Abstract: A combination mailer has a jacket which includes opposable leaves which are separable from a more rigid web. Each of the leaves has a cavity formed therein for containing a product sample. A vial or ampule containing another product sample is positioned between the opposable leaves and removably connected to the spine. Optionally, the jacket includes a closure device for maintaining the opposable leaves in a closed position around the vial or ampule.

Abstract: A pair of rigid frames having central openings are each covered with a pliable material which is forced in intimate contact with a fragile article to be packaged. Central openings allow passage of the fragile article which is suspended between the two pliable materials. Pliable material and friction limits the handling shock-type loads which may be transmitted to the fragile article in one direction, and cushions loads in other directions. Frames can be positioned within an enclosure package so that motion of the fragile article during handling can be tolerated. A single pair of pliable covered frames can serve as packing for a wide variety of solid materials, including multiple items or irregular shapes and heavy articles, with no further protection required.

Abstract: Packaging of the type comprising an outer rectangular box (100) of rigid cardboard or the like, and a flexible inflatable structure (200, 300) situated inside the box and comprising, overlying each of the inside faces of the box, an inflatable cushion for coming into close contact with the article to be packaged. The box includes a bottom closure (120) and a top closure (130) each having self-locking flaps. The inflatable structure comprises two unit assemblies (200, 300) each comprising a central cushion (220, 330) overlying a respective one of the closures (120, 130) of the box, and two side cushions (211, 213; 312, 314) overlying respective side walls (111, 113; 112, 114) of the box, with each assembly further including means (270-274; 370-374; 500) for simultaneously inflating its three cushions, with at least one of the assemblies being inflatable from outside the box.

Abstract: A spring for each end of a tubular carrier to secure them against sliding and slipping within the tube. The spring having a tongue carrying on its tip an upwardly jutting pin which is upwardly resilient. The pin latches into through apertures in the top wall of the carrier and may have a camming means forward of the pin comprising a pair of ramps extending forward and down from the pin and symmetrical about a longitudinal axis.The tongue has a base and in one embodiment extends rearward of the base. In a preferred embodiment the tongue has a base and extends forward of the base. The tongue may have a surround, and in the preferred embodiment the tongue may extend forward of a lower ledge at the rear of the surround.In use, as the spring enters the carrier against a chip, the pin is cammed down. When the spring is compressed against the chip sufficiently, the pin enters an aperture in the top wall of the carrier, and latches the spring.

Abstract: A bellows clamp actuator (10) is provided for holding a semiconductor slice cassette (14) within a container (12). The bellows clamp actuator (10) has a V-bar clamp (40), a hollow bellows (38) and a mounting device (56). The bellows clamp actuator (10) is mounted to the door (18) of the container (12). A hole (72) connects the chamber (67) with the atmosphere external the container (12). When a vacuum is drawn within the container (12), the pressure difference causes the bellows (38) to extend and the V-bar clamp (40) to contact and secure the cassette (14) against the vertical guide posts (36).

Abstract: A package, in particular for use with fluorescent tubes, is open at the ends and has close to the ends naps protruding to the inside of the package. The naps protrude to the interior to such extend that the packed items, e.g the fluorescent tube, cannot slide out the package by itself.

Abstract: A packaging system comprises a first bag portion defining an inflated first chamber and a second bag portion defining an inflated second chamber with the bag portions overlying each other to define a pocket therebetween having an article compressed and retained therein. The bag portions are pivotally conected together at a rearward side of the system and overlying edge portions of the bag portions are heat-sealed together at opposite lateral sides of the packaging system. The frontal side of the packaging system is open to permit insertion of the article into the pocket whereafter the packaging system is preferably inflated with a pressurized fluid, such as air, to compress superimposed panels of the bag portions against the article to retain it within the pocket.

Abstract: A packaging system includes an outer bag having an inner bag suspended therein to define an expandable chamber between the bags and one either side of the inner bag. When the chamber is charged with a filler medium, such as pressurized air, the outer bag will inflate to suspend the inner bag at a fixed position therein. The inner bag defines a pocket adapted to receive and retain an article, prepackaged therein.

Abstract: Notches are formed in the oppositely disposed side closure flaps of a carton to provide clearance for tucking blades to extend into the load storage compartment to tuck the distal panel of each side closure panel in behind its proximal panel.

