Abstract:
Structures and protocols are presented for supporting a delicate apparatus including an electrical conduit, such as earbuds, in a manner that is readily customized to a particular end user or supplier with or without adhesive.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of priority of U.S. App. No. 61/999,746 (filed 5 Aug. 2014) or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to cost-effective, protective containment of devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the method includes but is not limited to configuring or otherwise obtaining a base having first and second barriers and a reel element configured so that a first edge of the reel element attaches to the first barrier and so that a second edge of the reel element attaches to the second barrier and so that a first cavity of the base partly bounded by the first and second barriers and by the reel element is large enough to contain the first interface of a delicate apparatus and to various modes of customizing or using the base. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one or more various aspects, related machines, compositions of matter, or manufactures of systems may include virtually any combination permissible under 35 U.S.C. §101 configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. 
     An embodiment provides a system relating to a tag and to an electrical apparatus that includes a first interface and a second interface. In one implementation, the system includes but is not limited to a base that includes a reel element having an inside partly bounding a first cavity large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus and also having an outside configured to engage a conduit of the electrical apparatus that connects the first and second interfaces of the electrical apparatus and that also includes a first barrier adjoining a first edge of the reel element and partly bounding the first cavity large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus and that also includes a second barrier adjoining a second edge of the reel element and partly bounding a second cavity configured to grip the tag releasably and partly bounding the first cavity large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus, the reel element at least partly defining an annulus of the base large enough to receive the conduit of the electrical apparatus. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system and/or program product aspects are set forth and described in the teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       For a more complete understanding of embodiments, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a base that grips a tag and that may also contain an electrical device. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a system by which a user may engage a delicate electrical apparatus 
         FIG. 3  depicts an oblique view of a base in which a proximal interface of a delicate apparatus has been installed, in which a conduit of the apparatus has been wound around the primary cavity, and in which a user is holding a distal interface. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an oblique view of a tag by which a distributor can customize a system/base as described herein. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a profile view of a tag having an elongate profile and configured to transmit a visible or other expression. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an electronic device comprising interfaces operably coupled by a flexible conduit susceptible of becoming tangled, dirty, or damaged. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a non-volatile medium upon which some human- or device-readable language or other customization content may be stored. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a cross-sectional view of a base consistent with that of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  depicts a system configured to engage a removable tag or an electrical apparatus and also signals how a bistable annular flap thereof may be flipped. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a base in which a reel element has a C-shaped cross section. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a system that includes a customizable base (configured to accommodate a customization tag, e.g.). 
         FIG. 12  depicts one or more inventories of containers/bases as described herein. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a flow of an operational process by which some bases/systems described herein may be produced. 
         FIG. 14  depicts a flow of an operational process by which some bases/systems described herein may be adapted. 
         FIG. 15  depicts a flow of an operational process by which some bases/systems described herein may be personalized. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For a more complete understanding of embodiments, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a system  100  comprising a base  120  that grippingly supports a tag  110  bearing a symbol  114 . System  100  may (optionally) also include a delicate electrical device comprising first and second interfaces operably coupled by a conduit supported within base  120 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a system  200  (optionally implementing system  100 , e.g.) by which a user  230  may engage both a customization tag (see  FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 ) and an electrical apparatus (device  250 , e.g.) that includes a first interface (earbud  251 , e.g.) and a second interface. System  200  includes one or more reel elements  259  each having an inside partly bounding a first cavity (a nominally cylindrical cavity large enough to contain an earbud  251  inserted through opening  205 , e.g.) and an outside as well as first and second layers each adjoining a respective edge of the reel element(s)  259  and also bounding the first cavity. The outside of each of the one or more reel element(s)  259  is configured to engage a conduit (wire  253 , e.g.) of the electrical apparatus. In respective variants either or both of the layers may also include another cavity  202  configured to receive and grip a tag  110  or a customization tag as described below. Tags  110  having an unwanted symbol  114  may thus be removed and replaced easily, providing a cost effective mode of customizing system  200 . Although removable tag  110  and cavity  202  are nominally circular as shown, it is envisioned that either or both of these may be rectangular or otherwise polygonal or any of several other shapes and that such gripping may be effectively reversible and reconfigurable by having tags and cavities with suitably matched dimensions, as exemplified herein. A cross-sectional view  299  of a base consistent with that of  FIG. 2  is shown, for example, at  FIG. 8 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that some list items may also function as other list items. Each such listed term should not be narrowed by any implication from other terms in the same list but should instead be understood in its broadest reasonable interpretation as understood by those skilled in the art. 
