Abstract: The present invention relates to a food serving tray to be used at formal and informal parties. The food serving tray could be made from plastic, ceramic, glass, or other similar material. The food serving tray has a beverage compartment, a handle and a food compartment to allow an individual to pick-up and carry food and a beverage in one hand.

Abstract: A method of serving food includes arranging food on a serving area of a serving platter having a main body including a top portion defining the serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells and a bottom portion defining an interior space, the top portion defining a disposal opening configured to receive food waste into the interior space, wherein the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating the primary serving wells. The serving platter includes a shallow lid configured to be removably coupled to the main body such that the lid seats off the serving area, wherein each dividing wall is engaged by the lid such that two serving wells are isolated. The method includes securing the lid to seat off the serving area; and removing the lid to uncover the serving area and expose the food and disposal opening.

Abstract: A method of serving food includes arranging food on a serving area of a serving platter having a main body including a top portion defining the serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells and secondary serving wells, and a bottom portion defining an interior space, the top portion defining a disposal opening configured to receive food waste into the interior space, wherein the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating the primary serving wells and a plurality of partitioning walls defining the secondary serving wells. Each serving well has a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well.

Abstract: An article carrier comprises upstanding walls adjoining a reinforced bottom wall. The reinforced bottom wall has an arrangement of lesser-reinforced regions. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise a region of enhanced deformability. The reinforced bottom wall comprises at least a first bottom-wall panel and a second bottom-wall panel disposed in face-contacting relationship with respect to one another. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise an aperture in one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise an embossment in one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel. Each lesser-reinforced region may comprise an embossment in one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel and an aperture in another one of the first bottom-wall panel and the second bottom-wall panel in alignment with the embossment.

Abstract: A food container insert for holding tacos upright in a food container includes a plurality of pockets, oriented at a minor slope, to facilitate drainage of grease and juices from the taco filling away from the taco shell. Slits along the bottom of the pockets also facilitate the drainage of grease and juices from the taco filling away from the taco shell. The insert is suitable for both take-out food containers and chafing pans.

Abstract: An apparatus for the containment of food items and for the optional transport of various types of beverage containers includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a first top panel, a second top panel, a third top panel, and a fourth top panel that are formed of a single sheet of stock and which, when folded along predetermined crease lines, cooperate to provide a serving tray for the retention of the food items in an interior portion and, if desired, a soda can or other beverage container or object in the interior portion and, if desired, a tapered beverage container can be secured to the apparatus at an exterior location. The apparatus is able to secure certain types of beverage containers thereto while still providing a covering over the food items that are disposed in the interior portion.

Abstract: A container having a product cavity formed by a bottom panel, front and back panels and end panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The front and back panels, a receptacle platform and a pair of support panels for the platform extend outwardly from at least one end wall. The receptacle platform has a receptacle aperture. A cover panel can overlie the product cavity and the platform and may have an aperture above the platform aperture.

Abstract: A personal electronics device of the type such as, but not limited to, cell phones, personal digital assistants, digital camera, and digital electronic games, includes a case having a first compartment and a second compartment. A series of integrated electronic components perform a desired personal electronic function wherein at least a portion of the components are housed in the first compartment. The second compartment defines a selectively accessible storage volume. A cosmetic tray is housed in the accessible storage volume and has at least one form of cosmetic selected from the group of nail polish, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, lip liner, and lip gloss.

Abstract: A coffee caddy for storing and organizing a plurality of coffee-serving supplies such as sugar packets, creamers, sweet and low, cups, stirring sticks, small sized napkins, and the like. The preferred embodiment of the coffee caddy has a base and a tray rotatably mounted thereupon. The tray has a planar bottom, an outer peripheral wall, and an inner pillar extending outwardly from the center of the tray. The pillar has a frusto-conically shaped upper portion so as to removably and inversely stack multiple cups thereupon. The tray further has a plurality of fan-shaped open compartments concentrically defined around the pillar for organizing and removably storing the coffee-serving supplies, and at least one of the compartments is sized and configured to store a plurality of coffee filters. The coffee caddy may further have advertising material disposed on any visible outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A multiple-compartment rigid food package that allows for individual compartments to be initially packaged together in a connected manner, yet later be separated from each other while a film remains intact upon the compartments to allow opening at different times. The film and compartments each contain a weakened portion along which the film and compartments are relatively simultaneously separated. The back panel is used to provide a stand-up display feature. The back panel is a single, continuous piece, however, it can be removed or separated into at least two pieces by tearing along an area of weakness thereon with a portion of the back panel remaining on each compartment. The multiple-compartment food package provides for storage of a sliced food product, and in particular a single serving size of a sliced food product. The rigid food package also provides for arranging the sliced food product to have a fluffed appearance.

