1. An oral product comprising:
a plurality of functional andor flavor capsules;
a binder; and
a viscous component
wherein said plurality of capsules and said binder form a matrix that is molded and proportioned to create a single serving oral product that provides multiple textures and flavors when placed in a user’s mouth and wherein the plurality of functional andor flavor capsules forms the majority of the oral product.
2. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said matrix further includes a powdered component in an amount of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the oral product, the powdered component being selected from the group consisting of dry sour cream, powdered sugar, powdered spices, powdered herbs, powdered botanicals including tea, herbs, andor spices, powdered cocoa, and combinations thereof.
3. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said viscous component is included in the oral product in an amount of about 20% to about 70% by weight of the oral product, the viscous component being selected from the group consisting of honey, molasses, syrup, and combinations thereof.
4. The oral product of claim 1, wherein each of said functional andor flavor capsules is activated by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of mastication, pH change, sucking, and combinations thereof.
5. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said functional capsules release (a) an effervescent; (b) a vitamin; (c) a soothing ingredient; (d) an energizing ingredient; (e) an alerting ingredient; andor (f) a calming ingredient.
6. The oral product of claim 5, wherein said soothing ingredient is selected from the group consisting of chamomile, lavender, jasmine, and combinations thereof.
7. The oral product of claim 5, wherein said energizing ingredient is selected from the group consisting of caffeine, taurine, guarana, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and combinations thereof.
8. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said oral product includes about 2 to 40 functional andor flavor capsules, each capsule ranging in length from about 1 mm to about 8 mm or about 8 mm to about 14 mm.
9. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said oral product weighs about 0.5 g to about 5.0 g or about 0.2 g to about 0.5 g and has dimensions of less than about 25 mm.
10. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said oral product is coated with a super-hydrated membrane coating including a soluble, non-cross-linked component and an insoluble, cross-linked component and wherein said super-hydrated membrane coating is about 0.01 mm to about 3.0 mm thick when completely dried.
11. The oral product of claim 10, wherein said soluble, non-cross-linked component is formed by a non-cross-linkable polymer selected from the group consisting of starch, dextrin, gum arabic, guar gum, chitosan, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactide, gelatin, soy protein, whey protein, and combinations thereof.
12. The oral product of claim 10, wherein said insoluble, cross-linked component is formed by cross-linking a cross-linkable polymer with a cross-linking agent, and wherein said cross-linkable polymer is a chemically cross-linkable polymer selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, carrageenan, modified polysaccharides with cross-linkable functional groups, and combinations thereof.
13. The oral product of claim 10, wherein the membrane comprises a single layer having an inner surface in contact with the matrix and an outer surface which is exposed to saliva and tissue in the oral cavity when placed therein.
14. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said oral product is enclosed in a porous material that forms a pouch.
15. The oral product of claim 14, wherein said pouch is dissolvable andor disintegrable.
16. The oral product of claim 1, wherein said matrix is molded into a shape chosen from the group consisting of pouch, half-moon, crescent, oblong, rhombus, trapezoid, rectangle, square, oval, sphere, heart, rod-shape, and combinations thereof, and wherein said matrix is molded into a shape that is indicative of a flavor contained therein.
17. The oral product of claim 1, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, sugar, agar, guar gum, flour and water, maltodextrin, combinations thereof and the like.
18. A method of forming an oral product comprising:
mixing a binder, a viscous component, an optional powdered component, and a plurality of capsules to form a matrix; and
molding said matrix to create an oral product,
wherein said oral product is sized and configured to fit comfortably in a user’s mouth.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said oral product is molded into a shape selected from the group consisting of a pouch, sphere, rectangle, square, crescent, oblong, oval, rod-shape, and combinations thereof and wherein said viscous component is included in the oral product in an amount of about 20% to about 70% by weight of the oral product, the viscous component being selected from the group consisting of honey, molasses, syrup, and combinations thereof.
