Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating grape seeds from the pulp and skin of a grape comprising depositing grapes on a plate having apertures there-through and driving the grapes across the plate by means of a blade such that the grape seeds and juice will pass through the apertures of the plate while retaining grape skin. The grape juice may then be separated from the seeds and recombined with the pulp and skin for fermentation to produce a wine having an improved flavor profiles as a result of the different tannin contents of skin and seeds. Also provided is a method and apparatus for opening grape berries without fracturing their grape seeds.

Abstract: Apparatus provide protection for the power input of DC-powered equipment so that transients from a DC power supply do not cause equipment damage leading to spontaneous or eventual failure. The apparatus may include energy absorbing components that provide a closed or short circuit upon a voltage exceeding a threshold being output by the DC power supply, and the closed circuit directs energy away from the DC-powered equipment to prevent the excess voltage or energy from causing damage. The electrical pathway of the energy absorbing components may be unfused so that an alarmable fuse of the DC power supply may be blown by a sustained overcurrent condition and an alarm is triggered to indicate the occurrence of the DC power event. Additionally, the apparatus may be mounted to a rail near the protected equipment or may alternatively be strapped to nearby wiring.

Abstract: Wine characteristic data is related to consumer liking data to provide a predictive model that may be used in wine portfolio management, including selection, shelf placement, pricing, and promotion. The wine characteristic data may relate to wine attributes as determined by a trained panel of experts or by chemical analysis, or to production or process data or to a combination of these data. The consumer liking data may be hedonic data obtained from consumer tasting. The predictive model may be a determined statistical relationship between the characteristic data and the hedonic data. In application, the predictive model may be used to identify what wines will appeal to various consumer segments. Alternatively, the predictive model may be used to identify for particular consumer segments or even individual consumers wines that may be liked.

Abstract: An article is held in a complementally-shaped receptacle of a resilient holder while a process operation is carried out on a surface of the article. After the process operation has been completed, the holder is bent in order to facilitate release of the article from the receptacle. The method is particularly useful for performing a process operation such as sandblasting, etching or otherwise treating an inner surface of a hollow article such as an orthodontic band or dental crown while a portion of the holder masks and thus protects its outer surface.

Abstract: A displacement soldering device having first and second ends to support, a PCB over the surface of molten solder in a container, and a support structure handling mechanism having, a first member to which said first end is pivotally attached, a latch, to which said second end is pivotally attached, moveable between latched and unlatched operational positions, said latch in its latched position being pivotally supported on said member and in its unlatched position permitting said support structure to pivot downwardly about said first end, means for lateral displacement of said support structure between a soldering position and a PCB access position, means for unlatching said latch when said solder is displaced into contact with a PCB supported by said support structure, means for latching said latch subsequent to a soldering operation, and means for elevating said support structure during said lateral displacement from said soldering position and for lowering said support structure during said lateral displacem