     “Acrylic,” “bounded,” “colorimetric,” “customized,” “distinctive,” “elastomeric,” “electrical,” “elongate,” “enough,” “first,” “greater,” “incremental,” “inside,” “large,” “less,” “outside,” “particular,” “partly,” “plastic,” “second,” “smaller,” “synthetic,” “thinner,” “transparent,” “visible,” or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise. “To” is not used to articulate a mere intended purpose in phrases like “configured to,” moreover, but is used normally, in descriptively identifying a particular device or pattern that is actually performing or implementing a task or arrangement or to a structure that can serve this function without significant modification. Positional relation terms like “along” or “adjacent” are used herein to refer to nominal (substantially ideal, e.g.) relations, having a difference or deviation of at most about 10° or 10% or 10 millimeters, unless context dictates otherwise. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for configuring mechanical elements having useful properties (markings or elastomeric or plastic components, e.g.) as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,022,248 (“Portable beverage container with a permanent neoprene cover”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,085,667 (“Reinforced polymeric articles”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,064,395 (“Bezel with non-metallic materials for cover or platter for a data reader in a checkout station”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,873 (“Device and method for producing plastic containers”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,003,665 (“Identification tag with breakaway tool”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,432 (“Reusable foldable shipping container”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,240 (“Greeting card with pull activated effects”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,587 (“Plastic container with angular vacuum panel and method of same”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,301 (“In-mold labeling systems with polymeric label receptor and in-mold labeling methods therewith”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,705 (“Packaging system with pharmacy bottle and label”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,541,496 (“Energy absorbing composition and impact and sound absorbing applications thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,114,492 (“Labeled containers made from expandable thermoplastic materials having improved physical properties”); and U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,064 (“Sustainable packaging for consumer products”). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a system  300  that includes an oblique view of a base  320  (a variant of base  120 , e.g.) in which a proximal interface (earbud  251 , e.g.) of a delicate apparatus (device  250 , e.g.) has been installed (into an opening  205  of a primary cavity, e.g.), in which a conduit (wire  253 , e.g.) of the apparatus has been wound around the primary cavity, and in which user  330  is holding a distal interface (plug  352 , e.g.). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , shown is an oblique view of a customization tag  410  by which a distributor  430  can customize a system  100 ,  200  as described above. A removable tag  110  may be taken out of base  120 , for example, exposing a cavity  202  of a non-customized base (like that of system  200 , e.g.). This permits customization tag  410 , held as shown, to be installed therein with an underside  429  toward the base  120  and with a lip of the base  120  laterally gripping one or more edges  419  of the customization tag  410 . See  FIG. 11 . In some variants, moreover, a customization tag  410  may include a transparent material (acrylic, e.g.) having one or more curved surfaces  428  and configured to magnify a visible expression (a word or image, e.g.) within the tag  410  or on its underside  429 . See  FIG. 7 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a profile view of a customization tag  510  having a diameter  511  of 1-5 centimeters, an elongate profile, and a thickness  512  on the order of 1 millimeter (i.e. within an order of magnitude) configured to emit or otherwise transmit  575  a visible, audible, or other expression  575  wirelessly. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the profile of tag  510  is “elongate” by virtue of having a (nominal) length or diameter  511  more than twice its thickness  512 ; in which tag  510  is configured as an optically transmissive material (a plano-convex or meniscus lens, e.g.) with a painted or otherwise applied image or other visible information (as depicted in  FIG. 7 , e.g.) formed on an underside  529  thereof; and in which tag  510  has one or more rounded, beveled, or other tapered edges  519  by which it can be gripped (partly within a side of base  320 , e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, tag  510  may (optionally) include active circuitry  570  including one or more instances of configurable indicators  551  (light emitting diodes, e.g.), of active displays  552 , of digital transmission elements  553  (comprising an antenna, e.g.), of speakers  555 , or of batteries  558 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , shown is an electronic device  650  comprising a primary interface  651  and a secondary interface  652  operably coupled by a flexible conduit  653  susceptible of becoming tangled, dirty, or damaged (in a drawer or pocket, e.g.). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , shown is a non-volatile medium  700  upon which some human- or device-readable language  703  (including a person&#39;s name  701 , a word  702 , or phrase, e.g.) or one or more instances of images  709  (a logo  706  or photograph  707 , e.g.) or of sequenced transmissions  715  (a song  712  or video clip, e.g.) or of other messages  718  (identifiers  717 , e.g.) or other information  719  relating to cost-effective system customization may be stored. In some variants of customization tags  410 ,  510 , such expressions  575 ,  775  may also be presented visibly (as static images  709  painted on the tag or as dynamic images  709  presented on an active display  552  powered by battery  558 , e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, some such content may be presented audibly (via a speaker  555  powered by battery  555 , e.g.) or emitted as a wireless transmission  715  not humanly perceivable (a radio frequency identification signal  711 , e.g.). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , shown is a cross-sectional view  299  of base  820 , a variant component of the system  200  depicted in  FIG. 2 . As shown one or more arcuate, segmented, or other reel elements  859  each has an inside  857  partly bounding a first cavity  801  large enough to contain a first interface (primary interface  651 , e.g.) of a delicate apparatus (device  650 , e.g.) and an outside  858  configured so that a user  330  can spool a wire  253  or other conduit  653  of the apparatus (operably coupling the first interface with one or more plugs  352  or other secondary interfaces  652 , e.g.) around the reel element(s)  859 . As shown first barrier  861  adjoins a first edge  841  of the reel element(s) and partly bounds the first cavity  801  and second barrier  862  adjoins a second edge  842  of the reel element(s) and also partly bounds the first cavity  801  (so that the second barrier divides the first and second cavities, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, either or both barriers  861 ,  862  may partly bound a second cavity  802  configured to grip a customization tag  410 ,  510  or other tag  110 . Alternatively or additionally, either or both barriers  861 ,  862  may include a bistable flap  808  bendable by user  330  as described below. For further detail about the reel element(s)  859 , a cross-sectional view  899  of a variant of base  820  is presented below in relation to  FIG. 10 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , an embodiment is shown that comprises a system  900  configured to engage either or both of a removable tag  110 ,  410 ,  510  or an electrical apparatus (such as one or more devices  250 ,  650 ) that includes a first interface  651  (one or more earbuds  251 , e.g.) and a second interface  652  (one or more plugs  352 , e.g.) and a conduit  653  (one or more wires  253 , e.g.) therebetween that operably couples the first and second interfaces. A standard (non-customized) base  120 ,  320 ,  820  of the system comprises one or more reel elements  259 ,  859  (having a nominal thickness  956  on the order of 1 millimeter, e.g.) between first and second barriers  861 ,  862 , the reel element(s) each having an inside  857  partly bounding a first cavity  801  large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus and an outside configured to engage the conduit of the electrical apparatus. The first barrier  861  adjoins a first edge  841  of the reel element  859  and partly bounds the first cavity  801 . The second barrier  862  likewise adjoins a second edge  842  of the reel element  859  and partly bounds the first cavity  801 . The first cavity is large enough to contain the first interface  651  of the electrical apparatus and has one or more openings  205  large enough to admit the first interface  651 . The second barrier  862  adjoins a second edge  842  of the reel element  859  and partly bounds a second cavity  802  configured to grip the removable tag.  FIG. 9  also signals how a bistable annular flap  808  may be flipped by hand from an open position  921  to a closed position  922  and back. