Abstract: A generally cylindrical towel roll product comprises an absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, and a flexible, water resistant, protective wrapper engaging the circumferential surface of the towel roll and of sufficient strength to restrain significant diametric expansion of the towel roll when the roll is subjected to an axial load and to increase axial stiffness of the product. The wrapper includes top and bottom portions that encase the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively, the top wrapper portion having an opening providing axial access to the towel roll and through which individual towels can be drawn axially from the interior of the towel roll. A removable and replaceable soil and water-resistant cover protectively covers the wrapper opening, and a rigid disc may be provided between the top surface of the towel roll and the top portion of the wrapper, the disc extending radially to the periphery of the upper surface of the roll.

Abstract: The packaging of the present invention is provided with a printing paper roll to which printing paper is wound; an ink ribbon unit having a sending roll, a winding roll arranged in parallel to the sending roll and an ink ribbon wound around the sending roll; a container for storing the printing paper roll and the ink ribbon unit; a partition member disposed in the container for partitioning the printing paper roll from the ink ribbon unit, wherein the partitioning member comprises a pair of plate-like holding members for holding the printing paper roll at its ends in the axial direction and a plate-like connecting member for connecting the holding members; and the connecting member obliquely extending relative to the axial direction, and partitioning the container in the radial direction of the printing paper roll into first and second storage regions in which the printing paper roll and the ink ribbon unit are accommodated respectively.

Abstract: A packaging card for holding a refill spool. The packaging card includes a hanger cut-out for hanging the refill spool on a display rack. The packaging card comprises a main panel, a bottom panel, a support panel and an end panel. The main panel is connected to the bottom panel by a hinged connection such as a crease line. The bottom panel and the support panel are connected by a crease line. The support panel is also connected to the end panel by a crease line. The end panel is affixed to a portion of the main panel using an adhesive, and the end panel and support panel form a buttress to support the bottom panel. The bottom panel provides a support platform for holding the spool. The crease lines between the end, support and bottom panels allow the packaging card to be folded flat, for example, for packing and shipping to the refill spool manufacturer.

Abstract: Provided is an toiletry and sundries attachment and containment device for interfacing a container or other containment means with a tissue dispensing apparatus found in public and private restrooms. The device includes one or more tabs for attaching to the container, and for attaching the container to the tissue dispensing apparatus. The tabs may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, and may be manufactured from a variety of materials including paper, plastic and metal. The attachment mechanisms or schemes may be any of a number of attachment mechanisms to include: mechanical fasteners, glue, Velcro®, adhesives strips, tape, etc. The container may be permanently or removably attached to the tabs, and hence the tissue dispensing apparatus, and may contain tissues, wet wipes, soaps, as well as other toiletries and sundries for use in a restroom.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for storage and dispensing of web roll products such as gift wrap. The container includes an elongated housing. A cylindrical barrel assembly is rotatably supported within the housing, and includes a plurality of roll storage cavities each having an open end and an open slot along a length thereof. A second end panel of the housing includes a rotatable cap frictionally attached to one end of the barrel assembly to rotate the barrel assembly within the housing. Removable storage boxes for storing gift-wrap related accessories are attachable to the housing. Wheels may be included on the housing to facilitate rolling the container.

Abstract: A portable caddy, comprising: a base portion; a handle portion removably secured to an upper surface of the base portion, the handle portion having a pair of support members and an elongated member extending therebetween, the handle portion being configured to rotatably support a roll of paper towels above the upper surface of the base portion; a plurality of recessed areas disposed in the upper surface; and an opening in a side wall of the base portion, the opening providing access to a receiving area disposed between the upper surface and a bottom surface of the base portion, wherein the receiving area is configured to store a plurality of plates therein and wherein the opening allows removal of the plates from the receiving area.

Abstract: A wire container having a housing consisting essentially of recyclable material is provided. The housing has a peripheral wall defining a boundary leading from a first end to a second end of the housing, a plurality of end portions folded inwardly at the second end to define an end wall, and a plurality of support structures coplanar with and coupled to the end wall and extending across the plurality of end portions. A welding wire and container assembly is also provided, in which a coil of welding wire is disposed in the housing and support by the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging electronic components, particularly integrated circuits, which includes a carrier tape into or on which the integrated circuits can be secured, a packing reel, to which is secured the carrier tape, wherein one or more components of the packing reel is composed of a plastic material and a desiccating material, and preferably a copolymer, and optionally an electrostatic dissipating product. The packing reel may further include a humidity indicating system. The apparatus may also be placed within a water and moisture-proof barrier bag for shipment purposes.

