Abstract: A computer system (10) for providing virtual computers includes a pool facility (38) for storing a pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) based on at least one virtual computer template (44). A provision manager (32) provides a series (46) of virtual computers (18) as a result of a series (50) of system logon requests by a user (54). The provision manager (32) includes an update facility (100), a resume facility (102) and a customization facility (104). The update facility (104) is provided for updating one or each at least one virtual computer template (44). The resume facility (102) is provided for resuming virtual computers from the pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) provided by the pool facility (38). The customization facility (104) is provided for customizing virtual computers after being resumed from the pool (40) to provide active virtual computers.

Abstract: Described is a computer system for providing virtual computers. The computer system includes a pool facility for storing a pool of suspended virtual computers based on at least one virtual computer template. The computer system includes a provision manager for ensuring that a series of system logon requests results in the user being provided with a series of virtual computers that reflect applied updates. The provision manager includes an update facility, a resume facility and a customization facility. The update facility regularly applies updates to the virtual computer template to ensure that each virtual computer reflects the updates. The resume facility resumes suspended virtual computers provided by the pool facility. The customization facility customizes each virtual computer for the particular user after the virtual computer is resumed from the pool of suspended virtual computers, the customization including providing the resumed virtual computer with a user data layer.

Abstract: A security device for a local computer, said security device comprising a locked-down system environment that includes a remote-access connector and an authenticator facility. The remote-access connector initiates a remote connection request with a virtual-computer service. The authenticator facility provides first authentication-data to the remote-access connector for ensuring that the security device has permission to be allocated a virtual computer from the virtual-computer service.

Abstract: An oral airway includes a first component having a first guiding surface and a second component having a second guiding surface. The first component and the second component are adapted to be removably coupled together such that the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct, for example, a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation. The first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation. The first and second components may be maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The first and second components also may be maintained in coupled disposition by magnetism.

Abstract: A computer system (10) for providing virtual computers includes a pool facility (38) for storing a pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) based on at least one virtual computer template (44). A provision manager (32) provides a series (46) of virtual computers (18) as a result of a series (50) of system logon requests by a user (54). The provision manager (32) includes an update facility (100), a resume facility (102) and a customization facility (104). The update facility (104) is provided for updating the or each at least one virtual computer template (44). The resume facility (102) is provided for resuming virtual computers from the pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) provided by the pool facility (38). The customization facility (104) is provided for customizing virtual computers after being resumed from the pool (40) to provide active virtual computers.

Abstract: A travel cooler includes a base and an insulated container with interior space for perishable foods. In an aspect, the travel cooler includes an air pump, and an exterior of the cooler defines a receiving area for retaining the pump. In other aspects, the cooler includes a detachable handle; the base includes a portion that extends beyond the container to define a cargo receiving area; and a retaining member is mounted to the base and configured to move between a retracted position defining the cargo receiving area and a protracted position substantially eliminating the cargo receiving area. Alternatively, the travel cooler includes a bracket removably mounted to the insulated container that defines the cargo receiving area. In more aspects, the container includes an inflatable wall and a valve; and the base is part of a wheeled platform and the container is configured to be selectively coupled to the wheeled platform.

Abstract: A temperature sensor is provided for measuring a temperature of a liquid contained in a cooking vessel. The temperature sensor includes a first housing containing processing and wireless communication circuitry, a second housing containing a temperature probe, and a connecting member carrying wiring that connects the processing and wireless communication circuitry to the temperature probe. The temperature sensor also includes a fastener coupled to the first housing and configured to removably affix the temperature sensor to a sidewall of a cooking vessel such that the first housing is exterior to the cooking vessel, and the second housing extends over an interior bottom surface of the cooking vessel. The temperature probe is extendible from or retractable into the second housing to an adjustable height above the interior bottom surface of the cooking vessel and configured to measure a temperature of a liquid contained in the cooking vessel.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: A security device for a local computer, said security device comprising a locked-down system environment that includes a remote-access connector and an authenticator facility. The remote-access connector initiates a remote connection request with a virtual-computer service. The authenticator facility provides first authentication-data to the remote-access connector for ensuring that the security device has permission to be allocated a virtual computer from the virtual-computer service.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: An oral airway includes a first component having a first guiding surface and a second component having a second guiding surface. The first component and the second component are adapted to be removably coupled together such that the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct, for example, a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation. The first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation. The first and second components may be maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The first and second components also may be maintained in coupled disposition by magnetism.

Abstract: An induction stirring apparatus for an apparatus such as a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooking surface is equipped with a transmitter coil, and the induction stirring apparatus comprises a stirring paddle, motor, receiver coil and transformer. The motor is configured to drive a gear to turn the stirring paddle. The receiver coil is inductively coupleable with the transmitter coil of the cooking surface to transfer electrical energy from the transmitter coil to the receiver coil. The transformer is coupled to and between the motor and the receiver coil. The transformer is configured to transfer the electrical energy from the receiver coil to the motor and thereby power the motor to drive the gear.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: An oral airway includes a first component having a first guiding surface and a second component having a second guiding surface. The first component and the second component are adapted to be removably coupled together such that the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct, for example, a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation. The first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation. The first and second components may be maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The first and second components also may be maintained in coupled disposition by magnetism.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a computer system (10) for providing virtual computers. The computer system (10) includes a pool facility (38) for storing a pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) based on at least one virtual computer template (44). A provision manager (32) provides a series (46) of virtual computers (18) as a result of a series (50) of system logon requests by a user (54). The provision manager (32) includes an update facility (100), a resume facility (102) and a customization facility (104). The update facility (104) is provided for updating the or each at least one virtual computer template (44). The resume facility (102) is provided for resuming virtual computers from the pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) provided by the pool facility (38). The customization facility (104) is provided for customizing virtual computers after being resumed from the pool (40) to provide active virtual computers.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.

Abstract: A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.