Abstract: A method for making a current collector plate includes providing a first sheet of material having a first bonding face and a first outer face. A second sheet of material is provided having a second bonding face and a second outer face. A work area is defined on at least one of the first bonding face and the second bonding face. The first and second sheets are bonded together at a bonding area which is different from the work area. The bonded first and second sheet is placed into a die having a pattern defining at least one flow channel. Fluid is injected between the first and second sheets thereby causing at least one of the first and second sheets to project outward at the work area causing at least one flow channel to be formed in the work area as defined by the die pattern.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing optical transceiver modules using lead frame connectors that connect optical sub-assemblies to printed circuit boards are disclosed. The lead frame connector includes an electrically insulating case having a first part separated from a second part and a plurality of conductors that are electrically isolated one from another by the electrically insulating case. Each of the plurality of conductors can form an electrical contact restrained in a fixed position with respect to the first part and a contact point extending from the second part. The electrical contact is aligned with and soldered to the leads that protrude from the back end of an optical sub-assembly. The contact points can then be connected to electrical pads on a PCB.

Abstract: A display carton including a corrugated board assembly having an initial flat unassembled state and an assembled state and a clear front wall having an initial flat unassembled state and an assembled state. The corrugated board assembly is structured and arranged in its assembled state to receive and retain the clear front wall.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting, storing, and processing automatic identification code information includes receiving automatic identification code information and parsing it based on stored definitions for automatic identification codes and/or automatic identification code standards. Various data configurations may be used to store definitions and to facilitate parsing of raw automatic identification code data. For example, a first component may be used for generally defining one or more automatic identification code standards and a second component may be used for detailed information regarding code definitions, such as information relating to code segments. In addition, the system may facilitate further processing of parsed automatic identification code information, such as for cycle counting or parts movement of inventory.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a wireless banking system and a wireless banking method using a mobile phone. The mobile phone includes a smart card inputting smart card information consisting of bank account information, log information, and an authentication key. A card applet is provided which operates the smart card information. The banking service uses a common full text and individual full texts used for banking transactions, prepared through the smart card information and an input of the mobile phone. An encoding/decoding module is provided for encoding the banking service full text and decoding the response to the banking service full text by using a session key; and a card manager communicating the application with the smart card.

Abstract: A method of performing a money transfer send transaction comprises receiving information at a call center from a sender for a send transaction, including a proposed send amount, and responsive to the information from the sender received at the call center, building a staging record for the send transaction. The staging record includes compliance data responsive to the proposed send amount and to compliance rules. A data center receives information from an agent provided by the sender to the agent, with the information including a retrieval key to identify the staging record, a requested send amount and agent location information. Responsive to the requested send amount and the agent location information, the data center identifies in the compliance rules at least one applicable compliance window and tests the requested send transaction and compliance data in the staging record for consistency with the at least one applicable compliance window.

Abstract: An automated banking machine is operative to enable users to operate the machine to carry out transactions such as the dispensing of cash. The exemplary machine provides audible instructions which are output through external loudspeakers, a headphone, or a handset. Rotation of a rotatable knob (372, 382) or other movable item causes the output of user selectable characters, transaction types and/or amounts corresponding to each respective position. The user selects the audible output produced in the current position of the knob for receipt by the machine as a transaction input by pressing on the knob. Characters and other selectable inputs corresponding to knob positions can be varied by the computer in the machine to reduce the risk of a criminal intercepting the user's inputs to the machine.

Abstract: An electronic unit for storing and displaying information includes a case, a computer having storage capability for electronically storing information and a processor for generating display signals corresponding to the stored information. A display screen is mounted within the case and connected to the processor for receiving the display signals generated by the processor and for displaying the information. At least one depressible key is mounted within the case, and a battery supplies electrical operating power to the computer. In addition, the unit includes a battery-saving feature for shutting off power to the display screen following a preselected period of time between successive depressions of any of the keys, and the case has a front which measures no more than about 3.5 inches by 2.0 inches and has a thickness which is no more than about 0.039 inches.

