Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to the axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: A container includes a container base and a lid interconnected by a hinge and being of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. The container base is of generally rectangular outline having a back wall to which the hinge is connected, a front wall, opposite sidewalls and an open end. The front wall is connected to the back wall opposite the open end by a continuously curving end wall so that the front wall, the back wall and the continuously curving end wall form a continuous surface for application of a label to the front wall, the back wall and the continuously curving end wall. The sidewalls have flat coplanar edges opposite the open end to permit the container to be stood on end with the open end facing upwardly. The container preferably includes a child-resistant latch having a first latch element on the lid opposite the hinge and a second latch element on the front wall of the container ban adjacent to the open end and opposite the hinge.

Abstract: A trash can is disclosed having an exterior shell, a liner seated within the shell, a latch pivotably attached to the liner for securing a flexible bag to the liner, and a handle to facilitate placing and removing of the liner from the shell. An optional aspect of the invention is to affix the handle of the liner to the latch. The liner of the trash can, in a featured embodiment, utilizes a latch having a body portion into which surplus of the flexible bag may be gathered and held. The trash can may further include a lid connected to the exterior shell. The lid connects to the shell using a front hinge and a back hinge and is actuated by a foot pedal. The actuating foot pedal is preferably seated at a base of the exterior shell and connects to the lever arm of the front hinge such that depressing the foot pedal exerts a downward force on the lever arm to open the lid. In this configuration, the lid is lifted via a downward pull on the first hinge rather than a direct upward force on the lid.

Abstract: A molded plastic container and closure combination in which the closure is provided with a manually removable tear band between upper and lower locking structures. Once the tear band has been removed, it is possible to hinge the closure open while allowing it to remain attached to the container. Various features adding hoop strength and stacking strength are provided. A bail and bottom handle facilitate pouring from the container.

Abstract: A method of injection moulding an article from a water-soluble polymer, said method comprising: providing a mould comprising a male portion and a female portion defining a mould cavity, said portions being movable relative to one another to vary the volume of the mould cavity, injecting molten water-soluble polymer into the mould when the male portion and female portion are in a first position, and initiating relative movement of the male portion and female portion to reduce the volume of the mould cavity so as to force the molten water-soluble polymer already in the mould cavity into at least part of the remainder of the mould.

Abstract: A pressure resistant plastic bottle for containing and dispensing an aerosol composition. The plastic bottle is comprised of a hollow elongate body having a central portion, a top portion and an opposite bottom portion with the central portion having an inwardly concave configuration extending along its longitudinal direction. The bottom portion of the elongate body is integral with the central portion and defines an outwardly projecting convexly shaped configuration. The top portion of the bottle is integral with the central portion and has an outwardly convex configuration extending along its longitudinal direction and defines a neck having an opening for receiving and dispensing the aerosol composition. A closure covers the opening and is sealingly attached to the neck to contain the aerosol within the plastic bottle.

Abstract: A container is provided with child drowning protection in the form of a bottom wall that is contoured in a manner that (1) allows it to stand upright on a flat support such as a floor, shelf or shipping pallet, and (2) in the event that the container contains some water or other liquid and a toddler leans forward into the container, e.g., in an attempt to retrieve a toy that has fallen into the container, the weight of the child on the container will cause the container to tip over, thereby spilling the contents and preventing the child from drowning in the container. Containers embodying the invention may be provided with covers that facilitate stacking covered containers one on top of the other. Additionally, the containers may be formed with an inclined sidewall, whereby to permit a plurality of open empty containers to be nested one inside the other.

Abstract: A process for shaping a high strength container, particularly an aerosol container and a container obtained through such process. Generally, aerosol containers made of aluminum or tin are obtained by conventional embedding processes from sheet disks and have cylindrical bodies with upper tapering finishing at a curl for fixing a valve cover and are closed by convex and profiled cross section bottoms, for forming a support region for upstanding the container. The bottom of such containers is obtained before tapering by means of a blow or front shock once the cylindrical body having planar circular base is shaped, this impact causing undesirable stresses on the body side wall and material accumulation at the annular region joining with this wall since the bottom thickness is not uniform.