20. The method of claim 18, further including sealing said matrix in a porous pouch to form a pouched oral product.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory device, wherein the memory device stores information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, and further wherein the memory device stores information regarding a job search request or inquiry;
a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the information regarding a job search request or inquiry upon a detection of an occurrence of a searching event, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of at least one of a job posting by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity, a posting of new or revised data or information from at least one individual or a group of individuals, a news release of a business event, an employment-related event, an economic report, industry-specific news, an event which creates an interest by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity to fill a position, and an event which creates an interest by at least one individual to seek a position, wherein the processing device automatically detects the occurrence of the searching event, wherein the processing device utilizes the information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, stored in the memory device in processing the information regarding a job search request or inquiry, and further wherein the processing device generates a message containing the information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, wherein the message is responsive to the job search request or inquiry; and
a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an individual.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted to the communication device via, on, or over, a wireless communication network, and further wherein the communication device is at least one of a wireless device, a personal digital assistant, a video telephone, a videophone, a beeper, a pager, and a watch.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a television or an interactive television.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, is transmitted to a receiver from a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with an employer or hiring entity, and further wherein the information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, is automatically received by the receiver and automatically stored in the memory device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information regarding a job search request or inquiry is transmitted to a receiver from at least one of the communication device and a second communication device associated with the individual, and further wherein the information regarding a job search request or inquiry is automatically received by the receiver and automatically stored in the memory device.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information regarding a job search request or inquiry contains at least one of job search information, information regarding the individual, and information regarding at least one of a resume of the individual, an educational qualification of the individual, a work experience of the individual, a reference for the individual, a work sample of the individual, a type of at least one of a job, a work, a project, and an assignment, sought by the individual, and information for contacting the individual.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message contains a hyperlink or a link to at least one of a web site of an employer, a web page of an employer, information about an employer, a video presentation about an employer, a department of an employer, a video or photograph of a facility of an employer, information regarding a certain employee or employees, a job description, at least one of a benefit, a financial, and an operational, data or information, salary information, a travel-related service entity, a travel agent, and an information source regarding a locale or area where an employer is located.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus stores at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for an employer or hiring entity associated with the at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, and further wherein the apparatus receives a request to obtain the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the employer or hiring entity, wherein the request to obtain the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the employer or hiring entity is transmitted from the communication device or from a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the individual or is associated with a second individual, wherein the apparatus processes the request to obtain the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the employer or hiring entity and generates a second message containing the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the employer or hiring entity, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus receives a third message transmitted from the communication device or from the second communication device, wherein the third message contains information regarding an offer by the individual or by the second individual to provide or perform a service or services for the employer or hiring entity.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message includes at least one of an electronic catalog, an electronic coupon, video information, and audio information, and further wherein the at least one of an electronic catalog, an electronic coupon, video information, and audio information, includes information regarding at least one of a job, an employment position, a project, and an assignment.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus receives a second job search request or inquiry, wherein the second job search request or inquiry is transmitted from the communication device or from a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the individual or is associated with a second individual, and further wherein the apparatus processes the second job search request or inquiry and generates a second message containing information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, and further wherein the second message is responsive to the second job search request or inquiry, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device or to the second communication device.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus processes information regarding a bid by an employer or hiring entity to obtain or receive a service or services of the individual or the apparatus processes information regarding an auction by the individual to perform or provide a service or services for an employer or hiring entity.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus processes information regarding a purchase by the individual of an option to perform or provide a service or services for an employer or hiring entity or the apparatus processes information regarding a purchase by an employer or hiring entity of an option to obtain or receive a service or services of the individual.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of a job posting by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of a posting of new or revised data or information from at least one individual or a group of individuals.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus generates a second message at an occurrence of a second searching event, wherein the second searching event is a pre-defined or pre-specified at least one of date, time, time interval, and time period, wherein the second message contains information regarding the at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, or contains information regarding a second at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, wherein the second message is responsive to the job search request or inquiry or is responsive to a second job search request or inquiry, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device or to a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the individual or is associated with a second individual.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus stores at least one of information regarding whether the individual is interested in or not interested in the at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, information regarding at least one of an interview process, an employment screening process, and a recruitment process, involving the individual and an employer or hiring entity, and information regarding at least one of a deal reached between an employer or hiring entity and the individual, an offer, a counteroffer, a rejected offer, a rejected counteroffer, at least one of a time and a date of a consideration, and a note made by at least one of an employer or hiring entity and the individual.
17. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory device, wherein the memory device stores information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, and further wherein the memory device stores information regarding a job search request or inquiry;
a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the information regarding a job search request or inquiry upon a detection of an occurrence of a searching event, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of at least one of a job posting by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity, a posting of new or revised data or information from at least one individual or a group of individuals, a news release of a business event, an employment-related event, an economic report, industry-specific news, an event which creates an interest by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity to fill a position, and an event which creates an interest by at least one individual to seek a position, wherein the processing device automatically detects the occurrence of the searching event, wherein the processing device utilizes information regarding the at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, stored in the memory device in processing the information regarding a job search request or inquiry, and further wherein the processing device generates a message containing information regarding at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, wherein the message is responsive to the job search request or inquiry; and
a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an individual, wherein the message is transmitted to the communication device via, on, or over, at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web,
wherein the apparatus receives a response to the message, wherein the response is transmitted from the communication device or from a second communication device associated with the individual, wherein the apparatus processes information contained in the response, and further wherein the apparatus stores at least one of information regarding whether the individual is interested in or not interested in the at least one of a job opening, a position, an assignment, a contract, and a project, information regarding at least one of an interview process, an employment screening process, and a recruitment process, involving the individual and an employer or hiring entity, and information regarding at least one of a deal reached between an employer or hiring entity and the individual, an offer, a counteroffer, a rejected offer, a rejected counteroffer, at least one of a time and a date of a consideration, and a note made by at least one of an employer or hiring entity and the individual.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory device, wherein the memory device stores information regarding an individual available for at least one of applying for and interviewing for at least one of a job, a job opportunity, and a hiring need, and further wherein the memory device stores information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry;
a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry upon a detection of an occurrence of a searching event, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of at least one of a job posting by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity, a posting of new or revised data or information from at least one individual or a group of individuals, a news release of a business event, an employment-related event, an economic report, industry-specific news, an event which creates an interest by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity to fill a position, and an event which creates an interest by at least one individual to seek a position, wherein the processing device automatically detects the occurrence of the searching event, wherein the processing device utilizes the information regarding an individual stored in the memory device in processing the information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry, and further wherein the processing device generates a message containing information regarding the individual, wherein the message is responsive to the recruitment search request or inquiry; and
a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an employer or hiring entity.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the information regarding an individual is transmitted to a receiver from a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the individual, and further wherein the information regarding the individual is automatically received by the receiver and automatically stored in the memory device.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry contains at least one of information regarding at least one of a job opening, a project opening, a freelance assignment, and a temporary assignment, information regarding a credential required for the at least one of a job opening, a project opening, a freelance assignment, and a temporary assignment, and information about the employer or hiring entity, a firm resume, a salary structure, a benefits package, a firm qualification, a firm reference, or a work sample.
21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the message contains a hyperlink or a link to at least one of a reference for the individual, a letter of recommendation for the individual, a link to at least one of a college, a university, and a school, attended by the individual, a pre-authorized request form for a transcript from a school attended by the individual, a registrar’s office of a school, a past employer, a work sample, or a video presentation or a video clip, of the individual, and a photograph of the individual.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus stores at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the individual, and further wherein the apparatus receives a request to obtain the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the individual, wherein the request to obtain the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the individual is transmitted from the communication device or from a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the employer or hiring entity or is associated with a second employer or second hiring entity, wherein the apparatus processes the request to obtain the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the individual and generates a second message containing the at least one of work schedule information and scheduling information for the individual, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus receives a third message transmitted from the communication device or from the second communication device, wherein the third message contains information regarding a request to receive a service or services of the individual.