Abstract: A gift wrap caddy, having a bottom, a first and a second side wall, and a first and a second end wall extending between the first and second side walls. The bottom, side walls, and end walls define an interior of the caddy. The side walls are attached to the adjacent end walls by a hinge. The bottom is similarly attached to one of the walls by a hinge and to the remaining walls by a releasable clasp. Dividing panels are removably inserted into the interior to define two or more compartments for the storage of gift wrap accessories. At least one handle is attached to either a side wall or an end wall. At least one bar is removably attached to the handle. A strap is attached to the caddy. Wheels may be attached to the bottom of the caddy for mobility.

Abstract: A package for containing and dispensing wire from a coil of welding wire. The package having an outer layer with a bottom and an outer side wall having an upper edge defining a box opening for removing the wire from the package. The package further including an inner core positioned within the inner cylindrical opening of the wire coil wherein the inner core has a base supported by the package bottom and an oppositely facing core top. The core base being generally maintained relatively to the package bottom to prevent the core from “walking-up” the wire coil and the core top being allowed to tilt as the wire exits the package.

Abstract: A retainer ring is provided for use in a welding wire package having looped magnetic welding wire. The ring is a flat sheet of flexible permanent magnet material with an outer periphery and an inner periphery and includes printed material on the ring which can be cut from the ring and affixed to any metal surface.

Abstract: A unitized package of a plurality of drums filled with coiled welding wire, each drum comprising a cylindrical body, a top rim, a bottom rim and a bottom circular wall fixed to the bottom rim and having a peripheral shape. The package comprises: a spacer between the cylindrical bodies, a first band stretched around the plurality of drums adjacent the top rim, and a second band stretched around the plurality of drums adjacent the bottom rim wherein each drum has a riser network permanently fixed to the bottom wall and formed from thin elongated elements with a given height greater than about two inches. A lower support plate is permanently attached to the riser network and is parallel to the bottom wall of the drum to provide an integral pallet on each drum.

Abstract: A container for packaging and unwinding a coil of welding wire to allow an uninterrupted flow of the welding wire from one the container to another container. The coil of welding wire, including a coiled portion having a top and a bottom, a first extension of wire extending from the coil near the coil top to a feeding end and a second extension of wire extending from the coil near the bottom to a transfer end. The transfer end of one container being joinable to the feeding end of another container. The container including an outer packaging having at least one vertically extending sidewall, a closed bottom, a top opening for removing the welding wire and a wire coil receiving cavity within the outer packaging for receiving the wire coil. The feeding end and the transfer end can be positionable near the top opening. The container further includes at least one transfer control tab in the cavity near the top opening.

Abstract: A container for dispensing material from a roll is described.

Abstract: A case 100 for accommodating cartridges 27 each of which incorporates a magnetic tape reel 25 is provided with plural partitioned rooms 33 for holding respective cartridge groups in each of which plural cartridges 27 are arranged side by side in their thickness direction so as to assume a block form, and a partition 33 (grooves 53a) formed between partitioned rooms 33 arranged in the axial direction of the magnetic tape reels 25.

Abstract: A cartridge storage case includes: a first cartridge storage case having a substantially rectangular shape, and including a first projection, a first recess and a first divided compartment holding a group of cartridges; a second cartridge storage case having a substantially rectangular shape, and including a second projection, a second recess and a second divided compartment having a substantially identical shape with the first divided compartment; and a hinge connecting a side of the first cartridge storage case with a side of the second cartridge storage case being opposite to the side of the first cartridge storage case, wherein the first and second cartridge storage case comprise an elongated handle through hole, respectively, which is provided in a side location which is opposite to a side where the hinge is provided in the first and second cartridge storage case.

Abstract: A cartridge container for storing a plurality of flat tape cartridges having tape reels, respectively, therein, on which electromagnetic tapes are wound, respectively, comprises a cartridge case shell made up two mating case shell halves identical in shape and structure which are coupled to each other to provide at least one compartment for receiving a set of a plurality of the tape cartridges arranged closely side by side in an interior of the cartridge container. The cartridge container is provided with crushable flanges formed at its opposite sides and openings formed as handgrips in the crushable flange, respectively.

