Abstract: There is described a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a food product from a container. The dispensing apparatus comprises a support for supporting a container of product when the container is loaded into the apparatus, an actuator for effecting movement of the support in a first direction during a product dispensing stroke of the apparatus and in a second direction during a return stroke of the apparatus; and a retainer for retaining a spent container of product so that a spent container is removed from the support during the return stroke.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for dispensing a food product from a container loaded into the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first sensor for sensing electrically conductive material, wherein the first sensor is arranged to sense whether a first section of electrically conductive material has been removed from covering an aperture in the container to enable the food product to be dispensed by the apparatus through the aperture.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for reducing power consumption in computing devices. An apparatus may include a processor configured to provide a user interface allowing a user to select a device power profile from a plurality of available device power profiles. The processor may be further configured to receive an indication of a selection of a device power profile. The processor may additionally be configured to implement the selected device power profile based at least in part upon the received indication. The processor may also be configured to measure power consumed by the device and calculate power consumption statistics based at least in part upon the measured power consumed. The processor may further be configured to send the calculated power consumption statistics to a community power savings portal. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: An example approach is provided for managing service requests. An input, from a device of a user, for a service request associated with a specified service and/or a product is processed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for reducing power consumption in computing devices. An apparatus may include a processor configured to provide a user interface allowing a user to select a device power profile from a plurality of available device power profiles. The processor may be further configured to receive an indication of a selection of a device power profile. The processor may additionally be configured to implement the selected device power profile based at least in part upon the received indication. The processor may also be configured to measure power consumed by the device and calculate power consumption statistics based at least in part upon the measured power consumed. The processor may further be configured to send the calculated power consumption statistics to a community power savings portal. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.