Abstract: A shipping unit is provided which protects easily damaged articles of manufacture during transit. The shipping unit includes a rack which comprises one or more of tiers of vertically spaced apart shelves which are fabricated of a pliable stretchable cloth. The vertical distance between each pair of vertically adjacent shelves in the unloaded condition is slightly greater than the thickness of the article of manufacture to be loaded thereon. Articles of manufacture are loaded thereon whereby the upper shelves stretch into contact with an article of manufacture loaded onto a lower shelf to steady the load on the rack and prevent damage to the articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A diaper caddy for carrying disposable diapers and related infant supplies. The frame of the diaper caddy forms a space which is divided by a partition into side by side diaper compartments each able to hold a stack of diapers. Each diaper compartment has a dispensing slot through which the diapers can be removed one at a time. A sliding drawer and a pair of trays hold towelettes, powders, lotions and related toiletries useful in the changing of diapers. A flexible cover for the frame includes retractable flaps which provide access to the dispensing slots, trays and drawer.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting and masking an encapsulated window assembly includes a generally planar floor having a periphery surrounded by generally upstanding walls. An upper edge of the walls engages an inner surface of a gasket formed on a periphery of the window assembly whereby the fixture masks the inside surfaces of the gasket and a glass sheet forming the window assembly. At least one aperture is formed in the fixture for receiving a reference pin utilized to locate the fixture with respect to a painting apparatus. A sensor is provided for generating a signal representing the engagement of the aperture by the reference pin and a control unit is responsive to the sensor signal for controlling a robot painting apparatus to spray paint an outer surface of the gasket. The fixture further is used to support the window assembly during curing of the paint and subsequent manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A tip tray for use in restaurants or the like which is transparent and has a pair of slide tracks or slots formed by longitudinal leg bars on the bottom. The tracks accomodate cards upon which may be printed various written messages, photos, and/or other visuals which may be viewed through the transparent tray surface.

Abstract: The invention is an open-ended package for an article comprising a sleeve of generally rectangular cross-section. Resiliently hinged tabs are provided for retaining the article within the sleeve. The tabs are positioned so that their hinge lines are adjacent and perpendicular to the external edge of the panel to which it is hinged. The tabs are of a length greater than the depth of the sleeve. As a result, when the tabs are bent into the interior of the sleeve in an over-center position, they press toward the opposite panel of the sleeve and are thereby retained in a position traversing the open end of the sleeve so as to effect retention of the article in the package.

Abstract: An assembly tray is injection molded with an open bottom to provide access to articles supported by the tray during manufacturing. Gear teeth are included on the bottom of the tray in the shape of a timing belt for indexing the tray during manufacturing. Stacking ledges are provided in the rim on top of the tray so that one tray can be stacked on top of another without sticking. A torsion box is provided on the sides of the tray to provide torsional stability. The assembly tray can be selected from a stack of other trays, used in automated manufacturing and stacked in another stack. The assembly tray is particularly suited for assemblying components of tape cassettes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved one-piece construction for taco shell holders, wherein, the holders are provided with a unique three legged support structure that allows the holders to be used in either a stand alone configuration or inserted into complementary recesses formed in a serving tray element specifically designed for use in combination with the taco holders.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of manufacturing a laminated sheet having a non-skid surface. In a preferred embodiment a method of manufacturing a decorated unitary laminated tray having a thermoplastic non-skid layer is disclosed.

Abstract: A case in which stacks of dough rising pans are held, the case being divided into vertical compartments for the stacks, an access opening on top of the case for placement of the pans thereinto, caster wheels under the case and handles on a side to pull the case and move it from place to place.

Abstract: An insert for a money drawer for receiving coins, currency, bills and the like including a relatively large area lower tray defining a plurality of relatively long and relatively deep compartments running from front to rear of the lower tray and sized to accommodate paper currency, a relatively small area upper tray defining a plurality of relatively short and relatively shallow compartments running from front to rear of the upper tray and sized to receive metal currency, and coacting means on the lower tray and on the upper tray for removably mounting the upper tray in the upper rear region of the lower tray so that the upper tray overlies the rear portions of the relatively long currency compartments defined by the lower tray.

