Abstract: A collector container, for recyclable materials, is formed around a central body. At least three partial containers each has a closed outer side and a closed top and a closed bottom, as well as an inner side provided with an exit opening therein. Each of the partial containers also is provided with an entrance opening in an upper portion thereof for receiving a recyclable material therein. The outer sides of the partial containers in their closed positions combining to describe a cube. The partial containers extending to mid-planes of the cube with the central body arranged along a line of intersection of the mid-planes.

Abstract: A container holder for a vehicle includes a flat panel section defining a marginal flange for engaging a mating structure on a vehicle component, such as an armrest or a floor console, and one or more cup-shaped members. The cup-shaped members include a floor and a resilient sidewall which can be resiliently flexed to move the floor between a lowered position and a raised position. In the lowered position, the cup-shaped member forms a shallow depression shaped to receive and stably support a first container. In the raised position, an aperture in the floor of the cup-shaped member receives a smaller diameter container such that the marginal material forming the aperture supports the sides of the container.

Abstract: A cup holder for a vehicle includes a vehicle panel having a horizontal support surface and a pair of opposing spaced apart walls rising above the support surface and defining the dimensional extent of the support surface. A block of compressible foam material is adapted for placement on the support surface and has at least one cavity therein adapted to hold a cup. The block of foam has opposed end walls spaced apart to fit closely between the spaced apart walls of the vehicle panel so that the block of foam material is held in place by the interaction of the respective end walls of the block and the vehicle panel. The block is removable from the vehicle panel by compressing the foam block to effect this engagement of the end walls of the foam block from the vehicle panel end walls.

Abstract: The present invention is a standard, twelve-ounce aluminum can which may be divided into two or three equal size chambers. Partitions are installed within the can which separate the chambers in such a way that each one is air-tight. Each chamber may be opened independently, allowing a user to store unused contents while retaining freshness. A single tab, located on the top of the can, may be rotated to access each of the openings.

Abstract: A carrying container that is releasably attached to various ambulatory appliances by a mounting arrangement that has a common interface. The common interface is adapted to snugly mate with several different ambulatory appliances. The carrying container includes several compartments which are dimensioned to receive articles in a snug manner to secure the same during travel.

Abstract: An in vitro chamber for sustaining organ tissue samples during optical study with, for example a microscope, has a tray assembly with a plurality of wells, each of which may be provided with a clampable sleeve or a vertically adjustable thimble such that an associated organ tissue sample contacts a nutrient medium contained in a reservoir. The tray assembly rests upon a heater assembly having a water-jet-driven magnetic stirrer magnetically coupled with a driven magnetic stirrer in the nutrient reservoir to maintain a substantially uniform temperature in both the heater assembly and the nutrient reservoir. A thermally insulating collar surrounding the tray assembly and the heater assembly maintains relative positions thereof. A transparent cover encloses the top of the tray assembly so that air borne exchanges with the wells and nutrient splashes are substantially contained.

Abstract: An insulated food storage system comprising a heat insulating base and a heat insulating cover together defining a cavity. A thermal plate fits within the cavity, the thermal plate having a chamber containing wax which solidifies in the temperature range 75.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. So that food located within the cavity together with the thermal plate is maintained substantially within that temperature range as the wax which has been previously heated and liquefied cools and solidifies. The wax in one embodiment is in a metal tray closed by a metal lid within the chamber in the thermal plate. The chamber is in a central region of the thermal plate and the edges have no wax within the space between the top and the bottom walls of the edges. A plastics material with very low thermal conductivity is used for the thermal plate.

Abstract: The lid with cams for closing a pot or paint etc. has an underside provided with a seal to be clamped against an edge of a rim of the pot by pivoting the cams on the underside of the lid with levers placed on the top side of the lid. At least the rim is coated inside with a friction-sensitive, corrosion-protective material. Each of the cams is connected to the respective lever with a spindle. A spring biases this spindle, and thus the cam, in an upward direction. Each cam is maintained at a distance from the bearing surface of the rim in every positions of the cam except a position in which the cam extends outwardly from the lid (closing position) so as to protect the friction-sensitive corrosion-protective coating of the rim from abrasion.

