Abstract: A modular biometric station system is used to form one or more modular biometric stations with cohesive form factors. Such biometric stations include a core unit, one or more end caps, and one or more modules. The modules may be configured to communicably and electrically couple to one or more of the end caps. The end caps may be configured to communicably and electrically couple to the core unit and/or one or more of the modules and may communicably and electrically couple one or more of the modules to the core unit. The core unit, end caps, and/or the modules may be able to communicably interact when coupled together. The core unit, end caps, and modules may all share a form factor. The core unit may include hardware and/or software that satisfies common requirements, and the modules may include peripherals and/or other components that can be coupled to the core unit to adapt the modular biometric station to a variety of different needs of different applications.

Abstract: A modular biometric station system is used to form one or more modular biometric stations with cohesive form factors. Such biometric stations include a core unit, one or more end caps, and one or more modules. The modules may be configured to communicably and electrically couple to one or more of the end caps. The end caps may be configured to communicably and electrically couple to the core unit and/or one or more of the modules and may communicably and electrically couple one or more of the modules to the core unit. The core unit, end caps, and/or the modules may be able to communicably interact when coupled together. The core unit, end caps, and modules may all share a form factor. The core unit may include hardware and/or software that satisfies common requirements, and the modules may include peripherals and/or other components that can be coupled to the core unit to adapt the modular biometric station to a variety of different needs of different applications.

Abstract: A modular biometric station system is used to form one or more modular biometric stations with cohesive form factors. Such biometric stations include a core unit, one or more end caps, and one or more modules. The modules may be configured to communicably and electrically couple to one or more of the end caps. The end caps may be configured to communicably and electrically couple to the core unit and/or one or more of the modules and may communicably and electrically couple one or more of the modules to the core unit. The core unit, end caps, and/or the modules may be able to communicably interact when coupled together. The core unit, end caps, and modules may all share a form factor. The core unit may include hardware and/or software that satisfies common requirements, and the modules may include peripherals and/or other components that can be coupled to the core unit to adapt the modular biometric station to a variety of different needs of different applications.

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: A dispensing system includes a manifold adapted to be fluidly coupled to a valve stem of a container. The manifold includes first and second members extending outwardly from the manifold. The dispensing system also includes a shroud having first and second shroud portions on opposing sides of the shroud. The dispensing system further includes at least one enclosed track. The enclosed track receives and permits sliding of at least one of the first and second members.

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: 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: A dispensing system has a central longitudinal axis and includes a shroud adapted to receive a container. The shroud includes a gripping portion adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user. The dispensing system also includes an actuation member adapted to rotate about a rotation point on a rotation axis toward an interior of the shroud in response to a force applied to the actuation member by the user. The actuation member is configured such that a rotation distance is at least about 6 centimeters. The rotation distance is measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis between a location where the user can apply the force to the actuation member and the rotation point of the actuation member.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises a device for separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising: (a) a yolk chamber component comprising a first opening and a second opening; and (b) a vacuum chamber component comprising an opening, wherein the second opening of the yolk chamber component is detachably connected to the opening of the vacuum chamber component. Another exemplary aspect comprises a method of separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising: (a) compressing a vacuum chamber component, wherein the vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to a yolk chamber component, and wherein the yolk chamber component is empty; (b) placing the first opening of the yolk chamber component against an egg yolk; and (c) releasing pressure on the vacuum chamber component until the egg yolk is drawn into the yolk chamber component.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a shroud having a gripping portion. An actuation area of the shroud is between about 15% to about 95% of a surface area of the gripping portion.

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 exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: a brush component comprising a handle on a first end of a shaft and a brush on a second end of the shaft; and a shovel component removably connected to the brush component; wherein the brush is at least partially enclosed within the shovel component when the shovel component is connected to the brush component, and wherein the brush is exposed when the shovel component is disconnected from the brush component.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: (a) a microprocessor; (b) a wireless transmitter/receiver in communication with the microprocessor and operable to communicate over a wireless network with an application on a mobile device; (c) a light sensor in communication, via the microprocessor and the transmitter/receiver, with the application, and operable to detect and report ambient light levels in a vicinity of the apparatus; and (d) an accelerometer in communication, via the microprocessor and the transmitter/receiver, with the application, and operable to detect and report motion of the apparatus. In various exemplary embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise (and/or instead comprise): (1) a temperature sensor; (2) a humidity sensor; (3) a microphone; and/or (4) a passive infrared sensor.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises a scissors apparatus comprising: (a) a first member comprising a first handle component and a first blade component; and (b) a second member comprising a second handle component and a second blade component; said second member connected to said first member and pivotally movable with respect to said first member between a fully closed position and a fully open position, and said second handle component configured to enclose a sharpened portion of said first blade component when said first and second members are in said fully open position. An exemplary method aspect comprises operating any of the apparatus aspects and embodiments as scissors; opening said apparatus so that said first and second members are in said fully open position; and operating said apparatus as a single-blade cutting device.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: a handle; and a body connected to the handle via a rotatable joint; the body comprising a bristle component on a first side and a cloth component on a second side, the bristle component comprising broom bristles and the cloth component configured to accept a cloth, the body rotatable with respect to the handle, between a first position and a second position, the first position placing the broom bristles in contact with a floor surface, and the second position placing the cloth in contact with the floor surface. One or more method embodiments comprise using the apparatus as a broom, with the body in the first position; rotating the body from the first position to the second position; and using the apparatus as a mop, with the body in the second position.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: a brush component comprising a handle on a first end of a shaft and a brush on a second end of the shaft; and a shovel component removably connected to the brush component; wherein the brush is at least partially enclosed within the shovel component when the shovel component is connected to the brush component, and wherein the brush is exposed when the shovel component is disconnected from the brush component.