Abstract: Pan support apparats and associated methods. A pan is removably receivable in at least one pan storage space of the pan storage apparatus. A cover is supported in the pan storage space for covering an open top of the pan. The cover is removably supported in the pan storage space.

Abstract: Described herein is a cooking device for foodstuffs that are wrapped in bacon, dough or other food items. The device includes a tray that holds a number of silicone holders that hold bacon-wrapped food items while they cook in an oven or toaster oven, microwave or grill (where made of metal). The cooking holders or assemblies hold bacon wrapped food items upright and in place during the cooking process. The entire cooking holder is made of silicone so the food item slides easily off the cooking apparatus when cooking is complete. The cooking tray is designed to allow grease to flow away from the food into a reservoir located around the edges of the tray.

Abstract: A combination stove and tool box is provided for camping, with storage for cooking and eating tools, such as silverware, plates, utensils, pots, pans, hot pad holders, napkins, paper towels, and the like. The camping stove has a plurality of drawers for storing the tools, and one or more burners for cooking. The stove also includes a slide out shelf or cutting board, and add-on shelf, an interior light, and pivotal, recessed handles for carrying the stove. One or more biased members hold the lid in the open position. A fuel tank is removably coupled to the burners. A pivotal cover encloses the burners when not in use.

Abstract: An insulated carafe device. The device including: a body that comprises an outer sidewall; an internal wall that forms an internal reservoir; the outer sidewall and internal wall defining a cavity there between; and the internal reservoir being adapted to be heated by a heat source.

Abstract: Coffee mill hopper assembly (1), comprising a hopper (10) with multiple compartments (18a, 18b) for storing coffee beans and at least one outlet (22) through which coffee beans may be released from the respective compartments, and a compartment selector (30) comprising a rotatable control knob for adjusting the position of a closure member (36) that cooperates with the at least one outlet (22) to provide for at least one outflow aperture that, depending on the rotational position of the closure member, selectively enables a release of coffee beans. The compartment selector (30) further comprises two toothed members that are rotationally locked to the control knob (34) and the hopper (10), respectively, wherein at least one of said toothed members (50a, 50b) is movably arranged and spring-biased to force the teeth (54a, 54b) of the toothed members towards each other in a meshing relationship.

Abstract: A food processing machine capable of omnibearing stirring is provided. The food processing machine may include an L-shaped machine body, a cup, an opening-and-closing arm and a machine head having a built-in motor. The food processing machine may have a relatively small size, a more effective structure, and good stability relative to conventional food processing machines. The structure of the food processing machine may also use less power.

Abstract: A dividing utensil (1) which is an example of a container aid utensil to which the present invention is applied includes a base (2) and an outer piece portion (3). Also, the base (2) and the outer piece portion (3) are coupled by a coupling portion (4). The base (2) is, when attached to a container, located in a space in the interior of the container, and forms a space for filtration in the interior of the container. Also, the base (2) also serves as a part that retains an object such as miso. Also, an end portion of the base (2) facing the outer piece portion (3) serves as a base outer edge portion (5).

Abstract: A culinary grater has a body rotatably attached to a handle. A detent mechanism is located between a fitting on the body and a head piece, part of the handle. The detent is spring biased and prevents rotation when the head piece engages the fitting under the biasing action of the spring. The culinary grater also has a grating surface with projections having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the projections face in opposite directions, allowing the grater to grate matter when the grater is applied to foodstuff in either a pushing or pulling motion.

Abstract: A cup for receiving a beverage includes a container body having a side wall and a bottom wall joined at a first radius. A removable lid may be selectively affixed to the top of the side wall. An agitator is also received inside the container body to enhance mixing of the beverage. The agitator has a weighted, central hub and a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub. The projections join the hub at a root and extend to a free end. The free ends are capped by domes having a second radius less than or equal to the first radius. All of the projections have substantially the same length. This affords a shape that allows the agitator to roll freely on the bottom wall or in the corners. Any one of the projections can reach into a corner of the cup and dislodge any solids that may have settled in a corner.

Abstract: My invention is a toothbrush holder that encompasses the entire toothbrush, with a drying unit that allows air to flow around the bristle of the toothbrush for a quicker dry time and an illuminating light which can be used as a night light. Both of which can be used together or independently of each other.

