Abstract: Downhole fluid jet cutting tools having extendible and retractable arms with cutting heads on the ends are disclosed. The jet cutting tools permit casing and other downhole surfaces to be cut utilizing a cutting fluid forced through a jet nozzle assembly. Movement of a piston slidingly engaged within the passageway of the tool actuates the arms when cutting fluid pressure acts on the piston. As a result, the arms are extended and cutting fluid is forced at high pressure from the passageway to the cutting head where it is expelled through nozzles for cutting casing and the like. The jet cutting tools permit the arms to be extended, retracted, and re-extended or redeployed multiple times without the need for being retrieved from the wellbore.

Abstract: In one aspect, a downhole assembly has a downhole tool string component with a bore adapted to accommodate drilling mud. A fluid barrier is disposed within the bore and has a cylindrical portion substantially aligned with the bore. A drive shaft is sealed within and substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion and has a first magnet disposed on its outer surface. A turbine assembly is disposed around the cylindrical portion of the fluid barrier and has an inner diameter and outer surface. The outer surface of the turbine assembly has a plurality of turbine blades. The inner diameter of the turbine assembly has a second magnet disposed within a region defined by the turbine blades and is in magnetic communication with the first magnet of the drive shaft, wherein when the drilling mud engages the turbine blades the first and second magnets rotate the drive shaft with the turbine assembly.

Abstract: A rock drilling bit includes at least one button having a button sidewall and button bottom, the button sidewall and the button bottom having a button sidewall geometry and a button bottom geometry, respectively. The rock drilling bit further comprises a bit body having at least one button-receiving hole having a hole sidewall and a hole bottom, the hole sidewall and the hole bottom having a hole sidewall geometry complementary to the button sidewall geometry and a hole bottom geometry, and a deformable seat compressed between the buttom bottom and the hole bottom so that the seat conforms to a hole bottom geometry and the button bottom geometry. The seat comprises tin.

Abstract: A power system for an electric vehicle, the power system comprising at least one power generating device selected from a group consisting of a solar panel, a wind turbine capable of producing electrical power, an auxiliary generator driven by an internal combustion engine, and a generator for producing electrical power mechanically connected to, and driven by the rotational force of an axle of a vehicle. The power system being further comprised of a charging device, a battery control device, at least one battery, a motor control device, an electric drive motor electrically connected to the motor control device, and a driver interface connected to the motor control device. The electric drive motor may be used to generate power through regenerative braking. The wind turbine may be raised outside the body of a vehicle while the vehicle is not in motion. The solar panel may be disposed outside the vehicle while remaining electrically connected to the charging device.

Abstract: Working-machine steering apparatus includes an assist mechanism for reducing a force necessary for operating any one of left and right operating members. First and second cord members, connected to the left and right operating members, are wound on first and second pulleys in a U shape with given pre-slack. As a human operator operates any one of the left and right operating members, the corresponding left or right cord member is brought into close contact with the first or second pulley, so that rotation of a drive source is transmitted to the first or second pulley via a rotation shaft. The necessary operating force of the left and right operating members can be reduced using the rotation of the drive source via the assist mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle including a body and three legs. Each leg includes a proximal end coupled to the body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an actuator. Each actuator imparts enough acceleration to the vehicle along an axis of the leg to cause the distal end of the leg to leave a surface upon which it rests. Thus, the robot can pivot around one leg when the actuator of another leg imparts an acceleration. One actuator may also cause two legs to leave the surface. Moreover, the actuators may be spring biased into a retracted position. Further, the body may be a Platonic solid and the axes of the lags may pass through the vehicle's center of gravity. Of course, the body could be a sphere while the vehicle could be a planetary robot or a toy. Methods of traversing a surface are also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain system is provided for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine having an engine output to drive the vehicle and a motor having a motor output to drive the vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to the engine and operable to crank the engine. The method includes the steps of reducing compression in at least one engine cylinder and operating the motor to crank the engine. A hybrid powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle having a first drive unit, a second drive unit, a HV battery, a shift control element, a battery state detection element, and a shifting-time drive control element. Furthermore, in the control apparatus, a battery balance control element is formed by an engine control element, a first motor control element, a second motor control element and the shifting-time drive control element. If the shift control element determines there is a need for shifting carried out by a stepped transmission, the battery balance control element calculates the amount of increase/decrease in the amount of charge of the HV battery in accordance with the state of the HV battery, and changes the engine operation point on the basis of the calculated amount of increase/decrease in the battery charge, prior to the shifting.