Abstract: A method and a system for updating a counter of an electronic component in which are stored recordings, each containing at least one individual value and at least one sorting value, including: transferring into a memory of a reader an initial count of the counter and said recordings; calculating on the reader side an intermediary count equal to the minimum of the initial count and of the sum of the individual values of the recordings, the sorting value of which is within a range known by the reader; and transferring into the counter of the electronic component a number which is a function of the intermediary count.

Abstract: This invention provides an identification system using face authentication, in which a system configuration is simple at low cost, a processing speed of authentication is high, resistance to a customer is small, and an effect of preventing irregularities is high. The identification system using face authentication comprises: a counter terminal arranged at a counter of a financial institution and including a camera 13 for obtaining a customer's face image; and a face authentication server 21 connected to the counter terminal and including a face database 21a for storing a registered face data of the customer. In this system, the counter terminal performs face authentication by using face data based on the customer's face image obtained by the camera 13 and using the registered face data of the customer and allows to check with eyes by displaying the registered face data of the customer.

Abstract: The method of the present invention changes the present day “value for value” methodology, system and process for the purchase of Stored Value Card purchases to a “value for greater value” or “value for greater perceived value” methodology, system and process by bundling the actual Stored Value Card product with coupons that would convey a value. The bundling of coupons, vouchers, and etc., with the Stored Value Card allows merchants to charge or allocate a certain fee for the coupon/voucher aspect of the Stored Value Card sale. This in turn allows merchants to transact and/or report and/or account for the sale of Stored Value Cards in a manner that avoids escheatment.

Abstract: A system wherein a customer is provided with a debit card, cash value is loaded onto the customer's card and a customer account is set up. To allow money remittance, specific information is obtained of the customer and the recipient. These include their names, address, phone number and a recognizable government identification number. The personal information of the customer and the recipient is verified with a government agency. Once the personal information has been verified as acceptable, a recipient's account is established related to the customer's account. The amount of money requested by customer is transferred from the customer's account to the recipient's account. The recipient may be provided with a card providing access to the recipient's account. The recipient may be in the same country or in a foreign country.

Abstract: An improved method of tabulating votes cast by audiences of “Reality TV” shows in which contestants are competing with each other during a series of such shows, with one contestant ultimately being determined the winner. The method does this by systematically factoring into the tabulation process votes from prior voting sessions in addition to votes cast during the current voting session, resulting in a modified voting tally. Such modified tally will place more importance on average voting results over several voting sessions and less importance on the current voting session, thereby placing greater emphasis on the consistency of each contestant's voting tallies and therefore the consistency of their performances from one show to the next. Such improved method may result in a greater likelihood that the contestant with the greatest popularity with television viewers over the entire life of the series will be determined the ultimate winner of the television series contest.

Abstract: A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and closing of the micro-warehouse door, scanning the plurality of products in the micro-warehouse upon sensing closing of the door to determine the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, generating a message based on the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, transmitting the message to a remote processor or server, and maintaining an inventory in the remote processor based on the message. The system is designed to be accessed by authorized individuals possessing some type of code or identifying mechanism. The micro-warehouses may be cabinets, refrigerators, secured rooms, or similar storage units or areas.

Abstract: A method for processing mail pieces having information thereon includes scanning the mail piece information and storing scanned mail piece information. Stored information is accessed when a scanned mail piece information is incomplete to obtain previously stored complete mail piece information. The previously stored complete mail piece information is employed in processing the mail piece with the incomplete information. The information may be a code or text that is scanned and stored during the processing of the mail. Fragmentary information from various sources on the scanned mail piece may be combined to access a previously stored mail piece record. The accessed information may be displayed.

Abstract: An electronic module reader including a housing having a receiving area adapted to removably receive an electronic module; electrical signal contacts connected to the housing; and a module detection and ejection pre-warning switch. The switch is adapted to be contacted by the electronic module in the receiving area. The switch is adapted to signal presence and absence of the electronic module in the receiving area, and adapted to signal movement of the electronic module from a home mated position with the electrical signal contacts towards an electrically disconnected position.

Abstract: The invention includes biometric security systems and related methods. In a device according to the invention there is an interface plate, a housing and a biometric receiver. The housing and biometric receiver may be mounted to the interface plate, and the interface plate may be secured to a mounting plate.

