Abstract: A package for sterile delivery of medical implants such as, for example, wire piston prostheses, includes a tray defining a compartment, an insert removably disposed in the tray, and a lid mounted by the tray for sliding movement relative thereto. The medical implant is held by the insert in a specific position above a bottom wall of the compartment and with a longitudinal axis of the implant aligned with a recess in a wall of the compartment to permit the implant to be grasped with forceps for proper presentation at the operative site.

Abstract: A disposable food serving tray is formed of a single sheet of flat stock material, cut and folded to provide a tray with four upstanding walls for the containment of an article of food therein. The folding pattern provides leakproof corners, precluding leakage or spillage of liquids (melted butter, water, etc.) from the tray. One end of the tray includes a raised support, or alternatively a retaining passage, therein, providing for the support or retention of any handle means (skewer or husk extending from an ear of corn, etc.). The present tray is preferably formed of coated paper stock to provide economy and to preclude soaking through of the material, but alternatively other materials (plastic sheet, etc.) may be used.

Abstract: A package tray configured for use with at least one other such tray in forming reclosable enclosed packages includes a recess portion having an upper edge, a flange portion projecting from the upper edge and having upper and lower sides, at least one snap fastener of a first type located on the flange portion, and at least one snap fastener of a second type located on the flange portion in spaced relationship to the at least one fastener of the first type. Each of the first and second type fasteners is configured to be fastenable on both said upper and lower sides of said flange portion to opposing fasteners of like package trays. The first and second type fasteners are disposed on the flange portion so that when multiples of the package trays are placed in vertically stacked relationship, at least one opposing pair of the fasteners on adjacent trays engage each other to secure the trays together in one of a nested and an opposing relationship.

Abstract: A letter tray kit (10) is disclosed comprising a floor panel (12) and two side panels (14, 16). The floor panel comprises outwardly projecting dovetail shaped projections (32, 36) at opposite sides and the side panels comprise dovetail shaped sockets (48, 50) that receive the projections (32, 36), whereby attaching the side panels in an upright manner to the floor panel. The sockets (48, 50) are defined by spaced apart canted cantilever flanges (52, 54) and each flange has associated therewith an elongate through aperture (58, 60) of like shape and size positioned adjacent the flange so that the flanges (52, 54) can be molded through the apertures (58, 60) by a single action mold.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly for optical fibre splices or other optical fibre components comprises a plurality of trays disposed in a stack with the trays inclined at a common angle to a longitudinal axis of the stack. Each tray is of generally elliptical shape in plan and is pivotally mounted, adjacent one end of its major axis, to an upright support.

Abstract: A container for storing objects is disclosed. The container includes a housing, a lid, a tray, and a lift mechanism. The lid is pivotally attached to the housing. The tray is pivotally attached within the housing and is adapted to removably secure objects thereon. The tray pivots about an axis generally transverse to the pivot axis of the lid. A lift mechanism is coupled between the tray and the lid for lifting at least a portion of the tray upon opening of the lid. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism includes a lift arm and a lift member. The lift arm is secured to the lid. The lift member is pivotally coupled to the lift arm and coupled to the tray. In another embodiment, a spring and retraction arm are used as the lift mechanism. A line coupled between the lid and tray is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal autoclave cassette for dental instruments and appliances includes a pair of identical tray halves which are free of any outwardly extending flanges and which are provided with rounded corners and corner edges. Each tray half includes a retaining frame which is riveted in place and which includes a plurality of aligned recesses in the opposite ends. The recesses are used for the receipt of the elongate dental instrument's and a hold down mechanism clamps the instruments into position yet is easily moved out of position to provide access to the dental instruments.

Abstract: A tray is provided for supporting electrical connectors of the type having an elongated dielectric housing within which electrical terminals are secured. The housings can vary in length according to the size of the connectors. The tray is adaptable for supporting different sizes of connectors with housings of different lengths. The tray includes a first support for supporting adjacent ends of a plurality of the electrical connectors in a side-by-side array thereof. A second support is movably mounted on the tray to a plurality of different positions spaced from the first support for supporting opposite ends of different sizes of the connectors.

