Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of elongated tubular bodies each having a small-diameter neck and a large-diameter shaft has a pair of support plates formed with respective similar arrays of throughgoing openings generally complementary to the section of the shafts of the bodies and spacers supporting the plates parallel to and spaced from each other with the openings arranged pairwise with one opening of each plate aligned along a respective axis with a respective opening of the other plate so that the bodies can be held therein. A stop plate parallel to and spaced from the support plates is formed with stop openings in an array like the openings of the support plates.

Abstract: An eating plate with: a hole to receive a beverage container with a flange; a handle; slots to receive a fork, knife and spoon; and a hole to receive a napkin. A beverage container with a flange to fit into the hole in this eating plate. A knife, a fork, and a spoon to fit into the slots in this eating plate.

Abstract: A snack tray providing easy one-hand carry by the provision of a special thumb-hole, by which the outer end of the user's thumb provides a support-stability of a fulcrum located generally centrally not only of the upward forces from the user's fingers and thumb-base but also generally centrally of the tray. Other features include a central indention for providing an automatic forcing of the user to place his thumb's outer end in a location so as to not slip into a portion of the snack items being carried, and also achieve its central fulcrum effect; and the forward and rearward walls of the thumb hole are slanted, providing a comfortable and guiding surface for the user's insertion of his thumb's outer end portion. Other special provisions add to the advantages.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a durable, lightweight disposable container containing a plurality of holders for holding blood product tubes. These tubes are firmly secured in each slot yet can be easily removed from the slot after filling. According to a preferred embodiment, the box can be fixed to a table top or other substantially flat surface in an area where the blood drawing procedure is to occur.

Abstract: A hand table for carrying a plate and a cup includes an upper support and a lower support. The upper support has a generally circular plate support and a cup or glass receiving opening. The lower support is coupled to the upper support and has a generally inverted U-shaped handle portion with a bight and depending legs. A pair of foot members extend outwardly from the legs of the handle portion for supporting the upper and lower supports on a surface, such as a table. A cup support extends from one of the foot members to a position directly below the cup opening in the upper support, to underlie a cup or glass bottom. A carrying rack for supporting plates and cups includes a platform portion, a base portion coupled to the platform portion, a plurality of cup supports coupled to the platform portion, and a plurality of hand tables releasably coupled to the platform portion.

Abstract: A preformed one-piece plastic dispensing tray includes a storage compartment for retaining an elongated, flexible pacing lead therein. A series of spaced apart dividers extend upward from the storage compartment to engage successive serpentine loops of the pacing lead retained in the storage compartment. The construction of the storage compartment permits the pacing lead to be withdrawn therefrom with negligible resistance, and with no twisting, binding, or interference as the lead is inserted into a patient.

Abstract: A mat, sized to fit a sterilization tray, having an uppr surface and a lower surface, with a plurality of mat apertures therein in a predetermined pattern. The upper surface has upwardly projecting fingers for supporting surgical instruments above the upper surface, and the lower surface having downwardly projecting feet for supporting the lower surface of the mat above the tray. The tray bottom has a plurality of apertures in a predetermined pattern which are vertically aligned with the mat apertures such that drainage of condensation from the tray is facilitated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basket, an insert and a method for packaging and displaying flowers and other potted plants in baskets of various shapes and sizes. The insert of the present invention comprises a base which includes at least one cavity for receiving a pot. The insert also comprises a flange which comes in contact with the inside perimeter of the basket to stabilize the insert in the basket.

Abstract: The present serving tray is formed with an underside having a recess therein which is contoured to the shape of a human hand. When the serving tray is used, the server's hand fits comfortably and securely within this contoured recess, thereby obtaining greater control over the serving tray than is possible with serving trays currently in use. The recess of the present serving tray is preferably contoured to conform to the shape, size and preferred position of a particular server's hand.