Abstract: A clamshell container and sauce holder for receiving a sauce container is constructed from a one-piece carton blank cut and scored to facilitate erection into a clamshell container with top and bottom portions hingedly connected along a common fold line. A bottom portion of the container includes an upper flat section extending inwardly from a bottom side wall, an integral support and a base member including a tuck flap for positioning the upper flat section. In addition, an opening is defined in the upper flat section for holding a sauce container.

Abstract: A case for holding a contactless smart card includes a set of plastic walls for defining a generally planar space. The space may be for housing one smart card or alternatively may be for housing two smart cards. The walls include two parallel walls which each have a planar extent that corresponds to a planar extent of the generally planar space. The two parallel walls include a first wall and a second wall. The first wall has an actuation region formed therein to permit a user's finger to actuate, through the first wall, a switch on the smart card. If the case is for holding two cards, then there is also an actuation region in the second wall. In some embodiments, the case may include additional spaces each for housing one or two cards.

Abstract: A self-opening blister package is provided having a packaging sleeve or carton and a formed tray. The tray includes one or more receptacle cups, which are dimensioned to receive one or more products, such as gum or the like. A peelable membrane is sealed to the tray flange. A leading edge of the membrane is attached to the sleeve. The membrane peels away from the tray when the tray is removed from the sleeve. The peeling action exposes the product contained in the one or more cups. Once the desired amount of product is extracted, the tray can be pushed back into the sleeve and the membrane rolls back over the tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a craft board comprising a base and a cover. The board also comprises a plurality of hinge locations about which the base and cover can rotate relative to each other and selectively engageable hinge means arranged to allow engagement and disengagement between the base and the cover at the plurality of hinge locations.

Abstract: A food serving tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter includes a disposal opening and serving wells for receiving food items. The receptacle platter and serving platter releasably couple to one another in a serving configuration and a transport configuration. An improvement includes the serving platter having an outer peripheral wall and a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating adjacent serving wells; and the serving platter being generally received within the outer peripheral wall of the receptacle platter with the bottom of the receptacle platter and the dividing walls of the serving platter collectively isolating the wells from one another when the food serving tray assembly is in the transport configuration.

Abstract: A sanitary tray for holding personal objects. The tray can be used by hotels, motels, cruise liners, sports and recreational clubs and in any facilities wherein guests may desire to temporarily store personal items. Personal items may take the form of personal grooming objects and/or other objects of intimate use that the user may want to store in a sanitary environment. The tray is fabricated from suitable plastic material and includes cavities specifically formed to contain items in an organized manner. One embodiment of the invention is provided with a lid whereby the tray can be optionally closed. The tray may be fabricated in different colors and sizes and can be embossed with the logo or name of the establishment that is providing the tray to the guests.

Abstract: A kit for obtaining an endoarterial biopsy sample from a patient including packaging material enclosing one or more kit components; the kit components include instruments use to perform a surgical procedure; and the kit includes separate phase specific packaging parts.

Abstract: A tray having an L shaped upper wall, side panels attached to the sides of the upper wall, inner panels attached to the upper wall, locking tabs on the lower edges of the inner panels, and a bottom wall having locking apertures which accommodate the locking tabs.

Abstract: A thermoformed tray includes a base wall and a plurality of side walls curving upwardly from a periphery of the base wall. A guide rail projects downward from the periphery of the base wall.

Abstract: A serving tray for stably holding wine glasses and food items simultaneously while suspended by a use or set on a horizontal surface. The tray includes a slot for supporting the stem of a wine glass and a corresponding channel on the underside of the tray for accepting the base of the wine glass in the event that the tray is set down. The underside of the tray may also include a number of supports that assist in spacing the tray apart from a horizontal surface and encouraging the base of the wince glass to remain in the channel formed in the underside of the tray. As a result, when the tray is set down, the wine glasses will not become unstable and the tray will remain balanced.