Abstract: A multi-pack container assembly comprises a plurality of containers and webs joining the containers, each web configured to include an area of reduced structural integrity for tearing a plurality of frangible ribs interconnecting adjacent containers and traversing the tearing area.

Abstract: The present tray has a base with an imaginary center line running from front to back and evenly distanced from the left and right sides. There is a first orifice through the top of the base biased to one side of the center line. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel and includes a cutout running from the side of the base to the first orifice to permit lateral insertion of a beverage vessel into the first orifice. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and biased toward one side of the center line opposite the first orifice. The second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate. There is a first notch located on the top of the base on the front of the base near the center line. This notch is adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger of a user. There is a second notch which is similar and located on the top of the base on the back of the base near the center line.

Abstract: The present invention is a tray for supporting food plates and beverage vessels. It comprises a substantially flat base structure with an orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and located to one end of the tray. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape located at the opposite end of the tray from the first orifice. The second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate. There is a first notch located at the front of the base, adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger when being held with the thumb on top and fingers on the bottom of the base. There is another notch located to the back of the base, adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger when being held with the thumb on top and fingers on the bottom of the base. In a preferred embodiment, the second orifice has a surrounding recess tapered to receive an outer rim of a plate.

Abstract: A stackable combination party tray for food, drink, utensils and napkins has a flat rectangular platform with two or more recessed food compartments, surrounded by an upturned peripheral retaining lip, one recessed compartment for holding a plurality of sizes of beverage containers, one recessed compartment for holding utensils and one recessed compartment for holding a napkin. These three compartments are each of the same depth and have flat bottom surfaces to provide three points of support for permitting the tray to be supported on a support surface. The beverage container compartment extends a distance below the bottom surface of the rectangular platform a distance sufficient to allow a person's hand to grip the tray. Thus, one's tray and drink can be held in one hand.

Abstract: A container having fixed sectional dividers is provided, the sections being hingedly connected to permit stacking of one container within another and equipped with a container section latch to connect the container sections while in use.

Abstract: A multiple unit wok apparatus is provided for simultaneously cooking several separate ingredients and, when cooked, the ingredients from each wok bowl can be easily mixed together if desired. The individual wok units are attached together. The individual wok units each have mating lids which, when in place, mate with each wok bowl and form a sealing covering over the bowls.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a combined waste paper and trash basket which comprises a first body defining a container and a second body supported on this container and consisting of first and second integral parts. The first part defines a non-paper recipient which occupies a portion of the container volume whereby an area thereof is left to receive waste paper. The second part of the second body defines a cover extending over the waste paper receiving area of the container and includes an opening allowing waste paper to be deposited therein.

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: This invention pertains to an elongated tubular receptacle adapted and arranged to contain one or more essential accouterments available on pleasure boats, such as signal flares and compressed gas cylinders, and the receptacle includes mechanism to secure the receptacle suitably to a support member on a boat deck or wall, such as a vertical stanchion and includes mechanism adapted to readily remove the accouterments from the receptacle.

Abstract: An Easter egg decorating and coloring kit for dyeing and painting Easter eggs and including an arrangement of dye chambers integrally formed and arranged in a linear orientation. A paint tray having paint receptacles and a paintbrush receptacle for placement of a paintbrush therein is integrally formed with and extends outwardly from a rear top edge of the dye chambers. A ladle for placement and removal of the Easter eggs from within the dye chambers is removably supported on a front of the dye chambers and includes an envelope attached to a head portion thereof containing dye tablets of a variety of colors to be dissolved within the chambers to form a dye solution.