Abstract: A shower floor plate module having a floor plate, a circular opening, a receptacle element placed in the opening for a screw-type shower tray valve of a water outlet connected to a drain pipe, the receptacle element having an inclined inner face for inserting a collar of the tray valve, the inner face of the receptacle element tapering off in the direction of the drain pipe, and the receptacle element having a total height that corresponds to approximately a thickness dimension proximal to the opening of the floor plate, the receptacle having a cutting thread, the external diameter of which in the inserted state of the receptacle element increases in the direction of the drain pipe, the receptacle element having a threaded base that by way of a support flange forms a screw connection for compensating a height tolerance, and a method for manufacturing the shower floor plate module.

Abstract: A receiving element for a screw-type shower tray valve, for insertion into a continuous outlet opening of a shower floor panel, having a first flat side and a second flat side directed away from the first one, an annular body that can be inserted from the first flat side into the outlet opening and that bears with its bearing collar on the first flat side of the shower floor panel, the bearing collar merging into an inclined profiled wall of the annular body and running out into a cylindrical inner wall, and a support flange that can be inserted from the second flat side of the shower floor panel into the outlet opening and that bears with its bearing collar on the second flat side of the shower floor panel. The wall of the annular body and the support flange each has at least one circumferential rib.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of refill units and dispensers are provided herein. An exemplary refill unit or dispenser includes an air pump portion having a flexible plastic portion that includes a first side and a second side, an inlet valve, a foam located between the first side and the second side and an air outlet valve. A liquid pump portion is included that has a flexible plastic portion that includes a first side and a second side, a liquid inlet, a foam located between the first side and the second side and a liquid outlet valve for allowing liquid out of the liquid pump portion is included. A foaming chamber is located downstream of the liquid outlet valve and the air outlet valve. The foaming chamber has a flexible plastic portion having a first side and a second side, and an open cell foam located there between.

Abstract: The SUDZ-BATH-CLOTH use standard length and width of two typical bath cloths, which are 10 inches to 12 inches. There are for corners that are threaded together to create a firm and long lasting hold of the two cloths materials from opening apart. The inside insert is created to purposely produce thousands of tiny bubbles. The insert has four arms that can be measured diagonally, from tip to tip, that will measure 12.5 inches. The perimeter from tip to tip as measured in say a (square) shaped object will be 8.75 inches. There are four triangle shaped designed patterns next to each arm. Two sides give a measurement of 7.50 inches tip to tip. The other two sides measured north to south, tip to tip gives a measurement of 5.5 inches. The insert is 1.0 inches thick, but can exceed with raised topping.

Abstract: A cleaning implement used to hold a bar of soap or pieces of soap, as well as liquid body wash soaps in the cleaning implement, thereby achieving a more thorough wash. The housing itself is composed of two towels of equal size and color, sewn together but leaving and opening at the top. At the top are Velcro strips which allow the towel to be opened and closed. The housing has a string attached between the two towels in the upper left or right corner that allows it to be hung in the tub or shower. Or by using the string a bather can also more thoroughly wash the back. The name is engraved on the front.

Abstract: A tubular floor stand wipes dispenser is disclosed in which wipes connected to each other are withdrawn through a hole in a first shelf at an acute angle to the shelf. The leading wipe engages an edge of the shelf around the hole as it is being withdrawn from the dispenser, thereby stressing and breaking the connection of the leading wipe to the next wipe. A user is required to withdraw the leading wipe in this manner by the outer edge of a second shelf disposed above and partially over the hole in the first shelf. A gel dispenser may be arranged on the stand above the second shelf to protect wipes issuing from the hole from any dripping gel. An arrowhead shaped opening on the front of the stand directs disposal of used wipes into a waste container within the stand.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheets of web material from a stack of sheets of web material is provided. The dispenser includes a biasing arrangement arranged to bias the stack towards a dispensing opening of the dispenser, and a stopper element associated with the dispensing opening, the stopper element being adapted to prevent the stack from being ejected through the dispensing opening by the biasing arrangement. A stack space in the dispenser is arranged to house the stack. Near the dispensing opening a first plane extends in a first plane direction directed towards the dispensing opening and a second plane extends in a second plane direction directed towards the dispensing opening. An opening portion has an opening width and is substantially aligned with the stack space such that the first and second plane directions extend uninterruptedly through the opening portion. Further a method of dispensing a bundle including at least two sheets of web material is provided.

Abstract: The invention is a series-operation seat-lifting and flush system applicable to conventional residential gravity-powered flap-released water-tank toilets. The system first lifts the seat with a hydraulic cylinder and then lowers the seat and flushes the toilet by venting the hydraulic cylinder to a mechanism connected to the flush-flap. Operation of a closed-fluid-circuit floor-trigger causes water to be diverted from the existing source of water to drive the mechanism.

