An apparatus and method for protecting exposed threads of a material. The apparatus having a base, a body with at least one open end, and at least one protrusion. The protrusions may be spaced evenly along an inner or outer surface of the apparatus body at a fixed distance from the base. Additionally, the protrusions can be matched to a thread pattern to allow for quick attachment, or connection. The apparatus may be constructed of a metallic material or alloy, or a combination of metallic materials and alloys. The thread protector thread pattern can then be matched to the thread pattern on the material or item to be protected. Affixing the thread protector to the material or item to be protected could include turning the thread protector in a manner that secures, connects, or locks the protrusions with the thread patter of the material or item to be protected.

A ventilated plug for a shipping, display, or other tube is provided. The ventilated plug is configured to frictionally connect to the tube to provide a ventilated interior of the tube. The plug may be particularly advantageous for transport and display of living organisms.

A ventilated plug for a shipping, display, or other tube is provided. The ventilated plug is configured to frictionally connect to the tube to provide a ventilated interior of the tube. The plug may be particularly advantageous for transport and display of living organisms.

A protective cap (1) is proposed for an end of an elongate member (6), such as a male connecting end of a pipe or tube. The cap (1) comprises a sheath of flexible, resilient (i.e. elastic) material (2) to cover part of the outer surface of the member (6) at an end of the member. The protective cap (1) can be applied to the end of the member by unfurling at least part of the sheath 3 from a gathered configuration, such as a rolled-up configuration. The protective cap (1) includes resilient ridges (8) extending inwardly from an insert member (2), and/or a chip at least partly within the cap.

The hybrid plug is a single component replacement for three components, the paint plug, conventional plug and capseal in a drum closure. It is formed from a single sheet of metal and has a plug portion and a capseal portion which vary in thickness. The plug portion has a collar and an externally threaded wall with a plug gasket disposed on a plug gasket seat. The capseal portion is provided with ears and scoring to enable separation from the plug portion and with a lining on the inner wall of the capseal portion to safeguard against plug gasket failure. The capseal portion may be recessed at intervals to form dimples which hold the hybrid plug in place in an automated insertion process. The hybrid plug provides a passage for air and gases during paint curing and leak testing without necessitating removal.

The hybrid plug is a single component replacement for three components, the paint plug, conventional plug and capseal in a drum closure. It is formed from a single sheet of metal and has a plug portion and a capseal portion which vary in thickness. The plug portion has a collar and an externally threaded wall with a plug gasket disposed on a plug gasket seat. The capseal portion is provided with ears and scoring to enable separation from the plug portion and with a lining on the inner wall of the capseal portion to safeguard against plug gasket failure. The capseal portion may be recessed at intervals to form dimples which hold the hybrid plug in place in an automated insertion process. The hybrid plug provides a passage for air and gases during paint curing and leak testing without necessitating removal.

A multi-component synthetic closure and/or a rod-shaped intermediate product which incorporate printed indicia comprising ink that is invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions and a continuous, in-line manufacturing process therefor are described. In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the core member of the synthetic closure and/or the rod-shaped intermediate product can be formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indicia among which can be a registration mark that can be invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions on the outer surface of the central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.

A multi-component synthetic closure and/or a rod-shaped intermediate product which incorporate printed indicia comprising ink that is invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions and a continuous, in-line manufacturing process therefor are described. In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the core member of the synthetic closure and/or the rod-shaped intermediate product can be formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indicia among which can be a registration mark that can be invisible under normal lighting and/or temperature conditions on the outer surface of the central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.

A thin-walled polypropylene product display tube. The thin-walled polypropylene product display tube includes a tubular member having a closed end, an open end, an inner diameter and, between the closed end and the open end, a first outer diameter, the open end terminating in a flared portion having a second outer diameter, the tubular member having a wall thickness sufficient to yield a level of haze equal to or less than 8%. A process for forming a thin-walled polypropylene product display tube is also provided.

A thin-walled polypropylene product display tube. The thin-walled polypropylene product display tube includes a tubular member having a closed end, an open end, an inner diameter and, between the closed end and the open end, a first outer diameter, the open end terminating in a flared portion having a second outer diameter, the tubular member having a wall thickness sufficient to yield a level of haze equal to or less than 8%. A process for forming a thin-walled polypropylene product display tube is also provided.