Abstract: A cardboard packing box for packing a cartridge container which has a case shell including two mating case shell halves identical in dimensions with each other and forming a plurality of compartments for receiving sets of a specified number of flat tape cartridge units therein, respectively, each mating case shell half having a pair of bottom fitting frames different in size so that one of the bottom fitting frames of one mating case shell half is fitted in another mating case shell half by insertion so as thereby to be able to couple the cartridge container to another, comprises a cardboard box identical in internal dimension with a horizontal projection of the case shell of the cartridge container; and a pair of cardboard backing pads each of which has a pair of openings in which the bottom fitting frames of each mating case shell halves are fitted respectively by insertion.

Abstract: A package for containing a coil of wire having an outer cylindrical surface extending about a coil axis, a top and an oppositely facing bottom has a base for supporting the bottom of a wire coil when the wire coil is in the package. At least one side wall extends upwardly from the base about an outer cylindrical surface of the wire coil and has an upper edge defining a top opening in the package for removing the wire. The packaging further includes a hold-down bar between the bottom of the wire coil and the base which is transverse to the axis of the wire coil, and a lifting strap having a first end, a second end and a base portion between the first and second ends and between the bottom of the wire and the base. The base portion has an opening and the hold-down bar extends through the opening.

Abstract: A retractable reel includes a housing having a front cover and a rear cover, the rear cover including a first opening and the front cover including a second opening, a trough extending radially inward from the second opening to a center of the front cover, the trough including at least one tab and at least one dimple and a resiliently deflectable latch arm. A spool includes a wall that extends axially outward from a front surface of the spool, the spool is rotatably supported within the housing and is positioned such that the front surface, the wall and the front cover cooperatively define a chamber therebetween. The spool further includes at least one ratchet member selectively engaged by the resiliently deflectable latch arm to prevent rotation of the spool in a winding direction. The retractable reel includes a spring having a first end engaging the rear cover and a second end engaging the spool for rotatively biasing the spool in the winding direction.

Abstract: A dispenser for suture, including a suture reel on which the suture is mounted and an indicator that the suture is soon to be depleted. The indicator can be a visual marking on the suture, or it can be an audible and/or vibratory effect obtained by the dispenser housing interacting with the suture through one or more view ports or by interaction of a follower cam with the reel structure as the suture becomes depleted.

Abstract: A box for payout of a filamentary product such as cable or wire that is wound in a coil inside of the box. The box is constructed to retain the coil securely and utilize material in an efficient manner. Particularly, the box is adapted to retain a figure-eight coil of wire, which is often formed in an irregular shape. The box may include a payout tube that extends from a point outside of the box through a wall of the coil and into an interior point of the coil. The box serves to retain such a payout tube with an efficient amount of material and also provides for an improved method of assembling the box, the coil, and the payout tube.

Abstract: In a packaging system for coiled goods, a length of flexible material is wound into a coil. A hole is extended diametrically through the coil and a rod is extended through the hole. Fasteners are secured to the opposite end of the rod to secure the flexible material in the coiled configuration.

Abstract: A package including an endless belt; a first cylindrical body contacting an inner surface of the endless belt at a first pressure; a second cylindrical body contacting another inner surface of the endless belt at a second pressure; and a third cylindrical body contacting an outer surface of the endless belt at a third pressure, wherein the endless belt is wound around the first, second and third cylindrical bodies while the first, second and third cylindrical bodies are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and substantially located in one plane, and wherein a surface of each of the first, second and third cylindrical bodies contacting the endless belt has a maximum height of from 0.8 to 150 m when measured by a method based on JIS B 0601.

Abstract: A photothermographic material is disclosed, comprising a support, an organic silver salt, a light-sensitive silver halide, a reducing agent and a contrast-increasing agent, wherein the photothermographic material further comprises a secondary or tertiary amino group-containing alkoxysilane compound and a polyethyleneimine. A light-shielding package of the photothermographic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus is provided for packaging a flexible photoconductive belt loop to prevent light from shocking the flexible photoconductive belt loop during shipping and during loading into an image reproduction machine. The packaging apparatus includes (a) a cut sheet of light occluding and protective flexible member for wrapping over the flexible photoconductive belt loop. The cut sheet has a length L2 including a first end, a second end, and (iv) at least one loop tacking aperture formed through a second end portion thereof. The packaging apparatus also includes a first adhesive tape member applied over the second end portion, through the at least one loop tacking aperture, and onto a first end portion. The packaging apparatus further includes a plurality of packaging cores, and a second adhesive tape member applied over the second end and over a portion of the main body portion.

