Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting with slicing items, such as food items, are disclosed. The devices may be referred to as press and slice devices. Such devices may include a base and a lid. The base and lid may each include a flexible layer, and flexible layers may be configured to hold the items being sliced when the lid and base are pressed together. The lid may include a handle to, for example help the user hold the lid and protect the user's fingers. The base may include a foot made of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the base to, for example help secure the base to the surface the device is being used on. The lid and base may include a mechanism for positionally securing the lid relative to the base, such as using a post and slot system.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting with slicing items, such as food items, are disclosed. The devices may be referred to as press and slice devices. Such devices may include a base and a lid. The base and lid may each include a flexible layer, and the flexible layers may be configured to hold the items being sliced when the lid and base are pressed together. The lid may include a handle to, for example, help the user hold the lid and protect the user's fingers. The base may include a foot made of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the base to, for example, help secure the base to the surface the device is being used on. The lid and base may include means for positionally securing the lid relative to the base, such as using a post and slot system.

Abstract: An ingredient preparation device (100, 200) is disclosed and may include one or more of an openable ring (110), a non-openable ring (210), a removable panel (10), and an optional tamper (190). One or more optional shaped inserts (180) may be used within the ring. An ingredient preparation device (100, 200) of the invention may be utilized alone or with one or more additional ingredient preparation devices of the invention. Methods of preparing one or more ingredients to make products such as foods or non-food items using such a device are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A portable washing appliance for washing small quantities of clothing. A container open at the top has a first compartment for receiving an item of clothing for washing. The container includes a perforated basket which is motor or manually driven to effect a washing operation as well as pre-soaked and rinse operations. Water may be discharged from a first compartment in the container into at least one second compartment, located either below or adjacent thereto, which contains a removable waste receptacle. The waste receptacle collects wash water, rinse water and water extracted during a spin dry operations which may be discarded through a kitchen or bathroom sink drain.

Abstract: A portable washing appliance for washing small quantities of clothing. A container open at the top has a first compartment for receiving an item of clothing for washing. The container includes a perforated basket which is motor or manually driven to effect a washing operation as well as pre-soaked and rinse operations. Water may be discharged from a first compartment in the container into at least one second compartment, located either below or adjacent thereto, which contains a removable waste receptacle. The waste receptacle collects wash water. rinse water and water extracted during a spin dry operations which may be discarded through a kitchen or bathroom sink drain.

Abstract: A system is provided for encouraging proper timing compliance with breast examination guidelines that breast examination be conducted at a given time within the menstrual cycle of the user, typically a set number of days after onset of the menstrual cycle. A device is included which provides prompt signals at the appropriate timing during each cycle and which prompt persists until compliance is indicated. Provision is made for adjusting the cycle to comply with the expected length of the menstrual cycle of the particular woman and in order to adjust same to account for irregularities in menstrual cycles for each specific woman.