Abstract: A hand table for carrying a plate and a cup includes an upper support and a lower support. The upper support has a generally circular plate support and a cup or glass receiving opening. The lower support is coupled to the upper support and has a generally inverted U-shaped handle portion with a bight and depending legs. A pair of foot members extend outwardly from the legs of the handle portion for supporting the upper and lower supports on a surface, such as a table. A cup support extends from one of the foot members to a position directly below the cup opening in the upper support, to underly a cup or glass bottom. A carrying rack for supporting plates and cups includes a platform portion, a base portion coupled to the platform portion, a plurality of cup supports coupled to the platform portion, and a plurality of hand table releasably coupled to the platform portion.

Abstract: A package for unitizing and shipping pipette tips is provided and includes a paperboard tray received on the side panels of an outer shipping enclosure, which panels support the tray over a cavity into which the pipette tips extend. The tray includes two spaced, substantially parallel panels, each having an array of holes; the arrays are aligned. One of the parallel panels is preferably joined to the tray along perforated, cut fold lines, whereby that panel easily may be broken away from the tray when the tray is placed on a pipette support block. The invention also encompasses flat blanks, one for the tray and one for the shipping enclosure, for forming into the package.

Abstract: A device for holding and displaying collectable cards and the like has a base including a planar portion having a card receiving area thereon for receiving a collectable card. The base includes a ridge upstanding from the planar portion and substantially circumscribing the card receiving area, except for an opening through the ridge that permits lateral access by a person's finger to a card received on the card holding area. The ridge has inner sidewalls delimiting the card receiving area and arranged orthogonally to each other. The adjacent inner sidewalls have laterally recessed corners set back from a point of intersection of imaginary extensions of the adjacent inner sidewalls, such that a corner of a collectable card, whose adjacent sides are in engagement with adjacent inner sidewalls of the ridge, would not engage the ridge, thereby preventing damage or deformation of the corner of the collectable card.

Abstract: A container for use with live or fresh crawfish comprising an expansive support member carrying a plurality of sockets. Each socket having a continuous sidewall conforming generally to the shape of each crawfish, the sockets being spaced apart so that multiple crawfish can be stored within the dimensions of the horizontal member, separate from one another. Each socket includes a front end portion of gradually increasing width, a tail end portion, and a transverse trough that connects the tail portions of adjacent sockets sized so that the thumb and forefinger of a user can grip the tail of a stored crawfish by entering the trough.

Abstract: A storage and tote box for tools such as, for example, punches and dies for the production of pharmaceutical tablets and caplets which includes a container for accommodating a plurality of tools with a tray being removably accommodated in the container for suspending the respective tools therein. A support is provided on the upper surface of the tray for supporting an upper portion of the respective tools above the upper surface of the tray, with the positional locking arrangement being provided on the tray for locking the respective tools in position relative to the tray. A lid is provided for covering an open end of the container, with the lid being provided with a recess for accommodating a bottom of a further container thereby permitting stacking of a plurality of individual containers.

Abstract: An apparatus including a central tray with a planar floor, and the planar floor including an annular array of downwardly directed wells oriented orthogonally from a bottom surface of the floor and defining an arc less than 360 degrees to define a planar lower surface, with an angle of access to a central bottom surface of the floor between 60 and 110 degrees permitting a server to direct the server's hand to the central bottom surface of the floor for support and transport thereof. The wells are defined by a predetermined height and a predetermined diameter, and each include a concave well surface to provide a reservoir for fluid directed inadvertently into the wells, with a drainage aperture formed coaxially through each well floor.

