, 4A), such withdrawal however being enabled by deflecting the flexible tang (5).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a paint box (1) with replaceable color pans (6), having at the bottom of the paint box (1) a holding rail (4) which engages in a downwardly open groove (17) formed on the underside of a protruding rim (15) of the color pans (6), said rail forming a swivel bearing with a swivel axis parallel to the box bottom (2). The groove (17) has a cross section widening in downward direction and the color pans (6) rest loosely on the holding rail (4). Furthermore, on the side of the holding rail (4) close to the color pans (6) provision is made for holding elements (7, 8) extending up from the box bottom (2) and enabling the individual color pans (6) to be securely fixed by frictional engagement with the box bottom (2). Provision is made for a respective push-button (16) on the protruding rim (15) of the color pans (6) on the side of the holding rail (4) remote from the color pans (6).

Abstract: A key holding device for holding at least one key containing a first compartment for holding a key and a second compartment for holding a strap. A clasp is mounted to the key and a cap is used to attach the clasp to the strap. The key is inserted and locked inside the first compartment using a locking mechanism. To access the key, the bottom end of the clasp is pressed to disengage the locking mechanism to unlock and remove the key from the compartment. The key can be rotated and configured for insertion into the desired device. The key can be easily removed from the case by detaching the cap from the clasp. Once removed, the strap retracts inside the second compartment by a biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A cap is provided for storing powder and releasing it into a bottle. The cap comprises a cap top and an inner cap member which fits partially within the cap top to form a closed cavity for storing the powder and the cap is secured over the neck of the bottle. In use, the cap is rotated in an anticlockwise direction so that the cap top is rotated and raised relative to the inner cap member so as to open the cavity, releasing the powder stored therein into the bottle via the neck. The cap top is then further rotated in the anticlockwise direction so as to also rotate the inner cap member in the same direction, freeing the cap from the bottle.

Abstract: A sports bag is constructed to include a wheeled base frame, a soft bag body fixedly fastened to the wheeled base frame, the bag body having a top opening closed by the wheeled base frame, a bottom opening, a zipper extended from the top opening and the bottom opening, and a carrying handle, and two symmetrical rigid top shells fixedly fastened to the periphery of the top opening of the soft bag body and closed by a zipper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a combination golf bag and golf bag cover, the combination including a golf bag having at least an inner cavity for holding golf clubs, an open upper end communicating with the cavity for receiving golf clubs, and at least one divider positioned generally within the open upper end for dividing at least the open upper end to thereby define compartments within the inner cavity for separating the golf clubs when positioned therein, and a golf bag cover which includes a cover body having an open lower end positioned to abuttingly contact upper peripheries of the open end of the golf bag, a closed upper end, and a fastener connected to a divider of the golf bag and positioned to connect to the cover body to thereby secure the cover body onto the golf bag.

Abstract: A carrying bag for a portable computer is adopted for carrying a portable computer with an exposed screen on its front side so that the computer is ready for use without unfolding the lid. The front side of the bag has a see-through section to enable users to view the computer screen or operate the button keys without removing the computer. The bag further has loops located on diagonal corners or four corners to couple with buckles of a shoulder strap so that the computer may be hung in front of a user for use wherever he/she goes. The bag has a back side engaging with a guarding flap, which may be folded reversely to form a support rack to hold the computer in the bag standing at a desired angle or on a table to match the user's viewing angle so that the user can use the computer on a still location. Users may browse or read information displayed on the computer screen through the see-through section without removing the computer from the bag when working on a still location.

Abstract: A yarn palette is disclosed having a flexible panel with numerous cord locks attached at one end of the panel and extending downwardly therefrom. Each cord lock includes a loop that is adjustable to support any number of skeins provided therein. The yarn palette is used to organize and store a variety of yarns, wherein each cord lock is provided with a particular shade of yarn. The flexible panel can be rolled up into a compact state to facilitate carrying and storage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inside surface of the panel is black to facilitate visual differentiation of similar yarn shades. The panel can also be provided with compartments and pockets for storing notions, tools, specialty yarns or other items.

Abstract: An array of disposable absorbent article configurations is provided comprising a sequence of designs corresponding to a wearer's stages of development. A merchandising system facilitates consumers' selection of an absorbent article configuration by appropriately matching an absorbent article configuration with a particular wearer's stage of development. The system includes indicia exhibiting pictorial representations of the absorbent article configurations fitted to wearer's at corresponding stages of development enabling a consumer to choose the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing small objects and a method of dispensing small objects with the dispenser. The dispenser has a housing, defining an interior volume and a dispensing aperture, providing access to the interior volume, a dispensing aperture closure, having a closed position for securing objects within the interior volume and a dispensing position for dispensing objects from within the interior volume. The dispenser also includes a fulcrum within the interior volume of the housing, positioned such that, when pressure is applied to a button portion of the closure, a flap portion of the closure contacts the fulcrum.