23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the message includes at least one of an electronic catalog, an electronic coupon, video information, and audio information, and further wherein the at least one of an electronic catalog, an electronic coupon, video information, and audio information, includes information regarding the individual.
24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus receives a second recruitment search request or inquiry, wherein the second recruitment search request or inquiry is transmitted from the communication device or from a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the employer or hiring entity or is associated with a second employer or second hiring entity, and further wherein the apparatus processes the second recruitment search request or inquiry and generates a second message containing information regarding the individual or a second individual, and further wherein the second message is responsive to the second recruitment search request or inquiry, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device or to the second communication device.
25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus processes information regarding a bid by the employer or hiring entity to obtain or receive a service or services of the individual or the apparatus processes information regarding an auction by the individual to perform or provide a service or services for the employer or hiring entity.
26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus processes information regarding a purchase by the individual of an option to perform or provide a service or services for the employer or hiring entity or the apparatus processes information regarding a purchase by the employer or hiring entity of an option to obtain or receive a service or services of the individual.
27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of a job posting by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity.
28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of a posting of new or revised data or information from at least one individual or a group of individuals.
29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the communication device is a television or an interactive television.
30. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus generates a second message at an occurrence of a second searching event, wherein the second searching event is a pre-defined or pre-specified at least one of date, time, time interval, and time period, wherein the second message contains information regarding the individual or a second individual, wherein the second message is responsive to the recruitment search request or inquiry or is responsive to a second recruitment search request or inquiry, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the second message to the communication device or to a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is associated with the employer or hiring entity or is associated with a second employer or second hiring entity.
31. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus stores at least one of information regarding whether the employer or hiring entity is interested in the individual, information regarding at least one of an interview process, an employment screening process, and a recruitment process, involving the employer or hiring entity and the individual, and information regarding at least one of a deal reached between the individual and the employer or hiring entity, an offer, a counteroffer, a rejected offer, a rejected counteroffer, at least one of a time and a date of a consideration, and a note made by at least one of the employer or hiring entity and the individual.
32. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory device, wherein the memory device stores information regarding an individual available for at least one of applying for and interviewing for at least one of a job, a job opportunity, and a hiring need, and further wherein the memory device stores information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry;
a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry upon a detection of an occurrence of a searching event, wherein the searching event is an occurrence of at least one of a job posting by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity, a posting of new or revised data or information from at least one individual or a group of individuals, a news release of a business event, an employment-related event, an economic report, industry-specific news, an event which creates an interest by at least one employer or at least one hiring entity to fill a position, and an event which creates an interest by at least one individual to seek a position, wherein the processing device automatically detects the occurrence of the searching event, wherein the processing device utilizes the information regarding an individual stored in the memory device in processing the information regarding a recruitment search request or inquiry, and further wherein the processing device generates a message containing information regarding the individual, wherein the message is responsive to the recruitment search request or inquiry; and
a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with an employer or hiring entity, wherein the message is transmitted to the communication device via, on, or over, at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web,
wherein the apparatus receives a response to the message, wherein the response is transmitted from the communication device or from a second communication device associated with the employer or hiring entity, wherein the apparatus processes information contained in the response, and further wherein the apparatus stores at least one of information regarding whether the employer or hiring entity is interested in the individual, information regarding at least one of an interview process, an employment screening process, and a recruitment process, involving the employer or hiring entity and the individual, and information regarding at least one of a deal reached between the individual and the employer or hiring entity, an offer, a counteroffer, a rejected offer, a rejected counteroffer, at least one of a time and a date of a consideration, and a note made by at least one of the employer or hiring entity and the individual.