Abstract: A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for data communications associated with a vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes at least one electronic subsystem associated with the vehicle and a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the at least one electronic subsystem and associated with the vehicle. A vehicle data communications protocol converter is preferably connected to the plurality of electrical conductors for converting a first data communications protocol associated with data communications along the plurality of electrical conductors to a second data communications protocol such as a local-area infrared or an RF data communications protocol. The apparatus also preferably includes a transceiver connected to the data communications protocol converter for transmitting the second data communications protocol from the vehicle and receiving the data communications protocol from a remote data communications terminal or another portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A powered snowboard having a drive assembly mounted thereon, the drive assembly including a frame, a track assembly having a track suspended over multiple wheels, the track assembly being supported in the frame such that it is able to travel in a vertical direction as well as pivot about an axis, and a motor operatively engaged with the track such that it drives the track thus propelling the snowboard. A cutout is formed in the snowboard through which the track assembly engages the snow or ice below the snowboard, and the track assembly is biased against the snow or ice to maintain a constant contact with the snow or ice during use.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a swing arm in a motorcycle is provided in which a power unit swingably supports a front portion of the swing arm via a first pivot of a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with an output shaft of the power unit and a second pivot that is coaxial with the first pivot. The number of parts used are reduced and the removal and installation of the swing arm is facilitated. An output shaft, an outer end portion of which projects outwardly of a swing arm, is connected to a final transmission member of a reduction transmission and is capable of removal or insertion in an axial direction, while being incapable of relative rotation about an axis. A first pivot is removably mounted on a power unit. A second pivot is removably secured to the power unit PA or the swing arm.

Abstract: An on-demand four wheel drive system for a vehicle having a front drive train, a rear drive train, and a transfer case. The system includes a sensor system operable to detect the speed of the front drive train and the speed of the rear drive train. The system also includes a controller operable to cause the transfer case to supply input torque to the front drive train and the rear drive train when the sensor system detects that the speed of the rear drive train exceeds the speed of the front drive train by a predetermined amount. The controller is further operable to cause the transfer case to limit the amount of input torque supplied to the front drive train when the sensor system detects that the speed of the front drive train exceeds the speed of the rear drive train.

Abstract: A driving force control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided for stably launching the vehicle irrespective of whichever condition of a road surface and whether or not a road is gradient.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly support structure comprises: a bracket to which a pivot shaft for a pedal lever is mounted; a guide member fixed to a vehicle body member other than a dash panel; a fixing mechanism for normally fixing a rear end portion of the bracket to a front end portion of the guide member but disengaging the bracket from the guide member in a vehicle collision; and a relative shift restricting member for restraining the rear end portion of the bracket from relatively shifting in directions other than the rearward direction of the vehicle to the front end portion of the guide member. The guide member is provided with a guide surface for downwardly guiding the bracket moving backward in the vehicle collision to change the posture of the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.

Abstract: A classifying seat occupancy detection device is used to classify whether a particular seat is occupied by an adult, an infant or not at all. Depending on the classification the door lock assigned to the seat is automatically switched either to a childproof mode or to a non-childproof mode, without the vehicle driver having to do anything.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus includes a housing for supporting an axle, a hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a center section. The center section has a pump mounting surface and a motor mounting surface substantially perpendicular to each other. A rotational axis of a motor shaft is disposed lower than a plane located at the pump mounting surface. The center section includes a narrow portion and a wide portion. The narrow portion is defined between a first side and a second side opposite the first side in a direction along the rotational axis of the motor shaft. The wide portion is formed adjacent to the narrow portion. A first extension of the wide portion is defined by a width that extends from the first side in the direction along the rotational axis of the motor shaft and a length that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor shaft. A second extension of the wide portion is generally defined by the pump mounting surface formed thereon.