Abstract: A holder for a removable memory component of a portable electronic device. The holder includes an electro-statically protective and securely closable pocket removably attachable to the device.

Abstract: An improved flotation separation apparatus for separating and classifying diverse, liquid-suspended solids having a plurality of high volume air bubble infusers. Each infuser includes a circular cavity defined by an interior circumferential wall. A plurality of stationary impinging plates projecting from the interior circumferential wall into the circular cavity and equally spaced circumferentially in series therealong. An injecting stream of water and air impinges upon the impinging plates in series to repeatedly create, divide and subdivide air bubbles as the injection stream transverses the series of impinging plates.

Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen deck mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. Leaf springs connect the tail end of the screen deck to the fixed base so that the leaf springs support the tail end of screen deck for movement relative to the base. The leaf springs are oriented horizontally to avoid introducing vertical movement to the screen deck as it moves to and from the head and tail ends. The leaf springs are offset or deflected when the machine is at rest or in the neutral mid-point of its stroke. This arrangement advantageously utilizes the bias of the leaf springs to accelerate, assist or enhance movement of the screen deck during portions of its stroke and likewise to decelerate, hinder or retard the movement during other portions of its stroke. With an appropriate offset, an increase in the effectiveness of the screening process (i.e.

Abstract: A waste recovery station for a beach cleaner for recovering waste raked up by a beach cleaner. A waste recovery station for a beach cleaner includes a pair of station members arranged in parallel with each other through a required spacing. Each station member is provided with a pair of support posts with a foot such as, for example, a circular or square flat plate fixed to a lower end of each support post and is also provided with a guide member fixed to upper ends of the support posts. In the guide member, a longitudinally intermediate portion is formed as a horizontal portion and front and rear end sides are formed as slant portions and are bent downwardly at an obtuse angle. The beach cleaner A is lifted by the guide members while passing between the station members, whereby waste caught on rakes is allowed to drop onto the sand.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for rejuvenating a wastewater treatment system of the type including a septic tank, an aerobic treatment unit or the like connected by a pipe to a plugged downstream soil absorption system includes a wastewater treatment unit which is interposed between the septic unit/aerobic treatment unit and the downstream soil absorption system. The wastewater treatment unit includes a single piece or a multiple piece solids settling and retention basin within which is suspendingly supported a wastewater treatment mechanism essentially of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,120. The wastewater treatment mechanism includes filters for filtering and settling solids from wastewater and flow equalization ports for effecting flow equalization thereby eliminating flow surges to the downstream plugged soil absorption system.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for rejuvenating a wastewater treatment system of the type including a septic tank, an aerobic treatment unit or the like connected by a pipe to a plugged downstream soil absorption system includes a wastewater treatment unit which is interposed between the septic unit/aerobic treatment unit and the downstream soil absorption system. The wastewater treatment unit includes a single piece or a multiple piece solids settling and retention basin within which is suspendingly supported a wastewater treatment mechanism essentially of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,120. The wastewater treatment mechanism includes filters for filtering and settling solids from wastewater and flow equalization ports for effecting flow equalization thereby eliminating flow surges to the downstream plugged soil absorption system.

Abstract: A composite fluid separator capable of isolating a first liquid from a composite fluid having a first and second liquid, in which the first and second liquids have differing specific gravities. An outer housing encloses a separation chamber. An inlet port delivers the composite fluid through an elongated spillway into the sump of the chamber. Positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port is a plurality of stacked baffles, composed of individual separation flow plates, placed in an inclined relationship. The plurality of baffles creates a flow path in which the composite fluid is forced to flow over each of the individual separation flow plates as it travels upward in the separation chamber toward the outlet port.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system primarily adapted for the convenient storage and retrieval of media disks includes a plurality of disk enclosures releaseably supported in a hanging fashion from a rod via a plurality of hanger assemblies. The rod has a plurality of grooves and the hanger assemblies have at least two inwardly extending tabs that engage the grooves. The hanger assemblies have an upper section that includes the tabs, and an elongate docking member attached to and disposed below the upper section. The docking member includes a generally downwardly opening channel having a wider main section disposed above a constricted section. The disk enclosures each have a generally elongate docking section that are adapted to releasably engage the docking member such that the disk enclosures are releasably supported in a hanging fashion from the rod with limited rotational movement about the axis of the rod.

Abstract: A dish drainer and tray system providing reduced space requirements for packaging, shipping, display and storage. The tray may be compacted into storage size which allows it to fit in the drainer, thereby allowing the drainer rather than the combination to determine the space requirements. In one embodiment, the tray folds about one or more live hinges, and in a second embodiment the tray rolls and includes a closure to maintain it in the rolled position. A particularly preferred embodiment includes a detachable silverware compartment that drains directly into the sink and which can be stored with the tray in the drainer.