Abstract: An amount of time that air has been delivered from an air handler to a space is tracked, and based on the tracked amount of time, at least one turn-on time or one turn-off time of the delivery of air from the air handler to the space is controlled. Other features relate, among other things, to controlling a replacement air vent, and to user interfaces.

Abstract: A fuel injector is described that includes a polymeric housing, pole piece, filter assembly, coil assembly, spring member, armature assembly and metering assembly. The polymeric housing has a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis. The pole piece is disposed in the passageway. The metering assembly is secured to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. The metering assembly has a guide member to guide a closure member through an aperture and along the longitudinal axis. The guide member may be cup-shaped and include offset apertures to allow fuel to travel along the passageway toward the outlet.

Abstract: A fuel injector is described that includes a polymeric housing, pole piece, filter assembly, coil assembly, spring member, armature assembly and metering assembly. The polymeric housing has a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis. The pole piece is disposed in the passageway. The metering assembly is secured to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. The metering assembly has a seat molded to a polymeric support member. The polymeric support member may be cylindrical and bonded to the polymeric bore proximate the outlet. A method of operating the fuel injector is described.

Abstract: A fuel injector with a direct needle control for an internal combustion engine, having an actuator, a hydraulic booster, and a nozzle needle guided in a nozzle body and acting on a nozzle needle sealing seat. The hydraulic booster includes a booster piston connected to the actuator and a nozzle needle booster piston connected to the nozzle needle; a booster chamber in the form of an actuator coupler chamber is associated with a pressure surface of the actuator booster piston; and depending on the pressure in the actuator coupler chamber, the nozzle needle is lifted away from the nozzle needle sealing seat, thus initiating an injection. In addition to the actuator booster piston, a control element is provided that is able to execute a stroke motion, is hydraulically coupled to the actuator coupler chamber by means of a first control surface, and is associated with a control chamber by means of a second control surface.

Abstract: A fuel injector is described that includes a polymeric housing, pole piece, filter assembly, coil assembly, spring member, armature assembly and metering assembly. The polymeric housing has a passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet along a longitudinal axis. The pole piece is disposed in the passageway. The metering assembly is secured to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. The metering assembly has an O-ring disposed between a seat molded to a polymeric support member. The polymeric support member includes a peripheral portion bonded to the polymeric housing proximate the outlet. A method of sealing a fuel injector outlet end is described.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle comprising a nozzle body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway having a smooth bore extending between the inlet and the outlet. The passageway has an inner dimension transverse to the central axis of the nozzle and a compressible wall wherein the inner dimension is adjustable to adjust the flow rate through the nozzle.

Abstract: A water shutoff and discharge control device for sprinklers comprises a water intake assembly mounted to a support seat and swung back-and-forth by a sprinkling control assembly wherein the water intake assembly has a tube with multiple bores drilled thereon for the mounting of a sealing strip equipped with multiple spray nozzles and water-sealing areas. Both end sections of the tube are disposed multiple control channels each connecting to the interior of the tube for the extension of a control shaft with a plug mounted thereto. Each plug having an inlet aperture and an abutment surface is corresponded to a water-sealing area of the sealing strip to reveal a movement space there-between, permitting the plug flushed by the water flow to climb upwards and, depending on the movement of the control shaft, to switch in position relative to the spray nozzle for easy control of water shutoff or discharge thereby.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body, filter, and damper member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an outlet end with a flow passage extending therebetween. The filter is disposed in the flow passage proximate the inlet end. The damper member extends from a first terminus to a second terminus. The first terminus is proximal to the longitudinal axis, and the second terminus is distal to the longitudinal axis. The damper member extends from the first terminus about the longitudinal axis towards the second terminus in a generally circular path to define an aperture that permits fluid communication between inlet end and the filter. The damper member is secured to the flow passage between the inlet end and the filter. A damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the comminution of foodstuff, especially phytosterol, particles to a particle size suitable for inclusion in liquid or solid foods.

Abstract: A combination food cutting, storage and shredder apparatus, having a cutting board and storage box containing a knife drawer and a garbage disposal drawer. A shredder is positioned just above the garbage disposal drawer and just below the cutting board for holding scraps and peelings left over from the cutting board for disposal. The storage box also contains an outwardly extending knife sharpener.