Abstract: An oil pressure regulating valve of rotary type comprising a valve body and a valve spool is constructed inside a housing having a cylindrical shape. An oil supply port for supplying pressure oil fed from an oil pressure generation source is formed at a position having an offset toward one side relative to the center axis of the housing. A communicating hole in a deep inside of the oil supply port in communication with the inside of the housing is an elongate hole which is long in the direction of offset. As a result, in a hydraulic power steering apparatus, flow sound is reduced effectively that is generated when the pressure oil fed from the oil pressure generation source is supplied to the oil pressure regulating valve inside the housing. Accordingly, quiet operation is achieved.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a work machine may include a first steering actuator having a first and a second chamber. In addition, the steering system may include a second steering actuator having a third and a fourth chamber. A multi-position directional valve may include at least one low power position and at least one high power position. The low power position may be configured to direct fluid only to the first chamber during a low power turn to extend the first steering actuator. The high power position may be configured to direct fluid to the first chamber and the third chamber during a high power turn to retract the second steering actuator.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic system for controlling resistance of a steering wheel. A valve of the hydraulic system is connected to a coil which varies positioning of the valve. A method for controlling the resistance of the steering wheel includes turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle in response to rotation of the steering wheel. The angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle are sensed and inputted into a controller. A lateral acceleration is determined based on the sensed signals by the controller. A recommended current rate of the coil is determined based on the lateral acceleration. An adjustment to the recommended current rate of the coil is determined based upon the speed of the vehicle. The recommended current rate is also modified based upon the adjustment. The modified current rate of the coil is then applied to the coil to vary the stiffness of the valve, which in turn varies the resistance to turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power steering system includes first and second communication passages for providing communication between a first oil passage and a second oil passage, a third communication passage for providing communication between the first and second communication passages, a directional control valve disposed in the third communication passage, a first check valve disposed in the first communication passage for allowing flow from the first oil passage to a first connection portion only, a second check valve disposed in the first communication passage for allowing flow from second oil passage to the first connection portion only, a third check valve disposed in the second communication passage for allowing flow from a second connection portion to the first oil passage only, and a fourth check valve disposed in the second communication passage for allowing flow from the second connection portion to the second oil passage only.

Abstract: An exhaust device includes an exhaust pipe connected at its upstream end to a cylinder head of the engine and an exhaust muffler connected to the downstream end of the exhaust pipe for suppressing the generation of noise from a heat insulating cover that covers a part of the exhaust pipe. A heat insulating cover covers a portion of the exhaust pipe near the engine and a stay is fixed to the heat insulating cover. The stay includes a supporting plate portion curved so as to partially surround the outer circumference of the exhaust pipe. A first vibration isolating member is provided that is sandwiched between the outer circumference of the exhaust pipe and the supporting plate portion, a band member is tightened to mount the supporting plate portion to the exhaust pipe, and a second vibration isolating member is sandwiched between the supporting plate portion and the band member.

Abstract: A power unit for an in-wall vacuum cleaning system has a first compartment which contains a motor for producing a vacuum at remote wand receptacles and a second compartment for separating and collecting the debris. An improved sound reducer is mounted in the motor compartment for reducing the sound level emitted by the motor and providing good cooling airflow for the motor. The sound reducer includes a disc-shaped base having a central opening for receiving a portion of the motor and a pair of partitions mounted on the base and forming a plurality of irregularly-shaped sound passages for breaking up the sound waves traveling therethrough. The base and partitions are formed of an acoustic foam which assist in absorbing the sound waves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a muffler for a line conveying gas and airborne sound, in particular for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, preferably in a motor vehicle. The muffler has a housing in which there are at least two inside pipes for carrying gas in the interior of the housing and which contains at least one inside plate for reinforcing the housing. The two inside pipes are inserted one inside the other in a sliding seat area and are axially movable in relation to one another.

Abstract: An acoustic structure that includes a honeycomb having cells in which septum caps are located. The septum caps are formed from sheets of acoustic material and include a resonator portion and a flange portion. The flange portion has an anchoring surface that provides frictional engagement of the septum caps to the honeycomb cells when the caps are inserted into the honeycomb during fabrication of the acoustic structure. An adhesive is applied to the anchoring surface of the septum caps after the caps have been inserted into the honeycomb cells to provide a permanent bond.

