Abstract: A controlled weight-lowering device is presented which allows an individual to descend from a building at a predetermined rate of descent. The device can be permanently attached to the building or it can be portable. The device has an outer bracket which is securely attached to the inside of the building. Rotating about a shaft attached to the bracket is a cylindrical winding drum. The drum has a rope wound around it that is attached to a harness. The individual puts on the harness he desires to descend. Inside the winding drum is an inner gear pump and valve mechanism which is surrounded by an oil reservoir. Oil is allowed to go into the gear set chamber and circulates past the gears. The rate of flow of the oil out of the gear set chamber is regulated by a spring biased tapered piston. As the strength of the spring biasing is set on the piston, the rate of flow of oil within the gear set chamber is regulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the fast breathing of still wines, in particular red wines. A vacuum is applied to a container which contains, or into which is being introduced, wine. To this purpose an open wine container may merely be placed within an evacuation chamber which is evacuated for a predetermined amount of time. A quick method is provided by a first container including an openable air tight sealing means from which extends two tubes, each communicating with the interior of the first container. One tube is connected to a vacuum pump while the other tube has its free end inserted into a convenient second container which holds the wine to be degassed. Upon evacuating the first container, the wine is drawn up from the second container through the tube into the first container. As the wine enters the first container it is passed through a jet so as to create a wine mist within the evacuated first container.