Abstract: A portable foldable display includes a pair of end sections and a plurality of intermediate sections. The intermediate sections are joined together in a manner which permits the intermediate sections to be rotated with respect to each other for folding and unfolding of the display. The display also includes a plurality of shelves which may extend from the front or back of any of the intermediate sections and outwardly from the end sections. The vertical spacing between the shelves is adjustable. The display is on wheels to permit easy transport.

Abstract: Methods and device are provided for displaying a container. The device includes a number of stations to receive a number of containers. The container has an angled top and a recessed bottom. The device has an opening with a first end and a second end opposite of one another to receive the container. Each station has a die-cut angle at the first end of the opening to retain the container via the angled top. Each station has a die-cut post at the second end of the opening to retain the container via the recessed bottom.

Abstract: A augmentation cover attached to an item of bed cover, or bed cover, for a human and having access for a secondary user to enter under the augmentation cover. The augmentation cover may be permanently or releasably attached to the bed cover. The augmentation cover may be multi-layered fabric, including a water resistant fabric and/or fabrics impregnated with antibacterial, antimicrobial, pesticidal, or various other special purpose additives. Various shapes, attachments, and configurations are illustrated. The invention may be provided as a bed cover for a human with multiple interchangeable augmentation covers. The invention may be provided as one or more augmentation covers with user-installable fasteners for a legacy bed cover.

Abstract: A snap-on bed skirt provides an easily installed and removed rigid vertical decorative covering for the sides of a box spring which extends to the floor. The skirt can be provided in a variety of rigid materials and can be decorated with a variety of colors, styles, and materials. The rigid vertical skirts can be quickly installed or removed. Depending upon the design and placement of the bed, two to four panels can be installed. These panels are carefully crafted for a snug and rigid fit on the box spring, either supported by friction or horizontal supports placed between the box spring and mattress, under the box spring, or attached to the bed frame. The corners of the panels would be fastened to each other with corner fasteners.

Abstract: A sleep aiding apparatus for increasing the duration of deep sleep and/or reducing the sleep latency of a subject is disclosed. The sleep aiding apparatus comprises a pillow body and a device to play a sleep aiding music. Also disclosed herein are methods for aiding sleep, by providing the sleep aiding apparatus to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A table skirt and its production method for efficient deployment and recycling in show business or other public events are presented. The table skirt is washable, fire resistant and wrinkle resistant and enables easy and efficient installation and removal. Specifically, the table skirt uses one or more attachment strips sewn to a fabric material for maintaining an aesthetically pleasant shape (e.g., a pleated rectangle). The attachment strips include a carrier, a film of adhesives, and a protective layer.

Abstract: A carafe has a flask and a lid assembly. The flask has a vessel. The lid assembly has a plug lid with an outlet port, a limiting bracket with a guiding channel and at least one outlet, and a sealing ball mounted in the guiding channel. The limiting bracket is mounted in the outlet port of the plug lid and is connected to the plug lid. When an opening of the vessel faces upward, the sealing ball slides downward to seal the outlet port of the plug lid. When the vessel tilts and the opening of the vessel faces downward, the outlet port of the plug lid is open, so that liquid in the vessel can flow out of the vessel. A user does not have to press or turn the lid assembly. Therefore, it is convenient to pour liquid out of the vessel.

Abstract: A double-lipped drink holding device facilitates engagement with a mouth to inhibit spillage while drinking. The device includes a bottom wall having a perimeter edge. A side wall is coupled to and extends upwardly from the perimeter edge of the bottom wall wherein the bottom wall and the side wall are configured for holding a liquid. A top edge of the side wall defines a top opening. An upper lip extends around the top edge. A lower lip extends around the side wall proximate the upper lip.

