Abstract: A student loan consolidation qualification system and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the student loan consolidation qualification system includes: (1) an input module, associated with an Internet site, that presents at least one page to a loan applicant to assist the loan applicant in providing personal and student loan information pertaining to a plurality of student loans made to the loan applicant and (2) a qualification module, associated with the input module, that assesses the personal information to determine a personal qualification of the loan applicant and assesses the student loan information pertaining to the plurality of student loans to determine a loan qualification of the loan applicant, the qualification module qualifying the loan applicant and informing the loan applicant and a loan consolidator only if the personal qualification and the loan qualification are positive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bowl stacking separation device and a method of stacking bowls using the bowl stacking separation device. In one embodiment the bowl stacking separation device comprises: (1) a spheroid body; and an (2) elastic surface on the spheroid body with the spheroid body being of a size such that it separates the bottom outer surface of an upper stacked bowl from a bottom inner surface of a lower stacked bowl.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for recovering and recycling unused toilet tissue from partially used toilet tissue rolls. In one embodiment, the system is comprised of (1) a hopper for the collection of at least one partially used roll of toilet tissue, the hopper positioning the partially used roll for de-spooling; and (2) a de-spooling and re-spooling apparatus coupled to the hopper, the apparatus de-spooling the toilet tissue from the core of the partially used roll of toilet tissue and re-spooling the toilet tissue onto a recycled toilet tissue roll.

Abstract: A produce packaging device for weighing and packaging produce in an appropriate package based upon the produce type and quantity. In one embodiment, the device includes: (1) a scale for receiving and weighing produce to be packaged; (2) produce-type determination circuitry coupled to the scale; and (3) a control module, coupled to the scale and the produce-type determination circuitry and having a packaging database associated therewith, that (i) selects an appropriate package for the produce based upon a quantity received from the scale and a produce-type received from the produce-type determination circuitry, and (ii) causes the appropriate package to be dispensed for use in packaging the produce.

Abstract: A walk-through security device having a personal effects view port and methods of operating and manufacturing the device. In one embodiment, the device includes: (1) a shell having an opaque sidewall with at least one material detector located therein and (2) a view port, located on the opaque sidewall, that allows a person passing through the shell to view a personal effect located on an opposite side of the sidewall.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a swab storage unit, that has an automatic swab extraction and retention structure and a methods of extracting a swab and manufacturing the unit. In one embodiment, the unit includes: (1) a container adapted to receive at least one swab having a fiber-tipped head and maintain the head proximate an opening thereof and (2) a cap, adapted to mate with and cover the opening, that has barbs coupled thereto to engage fibers of the fiber-tipped head and exert an extraction force to withdraw the swab from within the container as the cap is separated therefrom.