Abstract: A toy object has an articulated shell structure which can change from a three-dimensional, polyhedral shape into a flattened shape. A biasing device applies force to the shell, that force tending to urge the shell structure into the three-dimensional, polyhedral shape. A holding device holds the shell structure in the flattened shape in opposition to the force applied by the biasing device, and a regulator regulates the period of time for which the holding device holds the shell structure in its flattened shape.

Abstract: A safety container for a baking utensil provided with a thermal heating element having ferrites dispersed therein, which utensil when placed in a microwave oven and is exposed to microwave energy, converts this energy into thermal energy for cooking the food therein. The safety container in which the utensil is housed includes a removable cover and a temperature-responsive latching mechanism which releases the cover to permit withdrawal of the utensil from the container only when the utensil has cooled to a temperature level at which it is safe to handle.

Abstract: A baking utensil adapted to operate in a microwave oven to convert microwave energy to which the utensil is exposed into thermal energy for cooking food contained therein. The utensil is composed of complementary, thermally-conductive upper and lower sections, each having bonded to its outer surface an epoxy matrix layer. Dispersed throughout the matrix layer are ferrite particles which absorb microwave energy to produce thermal energy that is conducted by the sections of the utensil to the food enveloped thereby. The Curie point of the ferrite particles is such as to arrest their absorption of microwave energy when the utensil temperature approaches a level which is excessive for the food product being cooked or baked.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven plastic play pieces. The assembly includes a mold, non-reactive to microwave energy and is provided with shaped cavities for receiving a flowable, plastic molding composition non-reactive to microwave energy and having a predetermined curing temperature. Underlying the cavities is a thermal heating element formed by microwave energy-absorbing ferrite particles dispersed in an inert matrix. The particles have a Curie point higher than the curing temperature of the molding composition so that the heating element heats the composition in the mold cavities to effect curing and hardening thereof, thereby forming the play pieces. The mold assembly is enclosed within a safety container non-reactive to microwave energy.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven plastic play pieces. The assembly includes a mold, non-reactive to microwave energy and is provided with shaped cavities for receiving a flowable, plastic molding composition non-reactive to microwave energy and having a predetermined curing temperature. Underlying the cavities is a thermal heating element formed by microwave energy-absorbing ferrite particles dispersed in an inert matrix. The particles have a Curie point higher than the curing temperature of the molding composition so that the heating element heats the composition in the mold cavities to effect curing and hardening thereof, thereby forming the play pieces. The mold assembly is enclosed within a safety container non-reactive to microwave energy.

Abstract: Present invention is a water gun nozzle assembly for attachment to the barrel of a water gun having an egress path for shooting water through a nozzle. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head with an orifice for connection to an egress path of a toy water gun, a support for the nozzle head, a housing, and a handle. The housing is attachable to the barrel of a water gun with the support and nozzle head located within the housing and rotatably mounted therein, so as to sweep left to right and vice versa, with the support extending to the outside of the housing. The end of the support which extends outside of the housing is directly or indirectly connected to the handle. When the handle is indirectly connected it may be located elsewhere on the barrel or otherwise on the gun and rotatably connected indirectly to the support by a belt, gear, chain or other rotatable drive mechanism.

Abstract: A culinary implement capable of functioning as a mop to extract from an aqueous food mixture insoluble liquid fats dispersed therein. The implement is provided with a handle attached to a holder supporting a porous fabric pad formed of non-woven continuous filament polyester fibers having both hydrophobic and lipophilic properties. When the implement is used to mop the mixture, the fats dispersed therein are attracted and adhere to the pad whereas the aqueous mixture filters therethrough, thereby making it possible to free the food mixture of its fat content.

Abstract: A board game includes a playing board with a playing surface formed as a rectangular grid of multiple rows and columns of recesses. A multiplicity of playing pieces are dimensioned to seat within the recesses and have a body portion about the periphery of which are repetitions of an indicium, such as a letter of the alphabet, and each repetition is in a distinct color. In game play a first player may place a multiplicity of playing pieces in aligned recesses to construct a cognizable linear array of indicia such as a word, and each playing piece displays its indicium in a preselected color associated with that player. The second player may place at least one playing piece in an empty recess adjacent one of the recesses utilized by the linear array of the first player and thus create a new cognizable linear array incorporating the added indicium which is rotated to display the repetition of the indicium in a color associated with the second player.

Abstract: An optical personal inspection instrument enabling an individual, without any assistance, to examine a body orifice or any other body site otherwise not visually accessible. The instrument is provided with a hand-held platform on which a flashlight unit is hingedly supported by an adjustable beam whereby the unit may be more or less raised with respect to the platform and angled to assume an orientation at which a light beam projected from the unit is directed to illuminate the site of interest. Supported behind and above the unit at the upper end of a telescoping arm of adjustable length is a concave mirror, the lower end of the arm being hingedly attached to the adjustable beam at a point thereon adjacent its lower end.

Abstract: A toy figure having artificial eyes which when viewed by an observer, create, as a result of an optical illusion, apparent eyeball movement as the observer changes his orientation relative to the figure. Each artificial eye is constituted by a case formed of a transparent sphere or truncated sphere having a ball supported concentrically therein to simulate an eyeball. The artificial eye is mounted on the head of the figure to expose its convex frontal section, this being covered by a mask having a window therein which displays the eyeball and the regions above and below the eyeball and those on either side thereof. As a consequence, an observer looking at the artificial eye in a direction normal thereto in alignment with the eyeball center sees the eyeball in its centered position.

Abstract: Actuating linkage contained within each arm and hand of the doll causes the three middle fingers of either hand to be flexed from an extended relation to a clenched condition when the arm for that particular hand is raised. When the arm is lowered, then the middle fingers are automatically unclenched. The clenching action is independent of whatever degree of wrist rotation may exist.

Abstract: A toy figure is provided having skin of elastic film and a filling of a high viscosity material, the viscosity of such filling remaining constant under shear. The skin may be of natural or synthetic rubber capable of recovery after stretching of 300 percent of its original dimensions. The filling viscosity is in the range of 5.times.10.sup.3 to 5.times.10.sup.8 centipoises.