Abstract: An access port cover is fitted with a sealing plug that is adapted to fit inside a conduit to provide an occluding seal. The conduit is also fitted with an inner flap that is automatically closed and latched when the cover is closed and latched. In a preferred embodiment, a ridge in the inner wall of the conduit cooperates with a support plate to compress the plug between the cover and the plate, extruding the plug radially into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the conduit.

Abstract: A storage/carrying device for safely and conveniently transporting to a patient's bedside sterile needle and syringe devices used in medication and blood collection procedures, and, additionally, to safely transport such implements to ultimate disposal after use, substantially without risk of contaminating contact with the storage/carrying device, or injury or infection to the person handling the device. The storage/carrying device is formed as an integral, unitary assembly comprising first and second transport wells, an extension transport well, a pair of carrying trays, and a carrying handle. The first transport well is adapted to securely store used intravenous-type needles, including the plastic tubing attached to such needles, for transport to ultimate disposal, and can be further adapted to similarly store the syringe portions of used needle/syringe assemblies.

Abstract: A shower kit adapted to carry a bar of soap, two liquid receptacles and a face cloth is disclosed. The kit comprises a pair of containers, each container comprising a base shell and a lid shell bound along one mating edge by a hinge, and having a clasp opposite the hinge to retain the lid shell in a closed position. One of the containers defines a pair of apertures through which the necks and caps of a pair of liquid receptacles inside the container may project. The same container also has a pair of access holes through which the liquid receptacles may be squeezed or manipulated. The other container is completely closed for carrying soap. The containers have a strap binding them together and can be folded over to bind a face cloth therebetween. A protrusion from one container permits a belt from the other to be bound thereto, thus holding the containers in folded relation with the face cloth between.

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 serving piece for serving cereal and preventing its becoming soggy in milk includes a lower bowl configured to be supported in a food containing orientation upon a surface. An elongated sloped chute is mounted to and communicates at one end with the lower bowl and extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom and an upper bowl is mounted to and communicates with the other end of the sloped chute. In use, crispy cereal from the upper bowl is urged in successive measured portions down the chute and into milk contained in the lower bowl from where each portion of cereal can be consumed prior to its becoming soggy.

Abstract: Thin-walled plastic flower pots are stacked upside down with a plurality of stacks arranged in a preset spaced manner and a loading tray having a number of cavities spaced the same as the stacks of pots formed to receive and hold a pot from each of the stacks is used to lift the pots off the stacks. Each cavity has a horizontal rib located near the bottom for grasping and lifting off the topmost pot in each stack when the tray is placed with the open end of the cavity over each of the corresponding stacks of pots and then pushed gently onto the stacks of flower pots and then lifted off. The flower pots have means for providing a gap between the bottoms of each successive stacked flower pot so that the rib of the cavity grasps the flower pot in the gap between the bottom of the topmost flower pot in the stack and the next lower flower pot.

Abstract: An assembly for packaging a frozen food is adapted to be exposed to microwave energy such that the frozen food is processed and, in particular, defrosted efficiently from its solid to its liquid state. The assembly includes a container normally disposed on the bottom, and a cover normally disposed on the top of the assembly and adapted to be releasably engaged with the container to form the assembly. When assembled, the cover and container support in a generally upright orientation the frozen food. The cover includes means for supporting only a top portion of the frozen food, while exposing the bottom portion of the frozen food directly to microwave energy.

Abstract: A baking pan having a multiplicity of baking units constructed by forming the baking units as individual pieces, disposing the pre-formed baking units within openings formed in a sheet material and securing the baking units to the sheet material. The means for securing the baking units to the sheet material comprises interlocking portions of the baking units with the sheet material to form an assembly of baking units.

