Abstract: An article of manufacture useful for adding creamer base to hot beverages such as coffee or tea-based beverages comprises (a) a center core comprising a creamer base (for example, the creamer base preferably comprising a high-intensity sweetener and a humectant), and (b) an outer coating at least partially encapsulating the center core, the outer coating comprising chocolate. In a preferred embodiment the chocolate comprises not more than 10 percent by weight of cocoa butter and at least 20 percent by weight of vegetable oil, and with the chocolate coating preferably having a softening point of at least about 100° F. In a preferred embodiment, the article further comprises (c) an elongate stirring member having a distal end portion, with the distal end portion connected to the outer coating.

Abstract: A continuous oven for heating a food product having an outer surface and an interior includes an enclosure with a first heating zone and a second heating zone. A conveyor is configured to convey the product from the first heating zone to the second heating zone. At least one surface-browning infrared emitter is adjacent the first heating zone of the conveyor and is configured to provide a first electromagnetic radiation profile to the product in the first heating zone that is adapted to evaporate surface moisture to produce a crust matrix on the outer surface of the product. At least one interior-heating infrared emitter is adjacent the second heating zone of the conveyor and is configured to provide a second electromagnetic radiation profile to the product in the second heating zone that is different from the first electromagnetic radiation profile. The second electromagnetic radiation profile is adapted to heat the interior of the product.

Abstract: An adapter module used to convert optical signals to electrical signals or electrical signals to optical signals utilizing a “C” shaped retaining clip to secure the adapter module housing together. The retaining clips are used in place of screws, rivets or snap fits and provide an easy and simple way to assembled adapter modules.

Abstract: An adapter module used to convert optical signals to electrical signals or electrical signals to optical signals utilizing a “C” shaped retaining clip to secure the adapter module housing together. The retaining clips are used in place of screws, rivets or snap fits and provide an easy and simple way to assembled adapter modules.

Abstract: A shielded housing that provides a shield to a circuit board connector of the SFP-style includes a conductive body that encompasses the connector. The housing has an opening that defines an entrance of the housing through which an opposing mating connector may be inserted. The housing also includes a pair of engagement tabs that are bent inwardly of the housing at an angle thereto and these tabs engage openings formed in a shell of a plug connector that mates with the SFP-style connector. The tabs rest in the openings and may be released by way of latching mechanism that is part of the plug connector. This mechanism includes a handle and two arms that extend lengthwise. The arms end in cam portions that contact and lift the engagement ends out of the plug connector shell openings to unlatch the plug connector from the SFP-style connector.

Abstract: A shielded housing that provides a shield to a circuit board connector of the SFP-style includes a conductive body that encompasses the connector. The housing has an opening that defines an entrance of the housing through which an opposing mating connector may be inserted. The housing also includes a pair of engagement tabs that are bent inwardly of the housing at an angle thereto and these tabs engage openings formed in a shell of a plug connector that mates with the SFP-style connector. The tabs rest in the openings and may be released by way of latching mechanism that is part of the plug connector. This mechanism includes a handle and two arms that extend lengthwise. The arms end in cam portions that contact and lift the engagement ends out of the plug connector shell openings to unlatch the plug connector from the SFP-style connector. A biasing member is also provided that returns the delatching actuating mechanism to its initial position once the connectors have been released.

Abstract: A shielded housing that provides a shield to a circuit board connector of the SFP-style includes a conductive body that encompasses the connector. The housing has an opening that defines an entrance of the housing through which an opposing mating connector may be inserted. The housing entrance includes one or more guide members that extend into the center of the housing and provide a guide for guiding an opposing mating connector into engagement with the circuit board connector.

Abstract: A plug connector for engaging a housing on a circuit board is described. The housing includes a pair of engagement tabs that are bent inwardly of the housing at an angle thereto and these tabs engage openings formed in the body of the plug connector. The tabs rest in the openings and may be released by way of a delatching mechanism that is part of the plug connector. This mechanism includes a handle and two arms that extend lengthwise. The arms end in cam blocks that contact and lift the engagement ends out of the plug connector shell openings to unlatch the plug connector from the housing.

Abstract: A connector module for use with a shielded housing uses a lever-actuated wedge member to lift a flexible locking tab of the shielded housing over a locking pin of the connector module. The wedge member has a pointed end that faces the locking pin so that the wedge member can be slid between the connector module and the shielded housing flexible tab that engages the locking pin. The wedge member is moved by way of a lever within the connector module and which pivots about a fulcrum in the connector module. Moving the lever one direction moves the wedge member in an opposite direction.

Abstract: An article of manufacture useful for adding creamer base to hot beverages such as coffee or tea-based beverages comprises (a) a center core comprising a creamer base (for example, the creamer base preferably comprising a high-intensity sweetener and a humectant), and (b) an outer coating at least partially encapsulating the center core, the outer coating comprising chocolate. In a preferred embodiment the chocolate comprises not more than 10 percent by weight of cocoa butter and at least 20 percent by weight of vegetable oil, and with the chocolate coating preferably having a softening point of at least about 100° F. In a preferred embodiment, the article further comprises (c) an elongate stirring member having a distal end portion, with the distal end portion connected to the outer coating.

Abstract: A continuous oven for heating a food product having an outer surface and an interior includes an enclosure with a first heating zone and a second heating zone. A conveyor is configured to convey the product from the first heating zone to the second heating zone. At least one surface-browning infrared emitter is adjacent the first heating zone of the conveyor and is configured to provide a first electromagnetic radiation profile to the product in the first heating zone that is adapted to evaporate surface moisture to produce a crust matrix on the outer surface of the product. At least one interior-heating infrared emitter is adjacent the second heating zone of the conveyor and is configured to provide a second electromagnetic radiation profile to the product in the second heating zone that is different from the first electromagnetic radiation profile. The second electromagnetic radiation profile is adapted to heat the interior of the product.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating and authorizing user access to a computer network. An AAA server comprises a plurality of Authentication transport protocol modules that interface with one or more clients using a native authentication transport protocol. The AAA server is coupled with a DBMS system that stores user authentication, authorization and accounting information in a standard format. Authentication and authorization are performed using a five phase process comprising the phases: Augmentation; Selection; Authentication; Authorization and Confirmation. During the Augmentation phase, client requests are translated into a standard internal format. The requests are parsed into a set of attribute/value pairs according to a parse rules table. In the Selection phase, the AAA server determines the details of the access request and identifies the permit required to authorize access.