Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.

Abstract: A system and method are provided in which a laminar flow of pressurized gas from a curved slit in a chamber is directed across a surface to propel a laminar flow of a liquid, below the laminar flow gas, across the surface to prevent surface contamination or remove contaminants from the surface. In a particular application, the system and method are employed in a self-cleaning dental mirror tool including a dental mirror attached to a handle, wherein the gas is air, the liquid is water, and the surface is the reflective surface of the dental mirror.

Abstract: An insulated frame unit for enclosing a wall to provide a highly insulated and airtight wall is provided. The frame unit includes a panel that is formed from a rigid insulated composition such as an expanded foam composition. The panels can be mounted to a wall frame in rows and columns to enclose the wall, and may include outwardly extending flanges that can cooperate with a flange of an adjacent frame unit to provide a stud-receiving opening into which a stud is inserted when mounting the frame units to the frame of the building. The frame unit is mountable to the frame with the interior side of the stud extending from the inner side of the frame unit so that adequate space is provided between the inner side of the frame unit and an interior finish member mounted to the interior side of the studs.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.

Abstract: A loading device includes a feeder having a cutout and a sensor. When a sensor detects that an item is positioned in the cutout, a motor slides the feeder out of a first component to remove the item from the first component for delivery to a second component. Alternatively, the loading device is a pivotal arm which pivots to slide the item out of the first component.

Abstract: A method is provided for dispensing a controlled quantity of a granular material. The method employs a dispenser including a reservoir that retains granular material. The reservoir is supported in the dispenser with a passageway defined between opposing ends. The dispenser is first positioned in a loading orientation for the outflow of material from the reservoir through a nozzle to a metering cup. A baffle positioned proximate the opening of the metering cup stabilizes the controlled volume directed into the cup from the reservoir. Once the metering cup is filled, the dispenser is inverted. Then, the volume of material is directed from the cup through the passageway and out of an opening adjacent a diffuser, through which the material is spread.

Abstract: The stationary drawer glide and cabinet drawer incorporating the drawer glide allow for a user to easily slide open and closed a cabinet drawer without causing damage or warping to the cabinet drawer, even if there are heavy objects in the drawer. The drawer glide includes a fastening portion adapted to be affixed to an interior cabinet wall, and top and bottom portions for supporting a drawer. The drawer glide may be made of a material with a smooth surface with a low coefficient of friction to facilitate easy gliding of the cabinet drawer.

Abstract: A container holder adapted to hold a container between two spaced apart prongs is provided herein. The prongs clamp the container with a clamping force large enough to hold the container, but small enough to avoid damaging the container. The prongs may be spaced apart to fit different-sized containers, while the clamping force still meets these criteria. The clamping force may be provided by a substantially constant-force spring or a variable-force spring. In a method according to the present invention, a stack of nested containers is held in a container holder as described, for subsequent removal of a selected container from the stack.

Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

Abstract: A mobile asset tracking system receives telemetry information from any number of mobile assets (e.g., railcars, truck trailers, intermodal cargo containers, etc.) transporting hazardous or non-hazardous materials. Location data is obtained through GPS satellite locks and is transmitted via a cellular module to a central database for processing. Business rules in the software of the system trigger proactive alert communications to subscribers through common communication protocols such as email, SMS text, and pagers. Personal Computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cell phones or other common communication devices widely available to consumers may be utilized for receipt of alerts. Subscribers may be defined as manufacturers of materials, consignees who receive materials, transporters of materials (e.g. railroads, trucking companies, etc.) and communities such as county, state and/or federal emergency management personnel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile folding table with attached seating having an improved lift-assist mechanism. In particular, the table includes a gas cylinder that provides a force tending to extend the cylinder to assist in folding the table into a storage position, the cylinder providing substantially no force to resist rapid extension thereof. Preferably, a mobile folding table according to the present invention also includes a stabilizing mechanism including center bench legs attached to a center leg structure that is maintained substantially upright whether the table is in an unfolded use configuration, in a mobile folded storage configuration, or in the process of being folded or unfolded. In this manner, the attached benches are prevented from freely tipping when the table is being folded or moved.

