Abstract: The present invention provides refrigeratable yeast-leavened dough compositions and methods of making such doughs. In a first embodiment, a dough composition of the invention is made by rehydrating dried yeast at chilled temperatures, which causes selective lysing (a loss in the selectivity of the yeast plasma membrane). Such a dough composition exhibits a cold sensitivity in that the yeast is capable of leavening the dough at elevated temperatures, but becomes inactive at refrigeration temperatures. In another embodiment, the dough composition and the strain of yeast used therein are chosen to limit the total leavening action of the yeast by controlling the amount of substrate in the dough fermentable by the yeast. In a third embodiment, a dough comprises a mixture of flour, water and a mutant yeast which is low temperature sensitive. Such an "lts" yeast is active at elevated temperatures, but becomes substantially inactive at refrigeration temperatures.

Abstract: An effective oxygen barrier which can substantially extend the shelf life of oxygen sensitive products comprising at least outer and inner plies of a polymeric material and a substantially anaerobic space between the two or more plies.

Abstract: Refrigerated dough packaging method includes packaging the dough in a package having a pressure release valve associated with a flange to substantially prevent the expanding dough from interfering with the gas venting abilities of the package.

Abstract: A phosphorescent ophthalmic instrument for fixating a patient's eye during an ophthalmic procedure. The instrument includes a fixation structure attachable to the patient's eye, at least a portion of the fixation ring being made from a phosphorescent material. This material, visible to the physician after exposure to incident visible light when substantially all room (and operating) lights are turned off, enables the physician to visualize the location of the fixation ring in a dark operating environment.

Abstract: Refrigerated dough packaging has a pressure release valve associated with a flange to substantially prevent the expanding dough from interfering with the gas venting abilities of the packaging.

Abstract: An effective oxygen barrier which can substantially extend the shelf life of oxygen sensitive products comprising at least outer and inner plies of a polymeric material and a substantially anaerobic space between the two or more plies.

Abstract: The present invention provides refrigeratable yeast-leavened dough compositions and methods of making such doughs. The dough composition and the strain of yeast used therein are chosen to limit the total leavening action of the yeast by controlling the amount of substrate in the dough fermentable by the yeast. Dough compositions made in accordance with the invention are capable of being leavened at elevated temperatures, yet stored in a sealed container at refrigeration temperatures for extended periods of time. In one embodiment, a maltose negative yeast is used and sucrose or the like is added to the dough to serve as a fermentable substrate for the dough; this dough is suitable for storage times of up to 30 days or so.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming composite ice cream-like edible novelties having discrete doughy additions therein. The apparatus includes a main die having an entrance and an exit disposed downstream of the entrance and at least one intermediate die positioned within the main die at a location upstream of the exit of the main die. An ice cream-like composition is introduced to the entrance of the main die in at least a semi-frozen state. A doughy addition supply system is also included such that a stream splitter divides a single doughy addition stream into equal streams, each supplying the intermediate die with the doughy addition at an elevated temperature and at equal rates. The ice cream-like composition and the discrete doughy addition are extruded together through the exit of the main die to form the composite ice cream-like edible novelty.

Abstract: A surf craft such as a surfboard or windsurfer comprising a planing plank (15) forming the complete lower surface (14) of the craft and a stiffening spine (11) upstanding from and extending substantially the length of the planing plank (15). The spine (11) being integral with the planing plank (15) to form a structural unit with the planing plank projecting laterally from either side of the central spine. These lateral projections (31) of the planing plank (15) being independently resiliently deflectable in use relative to the central stiffening spine (11). Filler pads (35) on either side of the spine rest on and secured to the planing plank (15) to form with the spine a platform for a rider of the craft to stand and move about on when the craft is in use. The filler pads (35) being resiliently flexible with the planing plank.

Abstract: A row crop cultivator having rolling shields adjacent each of the cultivator shovels to protect the crop from soil thrown by the shovels. The cultivator typically has three or more shovels per furrow, the shovels being spaced laterally and longitudinally from one another. Shields are provided on each side of the centrally located shovels, and, for each off-center shovel, a shield is provided between that shovel and the closest adjacent row of crop. Some of the shields, particularly for the centrally located shovels, may be located closer to the center of the furrow than adjacent shields, allowing close spacing of both shovels and shields to provide the required crop protection. The cultivator allows increased cultivating speed, even for narrow row precision cultivation and even in mellow soils, and also eliminates the clogging problem suffered by conventional tunnel shields in fields having significant trash or crop residue.

Abstract: A punch assembly for use in a punch press including a pair of elongated rods having mating respective male and female threaded ends, a head on one end of the female portion for being engaged by a ram of the press, a compression spring, a punch tip at the end of the male portion for action with a workpiece, a punch guide encompassing part of the punch assembly to act as a stripper in relation between the punch tip and the workpiece and a wire clip co-acting between the male and female threaded portions for adjustment of the overall punch length. After sharpening, the wire clip is disengaged and the male and female rods are axially rotated in oposite directions to compensate for the ground-off length. The wire clip is then reengaged and the punch assembly is reassembled for use.

Abstract: Base alkyd resins are modified to provided increased hydrolytic stability by reacting them with a polybasic acid composition containing one or more cycloaliphatic polybasic acids, the resulting modified alkyd having an acid number in the range of 25-100 and having pendent carboxy-functional monoester groups derived from the cycloaliphatic polybasic acids.

Abstract: An elongated guide for use in medical procedures is provided, the guide having a flexible metal core and a forward portion comprising an elongated, helically wound wire coil providing a flexible tip. A flexible safety wire extends forwardly within the coil and terminates forwardly in an integral, enlarged diameter portion defining a plug carried adjacent the forward end of the coil, the plug having a diameter at least approximately equal to the inner diameter of the coil at its forward end and substantially filling the lumen of the coil. A bonding agent such as a polymeric resin, solder or the like is employed to adhere the plug to the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a bag with a commodity without contaminating a sealable region of the bag near its opening. The apparatus includes a mechanism for forming a cuff in the bag and holding the bag as it is being filled. A frame associated with the cuffing mechanism assists in positioning the commodity adjacent the cuffed bag and for facilitating insertion of the commodity into the bag. Desirably the frame includes a platform on which the commodity may be prepared prior to insertion of it into the bag. Preferably the platform is movable between a first position oriented to facilitate preparation of the commodity and a second position oriented to facilitate insertion of the commodity into the bag. The device and method is particularly useful in packaging commodities which may be emulsion-laden, including meats such as poultry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a snowmobile with a reverse-shift lever. A shift cable extends between a transmission which is shiftable from a forward condition to a reverse condition and a lever means of the invention. The lever means is mounted on the snowmobile and includes a lever arm having first and second sides which may be moved from a first, forward position displaying its first side and second, reverse position displaying its second side. So moving the lever arm causes the cable to move, thereby shifting the transmission between its forward and reverse conditions. The first side of the lever arm may include an indicator indicating a forward condition of the transmission and the second side of the lever arm may be provided with an indicator indicating a reverse condition.

Abstract: A container, such as a pail for holding paint or the like, integrally molded from a resilient plastic material. The container includes an integrally molded bail having ends joined to wall portions of the container by relatively thin, flexible, diametrically opposed hinge portions which enables the container and its liquid contents to hang vertically from the bail. A stiffening bead is provided circumferentially about the wall of the container adjacent its upper rim, the bead including a vertically extending, X-shaped lattice structure included between the wall of the container and a wall spaced annularly thereabout.