Abstract: A robot accessory and/or device that provides a sample collector device, a sample storage device, and a work surface. Upon activation, the sample collector device performs a full cycle in which an actuator causes the movement (i.e., extension and then retraction) of an actuator arm that simultaneously causes the top link plate, the lance plunger, the plunger guide, and the plunger to likewise move, including the depression and/or compression and release of the pipette. During this full cycle, this single device is able to remotely collect solid, liquid and/or multiphase samples of potentially hazardous materials and reduces human exposure to this hazardous material and dangerous environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an elongate sheet having a uniform thickness and a first and further spaced apart long edge, to a first pair of a plurality of spaced apart pairs of opposed forming roller elements, and via the pairs of roller elements, progressively forming a cross-sectional profile in the sheet that comprises a body portion comprising a folded central region of the sheet and a first and further wing portion that each extend away from the body portion and terminate at a respective long edge of the sheet, and securing adjacent regions of the wing portions and/or opposed regions of the body portion together thereby providing a windable elongate tape element having laterally immobilised wing portions.

Abstract: A hair care appliance comprising a cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end and a fluid inlet which is cylindrical and is adjacent the first end of the housing, a fluid outlet, a fluid flow path extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a cable for supplying power to the appliance wherein the cable connects to the housing at the first end of the housing, wherein the fluid inlet is provided with a filtering system comprising a removable portion wherein the removable portion comprises a filter grille having first and second states and the filter grille is retained in a first state by a magnetic coupling between two portions of the filter grille.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vac-motor for drawing dirty air in through a floor-engaging cleaner head on the vacuum cleaner, a separating apparatus for separating dirt from the dirty air, an elongate air duct for carrying air to or from the separating apparatus, and a suction wand which is stored on the vacuum cleaner and which can be connected to the separating apparatus via a hose as required to clean above the floor. The external surface of the air duct defines an elongate recess for receiving the stored suction wand such that the air duct partly surrounds the stored wand. This provides a compact configuration.

Abstract: A docking station for a mobile robot comprising a base portion that is locatable on a floor surface and a rear portion that is pivotable with respect to the base portion, thereby permitting a user to place the docking station on the floor in an unfolded configuration but to store the docking station in a folded configuration.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a system comprising a dual-fuel engine structured to selectably combust a first fuel type and a second fuel type, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the dual-fuel engine. The electronic control system is structured to control a transition of the dual-fuel engine from a dual-fuel mode to a single-fuel mode. After initiating the transition from the dual-fuel mode to the single-fuel mode, the control system stops provision of the second fuel type, requires combustion using control parameters configured for the dual-fuel mode until a transition ventilation condition is satisfied, permits non-emergency commanded engine shutdown only if the transition ventilation condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner includes an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch assembly. The catch assembly includes a catch and a leaf spring. The catch pivotally mounts to the outer tube and includes a button and a locking stub. The leaf spring extends between the catch and the outer tube and exerts a biasing force on the catch. The catch pivots between lock and unlock positions. The catch is biased by the force to the lock position, and depressing the button causes the catch to pivot to the unlock position. The locking stub engages the inner tube when the catch is in the lock position to prevent movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The locking stub disengages the inner tube when the catch is in the unlock position to permit movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

Abstract: A telescopic wand for a vacuum cleaner includes an inner tube, an outer tube, and a catch, wherein the inner tube includes multiple projections, the outer tube includes a pair of bosses, and the catch includes a locking stub. The catch pivotally attaches to the outer tube and pivots between lock and unlock positions. The locking stub projects between two of the projections in the lock position and is lifted clear of the projections in the unlock position. Applying a push or pull force to the wand when in the locked position causes a first projection to abut a side of the locking stub and the bosses to abut an opposite side thereof, and applying the push or pull force to the wand when in the unlock position causes the inner tube to slide relative to the outer tube and the second projection to pass between the bosses.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds isolated from avocado seeds for use as a natural colorant in edible materials. The compounds of the invention are useful for coloring edible materials red, orange or yellow. The invention also provides compositions and methods for coloring edible materials to a desired color such as red, orange or yellow.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vac-motor for drawing dirty air in through a floor-engaging cleaner head on the vacuum cleaner, a separating apparatus for separating dirt from the dirty air, an elongate air duct for carrying air to or from the separating apparatus, and a suction wand which is stored on the vacuum cleaner and which can be connected to the separating apparatus via a hose as required to clean above the floor. The external surface of the air duct defines an elongate recess for receiving the stored suction wand such that the air duct partly surrounds the stored wand. This provides a compact configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the temporary storage of multiple smart badges for charging of the smart badge energy storage means. During charging the method and apparatus exchanges data with each smart badge and prepares the smart badge data for communication over a data link to an external system by accumulating, processing, augmenting, delaying and reformatting the information. A further enhancement of the method and apparatus is the sanitation of smart badges stored in the enclosure. A further enhancement of the method and apparatus is the authentication of users seeking to retrieve stored smart badges and by several means restricting, alarming or prohibiting the retrieval of any smart badge not associated with an identified individual.

Abstract: A method for playing back an item of multimedia content by user devices, the method including steps of: receiving segments of an item of multimedia content by a server, storing the received segments in a buffer memory, transmitting a segment request from a multimedia player of a user device to the server, and transmitting, in response, a requested segment from the server to the multimedia player, if the segment is present in the buffer memory, transmitting a request for synchronization data from the multimedia player to the server, and transmitting, in response to the request, synchronization data from the server to the multimedia player, the data including an identifier of a last segment received, and a datum defining the time of receipt of the last segment by the user's device.

Abstract: An aircraft nacelle includes a first conduit for an air inlet and a second conduit for an engine, arranged end to end and connected by an annular flange, attached to the air inlet, and an annular flange, attached to the engine. The annular flanges are connected by a plurality of passage holes in the annular flanges and arranged in line with each other. Rods are housed in the passage holes. For at least one rod, the passage hole of one of the annular flanges has a diameter greater than the diameter of the rod allowing the rod to move in case of deformation of one of the two conduits. An angle profile is inserted between the rod and a cylindrical portion adjacent to the annular flange and is connected to the adjacent cylindrical portion through the intermediary of at least one mechanism for absorbing eventual deformations in radial direction.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for sharing vehicles between fleets. Vehicle sharing services typically experience the most use during the weekend. Thus, many vehicles used by vehicle sharing services sit idle during the week. Meanwhile, vehicle rental companies experience the most demand during the week and their vehicles are underutilized during the week. The disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, provides systems and methods for sharing vehicles between a vehicle sharing entity and a vehicle renting entity. This allows the entities to lower fleet costs and obtain better fleet utilization by moving vehicles between fleets when one entity anticipates a spike in demand. For example, the ability for the vehicle sharing service to utilize a rental vehicle agency's excess weekend inventory will allow them to meet its strong weekend demand without the need for purchasing and maintaining additional vehicles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor and document that proper hygienic procedures are followed by food service providers consisting of a camera, a processor controlling the camera, and software to accomplish the hand washing monitoring. The criteria for identifying the start and end of a hand washing event by monitoring activity is selected areas is presented. A record is created of the wash event including a sequence of photograph during the event and additional related data such as start time, duration, location, and any employee identification. This record is available for recording or downloading to a server for further manipulation, including washer identification and statistical analysis.