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , a base  1020  is shown that is a variant of the base  820  of  FIG. 8 , one in which a contiguous version of reel element  859  has a C-shaped cross section  1059 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 11 , shown is a system  1100  that includes a non-customized base  1120  configured to accommodate a customization tag  1110 . Base  1120  includes one or more segmented, arcuate, or other reel elements  1159  nominally dividing a cavity  1101  (configured to receive an earbud  251  or other first interface  651  of a delicate device, e.g.) from an annulus  1126  (configured to receive a braided wire or other conduit  653  of a delicate device  650 , e.g.) surrounding cavity  1101 . As shown, base  1120  includes a second barrier similar to barrier  862  (as depicted in  FIG. 8 ), the nominal median thickness  1112  of which is on the order (within an order of magnitude) of 1 millimeter. The second barrier also includes a thicker portion that supports a lip  1116  that extends radially inward to form a groove  1113  large enough to accommodate customization tag  1110 . In respective variants such grooves  1113  may be positioned along both sides of an elongate slot or in several places (in an annular ring, e.g.) around a (nominally) round or polygonal tag (see below). In some variants tag  1110  may have a (nominal) median thickness  512  that is greater than a (nominal) median thickness  1112  of the second barrier  862 . Alternatively or additionally, one of the reel element(s) may have a median thickness  956  greater than a median thickness  1112  of the second barrier. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for handling delicate components as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,089,059 (“Device packaging system”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,071 (“Container with cover and closure member”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,842,872 (“Keyed earphone caddy and carrying case”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,787,610 (“Ergonomic system for compact winding and storage of earphone set/headphones used with digital media devices”); U.S. Pat. No. D724,573 (“Combo side opening earphone case”); U.S. Pat. No. D723,533 (“Separable earphone case”); and U.S. Pub. No. 20130148839 (“Keyed earphone caddy and carrying case”) 
     With reference now to  FIG. 12 , shown are one or more inventories  1200 . One such inventory may include many instances of “Type 1” containers  1281 ,  1282 ,  1283 , for example, such containers all being nominally identical—not customized—and each having at least one polygonal recess  1285  configured to receive a customization tag  410 ,  510 ,  1110 . Alternatively or additionally the one or more inventories  1200  may include many instances of “Type 2” containers  1291 ,  1292 ,  1293  all being nominally identical and each having at least one elongate slot  1295  for receiving a customization tag  410 ,  510 ,  1110 . Alternatively or additionally the one or more inventories  1200  may include many instances of other containers all being nominally identical and each having at least one other kind of “second cavity” (a circular, radially uniform instance of groove  1113 , e.g.) matched to a customization tag  410 ,  510 ,  1110  having a footprint incrementally smaller than the second cavity (having an area at least 99% thereof and nominally of the same footprint shape, e.g.). 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for effective inventory management as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 9,031,858 (“Using biometric data for a customer to improve upsale ad cross-sale of items”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,991,688 (“System and method for providing goods, services or information using scannable code”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,963,926 (“User customized animated video and method for making the same”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,812,355 (“Generating customized marketing messages for a customer using dynamic customer behavior data”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,776,683 (“Process for manufacturing absorbent products having customized graphics”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,705 (“Packaging system with pharmacy bottle and label”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,626,668 (“Individualized digital media delivery systems”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,371 (“Automated customized cosmetic dispenser”); U.S. Pat. No. 8,519,824 (“Customizable service space”); and U.S. Pat. No. 8,260,661 (“System and apparatus for linking multiple rewards programs to promote the purchase of specific product mixes”). 
     An embodiment comprises a system  1100  configured to engage either or both of a releasable tag  110 ,  410 ,  510 ,  1110  or an electrical apparatus (such as one or more devices  250 ,  350 ,  650 ) that includes a first interface  651  (one or more earbuds  251 , e.g.) and a second interface  652  (one or more plugs  352 , e.g.) and a conduit  653  (one or more wires  253 , e.g.) therebetween that operably couples the first and second interfaces of the electrical apparatus. A standard (non-customized) base  120 ,  320 ,  820 ,  1020 ,  1120  of the system comprises a reel element  259 ,  859 ,  1159  between first and second barriers  861 ,  862 , the reel element having an inside  857  partly bounding a first cavity  801 ,  1101  large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus and an outside configured to engage the conduit of the electrical apparatus. The first barrier  861  adjoins a first edge  841  of the reel element  859  and partly bounds the first cavity  801 . The second barrier  862  likewise adjoins a second edge  842  of the reel element  859  and partly bounds the first cavity  801 . The first cavity is large enough to contain the first interface  651  of the electrical apparatus and has an opening  205  large enough to admit the first interface  651  (between the first cavity and an annulus  1126  of the base, e.g.). The second barrier  862  adjoins a second edge  842  of the reel element  859  and partly bounds a second cavity  802  configured to grip the customization tag (with each edge  419 ,  519  thereof inserted into a groove  1113  of and gripped by a lip  1116  of the second barrier  862  of the base, e.g.). