Abstract: An appliance for electrically heated disinfection of contact lenses or similar ojects is provided with a molded plastic housing having a recessed cavity for insertion of a conventional side-by-side horizontal lens storage case containing the lenses immersed in disinfecting liquid, typically saline solution. The cavity has horizontally aligned opposite end openings through the sides of the housing and the openings are located and dimensioned to allow unobstructed sliding passage of the lens case from the cavity so that the lens case will fall by gravitation from the cavity through one of the openings when the housing is rotated 90.degree. to vertically align the openings. The cavity openings thus ensure that the lens case cannot be heated in the appliance in a vertical orientation which could damage the lenses by heated exposure above the level of the disinfecting liquid.

Abstract: A fixture for facilitating the tying of a given knot in a fishing line comprises a platform member providing a flat surface for mounting a plurality of assemblies. These assemblies include a spool assembly having a spool for respectively taking up or letting out line, a spool crank for rotating the spool in at least one direction, a spool frame for mounting the spool for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and a spool frame base for mounting the spool frame to the platform. A spinner assembly comprises a spinner base mounted to the platform and a spinner bidirectionally freely rotatably mounted to the spinner base for rotation about a second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfecting apparatus includes a housing defining a pair of receptacles for receiving a pair of contact lenses and a quantity of liquid therein, a heater responsive to a predetermined electrical current for producing heat, the heater being configured and positioned in the housing for radiating heat to the receptacles for disinfecting contact lenses therein, energizing-and-timing circuit also mounted in the housing for controlling the application of the predetermined electrical current to the heater, an AC connector coupled with the housing for coupling with mating AC connector for energizing the circuit, and a shield interposed between the receptacle on the one hand and both the circuit and the heater on the other hand and providing collecting and draining for respectively collecting and directing outwardly of the housing any liquid which may escape or otherwise exit beneath the receptacle, so as to prevent the liquid from contacting the heater or the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for tinting a soft contact lens which is received in a fixture including an inlet and an outlet for directing predetermined fluids therethrough for engagement with predetermined surfaces of the contact lens. The apparatus comprises a carrier for carrying the fixture in a predetermined orientation; a guide arrangement for defining a predetermined path of travel; a motive assembly for propelling the carrier along the predetermined path; and a plurality of fluid application stations arranged along the path, each fluid application station including a fluid release member. The guide track and the motive assembly cooperate for aligning the inlet of the fixture with each fluid release member sequentially as the carrier travels along the predetermined path, for delivering a quantity of fluid to the fixture and the contact lens therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided. The method for tinting soft contact lenses comprises the steps of mounting a contact lens to a fixture of the apparatus including an inlet and an outlet for directing predetermined fluids therethrough for engagement with predetermined surfaces of the contact lens to tint the lens; mounting the fixture to a carrier in a predetermined orientation; guiding the carrier along a predetermined path of travel; arranging a plurality of fluid application stations along the predetermined path of travel, each fluid application station including a fluid release member; and further moving the carrier as it moves along said path of travel in a direction for aligning the inlet of the fixture with each of the fluid release members, in sequence, for delivering a quantity of fluid to the inlet.

Abstract: A collapsible painting cart apparatus comprises a mobile frame, a receptacle for receiving a container of paint, and an extendable and retractable mounting and guide member for mounting the receptacle and for guiding the direction of paint released from the container. The mounting and guide member is mounted to the frame for movement between a first position extended from the frame for applying paint to a desired surface and a second position retracted within the frame for storage. A handle is attachable to the frame and extendable outwardly therefrom for gripping by an operator to propel the mobile frame relative to the desired surface.