A handling system for use in the manufacture of syringe barrels includes a tray having an array of apertures with a tubular upstand around each aperture, each upstand at the upper end thereof defining a support surface for a syringe barrel. Each syringe barrel comprises a cylindrical part and an enlargement at or adjacent the rear end of the barrel and carries at its forward end a safe needle device or a needle shield of a greater diameter than the syringe barrel. At least one of the enlargement of the syringe barrel or the support surface has a profile tapering or rounded inwardly in the downward direction so that when the tray is supported generally horizontally and a syringe barrel is lowered into an upstand, the syringe barrel is centered by co-operation between the enlargement and the support surface. The enlargement may be a flange at the rear end of the syringe barrel or could be a further component fitted to the barrel.

A handling system for use in the manufacture of syringe barrels includes a tray having an array of apertures with a tubular upstand around each aperture, each upstand at the upper end thereof defining a support surface for a syringe barrel. Each syringe barrel comprises a cylindrical part and an enlargement at or adjacent the rear end of the barrel and carries at its forward end a safe needle device or a needle shield of a greater diameter than the syringe barrel. At least one of the enlargement of the syringe barrel or the support surface has a profile tapering or rounded inwardly in the downward direction so that when the tray is supported generally horizontally and a syringe barrel is lowered into an upstand, the syringe barrel is centered by co-operation between the enlargement and the support surface. The enlargement may be a flange at the rear end of the syringe barrel or could be a further component fitted to the barrel.

Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microwavable food container include: forming a wire mesh over a mold comprising a mirror image of the microwavable food container; immersing the wire mesh in a fiber-based slurry bath; drawing a vacuum across the wire mesh to cause fiber particles to accumulate at the wire mesh surface; and removing the wire mesh including the accumulated fiber particles from the slurry bath; wherein the slurry comprises one or more of a moisture barrier, an oil barrier, and a vapor barrier.

Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microwavable food container include: forming a wire mesh over a mold comprising a mirror image of the microwavable food container; immersing the wire mesh in a fiber-based slurry bath; drawing a vacuum across the wire mesh to cause fiber particles to accumulate at the wire mesh surface; and removing the wire mesh including the accumulated fiber particles from the slurry bath; wherein the slurry comprises one or more of a moisture barrier, an oil barrier, and a vapor barrier.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming and subsequently applying topical coatings fiber-based food containers. The slurry includes one or more of an embedded moisture barrier, vapor barrier, and oil barrier, and the topical coating comprises one or more of a vapor barrier, a moisture barrier, an oil barrier, and an oxygen barrier. For food containers having deep sidewalls, a spray coating system includes a first nozzle for applying a full cone spray pattern to the bottom surface of the container, and a second nozzle for applying a hollow cone spray pattern to the inside surfaces of the side walls.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming and subsequently applying topical coatings fiber-based food containers. The slurry includes one or more of an embedded moisture barrier, vapor barrier, and oil barrier, and the topical coating comprises one or more of a vapor barrier, a moisture barrier, an oil barrier, and an oxygen barrier. For food containers having deep sidewalls, a spray coating system includes a first nozzle for applying a full cone spray pattern to the bottom surface of the container, and a second nozzle for applying a hollow cone spray pattern to the inside surfaces of the side walls.

A beverage holder with an insulating sleeve holds a beverage container and a magnetic mount to magnetically secure the insulating sleeve with the beverage container therein to a ferromagnetic support structure. The magnetic mount comprises an exterior housing located outside the insulating sleeve and on a lateral wall of the insulating sleeve. A magnet is carried by the exterior housing and located outside of the insulating sleeve. An interior backing is located on an interior of the insulating sleeve and fastened to the exterior housing through the insulating sleeve. The exterior housing and the interior backing sandwich a portion of the lateral wall of the insulating sleeve.

A beverage holder with an insulating sleeve holds a beverage container and a magnetic mount to magnetically secure the insulating sleeve with the beverage container therein to a ferromagnetic support structure. The magnetic mount comprises an exterior housing located outside the insulating sleeve and on a lateral wall of the insulating sleeve. A magnet is carried by the exterior housing and located outside of the insulating sleeve. An interior backing is located on an interior of the insulating sleeve and fastened to the exterior housing through the insulating sleeve. The exterior housing and the interior backing sandwich a portion of the lateral wall of the insulating sleeve.

A plastic container including a container body (1) made from a colored olefin resin and a decorative layer (3) laminated on the outer surface thereof. The decorative layer includes a transparent adhesive resin layer (3b), a transparent polyester resin layer (3a) which is the outer surface layer, and an intermediate gradation layer (3c) including a portion of which the thickness gradually varies in the direction of height of the container. The gradation layer is formed of a transparent polyester resin blended with a coloring agent. The thickness of the container body varies in response to a change in the thickness of the gradation layer in a manner such that the thickness of the container body portion which is the total thickness of the thickness of the container body and the thickness of the decorative layer is not varied by the presence of the gradation layer.

A plastic container including a container body (1) made from a colored olefin resin and a decorative layer (3) laminated on the outer surface thereof. The decorative layer includes a transparent adhesive resin layer (3b), a transparent polyester resin layer (3a) which is the outer surface layer, and an intermediate gradation layer (3c) including a portion of which the thickness gradually varies in the direction of height of the container. The gradation layer is formed of a transparent polyester resin blended with a coloring agent. The thickness of the container body varies in response to a change in the thickness of the gradation layer in a manner such that the thickness of the container body portion which is the total thickness of the thickness of the container body and the thickness of the decorative layer is not varied by the presence of the gradation layer.