Abstract: A French press coffee maker includes a carafe, a plunger, and a ladle. The carafe includes a base wall and an upwardly extending generally cylindrical side wall. The plunger includes a rod and a piston connected to the rod. The piston is movable with respect to the carafe in an axial direction. The ladle includes a base having a peripheral rim and an upwardly extending arm connected with the base.

Abstract: A food ricer including a hopper, a first plate having a first pattern of apertures defining a bottom of the hopper, and a second plate having a second pattern of apertures rotatably coupled to the bottom of the hopper. The second plate is preferably rotatable with respect to the first plate. The first and second patterns of apertures being eccentric or non-concentric with respect to each other to allow for the geometric orientation of one pattern of apertures to be quartered, bifurcated, and aligned with respect to the other pattern of apertures for achieving varying degrees of coarseness upon rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.

Abstract: A storage container assembly comprises a storage receptacle and a removable lid. The storage receptacle has a base and a continuous sidewall connected to the base. The sidewall projects upward from the base to a peripheral edge. The removable lid has a rigid central cover portion and a flexible seal portion that traverses a perimeter of the rigid central portion. The flexible seal portion has a release tab disposed along its periphery, and a pocket disposed inward of the release tab. The flexible seal portion further has a ledge disposed generally at the periphery of the flexible seal portion. The ledge contacts the peripheral edge of the storage receptacle. The flexible seal portion further has and a blade portion disposed below the ledge. The blade portion contacts the side wall of the storage receptacle and forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the sidewall.

Abstract: A food ricer including a hopper, a first plate having a first pattern of apertures defining a bottom of the hopper, and a second plate having a second pattern of apertures rotatably coupled to the bottom of the hopper. The second plate is preferably rotatable with respect to the first plate. The first and second patterns of apertures being eccentric or non-concentric with respect to each other to allow for the geometric orientation of one pattern of apertures to be quartered, bifurcated, and aligned with respect to the other pattern of apertures for achieving varying degrees of coarseness upon rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.

Abstract: A substance abuse surveillance system comprising a source of respondent responses to a self-administered virtual interview and a data collector coupled to receive from the source multiple respondent responses and analyzing the same in near real-time to form current substance abuse data, the data collector allowing access to the current substance abuse data by third parties. The data collector is coupled to the source in a manner enabling delay-free, continuous feed of the respondent responses.

Abstract: A dispensing system has a central longitudinal axis and includes a shroud adapted to receive a container. The shroud includes a gripping portion adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user. The dispensing system also includes an actuation member adapted to rotate about a rotation point on a rotation axis toward an interior of the shroud in response to a force applied to the actuation member by the user. The actuation member is configured such that a rotation distance is at least about 6 centimeters. The rotation distance is measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis between a location where the user can apply the force to the actuation member and the rotation point of the actuation member.

Abstract: A flexible sink strainer having a cupped body completely comprised of a flexible material including a plurality of apertures to allow fluid to pass therethrough, wherein the body is capable of attaining first and second configurations, the first configuration being suitable for capturing material entrained within fluid as it passes through the apertures and the second configuration being suitable for removing material captured on the body as fluid passes through the apertures, is disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible sink strainer having a cupped body completely comprised of a flexible material including a plurality of apertures to allow fluid to pass therethrough, wherein the body is capable of attaining first and second configurations, the first configuration being suitable for capturing material entrained within fluid as it passes through the apertures and the second configuration being suitable for removing material captured on the body as fluid passes through the apertures, is disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a shroud for holding a container. The shroud has a gripping portion adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user and an actuation area. The actuation area is activated by a user upon exertion of a force generally transverse to a central longitudinal axis. The force rotates the actuation area about a rotation point that is on the central longitudinal axis of the dispensing system.

Abstract: An actuation member for a dispensing system includes a shroud that is adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user. The actuation member includes a portion of a sidewall of the shroud. The portion is integral with the sidewall of the shroud such that no visible or distinct trigger is formed as part of the dispensing system.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a shroud for holding a container that is adapted to fit within a user's hand. The shroud includes a first diameter proximate a bottom edge of the shroud, a second diameter between the bottom edge and a top edge of the shroud, and a third diameter proximate the top edge of the shroud. An actuation member forms a portion of a sidewall of the shroud and the second diameter is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: A flexible sink strainer having a cupped body completely comprised of a flexible material including a plurality of apertures to allow fluid to pass therethrough, wherein the body is capable of attaining first and second configurations, the first configuration being suitable for capturing material entrained within fluid as it passes through the apertures and the second configuration being suitable for removing material captured on the body as fluid passes through the apertures, is disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container and a shroud for holding the container. The shroud includes a gripping portion. The gripping portion includes an actuation area that is activated by a user upon exertion of an average force per finger of less than about 31 kPa.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a manifold adapted to be fluidly coupled to a valve stem of a container. A shroud has a gripping portion and is adapted to fit within a user's hand. The gripping portion includes first and second cutout portions and at least one actuation member. A force applied to the gripping portion causes the at least one actuation member to contact the manifold to force the manifold downwardly.

Abstract: A storage container assembly comprises a storage receptacle and a removable lid. The storage receptacle has a base and a continuous sidewall connected to the base. The sidewall projects upward from the base to a peripheral edge. The removable lid has a rigid central cover portion and a flexible seal portion that traverses a perimeter of the rigid central portion. The flexible seal portion has a release tab disposed along its periphery, and a pocket disposed inward of the release tab. The flexible seal portion further has a ledge disposed generally at the periphery of the flexible seal portion. The ledge contacts the peripheral edge of the storage receptacle. The flexible seal portion further has and a blade portion disposed below the ledge. The blade portion contacts the side wall of the storage receptacle and forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the sidewall.

Abstract: An overcap for a container includes a body having a sidewall. An opening is provided in the sidewall. An actuation mechanism includes an actuator with an elongate button and a manifold. The elongate button extends through the opening in the sidewall. The actuation mechanism is actuable to open a valve of a container by movement of the elongate button in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the overcap.