Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for serving ice cream with a chemically-heated ice cream scoop. The scoop comprises a bowl and a handle with an interior cavity filled with a nontoxic, supercoolable salt solution. The salt solution may be selectively crystallized by triggering an activator in fluid communication with the solution. Crystallization evolves a significant amount of heat that is used to elevate the temperature of the scoop bowl, thereby decreasing the cutting force required to separate a serving of ice cream from a storage container and reducing adherence of the ice cream within the scoop bowl. After use, the scoop may be recharged by elevating the temperature of the crystallized solution above its crystallization temperature. The process of crystallization, melting, and supercooling may be repeated indefinitely.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to take a culture sample from within a body cavity including an elongate extension having a swab capable of obtaining the culture sample. Structure is provided for shielding the swab to assist introduction thereof into a body cavity. The extension and swab are exposed to the cavity to obtain the sample. The sample is then isolated from contaminants by retracting the swab with the sample thereon into the shielding structure whereupon the sample is transferred to a culture medium without contaminating the sample.