Abstract: A potato chip that has more oil near its outer surfaces than in its interior and a unique RVA profile is disclosed. The organoleptic properties of the inventive potato chips compare favorably to known and commercially available potato chips.

Abstract: A method and system for producing fried food pieces with reduced oil content is disclosed. The food pieces are immersion fried in hot oil at a first temperature to an intermediate moisture content, and finish fried at a second, higher oil temperature to a final moisture content.

Abstract: A method and system for producing fried food pieces with reduced oil content is disclosed. The food pieces are immersion fried in hot oil at a first temperature to an intermediate moisture content, and finish fried at a second, higher oil temperature to a final moisture content.

Abstract: A utility knife includes an elongaged handle having an internal cavity, two opposing ends and a side having at least one locking opening. A shuttle is sized to slide within the cavity and has a side surface. The shuttle has a spring-loaded locking button projecting from the side surface and into the handle. The button is sized and shaped to selectively project into the at least one locking opening. The shuttle is bonded to a conventionally shaped utility knife blade of the type which includes two opposing cutting regions. The shuttle can slide within the handle between the two opposing ends so that both cutting regions of the blade can be easily used as necessary. This utility knife is meant to be lost cost and disposable, but offers the user TWO cutting edges, doubling its effective use.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a rebate sponsor's offer into an instant credit or price reduction against a follow-on purchase. Rebate requests are obtained at a site on the Internet. The rebate request is tested to confirm that the at least one predetermined criterion has been satisfied. The person making the rebate request is enabled to make the follow-on purchase, with the rebate being converted into the instant credit or price reduction against the total price of the follow-on purchase. The follow-on purchase transaction is completed by charging that person for the purchase. The credit or price reduction can be conditioned on at least one predetermined criterion such as amount being spent on the follow-on purchase, the vendor from which the follow-on purchase is being made, and other criteria. The credit or price reduction can be redeemed in parts across a series of follow-on purchase transactions. In another aspect of the invention, consumers are advised of rebate offers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process and system for producing low oil fried food products. The process discloses frying food products at atmospheric pressure, and deoiling the fried food products using a centrifuge under vacuum pressure.

Abstract: A potato chip that has more oil near its outer surfaces than in its interior and a unique RVA profile is disclosed. The organoleptic properties of the inventive potato chips compare favorably to known and commercially available potato chips.

Abstract: A method and system for producing fried food pieces with reduced oil content is disclosed. The food pieces are immersion fried in hot oil at a first temperature to an intermediate moisture content, and finish fried at a second, higher oil temperature to a final moisture content.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process and system for producing low oil fried food products. The process discloses frying food products at atmospheric pressure, and deoiling the fried food products using a centrifuge under vacuum pressure.

Abstract: Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.

Abstract: Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.

Abstract: A system for releasably attaching a panel to a wall. The panel is provided with a front surface intended to be visible to an observer once the panel has been installed upon the wall at a rear surface opposite the front surface supporting a plurality of magnets. A corresponding plurality of brackets are attached to the wall and positioned such that when the panel is properly positioned upon the wall, the panel is releasably secured thereto by causing the plurality of magnets to be secured to the plurality of brackets. The panels can abut one another to create a variety of useful surfaces such as pegboard, corkboard, chalkboard, fabric and magnetic bulletin boards. The brackets can be oriented to obscure them from a viewer and can also be reoriented to provide a releasable attachment means for a frame to surround the panels for a more finished, aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A utility knife includes an elongaged handle having an internal cavity, two opposing ends and a side having at least one locking opening. A shuttle is sized to slide within the cavity and has a side surface. The shuttle has a spring-loaded locking button projecting from the side surface and into the handle. The button is sized and shaped to selectively project into the at least one locking opening. The shuttle is bonded to a conventionally shaped utility knife blade of the type which includes two opposing cutting regions. The shuttle can slide within the handle between the two opposing ends so that both cutting regions of the blade can be easily used as necessary. This utility knife is meant to be lost cost and disposable, but offers the user TWO cutting edges, doubling its effective use.

Abstract: Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle defining a knife receiving chamber and including first and second inner plates disposed in spaced relation between a pair of outer plates. The folding knife also supports a blade having a tip end and a tang end that is pivotally attached to the handle and is pivotable between a retracted position where the blade is disposed in the knife receiving chamber and an extended position where the blade resides outside of the handle. The first inner plate has a slot formed therein so as to define a lock member that has a locking edge that is biased inwardly towards the blade and having an extension projecting outwardly from the locking edge.

Abstract: The present invention discloses formulations for fried nut-based snack chips that have a hearty, crunchy, blistered texture. Ingredient formula ranges and processing steps are disclosed that provide improved dough sheet integrity during processing, and improved flavor, texture, appearance and structural integrity of the fried snack chip. The dry ingredients are combined with water to make a dough, which is then sheeted and cut into pieces. The pieces are toasted and fried to produce nut-based snack chips.

Abstract: A system for releasably attaching a panel to a wall. The panel is provided with a front surface intended to be visible to an observer once the panel has been installed upon the wall at a rear surface opposite the front surface supporting a plurality of magnets. A corresponding plurality of brackets are attached to the wall and positioned such that when the panel is properly positioned upon the wall, the panel is releasably secured thereto by causing the plurality of magnets to be secured to the plurality of brackets. The panels can abut one another to create a variety of useful surfaces such as pegboard, corkboard, chalkboard, fabric and magnetic bulletin boards. The brackets can be oriented to obscure them from a viewer and can also be reoriented to provide a releasable attachment means for a frame to surround the panels for a more finished, aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A hair decoration such as a kit comprises a series of beads connectable to one another and a set of appliqués. At least a portion of the beads contains one or more lights inside which are in electrical communication with one another to permit power to be commonly supplied to the lights from a battery. One or more beads includes a mechanism for attaching the beads to hair. A light circuit is coupled to the light-containing beads to drive the lights. Appliqués in the set of appliqués are selectively applicable to the beads by a user, have a transmissivity, and are in a path of illumination of the lights. As a result, when the lights are driven by the light circuit, the lights shine and provide illumination in the path. The illumination can be direct or backlit. A method of decorating hair is also provided.

Abstract: Method and identification system to keep track of individual pills dispensed to patients in a hospital by scanning a machine readable code assigned to each pill individually. The pills may be individually within single-pill containers. Inventory levels may be adjusted based on the scanning. Prior to dispensing the pills, a verification check may be performed.

Abstract: A pill imprinted with a micro barcode of encoded information pertaining to source identification and/or medical information pertaining to the contents of the pill. A device for reading the micro barcode on the pills and indicating what was read. The device may convey the pills in succession and sort them in accordance with the expiration date or type of medication.