Abstract: A cuvette matrix, having a row of attached cuvettes, from which it is possible to detach one cuvette to be placed in an opening in a stand. On the outer surface of each cuvette, at an angle from the longitudinal direction of the row of cuvettes, there is a holder member, which facilitates the cuvette to adhere to the sides of an opening. The holder member is moved into contact with the stand when the cuvette is turned in the opening.

Abstract: A dental instrument sterilization cassette securely retains dental instruments on a cover and tray of a perforated housing. Within the cover and tray, the dental instruments are received on open cradled supports. A holddown device with a resilient covering is placed over the cradled instruments, and held in place by anchors attached to the cover and tray. The cradled supports and the resilient holddown device provide secure retention for a range of instrument sizes when the cassette is in either an opened or closed position. A cassette latching mechanism with a recessed latch actuator on the cassette cover provides positive latching of the instrument cassette.

Abstract: Photographic film, paper, etc. in sheet form is packaged in recyclable containers or cases for reuse by returning to suppliers for filling. Containers obviate disposal problems and high costs associated with customary two-part set-up box and interior padding. Plastic cases comprise a base section in the form of a tray-like structure with an open bed for a film stack, etc. Case has built-in structural features for rigidity, crush resistance, impact protection, and air, dust and light tight seal when used with a cover section. Such environmentally friendly designs are suitable as low cost, reusable one-size plastic containers for packaging standard size sheet products. For packaging special, less frequently called-for size films, papers, etc., interiors may be made infinitely adjustable with rows of parallel channels for placement of at least one chocking element.

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

Abstract: An food service tray including a molded plastic tray having a cup cavity, a plate cavity, an eating utensil cavity, and a napkin holder disposed thereon. The food service tray also has one thumb engaging socket for the purpose of facilitating holding the tray in a substantially horizontal disposition. In an alternate embodiment the napkin holder is a cliplike member disposed in a substantially parallel plane with respect to the facing surface of the food service tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging test boards during transport and handling is disclosed. The apparatus is a tray having an outer wall and a bottom surface which at least partially define a protected space; and retaining clips for releasably retaining at least one test board in the protected space. In use, a test board is forced between the clip and bottom surface of the tray, where it is retained through friction.

Abstract: An adjustable socket tray for visually displaying a socket for selection of the socket size and/or a fastener tightening strategy wherein the socket is restrained by a movable "V" block to retain the socket about a centerline incident with a sensor to determine the selection of the socket.

Abstract: Proposed is a box container suitable for holding and transporting a plural number of sheet-like bodies such as lead frames for semiconductor devices such as ICs. The box container consists of three parts including (a) an inner box member to hold the sheet bodies, (b) a box tray member into which the inner box member is inserted and (c) a covering member to be engaged with the box tray member.

Abstract: A holding tray for spools of yarn suitable for embroidery machines comprises a molded body forming a flat horizontal base and a plurality of upstanding vertical pegs each of which is generally frustoconical in shape. At the top of each peg is formed a slit diametrically of the top surface and extending a small distance down the side surface of the peg at each side. An end of the yarn from the spool can then be engaged into the slit and the spool engaged over the peg as a loose fit. The pegs thus store twelve spools in two rows of six so that the spools can be carried from a storage area to, for example, a twelve head embroidery machine.

Abstract: A molded plastic overwrap tray is disclosed having a base and first and second sets of opposed sidewalls. The base and sidewalls define a food retaining chamber. The upper edges of the sidewalls define an upper plane of the tray. The upper edges of one set of opposed sidewalls have first and second pairs of opposed indentations for receiving the respective opposed ends of a pair of spaced-apart support bars. The support bars have an upper surface defining a plane substantially parallel to the upper plane of the tray, whereby an overwrap on the tray is supported by the upper surface of the support bars to minimize sagging of the overwrap and prevent the overwrap from coming in contact with food in the food retaining chamber. The support bars also assist in maintaining the engaged opposed upper edges substantially parallel to one another to reduce distortion and breakage of the tray when the overwrap is tightly stretched thereover.

