Abstract: A receptacle device which detects when mail has been delivered to the receptacle using a pressure sensor, IR beam, and/or a magnetic sensor. The receptacle device is connected to a wireless or wired network and is configured to communicate with a smart home system at the delivery point. The receptacle detects mail delivery and communicates this information via a network bridge to the smart home device of the recipient. The network bridge also gathers information from an informed delivery system which includes information regarding and images of mailpieces being delivered for a given day. The network bridge sends images of mailpieces which were delivered and additional mailpiece information to the recipient on the smart home system. For parcel, the network bridge can receive information regarding parcels to be delivered and can provide delivery estimates and visual tracking on a map.

Abstract: At least one exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: (a) a plug component at a first end of a cord; (b) an outlet component at a second, opposite end of the cord; and (c) a gooseneck component that encloses at least a portion of the cord.

Abstract: One or more aspects comprise an apparatus comprising: (a) a base component comprising a flat lower surface and a concave upper surface having a first curvature; and (b) a handle component comprising a convex lower surface having a second curvature; wherein the first curvature and the second curvature conform sufficiently to allow the handle component to rotate three-dimensionally within the base component, and wherein at least one of the concave upper surface and the convex lower surface comprises means to allow the handle component to rotate three-dimensionally within the base component. Other aspects and embodiments, including methods of use and manufacture, will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the description and drawings provided herein.

Abstract: A power strip for conducting electrical power between an electrical power outlet having at least a live receptacle and a neutral receptacle, and at least two electrical device power plugs, each plug having at least a live prong and a neutral prong. The power strip includes a first housing segment having a first receptacle configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a first device plug and a second housing segment having a second receptacle configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a second device plug. The second housing is coupled to the first housing for pivotal movement relative to said first housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base segment having a signal port coupler configured to selectively conductively engage with a signal port. A first assembly includes a first segment movably coupled to the base segment and a second segment movably coupled to the first segment, and a second assembly includes a third segment movably coupled to the base segment and a fourth segment movably coupled to the third segment. The first, second, third, and fourth segments include receptacles configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a device plug. An electrical connection assembly is disposed in the base, first, second, third, and fourth segments and is configured to selectively conductively engage the receptacles of the first, second, third, and fourth segments with a signal port.