Abstract: A perforated soundproof structure is formed by oppositely arranging an external plate 1 and an internal plate 2 having a number of through-holes 2a. The board thickness, hole diameter and open area ratio of the internal plate 2 are set to satisfy design conditions to give rise to a viscous effect in the air passing through the through-holes 2a, and the design conditions are set so that the frequency bandwidth to attain an absorption coefficient of 0.3 or more is 10% or more of the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The present invention may be used for climbing over a fence or a vertical barrier. A body may have a plurality of steps attached orthogonal to the body. The body may have a width and length to fit between two vertical bar fence elements and to position the steps generally perpendicular to a plane of a fence. A top hook may be attached to a top end of the body. A horizontal bar may be attached at a bottom end of the body generally orthogonal to the steps. A rotatable member may be rotatably attached to the body and may be spaced apart from the body by a pedestal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hunting in leaning and non-leaning trees is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adjustable tree stand having top and/or bottom adjustment. Adjustment is provided through the use of an adjustment device attached to a support or a cross-member. The apparatus also includes a measuring device for use in measuring tree “lean.” The measuring device connects to the bottom of the tree stand. The method includes making a gross adjustment of the tree stand based upon measurement of tree lean using the measuring device.

Abstract: A retail checkout station includes a product scanning portion and a product support member. A bagging portion is arranged at a second end portion of the product support member. The bagging portion includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate zone for supporting articles scanned at the product scanning portion. A product transport is provided on the intermediate portion of the product support member. The product transport includes a transport assembly having a first end section extending from a position adjacent the product scanning portion to a second end section that terminates adjacent the first end of the bagging portion. A plurality of barrier members are arranged between the second end section of the transport assembly and the second end of the bagging portion. The plurality of barrier members are selectively deployable to serve as an intra-order separator that shields at least one product resting in the bagging portion from other products.

Abstract: A rescue braking system provides a smoother elevator car movement by mechanically lifting or applying the brake. The rescue braking system incrementally adjusts the force applied to the brake based on the speed and location of the elevator car. Therefore, it can effectively eliminate the jerky vibration and noises caused by the fully on-off brake systems and make the passengers feel more comfortable when the elevator car drifts to the nearest floor door.

Abstract: In down peak, floors of the building are divided into sectors (38), empty cars (50) are assigned (63, 64) to the sector and assigned (65) the highest down call in the sector provided the highest down call is above the committable floor of any car already assigned in the sector, or there is no car assigned in the sector. If a car is not full (52), it will be assigned additional calls (56). If there are no calls in the sector below a car sector which is not full, a long calls routine (67) determines if there is a down call (75), that is in danger of becoming a long-waiting call, ahead of a car (69) and if so, assigns that call to the car (76).

Abstract: The invention relates to a condition monitoring method and a corresponding system for measuring the stopping accuracy of an elevator car. In the invention, a door zone is defined for each floor, a door zone detector is mounted on the elevator car, the elevator car is moved towards a destination floor, acceleration values of the elevator car are measured during its travel towards the destination floor by means of an acceleration sensor attached to the elevator car and the distance of the stopped elevator from the edge of the door zone is calculated on the basis of the measured acceleration values.

Abstract: A wall plate for use in an elevator installation has a glass part divided into segments, the transparency of which is individually controllable with physical magnitude information signals. A control device is connected to the segments for controlling the transparency on the basis of qualitative and quantitative state information and by linking the state information with the controlling magnitude information signals.