Abstract: A holding fixture for medical use, serving to support and fix articles, such as medical instruments, that are to be sterilized, and intended for mounting on a support panel, composed substantially of two parts: a retaining post, provided at least in part with profiling, that is to be locked into place on the support panel, and a bracket that can be slipped onto this retaining post, the mounting aperture of the bracket being such that it is lockable by positive engagement with the retaining post. By this principle, the most varied kinds of holding fixtures, adapted individually to the position and shape of each instrument, can be devised with a minimum number of different components. These brackets can easily be locked in place and released again by exerting pressure and tension upon corresponding regions of the brackets, making them extremely simple to use.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provided for shipping, storing and using various tools in a single unit that is convenient for both the shipper and the user. A case is provided with rigid outside walls and inside walls dividing the case into many different compartments. One compartment is made specifically to hold a power tool such as a drill. Other compartments are specifically shaped to hold a flashlight, extra batteries and battery charger. The specifically designed compartments for holding the power tool, flashlight, extra batteries and battery charger are made of such a size that they will fit many different sizes and shapes of the respective tool. The compartment for holding the drill is shaped to also hold a different power tool at the same time it is holding one power tool, such as a drill and a staple gun, in a nested relationship.

Abstract: A high speed drilling system is disclosed for high spped drilling of very small holes in workpieces such as printed circuit boards. The A-Y positioning system includes air bearings to provide lift between the stationary guide beams, the crossbeam and the top table, and further includes a vacuum preloading apparatus for providing a preloading force between the table and the guide beam. The preload force dampens Z axis oscillations which can result in drill bit breakage. The top table is a lightweight honeycomb structure, whose effective rigidity is virtually that of the guide beam due to the vacuum preloading. The system includes pairs of spindles, one a conventional spindle for drilling holes large than about 0.125 inches, and the other a high speed spindle for drilling holes in the range of about 0.003 to 0.125 inches. The high speed spindle includes a stationary spindle body carry the stator of the rotary drive motor. Only the spindle rotor is translated along the Z axis to perform the drilling movements.

Abstract: A radioaerosol delivery apparatus particularly adapted for the subsequent disposal of radioactively contaminated elements is described. The apparatus includes a shielding container including an outer shell and an inner shell supported within the outer shell. The inner shell is formed with an inner wall and an outer wall defining a space therebetween for receiving radiation shielding material. The inner wall is formed to provide a surface conforming substantially to the contour of the radioaerosol source and a surface conforming substantially to the contour of a portion of a transport manifold supported thereon. A removable cover including radiating shielding material is formed with a portion conforming generally to the contour of the transport manifold. The inner wall of the container and the cover define at least one opening therebetween to permit fluid communication from the transport manifold to a patient utilizing the apparatus.

Abstract: A needle cap replacement device for the purpose of removing, holding and replacing a protective needle cover or cap during the performance of a medical procedure involving a needle and syringe. The needle cap replacement device comprises a block of suitable material having at least one recess wherein the recess has a diameter and a depth for receipt and retention of the needle cap; an elongated cap covering the needle and releasably attached to the distal portion of a syringe. The needle cap replacement device may have more than one recess for the receipt and retention of several needle caps and the recesses may be of varying diameters to accommodate caps of varying sizes. The device may have a disposal chamber for the syringe and needle. Attached to the replacement device at the exterior of the disposal chamber is a receptacle to receive the used needles and syringes.

Abstract: An accessory for a livestock injection operation includes a multiplicity of tubular members of increasing size for temporarily holding a multiplicity of syringes during periods of nonuse. The accessory is desirably provided with a coolant to prevent overheating of the vaccines or medications. The accessory minimizes needle contamination, sunlight damage to the vaccine, injury to the operator or helper and is easy to use.

Abstract: A tray particularly useful by fast food establishments and the like for serving various products. The tray is formed from a tube formed in a flat state for storage and shipment and being readily erectible. A central portion of the top of such tube is provided with suitable product receiving openings which may open into a receptacle or which receive drink cups. At one or more ends of the tray, there is a compartment which is defined by an end of the initial tube which is pivoted from a longitudinal position to an upstanding position. The tray may have one or more internal stiffeners to prevent the collapse thereof when in tube form and stacked. Numerous embodiments are envisioned although only a limited number of alternatives is specifically disclosed.

