Abstract: A food storage and transportation device primarily including a container, a plurality of removable inserts, and a lid is described. The inner surface of the container has a plurality of support members disposed on and extending from the inner surface. The removable inserts have a plurality of grooves, a set of handles, and a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of cupcakes. In one embodiment, the support member includes first and second shoulder portions for supporting the inserts. In another embodiment, the support member has a substantially uniformly increasing profile distance from the inner surface of the container as the support member extends downwardly from the upper portion to the lower portion of the container. The inserts are provided with grooves that frictionally engage the support member.

Abstract: A chip bin that has a feeding device, an upper container part and a discharge opening defined therein. A discharge zone is disposed between the upper container part and the discharge opening. The discharge zone has no moving parts and has a diameter that is decreasing from the upper container part down towards the discharge zone. The discharge zone has a discharge section in the form of a truncated cone that has a downwardly continuously decreasing circular cross section. The discharge section has a center line extending therethrough so that the center line and the longitudinal vertical axis of the chip bin form an acute angle alpha.

Abstract: A vacuum tank assembly has a low volume configuration so that it can be used in boats and recreational vehicles where space is at a premium. A stack of components, with a waste tank at the bottom, then a vacuum tank with directly connected vacuum pump, and one or more fresh water tanks, is located remote from a vacuum toilet, with a discharge from the toilet (below a vacuum-tight ball valve) connected to the vacuum tank, which is in turn connected to the vacuum pump, in turn connected to the waste tank. A submersible centrifugal pump may be provided mounted to a cap of the water tank, with an anti-siphon device associated with it. The vacuum tank is of high density polypropylene having flat walls, with no continuous flat surface more than 80 square inches. Lipless duckbill check valves are provided on opposite sides of the vacuum pump, the valves of elastomeric material having a ratio of the wall thickness to thickness of the sealing edges of about 1:1.

Abstract: A container having a base and a sidewall portion extending upwardly therefrom is characterized by striations in the sidewall which define removable strips of the sidewall portion. A shoulder adjacent the opening of the container improves handling of the container, prevents or restricts undesired rotation of the container, restricts or preventing the flow of gas or liquid or solid from above the shoulder means to below the shoulder or vice versa, and stabilizes the containers when, for example, a plurality of them is arranged appropriately. A method of use of such containers is disclosed, including the steps of providing a plurality of such containers and arranging them appropriately.

Abstract: A waste container for use in cutting toe nails has a shelf arranged at least partly over the open top for resting the foot with the toes of the foot projecting over the open top of the container so that cut toe nails fall into the open top. The shelf is inclined to the horizontal such as a front edge thereof is lower than a rear edge thereof and is defined by a top portion of one side wall which is bent inwardly to lie over the open top.

Abstract: A container with improved crease-crack resistance and a method of making that type of container. The container utilizes a layer of a soft plastic on its exterior to control cracking at outward creases. When the container holds motor oil, the oil itself may plasticize the stiff material on the container's interior to preclude inward crease cracking. In this case, the stiff layer should have a sufficient thickness that an adequate amount of material remains unaffected by the oil and does not lose its rigidity or jeopardize the container's structural integrity. Where the contents do not provide the requisite improvement in inward crease cracking or would completely soften the stiff layer, then the container has a separate, soft, third layer of plastic on the interior of the container. The softness of this layer protects against inward crease cracking. It may also protect the stiff layer from softening by the bottle's contents.

Abstract: A vented baffle system for use in a clarifier tank having a tank bottom, a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank is formed by a plurality of individual and cooperatively-engageable baffles mounted on the peripheral tank wall. Each baffle includes a panel member that downwardly slopes from the peripheral tank wall toward the interior of the tank and the tank bottom and terminates at a lower edge disposed in space relation above the tank bottom. A first lateral end of the panel member unitarily carries an end bracket securable to the peripheral wall for supporting the panel member in a cantilevered fashion. One or more of the baffles are provided with a relief valve means for venting the pressure in a space formed between the junction of the lower side of the panel member and the peripheral tank wall. The resulting system provides a vented baffle system in which pressure exerted by the build up of gases in the space may be alleviated.

Abstract: A metallic vacuum double-walled container is provided in which an inner container and outer container are both formed from a metal. From among the aforementioned, at least the outer container possesses a body which is formed by rolling a steel plate with a Vickers hardness of 250.about.600.