Abstract: A method for providing pre-assembled and sterilized container closure assemblies that are each adapted to be secured onto a container including manufacturing pre-assembled container closure assemblies each adapted to be secured onto a container, injection molding a monolithic spout body of thermoplastic material, injection molding a manually removable rotational cap, securing the cap onto the neck of the spout body in a closed position of the cap, submerging each of the pre-assembled container closure assemblies in a bath of sterilizing liquid, and removing the container closure assemblies from the bath of sterilizing liquid, and allowing the sterilizing liquid to drain. A pre-assembled container closure assembly adapted to be secured onto a container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A replaceable valve member for a sippy cup assembly is disclosed. The valve member is a flexible, resilient member for releasable mounting in the lid of the sippy cup. It includes a normally closed, but openable slit located within the sippy cup's spout when the valve member is in its operative position. The valve member includes another normally closed, but openable slit located at a vent in the sippy cup's lid when the valve member is in the operative position. The two slits open when suction is applied to the spout to enable liquid to be withdrawn through the spout. A recess is provided in a portion of the periphery of the valve member to preclude the trapping of residual liquid in the sippy cup. The valve member also includes an opening for releasably mounting it on a handle of the sippy cup in a storage position.

Abstract: A cantilever-style wine server for mounting to a table has a unitary frame composed of shaped metal bars, such as shaped rods with circular cross-sections. The frame includes a holder that serves as a receptacle for a wine bucket, insulator, and/or a bottle, and a mount/handle that serves as both a cantilever mount to the side of a table and as a handle to transport the server. The holder and mount/handle are unified as a single frame, such as by multiple welds. The frame has a flat base, enabling the server (even when fully loaded) to be set down on a flat surface. A removable cover may center a wine bottle in the holder.

Abstract: A beverage carrying tray that reduces the effects of momentum caused by changes in motion by providing a tray that swings freely on a flexible handle assembly such that as changes in momentum occur, the tray surface swings to minimize beverage movement due to momentum. The carrying surface of the tray swings under control of the tray's momentum such that open containers resting on the tray move in concert and prevents the beverages inside of the beverage containers from surging, thereby preventing spillage from the individual beverage containers. In addition, the surface of the beverage tray is provided with a frictional surface that discourages sliding of individual beverage containers that are resting on the tray's surface. Optional ridges may be provided for further reducing the possibility of sliding by individual or beverage containers.

Abstract: The anti-skid/anti-slip safety mat is composed of a fiberglass mesh base layer onto which is layered a fiberglass or epoxy resin. Crushed aggregate is broadcast onto the fiberglass or epoxy resin which will bind to the fiberglass mesh base layer as the fiberglass or epoxy resin cures. The result is a nonskid/nonslip safety mat that can be used as a safety device in a variety of commercial, industrial and residential applications. The anti-skid/anti-slip safety mat can be constructed in various sizes and shapes to accommodate the surface to be covered.

Abstract: A rotating mailbox device is provided. The device includes a base plate having a fulcrum post fixed thereto and a position plate having at least one retaining hole defined therein. There is a spring positioned within the retaining hole and a ball bearing positioned at least partially within the retaining hole. The system also includes a box bracket rotatably coupled to the base plate via the fulcrum post. The box bracket has at least one retainer hole defined therein. The box bracket has a first position that aligns a first retainer hole of the box bracket of the at least one retainer hole with a first retaining hole of the at least one retaining hole of the position plate.

Abstract: An artificial lighted tree is presented with power routed through the trunk of the tree and three-wire safety grounding. The tree is divided into sections for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage. Safety electrical connectors at the ends of each section are not powered until the sections are assembled. The tree can also accommodate multiple lighting circuits utilizing different voltages simultaneously.

Abstract: A privacy curtain assembly includes a main curtain portion. The main curtain portion includes a first side, a second side, and oppositely disposed leading edges located between the first and second sides. The privacy curtain assembly also includes at least one cleanable, wipable panel that is permanently affixed to one of the leading edges of the main curtain portion. The at least one panel is configured to be cleaned while permanently affixed to the main curtain portion.

