A sand bag shovel having an elongated rod connected to a connecting member and the connecting member attached to a scoop. The scoop has a pair of sidewalls and a front wall with tapered panels that form a peak. A funnel is used with the scoop that has a flange that extends outwardly from a top opening.

A sand bag shovel having an elongated rod connected to a connecting member and the connecting member attached to a scoop. The scoop has a pair of sidewalls and a front wall with tapered panels that form a peak. A funnel is used with the scoop that has a flange that extends outwardly from a top opening.

A yard waste collection and carrying device is in the form of a large flat-bottomed tray open at one end, sized to receive leaves, sticks and other materials raked into the open end. Formed of a semi-rigid rubbery plastic material, the device stores a large volume of material, has a pair of opposed side handles for carrying, and is easily deformed to curve the forward end into a pouring configuration, so that the collected materials can easily be transferred into a narrower waste can. The shape of the device is such as to be compactly stackable for storing or shipping a number of the devices together.

A yard waste collection and carrying device is in the form of a large flat-bottomed tray open at one end, sized to receive leaves, sticks and other materials raked into the open end. Formed of a semi-rigid rubbery plastic material, the device stores a large volume of material, has a pair of opposed side handles for carrying, and is easily deformed to curve the forward end into a pouring configuration, so that the collected materials can easily be transferred into a narrower waste can. The shape of the device is such as to be compactly stackable for storing or shipping a number of the devices together.

One embodiment relates to a bistable hold open mechanism including first and second flexible flat, strip like members positioned relative to each other. The members include opposing first and second ends; an inner mating surface; and an opposing outer bonding surface. One or more pivot members and/or hinges is integrated into the second member separating it into a side seal portion and an operable portion, the side seal portion coupled to the operable portion. Embodiments include flexures which allow the pivot members or hinges to be biased in open or closed configurations. Applying a slight pressure to the members opens the mechanism. When the mechanism reaches a predetermined point, the pivot or hinges lock, maintaining an open configuration. Closing the mechanism only requires a slight pressure be applied to the external surface of the members, resulting in the pivot members or hinges unlocking and rotating towards a closed configuration.

Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for replacing the corrugated containers and dunnage to facilitate packaging of items in foam containers, referred to as polymer encapsulations, that can be used to protect and contain the item during shipment. When one or more items are ordered for delivery to a destination, the item(s) is picked from inventory and a rapidly setting polymer foam is injected around the bagged item to encapsulate and protect the item. For example, at packing, rather than placing the item in a corrugated container, temporary walls may be positioned around the bagged item and a pre-polymer injected into the space between the walls that surround the item such that a polymer forms that encases the item. After the polymer sets, the walls are retracted and the item is protected by the formed polymer encapsulation and available for transport to the destination.

The support device includes a support and a pair of bars spaced apart from each other. The bars include a slot configured to enclose peripheral side edges of a flexible pouch. In one embodiment, the bars are wing shaped and include a first member and a second member. The first member is angled with respect to the second member. The slot extends inwardly from an inner surface of the bar and is disposed between the first and second member. The slot is configured to receive a peripheral side seal of the flexible pouch. The first and second members help keep the body of the pouch within the grips of the gripper. In a second preferred embodiment, the bars are an elongated member. The slot is disposed along the inner surface of the bars. The bars have a length sufficient to receive the side peripheral seal of the pouch.

A toy gathering and storage device for gathering and storing toys includes a rake that has a handle which comprises an exterior section and an interior section, such that the handle is extendable. A top edge of a slat is coupled to a bottom end of the exterior section. A plurality of claws is coupled to and extends from a bottom edge of the slat. The device includes a collector that has a rod which comprises an inner section and an outer section, such that the rod is extendable. A bracket is coupled to and extends from a bottom terminus of the outer section. A pan is pivotally coupled to the bracket. A bag, which is flexible, is positionable around the pan and the bracket. The bag is couplable to the bracket.

A funnel apparatus for facilitating pouring substances into pliable bags includes a tubular wall that converges inwardly from a top end to a bottom end. A clip is mounted to the tubular wall adjacent to the bottom end. A grip is mounted to the tubular wall adjacent to the top end. The clip may position a rim of a bag around the tubular wall adjacent to the bottom end.

A funnel apparatus for facilitating pouring substances into pliable bags includes a tubular wall that converges inwardly from a top end to a bottom end. A clip is mounted to the tubular wall adjacent to the bottom end. A grip is mounted to the tubular wall adjacent to the top end. The clip may position a rim of a bag around the tubular wall adjacent to the bottom end.