Abstract: A method includes detecting, at a device, a request for a network connection from an application running on the device; spawning first and second virtual machines for network connections that virtualize network capabilities of the device such that first and second virtual network connections are provided; using the first virtual network connection, establishing a first connection with another device over a first path; using the second virtual connection, establishing a second connection with the other device over a second path; determining that the second path represents a trusted path; determining that a first packet does not need to be routed via a trusted connection; transmitting the first packet using the first virtual network connection for communication via the first path; determining that a second packet needs to be routed via a trusted connection; and transmitting the second packet using the second virtual network connection for communication via the second path.

Abstract: A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.

Abstract: A leash module including a retention opening configured to receive and retain a used pet waste bag that has been closed via a tied knot, and a bowl portion configured to receive and retain water for drinking by a pet. The leash module is configured to be removably coupled to a leash assembly. The retention opening includes a bag receipt opening sized and dimensioned to allow for insertion of the tied knot of the used pet waste bag, and a bag retention opening extending from the bag receipt opening, the bag retention opening being narrower than the bag receipt opening and being sized and dimensioned to prevent passage of the tied knot of the used pet waste bag.

Abstract: A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.

Abstract: A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.

Abstract: A container includes a first bowl suspended by a dual-axis gimbal within—and out of contact with—a second bowl. The first bowl includes a first opening and the second bowl includes a second opening. The first opening overlies the second opening to permit access to an interior storage space of the first bowl from an exterior of the container when the first and second bowls are in respective upright orientations. The first bowl may be rotated 180 degrees in every rotational direction relative to the second bowl. A lid is removably attachable to the second bowl and that inhibits rotational movement of the first bowl. A handle circumferentially extends entirely around the second bowl and defines an opening for a finger or thumb for gripping and holding of the container when the lid is attached.

Abstract: A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.

Abstract: A diaper kit for a changing of a single disposable diaper includes a packaged single-use disposable diaper comprising, a sealed substantially air impermeable encasement completely enclosing an interior space and having at least one airtight seal, and a single compressed single-use disposable diaper vacuum-sealed within said interior space, wherein said interior space has at least a partial vacuum whereby a pressure differential acts upon said encasement and said diaper to maintain said diaper in said compressed state; at least one diaper accessory for use in the diaper changing; and wherein said diaper accessory is disposed inside of said interior space of said encasement; wherein said encasement is dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article of clothing; and wherein said single compressed single-use disposable diaper vacuum-sealed within said interior space is folded at least once; wherein the diaper kit is packaged together with a plurality of non-vacuum-packaged diapers in a combination package for re

Abstract: A towel dispenser includes: a housing for receiving toweling; a motor assembly that causes a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing such that a line of perforations in the toweling along which a user tears the toweling is located downstream of the sensor, and the toweling to be retracted into the housing after the leading edge has been extended; and a sensor that senses a leading edge of the toweling during retraction of the toweling. The sensor causes the motor assembly to cease retracting the toweling into the housing as a function of the sensing of the leading edge of the toweling. The toweling may be a roll of perforated paper towels.

Abstract: A kitchen storage bag filling device including a resilient sheet of water-resistant material having an interior portion and an exterior portion, separated by a pre-scored arc. A user grips and squeezes the interior portion of the sheet to bend the sheet along the pre-scored arc, thereby creating a free-standing funnel-like structure. The interior portion is inserted into a plastic bag and the plastic bag is held open to increase the ease of filling the bag with liquid or solid material.

Abstract: A method of providing network communications using virtualization includes steps of creating a virtual machine instance that runs on a device and that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided, detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on the device, determining application-specific information associated with the application, using the application-specific information associated with the application, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols for communicating data from the application over a network using the virtual network connection, and, using the selected routing protocol, communicating data from the application over the network to a device using the virtual network connection of the virtual machine instance.

Abstract: A method includes detecting, at a first device, a request for a network connection from a first application; spawning a first virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the first device such that a first virtual network connection is provided; selecting a first routing protocol for the first virtual network connection; detecting, at the first device, a request for a network connection from a second application; spawning a second virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the first device such that a second virtual network connection is provided; selecting a second routing protocol for the second network connection; using the selected first routing protocol, communicating data from the first application to a second device using the first virtual network connection; and using the selected second routing protocol, communicating data from the second application using the second virtual network connection. The first and second routing protocols are different routing protocols.