Abstract: A drain plug, which has a hollow cylindrical body, an expander assembly within the body and a manually manipulatable handle, is fabricated of a material such that the drain plug floats. The handle is connected to the expander assembly and when the handle is moved in a cam or rotational movement, the expander assembly is moved axially within the body. This axial movement expands the body of the drain plug such that the drain plug closes the drain opening and contracts the body of the drain plug for ease of removal from the drain opening. The expander assembly seals the end of the body and is secured within the body so it does not move when the handle is rotated.

Abstract: A debris cap is provided for closing the end of an access pipe for an underground water shut-off valve. A hollow member with a closed end and a cylindrical outer surface has a plurality of resilient pads spaced around its periphery. At least one of the pads is carried on the outer end of a slide which is moveable radially of the hollow member by a rotatable cam carried at the closed end of the member. Rotation of the cam by a handle moves the slide and the pad carried thereon outwardly to cause the pads to grip the inner surface of the access pipe to hold the cap in place. The angle of advance on the cam is slight so that external force applied to the slide does not rotate the cam. The cap is also adapted to carry a locating coil.

Abstract: A packaging cup formed from a resilient material has an integrally body having a product reservoir and a lip. The product reservoir includes a flat bottom wall and a continuous side wall integrally joined together about a smooth curve. The side wall extends upwardly from the bottom wall to join the lip. The joint between the lip and the side wall continuously surrounds and defines an opening through the lip to the interior of the reservoir. The lip extends in a plane outwardly from this opening completely around the periphery of this opening. The bottom wall is essentially circular in shape and the opening is essentially squarish in shape. First, second, third and fourth fluted areas are located in the side wall at the corners of the squarish shaped opening. Each of the fluted areas is shaped essentially as a conical surface generated from a cone which is truncated by a plane about a parabolic intersecton of the plane with the cone.

Abstract: An improved liquid applicator especially suitable for applying suntan lotion or the like to the skin includes a bottle for holding suntan lotion with a cap for closing the bottle. The inner surface of the cap is coupled to a shaft having a plurality of applicator pads coupled to its end. The applicator pads are preferrably are made of a synthetic or artificial skin material which are resiliently urged away from the shaft. There is an actuator sleeve surrounding a portion of the shaft and coupled to the applicator pads which resiliently urge the sleeve toward the cap. The end of the sleeve closest to the cap includes a cam which operates in cooperation with a mating surface on the inner side of the cap to allow the actuator sleeve to be locked into a position which urges the applicator pads away from the shaft. The outer side of the cap is preferrably shaped to form a comfortable handle and includes a storage compartment for storage of keys, money and the like at the beach.

Abstract: A holder for food, drink and utensils includes a flat oval-shaped platform having a central food supporting portion and an upturned peripheral retaining lip, and a pair of cup-shaped recessed compartments connected to and extending below the platform. The compartments are spaced from one another at opposite ends of the platform. One recessed compartment is a beverage container compartment and the other is a utensil compartment. A third recessed compartment can be provided as an option to hold a party dip. The container compartment is larger in diameter than the utensil compartment. The dip compartment is preferably oblong in shape and of a shallower depth than the other two which are equal in depth. The container and utensil compartments make the holder capable of standing by itself in an upright fashion.

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: The present invention is a tray for holding multiple individual confectionery items in a pleasing array for use in displaying the confectionery items. The tray is composed of a number of cavities, and possesses attachment points which, when connected by flexible bands, cause the tray to bulge creating an elevated platform on which the confectionery items can be displayed by being placed in the cavities. Empty cavities can be filled with confectionery items or filler segments which can be also pleasingly decorated.

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: There is provided an apparatus for a compartmentalized trash separation container which is compatible with plastic bags and used to separate garbage for recycling purposes, and further having a compartment specially designed for receipt of newspapers or the like. There is provided a retaining apparatus in which the plastic bags installed within the compartments of the container would drape over protruding lips around the compartments. A retainer member with a protruding edge arranged to substantially circumscribe the protruding lips of each compartment is aligned, pressed over the bag and locked in place. The locking mechanism, in one embodiment, is a frictional block arranged to press against the protruding edge of the retainer, and alternatively the lock comprises a ribbed protrusion arranged to lock within a ribbed receptacle.