Abstract: A combination serving tray and picture frame which includes an outer frame part, and a transparent glass or plastic front panel, and allows display of three-dimensional art work or memorabilia beneath the glass in both the picture frame mode and in the serving tray mode, and allows easy removal and replacement of the three-dimensional art work or memorabilia, and provides in the serving tray mode protection of the art work from any liquid spilled on the central part when in this article is used in its service tray mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage device for a plurality of golf club cleaning devices. Additionally, the present invention provides a storage device for a plurality of flag portions for a golf club cleaning device. The storage devices of the present invention provide an efficient mechanism for transporting and storing the golf club cleaning devices and the flag portions.

Abstract: A meal tray for use in holding various beverage vessels comprises a receiving space and a holding chamber which are integrally made of plastic materials and combined as a whole. The receiving space is constructed in the form of an upwardly extended and downwardly shrunk cavity, and the holding chamber, the upper portion of which is gently extended, yet the lower portion of which is gently shrunk, is disposed at one corner of the receiving space and constructed in the form of a hollow cup-shaped recess, in the intermediate portion of the inner wall of the holding chamber is arranged a shoulder bulge, and at the center of the bottom thereof is formed a through hole, between the through hole and the periphery of the holding chamber is fixed a gap, thereby allowing the meal tray to be used for holding various beverage vessels so that the user can hold food and beverage to randomly walk in the banquet.

Abstract: A food preparation method and system comprising: a tray (100) having at least two distinctly shaped cavities (10,20) for storing and reheating meal components, wherein the cavities contain meal components and define a space such that the meal components are reheated at an approximately even rate.

Abstract: A system of multifunctional food and beverage holders for use in motor vehicles and other locations. The components of this system facilitate safe, convenient and flexible handling of food and beverages in automobiles and other vehicles utilizing tray/plates for holding food that can attach to a handle, rest on a flat surface or be secured in the vehicle by attachment to a cup holder adaptor that can be temporarily locked in a vehicle cup holder.

Abstract: A serving tray includes an aperture extending there through and a serving area, whereby food waste may be received through the aperture into a holding area of the serving tray pending disposal.

Abstract: A serving tray includes an aperture extending there through and a serving area, whereby food waste may be received through the aperture into a holding area of the serving tray pending disposal.

Abstract: An adjustable display including a base and one or more gripping portions for engaging and holding articles in the adjustable display is disclosed. Articles of various sizes and shapes can be accommodate in the same adjustable display. The display and the gripping portions can be cut width-wise. A modular display system and a product packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A serving tray includes an aperture extending there through and a serving area, whereby food waste may be received through the aperture into a holding area of the serving tray pending disposal.

Abstract: A serving tray includes an aperture extending there through and a serving area, whereby food waste may be received through the aperture into a holding area of the serving tray pending disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a plurality of elongate vials, and a process for manufacturing the apparatus is disclosed. Each vial has a longitudinal length and an outer maximum diameter. The apparatus includes a single piece insert having a base wall with a plurality of integrally formed, parallel, elongate ridges extending outwardly therefrom in transversely spaced relationship with respect to one another to define a vial-receiving slot between each pair of adjacent ridges. The elongate ridges are spaced transversely from one another by a distance slightly less than the outer maximum diameter of each vial to be received therein permitting an interference press fit therebetween. The elongate ridges extend along a substantial portion of the longitudinal length of each vial to be received therein. A stop rib can be provided extending transversely adjacent one end of the plurality of ridges. At least one of the insert can be associated with a case.

Abstract: A cupcake carrier for organizing and protecting cupcakes during storage and transit includes a container formed of a singled sheet of planar material and having flaps folded in assembly to form an upwardly opening cavity carrying an insert tray formed of a single sheet of planar material and having circular openings for lightly compressively holding the cupcakes in a grid array. The insert is sized smaller than the base of the container to provide slots about the periphery. The container includes a hinged lid having flaps that enter the slots in the closed position to reinforce the outer walls and prevent inner movement of the flaps during transit and storage.