Abstract: A housing for a portable measuring instrument includes inherently stable supporting housing parts formed of hard plastic, the supporting housing parts including a front and a back with relatively long right and left sides, relatively short sides and two opposite outer edges, an operating surface on the front, a display on the front, and operating elements on the front; and a flexible, frame-like shock protector in the form of two side parts formed of soft plastic integrated in the housing, the side parts protruding beyond all of the sides of the supporting housing parts and extending at the right and left sides between the front and back, the side parts being permanently secured to the housing parts, and beads each being disposed at a respective one of the outer edges of the front, for protecting the front including the display and the operating elements, the beads protruding along the long sides beyond the front defining a recessed grip along with the operating surface, for accommodating the thumb of an oper

Abstract: A pair of rigid frames having central openings are each covered with a pliable and stretchable material which is forced in intimate contact with a fragile article to be handled. Central openings allow passage of the fragile article which is suspended between the two pliable materials, Stretchable material and friction limits the handling shock loads which may be transmitted to the fragile article in one direction, and cushions loads in other directions. Frames can be positioned within an enclosure package so that motion of the fragile article during handling can be tolerated. A single pair of pliable covered frames can serve as packing for a wide variety of solid materials, including multiple items, with no further protection required.

Abstract: A biological product shipping tube comprising a first tubular section having a closed end, a second tubular section integrally connected to the first tubular section, a collar formed at the end of the second tubular section opposite the first tubular section, and a cap-closure arrangement formed at the other side of the collar from the second tubular section. The first tubular section defines the bottom portion of the shipping tube. The second tubular portion has a non-tapered exterior. The interior of the first tubular section communicates and is aligned with the interior of the second tubular section. The collar has a greater outer diameter than the second tubular section. The second tubular section has identification information integrally imprinted onto the exterior surface. The collar has a flat chordal edge along its outer diameter. The identification information is printed adjacent to this flat chordal edge.

Abstract: A plastic packing device, die cut from a block of foam plastic, has legs pivotable out of a central cavity, forming a collar connected by a living hinge to the legs. The legs have widened bottom portions that snap over the surface of the collar to help maintain the legs in a perpendicular position. A support tab, connected to each leg by a second living hinge colinear with the first, is pivotable to a position between the leg and the collar, to maintain the leg in the perpendicular position.

Abstract: A packing device for protecting an item housed in a container essentially consisting of a plurality of shock absorbing elements, each having an integral recess along one of its sides, and a loop of stretchable elastomeric cord which frictionally interfits within the recess. Preferably, the cushioning elements are of a resilient and non-abrasive foam material adapted and configured to be removably snap-fitted onto the cord at desired positions. In use, and depending on the desired packaging configuration, the cord with the cushioning elements attached is stretched either about an item to be shipped within a single container, or about an inner container which is then snugly fitted (i.e., with a tight fit) within an outer container. The invention can also be practiced by placing the device about an item or container to be shipped, and not employing additional outside packaging about the mounted packing device.

Abstract: A unique composite shipping container (10) comprises a straight tubular sidewall (12) of predetermined polygonal cross-sectional configuration which is preferably formed from corrugated fiberboard. Opposite open ends of the sidewall (12) are closed by foam end caps (14), which are preferably formed from expanded polystyrene to close the container and cushion the product (16) therein against shock. The end caps (14) are secured to the sidewall (12) by tape (18) or other suitable fastening techniques to seal the container (10).