Abstract: A plurality of different types of book style cassette holders or albums are selectively progressively produced by an in-line operation having stations which can be by-passed and selectively actuated to omit or add steps to produce the different types. The initial steps in the method unwind a relatively rigid or stiff thermoplastic sheet from a roll, successively thermoform the sheet into blanks having a plurality of pairs of adjoining hollow wall album trays in side-by-side relation connected by a flexible spine and surrounded by marginal portions. The blanks are fed successively, hollow face upwardly, through successive stations which apply adhesive and cardboard slabs over the bottoms of the trays. Subsequent stations either deposit individual printed cover sheets onto the blanks, or a continuous cover sheet fed from a roll. Succeeding stations selectively apply individual printed sheets over the continuous cover sheet and a transparent film over the printed sheets.

Abstract: An illuminated surgical tray apparatus for the facilitated viewing and selection of thin fibrous surgical materials, such as sutures and related instruments, during a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a light source, viewing lens and optically colored contrasting disclosure field or background for enhancing the visibility of the objects positioned within the interior of the apparatus. The surgical tray apparatus further possesses a substantially air, water and steam-tight, fireproof light construction, together with curved edges and corners to facilitate sterilization of the overall device and shrink wrapping thereof to maintain its sterilized nature.

Abstract: An improved serving tray according to the teachings of the present invention is disclosed as including a window abutting element which is laterally positionable allowing a window abutting edge to abut with and fulcrum on the outside surface of the window to compensate for variations of the angle of the window to allow the serving platform of the serving tray to be horizontal. The window abutting element is laterally positionable by slideably mounting it to the bottom surface of the serving platform. In its most preferred form, the window abutting element is slideably mounted by arms extending generally parallel to and spaced from the rear legs of the serving tray. The window abutting element is held in one of multiple positions by teeth formed on the bottom surface of the serving platform and formed on the window abutting element.

Abstract: A container in which artists' pastels can be safely stored and transported and discoloring pastel dust can be conveniently removed from the pastels. The container holds a stack of trays, each made from a frame that surrounds and supports an open mesh on which pastels can be placed. The trays are supported above a freely flowing granular abrasive in the bottom of the container which can scour the pastel dust from the surfaces of the pastels. The top tray is just beneath the top of the container so that, when the container is inverted, the trays are held in place by the stack and the pastels are protected against breakage by the abrasive, which surrounds and scours the pastels, and by the previously overlying top of the container or by the mesh of the previously overlying tray.

Abstract: A warehouse system employs a crane guided for movement along an aisle with storage racks on opposite sides thereof and mounting a carriage for vertical reciprocation thereon. An extractor supported on the carriage has a pair of narrow extensible arms which engage the undersides of lips formed on opposite sides of a tote pan. The extensible arms each include three rails nested in one-above-the-other relation with the intermediate rail having vertical load bearing rollers engaging the upper and lower rails. A harmonic drive causes extension and retraction of the extractor arms through a chain and pulley arrangement. The tote pans are nestable and have ribbed bottoms cooperatively engaging cantilevered brackets on the storage racks whereby the pans are releasably detained in their stored position in the warehouse.

Abstract: An accessory tray particularly adapted for holding in an organized manner computer discs, owner's manual and other accessories frequently used with a portable computer. The accessory tray is attachable to the portable computer in such a manner that the accessory tray becomes a part of the carrying case of the portable computer.

Abstract: Book style cassette holders or albums are mass produced from sheets of thermoplastics material by unwinding a relatively rigid or stiff thermoplastic sheet from a roll and successively thermal forming the sheet into a plurality of pairs of adjoining trays in side-by-side relation connected by flexible spines and surrounded by marginal portions. The thermal formed areas, preferably composed of two rows of album trays with two sets in each row, are successively severed from the sheet into blanks. Each tray portion of a blank has a bottom surrounded by a hollow peripheral wall with the hollow face of the wall surrounded by a rim providing a pocket. The blanks are fed successively, hollow face upwardly, through a plurality of stations which successively apply adhesive in the pockets, deposit cardboard stiffeners in the pockets, feed a flexible cover sheet and, if desired, a film sheet over all or part of the cover sheet. Printed sheets can also be deposited on the cover sheet and thus covered by the film sheet.

Abstract: A coextruded thermoplastic sheet suitable for thermoforming into a rigid container, the sheet including a bulk layer made of a first material and a pair of bending moment resisting layers adhered to opposite surfaces of the bulk layer, the moment resisting layers being made of a second material that is more rigid than the first material, whereby the bulk layer acts to locate the second material of more rigidity at a location spaced from the neutral axis of the sheet where it efficiently resists bending moments and provides rigidity to the sheet.

