Abstract: A tray and bracket assembly are provided that are configured and adapted to promote modularity and withstand the harsh environment of central sterile processing processes. The modular bracket assembly may be removed and relocated on the tray without additional fasteners or components. The tray and bracket assembly may further provide identification features to correctly associate cataloged reusable medical devices to identified trays.

Abstract: A customizable rigid clutch comprises a rigid main case having a pair of half sections, each attached along a bottom side by means of a hinge, an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections, each having a lower clip along a bottom side, an interchangeable clasp having a pair of half sections, each having an insert, and a pair of hinge caps each having a pair of protrusions. A pair of upper insert receivers on the rigid case receives a pair of upper inserts on the interchangeable outer shell. A pair of hinge receivers on both sides of the hinge receives the lower clip of the interchangeable outer shell. A pair of inner slider housings attached along a top side of the main case receives the insert of the interchangeable clasp, and a pair of sliding bars is pushed into a locked position.

Abstract: A side-opening hinge-lid container includes a body portion and a lid portion, each having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The lid portion is connected to the body portion along a hinge line for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position. A body liner is mounted in the body portion and projects sideways into a space covered by the lid portion in the closed position. An outwardly extending ear is mounted on the liner. An inwardly extending flap is mounted to the lid portion for pivotal movement relative thereto. During pivotal movement of the lid portion between the open and closed positions, the flap engages the ear to produce a sound.

Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by intermediate walls and enclosed by a peripheral frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are tailored to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the essentially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments through the first opening and/or the second opening from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in register and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.

Abstract: A side-opening hinge-lid container for elongate smoking articles may include a body portion and a lid portion, with the lid portion connected to the body portion along a hinge line for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position, in which at least a portion of the interior of the body portion is accessible. A body portion liner may be provided, and being mounted in the body portion while projecting sideways therefrom into a space covered by the lid portion in the closed position. An outwardly extending ear mounted on the body portion liner. An inwardly extending flap hingedly mounted in the lid portion for pivotal movement relative thereto. During pivotal movement of the lid portion between the open and closed positions, the flap engages the ear to produce a sound.

Abstract: An assembled container for smoking articles includes an outer sleeve that includes a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. Packets of cigarettes are positioned within the outer sleeve. For example, two packets, each containing ten cigarettes, are positioned within the outer sleeve. The packets, and the outer sleeve, include mechanisms that interact during movement of the individual packets within the outer sleeve. As such, a portion of each packet is maintained within the outer sleeve during conditions of normal use.

Abstract: A sterilizable bracket (10) for supporting medical instruments (22) includes a resilient body (12) that surrounds and encapsulates a relatively rigid metal skeleton (14) which is attached to a plurality of studs (16) which secure the bracket (10) to a sterilizable tray (18). instruments (22) are received in indentations (24) in the resilient body (12). Each indentation (24) includes a plurality of ribs or fingers (28) which permit sterilizing steam to flow around the instruments (22). The resilient body (12) comprises a silicone material which encapsulates the skeleton backbone (14) which, in turn, gives the bracket (10) strength and flexibility. Threaded studs (16) having a slot (46) at one end and threads (50) at the other are employed to attach the bracket (10) to the sterilizable tray (18). The slot (46) in the head (44) of each of the studs (16) receives the metal skeleton backbone (14).

Abstract: A portable humidor has a cedar cigar storage container formed from a lower housing and an upper lid hingedly connected thereto. A cover assembly having an outer surface of leather or other suitable durable protective material is secured to the cedar container. The cover assembly includes a zippered closure. When the storage container is in a closed position for travel, the zippered closure serves to entirely enclose the container within the cover assembly.

Abstract: Microfluidic apparatus which include a planar device and polymeric holder assembly are provided. The polymeric holder assembly includes a cavity disposed through the holder, providing optical access to the top and bottom of the planar device when the device is mounted in the polymeric holder. The planar device includes microscale channels disposed within the device.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems, and particularly, microfluidic devices that are easier to handle by the operator, without damaging, contaminating or otherwise fouling, as a result of manual contact with the device. These microfluidic devices and systems include manual handling structures, to allow handling of the small scale devices with minimal potential for fouling as a result of manual contact with the device.

Abstract: A sterilization and storage cassette formed of heat-resistant plastic and having two identical tray halves. In one embodiment, at least one tray half includes a rotatable retaining member for retaining dental instruments within the tray. In a second embodiment, a clamping member is inserted in one tray and at least one and preferably a plurality of instrument supports is inserted into the other tray. When the trays are closed together, the clamping member presses down upon and retains dental instruments placed on the supports. The trays are detachably connected through a hinge mechanism. Each tray has separate, distinct hinge members on one of its sides, and a set of separate, distinct latch members on another of its sides.

Abstract: A sterilization and storage cassette formed of heat-resistant plastic and having two identical tray halves. In one embodiment, at least one tray half includes a rotatable retaining member for retaining dental instruments within the tray. In a second embodiment, a clamping member is inserted in one tray and at least one and preferably a plurality of instrument supports is inserted into the other tray. When the trays are closed together, the clamping member presses down upon and retains dental instruments placed on the supports. The trays are detachably connected through a hinge mechanism. Each tray has separate, distinct hinge members on one of its sides, and a set of separate, distinct latch members on another of its sides.

Abstract: A sterilizable instrument cassette for use in storage and sterilization of medical and dental instruments includes two individual storage trays with base plates carrying silicone instrument-locating rails, and rotatable clamping members provided with silicone compression rails. The two trays may be separated or assembled and latched together, while the rotatable clamping member may be latched in its closed position. Multiple functions are performed by unitary structures simply and economically formed from single sheets of metal by stamping and bending.

Abstract: A package for cigarettes and the like includes an article container box having an open top through which the cigarettes are removed from the container box. The package further includes two side box sections having facing open sides. The two side box sections symmetrically enclose the container box when in a closed position. The two side box sections are hinged together at the juncture of their floors for pivotal movement in a fan-like movement between a closed position covering the open top of the container box and an open position uncovering the open top of the container box. The container box and each of the side box sections include interacting stop flanges which limits the pivotal movement of side box sections, when in the open position, to an open-most position whereat each of the side box section still receives a portion of the container box.

Abstract: A paperboard cigarette pack having a pop-up feature is provided. The pack has a caddy member and front and back cover members. The cover members are hinged together at the bottom and are connected to the caddy member by lifting webs. Opening the cover members causes the caddy member to project vertically from the pack.

Abstract: A paperboard cigarette pack resembling a cigarette case is provided. The pack has a caddy member and a cover member hinged to the caddy member along one side. The cover member folds over the caddy member in nesting engagement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cigarette case formed as a single structure from a suitable plastic material and having three wall sections hingedly interconnected so as to be folded along the cooperating hinge members defined by an integrally formed web member. The three wall sections provide an elongated rear wall having a plurality of elongated contiguous channels, a lower front wall having matching contiguous channels that form elongated compartments with the channels of the rear wall when in a closed mode. An upper front-wall member for access is formed having aligned matching channels which, when closed, provide a substantially sealed cigarette case. A first latching arrangement is provided between the rear and lower front walls, and a second latching arrangement is provided between the upper and lower front walls.