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 13 , shown is a flow  13  of an operational process by which one or more bases  120 ,  320 ,  820 ,  1020 ,  1120  or systems described herein may be produced. Operation  1311  describes configuring a first base by causing first and second barriers each to adjoin a respective edge of a reel element so that a first cavity partly bounded by the first and second barriers and by the reel element is large enough to contain a first interface of a delicate apparatus and so that the second barrier is elastically deformable enough so that hand stretching can allow a second cavity to receive a removable tag and to grip it upon release, the reel element having an annulus large enough to receive a conduit of the delicate apparatus (e.g. a manufacturer fabricating a non-customized base  320  by injection molding a form that includes barriers  861 ,  862  adjoining respective edges  841 ,  842  of one or more reel elements  859  so that a first cavity  801  partly bounded by the barriers  861 ,  862  and reel element(s) is large enough to contain a primary interface  651  of device  650  and so that the “second” barrier  862  is elastically deformable enough so that manual stretching can easily allow a second cavity  802  therein to receive one or more tags  410 ,  1110  and to grip the tag(s) upon release from the stretching). This can occur, for example, in a context in which the one or more reel elements  859  partially delimit an annulus  1126  large enough to receive a conduit  653  and secondary interface  652  of the delicate apparatus; in which such elasticity is achieved by constructing at least a portion of the second barrier  862  (primarily composed of synthetic rubber, e.g.) having a tensile modulus on the order of 10 or of 100 megapascals and a median thickness  1112  on the order of 1 millimeter; and in which the second barrier  862  would otherwise require a permanent adhesive to maintain contact with tag  1110 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more such tags may be removably affixed to a non-customized base by magnets, screws, or other such nonadhesive couplings. 
     Operation  1344  describes mass producing additional non-customized bases each with first and second cavities nominally identical to those of the first base (e.g. the manufacturer making thousands of copies of base  320  by repeating operation  1311 ). This can occur, for example, in a context in which such bases are made cost-effectively by specifying normal manufacturing tolerances (as contrasted with high precision, e.g.), normal production times (as contrasted with an expedited schedule, e.g.), and slower shipping methods (by container shipment and not air freight, e.g.) prior to customization and in which many thousands of completed containers  1281 ,  1282 ,  1283  (bases  320 , e.g.) of a single type are maintained in an inventory  1200  (also prior to customization, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, such bases  320  may be machine-preassembled (with a tag  110  having a default symbol  114 , e.g.) so that a decision can be deferred until order time whether to ship them from inventory  1200  without delay (in a non-customized form) or to customize them to order (by quickly removing the default tags  110  and replacing them with tags  110  that provide a customizing expression  775  within a few days after a retail or end user order, e.g.). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 14 , shown is a flow  14  of an operational process. Operation  1433  describes obtaining a base having first and second barriers and a reel element configured so that a first edge of the reel element attaches to the first barrier and so that a second edge of the reel element attaches to the second barrier and so that a first cavity of the base partly bounded by the first and second barriers and by the reel element is large enough to contain the first interface of a delicate apparatus (e.g. a distributor  430  receiving an inventory  1200  of non-customized bases  820  from the manufacturer, each base having a first cavity  801  partly bounded by the first and second barriers  861 ,  862  and large enough to contain a pair of earbuds  251 , e.g.). This can occur, for example, in a context in which the manufacturing included flow  13 ; in which the earbuds are the “first interface”; and in which device  250  is the “delicate apparatus” and includes a Y-shaped wire  253  coupling the earbuds  251  to a plug  352 . Alternatively or additionally, such bases  820  may (optionally) arrive from the manufacturer with non-customized earbuds  251  or other such delicate apparatuses  650  already contained therein (as an instance of one or more systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  900 ,  1100  described above, e.g.). 
