Abstract: A washing machine appliance that includes a spot treating device is provided. The spot treating device includes features that allow a user to conveniently spot treat laundry articles and provides for an improved visual rendering of the laundry articles during a treatment operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inspecting a mold which has a porous alumina layer over its surface. The method includes providing, based on a relationship between a first parameter indicative of a thickness of the porous alumina layer and a color parameter indicative of a color of reflected light from the porous alumina layer, first color information which represents a tolerance of the first parameter of a porous alumina layer which has an uneven structure that is within a tolerance; providing a mold which is an inspection subject, the mold having a porous alumina layer over its surface; obtaining a color parameter which is indicative of a color of reflected light from the porous alumina layer of the inspection subject mold; and determining a suitability of the first parameter of the inspection subject mold based on the obtained color parameter and the first color information.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel methods and devices for measurement of particle concentration or changes in particle concentration over a wide linear range. The invention comprises one or more radiation sources and one or more detectors contained in a housing which is interfaced to a medium containing particulate matter. The one or more radiation sources are directed into the medium, scattered or transmitted by the particulate matter, and then some portion of the radiation is detected by the one or more detectors. Methods for confining the measurement to a specific volume within the medium are described. Algorithms are provided for combining the signals generated by multiple source-detector pairs in a manner that results in a wide linear range of response to changes in particle concentration. In one embodiment the sensor provides non-invasive measurements of biomass in a bioreactor. In another embodiment an immersible probe design is described, which may be suited for one-time use.

Abstract: A dental comparator scope for comparing a dental shade to a natural tooth. The scope comprises an L-shape body which includes a sight applying to the tooth and a handle for holding the scope, and a cartridge with a plurality of dental shades in it. Two identical optical channels are mounted, one inside of the sight and another inside of the handle. The channels include lenses and polychromatic light sources, preferable white LEDs. A mirror is placed in a point where optical axes of the channels are crossing. A split image of the shade and the tooth is observed through an eyepiece. The shades in the cartridge are driven by a motor when a button on the body is pressed by finger. The motor, light sources and adjuvant electronics are powered by a battery which is placed in the handle. The cartridge is snapped to the handle in a steady position.