Abstract: A container for goods having an axial dimension has a pair of supports spaced apart axially relative to the goods for supporting the goods. A reinforcement extends between the supports and is connected to each of the supports at at least four spaced-apart locations. The locations are selected so that a first imaginary planar surface connects a first two of the locations on one of the supports to a first two of the locations on the other of the supports, and a second imaginary planar surface connects a second two of the locations on one of the supports to a second two of the locations on the other of the supports. The two imaginary surfaces form a dihedral angle within the range of 10 to 60 degrees opening towards the top side of the container. Even if it has no top and bottom walls, the container is triangulated and quite rigid.

Abstract: A film container incorporating a light-blocking pile fabric composite disposed in bounding relation to a slit opening in the container. The pile fabric composite includes a heat curable resilient polymeric stiffening primer disposed across the underside of a pile fabric and a layer of substantially solvent free, heat activatable adhesive disposed below the primer and bonded to a bare or coated surface of black pigmented polyvinyl acetate of the container.

Abstract: A conductive propylene resin composition, which is used for packaging and automatic feeding of parts which is unlikely be electrically charged, which is resistive to a baking treatment and which does not produce wastes and can reduce a material cost and a processing cost, is provided. The composition contains of (1) a % by weight of a propylene polymer with a portion having not less than 95% by weight of crystallinity that occupies not less than 60% by weight of the propylene polymer, and contains not more than 20% by weight of ethylene; (2) b % by weight of a propylene random copolymer which has a tensile elongation of not less than 100% and contains 1 to 7% by weight of ethylene; and (3) c % by weight of an electrically conductive filler, wherein the following relationships are satisfied: a+b+c=100, 0.5?a/b?2.0 and 10?c?30.

Abstract: A portable window/windshield cleaning device is self contained with washing liquid and a squeegee.

Abstract: An endboard for supporting a roll of material is provided. The endboard consists of a substantially rigid member that is sized and shaped to receive and support the roll of material. The endboard is molded from a mixture of plastic and sawdust. The combination of plastic and sawdust provides improved loading bearing strength and allows for support of heavy rolls of material without requiring the roll to support itself on its face. The endboard design thus prevents damage to the rolled material stored in horizontal fashion. In a preferred embodiment, the endboard has a series of elongated substantially parallel recessed portions that are vertically aligned and at least partially define vertical ribbed portions. The recessed portions and ribbed portions thus reduce the amount of material needed for construction of the endboards, while maintaining the structural integrity thereof.

Abstract: A protector for sheet metal coil is formed of plastic with a flange and sleeve which are joined together at a ridge portion. The protectors incorporate symmetrically disposed groupings of stacking features or components which include a finger within a stacking access opening, a stacking tab, and a stacking opening. The fingers are employed to resiliently engage the inner surface of a core of a coil and incorporate a receiver surface for freely abuttable engagement with a stacking tab of a second protector when arranged in mutual stacking relationship. The stacking openings function for stacking purposes to receive the protruding finger of a next stack protector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet sheet container for housing a sheet roll that is a wet sheet wound in the form of a roll. A container body is formed with a storage space into which the sheet roll is to be inserted. The container body is separable into two or more parts so that separation of the container body allows insertion of the sheet roll into the storage space. A shaft is located inside the container body so as to be inserted into a center hole of the sheet roll. The shaft defines a support space which extends along an axial direction thereof and communicates with the outside of the container body.

Abstract: A package of rolls obtained by a wrapping machine includes: a group of rolls composed of at least three layers of rolls, situated one over another; a sheet shaped in tubular form for wrapping the group of rolls, with the relative longitudinal edges overlapped and heat-welded, and with the wings of each head of the tubular sheet being folded against the rolls and then stabilized by heat-welding.