Abstract: A jet mill has a disk-shaped hollow part in the interior of the mill body. The hollow part is divided into an annular grinding zone for grinding a material by high-speed swirling air flows supplied through plural air nozzles and an annular classifying zone provided inside the grinding zone and communicated to an exit space for classifying the ground material by the swirling air flows in the grinding zone. An annular first constricted passageway is arranged between the grinding zone and the classifying zone to thereby divide and communicate them, and preferably an annular second constricted passageway between the classifying zone and the inside exit thereof. Accordingly, a jet mill realizing a high classification precision for a desired particle size of ground material with a narrow size distribution and having a simple inner configuration to allow easy cleaning before and after operation can be provided.

Abstract: A destructive device, wherein treated material (1) including a foam body is pre-compressed in thickness direction and fed to the opposed part of a pair of compression rolls (21, 22), partition walls forming independent air bubbles in the foam body is destructed by the compression rolls (21, 22) and foam gas is arrested into a cover (3) installed on the outlet side of the compression rolls (21, 22), the foam gas is liquefied and separated by a cooling and liquefying device (6) through a cooling device (15) after pressurized, together with medium gas (41) for collection, by a pressurizing device (5), and the medium gas for collection from which the foam gas is separated is returned into the cover (3), whereby, since the foam gas is liquefied and separated in pressurized state by the cooling and liquefying device (6) by arresting the foam gas in high density inside the cover (3), the device can be remarkably downsized and simplified, and a device cost and an operation cost can also be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A small-sized food chopper for chopping up foodstuffs, includes an outer case including a lower casing removably connected with an upper casing and a button mounted on the upper casing; a blade connection holder installed inside the outer case, the blade connection holder can move axially up and down in the outer case; a plurality of blades installed on the lower end of the blade connection holder; a reset spring sheathed on the blade connection holder which restores the blade connection holder axially up; a mechanism which makes the blade connection holder rotate a predetermined angle circumferential each time the blade connection holder operates axially; the button is configured such that it can slide up and down axially, and the button acts on the upper end of the blade connection holder to make the blade connection holder move axially downwardly.

Abstract: A wood crusher has body frame; a crushing apparatus installed on the body frame and a crushing rotor rotated in a crushing chamber. A feed conveyor for conveying wood to be crushed is installed on one side of the body frame in the longitudinal direction thereof and includes a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a running member looped between the drive wheel and the driven wheel. A bottom-equipped hopper having side walls on both sides of the feed conveyor in the transverse direction thereof, and a bottom wall disposed under the feed conveyor has a guide member disposed in continuation with the bottom wall of the hopper at a position near the drive wheel of the feed conveyor to prevent wood pieces from accumulating near the drive wheel. This arrangement prevents the wood pieces from being dropped onto the ground during the crushing work.

Abstract: A machining waste metal recycling machine has an in-feed hopper. The hopper uses paired augers to move the waste metal through the hopper to a cutting and transporting auger. The hopper augers are powered independently from each other, and may be individually reversed or reversed as a group to clear jams. In the event a jam is not cleared through one or more reversal cycles, the remaining augers may be operated to clear the hopper, thereby avoiding the need for manual unloading. Within the hopper are one or more shear bars that are provided to sever bunches or bundles of machining waste and thereby clear tangles which might otherwise jam the augers. The cutting and transporting augers ultimately feed a reciprocating compactor having a movable gate with one or more grooves for controlled drainage of machining oil and other liquid, as the machining waste metal is compressed into pellets.

Abstract: A cartridge case includes: a tape reel including a hub that is shaped like a bottomed-cylinder and on an outer surface of a base plate of which ring-shaped driven teeth, in whose base part an inclined surface is formed, are disposed; a lower case that has an opening, a ring-shaped contact part and a guide surface, the opening being formed in a center of a base plate of the lower case, the contact part being formed in a protruding state on an inner surface of the base plate so as to surround the opening and having a contact surface that contacts and supports the tape reel at a position on the base plate of the hub outside the driven teeth, and the guide surface, which has a complementary form to the inclined surface of the driven teeth, being formed at an edge of the opening; and an upper case that together with the lower case encloses the tape reel in a rotatable state.

