Abstract: A width-adjustable drop-in stair system for an in-ground vinyl liner swimming pool includes a first and second drop-in step components having first and second lengths. The first and second drop-in step components are arranged as parts of a stair step that attaches to opposing sidewall panels of the swimming pool. The second drop-in step component is engaged in nested relationship with the first drop-in step component at a nesting overlap distance that is established to configure the stair step with a defined width dimension corresponding to a distance between the opposing sidewall panels to which the stair step is attached. The defined width dimension is less than the first and second lengths in total. The first and second drop-in step components are fastened together so as to be statically secured as parts of the stair step.

Abstract: A width-adjustable drop-in stair system for an in-ground vinyl liner swimming pool includes a first and second drop-in step components having first and second lengths. The first and second drop-in step components are arranged as parts of a stair step that attaches to opposing sidewall panels of the swimming pool. The second drop-in step component is engaged in nested relationship with the first drop-in step component at a nesting overlap distance that is established to configure the stair step with a defined width dimension corresponding to a distance between the opposing sidewall panels to which the stair step is attached. The defined width dimension is less than the first and second lengths in total. The first and second drop-in step components are fastened together so as to be statically secured as parts of the stair step.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that enable real-time, continuous reduction in the rate of degradation of oils used to fry foods. The disclosed methods and systems accomplish this by reducing the rate of accumulation of undesirable oil breakdown byproducts, keeping the levels of these undesirable compounds below those at which food quality is negatively impacted and oil degradation accelerates. The disclosed methods and systems thus enable improved frying oil lifetimes, decreased frying oil consumption, greater consistency in fried food quality, and/or improvements in worker safety relative to conventional frying methods.

Abstract: A clamp includes a closure mechanism and a band. The clamp can be a v-insert clamp. The band has a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The metal layers constitute a bi-metallic construction of the band. The metal layers can be composed of different stainless steel materials. The first metal layer possesses a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the second metal layer possesses a second coefficient of thermal expansion. Values of the first coefficient of thermal expansion and of the second coefficient of thermal expansion differ relative to each other. The difference in value of the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion, and the position of the first and second metal layers relative to each other, can be effected in order to impart desired behavior of the band when experiencing a change in temperature.

Abstract: Edible sheets for use in the preparation of food products are disclosed. The edible sheets include at least one flexible or semi-rigid membrane or layer of a base material having particles of one or more functional materials, such as lubricants or flavoring additives, dispersed therein. The edible sheets are configured to undergo a transformation and release the functional materials onto a cooking surface or surface of a food item upon satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions, allowing for consistent and controlled delivery of the functional materials. The edible sheets may be effective to flavor a food item before, during, or after cooking, and/or may be effective to lubricate a food item or cooking surface.

Abstract: Edible sheets for use in the preparation of food products and/or direct consumption by consumers are disclosed. The edible sheets include at least one flexible or semi-rigid membrane or layer of a base material having particles of one or more functional materials, such as lubricants or flavoring additives, dispersed therein. The edible sheets are configured to undergo a transformation and release the functional materials onto a cooking surface or surface of a food item, or into a mouth of a consumer, upon satisfaction of one or more predetermined conditions, allowing for consistent and controlled delivery of the functional materials. The edible sheets may be effective to flavor a food item before, during, or after cooking, may be effective to lubricate a food item or cooking surface, and/or may be effective to deliver a gustatory sensation to a consumer.

Abstract: A connector used to join metal pipes, rubber hoses, and other tubular bodies and lines together in order to establish a fluid-tight joint therebetween. The connector is a v-clamp in an example. One or more windows reside in a metal wall portion of the connector. The metal wall portion is a part of a band of the connector, per an example. The window(s) is located at a resistance spot welding site. By way of the window(s), an inspector can visually view and examine whether an intended resistance spot weld has been properly established at the metal wall portion of the connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a face shield capable of sliding onto a brim of a head covering. The face shield may have coatings providing anti-microbial protection, UV protection, fire protection, or combinations thereof. The face shield may be pre-designed for a specific head covering, or may be adaptable to take the correct shape upon mounting to the head covering. The face shield may also include a snap-on strip that is releasably connectable to a substantially transparent sheet of material forming the face shield and the snap-on strip may be configured to impart a shape to the substantially transparent sheet of material when connected thereto.

Abstract: A system has a computerized connected to the Internet network, a data repository, a display monitor, a portable communication device having audio and imaging apparatus, connected to the Internet network, located at a at a patient's geographic location, an interactive interface displayed on the display monitor, and icons displayed in a queue in the interactive interface, each icon representing an appointment, each icon comprising indicia providing identification of the patient, date and time of day for the associated appointment, and real-time status of the appointment, as ready and waiting, in progress or finished. A physician user at the computerized appliance, by virtue of execution of the software by the processor, is enabled to interact with an individual one of the icons indicated as a waiting appointment, such that selecting the icon initiates a video conference between the computerized appliance and the portable communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a face shield capable of sliding onto a brim of a head covering. The face shield may have coatings providing anti-microbial protection, UV protection, fire protection, or combinations thereof. The face shield may be pre-designed for a specific head covering, or may be adaptable to take the correct shape upon mounting to the head covering. The face shield may also include a snap-on strip that is releasably connectable to a substantially transparent sheet of material forming the face shield and the snap-on strip may be configured to impart a shape to the substantially transparent sheet of material when connected thereto.