Abstract: A compact fiber packaging system for fiber lasers is provided that comprises a series of spools nested inside one another for efficient volume utilization. The spools comprise an inner spool nested inside at least one outer spool to form a module. Generally, the fiber lasers are wrapped around the inner spool, and then around successive outer spools as required to form the module. Furthermore, the modules may be stacked to form a fiber assembly. The compact fiber packaging system further comprises devices and methods for minimizing thermal gradients between fibers and for removing Waste heat from the system. Additionally, the available volume is further utilized by disposing equipment and materials for operation of the fibers inside a hollow center defined by the inner spool, between the nested spools, and adjacent the nested spools.

Abstract: Sheets of a paper product are arranged in a compact package. Each sheet has a primary panel and at least one secondary panel. When packaged, the primary panel and one or more secondary panels are disposed in overlying relation to each other in various arrangements according to several embodiments. When each sheet is removed and separated from the package, the panels can be unfolded to enlarge the sheet. In several embodiments, the panels are separable from each other along perforated seams to selectively provide smaller individual sheets. The package may be in the form of a roll, either coreless or on a tubular core. Alternatively, the sheets may be packaged in a stacked array.

Abstract: A method of loading a film assembly comprising a first film container (13) which may be a conventional film cassette and an additional film container (15, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502) having a length of film wound in one of the containers and extending to the other, comprises the steps of: (a) providing a coiled length of film which may be a bulk roll (52) and attaching a free end to a film winding tool (34); (b) rotating the film winding tool (34) to wind the film into a coil about the tool (34); (c) before or after step (b), enclosing the coil in the additional film container (15, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502) so that the film extends through a film slot thereof, and removing the film winding tool (34). The invention also resides in a film container for use in the method, and in an assembly so formed.

Abstract: A container for containing a long article wound on a bobbin into a roll and having both widthwise ends includes a container body having at least one end formed with an opening, a cover closing the opening of the container body, a sealing member sealing a gap between the container body and the cover, an stem fixed to either the container body or the cover so that the bobbin is mounted on the stem, a bobbin fixing unit for fixing the bobbin, and a holding unit for holding the article wound on the bobbin so as to prevent the article from being detached from the bobbin by pressing both widthwise ends of the article wound on the bobbin.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus has a packaging sheet feed mechanism for gripping a side edge of a light-shielding leader and feeding the light-shielding leader to a winding position to position it in the winding position, a rotating and supporting mechanism for positioning a photosensitive roll with respect to the light-shielding leader in the winding position, and rotating the photosensitive roll, an attaching mechanism for attaching the light-shielding leader to an end of the photosensitive roll, a light-shielding leader holding mechanism for gripping a winding end of the light-shielding member and moving the light-shielding leader toward the photosensitive roll when the photosensitive roll is rotated, a pressing mechanism for pressing the outer circumferential edges of light-shielding members against respective opposite ends of the photosensitive roll, and a skirt processing mechanism for processing a light-shielding shrink film so as to cover the outer circumferential edges of light-shielding members.

Abstract: I believe my invention to be a new and useful product, worthy of consideration for a US patent. If it is not deemed by you to be new, it is at least of significant enough improvement upon existing design as to warrant protection by your office.

Abstract: A roll support member is provided that is used for suspending in a packaging case a roll-form recording material wound around a core. The roll support member includes a four corner-cut square flange portion having a thickness and an insertion portion that projects cylindrically from substantially the center of the flange portion and is inserted into one end of the core. The flange portion and the insertion portion are formed integrally. The side of the flange portion from which the insertion portion projects is a flat face. The side of the flange portion opposite to the flat face is provided with ribs forming a plurality of energy absorbing space zones. The outer peripheral side of the flange portion has a height that is no greater than the height of the ribs. There is also provided a recording material package in which a roll-form recording material is suspended and supported in a housing by the roll support members.

Abstract: A weather and wear resistant rubber ID unit for a tire with a selected pattern on the ID unit is made by scanning a outer layer of the rubber unit with a laser beam from a high powered CO2 laser operated at a less than full power output, to ablate the outer layer in the form of the selected pattern to expose an inner layer of the unit which has a contrasting color. Loose and residue particles are removing using a vacuum and a cleaning fluid contain alcohol and a surface active agent such as soap. The fluid is rinsed away and the unit is dried for use.