Abstract: Food and beverage trays including at least a collapsed configuration and an un-collapsed configuration. The un-collapsed configuration includes at least a hole sized for holding a plate and an area sized for holding a beverage. Preferably, the collapsed configuration is flat and includes layers of material with cut-outs, slits, scorings, perforations, or some combination thereof. Preferably, the layers are attached together and are part of a single piece of folded over material. The material preferably includes corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, paperboard, or some combination thereof, and adhesive. Also, methods of using the tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a plant base comprising a base section with a seat for a plant pot, in which a tail section extends in a horizontal direction from the rear of the base section. A groove/protuberance combination is provided at the front of the base section and the rear of the tail section that is able to be accommodated in the groove of another corresponding plant base. The groove and the protuberance each has a support surface that is lower or higher than the support surface of the groove, such that when the protuberance of the plant base has been taken up in the groove of the other plant base, one of the two plant bases is lifted from the substrate at the location of the engaging protuberance and groove. Thus, the invention provides a plant base that continuously retains the same orientation during transport over a conveyor belt, with successive plant bases kept a sufficient distance apart.

Abstract: A method of protectively heating a microtitre well plate from below using infra-red radiation in a centrifugal evaporator, wherein a barrier plate is placed in contact with and surrounding the lower ends of the wells. The barrier plate is adapted to convey heat energy to the wells and contents thereof and is selected to be substantially non-transmittive of radiation having wavelengths in the range 200 nm to 3000 nm, and the surface of the barrier plate which is to receive the wells includes a plurality of sockets in which the closed lower ends of the wells are a snug fit. The plate is adapted to fit between the underside of the wells and a swinging sample holder mount of a centrifugal evaporator, or a shelf of a swinging sample holder mount, having two or more shelves for stacking well plates one above the other in such an evaporator.

Abstract: A fastener for a packaging is disclosed. The fastener comprises a box body, a tray and a fastener having a support arm and an arch-shaped arm, characterized in that the side frame of the box body and the bottom of the box body form into a cavity, and the inner sidewall of the side frame is a semi-dovetail slot and the side edge of the tray is a recessed platform, and the support arm and the arch-shaped arm are engaged at the semi-dovetail slot, and the tray positioned at the upper end of the fastener is pressed against the recessed platform such that the tray is fastened at the cavity of the box body, whereby the loading and unloading of the tray are easy and the packaging is re-usable.

Abstract: A pipette tip reloading system permits the reuse of a tip holder in a manner which interposes no additional transfer structure between the tip holder and the replacement tips. The reloading system includes a tip transfer tray and a push plate which releases the tips from the tray in a simple and reliable manner. The push plate also helps maintain alignment of the tips on the transfer tray as they are moved into position on the tip holder.

Abstract: A medical instrument holder assembly comprises a holder module base including first tubes defining first passages, each first passage having open upper and lower ends, at least one first web connecting and supporting those first tubes in parallel spaced-apart relation so that a fluid can circulate around and between the first tubes, and instrument supports underlying the first tubes for supporting medical instruments placed in the first passages while allowing a fluid to circulate through those passages. The holder assembly also includes a cover for seating on the base and covering the instruments supported thereby, the cover being formed by second tubes defining second instrument receiving passages, each second passage having upper and lower open ends, the lower ends having the same cross-sections as the upper ends of the first passages.

Abstract: The pipette tip packaging and transfer system comprises a plurality of receiving plates and a transfer member. Each receiving plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving pipette tips in a substantially vertical alignment at a medial position thereof. The loaded receiving plates can be stacked one atop of another with the pipette tips contained within a first receiving plate being received in the top openings of the aligned pipette tips contained within the underlying receiving plate of the stack. The transfer member has a plurality of projections extending from the bottom surface of the transfer member at positions that correspond to the location of the openings of the receiving plate. The projections are configured and arranged to extend into the top openings of the pipette tips on the upper-most receiving plate and maintain the pipette tips in a fixed and substantially perpendicular alignment in relation to the transfer member and receiving plate.