Abstract: One or more aspects comprise an apparatus comprising: (a) a base component comprising a flat lower surface and a concave upper surface having a first curvature; and (b) a handle component comprising a convex lower surface having a second curvature; wherein the first curvature and the second curvature conform sufficiently to allow the handle component to rotate three-dimensionally within the base component, and wherein at least one of the concave upper surface and the convex lower surface comprises means to allow the handle component to rotate three-dimensionally within the base component. Other aspects and embodiments, including methods of use and manufacture, will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the description and drawings provided herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material are described herein. The apparatus includes a dustpan having a base and a wall, a handle, and a plurality of protrusions. The base is configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and includes a front lip over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front lip and is configured to contain debris in the dustpan. The handle is coupled to a top edge of the wall opposite she from tip and extends away from the wall and downwardly from the top edge so that an end of the handle is disposed approximately even with the base. The plurality of protrusions extend inwardly from the wall and are configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base segment having a signal port coupler configured to selectively conductively engage with a signal port. A first assembly includes a first segment movably coupled to the base segment and a second segment movably coupled to the first segment, and a second assembly includes a third segment movably coupled to the base segment and a fourth segment movably coupled to the third segment. The first, second, third, and fourth segments include receptacles configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a device plug. An electrical connection assembly is disposed in the base, first, second, third, and fourth segments and is configured to selectively conductively engage the receptacles of the first, second, third, and fourth segments with a signal port.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base segment having a signal port coupler configured to selectively conductively engage with a signal port. A first assembly includes a first segment movably coupled to the base segment and a second segment movably coupled to the first segment, and a second assembly includes a third segment movably coupled to the base segment and a fourth segment movably coupled to the third segment. The first, second, third, and fourth segments include receptacles configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a device plug. An electrical connection assembly is disposed in the base, first, second, third, and fourth segments and is configured to selectively conductively engage the receptacles of the first, second, third, and fourth segments with a signal port.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises: inserting a device into a skin of a fruit to collect juice, said device comprising a juice extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the juice extractor having an edge that is inserted into said skin, the juice extractor containing a cavity, said edge enclosing a substantially closed external surface having openings through which some solids do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion and a spray pump, the spray dispenser detachably coupled with the juice extractor, the spray pump comprising a spray outlet connected to a tube; directing said spray outlet in a desired direction; and activating said spray pump to cause juice collected within said cavity to flow within the tube through the spray outlet to spray the juice in the desired direction.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a juice extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion that is inserted into a skin of a fruit, the juice extractor containing a cavity for collecting juice directly from the fruit, said bottom portion having an external surface with a plurality of openings through which pulp and seeds larger than each of said plurality of openings do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, and comprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from the top portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spray dispenser detachably coupled with the top portion of the juice extractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposed within the cavity and terminating within a void enclosed by said external surface, for collecting juice directly from the fruit.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material are described herein. The apparatus includes a dustpan having a base and a wall, a handle, and a plurality of protrusions. The base is configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and includes a front lip over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front lip and is configured to contain debris in the dustpan. The handle is coupled to a top edge of the wall opposite the front lip and extends away from the wall and downwardly from the top edge so that an end of the handle is disposed approximately even with the base. The plurality of protrusions extend inwardly from the wall and are configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a device for spraying liquid, comprising: a liquid extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the liquid extractor adapted to be inserted into a liquid source, the liquid extractor comprising a portion defining a cavity for collecting liquid from the liquid source; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, and comprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from the top portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spray dispenser configured to be coupled with the top portion of the liquid extractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposed within the cavity for collecting liquid from the liquid source. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the bottom portion of the liquid extractor comprises a lower end having a concave surface defining a plurality of openings.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base segment having a signal port coupler configured to selectively conductively engage with a signal port. A first assembly includes a first segment movably coupled to the base segment and a second segment movably coupled to the first segment, and a second assembly includes a third segment movably coupled to the base segment and a fourth segment movably coupled to the third segment. The first, second, third, and fourth segments include receptacles configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a device plug. An electrical connection assembly is disposed in the base, first, second, third, and fourth segments and is configured to selectively conductively engage the receptacles of the first, second, third, and fourth segments with a signal port.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises: inserting a device into a skin of a fruit to collect juice, said device comprising a juice extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the juice extractor having an edge that is inserted into said skin, the juice extractor containing a cavity, said edge enclosing a substantially closed external surface having openings through which some solids do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion and a spray pump, the spray dispenser detachably coupled with the juice extractor, the spray pump comprising a spray outlet connected to a tube; directing said spray outlet in a desired direction; and activating said spray pump to cause juice collected within said cavity to flow within the tube through the spray outlet to spray the juice in the desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for collecting swept waste material are described herein. The apparatus includes a dustpan having a base and a wall, a handle, and a plurality of protrusions. The base is configured to be placed in contact with a surface to be cleaned and includes a front lip over which debris can be swept. The wall extends upwardly from at least a portion of the base other than the front lip and is configured to contain debris in the dustpan. The handle is coupled to a top edge of the wall opposite the front lip and extends away from the wall and downwardly from the top edge so that an end of the handle is disposed approximately even with the base. The plurality of protrusions extend inwardly from the wall and are configured to remove debris from bristles of a broom when the broom is swept across the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A power strip for conducting electrical power between an electrical power outlet having at least a live receptacle and a neutral receptacle, and at least two electrical device power plugs, each plug having at least a live prong and a neutral prong. The power strip includes a first housing segment having a first receptacle configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a first device plug and a second housing segment having a second receptacle configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a second device plug.