Abstract: An oven includes a support structure configured to support a food item having multiple cooking sites, a steam nozzle configured to direct a jet of dry steam onto the food item, and a control system configured to determine a targeted subset of the cooking sites in response to a cooking requirement of the food item and configured to dynamically control movement of the support structure or the steam nozzle to direct the jet of dry steam onto the targeted subset of cooking sites in response to the cooking requirement of the food item.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a communicator that communicates with a terminal, a link-state manager that manages link-state information indicating whether or not a link to the terminal is active, a heater that performs a heating operation on a cooking tool, a receiver that receives a user operation, and a controller that controls the communicator or the heater which is a control target, on the basis of the user operation. In the case where the link is active, when the user operation is performed on the receiver, the controller causes the communicator to transmit instruction information to the terminal. The instruction information indicates an instruction to switch an image being displayed on the information display apparatus from a first image to a second image.

Abstract: A method of operating a domestic cooking hob (1, 3), wherein the cooking hob (1, 3) includes a user control interface (4) adapted to inputting user control information for controlling operation of the cooking hob (1, 3). The cooking hob (1, 3) is operable in a safety locked operational mode. In the safety locked mode, the cooking hob (1, 3) triggers a safety action in case that a person tries to operate the control interface (4) without unlocking the cooking hob (1, 3) or a person comes closer to the cooking hob (1, 3) than a preset distance without unlocking the cooking hob (1, 3).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser, in which a filter is arranged between the lower end of a brewing chamber and the upper end of a fluid receptacle, and a beverage brewed by supplying a raw material and water to the chamber and filtered by the filter is received in the fluid receptacle, and is thereafter delivered to a cup along a beverage path. The beverage dispenser includes a pump arranged partway along the beverage path, and that reduces a pressure in the fluid receptacle to draw the beverage from the chamber, and delivers it to the cup. A predetermined quantity of the raw material and a first quantity of water are supplied to the chamber, and thereafter, during the delivering of beverage, a second quantity of water is supplied to the chamber, so that without interruption, the beverage is delivered to and served in the cup C.

Abstract: A beverage brewing container is configured to be disposed within a brewing chamber of a beverage brewer and to hold brewing material while being brewed. The container includes a receptacle and a cover. The receptacle includes a base and a sidewall. The base has an interior surface and a passageway in an interior area of the base. The sidewall extends upward from the interior surface of the base. The cover is adapted to sealingly engage with a top edge of the sidewall and includes an opening. The container is configured to accept input fluid through the opening and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid through the passageway. The passageway allows the outflow fluid to flow from the container without being substantially received by a needle-like structure of the beverage brewer.

Abstract: A selective hydrogen adding equipment for supplying hydrogen to a living organism applicable fluid, comprising: a hydrogen generating system that contains a hydrogen generating agent as an essential component; a hydrogen bubble forming implement that stores the hydrogen generating system and has a gas/liquid separating section including a gas-permeable film or an open-close valve; and a closed container to accommodate the hydrogen adding equipment, wherein the gas/liquid separating section vents hydrogen gas generated by a contact reaction between the hydrogen generating agent and water or water vapor, the gas/liquid separating section avoids the water from flowing out and/or avoids the living organism applicable fluid from flowing in, and the gas/liquid separating section allows water vapor of the living organism applicable fluid to flow in the hydrogen bubble forming implement so as to contact with the hydrogen generating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in beverage preparation machines and in particular to a beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packed cartridges of beverage ingredients. The cartridges may be designed so that air becomes entrained so as to produce a desired foam or crema. Air inlets are provided in an outlet nozzle to allow air to enter the beverage preparation machine and so be available for entrainment. Advantageously, the air inlets extend through the sides of the nozzle in an elevated position at a widened portion of the nozzle. This reduces the flow of beverage into and through the air inlets, aiding cleanliness.