Abstract: A spiral winder is disclosed adapted to implement a new method for spirally winding a product of indefinite length, such as pipe, into a coil for packaging and/or transport to an end user. The spiral winder consists primarily of a rotor assembly (1) supporting a caster (7) such that product fed along the rotary axis to the caster (7) as the rotor (1) rotates is guided to the outlet from the caster to be deposited onto a pallet in the form of a planar spiral. By vertically indexing the pallet and reversing a radial motion of the caster outlet layers of planar spirals can be produced as a self supporting coil without the necessity of any internal mandrel or external retaining drum. By careful control of the stresses in the product as it passes to and from the caster (7) fragile product such as thin walled heat exchanger pipe can be coiled rapidly.

Abstract: A reel assembly includes a bracket and a reel pivotally received in the bracket. The bracket has a slanted face formed on a top face of the sidewall to be adjacent to the cutout for facilitating receiving of the extensions in the cutouts. A supporting arm is formed on a side face of the sidewall and has two steps formed on a top face of the supporting arm to increase load capability of the supporting arm. An inclined edge and an arcuate corner are formed on an inner face defining the through hole so that when a strip is extended through the through hole, friction to the strip by the inner face defining the through hole is reduced.

Abstract: A preparatory device provided for arranging film roll cores in a condition ready for use for a film roll winding machine, in which the film roll cores are vertically arranged, comprises a supply device for supplying horizontally disposed film roll cores. The supply device is connected with an erecting device serving for moving a film roll core from a horizontal position into a vertical position. With the aid of a transfer device the film roll core is taken out of the erecting device and transferred to the film roll winding machine.

Abstract: A reel (1) for winding or unwinding reelable, strip-shaped objects such as steel strips, comprising a support surface (2) that extends in the main as a cylinder, a hub (8) arranged to rotate about an axis (4) in order to allow rotation of the support surface (2) about said axis (4), an adjusting device (60) arranged to cooperate with the support surface (2) in order thereby to vary the diameter (D1) of the support surface wherein the support surface (2) is arranged at a flexible element consisting of a continuous circumferential piece and that the adjusting device (60) is arranged to affect said support surface (2) to alter its shape, whereby the diameter (D) of the support surface can be varied.

Abstract: A mandrel is utilized to support a roll of material. The mandrel includes a retaining element, which can be placed on an inner circumference of a roll of material, and at least one carrier element which transmits a torque between the mandrel and the material roll. The carrier element can be engaged with the roll of material in a non-positive manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a personal propulsion device including a body unit having a center of gravity, where the body unit includes a thrust assembly providing a main conduit in fluid communication with at least two thrust nozzles, with the thrust nozzles being located above the center of gravity of the body unit. The thrust nozzles are independently pivotable about a transverse axis located above the center of gravity, and may be independently controlled by a single common linkage. The present invention may further include a base unit having an engine and a pump, which provides pressurized fluid to the body unit through a delivery conduit in fluid communication with both the base unit and the thrust assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft designed with three wings located on either side of the fuselage. The forward wing has a downward angle with a curved top and bottom surface. The upper wing is located towards the rear of the aircraft and above the forward wing. The lower wing is located below the upper wing and slightly forward. It is also located to the rear and below of the forward wing. The outer ends of all three wings come into contact at one point. The forward wing uses the Coanda effect to increase the airflow across the top surface of the bottom wing. The aircraft can be designed so that it is large enough to carry people and/or cargo, or to be small enough to be flown as a toy aircraft. The like design can use any type of aircraft engine commonly used today. One embodiment of the aircraft has two turbines, shaft-coupled to a power source, located on either side of the forward end of the fuselage.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a partition designed to separate a cargo part from a cockpit or a passenger compartment. The partition includes a corrugated structure, defining several corrugations with an approximately omega section extending along the direction of the height of the partition. The partition also includes one or several stiffener elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward clamping apparatus and methods for holding an item to an electrically conductive structure. In one embodiment, the clamp includes a strap, a fastener, a cushion, and a conductive material. The strap provides the structural strength for holding the item. The fastener is coupled to the strap for securing the strap to the structure. The cushion is disposed within the strap to at least partially isolate the item from shock and vibration transmitted through the strap. The conductive material is held by the cushioning material at least at a portion of the interior surface of the cushioning material. The conductive material is electrically coupled to the strap.