Abstract: A carrier for beverage containers is provided which includes a plurality of container-accommodating sections arranged in laterally spaced relation. Each section includes a continuous peripheral rib which delimits an opening to receive a container. The rib comprises an outer flange and an inner flange which are interconnected along corresponding upper edges. The flanges depend divergently from the interconnected upper edges. Each rib is provided with a plurality of relatively spaced shoulders extending into the rib inner flange and forming same into a plurality of flange segements arranged in an endwise circumferentially spaced relation. Each shoulder includes a top portion extending inwardly from the interconnected flange upper edges. Depending from the top portion are opposed side portions, the latter interconnecting the top portion with corresponding ends of adjacent flange segments.

Abstract: A food and beverage serving device designed for one-handed use. The container comprises a beverage receptacle with a flange extending outwardly from the receptacle walls and having a generally horizontal upper surface for supporting food servings. A plurality of generally radial ribs extend between the flange and receptacle walls to define upwardly open food compartments. The ribs provide upward support to the flange and hold the receptacle within the flange opening.

Abstract: An improved plugging system for plugging chamfered flow ports of small diameters in the core barrel of a pressurized water nuclear reactor is disclosed herein. The system is comprised of improved core barrel plugs that are telescopically contractible to facilitate installation, as well as a handling tool having a compact hydraulic ram and plug-holding cradle that is easily manipulable in the limited access space between the core barrel and thermal shield of the reactor for inserting and expanding the plugs into sealing engagement with the core barrel flow ports. The plugs of the system are formed from a generally cylindrical plug body that is radially expandible, and a retaining ring that is telescopically engaged around the plug body which allows it to be slid toward the middle of the plug prior to installation in order to minimize the overall length of the plug prior to the insertion operation.

Abstract: A container for eggs defines a plurality of compartments each of a configuration to hold an egg captive, each portion of the container defining a respective single said compartment being connected with the remainder along lines of weakening, perforation or the like, whereby each said portion, with an egg retained in the respective compartment can be readily detached from the remainder of the container, to form a discrete sub-container for a single egg which is adapted to hold said egg captive, at least a portion of said sub-container being readily removable to allow access to the egg therein while the remainder of the sub-container acts as an egg cup. The invention also provides a method of cooling and subsequently serving an egg whilst the egg is enclosed in a permeable container.

Abstract: A package for marketing apparatus useful in draining used engine oil from and adding new oil to an automobile wherein the package contains containers of new oil and container means into which the used engine oil is drained. The container means is disposable and is constructed so that it may be positioned under the oil pan, have the used oil deposited on its upper surface for draining into an internal cavity and then sealed for ready disposal.

Abstract: A portable tray table having an upper surface for supporting food, a lower surface and a peripheral edge. A skirt is coupled to the peripheral edge of the panel and extends downwardly therefrom. The panel includes an opening therein wit a cup holder supported on the panel about the opening which extends downwardly therefrom. The skirt includes at least one cut-out portion which exposes the cup holder to permit a user to insert a hand through the cut-out portion to grasp the cup holder.

Abstract: A compartmentalized wastecan or trash container for separating categories of waste comprised of a container of a single molded piece of plastic having semi-rigid sidewalls and being interiorally traversed by at least one separator wall, thereby defining a plurality of openings in the top of the container, the separator wall positioned so as to permit the formation of an annular flange and lip about each of the plurality of openings to frictionally engage a plastic garbage bag in each of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A tissue typing tray is provided with an improved well cover. The tissue typing tray is of conventional box-like construction, with conjoining side walls and a bottom and a plurality of wells disposed on the bottom. The well cover comprises a flat member, with a downwardly depending, continuous ridge member inwardly spaced from the perimeter of the flat member and terminating in a flat surface provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. The ridge member is of the same height as the wells and encompasses the wells. Upon engagement of the well cover with the tissue typing tray, the adhesive-coated ridge member contacts the bottom of the tray, while the flat member of the well cover contacts the tops of the wells. The sealing configuration of the well cover prevents its lateral or vertical movement, thereby preventing possible loss of testing reagent from the wells or contamination of the contents of one well by the contents of another.

