Abstract: An apparatus for preparing produce includes a base having a cradle for receiving the produce which is to be processed, and a reciprocating head which cooperates with the cradle and which includes one or more blades for operating upon the produce which is positioned in the cradle. A single blade is positioned for alignment with center portions of the produce to sever the core membrane of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. An opposing pair of blades are positioned for alignment with end portions of the produce for removal of the end portions of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. The base of the apparatus further preferably includes a retaining element which extends over the cradle for receiving the produce, for maintaining the produce in the cradle during operations of the apparatus on the produce.

Abstract: A process for preparing produce includes a base having a cradle for receiving the produce which is to be processed, and a reciprocating head which cooperates with the cradle and which includes one or more blades for operating upon the produce which is positioned in the cradle. A single blade is positioned for alignment with center portions of the produce to sever the core membrane of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. An opposing pair of blades are positioned for alignment with end portions of the produce for removal of the end portions of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. The base of the apparatus further preferably includes a retaining element which extends over the cradle for receiving the produce, for maintaining the produce in the cradle during operations of the apparatus on the produce.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing produce includes a base having a cradle for receiving the produce which is to be processed, and a reciprocating head which cooperates with the cradle and which includes one or more blades for operating upon the produce which is positioned in the cradle. A single blade is positioned for alignment with center portions of the produce to sever the core membrane of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. An opposing pair of blades are positioned for alignment with end portions of the produce for removal of the end portions of the produce as the head is lowered onto the base. The base of the apparatus further preferably includes a retaining element which extends over the cradle for receiving the produce, for maintaining the produce in the cradle during operations of the apparatus on the produce.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a holder having two mating halves which combine to develop a first cavity located at a proximal end of the holder, for receiving a blade for active use, and a second cavity located toward a distal end of the holder, for receiving a supply of replacement blades. The two mating halves are joined by a hinge located at the distal end of the holder, and a closure in the form of a captive screw extending between the mating halves at a position between the first cavity and the second cavity. Both the first cavity and the second cavity incorporate a magnet for directly engaging the active blade, and for additionally engaging one or more stored replacement blades.

Abstract: A reusable burner device which provides a flame for warming or cooking food or liquids, which includes a canister carrying fuel such as diethyleneglycol (D.E.G.) or mineral spirits, with a burner assembly therein, which includes an unique wick structure which extends down into the fuel, which includes a plurality of parallel, co-planer strands containing a plurality of threads in side by side arrangement with a thermal conducting wire woven thereabout, which wick is set at a predetermined height to provide a hot flame with a fixed burn time. The device is provided with a cap to close off the burner assembly.

Abstract: A produce wedger is provided for sectioning produce, such as tomatoes. The produce is restrained in such a manner that as the slicing device moves through it (thereby slicing it into a plurality of sections), the produce is left substantially in its original shape. The device is configured to minimize destruction of the composition of the produce.A method of sectioning by slicing with minimal disruption of the produce, is disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable lamp comprising a body, formed of a plastic material for holding a flammable fluid therein and including a mouth onto which is secured a burner-closure assembly. The burner-closure assembly comprises a burner and cap means. The cap means is circular in profile and includes a rolled lip extending about the periphery and having a free edge. The lip includes an underside surface on which gasket means is located. The mouth of the bottle is tubular and includes a bead extending about the periphery of the free edge, which bead includes a pair of peripherally extending tapered edges. The cap is disposed over the mouth of the body with the bead located within the rolled lip and with the rolled lip bent tightly thereabout so that the tapered edges of the bead tightly engage the gasket means to form a fluid-tight seal between the cap means and the body.