Abstract: A first construction of a tray for electronic parts according to the present invention is provided with an engaging cut-out corner portion which is formed by cutting a corner portion of a table-like flat portion which is arranged diagonally with respect to a-cut-out corner portion. A second construction of a tray for electronic parts according to the present invention is provided with a pawl engaging protruding portion which is formed on a step-like peripheral edge portion above a cut-out portion. In a third construction of a tray for electronic parts according to the present invention, when two trays are stacked up so that the top faces thereof face each other, an engaging first-shaped protrusion which is formed around a predetermined pocket of one tray engages an engaging second-shaped protrusion which is formed around a predetermined pocket of the other tray.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-product container and container blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define a container blank. The blank includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, opposed side panels and a plurality of corner panels. Also, a top panel is attached to the back panel opposite said bottom panel. A fold over divider panel assembly that includes a cup panel attached to the front panel opposite said bottom panel and a divider panel attached to said cup panel opposite said front panel. A cup receptacle formed in said cup panel. The divider panel includes a divider panel slot positioned opposite the cup panel. Also, a side panel slot is formed in each of the side panels at a location opposite the bottom panel. As formed, the front panel, back panel opposed side panels and plurality of corner panels are hingedly attached to said bottom panel via unperforated score lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a more efficient and faster way to prepare tissue samples for sectioning. More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, a tissue sample is embedded in a porous embedding media in a desired orientation, processed, and sectioned all while being held in the porous embedding media. The post-tissue processing step of manual embedding in paraffin is eliminated from the process.

Abstract: A disposable folding food tray having container ports for mounting to a beverage container. The disposable tray is mounted to the beverage container such that the consumer need only hold the bottom portion of the container in one hand in order to support the food tray. The food tray includes a food support area the size and shape of which can be adjusted to accommodate any desired food item. The food tray need only have sufficient strength to support the food item, not the beverage container, thereby significantly reducing the amount and strength of material needed for the tray. The tray is convenient in that one of the consumer's hand is always free, and the tray can be configured to fold into either a right handed or left handed version. The folding food tray can be conveniently and inexpensively made from a single piece of cardboard and supplied to the site of use in a generally flat configuration. Folding to the final configuration is conveniently accomplished at the site of use.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tortilla housing and support apparatus, configured to be manipulated so that the housing performs as a tortilla support device that provides vertical support to at least one tortilla. The tortilla housing and support apparatus is initially used as a tortilla-packaging box, such as tortilla boxes currently in use at supermarkets for housing tortillas. The tortilla housing has a configuration so that it may be manipulated from serving as packaging so that it performs as a tortilla support device.

Abstract: A surgical kit is provided for a “pull” percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure. The kit includes offset planar surfaces and at least one article recess defined in the planar surfaces. The recesses are adapted to hold at least one article used in performing a “pull” PEG procedure.

Abstract: A surgical kit is provided for a “push” percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure. The kit includes offset planar surfaces and at least one article recess defined in the planar surfaces. The recesses are adapted to hold at least one article used in performing a “push” PEG procedure.

Abstract: A sports ball holder holds a ball (e. g., soccer ball, football, volleyball, basketball, etc.) securely therein to preclude ball movement within a vehicle interior while the vehicle is in motion. The holder has a generally square platform, with a support foot extending from each corner. The support feet preferably include a high grip texture or material thereon, to provide a non-slip grip upon the underlying surface. The upper surface of the holder has a receptacle therein, configured and dimensioned to closely fit a relatively large diameter sports ball e. g., basketball). The receptacle bottom may include an additional gripping surface. A secondary tray conforming to the exterior contours of the base, may be placed atop the base to hold a smaller diameter ball (e. g., volleyball, softball, etc.). A net or pouch may be removably secured to the base to hold personal articles for sports players during play.

Abstract: A surgical kit, for example a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy kit, includes a tray having a plurality of recesses formed therein for receiving surgical implements. A substantially rigid accessory item container is received in a container recess defined in the tray. The container is removable from the tray and includes a base member and a lid. A securing device may be configured between the base member and the lid so that the container is reclosable.

Abstract: A tube rack comprises a base having an array of vertical openings extending therebetween, the openings being configured and dimensioned to receive a plurality of tubes, with the upper ends of the tubes being accessible at the top surface. The base includes base sidewalls that each include a co-axial trunnion extending from the associated sidewall.

Abstract: A method for preheating golf ball covers prior to painting. The process comprises forming a golf ball with a cover, then heating the cover from about 90° F. to about 150° F. for 1 to 3 hours in a heated enclosure prior to applying a coat of primer or paint to the ball. This is done to accelerate the evaporation of paint solvents, immediately after the paint is applied. The painted balls are subsequently dried in a heated enclosure at about 105° F. to 108° F. All additional coats of primer or paint are applied in a similar fashion, wherein the balls are painted while still in the heated state and not cooled down.