Abstract: The cushioning device is used on remote control television equipment and includes a stretchable resilient elastomeric block of natural or synthetic rubber or plastic. The block has closed sides and bottom and a top with an open cavity therein which in one instance is a slit adapted to receive and releasably grip one or more remote control television panels inserted therein at or below the top of the block. When so inserted, the combination of the cushioning device and panel(s) forms the improved assembly. The block also has an opening in one side to allow passage of wires and/or radio signals from the remote control panel(s) in the block to the television equipment. The control panel(s) can be one or more remote channel selectors, volume and on-off selectors and video tape television controls. A pocket is also provided in another side of the block in one embodiment to releasably receive a television channel program guide. The block may also have removable top dust lid and cushioned feet.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved ceramic compositions which are useful in the formulation and fabrication of microwave susceptors for disposable packages for the microwave heating of food items and to such articles themselves. The compositions include certain metal salts as time/temperature profile moderators in addition to novel microwave absorbing materials and a binder. Certain metal salts can be used to dampen or lower the final temperatures reached upon microwave heating the ceramic compositions. Other metal salts can be used to increase or accelerate the final temperatures reached upon microwave heating. The microwave absorbing materials comprise ceramics with neutral lattice charges such as clays, talc, kaolin, silicates, aluminosilicates, sodium metasilicate, alumina and mixtures thereof. The compositions provide good heat generation and a predeterminable upper temperature limit. The materials are common and inexpensive.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved ceramic compositions which are useful in the formulation of microwave susceptors and to the susceptor articles fabricated therefrom for disposable packages for the microwave heating of food items. The compositions include a novel microwave absorbing material and a binder. The novel microwave absorbing materials comprise selected ceramics in both their native and amphoteric forms. Such ceramics are those with residual lattice charges or an unbalance of charge in the fundamental framework or layers such as vermiculite, bentonite, hectorite, selected micas including Glauconite, Phlogopite and Biotite and mixtures thereof. These ceramics are activated to their amphoteric form by treatment with either acids or bases. The compositions provide good heat generation and a predeterminable upper temperature limit which is higher in the amphoteric form than in their native form. The ceramic materials are common and inexpensive.

Abstract: A system for safely transporting detonating cord that uses a container with a mounting board of insulating material with a walled path through which the cord is threaded. The path has a series of loop regions and adjoining, parallel regions through which the parallel cord is separated with a cord separator that will sever adjoining cord in the event of a detonation to terminate further cord detonation. A separator card of cardboard is an ideal separator means. The walled path must otherwise insulate the detonating cord, being formed in one embodiment of cylindrical cardboard tube and in another of expanded polystyrene having a path with an open top. Fastener means secures the detonating cord within the walled path, being "Nylon" in the tube embodiment and interference fit in the expanded polystyrene embodiment.

Abstract: Air transportation container for dangerous materials.It comprises an internal confinement enclosure (2) containing a quantity of dangerous material (4) and an external confinement enclosure (14) surrounding enclosure (2), the latter having two walls (6) spaced by a shock absorbing material (8), the external confinement enclosure (14) having a wall (18) and a shock absorbing material (20). A cap (24) is located at each of the ends of the external confinement enclosure (14), each cap (24) having at least one mechanically strong outer wall (28) and a layer (30) of a lining material located between the outer wall (28) of cap (24) and external enclosure (14), said caps being mechanically disengaged from the external enclosure (14) and constituting a receptacle containing the external wall (18) following its deformation under the effect of the container impacting with an obstacle (38).

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic compositions which are useful in the formulation and fabrication of microwave susceptors for disposable packages for the microwave heating of food items. The compositions include a novel microwave absorbing material and a binder. The novel microwave absorbing materials comprise ceramics with neutral lattice charges such as clays, kaolin, talc, silicates, alumina, aluminosilicates and mixtures thereof. The compositions provide good heat generation and a predeterminable upper temperature limit. The materials are common and inexpensive. Preferred compositions additionally include a temperature profile moderator which can be common salt.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved ceramic compositions which are useful in the formulation of microwave susceptors and to the susceptors fabricated therefrom for disposable packages for the microwave heating of food items. The compositions include certain metal salts as time/temperature profile moderators in addition to a novel microwave absorbing material and a binder. Certain metal salts can be used to dampen or lower the final temperatures reached upon microwave heating the ceramic compositions. Other metal salts can be used to increase or accelerate the final temperature reached upon microwave heating. The microwave absorbing materials comprise selected ceramics in both their native and amphoteric forms. Such useful ceramics are those with residual lattice charges or an unbalance of charge in the fundamental framework or layers such as vermiculite, bentonite, hectorite, zeolites, selected micas including Glauconite, phlogopite and Biotite and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic oxide gels (sometimes also referred to as hydrated oxides), and especially xerogels, compositions which are useful in the formulation and fabrication of microwave susceptors for disposable packages for the microwave heating of food items. The compositions include novel microwave absorbing ceramic gel material doped with common salt and a binder. The gel forming materials include alumina, silica, mullite and mixtures thereof. The compositions essentially comprise about 17% to 35% bound water. Preferred materials are xerogels, i.e., ceramic gels dried so as to have a free moisture content of about 0.1% to 10%. The compositions provide good heat generation and a predeterminable upper temperature limit. The materials are common and inexpensive. The compositions can additionally include common salt as a temperature profile moderator.

