Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking in heated water any dehydrated powdered food, including West African yams, garri and rice known collectively as fufu flour, beef, poultry, seafood, carrots, fruit, and any combination thereof, forming a product having varying degrees of thickness and hence varying cooking requirements, requiring correspondingly varying schedules for heating, dispensing, rehydrating and cooling. The apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor, either manually programmed or preprogrammed, for cooking various dehydrated powdered products according to a schedule particular to each at a push of a button. The apparatus has a heater for rapid heating, a dispenser which holds and dispenses the product into a cooking container, and a fan for rapid cooling if required by a cooking schedule. The apparatus benefits from a novel rehydration process that rapidly mixes water with the product to facilitate cooking such food almost instantly.

Abstract: A mold battery with provisions for separating one mold member from another by both rotating away and also translating away. A mold member comprises two wheels resting on two rails and a lower roller. While the mold member is rotated to an open angle stopped by the lower roller contacting a stop surface, yet the mold member can also be translated away by rolling along the rails. When joining mold members, a freedom of movement is provided which improves the seal. One embodiment comprises parallel guidance by wheels fixed on a common axle and turning in unison. One embodiment substitutes a fixed pin for the lower roller.

Abstract: A mold battery with provisions for separating one mold member from another by both rotating away and also translating away. A mold member comprises two wheels resting on two rails and a lower roller. While the mold member is rotated to an open angle stopped by the lower roller contacting a stop surface, yet the mold member can also be translated away by rolling along the rails. When joining mold members, a freedom of movement is provided which improves the seal. One embodiment comprises parallel guidance by wheels fixed on a common axle and turning in unison. One embodiment substitutes a fixed pin for the lower roller.

Abstract: A manual dispenser of material of indeterminate length, which is engaged on a rotating roller assembly, such that when the end of the material is pulled, the roller rotates with the material until reaching a stop, whereafter by slipping, additional material is advanced a length suitable to the user. The material is then forced to sever against a cutter, creating a useful material segment, and also releasing the roller assembly to rotate backwards, powered by a biasing spring. Upon return, the roller holds the remnant end of the material extended, readily accessible for grasping. An alternate embodiment comprises a movable cutter.

Abstract: A manual dispenser of material of indeterminate length, which is yieldably retained on a movable feeder, such that when the end of the material is pulled, the feeder moves until it reaches a stop, whereupon additional material is yielded from the feeder to a length suitable to the user. The material is then forced to sever against a cutter, creating a useful material segment, and also releasing the feeder to return to its initial position, powered by a biasing spring. Upon return, the feeder holds the remnant end of the material extended, readily accessible for grasping. An alternate embodiment comprises a movable cutter.

Abstract: A lens injector cartridge having an asymmetric bore. The asymmetric bore initiate; the folding of the lens on one side only, thereby reducing the amount of energy imparted to the lens and the potential for damage to the lens. The gentle folding of the lens also assists in positioning the travel of the haptics down the bore, thereby reducing the potential for damage to the haptics.

Abstract: A lens injector cartridge having an asymmetric bore. The asymmetric bore initiates the folding of the lens on one side only, thereby reducing the amount of energy imparted to the lens and the potential for damage to the lens. The gentle folding of the lens also assists in positioning the travel of the haptics down the bore, thereby reducing the potential for damage to the haptics.

Abstract: A stitching machine has a stitching head stationarily mounted above the table. A carriage frame is mounted above the table and below the head for movement in a Y-direction relative to the head. A carriage belt is rotatably mounted to the carriage frame for movement in an X-direction relative to the head and the carriage frame. The carriage belt and carriage frame are controlled by a computer. A plurality of cartridges are employed, each cartridge having a hoop for holding a tautly mounted fabric workpiece. A latch is mounted to the belt for engaging one of the cartridges for movement with the belt to perform stitching. A magazine holds a plurality of the cartridges and advances them automatically one at a time onto the table for engagement with the latch after the previous cartridge has been released by the latch.

Abstract: A single piece intraocular lens folder that has a generally planar, open frame in the shape of a rounded "A" with a rimmed, open head at the top of the "A". The base of the "A" forms a pairs of opposing legs or handles that join to form a hinge at the intersection where the handles attach to the head. The hinge allows the handle to be squeezed together and spring apart when released. Squeezing the handles together causes the sides of the head to spread apart, thereby stretching the top edge of the head rim and pulling the top edge downward toward the hinge. The open head contains a pair of support jaws and a pair of serpentine folding jaws. The location of the serpentine jaws is such that when the top edge of the head rim moves toward the hinge, the serpentine jaws are squeezed together, causing the IOL to be folded in half. The serpentine shape of the folding jaws allow the haptics to pivot downward, thereby permitting the IOL to be folded along a plurality of axes.

Abstract: A partially denatured whey protein product with a protein content of 65-95% by weight relative to the dry matter, a protein denaturization level of 55-80%, and a mean particle size in the range from 30 to 60 .mu.m, in particular 40-50 .mu.m. The product is suitable for use in foods as an additive with an emulsifying action and good organoleptic properties, particularly in cold-prepared emulsions.

Abstract: A tape dispenser holds a stock roll of tape (3) which has adhesive on one or both sides. A section of tape (4) is played out around an idle roller (7), which at times also translates to form a surplus tape loop (16), and around two or more cutter bars (2) mounted in a drum (1) which is powered to turn by a gearmotor (55). The cutter bars can also rotate individually in their bearings (61), and are powered to do so by a cam action inside the drum. When the drum advances, the differential rotation of the cutter bars creates tension in a section of tape, thus tearing it into a segment (5). The length of the tape segment may be preselected by means of an adjustment disk (100).The object of the invention is to sequentially cut and then present each tape segment to a convenient dispensing position. When a user grasps and lifts the tape segment from the cutter bar, the gearmotor automatically restarts to cut and present a new tape segment.