Abstract: A multilayer structure comprising an outer layer of aromatic polycarbonate, an outer layer of a polyolefin and a tie layer between the aromatic polycarbonate and polyolefin layer, such tie layer comprising a copolymer of an olefin and an acrylate.

Abstract: A package is designed for storing and heating frozen food in individual serving portion. The package comprises a metal shell having an open chamber with a bottom wall. A shaped baffle is disposed in the chamber for separating the chamber into upper and lower compartments. The baffle has an extra compartment for holding a quantity of ice chips above the bottom wall and includes a plurality of apertures for allowing the ice chips to descend into the lower compartment to produce steam for assisting in the heating of the food.

Abstract: An extruded plastic tray has along the upper side of its rear portion a forwardly opening "C"-shape channel into which "C"-shape clips slideably engage by bowing the bights of the clips so that the arms of the "C"-shape clips can pass between the arms of the "C"-shape channel on the tray. In the bights of the clips are "I"-shape slots through which the ends of divider strips may be forced so as to bend back the side edges of the stem of the "I".

Abstract: A package for storing therein a medical container in conjunction with a deoxidizer covered on at least one side thereof with a gas-impervious sheet and on at least one other side thereof with a gas-pervious sheet, which package is characterized by comprising a tightly sealed container adapted to hold the aforementioned deoxidizer in such a manner that the gas-pervious sheet sides of the deoxidizer rests on at least one of the inner sides thereof and provided in the inner side thereof adjoining the gas-pervious sheet side of the aforementioned deoxidizer with at least one passage for gas communicating with the atmosphere enclosed with the package.

Abstract: A novel shopper's helper assembly, particularly for grocery shoppers is provided herein. It includes a base and an open bin disposed adjacent one portion of the base, the bin being spaced a predetermined close distance from one side edge of the base to provide a first flat surface, and a predetermined large distance from the other side edge, to provide a second flat paper-supporting surface. The open bin includes a clip located therein for releasably retaining a plurality of sheets of paper. A clip is located along a side edge of the first flat surface for releasably holding a cylindrical writing instrument (e.g. a pen or pencil) of such first flat surface, and a hole at the top thereof for selectively releasably supporting the cylindrical writing instrument therein. A clip is located at an edge of the second flat paper-supporting surface for releasably retaining a pad, or plurality of sheets of paper. One or two longitudinally extending downwardly open cross-section, e.g.

Abstract: A shaped article such as a container of polyalkylene terephthalate resin is described. The shaped article includes a body portion in which the resin has an average crystallinity of at least about 20 percent. The shaped article is provided with the flange which adjoins the body portion of the article. At least part of the flange has an average crystallinity less than that of the body portion and preferably of not more than about 10 percent. Process and apparatus which may be employed in the manufacture of such an article are also described.

Abstract: A tack box and saddle rack comprising a lower rectangular box portion including side panels fastened to end members which extend above the top edges of the side panels and including rails extending between said end members in an area above said top edges of said side panels, one of said rails being uppermost and centrally between the side edges of said end members and two side additional rails respectively being in a common horizontal plane below said uppermost rail and respectively spaced a short distance inward from said side edges of said end members to support a saddle upon said central uppermost rail and the depending stirrups hanging outwardly of said two side rails but contained in said box portion with other accouterments, such as bridle, girth, saddle dressing and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuously manufacturing a composite band comprising a plastic sheet bonded to an aluminized pellicle, these two components consisting of separate bands before carrying out the process. The composite band made by the process can be used for instance for insulating or padding. This band can also be used after cutting and thermoforming as a pan or container for perishable products such as meat. The perishable product is put in the pan, and both are covered with a plastic film to give a stocking and hygienic presentation. To carry out the process and to bond the basic plastic band (expanded polystyrene) to the aluminized pellicle, these two sheets are introduced between calendering cylinders with interposing between the two sheets an intermediate film of plastic material at softening temperature to provide the adhesion. Of course, it is the non-aluminized side of the pellicle which is in contact with the polystyrene basic band.