Abstract: A brake cable connecting apparatus that prevents a connecting pin from falling out, and whereby it is unnecessary to adjust the insertion depth of the connecting pin. The brake cable connecting apparatus comprises a regulating projection in the strut to prevent over-insertion of a connecting pin. A cable connecting groove is formed in the plate-like brake lever and is supported on the strut by the two facing surface walls. Two resilient members are deformed to allow the connecting pin to move into a cable connecting groove if an inner cable is pulled to insert the connecting pin laterally bridged between two facing plates of the clevis of the brake cable. Further, a cable disengagement restriction portion prevents passage of the connecting pin if the connecting pin may potentially fall out from the cable connecting groove.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake equipped with a parking brake device, in particular for motor vehicles, including a brake housing in which a hydraulic service pressure chamber is delimited by a brake piston, wherein the parking brake device acts on the brake piston and, in the applied condition, can be locked by a locking device, and an energy accumulator cooperating with the brake piston is equipped with at least one integrated spring element. In order to realize a simple and low-cost parking brake function that complies with legal requirements, according to the invention, the parking brake device is operable by a pressure that is introduced into the service pressure chamber and enables charging the energy accumulator.

Abstract: A shroud support method and apparatus for a ceramic component of a gas turbine having: an outer shroud block having a coupling to a casing of the gas turbine; a spring mass damper attached to the outer shroud block and including a spring biased piston extending through said outer shroud block, wherein the spring mass damper applies a load to the ceramic component; and the ceramic component has a forward flange and an aft flange each attachable to the outer shroud block.

Abstract: In an overrunning clutch comprising clamping elements (5) arranged behind one another in peripheral direction between a circular cylindrical inner ring (1) and a concentric outer ring (2), said clamping elements (5) being guided in pockets (6) of a cage (9) while being loaded by spring tongues (7) of a band spring (4) that bears radially against the cage (9), each of the pockets (6) for receiving a clamping element (5) comprising a limiting wall (8) that enables a support of the clamping element (5) on the cage (9), the cage (9) comprises a reinforcing ledge (10) formed integrally on an outer surface of the cage (9) in every radial region comprising the limiting wall (8).

Abstract: A hub for a clutch disk arrangement having a friction lining unit with a radially inner set of teeth, the hub including a hub element which can be connected non-rotatably to a shaft; a torque-transmitting arrangement connected to the hub element and having a radially outer set of teeth; and a ring-shaped connecting element made of sheet metal and having a plurality of axially extending tabs and a plurality of openings between the tabs. The outer teeth of the torque transmitting arrangement and the inner teeth of the friction lining unit engage in the openings so that torque can be transmitted from the friction lining element to the hub. The connecting element is preferably fixed to the torsional vibration damper and the inner teeth are preferably axially moveable in the openings so that the friction lining unit can move axially with respect to other friction lining units in a multi-disk clutch.

Abstract: In a segment-type wet friction material, an inner peripheral left corner of one segment piece and an inner peripheral right corner of another segment piece are respectively cut off at a fixed angle to a center line of an oil groove. The oil grooves have first oil grooves and second oil grooves. The second oil groove has nearly a uniform width. The first oil groove has an inner peripheral corner portion that is broadened to the center line of the oil groove from a fixed height. In case of being assembled in an automatic transmission, when the segment-type friction material rotates in one direction, an automatic transmission fluid supplied from an inner circumference bumps and touches the portion that is broadened at the fixed angle at a rear side in the rotating direction.

Abstract: A dispensing system for wheeled devices has a plurality of receiving slots, which may be assembled in a suitable pattern so that any wheeled device having a bar or a receiving latch secured thereto may be mounted in the dispensing system by sliding the receiving latch into the slot or released therefrom by activating a push-back mechanism permitting the receiving latch to be removed from the docking port.

Abstract: In a system for equipping component carriers with electrical components, two feed paths for component carriers that are parallel to one another are provided, one being conducted on a straight line over equipping locations of the system and the other being conducted past the equipping locations. Handover devices with which the component carriers can be arbitrarily switched between the two paths are provided between the equipping locations. As a result thereof, a line, parallel or mixed operation of the system is possible, in adaptation to the component carriers to be equipped.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided for electronic device manufacturing. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a request to transfer a carrier from a first substrate loading station to a second substrate loading station of an electronic device manufacturing facility including a plurality of substrate loading stations, wherein the facility further includes a plurality of carrier supports coupled to a conveyor system adapted to move the carrier within the facility; (2) assigning one of the plurality of carrier supports to transfer the carrier from the first substrate loading station to the second substrate loading station such that at least one of a time required for the transfer is reduced and balance of the conveyor system is maintained; (3) moving the carrier from the first substrate loading station; and (4) moving the carrier to the second substrate loading station. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning meat products comprises an input conveyor for carrying the products into the apparatus, an output conveyor located beneath the input conveyor for carrying the products out of the apparatus, and at least one intermediate conveyor located between the input and output conveyors. All the conveyors are spaced vertically one above another and arranged such that products drop off the end of each conveyor in turn and on to the next conveyor below. Each successive conveyor travels in a different direction from the preceding conveyor whereby the products undergo a change in direction at each drop between the input and output conveyors, thereby being progressively aligned in the direction of travel of the conveyors.

