Abstract: A tube holder is disclosed for carrying a tube to multiple processing stations of a tube filling machine. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tube holder includes a body comprising a receptacle configured for retaining a tube. The tube includes a dispensing end and an opposite open end for filling a cavity therein with a product. A retractable tube shaping device is movably disposed in the tube holder. The shaping device is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the shaping device is in the extended position, the shaping device engages the tube proximate to the open end and removes ovality which might interfere with the tube filling operation. In various embodiments, the shaping device comprises a plurality of vertically retractable straightening elements that engage the sidewalls of the tube to ensure circularity of the open tube end.

Abstract: A toothbrush holder enclosure is provided which includes a three parts: a back plate, a resilient clamp and a front cover. The back plate and front cover form a housing. The clamp part has an inverted “U” shape and is made of a resilient material giving it a springy property. The clamp is shaped to urge two clamp arms towards one another in order for the clamp to grip a toothbrush. Two rollers at the tips of the clamp arms engage a toothbrush head inserted in the clamp as the clamp is spread apart from the clamped position to a deviated state. With the toothbrush inserted, the rollers exert pressure on a neck of the toothbrush to hold the toothbrush fast in place. The rolling engagement action of the rollers permits gripping toothbrushes having heads fitted with rubber sides.

Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure in which a spare tire is stored underneath a rear floor via a spare tire carrier. The vehicle body rear part structure includes a frame part and a tire cover. An embedding groove is formed in an external surface of the tire cover. The frame part is embedded in the embedding groove. Left and right front connecting parts of the frame part are rotatably connected to left and right front support parts. A rear connecting part of the frame part is vertically movably connected to rear support part. Vertical movements of the rear connecting part via the rear support part causes a spare tire to be disposed in a tire storage position and a tire accessing position.

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) for use in a watercraft (12) having a deck (14). The seat assembly (10) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) spaced from the first portion (16). First (52) and second (54) connector panels that are separable from and independent of the first (16) and second (18) portions interconnect the first (16) and second (18) portions. A plurality of locking tabs (56) extend from each of the connector panels (52,54) and are inserted into a plurality of slots (58) defined in the portions (16,18) to connect the connector panels (52,54) to the first (16) and second (18) portions. A mounting bracket (84) is attached to a base (82) of each of the connector panels (52,54) and perpendicularly extends from the connector panels (52,54) to mount the connector panels (52,54) to the deck (14) thereby securing the first (16) and second (18) portions to the deck (14).

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) for use in a watercraft (12) having a deck (14) is provided. The seat assembly (10) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) spaced from the first portion (16). First (52) and second (54) connector panels that are separable from and independent of the first (16) and second (18) portions interconnect the first (16) and second (18) portions. A plurality of locking tabs (56) extend from each of the connector panels (52,54) and are inserted into a plurality of slots (58) defined in the portions (16,18) to connect the connector panels (52,54) to the first (16) and second (18) portions. A mounting bracket (84) is attached to a base (82) of each of the connector panels (52,54) and perpendicularly extends from the connector panels (52,54) to mount the connector panels (52,54) to the deck (14) thereby securing the first (16) and second (18) portions to the deck (14).

Abstract: A support apparatus to retain an article relative to a support surface, the article having an end portion with a perimeter and an adjacent neck portion having a perimeter less than the end portion perimeter. The support apparatus includes a base secured to the support surface and a support arm extending from and supported by the base. The support arm includes a proximal end portion with a flange, the proximal end portion being adjacent to the base, and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion. The distal end portion terminating into a pair of fingers, each having an inside edge that form a slot defined by the flange and each finger inside edge, wherein each inside edge is adapted to slidably engage the neck portion of the article through an open end of the slot, with the article end portion perimeter retained by the pair of fingers.

Abstract: The nature of the invention is to facilitate the complete use of substances that are packaged in containers with odd or irregular shaped tops that double as the dispenser for the substance in the container. As is the rule with gravity, when a container of glue, for example, with a small cone-shaped top/dispenser is placed in storage, the glue settles to the bottom of the container. In order to use as much of the glue as possible, and do so in a timely manner (the value of which increases as the container nears empty), it becomes necessary to either lean or prop the container against a solid object while waiting for the glue to settle on the inverted top prior to dispensing, an action not always desirable or feasible. The cube-shaped invention with varying openings in each side allows for storage in the inverted position of a variety of odd-shaped top/dispenser containers; thereby, permitting easy, rapid use of the substance within a container, especially as the container nears empty.

