Abstract: A microgravity agriculture device includes a root cylinder providing a growing medium for the plant and intended for root growth. The root cylinder will extend into a water tank, and the root cylinder will include apertures and wicking elements to draw water from the water tank into the root cylinder for availability to the plant roots. The geometries of the water tank, root cylinder, apertures and wicking elements are designed in a manner to ensure water surface tension will cause water in the tank to fill and stay in the proper areas to ensure water flow to the plant, no obstruction of vents during tank filling, and no egress of the water through the vents.

Abstract: A device for microwave heating with inversion has a base and a cover defining a heating chamber. Both the base and the cover include a susceptor heatable by microwave energy and the cover includes an aperture to vent steam. With a food product in the heating chamber, the device is placed in a microwave oven resting on the base. During an initial heating period, the lower surface of the food product is browned or crisped due to conduction and steam escapes from the heating chamber via the aperture. After the initial heating period, the device in inverted and the food product comes into contact with the cover. The device is placed in the microwave oven resting on the cover during a secondary heating period in which the food product is heated further, and the upper surface of the food product is browned or crisped due to conduction.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for a fluid dispensing pump to dispense fluid from a container is disclosed. The connecting assembly includes a first connector adapted to rotatably couple with the housing and a second connector adapted to threadably engage with the first connector. The first connector and the second connector together define a receiving portion to accommodate the neck of the container. The connecting assembly further includes multiple sliders movably disposed within the receiving portion. In such arrangement, movement of the first connector relative to the second connector along a longitudinal axis of the connecting assembly allows movement of the sliders in a radial direction of the connecting assembly. In addition, the connecting assembly includes at least one seal disposed on the sliders to engage with an inner surface of the neck of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a moulded food product, the apparatus comprising a base having first and second ends, with differing first and second moulds being formed with the first and second end respectively. A ring is engageable with either end of the base and has a ring mould portion contiguous with the first and second moulds to create a forming space when in use. A central aperture extends through the ring mould portion and a plunger is dimensioned and configured to pass through the central aperture, the plunger having a forming end and a closing end.