Abstract: Blow-molding molds 10 and 20 having parison shutters 31 and 32 for preventing an inflation of the parison 3 toward the outside of the molds 10 and 20 are used in a blow-molding method of the present invention. In other words, a closed space for preventing the parison 3 from inflating out of the molds 10 and 20 are formed by the parison shutters 31 and 32 and a predetermined air is secured in the parison 3 in a frame clamping step (B). In the subsequent mold clamping step (C), the pressure inside the parison 3 starts to be increased when the molds 10 and 20 press the parison 3, so that the parison 3 can be continuously in contact with the die design surface 11. Accordingly, since the parison 3 can be uniformly contracted by cooling, molding failure such as streaks and uneven pattern transfer can be avoided, thus obtaining a blow-molded product having good appearance.

Abstract: A container. The container has a plurality of upstanding sidewalls interconnected by a floor pan. The sidewalls are selectively reinforceable with upstanding struts. The struts are removable from the sidewall and transformable between reinforcing and nonreinforcing positions preferably without separation from the container. The floor pan of the container may also be reinforced. If so, the floor pan support and sidewalls struts may be made of a contiguous articulable, planar reinforcement. The sidewall struts may be articulated about proximal ends juxtaposed with the floor pan. The sidewall struts are particularly useful for collapsible containers.

Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of this bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.

Abstract: A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

Abstract: A cargo container which has sufficient strength and rigidity. The container includes side walls, a roof and a base, wherein at least the side walls are made of FRP (fiber reinforced plastics) plates, and wherein adjacent two sides of the plates are made of an integrally formed continuous FRP panel. The cargo container is suited for use in an aircraft, ship, freight train or the like.

Abstract: A container end closure for facilitating the opening of a pressurized container. The container end closure includes a non-detachable tab having a bulbous end proximate a frangible section of the end closure and a recess in the end closure proximate an opposite end of the tab.

Abstract: An open top plastic drum comprises a cylindrical side wall. A circular bottom wall is connected at a bottom end of the side wall to define an interior storage space. A foot ring is connected proximate an intersection of the side wall and the bottom wall. The foot ring comprises an annular ring having, in cross section, a generally rectangular foot for engaging a ground surface, in use, and a neck diagonally connecting the foot to the bottom end of the side wall and the bottom wall.

Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of the bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.

Abstract: A one-piece blow-molded closed plastic drum having an integrally-formed compression-molded handling ring and method of molding same is provided. The drum has structural strength and stability to resist breakage of the drum upon impact due to tipping or dropping of the drum. The drum includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a head portion integrally-molded with an upper end of the body portion including a transition area around and between the upper end of the body portion and a top of the drum in the head portion. The transition area has an outside curved surface of a predetermined radius so that an outside surface of the body portion is positioned in a tangential plane in close proximity to a tangential plane along the outer circumferential surface of the handling ring and/or an inside curved surface with at least one radius, preferably a double ogee with three predetermined radii, so that no acute angles are formed between inside surfaces at the transition area.

Abstract: A one-piece blow-molded closed plastic drum having an integrally-formed compression-molded handling ring and method of molding same is provided. The drum has structural strength and stability to resist breakage of the drum upon impact due to tipping or dropping of the drum. The drum includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a head portion integrally-molded with an upper end of the body portion including a transition area around and between the upper end of the body portion and a top of the drum in the head portion. The transition area has an outside curved surface of a predetermined radius so that an outside surface of the body portion is positioned in a tangential plane in close proximity to a tangential plane along the outer circumferential surface of the handling ring and/or an inside curved surface with at least one radius, preferably a double ogee with three predetermined radii, so that no acute angles are formed between inside surfaces at the transition area.

Abstract: Thin wall metal cans are described having threaded necks attached thereto for receiving threaded closure to seal contents in the cans. Techniques for forming such threaded cans are also provided.