Abstract: A portable utility tray formed from a resilient thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene. The tray is provided with one or more continuous upward protrusions, of generally inverted V-shape, with one of the protrusions defining a raised rib running centrally and longitudinally of the tray. The top of the rib is provided with sockets to receive pintles carried by a handle pivotally mounted on the rib top, the handle being rotatable over approximately 180.degree.. The handle and rib are provided with cooperating dimple and detent elements to releasably hold the handle in an upright position. The handle may be swung in either of two substantially flat positions, with the handle being releasably held in either of its two extreme, substantially flat positions. The tray is formed by blow molding a preform, to form a double-wall tray, and then cutting off and removing the inner bottom one of double walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carrying tray and, more particularly, to a tray which securely holds hot and cold drink cups of various sizes, and is adaptable to hold other items. A plurality of gripping elements in a cup receiving cavity grip and retain a chime-bottomed cup. A flat-bottomed cup is stably supported on a platform in the cup receiving cavity. Various inserts may be selectively used to more stably retain tall cups or to retain other items, such as ice cream cones and the like.

Abstract: A thin relatively stiff but somewhat resilient sheet of plastic material is formed into a series of aligned, identically-shaped and dimensioned cavities for holding thin-walled plastic flower pots with the cavities having ribs formed on their inside surfaces and hand-access cutouts in their side walls. As an added feature, a skirt or flange for lifting and carrying the tray is provided and suitable drain holes may also be provided.

Abstract: A multi-cell tray comprises a base having an upper wall and side walls defining an outer periphery, with a plurality of cells for receiving test media in the upper wall, and a removable cover on the base having side walls depending downwardly from a top wall, with the side walls of the base and cover being spaced apart to define a passageway for gas to enter the tray. A baffle encompasses the cell area of the base and extends upwardly from the upper wall of the base to deflect incoming gas upwardly away from the level of the cells, with passageways uppermost of the baffle for allowing the deflected gas to enter a chamber above the cells defined between the spaced upper walls of the base and cover.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for preparing and serving food products is disclosed which facilitates packaging, preparation, and serving of two or more food products in the arrangement. The construction includes a unitary, one-piece partitioned tray which defines a plurality of cavities for respectively receiving the different food products. The construction further includes a combination covering and serving member configured for releasable securement to the partitioned tray, and which is configured to resemble conventional dinnerware. The covering and serving member initially functions as a cover for the partitioned tray. However, upon inversion of the entire arrangement the food products transfer from the cavities of the tray onto the covering and serving member for serving and consumption of the food products, with the tray and serving member cooperating to prevent substantial commingling of the adjacent food products.

Abstract: A packaging and display container, adapted to removably mate with a wire display rack, comprises at least two adjacent pockets which are separated by a borderline. Each pocket has a bottom, side walls, a front wall and a rear wall. A horizontal flange extends outwardly from and joins the tops of the front walls of the adjacent pockets. A vertical flange extends downwardly from the horizontal flange and may be used to display advertising information relating to articles which are displayed in the container. An aperture is disposed in the horizontal flange in proximity to the juncture of the adjacent pockets and in communication with the borderline between them. The container, with the articles disposed in the pockets, is inserted into the wire support rack by bending the container along the horizontal flange which causes the adjoining pockets to temporarily separate.

Abstract: A microtest plate is characterized by a tray conveniently moulded of foam plastics, having a multiplicity of compartments and a multiplicity of individual wells fitted into the compartments, at least some of the wells preferably being moulded integrally with one another, and preferably being arranged in one or more rows.