Abstract: Vacuum bottle stoppers for wine, particularly suited for partially consumed bottles of wine are disclosed. Systems are also disclosed for evacuating a partially consumed bottle of wine, filling the wine bottle head space with an inert or other gas and the storing the wine bottle while maintaining the inert or other gas in the bottle. The stopper has a vacuum valve and a vacuum indicator in a removable cap. The vacuum valve has a self-closing passageway due to the passageway traversing an elastomeric material. The vacuum indicator moves in response to vacuum and reveals a marking on a valve opener when a desired vacuum is achieved.

Abstract: Vacuum bottle stoppers for wine, a method of preserving wine, a method of serving wine from a bottle stored in a vacuum, all particularly suited for partially consumed bottles of wine are disclosed. Systems and methods are also disclosed for evacuating a partially consumed bottle of wine, filling the wine bottle head space with an inert or other gas and then storing the wine bottle while maintaining the inert or other gas in the bottle. The stopper has a vacuum valve in a vacuum indicator in a removable cap. The vacuum valve has a self-closing passageway due to the passageway traversing an elastomeric material. The vacuum indicator moves in response to vacuum and reveals a marking on a valve opener when a desired vacuum is achieved. The stopper may have a filter, which also aerates. The method of preserving wine includes installing the stopper in the neck of the bottle and withdrawing air from the bottle through the stopper.

Abstract: A stopper for wine, a method of preserving wine, and a method of serving wine from a bottle stored in a vacuum are disclosed. The stopper has a vacuum valve in a vacuum indicator in a removable cap. The vacuum valve has a self-closing passageway due to the passageway traversing an elastomeric material. The vacuum indicator moves in response to vacuum and reveals a marking on a valve opener when a desired vacuum is achieved. The stopper may have a filter, which also aerates. The method of preserving wine includes installing the stopper in the neck of the bottle and withdrawing air from the bottle through the stopper. The method of serving wine includes releasing vacuum from the bottle by unseating the removable cap, removing the cap and pouring wine through the stopper. Pumps for the stopper are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stopper for wine, a method of preserving wine, and a method of serving wine from a bottle stored in a vacuum are disclosed. The stopper has a vacuum valve in a vacuum indicator in a removable cap. The vacuum valve has a self-closing passageway due to the passageway traversing an elastomeric material. The vacuum indicator moves in response to vacuum and reveals a marking on a valve opener when a desired vacuum is achieved. The stopper may have a filter, which also aerates. The method of preserving wine includes installing the stopper in the neck of the bottle and withdrawing air from the bottle through the stopper. The method of serving wine includes releasing vacuum from the bottle by unseating the removable cap, removing the cap and pouring wine through the stopper. Pumps for the stopper are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for manually actuated dispensing of a particulate confection from a selected confection hopper into a dispensing stream of soft frozen dessert. The device includes a plurality of confection hoppers with corresponding confection outlets, a manual actuator operatively connected to a dispensing member that cooperates with the confection outlet to dispense only a controlled amount of confection from the corresponding hopper into a confection conduit each time the actuator is actuated, and mixing means for substantially uniformly mixing the controlled amount of confection into a serving amount of the soft frozen dessert as the dessert is dispensed into a serving receptacle.

Abstract: A collapsible container having at least two opposed flexible walls, an opening through which liquid can be removed, and a flange around the opening. The inner surface of each of the two sidewalls and the internal surface of the spout flange preferably have depressions and raised areas between the depressions. Typically, the depressions are not continuous and the raised areas are continuous. The depressions of one wall or flange cooperate with the depressions on the opposed wall to form liquid flow pathways when the wall or flange contacts the opposed wall. The liquid flow pathways allow liquid to pass therethrough instead of being blocked by the contact between a wall or flange and the opposed wall. A method of use and a method of making the bag are also disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible container having at least two opposed flexible walls, an opening through which liquid can be removed, and a flange around the opening. The inner surface of each of the two sidewalls and the internal surface of the spout flange preferably have depressions and raised areas between the depressions. Typically, the depressions are not continuous and the raised areas are continuous. The depressions of one wall or flange cooperate with the depressions on the opposed wall to form liquid flow pathways when the wall or flange contacts the opposed wall. The liquid flow pathways allow liquid to pass therethrough instead of being blocked by the contact between a wall or flange and the opposed wall. A method of use and a method of making the bag are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved cooking devices and methods of achieving intimate heat transfer contact between a low-friction, non-stick release sheet material and a heated platen are provided. In particular, improved intimate heat transfer contact may be achieved by providing a very thin release sheet, providing a layer of heat transfer enhancing material forming an intimate heat transfer contact interface between the release sheet and the platen, and/or providing a release sheet that is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable. A dynamic tensioning system is also provided for mounting a release sheet to a heated platen and maintaining even, bidirectional tension on the release sheet to keep it taut against the platen. Illustrated embodiments of the invention include a clamshell grill and conveyorized contact toaster.

Abstract: A collapsible container having at least two opposed flexible walls, an opening through which liquid can be removed, and a flange around the opening. The inner surface of each of the two sidewalls and the internal surface of the spout flange preferably have depressions and raised areas between the depressions. Typically, the depressions are not continuous and the raised areas are continuous. The depressions of one wall or flange cooperate with the depressions on the opposed wall to form liquid flow pathways when the wall or flange contacts the opposed wall. The liquid flow pathways allow liquid to pass therethrough instead of being blocked by the contact between a wall or flange and the opposed wall. A method of use and a method of making the bag are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multitiered pillow is provided that is especially adapted for supporting the head of a person while sleeping. At least two tiers of different height are provided by the pillow to accommodate and properly support a person's head and neck regardless of whether the person is sleeping on his side (shoulders vertical) or prostrate (shoulders horizontal).

Abstract: A multitiered pillow is provided that is especially adapted for supporting the head of a person while sleeping. At least two tiers of different height are provided by the pillow to accommodate and properly support a person's head and neck regardless of whether the person is sleeping on his side (shoulders vertical) or prostrate (shoulders horizontal).