Abstract: A stacking system for containers placed in a shipping carton. The system includes at least one layer of containers and preferably multiple layers of containers with each container of each layer held in nonmoveable relationship between upper and lower trays of identical configuration. Each tray includes a plurality of compartments spaced from one another at equal intervals adapted to receive the bottom portions of the containers and a plurality of conical recesses adapted to receive the conical tops of the containers. The compartments are formed on the top sides of the trays and the conical recesses are formed on the bottom sides of the trays. Thus each tray can be used to lock either the conical tops of each layer of containers of the bottom portions of a layer of containers. The containers are spaced apart and kept from lateral movement at both their tops and their bottoms. The edges of the trays have locking flanges to hold the trays in the cartons.

Abstract: A receptacle member, such as a plastic tray, is symmetrical about at least one axis and includes engagement elements of at least two, complementary interfittable forms. Two of the members are assembled in inverted, confronting relationship to one another so as to define compartments of regular configuration within the resultant container unit, which are symmetrical with respect to a medial plane therethrough.

Abstract: A display carton for holding articles such as picnic plates and one or more different types of cups. The top and front panels contain cutouts which hold the cups in place and permit them to be seen in the display carton. The top panel is spaced from the back panel a distance permitting picnic plates to be held upright between them. An additional panel foldably connected to the back edge of the top panel extends down to the bottom panel and a short flap foldably connected to the additional panel extends to the back panel to frictionally hold the top panel in place.

Abstract: A portable medicine protector for maintaining the temperature of medicine stored therein from rising above a threshold temperature and for preventing the temperature of medicine stored therein from falling below a second threshold temperature. The present invention consists of hollow walled container which has a cavity formed therein. The container is filled with a suitable liquid, (e.g. water, BLUE ICE, etc.) which may be frozen in an ordinary household freezer environment. A depression or cavity is formed in the container for receiving medicine, such as bottles of liquid medicine. The bottom and sides of the cavity include a plurality of ribbed members to prevent direct contact between a medicine bottle and the side walls of the container. By preventing point contact of the medicine with the side walls of the container, freezing of the medicine is inhibited and in most cases prevented. An outer casing consists of a sleeve of insulating material which in the preferred embodiment is pliable foam.

Abstract: A tray for transporting internal combustion engine pistons is provided. The tray comprises a generally rectangular tray body having a bottom wall. A plurality of spaced apart generally cylindrical first pockets extend downwardly from the bottom wall. Second pocket sidewall structure extends upwardly from the bottom wall concentrically around each of the first pockets to define a plurality of spaced apart generally cylindrical second pockets extending upwardly from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A generally rectangular carryout tray for fast food restaurants is provided with top, bottom and side walls. The top wall includes openings in distinct areas for accomodating different kinds of food. The tray is constructed so taht it can be collapsed for storage before use and readily erected for use with a simple motion. The top wall is supported above the bottom wall by an integral bridge element prepared from the top wall material taken from one of the food accomodating areas. Each food accomodating area also includes deflectable flap elements and tabs which further support and position the various food products in their designated areas.

Abstract: A plurality of physically separate plastic substates are injection molded, each with at least one pattern of channels formed in a surface of thereof defining a conductive circuit to be formed. The plurality of substrates are then physically connected in a common planar array either by inserting them in corresponding receptacles in a carrier board, by mating peripheral connecting elements, by using adhesive or by some other suitable connecting mechanism. Where a carrier board with pre-formed receptacles is not utilized, the individual substrates in the array are pierced and replaced. The planar array is processed to simultaneously form a conductive circuit on each substrate consisting of metal deposited in its pattern of channels. The planar array of metallized substrates may then be stuffed with electronic components on an automatic insertion machine, wave soldered. The individual finished circuit boards are then pressed out.

Abstract: An utility tray includes a plurality of holders sized to accommodate a removable sleeve or cap of a hypodermic syringe, once the syringe is to be prepared for administration of medication. Each holder is arranged relative to indicia to remind an user of the number of doses of medication administered. The tray also includes a waste disposal depository, a syringe rest and various storage compartments.