Abstract: A needle shielding cushion is provided with a generally planar base wall having a plurality of filaments projecting unitarily therefrom. The base wall defines cross-sectional dimensions which are greater than the length of a needle cannula used therewith. The filaments are dimensioned and disposed to releasably engage a needle cannula therebetween. An exposed needle cannula can be urged between the filaments after usage of the needle cannula and/or between sequential uses of the needle cannula.

Abstract: An organizer has a tray with a central stall. An invertable handle is mounted on the tray to swing about a handle axis between an exposed position and an inverted position. The tray has a detention device for holding the handle in the exposed position. An arched holder is pivotally mounted atop the tray to fold flat against it. This arched holder is mounted to straddle the handle.

Abstract: A tissue cassette holder including a rectangular open-top tray having a pair of locking side rails affixed to the upper portion of the longitudinal sides thereof, the rails having a raised elastomeric protuberance projecting inwardly from the center thereof and spaced sufficiently apart to permit a conventional tissue cassette to snap firmly therebetween. Preferably, the trays are configured to permit removably locking a plurality thereof into superposed and/or side-by-side relationship, and further to positively lock a plurality of cassettes within each such tray for liquid processing and to break such cassettes loose after the tray and cassettes are wax-dipped preparatory to slicing the tissue therein for microanalysis.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dental appliances such as orthodontic brackets includes a plurality of containers releasably connected to a carrier strip. The carrier strip is received in channels of an organizer tray that hold the carrier strip in place as individual containers are detached from the carrier strip. Individual containers, each containing a dental appliance, are selected and removed from the organizer tray for placement in a patient setup tray that is then carried to the patient's chair.

Abstract: A cassette for the sterilization and storage of dental or medical instruments includes a lower tray and an upper cover hingeably joined together for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. Both the tray and the cover have instrument positioning racks mounted therein to position the instruments in side-by-side relation within the tray and the cover. The cover is provided with an instrument retainer for simultaneously retaining the instruments in the positioning racks in the tray and the cover when the cassette is in the closed position. The instrument retainer includes an instrument retaining bar pivotally mounted at one end thereof within the cover and releasably fastened at the other end thereof to the cover. A resilient retaining member is mounted on the retaining bar and transversely pressingly contacts the instruments to retain them in the positioning racks.

Abstract: A medical instrument tray has a frame of opposing side and end walls having inner and outer panels. Instrument supports extend across the frame and join to inner panels of the side walls. The instrument supports have pegs separated by a central plateau, radiused sections for supporting round instruments, and slots for supporting a flat handle instrument such as scalpel. Finger slots are provided on the bottom side of the tray to allow the tray to be easily carried with the fingers away from the sharp edges or points of the instruments.

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

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

Abstract: The portable socket holder comprises a corrugated base plate, a plurality of rails attached to raised sections, a handle attached to the center of the plate, and a plurality of socket-receiving clips frictionally and slidably carried by the rails.

Abstract: A carrying tray comprising a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls defining a rectangular space, a pair of half-shelves adapted to be received within the rectangular space for carrying objects thereon, and apparatus or rigidly securing the objects relative to the rectangular space. The half-shelves may be positioned at various heights to accommodate different sizes of object to be carried, such as flasks and containers.

Abstract: An organizer has a tray with a central stall. An invertable handle is mounted on the tray to swing about a handle axis between an exposed position and an inverted position. The tray has a detention device for holding the handle in the exposed position. An arched holder is pivotally mounted atop the tray to fold flat against it. This arched holder is mounted to straddle the handle.

Abstract: A holder tray assembly for mounting on a torso of a wearer includes a tray capable of supporting objects and a pair of laterally-spaced apart support rods. Each rod has a pair of vertical and horizontal leg portions, the vertical leg portions for resting against the front torso area of a wearer, the horizontal leg portions projecting outwardly from the vertical leg portions and supporting the tray in a substantially horizontal plane and forwardly of a front side of the wearer's torso. The holder tray assembly also has a transverse support member extending between and attached to the vertical leg portions of the rods and a flexible member for encircling a back side of the wearer's torso and being attached at one end to the transverse support member.

