Abstract: A waste monitoring system includes a portable device to monitor product wastage. The portable device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory stores processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control operation of the portable device to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) to collect quantity data relating to respective quantities of a plurality of types of wasted products, and to calculate cost data as a function of the quantity data. A display device displays the GUI. A server is in communication with the portable device and is configured to receive the quantity data and the cost data from the portable device. A computing device is in communication with server and is configured to receive the quantity data and the cost data from the server and to display at least one of the quantity data and the cost data.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a portable, hand-held device to manage product quality and safety includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to collect data related to a particular location and to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) including a plurality of user-selectable elements accessible by a user. The plurality of user-selectable elements includes a first user-selectable element to initiate playback of a training video, a second user-selectable element to receive user input associated with the particular location, and a third user-selectable element to display data indicating actions to be taken by the user in response to the collected data. The device further includes a display interface responsive to the processor and adapted to display the GUI.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a portable, hand-held device to manage product quality and safety includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to collect data related to a particular location and to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) including a plurality of user-selectable elements accessible by a user. The plurality of user-selectable elements includes a first user-selectable element to initiate playback of a training video, a second user-selectable element to receive user input associated with the particular location, and a third user-selectable element to display data indicating actions to be taken by the user in response to the collected data. The device further includes a display interface responsive to the processor and adapted to display the GUI.

Abstract: A microwave heating package, and a method of microwave heating. Both the package and the method employ a lossy chemical susceptor which upon continued exposure to microwave radiation becomes substantially microwave transparent, thus building into the system a unique maximum temperature shut off at the point at which the chemical susceptor becomes microwave transparent. The chemical susceptor is comprised of a combination of a solute, such as inorganic salts of Group IA and IIA, and a polar solvent for the solute, such as water. The chemical susceptor may be composed of a hydrated form of the inorganic salts. The package, method and chemical susceptor may be used for microwave heating of many products, including among others, food products.

Abstract: A microwave heating device is comprised of a microwave reflective member having positioned adjacent thereto magnetic microwave absorbing material. The absorbing material, by being magnetic, will heat by coupling of the magnetic component of microwave radiation. The thickness of the absorbing material is such that at the Curie temperature the material will reflect at least about 65% of the incident microwave radiation. The absorbing material has a volume resistivity value R, at room temperature, in ohm cm of greater than about the value where Log R=(Tc/100)+2 where Tc is the Curie temperature (.degree.C.) of the material. By the proper combination of thickness, high resistivity and Curie temperature, the device is temperature self-limiting in a microwave field and can be used to heat objects in contact with the device to predetermined temperatures in spite of wide fluctuations in microwave power or power uniformity.