     Operation  1455  describes stretching the second barrier of the base with a removable tag at least partly within a second cavity (e.g. distributor  430  configuring each base  820  in the obtained inventory  1200  by inserting an instance of tag  410  longitudinally into an external recess, slot, or other cavity  802  in the second barrier  862  thereof while each second barrier  862  is laterally stretched enough for circumferential or other opposing edges  419  of the tag  410  to fit under a corresponding lip  1116  adjacent the second barrier  862 ). This can occur, for example, in a context in which tag  1110  instantiates tag  410 ; in which base  1120  instantiates a base  820  of system  900 ; in which distributor  430  buys or makes the tags  410  to order long after having acquired the inventory  1200  of bases; and in which distributor  430  would otherwise need to acquire and maintain multiple inventories  1200  of different types of bases  1120  and containers  1281 ,  1291  merely to accommodate a respective variety of shapes of tags. Alternatively or additionally, such personalized tags  410  may be made by applying paint, ink, or a printed image  709  (on a decal on a flat underside of a curved refractive tag  410 , e.g.). 
     Operation  1477  describes allowing the second barrier of the base to grip the removable tag by releasing the second barrier of the base with the removable tag at least partly within the second cavity (e.g. distributor  430  completing the installation of tag  410  into the “second” cavity  802  of the second barrier  862  by releasing the second barrier  862  with the tag at least partly within the second cavity  802 ). This can occur, for example, in a context in which distributor  430  either received the base  820  as shown in  FIG. 2  (lacking a tag in cavity  202  thereof, e.g.) or removed an original removable tag  110  from the base  820  to make room for a substitute tag  410 . Alternatively or additionally, the newly-installed tag  410  may be configured to have one or more edges  419  thereof that each extends far enough into an annular or other groove  1113  (on opposing sides thereof, e.g.) so that a sharp object inadvertently coming into contact with tag  410  (keys jostling in an overstuffed backpack with system  900 , e.g.) will not unexpectedly pry tag  410  out of groove  1113 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 15 , shown is a flow  15  of an operational process. Operation  1522  describes obtaining a tag that identifies a user (e.g. one or more users  230 ,  330  each making one or more tags  410 ,  510 ,  1110  that identify themselves). This can occur, for example, in a context in which one or more such tags are included in a kit (that includes one or more corresponding bases  320 ,  820 ,  1020 ,  1120 , e.g.) from which a personalized or other customized containment system  300 ,  900 ,  1100  can be assembled. Alternatively or additionally, such tags  410 ,  510 ,  1110  may be hand-marked or custom-ordered for the benefit of the intended end user (for each person on a team or guest list, e.g.). In some variants, moreover, the “first” tag may include a website identifier, phone number, or other contact information  719  pertaining to a particular user. 
     Operation  1566  describes personalizing a base having first and second barriers and a reel element configured so that a first edge of the reel element attaches to the first barrier and so that a second edge of the reel element attaches to the second barrier and so that a first cavity of the base is partly bounded by the first and second barriers by installing the tag that identifies the user adhesivelessly at least partly into a second cavity of the base formed in the second barrier (e.g. one or more users  230 ,  330  or retailers personalizing a base  320 ,  820 ,  1020 ,  1120  as described above by positioning the user-identifying “first tag” securely, but without the need for adhesive, at least partly in a tag-accommodation cavity  202 ,  802  of the base). This can occur, for example, in a context in which part of the “second” barrier engages the “first” tag during the installation and in which the provider of the base (the retailer, e.g.) maintains a substantial inventory  1200  of a single type of container (only “Type 1” containers  1281 ,  1282 ,  1283 , e.g.) so that the personalization only requires the respective tags  410 ,  510 ,  1110  for the several intended recipients to be configured and installed. Alternatively or additionally, a single base may be associated with a limited assortment of tags (each with a respective zodiac symbol or word  702  with which the user personally identifies, e.g.) all included with the single base in a single kit. 
     Operation  1588  describes winding a conduit of a delicate apparatus that operably couples first and second interfaces thereof at least partly within an annulus of the base after inserting the first interface into the first cavity (e.g. user  330  wrapping the conduit  653  of device  650  around the outside  858  of one or more reel elements  859  after inserting the primary interface  651  into cavity  801 ). This can occur, for example, in a context in which conduit  653  is a power cord, a ribbon coupler, or other electrical conduit; in which the second interface fits into the annulus  1126  of base  820 ; and in which the attachment between the first interface and the conduit would otherwise be crimped, stretched, or crushed. Alternatively or additionally, base  820  may be configured so that an opening  205  of the first cavity is large enough to receive the secondary interface  652  also. 