Abstract: A case for packing small objects such as writing utensils, watches, lighters and the like. A lower part made from a deep-drawn foil material has vertical side walls and a centrally arranged trough-shaped depression and constitutes at least a partial structural support for the casing. Further support is provided by a relatively stiff bottom part. The lower part has a step shoulder along at least one edge and hinge recesses in the two side walls adjoining that edge and aligned with the step shoulder. A lid, preferably of a stiffer material, has a pair of opposed hinge pins along one edge, which hinge pins are received in the recesses as the said edge of the lid is supported at least in part on the step shoulder. The lower part may have additional step shoulders along other side walls to support the lid in the closed position thereof.

Abstract: A shipping and storing support having recesses so constructed and arranged to ship and store selectively a plurality of articles having varying dimensions, the recesses having a plurality of internal contours for selectively receiving the articles to be retained therein by a frictional fit and wherein the plurality of internal contours of the recesses have substantially the same contour as a portion of the plurality of different sized articles adapted to be received frictionally in said recesses.

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: A case for storing and displaying lipstick having a bottom section. A top section acts as a removable cover for the bottom section. A tray spaced above the bottom panel of the bottom section. An even number of holes through the tray each pair of which receives a tube of lipstick and the cap therefor adjacent thereto. With the top section in place a plurality of tubes of lipstick can be stored with the caps removed and with protection from dust. With the top section removed the lipstick colors are in full view for selection of the appropriate lipstick for a particular use.

Abstract: An improved food serving, canape or hors d'oeuvre tray includes a portion which is adapted for retaining differing types of glassware thereon. The portion of the tray on which glassware is retained includes a flat base having a retaining wall around the periphery of the portion which retains a flat bottom glass or cup thereon. The glassware retaining portion also includes a slot or channel extending inwardly from its periphery to its center and has an enlarged generally circular distal end which is generally centrally positioned in the glassware retaining portion for retaining a stemware glass when positioned thereon.

Abstract: A specimen tray apparatus is disclosed primarily for use in cell culture studies. The apparatus includes a tray and a plurality of individual cells in the form of specimen vessels which can be removably located in the tray. A lid is also provided for the tray and is physically identical therewith. Each vessel has a cover which is received in an opening in the lid when the tray and lid are assembled, so that pressure sensitive tape can then be used to releasably secure the covers to the lid while allowing one or more of the covers to be released when appropriate by peeling back the tape.

Abstract: A display system is provided for consumer fluid product containers of the tubular, crimped-end type. A carton whose top panel can be folded back to reveal the contents and form a display board receives a tray having a series of parallel rows. Each row or trough has one or more individual pockets formed by low partitions, and each pocket has a plurality of members projecting from either pocket side to releasably grip a received crimped container end. The pockets of any one row are skewed from the pockets of the row before it or behind it, creating a close packing, mutual support and fixed positioning of the containers inside the carton.

Abstract: A novel two part loading fixture in which one part is a shipping tray in which electrical leads are shipped by the lead manufacturer to the manufacturer of the electronic devices in which the leads are to be incorporated, and another part is a rigid frame for use by the device manufacturer for locating said tray relative to the holes of a transfer plate.

Abstract: An article including a placemat is formed from paperboard and includes a plurality of compartments for holding foodstuffs and a beverage container. The article is made from a one-piece paperboard blank which is precut, scored and glued to a flat storage configuration. The compartments are expandable prior to use with internal walls which are deflected to hold the compartments in their expanded form.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting test samples including a support plate and a plurality of integrally connected vessels, which are supported by the support plate. The support plate includes an upper surface having a predetermined number of recesses aligned in at least one row. The internal dimensional configuration of one of the recesses in each of the rows is different from the configuration characteristic of the remainder of the recesses in the row. The recess with the different internal dimensional configuration is asymmetrically disposed along each of the rows. The vessels from at least one line and the number of vessels in each line is equivalent to the predetermined number of recesses in one of the rows. The base of the vessels has a shape corresponding to the internal dimensional configuration of an opposing recess, such that the base of one of the vessels in each line is different from the remainder of vessels in the same line.