Abstract: This invention disclosure describes methods for the fabrication of metal oxide films on surfaces by topotactic anion exchange, and laminate structures enabled by the method. A precursor metal-nonmetal film is deposited on the surface, and is subsequently oxidized via topotactic anion exchange to yield a topotactic metal-oxide product film. The structures include a metal-oxide layer(s) and/or a metal-nonmetal layer(s).

Abstract: A method for making a higher silane from a lower silane comprises heating a lower silane containing stream without exposing it to temperatures more than 20° C. more than the maximum temperature of a first reaction temperature range. The heated lower silane containing stream is introduced into a first reaction zone and allowed to react. The method further comprises mixing a first gaseous mixture from the first reaction zone with a higher silane containing stream and introducing the mixed streams into a second reaction zone operating within a second reaction temperature range. A second gaseous mixture exiting the second reaction zone is separated into various streams. One stream containing unreacted lower silanes is recycled to an earlier heating step and first reaction zone. The higher silane containing stream is mixed with the first gaseous mixture. Average residence time is low to prevent decomposition and formation of undesired silane byproducts.

Abstract: A commercial device and method for cooking food product in cooking oil includes a fry vat containing an amount of cooking oil used to cook discrete batches of uncooked food in discrete batches of a weight relative to the amount of cooking oil in the range of from about 0.0375 to about 0.1, with the total amount of food being cooked at any one time relative to the amount of oil in the fry vat being about 0.1 or less. Cooking the food results in an uptake of oil by the food in an amount of from about 5.5% to about 13% by weight of the uncooked food, and an oil turnover ratio of from about 0.0026 to about 0.007 per discrete batch. Replacement oil is periodically added, and a sufficient number of batches are cooked over 60 hours of operation to achieve at least one vat oil turnover.

Abstract: A bottle stopper is provided having a cylindrical body formed of a resilient, flexible, elastic material that includes a first cylindrical section adapted to be inserted into an opening of a bottle in sealing engagement with the bottle and a second cylindrical section disposed adjacent the first cylindrical section for extending above the opening of the bottle when the first cylindrical section is inserted in sealing engagement with the bottle. An air passageway is disposed adjacent and extends longitudinally along substantially at least the length of the first cylindrical section and along the internal periphery of the cylindrical body. A visual indicator, preferably a spout, is disposed on an outer surface of the second cylindrical section for identifying the relative location of the air passageway with respect to the visual indicator.

Abstract: A method and system for transparent recording, storing, and accessing financial, clinical, and data/information case management services. The method includes collecting service data pertaining to a customer from a plurality of sources, storing the data, and providing multiple points of access to the data for retrieval by an individual via a user interface. A decision-support system may operate independently as an electronic health record or in conjunction with an integrated electronic health record and allows customers or their representatives to plan, facilitate, and monitor the management of financial, clinical, and data/information issues pertaining to their healthcare. In particular, the system is adapted to identify data tending to indicate an anomaly in the customer's health record and facilitate the selection and implementation of one or more options to address and/or correct the anomaly.

Abstract: Automated intermittent filtration is employed in the device and method that can include monitoring the elapsed time since the last filtration of the cooking oil, monitoring the amount of food by number of batches or by weight of food product cooked in the oil since the last filtration, and filtering the oil when a predetermined threshold value is reached based on the elapsed time since the last filtration and the amount of food cooked.

Abstract: A device and method for relieving head, neck, facial, joint and tooth pain. An intra-oral, semi-custom, separating device, worn over the upper anterior teeth, allows at least one lower anterior tooth to contact the rear wall of the device within the user's freeway space and prevents lower posterior teeth from contacting upper posterior teeth. The device provides a method of deprogramming and releasing the muscles of the upper and lower jaws. The device comprises an extruded or molded shell made of a hard polycarbonate or similar hard plastic material. The internal surface of the shell is lined with a moldable thermoplastic resin with a low molding temperature which allows the user to mold the internal aspect of the device onto and over the teeth to produce a custom fitted device. This relieves the stresses, strains, pains and damage that can be caused by parafunctioning of the dental neural-muscular system.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station.