The utilitarian function of the engagement features on a lidded vessel is at least partially camouflaged so that the engagement features' utilitarian function is less apparent to the consumer after the lid is removed. The lidded vessel may be, for example, a lidded drinking glass—such as a lidded wine glass, beer glass, whiskey tumbler or soda glass—that is sold pre-filled and sealed with the wine, beer, whiskey or soda already inside. The camouflaging may be accomplished using one or more camouflaging techniques, some of them involving the presence of so-called non-engagement elements.

The Invention is a standard set of round, cylindrical and spherical pieces that form objects to hold other objects and food, to transport things and to build modular elegant and beautiful constructions. For example, the Invention's pieces can be used as spherical flowerpots that are arranged along a walkway with flowers, and those same flowerpots can be stacked to support a flowerpot a few feet off the ground. Furthermore, the flowerpots can be stacked to form columns that vines grow on. Pieces can be made exponentially larger and smaller, and features on pieces can also be made exponentially larger and smaller, while maintaining compatibility within the system of Invention pieces. For example, the stacked boxes that are FIG. 33 can be elongated to stack in a manner that forms the pattern of a standard brick wall's interlocking pieces.

A cake stacking system for supporting a multi-tiered cake includes a center rod that extends from a bottom of a base tier of the multi-tiered cake to an interior portion of an uppermost tier of the multi-tiered cake, and a plurality of peripheral rods arranged around the center rod, the plurality of peripheral rods disposed in each tier of the multi-tiered cake except for the uppermost tier of the multi-tiered cake. The center rod includes at least one first rod having a first height and one second rod having a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. Each peripheral rod includes a tubular member and a flange coupled to one end of the tubular member. The flange maintains a vertical position of the tubular member and supports a bottom surface of an above tier of the multi-tiered cake.

A cake stacking system for supporting a multi-tiered cake includes a center rod that extends from a bottom of a base tier of the multi-tiered cake to an interior portion of an uppermost tier of the multi-tiered cake, and a plurality of peripheral rods arranged around the center rod, the plurality of peripheral rods disposed in each tier of the multi-tiered cake except for the uppermost tier of the multi-tiered cake. The center rod includes at least one first rod having a first height and one second rod having a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. Each peripheral rod includes a tubular member and a flange coupled to one end of the tubular member. The flange maintains a vertical position of the tubular member and supports a bottom surface of an above tier of the multi-tiered cake.

A dispenser for wrapped straws has a housing with a hopper with upright plates forming parts of reciprocating assemblies that move outwardly when a front actuator engages a cam plate for axial movement. A composite plunger assembly travels on the cam plate. The plunger assembly has multiple spring loaded ejector members. When the cam plate is advanced one of the ejector members will encounter a straw in the hopper which is by chance positioned to be advanced through an outlet opening. The other ejector members, encountering straws not well positioned for ejection, will be depressed, but will not dispense a straw. A user extracts the one partially protruding straw and returns the cam plate to its initial position which causes the reciprocating assemblies to return to a central position, thereby shuffling the wrapped straws and presenting them again to the plunger assembly for the next dispensing.

A method for holding a single-serving condiment packet with a holder that allows an opened packet to maintain an upright position without spilling its inner contents and also without having the opening of the open packet touch any part of the holder. The single-serving condiment packet holder has a thin three-dimensional cavity which is defined by one or more internal sidewalls. The holder may also have sidewalls, a base side, and a top side that any geometric shape. A clip or hook may be used to suspend the holder.

A method for holding a single-serving condiment packet with a holder that allows an opened packet to maintain an upright position without spilling its inner contents and also without having the opening of the open packet touch any part of the holder. The single-serving condiment packet holder has a thin three-dimensional cavity which is defined by one or more internal sidewalls. The holder may also have sidewalls, a base side, and a top side that any geometric shape. A clip or hook may be used to suspend the holder.

A tiered bowl system adapted for use as a dipping bowl, such as with salsa, for example. The bowl may have a forward portion with a rim at a first, lower, level and a rear portion with a rim of a second, higher, level. A lip may be attached to the rear portion which partially protrudes over the bowl. The tiered bowl system allows a user to dip into the bowl, and then to partially remove some of the material acquired from the dipping using the lip. The lip may be easily removable and replaceable to assist with cleaning and stacking of the bowl system.

A tiered bowl system adapted for use as a dipping bowl, such as with salsa, for example. The bowl may have a forward portion with a rim at a first, lower, level and a rear portion with a rim of a second, higher, level. A lip may be attached to the rear portion which partially protrudes over the bowl. The tiered bowl system allows a user to dip into the bowl, and then to partially remove some of the material acquired from the dipping using the lip. The lip may be easily removable and replaceable to assist with cleaning and stacking of the bowl system.

Bag holding devices are presented including: a base having an inclined housing portion and a raised planar portion; a spring-loaded clamping element disposed along the raised planar portion and pivotally coupled with the planar portion; and a retractable reel disposed within the inclined housing portion. In some embodiments, devices further include: a mating groove disposed along an outer edge of the inclined housing portion; and a bowl having a mating portion that mates with the mating groove. In some embodiments, devices further include: a mating groove disposed along an outer edge of the inclined housing portion; and an accessory having a mating portion that mates with the mating groove, where in the accessory is any of: a novelty item, a promotional item, and a message plaque.