Abstract: A reusable collapsible container includes a bottom wall and a relatively flexible, peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall movable between axially extended and collapsed positions. The side wall includes lower and upper relatively thicker portions and an intermediate relatively thinner portion, and the upper portion joins with an annular rim adapted to receive a removable cap. The intermediate side wall portion is tapered radially inwardly and downwardly, and the lower side wall portion is tapered radially outwardly and downwardly substantially to the bottom wall, such that in a collapsed position, the lower side wall portion is partially telescoped within the upper side wall portion, with the intermediate portion reverse folded therebetween.

Abstract: A roller bottle for trans-membrane co-culture of cells includes an exterior receptacle with a longitudinal axis having a first chamber surrounded by a sidewall. The exterior receptacle has a first neck at one end having an opening therethrough providing fluid access to said first chamber. The roller bottle further includes an interior container with a longitudinal axis and a second chamber, the interior container being located coaxially within the exterior receptacle. The interior container has a second neck at one end providing fluid access to the second chamber. The exterior receptacle is formed from a material that is substantially impermeable to gas and liquid and is sealed in a substantially fluid tight fashion forming the first chamber that has fluid access by the first neck. At least a portion of the interior container is formed from a microporous material.

Abstract: An improved beverage can is provided, and has a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between and being integrally connected to the top and bottom walls. The side wall has opposing curved portions and opposing flattened or concaved portions. The flattened or concaved portions are oriented for gripping by person's thumb and fingers. One of the flattened or concaved portions is positioned below an opening in the top wall of the can such that the can is automatically oriented for drinking or pouring when grasped by a person. A circular ridge is provided adjacent the top and bottom walls of the can such that the can is rollable along a surface or track. The flattened or concaved portions also provide an advertising panel for the beverage manufacturer or distributors.

Abstract: A kettle is adapted for use on a narrow ledge of a wood, pellet, or coal burning stove or the like by flattening one side and providing substantially greater weight per unit area to the flattened side and bottom such that the center of gravity of the kettle is located in the vicinity of the juncture between the bottom and the flattened side. A spout for the kettle is adapted with an opening which points horizontally away from the flattened side to direct steam to a space in front of the stove and thereby minimize damage from steam otherwise rising directly upward and depositing moisture on adjacent or nearby stove pipes or parts.

Abstract: An above ground storage tank is provided having an inner tank for primary storage, and an outer casing surrounding the inner tank. The outer casing includes both a casing body defining an opening, and a removable lid positioned over the opening. A fire-resistant seal is provided between the lid and casing body to inhibit transmission of fire and explosion hazards to stored materials, as well as preventing leaks and spills from escaping containment. It is preferred to further add a weather-resistant sealant around the periphery of the fire-resistant seal to inhibit weathering thereof.

Abstract: A circumferential rib-stiffened hollow cylinder and method for fabrication thereof featuring construction of the cylinder from complementarily shaped nestled prefabricated rings and resultant circumferential ribs which are integral with the rest of the cylinder. In one embodiment ring sections which are "L"-shaped in cross-section are axially and sequentially mated; ring sections which are "U"-shaped are axially and correspondingly integrated therewith, therein for a cylinder having internal circumferential ribs and thereout for a cylinder having external circumferential ribs. The dominant load path for the cylinder is through the reinforced cylinder elements, and the cylinder's wall-thickness-to-diameter ratio is effectively reduced, thereby allowing radial reinforcement of the ribs, reducing residual stresses and increasing strength; these advantages are especially significant for cylinders which are composite or are to be subjected to hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A non-metallic unitary baking pan, and especially a baking pan made of plastic, including foam plastic, paper or plastic laminated paper in which a cake or cake-like product can be baked, which baking pan has portions thereof which are thicker and have greater insulating effect than other portions to more uniformly and evenly distribute the heat produced during the baking operation throughout the cake batter or dough being baked. Also disclosed is method for producing such a non-metallic unitary baking pan by means of heated mating dies under pressure the mating dies having portions spaced farther apart than other portions thereof to produce corresponding thicker portions in the pan so formed.