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

Abstract: A system for ingots of holding dental material includes a holder having a plurality of spaced-apart depressions each configured to hold one ingot. The container has a retaining cover for retaining the holder and ingots in the container. The container also has a master cover which when closed encloses a storage space between it and the retaining cover. The container and covers may be made from a transparent material such that ingots in the container are visible even when the container is closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging sensitive electronic components includes a tray having an outer wall with an inside surface which at least partially defines a protected space; releasable retention bars releasably retaining the components in the protected space. The tray and retention bar are preferably fabricated from an electrically conductive material, so that the assembly may be grounded during transport and handling. The method of packaging and transporting includes providing the container, placing at least one component in the protected space, placing the retention bar over the component to retain it in the protected space, engaging the ends of the bars with the container to capture the component between the bar and the inside surface of the tray, and transporting the tray with captured components to a desired location, during which time the assembly is protected against damage during handling.

Abstract: An optical connection between optical fibres of two optical cables includes a cassette in which is mounted a preformed component having a housing and discrete optical conductors which are so disposed in the housing that opposite end parts of each of the conductors, each of which end parts is formed of a length of optical fibre, protrude from the housing at an acute angle to one another lying in the range 0.degree. to 90.degree. and that at least a part of an optical signal entering any one of the discrete optical conductors along one of its protruding lengths of optical fibre will pass along a discrete optical path and the part of the optical signal will leave the optical conductor along another of its protruding lengths of optical fibre.

Abstract: A division rack comprises one or more distributor housings, with each distributor housing having a cassette holder mounted for pivotable movement between a first position received in the housing and a second position extending horizontally out of the housing. Each cassette holder comprises a channel-shaped member having a plurality of guide webs forming compartments for receiving cassettes or cassette blocks, which guide webs extend obliquely relative to the axis of the holder so that the cassettes are stored in an oblique position when the holder is in its first, vertical position. The incoming cables to each of the cassettes are clamped in the housing and extend over an upper end of each of the holders to the individual cassettes or cassette blocks.

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: An arrangement for storing e.g. optical fibers and/or optical fiber splices within a splice closure comprises a generally circular tray (1) or preferably a plurality of such trays (1) in a stack, the tray or trays being mounted at an angle inclined to the longitudinal axis of the splice closure. The trays are supported on respective fingers (12) which can be flexed to pivot themselves and their trays away from a tray which it is desired to remove, so that the desired tray can be slipped out of the stack.

Abstract: A disposable pizza slice holder, of the kind used for supporting a slice of pizza for fast eating, is formed by an approximately triangular flat base body whose shorter side has a hinging flap section of trapezoidal shape provided with a lobbed section protrudring from the central portion of its free edge.

Abstract: A patch panel for optical fibers includes a tray for supporting coiled portions of the fibers, a plurality of transversely spaced apart tabs, spaced backwardly from the front end of the tray and extending perpendicularly upwardly from the tray and a plurality of modular connector assemblies each slidably mounted on said tray between respective pairs of adjacent tabs. The modular connector assemblies each include a modular connector yoke for mounting optical fiber connectors on the tray. The tray includes tracks for slidably mounting the tray in a rack.

Abstract: A foot plate and beverage container support assembly having a handle arranged on the bottomside of its base, to permit a user to conveniently carry food, beverages and utensils with one hand while permitting the user's other hand to be free eating or drinking from that held food plate and beverage container support assembly.

Abstract: A tray for storage and transportation of multiple pin grid array (PGA) integrated circuit components. The tray has a lattice framework that defines discrete storage pocket areas. Each storage pocket area comprises a base support that spans portions of the framework and includes upstanding ribs that engage the integrated circuit component. The locus of the upstanding ribs of a given set constitutes a rectangle or square that is concentric with and spaced from the locus of other sets of upstanding ribs. Depending terminal pins from the housing lie between individual ones of the upstanding ribs. The trays are stackable.