Abstract: The nature of the invention is to facilitate the complete use of substances that are packaged in containers with odd or irregular shaped tops that double as the dispenser for the substance in the container. As is the rule with gravity, when a container of glue, for example, with a small cone-shaped top/dispenser is placed in storage, the glue settles to the bottom of the container. In order to use as much of the glue as possible, and do so in a timely manner (the value of which increases as the container nears empty), it becomes necessary to either lean or prop the container against a solid object while waiting for the glue to settle on the inverted top prior to dispensing, an action not always desirable or feasible. The cube-shaped invention with varying openings in each side allows for storage in the inverted position of a variety of odd-shaped top/dispenser containers; thereby, permitting easy, rapid use of the substance within a container, especially as the container nears empty.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support system for an inverted toothpaste tube. The support system has a housing formed of a one piece plastic construction, fabricated of a rigid material selected from the class of rigid materials including plastic, ceramic and metal, preferably plastic. The housing is further provided with a flat circular lower end for being positioned securely on a counter as well as a circular upper end. A frusto-conical exterior surface is located therebetween with a central bore therethrough. The bore has a vertical central axis with the exterior surface at an angle from the vertical axis of the bore. The central bore has a cylindrical lower part of a reduced diameter and a length for receiving the toothpaste cap. The central bore also has a cylindrical upper portion of an enlarged diameter and a length to receive a lower portion of the tube. The bore also has a frusto-conical intermediate section between the upper and lower portions for receiving and supporting the shoulder.

Abstract: A combination of a relatively rigid retaining clip and a squeezable product dispensing tube, the tube having a base and side walls forming a chamber for containing a flattened and folded portion of the tube, at least the side walls having radiused or chamfered edges and slick surfaces and exaggerated flared wall portions forming deflectionary side entrances, whereby the elastomeric side walls of the tube may be slidably removed from and replaced in the clip multiple times without damage to the tube as the side walls are flattened and folded into increasingly larger folds. A gap between the top ends of the clip are sized to restrict, but not fully seal, the rearward flow of product in the tube when dispensing pressure is applied thereby causing the product to be urged forward and out the tube dispensing orifice.

Abstract: The present invention is a tube squeezer designed to squeeze excess toothpaste, ointments, and similar materials trapped at the bottom of a collapsible tube dispenser. Two cylindrical rods positioned in parallel have notches to guide and hold two bands or O-rings at each end. The bands or O-rings provide pressure against the tube which is sandwiched between the two rods. Sliding the whole assembly up the length of the tube forces the residual contents to the top.

Abstract: A dispenser (20) and method of use are shown for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube (100). The dispenser has a reel (60) rotatably mounted within a cylinder (30). The cylinder has a slot (36) for receiving therethrough the closed end of the tube and the reel has a passageway (66) for receiving therein the same closed end. The cylinder and reel each have a knob (34, 64) with an indicator (35, 65) thereon radially aligned with the slot and passageway, respectively. A user aligns the slot and passageway using the indicators allowing the tube end to be easily inserted. Shoulders (76) on a resilient tab (74) on the reel abut a terminus (46) to retain the reel within the cylinder while allowing disassembly if desired.

Abstract: A shower door caddy and garment hanger in combination in a U-shaped integral device having a pair of legs which can be fitted over top molding of a sliding shower door or the cylindrical rod for a shower curtain having shelf members slantedly positioned on one leg on the inside of the shower for receiving personal care tube products, and spaced hooks on the outside of the other leg on the shower for accommodating towels and articles of clothing.

Abstract: A toothpaste tube holder for supporting a toothpaste tube in a generally horizontal attitude in accordance with this invention involves a generally flat, rectangularly-shaped base member having a front face and a rear face. A pair of similarly-sized support arms are attached in a generally aligned, spaced relationship to the front face, with the rear face being configured for attachment to a generally vertically disposed supporting surface. One of the arms has a fixedly attached cap thereon, and the other arm has therein a tube receiving portion. The cap has a tapered interior, configured to receive the nozzle from which toothpaste is dispensed from the toothpaste tube. Therefore, upon the user discarding the original cap of the toothpaste tube, the cap of the one arm can serve as the closure for the nozzle, as well as the support for that end of the toothpaste tube. The receiving portion of the other arm of the holder serves to receive and support the closed end of the toothpaste tube.

