Abstract: A domestic appliance, e.g. a refrigerator, has a switching element and a network interface for connecting the domestic appliance to a local network. The domestic appliance has precisely one switching element, in particular a pushbutton, and can be connected to a remote control via the local network by actuating the switching element. A method is used to operate a domestic appliance which has precisely one switching element and a network interface for connecting the domestic appliance to a local network. The domestic appliance is connected to a remote control via the local network by actuating the switching element.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this application is a device to individually test irrigation sprinkler heads. The invention is comprised of a cabinet with a water reservoir and submersible pump. The submersible pump is located in water reservoir in the bottom of the cabinet. The top section of the cabinet is equipped with doors with transparent panels to observe the sprinkler head as it is being tested.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle control system, a friction modification unit, and a friction management module. The vehicle control system is configured to obtain a trip plan for the vehicle. The trip plan is based on one or more characteristics of a trip of the vehicle along a route in a transportation network, characteristics of the vehicle, or characteristics of the route along which the vehicle travels. The trip plan designates one or more tractive operations or braking operations. The friction modification unit is configured to modify a friction characteristic of a surface of the route as the vehicle travels on the route. The friction management module is configured to direct the friction modification unit to modify the friction characteristic of the surface of the route based on the trip plan.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for a self-contained web-based communications platform for work assignments. Embodiments of the invention provide a self-contained platform for creating, assigning, and completing work assignments, including recording and transmitting all relevant work-related materials between managers and staff electronically. For example, a computer system can create a work breakdown structure that breaks work projects into smaller work assignments and can store objects relevant to completion of a work assignment in a work assignments database. Using skills and availability information, the computer system can determine which staff has the skill and availability for completing the work assignment. The computer system assigns the work assignment to a selected staff member and makes the work assignments database available to the selected staff member.

Abstract: A device for organizing caulk tools in a vessel is presented, which includes an insertion body configured to be inserted into a vessel. The insertion body is substantially flat having a first side and a second side. The device includes at least one tube orifice, which defines a tube through hole from the first side to the second side. The tube orifice is configured to allow a disposable caulk tube of the type commonly known in the art, to pass through the tube orifice and the tube through hole. There may be more than one tube orifice each configured to hold a caulk tube. The tube orifice(s) can be any diameter to hold standard sized caulk tubes.

Abstract: A respirator (1) having a plurality of internal masks (2, 3) within an external mask (4), the inner masks (2, 3) being linked by ducts (8, 9) so as to direct the inhaled air from the outside of the mask to the oronasal area via an ocular mask. The oronasal mask (3) has a secondary valve (12) that is sprung so as to operate within the timeframe of the exhalation part of the breathing cycle, the exhaled air being ejected into the hollow outer body of the mask (4).