Abstract: An impact skirt 16 for a radioactive waste material cask 10, each impact skirt fitting over the end of the cask and having portions 18 and 20 lapping the cask axially and radially, each skirt comprising a one piece, monolithic, member of a solid, soft, light metal material such as aluminum.

Abstract: A six-walled container for protecting electronic goods contained therein from damage due to electrostatic discharge, which container has four side walls and a pair of top and bottom closure walls formed by flaps of said side walls and an electrostatic discharge pad having a central portion on one side of one of said closure walls and a pair of end portions extending between the flaps of that one closure wall to the opposite side of that same closure wall.

Abstract: A printed circuit board transporter which is durable and highly reusable and which provides a maximum of electrostatic discharge shielding. The box has a unitary outer shell fabricated from conductive polypropylene having a double wall separated by I-Beams. The outer shell is folded to provide a bottom, four sides, a top and a closing flap. The closing flap has at least one buckle which affixes to a clip affixed to the top. An inner layer of anti-static cushioning material is affixed to the inner surfaces of the bottom and top so that a printed circuit board can be held within the transporter and be safe from electrostatic discharge or radio frequency interference.

Abstract: A pneumatic device for holding an article in position in a container. The device includes an inflatable-deflatable mat adapted to be positioned in contact with a surface in the container. The mat generally conforms to the surface and defines an air passageway therethrough. The device also includes a plurality of expandable-contractable air chambers disposed about and in communication with the mat. The air chambers are inflatable and deflatable with the mat. The device further includes a pressure applying surface associated with the air chambers directly opposite the mat. The pressure applying surface is adapted to hold the article in position upon inflation of the mat and the air chambers. With this construction, the air chambers expand upon inflation to cause the pressure applying surface to engage and hold the article in the container under a substantially uniform pressure.

Abstract: A holder for a remote control unit is provided and consists of a floor panel disposed between and spanning a pair of spaced side panels, a front panel and a rear panel forming therebetween a remote control unit receiving compartment to receive and position the remote control unit. A lower compartment is formed beneath the floor panel so that batteries for the remote control unit can be stored within. A pair of holders can be secured together in a back-to-back relationship for holding two remote control units.

Abstract: A bellows-type shock absorbing container includes a lower main base member, and an upper closure, which may be mounted to the main base member by engaging threads, or by using a hinge and latch closure. The base member is provided with an inwardly directed rib or shoulder having an upper surface upon which the mounting flange of a waste pump or other delicate equipment to be transported, is mounted. The top closure is provided with a downwardly directed cylindrical extension, which bears on the upper surface of the flange of the equipment to be transported to hold it firmly in place. Both the top cover member and the base include reentrant bellows-type structures which provide resiliency and resistance to shock. In addition, the molded top and bottom, after they are threaded together, completely seal the unit to enclose all possible fluids or odors from the equipment being transported.

Abstract: The disclosure herein sets forth an equipment shock mounting means for utilization with a container formed of plastic. The shock mounting means comprises a rigidified outer frame structure which can be formed as a portion of the edge regions of said container portions. The edge regions of the container portions can be formed with channel members which are suited to match each other so that when they come together they form a complete closure. Attached to the channel members are shock mounts extending interiorly and supporting an equipment shock mount structure for equipment to be mounted thereon. As an alternative, the edge region channel members can be substituted for mounting the shock mounts in the way of a frame member. The shock mounts extend inwardly to support the equipment shock mount means and receive equipment thereon.

