Abstract: A lid assembly is disclosed for drink containers. An example lid assembly can include a lid and a slider. The lid includes a sip hole, a first lid flat portion, and a first lid recess portion having a first track on a side wall adjacent to the first lid flat portion. The slider includes a winged extension configured to fit the first lid flat portion, and a central portion configured to fit the first lid recess portion. The central portion includes a first tab on a side of the central portion to engage the first track. The lid further includes a first lid step portion from the first flat portion that restrains the first winged extension from sliding out of the first track and a nose recessed portion at the end of the first lid recessed portion that allows the slider to be inserted.

Abstract: A lid assembly is disclosed for drink containers. An example lid assembly can include a lid and a slider. The lid includes a sip hole, a first lid flat portion, and a first lid recess portion having a first track on a side wall adjacent to the first lid flat portion. The slider includes a winged extension configured to fit the first lid flat portion, and a central portion configured to fit the first lid recess portion. The central portion includes a first tab on a side of the central portion to engage the first track. The lid further includes a first lid step portion from the first flat portion that restrains the first winged extension from sliding out of the first track and a nose recessed portion at the end of the first lid recessed portion that allows the slider to be inserted.

Abstract: To make it easier and more hygienic to handle a lid when it is removed from a beverage container and needs to be set aside temporarily on a supporting surface, bottom lid extensions are provided that lift the lid to eliminate or significantly reduce the contact between the supporting surface and the wetted underside surfaces of the lid that may come in contact with the beverage.

Abstract: A lid that, in order to keep the sip hole area sanitary when the lid is removed from the cup and is placed top-side down on a potentially contaminated surface, has raised locations on the top surface that lift the sip hole area at a distance from the potentially contaminated surface when the lid is placed on a surface.

Abstract: Lids with nose accommodations configured to reduce the need for a consumer to tilt his or her head during consumption of a beverage. In one aspect, a lid assembly includes a pivotable flap that pivots relative to a lid (and beverage container) as the container is tilted toward the beverage consumer. The configuration of the lid is such that it creates a clearance for a consumer's nose, thus enabling the container to be tilted back further without impacting the consumer's nose. In another configuration, the pivotable flap is biased toward a closed position, but is easily displaced by the consumer's nose. In another lid configuration, a cavity is formed toward a rear portion and the lid is sized and shaped to accommodate a consumer's nose.

Abstract: A lid that, in order to keep the sip hole area sanitary when the lid is removed from the cup and is placed top-side down on a potentially contaminated surface, has raised locations on the top surface that lift the sip hole area at a distance from the potentially contaminated surface when the lid is placed on a surface.

Abstract: Lids with nose accommodations configured to reduce the need for a consumer to tilt his or her head during consumption of a beverage. In one aspect, a lid assembly includes a pivotable flap that pivots relative to a lid (and beverage container) as the container is tilted toward the beverage consumer. The configuration of the lid is such that it creates a clearance for a consumer's nose, thus enabling the container to be tilted back further without impacting the consumer's nose. In another configuration, the pivotable flap is biased toward a closed position, but is easily displaced by the consumer's nose. In another lid configuration, a cavity is formed toward a rear portion and the lid is sized and shaped to accommodate a consumer's nose.

Abstract: Lids with nose accommodations configured to reduce the need for a consumer to tilt his or her head during consumption of a beverage. In one aspect, a lid assembly includes a pivotable flap that pivots relative to a lid (and beverage container) as the container is tilted toward the beverage consumer. The configuration of the lid is such that it creates a clearance for a consumer's nose, thus enabling the container to be tilted back further without impacting the consumer's nose. In another configuration, the pivotable flap is biased toward a closed position, but is easily displaced by the consumer's nose. In another lid configuration, a cavity is formed toward a rear portion and the lid is sized and shaped to accommodate a consumer's nose.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a variable temperature cooking method that uses a predetermined variable temperature reference profile and adapts it by mapping its datapoints to actual cooking conditions entered by the user or modified based on the readings from an internal food temperature probe. It is shown that, in order to achieve more uniform through-the-thickness doneness of foods, a continuously decreasing temperature setting from a higher initial temperature to a lower final temperature consistently performs better than applying a constant temperature or a two-step temperature profile. Use of a probe for monitoring internal food temperature enables a predictive estimate of cooking duration based on cooking score or temperature which is used to modify an initially inaccurate cooking duration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated software for facilitating gifting via online transactions. A method for buying and delivering a gift from an online store is divided into three distinct processes. First, a gift giver selects one or more gift items from the online store and purchases a gift certificate including gift redeeming information used for redeeming the gift item(s). Second, the gift giver transfers the gift redeeming information to a gift recipient of choice. Third, the gift recipient redeems the gift items based on the gift redeeming information received. The gift recipient also is enabled to provide delivery information during the redemption processes, thereby ensuring the redeemed gift(s) is/are delivered to a correct and preferred location. Meanwhile, the gift giver does not need to know the gift recipient's exact delivery information.