Getting Last Drop of Goodness

Ever wish there was some device that would stand those squeezeable ketchup and other condiment bottles upside down so you could drain the last drops? Now there’s Last Dropp ICBD (Inverted Condiment Bottle Disk) Kit that does just that.

Invented by Southern Californian William Lindsey, the Last Dropp ICBD Kit includes two supporting plastic disks that hold the bottle inverted and three nozzles of different sizes for bottles with small to large openings. The big nozzle works best with thick and chunky products.

For complete draining, you can detach the bottle, rotate it 180 degrees, then reattach it to the support disk, which takes up no more shelf space than the bottle itself.

Last Dropp ICBD Kits ($3.99 each, plus $1 shipping and handling) are available from Lidco Industries, P.O. Box 359, Balboa Island, Calif. 92662; phone, (714) 675-2507. Later this summer, the kit will be available in selected hardware, grocery and department stores.

Sno-Cone Maker Lets Children Chill Out

Ask any child, “What’s summer without snow cones?” and he or she probably will answer, “A bummer.”

Not to worry. A Utah company has introduced the new Sno-Motion Sno-Cone Kit. It’s easy to use and makes good-tasting, colorful snow cones quickly.

Each machine comes with two ice cups, so all you do is add fruit concentrate and water and freeze the cups. Then place a frozen cup in the top part of the machine and start turning the lever. Fluffy “snow” shavings come out below.

For additional kinds of cones, shakes and drinks you can make, check the recipe booklet that comes with each kit.

A packet of fruit concentrate that makes one quart of syrup and a quart bottle for simple mixing and pouring are included.

You also can use any concentrated fruit juice. Or a six-pack of assorted fruit flavors called Hawaiice Brand Gourmet Concentrates can be purchased for an additional $5.99.

In Southern California, the Sno-Motion Sno-Cone Kit (suggested retail $19.95) is available at Toys R Us and JC Penney.

If you can’t find it in your area, you can purchase it from Back To Basics Products Inc., 11660 S. State St., Sandy, Utah 84070; toll-free number, (800) 688-1989.

Picture This: Dogs in Famous Paintings

Looking for unusual and fun note cards? You might want to check out the colorful Paws A Moment line developed by Pasadena artist Jeanne Heilman.

Heilman uses her own dogs and those of friends as canine “actors” to portray famous historical figures in costume, with appropriate backgrounds. The “Van Gogh” dog, for example, is pictured in a sunflower scene. A version of Grant Wood’s famous American Gothic painting shows Heilman’s Vizslas dressed as the farm couple standing in front of a barn. The Paws A Moment line includes 45 designs, both seasonal and occasional. The cards ($3 each) are available nationwide in selected card and gift shops and novelty stores.

Heilman also sells 11-by-14-inch color enlargements ($75 each) of the doggie photos that are suitable for framing.

In Southern California you can find the Paws cards at the Card Factory at Beverly Center, the Soap Plant on Melrose Avenue, Tudor Cottage in La Canada Flintridge, Visions of Sugarplums in Pasadena, Swains Art Store in Glendale, Little Stuga( in Sierra Madre, Seidman’s Art Gallery and Homework in Santa Monica, Ahhs in Westwood and Sherman Oaks and at Disneyland Co. Store in Anaheim. If you can’t find them in your area, contact Paws A Moment, P.O. Box 2142, Arcadia, Calif. 91077; phone (818) 793-2302.

Lynn Simross welcomes readers’ comments and suggestions for columns. Because of volume, she cannot respond individually to calls and letters. Write to Lynn Simross, Consumer Column, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053.