Abstract: A key assembly includes a key, a cap and a fastener to selectively secure the cap to the key. The cap may include an opening for receiving a key ring, or other structure, therethrough. In one embodiment, the key includes a grip, and the cap and grip cooperate to enclose the key when the cap is secured in place.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for improving the yield of potato crops. The arrangement includes a bed, a plurality of pairs of parallel rows of potato plants, and a drip irrigation tape. The bed is provided for multiple rows of potato plants. The plurality of pairs of parallel rows of potato plants in the bed have an inter-row gap between the rows in each pair of rows spaced from one another sufficiently to provide a moisture permeable agronomic soil corridor between the rows in each pair of rows to provide a supply of water to a root zone of each row within each pair of rows of potato plants while maintaining aerated soil within and above the agronomic soil corridor to reduce excessively wet conditions adjacent the crop canopy and a solar light corridor provided between adjacent pairs of rows to provide increased solar energy to the potato plants.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus are disclosed for the manufacturing of dairy products. Also dairy products prepared by means of the disclosed method are comprised by the invention. The novel method makes use of preactivated cultures and results in a reduction of production time and costs in addition to a less complicated planning of the production work.

Abstract: A method of hand painting ceramic objects as disclosed, which allows user selection of an object to be painted and a design to be applied. A composite three dimensional image is formed of the design, as applied to an image of the selected object. The image is selectively colored as desired by the user. A two dimensional projection of the selected image is formed, the projection corresponding to the selected image, as modified to conform to the contours of the selected object. The projection is segmented by commonly colored image portions and stencils are formed, corresponding to the segments. The stencils may be sequentially applied to an article, represented by the selected object, in order to facilitate hand painting of the selected design upon the article.

Abstract: A device for transporting fruit or produce on an endless chain to a produce container. The produce container is continually weighed, and as it fills with produce and reaches a warning weight, a motor which drives an endless chain slows to a lower speed. When the weight of the produce container and produce exceeds a target weight after the addition of one piece of produce or fruit, a weight comparison means signals the motor to stop. The produce container is released and removed from the device, and new empty one is placed in the device. This allows the produce container to be filled above a target weight by the addition of no more than one piece of fruit or produce.

Abstract: A toy bowling game for young children includes a soft bowling ball and a ramp providing an angled bowling surface. Adjacent the raised end of the ramp are a number of wells with a pin elastically tethered to the bottom of each well. Each pin has a rounded bottom that fits into a depression adjacent the front upper edge of its respective well for setting up the pin. The underside of a flange on the pin, which is above and around the rounded bottom, engages the bowling surface.

Abstract: A toy sword spaceship having a generally hollow body shell containing opposed track channels in which lateral guide rails of an elongated toy sword blade are received for sliding back and forth. Pivotally mounted wings fold out when the sword blade is slid from a retracted position to a fully extended position. Depending from the sword blade is a pivotally mounted handle which folds up and is received substantially within the body shell when the blade is retracted. To receive a toy action figure, the sword spaceship is provided with a recessed cockpit area that is covered by a pivotally mounted, transparent, canopy.

Abstract: A method for fractionating milling of cereals between two milling disks having annular working surfaces facing each other and composed of serrated segments, such that the desired fraction, for instance bakery flour, can be recovered by sifting even after a single passage of the milling material between the milling disks. The invention is characterized in that the serrate pattern of said segments comprises a plurality of straight, parallel ridges acting as cutting teeth alternating with parallel grooves and being so designed that the cutting teeth of each segment have a constant height and width and make such an angle with respect to the line of symmetry of the segment that the cutting teeth of each milling disk will intersect the lines of symmetry of each segment of the other milling disk at an angle of .+-..alpha..sub.1 for one milling disk and .+-..alpha..sub.

Abstract: A finger pricking apparatus is disclosed which includes a stop, a guide, a weight and a lancet. The lancet comprises a base, a handle and a needle. The needle is disposed centrally within the base and the handle such that it protrudes from the handle. The lancet is seated in a recess defined by the weight. The weight and lancet are free to reciprocate in the guide. The guide defines a first end and a second end. The stop is seated in the first end of the guide. The stop cooperates with the weight to control depth of puncture of the lancet. In use, the weighted lancet is loaded into the guide. The guide is held between two fingers and inverted. The weighted lancet is thereby caused to travel from the first end to the second end of the guide. When it reaches the first end, the weight contacts the stop, preventing further movement of the lancet. The needle of the lancet protrudes through an opening defined by the stop and pierces a finger, thereby allowing a drop of blood to be drawn.

Abstract: An elevator for a toy playset has a drum wound cable attached to a carrier for toy figures. The carrier includes an elongated, open bottomed shell into which is secured a folded piece of high density foam material, such as foam polyethylene. Compressed together opposed faces of the material form a slit along the length of the open bottom of the shell. Hands of a toy figure are inserted into the slit and retained by the compressed foam as the figure is transported by winding and unwinding the elevator drum.