Abstract: Contemplated cutting systems are provided that include a blade, a blade holder, and a non-cutting surface. The non-cutting surface is configured to contact a surface to be cut. As the cutting system is moved across the surface and the non-cutting surface is rotated against the surface, the blade is configured to (i) pierce the surface with a first piercing edge and (ii) cut the surface with a first cutting edge. Contemplated cutting systems can be incorporated into hand or machine operated cutting tools.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper element and a least one carrier element. The wiper device also includes a connecting device, which includes a base and a joint part. The joint part has a top wall that extends in a lateral direction between a pair of side walls. The joint part also has a button configuration for lockingly attaching the connecting device with at least two different types of oscillating wiper arms. The button configuration includes first and second buttons, each of which is attached with the side walls via resilient strips. The resilient strips extend directly from the side walls to the buttons. The resilient strips bias the buttons into raised positions wherein the buttons project above the top walls. The resilient strips also allow the buttons to move to a pressed position wherein a top surface of the respective button is generally flush with the top wall.

Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur or gear changer may include a mounting portion mountable to a bicycle frame, an electrical portion attached to the mounting portion and including power supply alignment and attachment features, and an electrical cable electrically connected to the electrical portion and electrically connectable to a printed circuit board (PCB) of a movable member movably coupleable to the mounting portion. The mounting portion and the electrical portion may be formed of different materials.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper element and a carrier element. The windscreen wiper device also includes a connecting device which has a base and a joint part. The joint part has a top wall that extends in a lateral direction between a pair of side walls. The joint part also includes a button configuration for lockingly attaching the connecting device with at least two different types of oscillating wiper arms. The button configuration includes a first button and a second button. The button configuration also includes a pin that is spaced below the top wall and that extends in the lateral direction between the side walls. The first button is attached with the pin on one longitudinal side of the pin, and the second button is attached with the pin on an opposite longitudinal side of the pin.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper element and a carrier element. A base of a connecting device is fixedly attached with the carrier element, and a joint part is pivotably attached with the base. The joint part has a top wall and a pair of side walls and a button configuration for locking attachment with different types of oscillating arms. The button configuration includes a first button and a pair of resilient strips that extend from the side walls to the first button and bias the first button into a raised position. The resilient strips also allow the first button to move to a pressed position. A second button is attached with the first button, and the second button is pivotable about a living hinge from a first position, wherein the second button projects above the top wall, to a second position wherein the second button is recessed.

Abstract: A system and method are described. In an example, the system includes a communication device that is associated with a user, one or more tags that are associated with objects and/or locations distributed throughout a physical space, and a messaging management server that is configured to generate and supply messages to the communication device of a user based on activity detected about the user with respect to the physical space.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes an elastomeric wiper blade that extends in a longitudinal direction. At least one pre-curved longitudinal strip is operably attached with the wiper blade and biases the wiper blade into a curved shape. A connecting device is secured with the at least one strip. The at least one strip includes a pair of tabs that extend longitudinally towards one another and project vertically. The tabs cooperate with the connecting device to secure the connecting device with the at least one longitudinal strip.

Abstract: A food sheet is disclosed for use in connection with the preparation of a food product. One example food sheet is disclosed to include a base material that is dissolvable at a predetermined environmental condition and a grease agent contained within the base material. The grease agent is released from the base material when the base material dissolves and then provides a baking or cooking lubrication for the food product.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a longitudinally extending wiper element that is made of an elastomeric material. A carrier element, which includes at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip, operably supports the wiper element. The wiper device also includes a connector device with a first piece and with a second piece. A joint part is also provided, and the joint part is connectable with the second piece of the connector device and is configured for attachment with an oscillating wiper arm. The second piece includes a pair of prongs which extend through aligned openings in the first piece and the at least one longitudinal strip. Ends of the prongs are plastically deformed to lock the first and second pieces of the connector device with the at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip.

Abstract: A system has a server having a processor and a data repository, executing software from a non-transitory medium, providing an interactive interface on a display, a plurality of appointment icons in the interactive interface, each appointment icon representing a medical appointment, each appointment scheduled for a date and a time at a geographically remote location from the Internet-connected server and display, and having indicia enabled to display in color, individual colors indicating status, and a computerized appliance capable of video conferencing at the geographically remote location of one of the scheduled appointments, the computerized appliance operable by the patient or by a medical assistant to signal to the Internet-connected server a change in status of the appointment, the color of the visible indicia of the appointment icon associated with the appointment changing to a different color in the interface in response to the change in status.