Abstract: A holder for receiving and retailing tools, writing utensils, kitchen utensils and the like elongated articles (42) comprises a housing with an elongated slit (2, 3) for receiving the articles (42). Each slit (2, 3) is defined by a flexible lip (9 to 24) projecting from the respective elongated sides of said slit, and which are adapted to abut both sides of the article(s) in question. The holder comprises several rows of lips (9 to 24) extending substantially in parallel, where the lips are arranged in pairs opposite one another and present a mutually complementary, substantially wavy shape. The crests (25) and troughs (26) of each pair of lips (9 to 24) engage one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wine rack, large versions of which are adapted to be installed against a wall of a room or as a free standing wall separated from the walls of a room, which is a monolithic flat rigid sheet to which has uniformly mounted in rows through holes therein a like number of wine bottle support rods which project perpendicularly and parallel to each other from one or both faces of the sheet so that two wine bottles of varying sidewall diameter can be stored on three of the rods without their side-walls touching and whose essential elements can be fabricated offsite by forming uniform rows of holes in a monolithic sheet of stainless steel; fitting in the holes machine bolts whose threaded shank ends project beyond a face of the steel sheet; bonding the heads of the bolts to the opposite face of the steel sheet so that their threaded ends project axially perpendicularly, rigidly and parallel to each other; and forming a female threaded cavity in one end of a plurality of wine bottle support rods.

Abstract: A slatwall assembly comprises at least one slatwall panel having a cross section comprising at least one arcuate retaining flange and at least one planar brace adapted to accept standard slatwall hooks and other accessories. The slatwall panel can be constructed of an extruded translucent polymeric material having selected light transmission and visibility qualities ranging from transparent to opaque, and clear to colored.

Abstract: A collapsible display structure and a shelf module for insertion therein are provided. The display structure includes a back panel and a first and second wing panel that are connected to the back panel and are movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The interior surface of the wing panels includes guides for receiving a shelf module. The shelf modules include a frame and a merchandise-receiving portion for holding an item of merchandise to be displayed. The shelf modules further include guide-engaging elements for engaging the guides on the display structure. The shelf module includes a locking device that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position the locking device prevents the shelf module from being removed from the display structure. In the unlocked position the locking device allows the shelf module to be removed from the display structure.

Abstract: An adjustable, removable shelving system for separating items stored in a cooler from ice or water in the cooler, including: (a) at least one generally flat, rectangular-shaped, one-piece, stackable, generally horizontally oriented shelf; (b) a number of generally circular, spaced-apart apertures in the shelf; (c) a number of evenly spaced, same-sized stationary legs projecting down from the shelf; and (d) a plurality of same-sized, reversible leg extensions, each including a projection on one end of the leg extension, which extends in the same direction as the remainder of the leg extension, each of the leg extensions further comprising a bore in an opposite end; wherein the projection of the leg extension is closely insertable in one of the apertures of the shelf, and a portion of the stationary leg is closely insertable in the bore of a leg extension.

Abstract: A closure and container combination provide a child resistant package. The closure has a top wall and a skirt depending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top wall. The container has a bottom, a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and an open top. An annular flange projects outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall of the container proximate the top of the container. This annular flange has a flexible tab and is positioned below the skirt when the closure and container are mated together. To remove the closure from the container, the flexible tab is pushed upwardly against the skirt thereby lifting the closure off of the container. The flexible tab prevents undesired access through the annular flange and provides leverage to aid removal of the closure. In addition, a child is inhibited by the inflexible flange from using his or her teeth or fingernail to pry open the closure from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cork from a bottle in which an anchor is embedded in the cork and a cork-pulling sleeve is provided for engaging the anchor for removal of the cork. The cork-pulling sleeve includes inner threads that mate with external threads on the neck of the bottle, and rotation of the cork-pulling sleeve in relation to the bottle extracts the cork.

Abstract: A container with double layers includes a metallic outer layer having through holes on a surrounding portion, and a plastic inner layer formed directly over an inner side of the outer layer by means of injection molding with a mold; the mold is shaped such that three-dimensional projecting portions are formed over corresponding ones of the through holes of the outer layer to project beyond the outer layer in the injection molding, and that the edges of the three-dimensional projecting portions cover those portions of the outer layer that define the through holes; thus, the layers can't easily separate from, or move relative to, each other.

Abstract: A method and device for opening a drink can provided with a frangible obturator which can be pushed back inside the can using a tongue that is fixed in a horizontal position in the middle of the lid by means of a rivet on which the tongue can pivot as a lever to produce an opening which is later closed by a movable case that is adapted on the tongue which is pivoted around the river in order to move onto the opening.