Abstract: A transport system includes a curved conveyance section configured to move an article along a curved path without significantly slowing or stopping. Exemplary articles for conveyance include semiconductor wafers and substrates for display devices and photovoltaic devices. In some embodiments, the conveyance section includes a turnstile wheel including an interior surface and an exterior surface. The external surface is configured to guide an exterior belt that in turn supports one side of the article around the conveyance path. The internal surface is configured to either support an opposing side of the article, or guide an interior belt that in turn supports the article around the conveyance path. Instead of employing a turnstile wheel, other embodiments employ interior and exterior supports for supporting opposite ends of the article, such as interior and exterior belts, that move at essentially the same angular rate along the inside and outside of the conveyance path.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor for conveying a stream of closely spaced articles along a conveyor path includes at least one pair of roller chain assemblies that face the conveyor path. Each chain assembly includes a roller chain carrying grippers that extend into the conveyor path to securely hold articles between them. Bearings engage the roller chain to limit chain deflection under load to assure reliable conveyance of the articles.

Abstract: A belt unit (10) includes a drive roller (5), an idle roller (6) and an endless belt (4) stretched around the drive roller (5) and the idle roller (6). The drive roller (5) is supported by a belt frame (8) via bearings (2). The idle roller (6) is supported by the idle roller frame (16) via bearing members (10L, 10R). The idle roller frame (16) is rotatable relative to the belt frame (8) about a rotation axis aligned with the center position of the belt frame (8), with the result that the influence of the deformation of the belt frame (8) is not exerted on the idle roller frame (16).

Abstract: A wetting vessel (6) designed to contain an element made of absorbent material (8) saturated in its lower part with wetting liquid and including elements (80) for decanting pigments if any contained in the wetting liquid. In accordance with one possible embodiment, the decantation elements are studs (80) whereon is set the absorbent material and the vessel (6) has a lid (7) defining an open wetting compartment for the absorbent wetting material (8) and a drying compartment including a drying absorbent material (9) set on a base forming a sieve. The paint can include a series of paint blocks (4) arranged so as to provide projecting each side by side a paint surface constituting a common dipping surface for a paint brush (4d) of the type having a foam dipping spatula.

Abstract: A new and improved packaging structure comprises a base member and a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding side wall portions, wherein at least one of the interior corner regions, defined at the intersection between one of the side wall portions and the base member, is scored so as to permit the side wall portion to be pivotally moved between a first position perpendicular to the base member, and a second position coplanar with the base member. In this manner, articles can be inserted in a sideways direction into the packaging structure. In addition, the articles will be properly aligned and spaced from the side wall portion when the side wall portion is returned to its perpendicular position so as to accommodate a dependent side wall portion of a second packaging structure so as to form a composite packaging assembly.

Abstract: A protective case includes a first shell member and a second shell member connected generally in a clam shell manner. Each shell includes a centrally disposed rigid portion. Each shell member further includes a first flexible portion, which extends from a first side of the rigid portion to adjacent the first side wall boundary of the case, so as to form a portion of the top wall boundary and the bottom wall boundary of the case. A second flexible portion also extends from the second side of the rigid portion to adjacent the second side wall boundary of the case. A zipper is disposed along the top wall boundary and extends from the first side wall boundary to the second side wall boundary. The zipper operatively connects the rigid portion and the flexible portions of the first shell member to the respective corresponding rigid portion and first and second flexible portions of the second shell member.