Abstract: A self-propelled, self-steering floor cleaning appliance is provided with at least one cleaning element for cleaning a floor surface, including a drive device having an undercarriage, a sensing part for sensing obstacles, at least one displaceable holding part for holding the sensing part on the floor cleaning appliance and at least one detection element for detecting a displacement of the at least one holding part and for providing a signal relating thereto. The floor cleaning appliance includes at least one accommodating part on which the at least one holding part is held so as to be displaceable in a first and a second direction of displacement, which is aligned at an angle to the first direction of displacement, and the at least one detection element is actuatable by the at least one holding part upon displacement of the holding part in the first and in the second directions of displacement.

Abstract: A robotic cleaning device having main body, at least one driving wheel to move the robotic cleaning device across a surface to be cleaned, and a brush for removing debris from the surface to be cleaned. The brush is arranged on a protrusion in a front end portion of the main body. The widest part of the main body is located between the protrusion and the opposite sidewall of the main body, and within the front end portion of the main body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a rotatable member for picking up particles from a surface to be cleaned, and an external cleaning apparatus for removing articles entangled to the rotatable member. The nozzle includes a support surface provided on a radially projecting member of the rotatable member, and a cleaning member provided on the external cleaning apparatus. During rotation of the rotatable member, the cleaning member co-operates with the support surface to remove entangled articles from the rotatable member.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a main body comprising a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a suction motor axis, an inlet end and an outlet end; a cyclone bin assembly provided in the air flow path, the cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, the cyclone chamber having a longitudinal cyclone axis, a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet provided at a lower end of the cyclone chamber and a dirt outlet provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber; and, a handle.

Abstract: Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body including a cord reel around which a power cord is wound and a cord reel button for operating the cord reel.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes an imaging unit configured to image a floor and generate a captured image, a storage unit configured to store a plurality of pieces of floor information that identify different types of floors and suction intensity information of the vacuum cleaner corresponding to each of the plurality of pieces of floor information, and a controller configured to search for floor information corresponding to the generated captured image among the plurality of pieces of floor information, and control a suction intensity of the vacuum cleaner using suction intensity information corresponding to the searched floor information.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a position of suction lips of a floor cleaning machine relative to a floor to be cleaned is proposed, wherein a first suction lip and at least one second suction lip located at a distance therefrom, which are arranged on a suction beam, contact the floor, a fan device generates a suction flow which subjects a space between the first suction lip and the second suction lip to a negative pressure, a negative pressure is detected, and the suction flow is adjusted such that the negative pressure lies at a set value or in a set value range, so that an angle of incidence of the first suction lip and the second suction lip on the floor lies at a set value or in a set value range.

Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a cleaning assembly having forward roller and rearward rollers counter-rotating with respect to each other. The rollers are arranged to substantially maintain a cross sectional area between the two rollers yet permitting collapsing therebetween as large debris is passed. Each roller includes a resilient elastomer outer tube and a partially air-occupied inner resilient core configured to bias the outer tube to rebound. The core includes a hub and resilient spokes extending between the inner surface of the outer tube and the hub. The spokes suspend the outer tube to float about the hub and transfer torque from the hub to the outer tube while allowing the outer tube to momentarily deform or move offset from the hub during impact with debris larger than the cross sectional area between the two rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning baseboards includes a cleaning head having a bi-directionally adjustable handle coupled thereto via a pivot assembly. The cleaning head includes a plurality of plates between which a plurality of pads is secured in stacked fashion.

Abstract: A system for cleaning and conditioning handrails. A cleaning pad is curved to approximate the shape of a handrail, and is disposed on an arm. The arm may be mounted on a support structure, allowing it to be rolled up to an escalator handrail and left to do the cleaning while the escalator runs. When mounted, the arm may include a spring or piston to keep the arm in a particular position. A second cleaning pad may be included to dry or polish the handrail, the handrail going first through the cleaning pad and second through the drying pad. The arm may be hand-held, allowing a user to reach up or down steps or an incline. The cleaning pad may be mounted such that it rotates about the arm for storage, maintenance or better reach, such as around bends or corners.

Abstract: A cleaning element mountable over a cleaning head pivotally coupled to a handle includes at least one visible distinguishable guide marker carried on the cleaning element to indicate a mounting position of the portion of the cleaning element carrying the guide marker on a particular location of the cleaning head, such as a tip or corner of a polygonal shaped cleaning head. The guide marker can take a variety of different forms so as to be easily visible to assist in proper attachment of the cleaning element to the cleaning head.