Abstract: A packaging medium comprises:(a) a flexible support wall, and(b) fins integral with that wall to project generally toward a structure to be packaged, to confine same during such packaging,(c) the fins being resiliently and yieldably deflectible to bend relative to the support wall in response to squeezing relatively toward the structure,(d) the fins extending in generally parallel planes and having terminal edges that define a positioning plane relative to which the fin planes are out of perpendicularity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device formed by a hollow body with a first end, a second end and a surface wherein at least a section of a surface is provided with a series of corrugations extending longitudinally from the first end and essentially to the second end, wherein a portion of the hollow body has a cylindrical shape and a portion has a frustoconical shape and wherein the corrugations converge towards a point on the longitudinal axis of the hollow body with their depth increasing in the direction of their convergence so that the average diameter of the body decreased in a substantially progressive manner along the longitudinal axis beginning adjacent the first end of the body, preferably wherein an annular element having an exterior diameter corresponding essentially to the exterior diameter of the first end is attached thereto and wherein the second end of the hollow body is opened with its surface folding in towards the interior of the hollow body as a lip and wherein the hollow body is pro

Abstract: The invention provides a wine glass or bottle tote having a cylindrical body of self-supporting foam rubber with a longitudinally extending cylindrical central passage having openings at each end for the insertion and removal of articles such as wine glasses or a wine bottle. A cloth cover is provided and a slippery cloth liner extends through the cylindrical opening. A circular cover having a zipper closes each end of the central passage to protect articles inside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package for sterile and contamination-free storage of artificial implants, comprising an inner capsule (1) to hold said implant (4) and being made of the same material as the implant, a hermetically sealed outer casing (6) surrounding said capsule (1) and a positioning member (7) arranged inside said outer casing (6) and in yielding abutment with the capsule (1).

Abstract: The improved container, obtained from a sheet of synthetic thermoplastic material, which is particularly suitable for eggs, is made in two portions (10,12) which are held together by rib (13) and can be folded down so that one closes on the other by means of pressure fastenings (14,22). It is provided with damper-ribs (25) which protect the eggs from breakage due to accidental impacts against the sides of the walls of the recesses (11) in which the eggs are placed and when portion (12) thereof is constructed as a lid without recesses it has ribs (34,35,36) in a particular location on the lid which confer satisfactory rigidity which is perceptible when the container is being closed or when it lies at the base of a stack of containers, for example on a display shelf.

Abstract: A stop device for electronic components housed within a tube comprises an elongate, resilient bow-shaped member having similar, oppositely extending legs defining abutment surfaces thereon for exerting a positive pressure on the electronic components and for absorbing additional pressure applied to the components during handling. A mounting structure is provided for mounting the stop device interiorly of the tube for pivotal movement relative thereto.

Abstract: Molded plastic carton universally adapted for various sizes of articles such as eggs and including a tray section having rows or article-carrying cells. A cover section may be hinged to the tray section and has an undersurface provided with spring retainer fingers for resiliently biasing articles into their cells. The arrangement is such as to accommodate a range of different sizes of articles in the cells.

Abstract: A carton for packaging fragile containers is provided. The carton includes an energy absorbing insert member, two rigid plates, and packaging. Fragile containers are located on each side of the energy absorbing insert member and the rigid plates compress the containers against the energy absorbing insert member. The packaging surrounds the energy absorbing insert, containers, and rigid plates.

Abstract: A shipping container for electronic components includes first and second container portions. The second container portion is designed for engagement by the first container portion either as a lid or in nested configuration to minimize the vertical height of the two container portions for empty shipping and storage. The first container portion includes grooved interior side walls and partitions engageable in the grooves to reduce the interior size of the first container portion according to the dictates of the component to be shipped. The interior partitions include layers of resilient foam material which form fit to surface features of the component being shipped. The exterior of the first container portion is grooved to provide handgrips, and one pair of opposed walls of the first container portion extends below the level of the container floor to provide feet for stacking multiple containers, to add shock-absorbing capacity to the container, and to provide a recess within which to engage a hand truck.

Abstract: A plastic spring for each end of a tubular carrier, or magazine, used to transport integrated circuits, especially ceramic IC's, to secure them against sliding or chipping within the tube is formed with a finger grip, or stop pin end and an opposite IC contacting end, the ends being joined by a plurality of integral sections of flexible, resilient elastomeric material of rhombus, or diamond, shape joined along the longitudinal center line by integral webs to form a one piece, flat, thin body of uniform outside depth and width and fitting in the space between the upper and lower parallel walls of the tubular carrier. The spring is preferably carbon conductive to avoid static build-up.