     Operation  1599  describes containing the delicate apparatus within the base by flipping a bistable annular flap from an open position to a closed position after the conduit of the delicate apparatus is wound and after the base is personalized (e.g. user  330  closing base  820  by flipping annular flap  808  from an open position  921  to a closed position  922  with conduit  653  wound around the reel element  259 ,  859 ,  1159  therein and after operation  1566 . This can occur, for example, in a context in which such a flap  808  is flippably attached to at least one of the barriers  861 ,  862  (as a generally radial extension thereof, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, one or both such barriers  861 ,  862  may be configured to include the reel element or a “second cavity” (polygonal recess  1285  or elongate slot  1295 , e.g.) as described herein. 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be taken limiting. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logically interactable components. 
     In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B” in respective included configurations. 
     With respect to the numbered clauses and claims expressed below, all terms therein identify or describe one or more entities described above with particularity. With regard to methods described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations may generally be performed in any order, unless context dictates otherwise. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. Also in the numbered clauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments are articulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respective embodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other such identifiers appear to be introduced (with “a” or “an,” e.g.) more than once in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identify the same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called “dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respective embodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they refer or other features described above. 
     CLAUSES 
     1. A containment system relating to a tag and to an electrical apparatus that includes a first interface and a second interface, the containment system comprising: 
     a base that includes a reel element having an inside partly bounding a first cavity large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus and an outside configured to engage a conduit of the electrical apparatus that connects the first and second interfaces of the electrical apparatus and that also includes a first barrier adjoining a first edge of the reel element and partly bounding the first cavity large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus and that also includes a second barrier adjoining a second edge of the reel element and partly bounding a second cavity configured to grip the tag releasably and partly bounding the first cavity large enough to contain the first interface of the electrical apparatus, the reel element at least partly defining an annulus of the base large enough to receive the conduit of the electrical apparatus. 
     2. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     a device that includes an earbud and a plug, the electrical apparatus being the device, the first interface being the earbud, the second interface being the plug. 
     3. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     a majority (i.e. more than 50% by weight) of the base being made of a material having a tensile modulus on the order of 100 megapascals (within an order of magnitude). 
     4. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     a majority of the second barrier being made of a material having a tensile modulus on the order of 10 megapascals and a median thickness on the order of 1 millimeter. 
     5. The containment system of claim  1 , further comprising: 
     the second barrier having a median thickness on the order of 1 millimeter. 
     6. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     a majority of the second barrier being made of a synthetic rubber. 
     7. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     at least one of the tag or the second cavity being polygonal. 
     8. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the electrical apparatus that includes the first interface and the second interface. 
     9. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the reel element having a median thickness greater than a median thickness of the second barrier. 
     10. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the reel element having an arcuate cross section. 
     11. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the second cavity being circular. 
     12. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag not being circular. 
     13. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the second cavity engaging the tag adhesivelessly. 
     14. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag bearing a distinctive image by which the containment system is customized, the tag being partly within the second cavity. 
     15. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag being a customization tag and being about the same size (incrementally smaller in area, e.g.) as the second cavity. 
     16. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag being a customization tag and having an elongate profile. 
     17. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag including a refractive element (a transparent lens, e.g.). 
     18. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag being a customization tag and including a transparent component having one or more curved surfaces and configured to magnify an image thereof. 
     19. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag being a customization tag, held non-adhesively and partly within the second cavity by a lip of the second barrier. 
     20. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag configured to customize the containment system by expressing a corporate identifier (a trademarked logo or corporate name or slogan, e.g.), the tag being partly within the second cavity. 
     21. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag configured to display language by which the containment system is customized, the tag being partly within the second cavity. 
     22. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag configured to personalize the containment system by expressing a name of a particular human being, the tag being partly within the second cavity. 
     23. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag partly within the second cavity and configured to emit a wireless expression by which the containment system is customized. 
     24. The containment system of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES, further comprising: 
     the tag being a customization tag and having a median thickness greater than a median thickness of the second barrier. 
     All of the patents and other publications referred to above are incorporated herein by reference generally—including those identified in relation to particular new applications of existing techniques—to the extent not inconsistent herewith (in each respective latest edition, where applicable). While various system, method, article of manufacture, or other embodiments or aspects have been disclosed above, also, other combinations of embodiments or aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above disclosure. The various embodiments and aspects disclosed above are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the final claim set that follows.