Abstract: A tray is disclosed for retaining a flower pot having a pot bottom with drain holes. The tray has a planar bottom wall for supporting the pot bottom and restrains the pot from moving parallel to the plane of the tray bottom wall. A protrusion is formed in the tray bottom wall in registration with a pot drain hole. The protrusion has a transverse lip adapted to overlie the pot bottom and restrains transverse movement relative to the plane of the tray bottom wall.

Abstract: A traylike member is provided for use with a removable cover to form a container in which is accommodated a product. The traylike member includes a surface which subtends and supportingly engages the product. A marginal section extends from the periphery of the surface and is spaced outwardly from the product when the latter is engaging the surface. The surface is provided with a plurality of relatively spaced locating elements which are independently adjustable between operative and inoperative modes. When in an operative mode, the locating elements project upwardly from the surface and coact with one another to restrain relative lateral movement of the supported product with respect to the surface. When in the inoperative mode, the locating elements assume non-upwardly projecting positions relative to the surface.

Abstract: A tray for use on a high chair in which provision is made for immobilizing food receptacles such as bowls and cups through the use of static retainers which are part of the structure of the tray. One form of the invention utilizes grooved indentations to hold a mating base of a food receptacle. A second embodiment uses surface clips to hold the base of a food container.

Abstract: A unitary folding serving tray (24) includes a base (4), first (6) and second (10) sidewalls and first (14) and second (18) end walls extending upwardly from the base and defining an interior region (42). The sidewalls are connected to the base along first (8) and second (12) fold lines. The first end wall is connected to the first sidewall along a third fold line (16). The base and a portion of the first sidewall extends outwardly past the first end wall to define a portion of the base having a drink container opening (46). The external base portion (44) is supported in a cantilevered fashion by a portion (48) of the first sidewall which also extends externally of the interior region. The end walls have downwardly extending hook like portions (34, 56) sized to permit the tray to be hung from the edge of a car window (40). The first sidewall is connected to the second end wall by hook and notch fastener elements (30,32).

Abstract: A comb-like support structure for optical cords has slots of uniform width having resiliently-compressible walls which grip frictionally the cords. Intermediate portions of the cords are simply pushed into corresponding slots from one end. The cord support is conveniently mounted in one wall of a distribution frame for optical fibre transmission systems.

Abstract: A capture row storage tray for holding rows of nuclear fuel pellets includes an array of laterally spaced elongated guide members extending parallel to one another, and stiffening members attached to the guide members for mounting them in the array. Pairs of adjacent guide members define elongated channels therebetween which extend parallel to one another. Each channel is open at one end for receiving a plurality of nuclear fuel pellets therethrough. The adjacent guide members of each pair have laterally spaced bottom portions attached to the stiffening members, laterally spaced and converging side portion with inclined surfaces for confining the pellets in the channel and for guiding and supporting the pellets into and at an end-to-end aligned relationship within the channel, and laterally spaced top portions which define an elongated open slot of a width less than the diameter of the pellets for capturing the pellets in the channel.

Abstract: A flatware case has a base and a hingedly attached lid. Spaced posts extend upwardly from the floor of the base adjacent one end thereof for maintaining utility ends of stacks of flatware in position. Spring biased clamps are positioned to releasibly clamp the stems of the flatware stacked within the case. Flatware may thus be securely held in stacks within the case by the posts and clamps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the insertion of carrier elements with comb-like titer strips into a microtiter plate and to provide a convenient holder for washing the titer strips. The apparatus provides a container and a changing insert with guide lamellas and space rods for holding the carrier elements.

Abstract: Equipment for measuring the rate of erythrosettling of blood comprises a plurality of pipettes, a rack for holding the pipettes upright, and a closure element for the bottom end of each pipette. The rack includes an elongated pedestal, a portal attached to the pedestal, a plurality of seats adapted to receive the pipettes by snap action and formed in the portal, and a bridge element associated with the portal and straddling it. The bridge element is displaceable elastically from a home position to a working position interfering with the pipettes, for simultaneously removing the pipettes from their snap-action holding seats. The invention affords the advantage that the operator is not required to come in contact with the blood being analyzed.