Abstract: A device is disclosed for suspending one or more loaded kabob skewers in a vertical position above a dining plate or similar utensil, thus providing a method for directly serving food prepared on a skewer without first separately having to remove it from that skewer. In one exemplar embodiment, a support column is disclosed for hanging the loaded skewer high above the plate, so that food is easily pushed downward and away from it with one hand, forcing it to fall directly on to the plate poised below it, without the need to hold the skewer securely in the other hand. In other embodiments the skewers are not only suspended in the vertical position, but are gripped by a clamping mechanism, holding them rigid and steady, which aids substantially in the removal effort. The device provides a distinctly new and attractive look to any dining table, and further visual delight is easily added by utilizing decorative ornamental elements in its construction with virtually limitless possibilities of artistic expression.

Abstract: A vacuum operated device for locating and retrieving small hard-to-see articles that have been dropped or lost within an area of known limits. By vacuum cleaning the entire area, the retrieval device will capture and entrap all items of a predetermined size or greater, but prevent them from passing through to the vacuum cleaning system's debris collection bag or reservoir. At the same time, smaller dust and dirt particles are allowed to pass through freely. The recovered articles are trapped within a small, transparent jar like chamber, where they are readily observed, and from which they are easily ejected without the need to disassemble the device. Large dirt and debris particles which also accumulate within the chamber are purged by simply switching the device to the appropriate operating position.