Abstract: A film hand wrapper includes two cylindrical grips, two friction elements and two sleeves. The cylindrical grip has a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion, and a push member provided in the large-diameter portion and combined with the friction element. When the push member is pressed by a finger of a user, the friction element produces a stopping force against a friction ring of the sleeve so that a film winding cylinder positioned between two of the film hand wrappers combined with two ends of the film cylinder may be stopped, with the film on the film winding cylinder impossible to unwind so as to permit the user pull tight the film for wrapping an object.

Abstract: A hand-held adhesive tape dispenser is in the form of a partial shell which has a support face and a peripheral wall to form an open face housing. A spool of adhesive tape is mounted to the support face through the use of mounting structure on the shell which rotatably and detachably mounts the core of the spool to the shell. The mounting structure includes spring fingers which snap over the core. An applicating end of the shell has a passage in its peripheral wall located near a fixed guide and a cutter at the applicating end so that tape removed from the core would pass through the passage around the guide to be applied to a substrate and then to be cut by the cutter.

Abstract: A low-cost totally recyclable container made of corrugated cardboard for packaging a large mass of coiled welding wire is disclosed. The improved container minimizes the costs of packaging and avoids the need of large volumes for transportation and storage of empty containers to and from the welding wire manufacturing plant and at the welding plant. The container in kit form or assembled with or without the wire coil includes a wire retaining device of simple and inexpensive design to press down on the top of the coil of wire when in the container without binding against the inner walls of the container while preventing the wire which is arranged in a multitude of layers of wire loops from tangling during transportation, storage, and unwinding while providing effective means for smooth and uninterrupted payout of welding wire to automatic welding machines.

Abstract: A unitized package of a plurality of drums filled with coiled welding wire, each drum comprising a cylindrical body, a top rim, a bottom rim and a bottom circular wall fixed to the bottom rim and having a peripheral shape. The package comprises: a spacer between the cylindrical bodies, a first band stretched around the plurality of drums adjacent the top rim, and a second band stretched around the plurality of drums adjacent the bottom rim wherein each drum has a riser network permanently fixed to the bottom wall and formed from thin elongated elements with a given height greater than about two inches. A lower support plate is permanently attached to the riser network and is parallel to the bottom wall of the drum to provide an integral pallet on each drum.

Abstract: A light-shielding container for a light-sensitive material has a light-shielding cloth attached to an opening in the container through which the light-sensitive material is passed. The light-shielding cloth shields the opening from light and is formed from a base fabric and a pile section. The pile section includes black dope-dyed threads formed by incorporating black dope-dyed threads containing carbon black into the base fabric and black-dyed threads formed by incorporating black-dyed threads. The proportion of the black dope-dyed threads in the total pile is 5 wt % to 60 wt %. The single filament fineness of the black dope-dyed threads is thicker than that of the black-dyed threads. The overall pile density of the black dope-dyed threads and the black-dyed threads is 30,000 to 55,000 filaments/cm2. The black dope-dyed threads and the black-dyed threads are arranged in stripes substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the light-sensitive material is passed.

Abstract: A container for dispensing individual plastic wrap covers and a method of assembling such a container are disclosed. The container may be generally parallelopiped in shape and may include a hinged lid initially secured to the container along a score line. The lid may be torn along the score line and pivoted at the hinge to allow the user to access a smaller opening provided within the container. The smaller opening may be provided within a fifth flap provided integrally with the remainder of the template used to form the container. The opening may be sufficiently large to allow for the plastic wrap covers to be removed, but may be sufficiently small so as to prevent or substantially limit the removal of more than one plastic wrap cover at a time.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an electric light strand mounting device for simplifying the installation and removal of light strands from, for example, a holiday tree. The device consists of a light strand receiver and an associated base that rests on a floor or horizontal surface. Indents are provided on the receiver for preventing downward slippage of mounted strands. The receiver is rotatable around a vertical axis; and simultaneously, the base is moveable in any horizontal direction. Both movements are provided in one version, by a unitary base-receiver structure resting on base castors. In another version the receiver is rotatable with respect to a slidable base; but receiver and base are permanently attached to one another. In a third, version, a slidable base and its receiver are mutually rotatable, but are readily detachable from each other by a simple lifting motion. In all versions light strands are installed by feeding one strand at a time onto the receiver as it is rotated.

Abstract: A dual-mode hose roller including a crank and a mounting plate may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and several extension arms. The extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. The mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and, optionally, a ratchet mechanism. Using the hose roller, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle.