Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vessel having a high heat capacity sidewall for use in maintaining the chill on a container such as a bottle of wine. The base of the vessel may be provided with an insulating layer to limit heat conductivity between the vessel and a surface on which the vessel may be placed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the vessel is provided with a closure means. In another preferred embodiment the vessel is provided with an absorbent layer so that when the container is removed from the vessel it will be wiped of condensed moisture. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the vessel is provided with high heat capacity fins to increase the thermal conductivity between a container placed within the vessel and the vessel sidewall. The fins may further serve to constrict the movement of a container placed within the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for acoustic testing of multiple segment complex structures for detecting changes in the integrity of such structures to anticipate failure. The method of the present invention in its simplest form requires providing each segment of a complex multiple segment structure with at least one acoustic sensor, recording the intensity and frequency distribution of the acoustic waves sensed by such acoustic sensor; and finally comparing the acoustic waves that are sensed either against a standard, over time, and/or from one segment of the complex multiple segment structure to another segment of the complex multiple segment structure.