Abstract: A preform and container design for a pressurized refillable plastic container, such as a PET carbonated beverage container, having a base section with increased resistance to sprue cracking. Sprue cracking, which may be a problem in warmer climates, is believed to be caused in prior designs by an entrapment of material between the stretch rod tip and the blow mold base during blow molding of the container, which entrapment causes surface defects in the container adjacent the sprue. These surface defects expand during flexing of the container dome, caused by alternating cycles of thermal shrinkage and expansion during container cleaning and filling. Sprue cracking can be reduced by eliminating a depressed dish adjacent the sprue in prior known refillable containers, and may further be reduced by modifications to the preform and container wall thickness ratios and base clearance height.

Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of the bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning, portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.

Abstract: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary can packs free of any requirement for applying organic coating or adding organic coating for repair purposes after fabrication and before such direct usage. Cupping of precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock using preselected tooling configurations and clearance avoids any increase in side wall metal thickness gage. Tension elongation during redraw is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces, tooling configurations and preselected clearances to decrease thickness gage uniformly over side wall height between flange metal open end of can body and curved transition zone at closed end.

Abstract: A throwaway arrangement of reaction containers each having the same shape and dimensions for bringing about temperature cycles in a liquid mixture contained within the reaction containers. Each reaction container having a first conical wall region, and a second cylindrical wall region which at one end forms the opening of the reaction container. The thickness of the first wall region is less than the thickness of the second wall region. The opening of the reaction container is adapted to receive a cover for closing the container in gas-tight manner when placed on the opening of the reaction container. To facilitate handling and access to the liquids in the reaction containers, the arrangement reaction containers is annular, and the closure of each reaction container can be pierced by a pipetting needle.

Abstract: Thin wall metal cans are described having threaded necks for receiving threaded closure to seal contents in the cans. Techniques for forming such threaded cans are also provided.

Abstract: A cuvette, to be used for measuring the properties of liquid contained therein by applying a measuring beam of light from a direction intersecting the vertical axis of the cuvette, includes a rectangular or square-outlined portion on the top thereof as viewed in a horizontal cross section, a cylindrical portion below the top portion, and a lower rectangular or square portion provided vertically below the cylindrical portion and having four sides parallel to these of the top rectangular portion, respectively. Thus, the cuvette does not unfavorably rotate when measuring the absorption of light transmitted therethrough. Further, an apparatus for transporting the aforementioned transparent cuvette, accurately controls the position of the cuvette during transportation so that a flat surface thereof can be irradiated with a measuring beam of light.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an extruded cylindrical closed-ended metal tube having a flat end wall and an integrally formed projection on the end wall includes a die having a recess formed therein, the die having a configuration which corresponds to the terminal end portion of the desired tube and including a cavity which corresponds to the desired projection. The apparatus further includes a punch which is receivable in the die, and includes an end wall having a peripheral portion which extends angularly outwardly at an angle of between approximately 10.degree. and 20.degree. relative to a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the die. The apparatus is operative by placing an extrudable metal disc in the recess in the die and advancing the punch into the recess with sufficient force to extrude metal from the disc into the cavity and also between the punch and the die to form the desired tube.

Abstract: A method for storing nanoparticulate suspensions of photographically useful compounds is disclosed that comprises the steps of:providing a suspension of nanoparticulate photographically useful chemical substance in the form of a solid particle dispersion;providing a hydrodynamically optimized container for storing nanoparticulate suspensions comprising a base portion and a body portion unitary with said base portion, said portions defining an interior storage chamber hydrodynamically optimized for the resuspension of sedimented nanoparticulate suspensions, said body portion further comprising a body wall with interior and exterior surfaces;placing said solid particle dispersion in said container;sealing said container and storage chamber against the ambient atmosphere to form a sealed container;storing said sealed container;opening said sealed container; andusing a portion of said solid particle dispersion stored in said container to form a coating composition for a light-sensitive element.

