Abstract: A scoop for measuring and dispensing powdered or granular material has at least one projection, such as a fin, multiple intersecting fins, or a spike, which enable the scoop to be “parked” in the surface of a powdered or granular food product without the handle of the scoop coming in contact with the product. The projection is preferably molded unitary with the scoop and handle. Unless the container is vigorously shaken, dropped, or subjected to extreme accelerative or decelerative forces, the scoop will remain in its parked position until the container is reopened for a further dispensing of the powdered or granular food product. The scoop may be packaged as an assembly in combination with a discardable floating scoop retainer disk, that is placed on the surface of the granular or powdered product, and prevents the scoop from sinking below the surface during shipping and handling.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a cutting device placed underneath a mower deck housing that surrounds the cutting device. The lawn mower further comprises a grass outlet in the mower deck housing. The outlet is leading cut grass via a discharge chute to a bag where the grass is collected. The end of the discharge chute is provided with a door that closes the discharge chute when the bag is removed from the lawn mower. The door is rotatable around an axis parallel to the axial direction of the discharge chute and automatically rotated to not cover the end of the discharge chute when the bag is secured to the lawn mower.

Abstract: The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes authenticating a computing device and a different entity for a session of communication between the computing device and the different entity. The authenticating includes generating a hash of a value selected from the group consisting of an encrypted attribute associated with computing device stored in the computing device and the identification of the session stored in a protected storage within the computing device. The authenticating also includes encrypting a random number based on the hash. The authenticating includes transmitting the encrypted random number to the different entity.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present intention, a fluorine residue removing method includes: supplying an oxygen-containing gas and a hydrogen-containing gas into a CVD chamber; producing a plasma of a mixture of the oxygen-containing gas and the-hydrogen containing gas, so that the plasma reacts with the fluorine residue, exothermically generating water; and evacuating from the CVD chamber a product of the reaction between the plasma and the fluorine residue. For the hydrogen-containing gas, NH3 is often used, and for the oxygen-containing gas, N2O, O2, or air is used. Exemplary mixtures of the oxygen-containing and the hydrogen-containing gases include 70 mol % N2O/NH3, 50 mol % N2O/NH3, and 52 mol % O2/NH3. An inert gas, such as He, Ne, Ar, or Kr, can be optionally supplied into the chamber to stabilize the plasma.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mixing device includes a nozzle that is disposed tangent to a wall of a chamber. Gas flowing from the nozzle rotates in the chamber forming a vortex. Another gas may be flown near a middle portion of the chamber, thereby uniformly mixing the two gases. In another embodiment, an evaporation and mixing device includes a nozzle configured to impart rotation to a gas flowing into a chamber. An injector flows a liquid material near a middle portion of the chamber, thereby mixing the gas and the liquid material. A heater may be employed to help evaporate the liquid material.

Abstract: A RAID-compatible data storage system which allows incremental increases in storage capacity at a cost that is proportional to the increase in capacity. The system does not require changes to the host system. The control and interface functions previously performed by a single (or redundant) central data storage device controller are distributed among a number of modular control units (MCUs). Each MCU is preferably physically coupled to a data storage device to form a basic, low-cost integrated storage node. One of two bus ports interfaces an MCU with the host computer on a host bus, and the other bus port interfaces an MCU with one or more data storage devices coupled to the MCU by a data storage device bus. The serial interface ports provide a means by which each of the MCUs may communicate with each other MCU to facilitate the implementation of a memory array architecture.

Abstract: A RAID-compatible data storage system which allows incremental increases in storage capacity at a cost that is proportional to the increase in capacity. The system does not require changes to the host system. The control and interface functions previously performed by a single (or redundant) central data storage device controller are distributed among a number of modular control units (MCUs). Each MCU is preferably physically coupled to a data storage device to form a basic, low-cost integrated storage node. One of two bus ports interfaces an MCU with the host computer on a host bus, and the other bus port interfaces an MCU with one or more data storage devices coupled to the MCU by a data storage device bus. The serial interface ports provide a means by which each of the MCUs may communicate with each other MCU to facilitate the implementation of a memory array architecture.

Abstract: A RAID-compatible data storage system which allows incremental increases in storage capacity at a cost that is proportional to the increase in capacity. The system does not require changes to the host system. The control and interface functions previously performed by a single (or redundant) central data storage device controller are distributed among a number of modular control units (MCUs). Each MCU is preferably physically coupled to a data storage device to form a basic, low-cost integrated storage node. One of two bus ports interfaces an MCU with the host computer on a host bus, and the other bus port interfaces an MCU with one or more data storage devices coupled to the MCU by a data storage device bus. The serial interface ports provide a means by which each of the MCUs may communicate with each other MCU to facilitate the implementation of a memory array architecture.

Abstract: A releasably attachable manual dispensing aid is operable with a syringe having a syringe body and a syringe plunger that is movable within the syringe body. The dispensing aid includes a dispensing aid body that is releasably attachable to the syringe body. The dispensing aid further includes a dispensing aid plunger that is attachable to the syringe plunger, and has a slide that is slidable within the dispensing aid body. A fine adjustment, bottom stop, Chaney stop, and/or drag brake for the slide are optionally provided. An electronic linear position measuring device has a first portion fixed to the dispensing aid body and a second portion fixed to the dispensing aid plunger. Optionally, the dispensing aid includes a microprocessor that receives as inputs a calibration value for a particular syringe and the position signal, and determines as an output signal the true volume of liquid displaced by the syringe plunger movement.