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 fast food serving tray has the shape of a ship or boat. It is formed from a partly assembled, knocked down structure formed from an integral, single blank of cardboard or the like. The pre-assembled arrangement has the sides of the boat structure flat and co-planar with each other. The side walls are preferably adhesively secured to each other at each end of the tray. When the side walls are spread apart to form the rounded shape of a ship bowl, a folded bottom wall is brought into a planar relationship forming a reinforcement at the bottom edges of the side walls. Two generally circular openings are formed on top of the tray together with a relatively large rectangular central opening which is reinforced by a pair of inwardly turned rectangular panels, one at each side of the tray. The advance in the art is in an improved sturdiness and an ease of assembly.

Abstract: A holder for bottles, brushes, shields and the like is provided. The holder is particularly adapted to hold material manicurist use to construct artificial fingernails and to repair natural fingernails.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plate 1 suitable for supporting food therein or thereon, which comprises a portion defining a recess 4 for receiving a part of a drinking container such that, in use, the container abuts, and is supported by the portion and does not tend to slide out from the recess 4 on tilting of the plate 1 from the horizontal.

Abstract: A fast food serving tray having the shape of a ship or boat is formed from a rectangular cardboard blank by bending the blank along its longitudinal axis and adhesively securing connecting tabs at the ends of the tray to each other. The invention reduces the cost of production of the blank and facilitates the assembly of the tray at the time of serving the food.

Abstract: A salad bar insert is disclosed which includes upper and lower panels which are bonded together. The upper and lower panels define openings sized to receive containers of salad foods. In addition, the upper and lower panels define a sealed interior volume which surrounds the various openings. Three-dimensional salad food replicas are secured in place to the lower panel inside this chamber, such that the three-dimensional salad food replicas are visible from above through the upper panel. The insert of this invention can readily be wiped clean, and it allows a salad bar to be assembled simply and easily, with minimal labor requirements.

Abstract: The present carrier structure includes a first member in the form of a plurality of stackable trays and second members in the form of heat retaining food covers. The food covers are held in place between adjacent stacked carriers.

Abstract: A carrier for supplying to an automatic assembling machine at least one chassis and several parts to be assembled on each chassis includes a first portion for receiving each chassis and a second portion associated with the first portion for storing the parts to be assembled on the chassis. According to the method, the chassis are loaded on the first portions of the carrier and sets of corresponding parts are loaded on the second portions in a predetermined relationship, whereupon, corresponding parts of the sets are simultaneously transferred to the respective chassis.

Abstract: A product display and merchandising device adaptable to be supported on a supporting surface comprising a unitary base member having front, rear, and opposed side walls and an inclined floor portion extending therebetween, the floor portion including a plurality of upstanding wall portions forming a plurality of guide channels, a plurality of spaced track members removably attachable to the floor portion and positioned within the guide channels for supporting products positioned thereon, the guide channels extending between the front and rear walls for maintaining and guiding products positioned on the track members in parallel rows therebetween, the floor portion being supported in an inclined position by the front, rear, and side walls whereby rows of products positioned within the guide channels will slide along the guide channels on the respective track members towards the front wall to maintain the products in each respective guide channel adjacent the front wall, the floor portion also including wall po

Abstract: A soap dish (10) is provided for holding a bar of soap (12). The soap dish (10) is formed of a soap retaining member (14) which has formed therein a soap chamber (26) for receiving the soap bar (12). The soap retaining member (14) is formed of an aqueous absorbing composition which may be compressively deformed subsequent to absorption of soap drippings in order to allow removal of the liquid contained therein. The soap dish (10) provides for a soap bar which may be maintained in a dry state during prolonged non-use times of soap bar (12) and which has the effect of extending the useful lifetime of soap bar (12).