Abstract: An improved device for wetting a dose of ground coffee in coffee machines, preferably espresso machines, particularly but without limitation professional espresso making machines. The device comprises a source of pressurized water, at least one beverage dispenser unit, a filter holder removably coupled to said dispenser, a water heater placed on the dispenser unit, a water supply system connecting said source of pressurized water with said heater, a dispensing conduit connecting the heater with the dispenser unit, as well as a dispensing valve device inserted in said dispensing conduit for closing and opening the conduit and for feeding heated water to the filter holder and cause it to spread into the dose of ground coffee contained in the filter holder, as well as an electronic control and programming unit connected at least with said source of pressurized water, with said heater and with said dispensing valve device.

Abstract: A filter device is provided for use with bottles and comprises a multistage filter useful for removing from the water, chlorine and fluoride compounds, hormones, pesticides, prescription drugs and microorganisms. The filter device operates by placing a suction on a mouthpiece of said filter device to draw water through the multistage filter to clean it. An optional flavor cartridge may be provided with said multistage filter.

Abstract: A rotisserie arrangement mounts above the heat source of a grill. The rotisserie includes a plurality of holding devices configured to receive a flat meat item such as a steak or burger patty. The holding devices are spaced apart and rotatably coupled around the periphery of a vertically mounted wheel that is rotated by a power source. As the wheel rotates, the holding devices are passed over the heat source in succession. Further, two turning rollers are mounted adjacent the periphery of the wheel and spaced apart 180 degrees about the circumference of the wheel. As each holding device passes each turning roller, a projection on the holding device contacts the turning roller and causes the holding device to rotate one-quarter turn relative to the wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved grill. The grill comprises a receptacle comprising a pair of extension rods projecting outwardly therefrom, a pair of swivel doors for sealing the receptacle wherein, the inner side of each swivel door comprises an arc surface, a plurality of gear teeth extending outwardly from the arc surface, and an attachment hole for receiving an extension rod therewithin such that, the swivel door, while being secured to the receptacle, rotates about the extension rod. The grill further comprises a slider member vertically slidably secured to the receptacle. The slider member comprises a plurality of slider teeth extending from each side thereof for engaging the gear teeth of a swivel door. The downward movement of the slider member causes the swivel doors to rotate upwards thereby providing access into the receptacle.

Abstract: Provided is an appliance for cooking and/or reheating food, which includes: a housing having a cooking vessel arranged such as to receive the food to be cooked and/or reheated, and a circuit for heating by ventilation including an air duct arranged such as to channel and direct a flow of hot air onto the food to be cooked and/or reheated, wherein the air duct has at least one cross-section in which a geometric size of the channelled air flow is limited such as to reduce a turbulence of the air flow flowing downstream from said at least one section of the air duct.

Abstract: A system for measuring the state of degradation of cooking oil in a deep fryer is provided. The system includes at least one fryer pot and a loop of piping fluidly connected thereto for selectively allowing flow of oil from the at least one fryer pot into the loop and for selectively allowing the cooking oil to return to said at least one fryer pot from the loop. A pump urges the flow of cooking oil through the loop of piping and selectively to urge oil to return to the at least one fryer pot. The loop further comprises a return portion that extends from a discharge of the pump toward a suction of the pump. A sensor is disposed in the return portion of the loop and adapted to measure an electrical property that is indicative of total polar materials of said cooking oil.

Abstract: A salad spinner has a hub connected in a rotary driving relationship to a colander mounted within the salad spinner for rotation about an axis of rotation. A brake provides braking force to the hub coaxially with the colander axis of rotation.

Abstract: A handheld, hand-operated blender may include a container, a lid threadably connected to an upper portion of the container, a bottom portion including a stationary bottom portion threadably connected to a lower portion of the container and a rotatable bottom portion rotatable with respect to the container. The blender may also include a blade assembly including a plurality of blades and a shaft rotatably connected to the rotatable bottom portion and a gear assembly mechanically connected to the blade assembly and the rotatable bottom portion such that rotation of the rotatable bottom portion rotates the blade assembly at a faster revolution per minute than the rotation of the rotatable bottom portion.