Abstract: A package (10) which is used to prepackage, store, ship and heat food products (11) is suitable for use in a microwave oven. The assembly includes a carton (12), a pair of microwave interactive layers (98) for converting microwave energy to heat and a paperboard spring formed from a blank (84) which includes wing sections (92,94) for resiliently biasing the pair of interactive layers into contact with opposed surfaces of a food product within the package to evenly brown and crisp the product. A microwave shield (22) may be incorporated in the package (20) to prevent microwaves from entering the package sidewalls.

Abstract: A detonating cord transport package wherein detonating cord is installed on a plurality of separator-support members so as to provide crossover locations at frequent intervals at which crossover locations there is incorporated means for stopping any detonation that occurs, with the result that such detonation will be confined to a relatively short length of detonating cord and will also be confined to the container in which the detonating cord transport package is disposed.

Abstract: A secondary package is provided for the purpose of enclosing and protecting a primary package in the form of a flexible pouch of liquid provided with access ports. The secondary package has internal divider ridges which distribute and dissipate the shock of impact, and at least one set of which is located nearer to the port end of the secondary package so as to protect the relatively vulnerable port area. Additional protective features of the secondary package include the use of a shock-absorbing material, and the provision of shock-absorbing flanges and spacer feet, and releasably locking detents for securing the secondary package in a closed condition.

Abstract: A package assembly for transporting hazardous materials including a bottle containing a hazardous material disposed within a metal can wherein the bottle is surrounded on all sides by individual upper, lower and side absorbent non-resilient and frangible synthetic resin foam elements. The foam elements provide cushioning for the bottle and absorbency in case of spillage. The individual foam elements are maintained out of contact with each other by means of fiberboard spacers. The spacers are disposed to separate the upper and lower ends of the bottle from the resin foam and to protect the frangible foam from disintegration due to abrasion by the bottle. The metal can be suspended within an outer corrugated fiberboard box by means of a fiberboard insert element for the outer box. The fiberboard insert element supports the can out of contact with the outer fiberboard box and provides a protecting buffer zone between the can and the walls of the outer fiberboard box for the protection of the can.

Abstract: A rear ski-binding element comprises a heel-holding member carried by a plate pivoted about an axis at right angles to the top ski face. Lateral flanges formed on the pivotal plate are each adapted to carry a lateral packing member. Each packing member has a resilient inner wall which is capable of outward elastic deformation under the action of engagement of a ski boot. The rear ski-binding element is thus automatically adaptable to ski boots having different widths.

Abstract: A substantially flat flexible wrap for incoherent, flowable products is described, containing inside at least a rigid roundish body which prevents a complete flattening and crushing of the wrap when compressed between substantially flat bodies.An emission or loss of the flowable products in the wrap is thus avoided.

Abstract: A shock mount assembly for holding a component includes three sets of elastomeric members with each of the sets being disposed at right angles with respect to each other. One set of members is primarily in compression with the other two being primarily in shear resulting in deflections being the same regardless of the directions of applied external forces.

Abstract: A holder for solid articles in the form of a body having sidewalls, an integral bottom and an open top. The body is formed of a shock absorbing material. A plurality of spaced, outwardly extending ribs are formed on certain of the sidewalls and bottom of the body resiliently protect articles housed in the body to from damage. The sidewalls are formed with an inwardly extending upper lip portion which overlays a portion of the article within the body to secure the article within the body. A pair of opposed depending apertures contiguous with the open top are in certain of the sidewalls of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for damping impacts caused by the fall of heavy objects. This device comprises a group of deformable mechanical members arranged perpendicularly to a first plate and a second plate, a supplementary plate having substantially the same weight as each mechanical member being placed between the latter and the second plate. The supplementary plates are contiguous and each mechanical member has at least one predeformation at its end adjacent to the second plate. Application to the protection of discharge ponds against the fall of caskets.

Abstract: A signal-pickup cartridge is adapted to be loaded into a holder of a signal-pickup device proper of a rotating recording medium reproducing apparatus. The signal-pickup cartridge comprises a cantilever having at its distal tip a reproducing element for picking up and reproducing a signal from a rotating recording medium rotating in the apparatus, a cartridge case supporting therewithin the cantilever and having a ceiling plate and vertical walls on opposite sides thereof, a box-shaped cover joinable to the cartridge case to cover the lower face thereof in a manner to protect the cantilever and the reproducing element, and a mechanism for joining the cover and the case in latched state. This mechanism is triggered to unlatch the cover from the case when the cartridge is inserted into the holder.