Abstract: An improved tray attachment for a chair wherein a mounting mechanism for the tray is attached to the underside thereof, and is provided with a pin extending in parallel with one side of the tray, such pins having a free end for being slidably received in a mounting block, whereby the tray may be moved in forward and rearward directions by such slidable movement and may be pivoted to a vertical storage position about the axis of such pin. The mounting block is also pivotally mounted on a transverse horizontal extension of a vertical rod, wherein the tray may be raised and lowered by raising and lowering the vertical rod, and by fixing such rod to an arm of the chair at its desired height. The pivotal connection between the transverse rod and the mounting block permits the tray to be tilted, and a second vertical rod, attached to the opposite arm of the chair, may be raised and lowered to support the tray in a horizontal or tilted disposition.

Abstract: A device for displaying and marking articles such as foods or the like, on a holder, such as a tray, board, dish, bowl, or the like, characterized by the holder being held in place in and removable from a carrier support adjusted to it, the carrier support having firmly attached to it at least one handle extending over the holder with a marking plate connected or connectable to it.

Abstract: A coextruded thermoplastic sheet, with high peel strength and suitable for thermoforming into a container, the sheet including a layer of acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer to act as a gas barrier and provide rigidity, thermoformability and printability, a structural layer of polyolefin to provide a moisture barrier and chemical resistance, and an intermediate tie layer of a radial butadiene/styrene teleblock copolymer to provide a strong bond between the acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer and polyolefin notwithstanding the differences in tendencies to shrink between the two materials.

Abstract: A serving tray for use in a food rethermalizing cabinet. The tray is sectioned by a thermal divider and formed so that dishes of food placed therein can be selectively heated or cooled by separate air streams flowing from one end of the tray to the other. The thermal divider extends from one side of the tray to the other separating the tray interior into two channels. Inlet and outlet ports are provided at opposite ends of each channel. Tapered connectors on the sides of the tray are designed to mate with matching tapered sections in the cabinet such that when the tray is firmly seated in the cabinet, a fluid tight seal exists between the mating connector members. The inlet and outlet ports for each channel are precisely aligned with corresponding ports in the cabinet and the tray is supported thereby in the cabinet and cannot be inserted in reverse orientation.

Abstract: A tray for use by diesel truck mechanics, designed and adapted for receipt and maintenance upon a tractor tire. Fundamentally, the invention includes a base comprising a rectangular box which is open at the bottom. Opposite ends of the base are each characterized by an opening of decreasing width from the bottom of the base upwardly, thus being adapted for receipt by various size tires with the crown of the tire being received through the open bottom of the base. Mounted atop the base is a tray which may be pivotally secured thereto.

Abstract: In a multi-layer sheet material from which containers adapted to heat food in microwave ovens may be erected, the sheet material comprising a core layer and a transparent surface layer on each side of the core layer, the improvement comprising an intermediate layer located between the core and at least one of the adjacent surface layers, the intermediate layer being a relatively thin layer of polyethylene terephthalate and a design printed on one side of the intermediate layer whereby the design is visible through the adjacent surface layer and is prevented by the adjacent surface layer from being physically contacted.

Abstract: A telescoping dispenser having two interconnecting tray portions. The first tray portion has a tray for receiving a loaf of sliced bread, a guide for a second smaller telescoping tray and a handle for gripping the dispenser above the center of gravity. The second tray portion has a flap hinged at one end with a perforation in the flap for holding the twisted end of a plastic bread wrapper.

Abstract: A propagator for growing and transplanting young plants comprises a container which is for receiving a growing medium and which has walls which can be moved away from the growing medium when transplanting takes place, the whole container being placed in a prepared trough or furrow prior to the removal of the walls without disturbing the root systems of the young plants being transplanted.The container may be supported by a support stand, or it may be free standing.

Abstract: A container comprising a hollow tray and a domed lid, each of which are of unitary molded plastic construction. The tray has a planar bottom wall peripherally encompassed by a generally outwardly and upwardly flaring upstanding wall with a rim over which the lid is snugly attachable. Peripherally interspaced indents are molded in and offset interiorly from the upstanding wall of the tray and define interiorly facing surface regions disposed in proximately perpendicular relationship with the bottom wall of the tray.The container is particularly suitable for packaging a plurality of small dimensionally corresponding containers, such as ampuls, or the like. As such, it provides a package accommodating a plurality of rows of containers together with an upstanding plastic separator sheet separating each row of containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carton which is especially adapted for heating food products in microwave ovens. The bottom surface of the carton is cut to define a plurality of spaced apertures, each of which is closed by removable means. A strip of film is secured to the bottom surface of the carton and the removable means so that, upon removal of the film prior to heating, the means are removed with the film to provide vent holes which allow moisture vapor generated during heating to escape. In a preferred embodiment, the carton has two separable compartments joined by a common top and two common side walls with an intermittent cut line extending across the top and down the common side walls to permit separation of the two compartments. The compartments have individual bottom panels, each of which is cut to provide a plurality of removable tabs held within spaced apertures by spaced nicks.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus which includes a generally perforate silverware basket for holding silverware during washing, rinsing and drying operations. The basket side and end walls include vertical and diagonal intersecting ribs forming a lattice-work of perforations which promotes natural, gravitational drainage of washing fluid from the walls.