Abstract: A carving pin, a method for using the carving pin to carve a cooked roast, and a system for carving a cooked roast comprising the carving pin are provided. The carving pin comprises a base and a spike member connected to the base at about a 90° angle at about the center of the base, protruding upwards from the base. The spike member comprises a spike member end and a spike member body, the spike member end being sharp (i.e., tapered such that the very top is the sharpest) and being located distal to the base, the spike member end being connected continuously to the spike member body (i.e., all in one piece). The spike member end is adapted to pierce the cooked roast such that the cooked roast traverses the spike member and rests on the base.

Abstract: A catering box with active climate control is configured to transport “delicate” foods, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers, without inducing substantial sogginess in the bread of those food items. The catering box includes a heat mass configured to retain heat generated by a hot plate and to then radiate that heat, during transport, after the hot plate has been disconnected from a power source. In addition, the catering box includes an exhaust fan that actively controls internal specific humidity levels in order to prevent moisture from settling within the bread of stored food items. A microcontroller within the catering box monitors temperature and absolute humidity levels, computes the current specific humidity level, and then selectively engages or disengages the exhaust fan in response. With his approach, the catering box may limit the degree to which humidity settles within the bread of delicate food items stored within.

Abstract: The invention refers to a food container (1) with a support (11) for drinks, comprising a set of side walls (10), a fewer supporting surface (5) and an accessory (2) designed to receive a cup (9). According to the invention, the accessory (2) in turn comprises a support (11) equipped with a hole (7) into which the cup (9) is inserted, and a tab (8) for securing the accessory (2) to one of the side walls (10) of the container. The tab (8) extends from the support (11) and is defined by a fold line allowing the support (11) to be folded/unfolded. The food container (1) of the invention can be used to transport both food and drink together with a single hand or arm, improving user comfort.

Abstract: A portable vanity tray rests on a sink and provides a work surface that can hold personal care items, cosmetics, etc. when counter space is insufficient. The portable vanity tray can have a workspace, one or more accessory hollows, a hot tool tray, and a faucet indent. Additional components can include one or more handles and a non-slip backing surface. The accessory hollows provide locations for items to be placed and retained. The hot tool tray is designed to hold beauty tools, especially those that become hot. Heat-dissipation ribbing can be incorporated therein. A faucet indent allows the tray to fit on sinks which have a protruding faucet. Handles provide for easy gripping locations in order manipulate the tray and allow it to be hung up. A non-slip bottom surface retains the tray in place once positioned on a sink or other location.

Abstract: A towel comprising an absorbent fabric material comprising four edges and four corners. The towel comprises a salon towel with one or more fastening members placed at at least two corners of the fabric material. The fastening members comprises snap button, Velcro or magnets or button that are configured to hold the towel securely in place, around a neck of a wearer.

Abstract: A rolled product dispenser for dispensing a rolled product from a roll is provided. The rolled product dispenser includes a roll engagement member for supporting the roll and allowing the roll to rotate around an axis of rotation, and a roll braking assembly operatively connected to the frame for reducing over-rotation of the roll around the axis of rotation. The roll braking assembly includes at least one roll abutment member configured to abut against an outward-facing surface of the roll and create friction therewith, and a biasing member biasing the at least one roll abutment member towards the outward-facing surface of the roll. The roll braking assembly is configured such that friction between the roll abutment member and the outward-facing surface of the roll reduces as the rolled product is depleted from the roll. In an embodiment, the rolled product dispenser is a paper towel dispenser.

Abstract: A secondary dispenser readily attachable to a standard toilet-tissue dispenser of a roll type for positioning next to the primary toilet-tissue dispenser for dispensing supplemental materials such as pre-wetted toilet sheets. The sheets can be withdrawn from an open door. A compact auxiliary device providing wetted or self-wetting sheets for releasable proximate mounting in conjunction with a conventional toilet-tissue dispenser of dry sheets; comprises an inexpensive container or magazine component pre-loaded with the supplemental sheets. The magazine can be snapped into functional position rapidly. It serves an improved health care and cleanliness function.