Abstract: A drop cloth includes: a sheet of material having a length substantially greater than its width; and a series of panels, each panel being connected to sheet along the length of the sheet. The panels are generally identical to one another and are equally spaced along the length of the sheet such that, when the drop cloth is applied to a staircase, a first panel of a pair of adjacent panels covers a horizontal section of the stairs and the other panel of the pair of adjacent panels covers a vertical section of the stairs, with a fabric area extending between the pair of adjacent panels and over a nose of a stair. The drop cloth can be used for protection against drips and spills when painting along a staircase. The drop cloth also can be used when painting along a wall of a room.

Abstract: A bottle holder assembly includes a first appendage component configured to be secured about a child's left hand via removable securement of one or more securement fasteners such that a coupling fastener is disposed over a child's palm facing outwards, and the child's fingers are not contained within the first appendage component. The bottle holder assembly further includes a second appendage component configured to be secured about a child's right hand via removable securement one or more securement fasteners such that a coupling fastener is disposed over a child's palm facing outwards, and the child's fingers are not contained within the first appendage component. The bottle holder assembly still further includes a retention component configured to retain a bottle, and including one or more coupling fasteners. The coupling fastener of each appendage component is capable of being removably secured to the one or more coupling fasteners of the retention component.

Abstract: A roller guide assembly is attached to a paint roller frame to maintain a consistent space between a surface adjacent to the surface being painted and a roller cover carried by the roller frame. The roller guide assembly includes a guide arm attached to a vertical portion of the roller frame and a mounting clamp that that fits on the roller frame. The mounting clamp uses an adjustable locking screw and tightening knob to secure the mounting clamp to the roller frame. The mounting clamp has a cavity configured to receive the guide arm such that the guide arm extends past the roller cover. The roller guide assembly also has a storage clip mounted on the roller frame for temporarily storing the guide arm while the roller cover is being reloaded with paint. The guide arm mounts to the roller frame between a first bend extending from a shank that extends from a cage section of the roller frame that receives the roller cover and before a second bend that bends back to meet a handle grip of the roller frame.

Abstract: An RF addressable sensor network includes one or more RF addressable sensors; one or more wireless sensor readers coupled to a communications network; and one or more end user devices coupled to the communications network. The one or more wireless sensor readers communicate with the one or more RF addressable sensors to obtain sensor data for transmission over the communications network. A wireless sensor reader includes at least one antenna configured for communication with the one or more RF addressable sensors, a controller, a network communications module coupled to the controller, the network communications module having an interface for coupling to a communications network, a logic module coupled to the controller, and a user interface. The logic module includes a sensor communications module for receiving sensor data from the one or more RF addressable sensors.

Abstract: A mountable power strip includes a first arm section having a plurality of electrical receptacles defining a “strip” of electrical receptacles. The mountable power strip further includes a coupling assembly that is configured to couple the first arm section to a second arm section such that the first and second arm sections are configured for rotational movement relative to each other about an axis of the coupling assembly. The first and second arm sections are biased by at least one spring member such that the first and second arm sections are configured to transition between a first open configuration and a second closed configuration. The biasing may be toward the closed configuration for mounting of the power strip.

Abstract: A vertical cable manager includes a base, an interconnected double-spine assembly topped by a top frame, and a pair of doors. The double-spine assembly is supported by the base. Each door is removably coupled at each lower corner to the base and at each upper corner to the top frame, thus permitting each door to be opened or hinged along either of its lateral sides or removed entirely. The double-spine assembly may support selectively repositionable mounting members, which may in turn support a large cable spool, a selectively repositionable shelf-mounted handle spool assembly, and various other cable management accessories.

Abstract: A method for communicating to a recipient transceiver from a plurality of transceivers located within the broadcast range of the recipient transceiver includes: transmitting a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and subsequent thereto, transmitting a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers. Each of the plurality of transceivers is associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the recipient transceiver.