Abstract: This invention addresses the treatment of wine in bulk and spirits in casks to provide a means for accelerating the desired effects of aging in a foreshortened time period. This treatment is comprised small solid non-reactive inclusions, named SRI by the inventor, that demonstrate geometrical properties that result in many small radii of curvature deformations in the surrounding liquid. The resulting high geometrical curvature of these multitudinous cavities will act to increase available energy at the interface and thus accelerate the native chemical reactions in the surrounding liquid to produce aging effects in a foreshortened time period. Examples of SRI are crushed glass, stainless steel wool and fiberglass.

Abstract: An improved cork closure for beverage and wine bottles having a recess on the outer face of the closure. The recess is designed to facilitate the extraction process by providing central constraint on the position of the corkscrew on the face of the closure and to guide the corkscrew along the axis of the closure. This recess does not interfere with any other type of extraction device.

Abstract: A test handling assembly for conjoined integrated circuit dies is disclosed. The assembly has a wafer prober system having a chuck. A panel stage is coupled to the chuck and conjoined integrated circuit dies are coupled to the panel stage. A contactor is provided to communicate with the conjoined integrated circuit dies and the wafer prober system. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: A "personality" card (bias adapter board) is employed to program power supply connections in a DUT (Device Under Test) fixture in an automated test environment. The DUT fixture is designed to provide access to power supply voltages from the automated test equipment (ATE) and to selected (configurable) pins of the device under test. Specific connections are established between designated power supply pins of the DUT and the ATE via the bias adapter card, thereby eliminating the need for a separate, expensive DUT board for each different DUT.

Abstract: A wooden box-like container for the aging of alcoholic beverages. The container is in the form of a box having six panels or sides in which any three mutually adjacent panels are mutually perpendicular to one another and join one another at a corner. Any one of the panels of a group of three mutually adjacent panels contacts one adjacent panel in face to edge relation and the third panel of the group in edge to face relation. Each of the corners are formed in this fashion and all of the panels are held together in tight box-like form by prestressing means. This preserves the liquid tight contact at the face to edge and edge to face junction of the panels. Where the panels meet a cubical gap is left which is plugged by plug means. The prestressing means may be in the form of clamps of headers connected by prestress rods provided with tightening nuts.

Abstract: Method for secondary fermentation of champagne in the bottle. In the secondary fermentation process solid of liquid yeast is introduced into the bottle permitting interchange of liquid and gaseous products of fermentation and yeast autolysis by confining the yeast in a semipermeable or porous wall or membrane to prevent the introduction or contamination of the wine with solid components. The yeast may be introduced through a special closure fitting underneath a bottle cap. After the secondary fermentation has been completed the pressure may be reduced by piercing the cap after which the cap and the device containing the yeast are removed. Sweetening of the champagne material is then accomplished to complete the process.