Some More About Using What You Have – Containers, Part III

Containers, Part III: Today we’ll conclude our series on containers with the last of our non-food containers. There are three and we hope you find them useful.

Plastic, Liquid Medicine Dispenser: This dispenser is a single, contained unit consisting of a reservoir that holds about 2.5 ml (cc) of liquid medicine (originally) with an attached threaded dispensing nozzle and a screw-on top. Finally, a snap-on/off cap covers the nozzle and screw-on top.

This small, 2&1/4in. tall x 7/8in. wide x 3/4in. deep unit makes a great mini-oil dispenser after you expand the nozzle dropper’s opening and channel with your Swiss Army Knife’s leather punch blade (or similar tool). The foregoing procedure will let you get rid of any medicine residue by turning the unit upside down on a paper towel overnight and “load” the unit with a multi-purpose oil of your choice directly via oil can nozzle inserted into the nozzle of your new mini-oil dispenser.

This unit (formerly a dispenser for prescription liquid eye-drops) is now your field-kit oil dispenser that will deliver a surprisingly large number of discreet drops of oil to keep you moving parts moving and your metal surfaces from rusting.

Breath Mint/Candy Tins: We re-use our Altoid-type tins after wiping any residue from inside the now-empty tins with a small rag saturated with rubbing alcohol and letting air-dry. We use three sizes: a. 3/4in. deep x 2&½ in. wide x 3&3/4in. long (mints-type), b. 7/8in. deep x 1&1/2in. wide x 3&3/8in. long (chewing gum-type) and c. 5/8in. deep x 1&1/2in. wide x 2&1/2in. long (tiny-tin type).

Each type tin might find use as/in your mini-kits: fishing, first-aid, tool, survival, fire starting, or parts etc.

Please note that the ziploc-type pill pouches mentioned in Part II last week will fit nicely into tins a. and b. above and that your new mini-oil dispenser would fit well into a.

Plastic Test Tubes/”Tube Vaults”: These test tube shaped, screw capped containers are about 5.75in. tall x 1in in diameter. They will hold about 50ml (roughly 2 oz.) of liquid and are “…  made from food and pharmaceutical grade, crush resistant, polyethylene terephalate (PET).”

They are described as”Baby Soda Bottles” by one source (stevespenglerscience.com) and as “Tube Vaults” by another (countrycomm.com).

They appear to be nearly indestructible by crushing, dropping, etc and are light-weight. Their weakness seems to be that they are not flame proof and that extreme heat will melt them.

They would seem to have use as mini-cache tubes, food/ condiment containers for sealed foods/condiments for the back pack, or serviceable as almost any kit container. We just got a supply (15 for about $10 + postage) and are working them into our programs as we write this.

We’re mentioning them last because you’ll probably have to buy these as containers and not find them from re-use sources. We think they’re worth the bucks but take a look at the sources we’ve named, or kk.org/cooltools, and decide for yourselves.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the horizon as the weathers moving fast.