Abstract: A tongs assembly comprising a tongs and a hand shield is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the tongs include a pair of arms hingedly connected at one end and the shield is attached to the arms and extends radially outward from an optimal fulcrum point on the arms. The shield is preferably round and formed by two thin, rigid shield sections that are individually attached to the arms. Each shield section is positioned on an arm in such a way as to create a fulcrum point on the longitudinal axis of the tongs, so that in the open position, the grasping ends of the tongs pivot downwardly and the hinged or closed end of the tongs pivot upwardly and away from the surface on which the grasping ends of the tongs are resting. The handles of the tongs are thereby kept from directly contacting the food or the utensil.

Abstract: The monitor for detecting changes in the circumference of an object includes a strip having an elastic portion and an inelastic portion, a self-adhesive base, an indicator guide, and one or more support guides. The strip and base together encircle the object to be monitored, forming a snug-fitting ring around the object, the strip being capable of elongating or contracting with circumference changes of the object. The inelastic portion and indicator guide includes an indicator and scale to show the changes in the dimensions of the object as the object expands or contracts.