Abstract: An improved oil basin for electric discharge machining device has a slanted bottom surface, a `L` shaped fixed wall at two sides of the basin, two oil outlets at the bottom portions of one side of the fixed wall, and two oil inlets at opposite side from the oil outlets. The basin further has two openable walls with one side of each pivotally hinged to respective sides of the fixed wall. Two slanted gutters are located at inner bottom ends of the two walls to collect oil draining from the inside of the two openable walls. The opposite position arrangement of the oil inlets and outlets provides a better circulation of oil flow so as to strain out all dirt and residue from the oil in order to maintain a good processing quality. The gutters collect oil remaining on the inner side of the two openable walls to prevent oil from dripping to the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cathodic protection system for an above-ground storage tank having a metal bottom, both new and retrofitted bottoms. A leak containing dielectric safety membrane is spaced a short distance below and extends beneath the tank bottom generally parallel thereto forming a narrow envelope. Compacted electrolytic conductor is positioned between the membrane and the tank bottom supporting the tank bottom embedding a horizontally disposed cathodic protection anode, the anode being in the form of a matrix or grid of interconnected titanium bars and ribbons. A reticulate dielectric insulator may be embedded in the electrolytic conductor and positioned directly above the anode and such insulator is operable to keep any portion of the anode from contacting the tank bottom and to maintain a generally uniform spacing between the anode and tank bottom. The ribbons extend transversely of the bars and are spot welded on uniform centers to bars on diameters or major chords of a circular tank bottom.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for the manufacture of a basically cylindrical container provided with a can end which is lock-seamed to a longitudinally welded body without the risk of scratching the inside of the can body, by providing a sequence of operations which is adapted to high volume production, including the steps of preparation of the can body, preparation of the can tap, seating of the tap or can end, moving the can body, applying an axial force to the body wall, and transferring the can body with the can end to a final lock seaming operation.The present invention further describes apparatus associated to the new steps of the process as well as to a specific machine for lock seaming which includes such devices, and to a can end to be lock seamed by the process.

Abstract: A fiber drum with an integral skid is made by providing a lower skirt on a drum body. The skirt has cutouts for engagement by mechanized drum handling apparatus. The drum may also include an upper skirt cooperating with the lower skirt to maintain several drums aligned vertically for stacking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure vessel having a non-circular axial cross-section, and a method for its construction, which achieves improved reliability, minimum weight, minimum cost, and maximum aerodynamic smoothness. The above characteristics are achieved through the use of honeycomb cores whose thickness varies in accordance with the distribution of bending moments created by the non-circular axial cross-sectional configuration under internal pressure. The present invention also provides a pressure vessel having a non-circular axial cross-section which may be especially designed to meet preestablished design criteria for optimal weight, volume, and strength.

Abstract: An insulating panel and shapes each having an outer, continuous membrane, an internal rigid frame, and an enclosed vacuum space. The outer continuous membrane is made up of a top membrane and a bottom membrane each having a plurality of biaxially curved, concave surface which are loaded in tension when the top or bottom membranes are exposed to ambient atmospheric pressure. Between each biaxially curved, concave surface is an arcuate path through which differential tension loadings on the adjacent biaxially curved, concave surfaces are offset, thereby reducing the structure requirements on the internal rigid frame. A second embodiment has an expansion joint means, the top or bottom membrane which enable the panel to maintain the tension stress loadings on the top and bottom surfaces when thermal contraction or expansion occurs in the top or bottom membranes, a corner shape, an inside corner shape, and a container embodiment are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A non-metallic unitary baking pan, and especially a baking pan made of plastic, including foam plastic, paper or plastic laminated paper in which a cake or cake-like product can be baked, which baking pan has portions thereof which are thicker and have greater insulating effect than other portions to more uniformly and evenly distribute the heat produced during the baking operation throughout the cake batter or dough being baked. Also disclosed is method for producing such a non-metallic unitary baking pan by means of heated mating dies under pressure the mating dies having portions spaced farther apart than other portions thereof to produce corresponding thicker portions in the pan so formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a redrawing method which comprises holding a preliminarily drawn cup of a covered metal sheet by an annular holding member inserted in the cup and a redrawing die, and relatively moving the redrawing die and a redrawing punch arranged coaxially with the holding member and redrawing cup, said drawing punch being capable of going into the holding member and coming out from the holding member, so that the redrawing die and redrawing punch are engaged with each other, to form a deep-drawn cup having a diameter smaller than that of the preliminarily drawn cup. This redrawing method is prominently characterized in that the radius of curvature of the operating corner portion of the redrawing die is 1 to 2.9 times as large as the bare sheet thickness of the metal sheet.