Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool has a nozzle body with a suction opening and a hose section for connecting the accessory tool with a hose of an external vacuum source. The nozzle body includes a serrated blade that can be used for grooming a domestic animal. The nozzle body further comprises a transparent or semi-transparent tool hood for viewing the area being groomed. The nozzle body is pivotally mounted to the hose section by a rotatable cuff for rotation of the nozzle body relative to the hose section. Adaptors connect the vacuum accessory tool to multiple different size hoses of a variety of vacuum cleaners.

Abstract: A method of operating a household oven to cook vegetables using steam during a cooking cycle.

Abstract: A method for operating a cleanout cycle to remove treating chemistry dispensed within a dispenser dryer.

Abstract: A biopsy device having a sample size control assembly for selecting the specimen size to be collected. The sample size control assembly includes a rotatable nose on the exterior of the biopsy device for actuating the operation of the sample size control assembly. A needle assembly of the biopsy device can extend through the rotatable nose. A tip protector can be coupled to the sample size control assembly, and can be engaged by a user to operate the sample size control assembly. Also disclosed is a method for making a biopsy device, including coupling a tip protector to a sample size control assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a dispensing system as a non-bulk dispensing system or a bulk dispensing system in a household cleaning appliance.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine includes a washing chamber, a spray arm, and a sensor. The sensor provides data regarding the rotation of the spray arm. The direction of rotation of the spray arm is reversed in response to a control signal generated when a load on the spray arm exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A business method for optimally determining appropriate ergonomics of occupants of a workspace including a metric determined from personal-, environmental- and task-related attributes.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing, a stylet carriage having a strike, a cannula carriage having a strike, and a cocking element comprising a catch carried by a resilient shaft that extends along an operational axis of the biopsy device. To arm the biopsy device, the cocking element is moved in a first arming stroke such that the catch engages the strike on the cannula carriage to deflect the resilient shaft from the operational axis such that the catch clears the strike on the stylet.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of laundry in a laundry treating appliance comprises determining a first load amount based on a characteristic of the oscillating of a drum and determining if the first load amount satisfies a load amount threshold. When the first load amount satisfies the load threshold, the drum may be rotated in accordance with a laundry inertia algorithm to determine inertia of the load. The second load amount may then be determined based on the inertia of the laundry.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a laundry treating appliance that has a rotating treating chamber, which is rotatable about a rotation axis by a motor operably coupled to the rotating treating chamber, with the operation of the motor being controlled by an underdamped control scheme to determine a laundry load size.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cyclone module assembly comprising a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air with the generation of a cyclonic airflow vortex forming a vortex tail, the cyclone separation chamber having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through the working air path and an outlet opening for discharging cleaned air, and a dirt cup for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber. The inlet opening in the cyclone separation chamber is formed with a pair of opposed inlets. The opposed inlets can be symmetrically or asymmetrically positioned with respect to each other. The cyclone separation chamber can comprise first and second concentric cyclone separation chambers and the opposed inlets can form the inlet opening to the second or inner cyclone separation chamber.

Abstract: A household appliance functions according to multiple operating cycles, wherein each operating cycle comprises at least one step characterized by a parameter having a factory-set default value. A user can access a controller of the household appliance through a user interface to simultaneously set new default values for a parameter common to at least two of the multiple operating cycles.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a base module having a base housing with a bottom base wall, and enclosing a fan. The base module is moveable along an external surface in a first direction. The fan can move air through the base housing from an interior of the base housing to exteriorly of the base housing through an exhaust outlet in the base housing. A plenum fluidly communicates at a first end with the exhaust outlet and at a second end with at least one plenum outlet opening. The at least one plenum outlet opening is between the base wall and the external surface. The at least one plenum outlet opening can direct air exhausted from the interior of the base housing along the external surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly is associated with at least two functional elements, each functional element including at least one functional element electrical contact. The reflective element assembly has a reflective element and reflective element carrier. A power distributor is disposed between the reflective element and the carrier, and includes an integrated heater and power distribution element, a support member having a reverse face and an obverse face, an array of electrically-conductive tracings, and a plurality of discrete electrical contacts points for electrical coupling of the array with the at least two functional elements. At least one of the plurality of discrete electrical contacts points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional element electrical contact point of a first functional element, and at least one functional element electrical contact point of a second functional element. The power distributor has a singular module connection.