Abstract: A new approach for designing satellite constellations whereby the satellites are distributed into contiguous groups forming longitudinal lengths at least equal to 360 degrees. Gaps between the contiguous groups are uniformly distributed along the tracks. These contiguous groups of satellites may be populated by having multiple satellites onboard a single launch vehicle, whereby the satellites are nested into multiple common ground track sub-constellations to form a constellation with multiple common ground tracks.

Abstract: A system and associated method for compensating for thermal deformation of a spaced-based structure having a spacecraft payload. The system including a beacon source coupled to a first spacecraft for transmitting a first signal and a beacon sensor coupled to a second spacecraft for receiving the first signal and providing measurement data derived from the first signal. At least one attitude sensing device is coupled to the second spacecraft for determining estimated spacecraft attitude data for the second spacecraft. A processor on the second spacecraft is configured to process ephemeris data of the first and second spacecraft, beacon measurement data, estimated spacecraft attitude data, and gimbal angular position data to estimate spacecraft structural deformation.

Abstract: A device for damping at least one rigid body mode and/or at least one elastic mode of an aircraft, especially for blast load reduction and increase of stability and comfort, in an airplane having at least one sensor, a regulation unit connected to the sensor, and at least one actuator controlling, guiding and/or regulating surfaces of the aircraft. The controller modifies the rigid body modes and/or the one or more elastic modes of the aircraft. With only one sensor signal of a sensor, which is preferably an acceleration signal, an arbitrary number and an arbitrary combination of rigid body modes and/or elastic modes, respectively, may specifically be modified, and the modes obtained are not influenced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling airflow with a gapped trailing edge device having a flexible flow surface. The airfoil can include a first portion having a first leading edge, a first flow surface, and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The airfoil can further include a second portion having a second leading edge and a trailing edge, with at least part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion. The second portion is moveable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position, with the second leading edge separated from at least part of the first portion by an airflow gap when the second portion is in the second position. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface that has a first shape when the second portion is in the first position, and has a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position.

Abstract: A system for automatic and guided transport of people, the system including: at least one running track having guide members for guiding transport modules; an electric power supply system comprising a sequence of power supply blocks; electric self-propelled transport modules travelling individually along the running track and fitted with a collector for picking up electric power supplied by the power supply blocks; and an electric power supply distributor controlled by a central control unit managing the progress of the transport modules by powering or unpowering various power supply blocks.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for temporary attachment of a portable medical apparatus, such as an intravenous infusion unit, to a personal mobile transport vehicle such as a wheelchair, hospital bed, gurney or mobile stretcher is disclosed. The apparatus includes a deployable arm which may be pivoted from a storage position alongside the transport vehicle to one or more fully deployed and locked positions for releaseably receiving and securing a portable intravenous infusion unit to the transport vehicle during the transport or relocation of infirmed or ambulatory restricted individuals. The apparatus also includes a stabilization strap for securing and stabilizing medical equipment, intravenous lines or other equipment lines attached to, or emanating from, the portable intravenous infusion unit during a transport operation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display having a supporting base, a display unit and a pre-force mechanism. The supporting base has at least one pivot and at least two sections joined thereby, and the display unit is connected to the supporting base, exerts a first torque on the pivot by the weight of the display unit. The pre-force mechanism is connected to the pivot and exerts a second torque on the pivot. The first torque is opposite to the second torque.

Abstract: A two-part bucket stabilizing apparatus for use with cylindrical joint compound buckets or the like during the mixing of the contents thereof includes a horizontal base member containing an opening for receiving the bottom of the bucket, and a support member having a first edge portion pivotally connected with the base member, and a remote edge portion containing a semi-circular recess. The support member is pivotally operable from an initial horizontal position upwardly and inwardly toward a clamping position above the base portion in which the wall of the semi-circular recess is in clamping engagement with the outer circumferential wall surface of the bucket.