Abstract: The toilet brush includes a handle and a brush head, wherein the brush head is detachably connectable to the handle and includes bristles that are soluble or disintegrable in water.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base housing having a suction nozzle with a front suction nozzle opening provided on the front of the base housing, a source of suction in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating a working air stream through the upper unit, and a diverter assembly to selectively restrict a portion of the front suction nozzle opening.

Abstract: A tool for a vacuum cleaner that comprises a nozzle and a bristle assembly. A suction opening is provided in the base of the nozzle, which extends from a front to a rear of the nozzle. The bristle assembly is mounted within the nozzle and protrudes through the suction opening. The suction opening is delimited along its length by a leading edge and a trailing edge, and at least part of the leading edge is raised relative to a front end and a rear end of the nozzle. Consequently, when the tool is swept over a cleaning surface and the front end and the rear end of the nozzle contact the cleaning surface, a gap is created between the cleaning surface and the leading edge.

Abstract: A tool for a vacuum cleaner that comprises a nozzle and a bristle assembly. The nozzle comprises an elongate suction opening. The bristle assembly, which is mounted within the nozzle and protrudes through the suction opening, comprises a carrier to which a strip of bristles is attached.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle, a source of suction in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating a working airstream through the suction nozzle, an agitator provided within the suction nozzle, and a sole plate provided on a lower side the suction nozzle, wherein the sole plate comprises a plurality of upwardly curved cross ribs.

Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device generally includes a nozzle, a cleaner housing connected to the nozzle, and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing at a pivot joint. The cleaner housing defines a longitudinal axis. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably store the handle at a position offset from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An extractor cleaning machine that includes a base having a suction nozzle and a body coupled to the base. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine further includes a recovery tank configured to store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle, and a tank tray coupled to at least one of the base and the body. The tank tray including a top surface and a bottom surface. The recovery tank is coupled to the tank tray adjacent the top surface. The extractor cleaning machine also includes an air duct coupled to the tank tray adjacent the bottom surface to define a passageway that fluidly couples the recovery tank and the suction nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a control method thereof. The control method includes determining by a controller a connection between a user terminal and the robot cleaner and allowing communication between the user terminal and the robot cleaner, receiving a signal regarding a tilt direction of the user terminal by a wireless communication unit and conforming by the controller a tilting of the user terminal, and driving by the controller the robot cleaner in accordance with the received signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning surfaces, particularly solid surfaces, includes an outer housing and an inner housing configured to substantially encapsulate a surface being cleaned, a vacuum source traversing the outer housing, a rotating coupler, an impeller, at least one fluid jet coupled to the impeller, and at least one air induction port. The vacuum source is configured to induce air through the air induction ports past the impeller blades causing the impeller to rotate, which causes the rotating coupler and the fluid jets to rotate. Because the rotation of the fluid jets is due to induced air, the fluid jets can be positioned at any angle desired, including a negative angle.

Abstract: To provide a production method for a cleaning tool and a cleaning body with which the attachment of a holding tool to the cleaning body is facilitated. Provided is a production method for a cleaning tool provided with a cleaning sheet, and a holding tool for holding the cleaning sheet. The cleaning sheet is provided with: a base part; and a first fiber assembly which is bonded to the base part. The production process includes a step in which tensile force imparted to the first fiber assembly is released, and fibers in a state of having been stretched by the tensile force are shrunk to form bent regions in the base part.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a support plate; a sealing layer attached under the support plate; and a wiping layer disposed under the sealing layer, wherein a cleaning solution receiving part for receiving cleaning solution is formed between the support plate and the sealing layer, the sealing layer has a through hole extending to the wiping layer, and the cleaning solution is discharged to the wiping layer through the through hole.