Abstract: A support for a toothpaste container not only supports the container, but also is provided with a mechanism for pulling the container through and squeezing a toothpaste from the same.

Abstract: This invention permits the dispensing of toothpaste onto a standard toothbrush using only one hand or limb and intended as an aid to disabled persons. The invention includes a toothpaste dispenser grasping member that fits over conventional commercially available upright toothpaste dispensers. A toothbrush holding tray is rigidly connected to the top of the toothpaste dispenser grasping member so that the bristles of a toothbrush placed on the toothbrush holding tray will be located below the nozzle of the toothpaste dispenser. To ensure that the bristles will be located properly under the nozzle, an alternative embodiment includes a toothbrush stop positioned on the toothbrush holding tray. The toothpaste grasping member may also have an opening in its side to allow one to view the window often placed in upright toothpaste dispenser to show how much toothpaste is left.

Abstract: A paste tube holder (10) comprises an L shaped bracket (14) having a cylindrical housing (16) which is closed by resilient inwardly directed fingers (28). A pad (25) and a foamed polymeric block (24) fill the housing (16). In use the pad and block (25,26) bias the fingers (28) to the closed position. On insertion of the nozzle of a tube the fingers (28) yield allowing location and gripping of the nozzle in position.

Abstract: A collapsible tube dispenser includes rollers movably mounted in a housing for squeezing a tube, as the rollers roll axially along the tube. The housing is constructed to permit ready installation of a tube to be squeezed. In one form of the invention, the housing includes an open frame, and in another form of the invention, the housing can be quickly disassembled in a convenient manner.

Abstract: A finger manipulated dispenser of viscous liquids from a flexible tube comprises a smaller diameter hollow reel, called a core, and a larger diameter hollow reel, called a spool, which lengthwise telescope together. Each reel at one end has a large diameter flange serving to receive finger applied rotating forces and to abut the non flanged end of the other reel. Each reel has a longitudinal slot, extending from the respective larger diameter flange to the respective non flanged end, to receive collapsed portions of a flexible tube. The core at the non flanged end is partially radially cut to create a directional control pawl. The spool at the larger diameter flange is notched at several radial locations to receive the directional control pawl, thereby completing a ratchet subassembly. To use, the bottom tube end is longitudinally inserted into the core slot. The spool is aligned, with the longitudinal slots of both the core and the spool, and the core and the spool are telescoped together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clip-on system for a multi-purpose, snap-clamp device capable of releasably holding objects in either vertical or horizontal alignments. The system allows a user to select a horizontal or vertical alignment for the snap-clamp device. The system includes a body fastened to a wall or the like and having a compartment with a front wall forming a central passage and two pairs of slots. A mounting member carrying the snap-clamp device on one side has a fastener on the other side. The fastener includes a shaft and two pairs of arms extending at right angles from the shaft. The slots in the front wall of the body receive the arms and the central passage mounts the shaft. The arms are wedged and where the mounting member is rotated the edge of the wedges, which extend slightly into the compartment, catch the inner surface of the front wall of the body and wedge the mounting member into a locked position.

Abstract: A collapsible tube holding bracket for retaining a tube vertically relative to a wall surface including a flat supporting plate adjustably and removably adhered to a wall surface and having a spring pressed clip for clamping the inverted lower end of a tube so that it depends therealong. An L-shaped apertured bracket is adjustably spacedly supported on the plate below the clip and receives the reduced dispensing tube neck therein to retain the tube vertically on and in engagement with the plate and enables the closure cap to be arranged thereon. With the cap removed and a brush disposed therebeneath, the application of hand pressure against the tube forces it against the plate and squeezes paste onto the brush.

Abstract: A small holder having a pair of jaws, has the general configuration of prior larger holders to be used for opening jars, but the inside surfaces of the jaws have thick cushions to conform to the wall of artist paint tubes. The cushions have thin supporting members to be attached to jaw members and are easily removable for changing to cushions with different thicknesses for holding tubes of different diameters.

Abstract: A support member is affixed to a supporting surface and extends perpendicularly therefrom. The support member has a semicircular groove formed therein. A clamp member is pivotally affixed to the support member and has a semicircular groove formed therein and forms a circular groove with the groove formed in the support member when the clamp member is in closed position with the support member for accommodating the open neck part of a flexible toothpaste tube. A holding device releasably maintains the clamp member and the support member in closed coplanar relation with each other and forms a circular groove coplanar them for accommodating the neck part of the toothpaste tube securely between the members to enable the tube to be emptied.