Abstract: An autonomous vacuum includes mopping and sweeping functionalities. A magnetic locking system secures a cleaning head of the autonomous vacuum into a mopping position when in a mopping state, allowing the vacuum to move a mop roller back and forth to scrub stubborn stains on a floor surface without the cleaning head shifting into an alternate sweeping position. The autonomous vacuum also includes snorkel ducts to direct fluid waste and water from the mop roller to a waste bag without mixing the fluid waste with dry waste collected by a sweeping system. The snorkel ducts are configured to kink shut when the cleaning head is in a sweeping state, to avoid unnecessary suction through the snorkel system. Additionally, the mopping system includes cleaning logic routines that can sense and control mop roller saturation and drying, and that can perform automatic mop cleaning.

Abstract: A cleaning system may have a brush roller that moves dust and debris towards a duct opening for collection. The cleaning system may be an autonomous vacuum robot or include an autonomous vacuum robot. The cleaning system may include guards that reduce the likelihood that fibrous debris wraps around rotating portions of the brush roller (e.g., around a drive pinion). Buffer zones in the brush roller may receive fibrous debris that would otherwise wrap around the brush roller and increase undesirable friction during operation. The brush roller is configured to be unlocked from a position contacting the inner surface of a cleaning head of the cleaning system. The fibrous debris stored in the buffer zones may be suctioned into a debris collection compartment of the cleaning system after the brush roller is unlocked. The cleaning system includes a wedge to seal a cavity for ingesting debris within the cleaning head from the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an autonomous vacuum system that detects and responds to obstructions in a cleaning channel of the vacuum. Pressure sensors repeatedly measure pressure at different points in the cleaning channel, and the autonomous vacuum system analyzes the pressure measurements to determine whether an obstruction is likely present. Such a determination may be made based on, e.g., computed pressure differentials across the pressure sensors, and/or pressures of individual pressures sensors. The autonomous vacuum system can respond to the detection of an obstruction by, for example, performing a change in vacuum speed, such as ramping up to or near a maximum speed, and then decreasing again to a more normal speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating an autonomous vacuum are disclosed. According to one method, the autonomous vacuum traverses a cleaning environment having a plurality of surfaces. As the autonomous vacuum is traversing the cleaning environment, sensors on the autonomous vacuum capture sensor data describing a first section of a surface on which the autonomous vacuum is currently traversing. Based on the received sensor data, the autonomous vacuum can determine that the first section is of a first surface type of a plurality of surface types. The autonomous vacuum can generate a user interface with a background displaying the determined first surface type to notify the user of where the autonomous vacuum is cleaning.

Abstract: A tamper evident food container is provided. The container comprises a base hingedly connected to a lid. The lid includes an outer raised portion having an integrally connected inner recessed portion formed therein, wherein the inner recessed portion includes a peelable flap portion partially detachable from the inner recessed portion for lifting the peelable flap upwardly from the inner recessed portion; an upper flange extending perpendicularly outward from a perimeter of the lid and having a connecting member located between extending latching portions extending outwardly from the upper flange and adapted for being received in the two latch receiving openings; and a tab connected to the peelable flap portion on a first end and detachably connected to the connecting member on a second end, where the tab is configured for pushing inward to detach the second end from the connecting member allowing the peelable flap portion to be lifted upwardly.

Abstract: A tamper evident food container is provided. The container comprises a base hingedly connected to a lid. The lid includes an outer raised portion having an integrally connected inner recessed portion formed therein, wherein the inner recessed portion includes a peelable flap portion partially detachable from the inner recessed portion for lifting the peelable flap upwardly from the inner recessed portion; an upper flange extending perpendicularly outward from a perimeter of the lid and having a connecting member located between extending latching portions extending outwardly from the upper flange and adapted for being received in the two latch receiving openings; and a tab connected to the peelable flap portion on a first end and detachably connected to the connecting member on a second end, where the tab is configured for pushing inward to detach the second end from the connecting member allowing the peelable flap portion to be lifted upwardly.

Abstract: An interactive door system is able to validate a first user who seeks access through the door and simultaneously alerts a plurality of devices associated with a second user when the first user is present at the door. The system includes a base unit operably connected to the door and able to unlock a locking mechanism of the door. The base unit includes a monitor, a keypad, a speaker, a camera, a microphone, a biometric scanner, and a communication system able to simultaneously alert the plurality of devices associated with the second user when the first user is present at the door and allow the second user to engage in two-way voice or data communications between any one of the plurality of devices and the base unit. The system allows the second user to determine whether to provide door access to the first user.

Abstract: An interactive door system is able to validate a first user who seeks access through the door and simultaneously alerts a plurality of devices associated with a second user when the first user is present at the door. The system includes a base unit operably connected to the door and able to unlock a locking mechanism of the door. The base unit includes a monitor, a keypad, a speaker, a camera, a microphone, a biometric scanner, and a communication system able to simultaneously alert the plurality of devices associated with the second user when the first user is present at the door and allow the second user to engage in two-way voice or data communications between any one of the plurality of devices and the base unit. The system allows the second user to determine whether to provide door access to the first user.

Abstract: A one-piece self supporting blow molded plastic container having a generally cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall which extends downwardly and inwardly from the side wall. A plurality of wall portions extend downwardly from the bottom wall forming hollow legs extending below the bottom wall having planar feet which are inclined upwardly and inwardly from the outer edges of the feet. When filled, the bottom wall deflects downwardly and the inclined feet are moved into substantially horizontal positions such that the feet define a substantially flat supporting surface engaging area for the container. In so doing, the diameter of the container engaging area is not reduced, thereby maintaining the same container stability when filled as when empty.