Abstract: A system, method and associated data structure are provided for offloading upper protocol layer operations. In use, data is communicated over a network utilizing a plurality of protocols associated with a plurality of protocol layers, where the protocol layers include a network layer. Further, processing associated with the communicating is offloaded, at least in part. Such offloaded processing involves at least one protocol associated with at least one of the protocol layers situated at or above the network layer. Still yet, such offloading is performed statelessly.

Abstract: A server receives equipment data from third party support equipment during operation of the third party support equipment in a manufacturing environment. The server receives the equipment data via a first port on the third party support equipment. The third party support equipment communicates with a process tool via a second port on third party support equipment. The server determines a future state of the third party support equipment based on the equipment data and notifies a user of the future state of the third party support equipment.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying, configuring, and accessing a device connected to a network. In operation, a device connected to a network is automatically identified. Additionally, the device is automatically configured.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying, configuring, and accessing a device connected to a network. In operation, a device connected to a network is automatically identified. Additionally, the device is automatically configured. Strictly as an option, the device may be accessed on the network.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation having a cross-sectional shape is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is oriented in a substantially vertical plane and is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end has opposing longitudinal sides configured to be substantially horizontal in orientation. The inlet end also has opposing lateral sides connected to the longitudinal sides. The opposing lateral sides are configured to be shorter than the opposing longitudinal sides and further configured to be substantially vertical in orientation. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is provided for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders and an agitator. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured for rotation. The plurality of shredders and the agitator are configured to rotate at different speeds.

Abstract: A server receives equipment data from third party support equipment during operation of the third party support equipment in a manufacturing environment. The server receives the equipment data via a first port on the third party support equipment. The third party support equipment communicates with a process tool via a second port on third party support equipment. The server determines a future state of the third party support equipment based on the equipment data and notifies a user of the future state of the third party support equipment.

Abstract: A lighter device having a flow restrictor and associated methods for manufacturing and testing such lighter device and flow restrictor are described. The flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member to achieve a substantially fixed or varying flame height. The flow restrictor may be tested before or after assembly into a lighter housing by receiving a non-combustible fluid therethrough. The flow rate of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated to the flow rate of a combustible fluid through the flow restrictor to approximate the resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the tested flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may also be tested by receiving a combustible fluid therethrough prior to assembling the flow restrictor into the lighter housing. In this manner, flow restrictors and corresponding lighter devices may be tested without introducing combustible fluids into such lighter devices prior to shipment. Also, a vacuum may be drawn on a fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. The machine further includes a discharge mechanism for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute, such that the insulation feeds in a substantially vertical direction into the plurality of shredders.

Abstract: The claimed invention herein provides a simple, economical, and safe way to connect a new class of Internet-ready devices and appliances to the Internet without the use of a personal computer (PC). The claimed invention herein provides an Internet dial-tone, so to speak, to applications ranging from toys and entertainment consoles to electronic books and health equipment just as a traditional telephone jack provides a plain old telephone system (POTS) dial-tone for phones, modems, and fax machines. The invention herein features a modem, network stack, and application protocols alleviating the need for sophisticated logic within attached devices. With one-touch, appliances can quickly and easily connect to the Internet.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. Each shredder includes a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted to a shredder shaft. Each paddle assembly has a plurality of paddles. The paddles have a hardness within the range of 60 A to 70 A Durometer to better grip the blowing wool for shredding and prevent jamming of the blowing wool within the shredder.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders. Each shredder has a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted for rotation on a shredder shaft in a manner such that paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft correspond to paddle assemblies on an adjacent shredder shaft. Each of the plurality of paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft has a major axis and each of the corresponding paddles assemblies on the adjacent shredder shaft has a major axis. The plurality of paddle assemblies is arranged such that the major axes of the corresponding paddle assemblies have an indexed arrangement.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber further includes a discharge mechanism mounted for rotation and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism has a side inlet and includes sealing vane assemblies having vane tips. Rotation of the vane tips forms an arc. The blowing insulation is fed horizontally from the shredding chamber into the side inlet of the discharge mechanism in a manner such that the blowing insulation passes through the arc formed by the rotating vane tips.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute configured to receive the compressed blowing wool and a shredding chamber connected to the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted to receive the shredded and picked apart blowing wool and configured to distribute the blowing wool into an airstream. An outlet plate assembly is mounted to the discharge mechanism and includes an outlet pipe configured to connect a distribution hose to the discharge mechanism. The outlet pipe has a plurality of inner diameters each having an inner surface. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism. In an installed position, an outer surface of the distribution hose contacts the inner surface of one of the inner diameters of the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders. Each shredder has a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted for rotation on a shredder shaft in a manner such that paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft correspond to paddle assemblies on an adjacent shredder shaft. Each of the plurality of paddle assemblies on one shredder shaft has a major axis and each of the corresponding paddles assemblies on the adjacent shredder shaft has a major axis. The plurality of paddle assemblies is arranged such that the major axes of the corresponding paddle assemblies have an indexed arrangement.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. The machine further includes a discharge mechanism for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute, such that the insulation feeds in a substantially vertical direction into the plurality of shredders.

Abstract: A machine for distributing insulation from a bag of insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end. The chute is configured to receive the bag of insulation. The inlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially vertical and the outlet end of the chute has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially horizontal. A plurality of shredders is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the insulation. A discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of insulation and the plurality of shredders and the discharge mechanism are positioned beneath the outlet end of the chute.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end. The inlet end is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and is configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. The shredding chamber further includes a plurality of guide shells positioned partially around the plurality of shredders. The plurality of shredders seal against the plurality of guide shells and direct the blowing wool in a downstream direction as the plurality of shredders rotate.

Abstract: Expandable intraluminal stents are provided as well their method of manufacture. These stents are made of metal, the metal characterized by a desired porosity, with a drug compressed into the pores of the stent. The stents are formed by subjecting one or more powdered metals in a die cavity to a pressure treatment followed by a heat treatment. The metal may be cast directly in a stent-like form or cast into sheets or tubes from which the inventive stents are produced. The so-formed porous metal stent is then loaded with one or more drugs.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end, the chute configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredder is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism distributes the blowing wool into an airstream. The chute is configured such that the minimum length of the chute from the inlet end to the outlet end is the nominal length of a person's arm.