Abstract: A can body (40) drawn from a tinplate to comprise an end wall (41) and an integral side wall (42) which extends from the periphery of the end wall to a terminal portion defining a mouth, has a margin (48) of coating material, such as expoxy phenolic lacquer, applied only to an upper portion of the interior surface of the side wall (42) leaving the interior tin surface of the rest of the side wall and end wall (41) exposed. The side wall may be wall ironed from selected grade of tinplate. The advantages arising are protection of cold worked side wall material and control of the ammount of tin available to be picked up by a product in the can.Various methods are described for making the cans such as deep drawing and alternatively wall ironing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an extruded cylindrical closed-ended metal tube having a flat end wall and an integrally formed projection on the end wall includes a die having a recess formed therein, the die having a configuration which corresponds to the terminal end portion of the desired tube and including a cavity which corresponds to the desired projection. The apparatus further includes a punch which is receivable in the die, and includes an end wall having a peripheral portion which extends angularly outwardly at an angle of between approximately 10.degree. and 20.degree. relative to a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the die. The apparatus is operative by placing an extrudable metal disc in the recess in the die and advancing the punch into the recess with sufficient force to extrude metal from the disc into the cavity and also between the punch and the die to form the desired tube.

Abstract: A highly-drawn and blow-molded polyester bottle is disclosed have a barrel resin layer forming a bottle wall with a circumferential yield point of higher than 1,800 kg/cm.sup.2 and a heightwise yield point of higher than 800 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a printed can be draw-forming or draw-redraw-forming a preliminarily printed metal blank or laminate. By forming an original plate for printing by an image processing by a computer, a print image faithful to the original image can be manifested on the side wall portion of the can, and formation of an undesirable stripe pattern can be prevented. Furthermore, a print image excellent in the linearity can be displayed without an error on the draw-formed can in due consideration of the anisotropy owing to the plastic flow of the blank.

Abstract: A product press formed from a paperboard and a method for forming the same is provided, wherein the product includes a press formed three-dimensional curvilinear region having a desired shape and containing a formation improvement structure for facilitating the press formation and maintenance of the desired product shape and for preventing the machine directionality of the paperboard from distorting the product from its desired shape. The press formed paperboard product of the preferred embodiment comprises a planar wall having a periphery which is at least partially curvilinear and a peripheral wall angularly oriented with respect to the planar wall. The peripheral wall extends along at least a portion of the curvilinear periphery of the planar wall and the closest portion of the peripheral wall is spaced a substantial radial distance from the periphery of the planar wall.

Abstract: New technology for deep drawing can bodies for use in the manufacture of two-piece cans for food and beverage products from precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock in which damage to can stock precoated on both surfaces with an organic coating is avoided and draw-forming of the side wall is controlled to decrease metal requirements. A draw die cavity entrance (47, 74) is selected to provide at least a major portion of its curvilinear surface having a radius of curvature of about five times nominal sheet metal thickness gage, or less, e.g. a maximum radius of curvature of 0.04 inch is used for the more commonly used can stock materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottle made of a saturated polyester comprising a mouth, an upper shoulder, a barrel, a lower shoulder and a bottom, characterized in that the saturated polyester at the upper and/or lower shoulders has an orientation degree of not more than 0.6, the saturated polyester at the upper and lower shoulders has an orientated crystallinity of not more than 50%, and the thickness of the upper and lower shoulders is not less than 0.25 mm.

Abstract: Bunged vessel having solid carriage and transport rings formed in one piece with the shell of the vessel near the head surfaces of the vessel, wherein the horizontal lower edge of the ring and the vertical inner wall of the ring form the bearing surfaces for the vessel lifter. Each carriage and transport ring is connected in one piece with the vessel by a connecting ring formed of an axial prolongation of the cylindrical part of the shell of the vessel, while the bottom of the groove between the connecting ring and the part of the shell rising conically towards the head surface of the vessel is arranged at a distance below the horizontal bearing surface of the carriage and transport ring.

Abstract: A container (30d) of polyethylene terephthalate or similar thermoplastic material has a container body (32d), a mouth portion (37d) and a central bottom part (34d). The central bottom part consists of chiefly amorphous and/or thermocrystallized material and forms a bulge directed towards the interior of the container. A ring-shaped or band-shaped standing surface (36d) is arranged adjacent the transition of the bottom part into the container wall (32d). Adjacent to the standing surface the container has a circumferential area of material (35d) which through stretching and/or reshaping has undergone flow and through heating has acquired built-in stresses which tend to contract it. The surrounding circumferential area of material prevents the inward bulge of the central bottom part from straightening out and/or turning inside out when the pressure in the container is increased and/or when the temperature of the container material is raised.