Abstract: A polymeric multiple-layer sheet material particularly suited for making containers for food products to be cooked or reheated in microwave ovens has a relatively thick core layer of foamed, high density polyethylene with thinner surface layers of a coextruded polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate. The surface layers are preferably bonded to the core by suitable adhesive layers.

Abstract: A tray convertable to a picture frame designed specifically for the display of a plurality of baseball cards, photographs, or the like is disclosed. Included is a frame portion including top, bottom, and side struts and one or more vertical and horizontal struts, such that window openings are defined within the frame portion thereby. Inserts are removably or permanently formed in one or more said window openings by means for affixing said inserts to adjacent struts. Elongated slots are further defined for each window opening so that a card or the like can be seated therein in front of said inserts, or when said inserts have been removed.

Abstract: A portable tray for holding parts and components while fixing or disassembling any mechanical or electrical equipment; the tray being molded of plastic and including a well with a magnetic plate on its bottom for magnetically holding small steel parts. The tray also includes a non-magnetic trough for receiving parts. The tray includes a removable sand bag on its underside for holding the tray upon sloping surfaces, and also a removable screen dish placable over the top of the magnetic well.

Abstract: A combined artists paintbox and a liquid container, comprising a tray for housing the paints and brushes and a sealable liquid container hinged thereto. The liquid container is pivotable from an open position, providing access to the paints in the tray, to a closed position covering the open side of the tray. A separate liquid container is provided which can be supported by the tray or sealable liquid container when in their open position and which is used to hold the liquid poured from the sealable container. The separate liquid container is also made to fit over the tray and sealable liquid container to hold them in a closed position.

Abstract: A photographic tray having inwardly turned upper edges, ribs along the lower surface thereof for making the tray more rigid and upwardly sloping bottom surface portions on which the tray may be rocked to agitate a liquid located therein is fabricated as a single, unitary structure by blow molding techniques. The tray is also provided with a pouring spout and with a specially designed molded-in portion for resting a thermometer in the tray so that it will not be dislodged or otherwise inadvertently moved. The tray is fabricated as a closed container by blow molding, and a major surface is then cut off, for example, by sawing, routing, or any other suitable method to arrive at the resultant tray.

Abstract: A cleaning and draining device for a sink includes a rectangular basket having an open top end formed with a peripheral support frame or rim extending about the open end. Opposite portions of the rim or frame are adapted to rest on and be slidingly supported on opposite upper edges of the sink. The rim is enlarged at one of the supported ends of the basket to form a generally rectangular and planar tray which is adapted to support cleaning tools, soap and the like, and is arranged to drain into the basket. The walls of the basket are apertured to permit drainage into the sink and are strengthened with reinforcing ribs to prevent excessive deformation of the basket when the same is filled with fruits, vegetables, meats or the like to be cleaned.

Abstract: A surgical equipment tray inexpensively fabricated from a sheet of rigid plastic material. The tray has an absorbent, lint-free surface which (1) absorbs fluids, (2) provides a nonskid instrument surface, and (3) attenuates the noises associated with handling instruments on the tray. Longitudinal ridges and grooves may be included in the base of the tray to provide rigidity to the tray and elevate or expose the instruments for easy access.

Abstract: A hygienic phlebotomist's tray for restraining the spread of contamination such as blood, phlegm, etc., and hence reducing disease transmission as the tray is transported by a phlebotomist from patient to patient in a hospital. Fresh lengths of sheet material are consecutively advanced beneath the tray as the phlebotomist moves to consecutive patients, the sheet material protecting the bottom of the tray from contact with contaminated surfaces such as overhanging bed tables. A take up roll winds up the thus-contaminated lengths of sheet material with the contaminated side of the material facing inwardly of the take up roll.