Abstract: A food waste collector system has a tank, a pump that recirculates water by pumping it from the tank through a spout that discharges into the top of the tank, and an overhead sprayer. The overhead sprayer has a nozzle fluidly coupled by a fresh water valve to a fresh water passage of a water line and by a recirculating water valve to a recirculating water passage of the water line. The overhead sprayer also has a valve handle disposed at the nozzle and coupled to the fresh water valve and the recirculating water valve.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for operating a dishwasher appliance. The method includes finely filtering wash fluid with a fine filtration medium via cross-flow filtration and coarsely filtering wash fluid with a coarse filtration medium via dead-end filtration. The finely filtered wash fluid is directed to a spray assembly of the dishwasher appliance. A related dishwasher appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A dishwasher basket for securing placemats is disclosed. The basket provides multiple compartments and a planar base. Placemats of varying shapes and sizes can be secured for washing within a standard dishwashing machine. One configuration of the basket includes curvilinear support walls such that standard placemat sizes can be secured and the basket located in a vertical orientation within the lower rack of a typical dishwasher. In addition, features on the basket side walls, base panel, and top panel are provided such that the dishwasher basket can be coupled to additional dishwasher baskets of the same configuration.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for imaging a patient's interior. The system comprises an imaging sensor (120) for acquiring a series of images of a region of interest (020) in the patient's interior, and a plurality of light sources (140) for illuminating the region of interest in the patient's interior from different light source directions (152-156). A light controller (160) is provided for controlling individual ones (142-146) of the plurality of light sources (140) to dynamically vary the light source directions (152-156) during said acquiring. Moreover, a processor (180) is provided for obtaining lighting data (164) indicative of the dynamically varying light source directions. The processor (180) is further arranged for using the lighting data to apply a photometric stereo technique to the image data so as to establish a three-dimensional [3D] surface profile of the region of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize one or more spatial sensors, such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, and/or IMU, in providing position and/or orientation data for continuous real-time, full-field, and three-dimensional (“3-D”) surface data maps. An electromagnetic radiation source is configured to project electromagnetic radiation onto a surface. An image sensor is configured to capture image data representing the projected pattern as reflected from the surface. One or more spatial sensors are used to provide coordinate data for providing the position and/or orientation information. Using the coordinate information, an image processing module may be configured to stitch together the individual full-field 3-D data frames into a complete representation of the surface under study.

Abstract: The multi-section deployable and articulating endoscope is designed with tubing and flat cables that are small enough that the endoscope becomes a thin stick that is minimally invasive and usable with other devices in a common port. The endoscope includes very thin flat cables that are used for electrical connectivity and threaded above and below an articulation and deployment hinge for opening the endoscope passively using an adjustable tension spring, or by pulling on a first cable and closing the endoscope by pulling on a second cable, When in a tubular configuration the endoscope may be inserted into the port and an insufflation membrane inside the port forms an air seal with the endoscope, which aids in insufflation and desufflation. The endoscope includes one or more tubes for creating an air jet stream above the camera to act as a shield for keeping the camera clean.

Abstract: A bending control mechanism for an endoscope, provided with a control body and a bendable section including an insertion section, the bending control mechanism includes a pulley which is rotatably provided in the control body, and a wire connected between the pulley and the bendable section. An outer peripheral profile of the pulley, onto which the wire is wound, includes a non-circular section including a small-radius section having a small radius from a rotational axis of the pulley, and a large-radius section having a radius from the rotational axis that is larger than the small radius. The wire is wound onto the large-radius section at an initial winding stage at which the bendable section is at a non-bending position. The wire is wound onto the small-radius section at a stage where the bendable section is bent by a maximum amount.

Abstract: A steerable imaging catheter is provided, including an elongated catheter tube, at least one steering cable extending along the catheter tube to control the movement of the distal end thereof, and a fiber optic cable extending along the catheter tube. The fiber optic cable transmits illumination light from its proximal end to its distal end and transmits an image from its distal end to its proximal end. In one embodiment, two or more steering cables are used, and the catheter tube is configured to have greater flexibility near its distal end than its proximal end so as to concentrate the movement (flexing) of the catheter tube at its distal end. The use of two or more steering cables, together with the catheter tube having varying flexibility, permit better control of the distal end of the catheter tube while reducing undue twisting of the remainder of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A calibration assist apparatus is an apparatus for use in a curving system, the curving system including an elongated flexible portion and a curve detection unit which is provided in the flexible portion and which is configured to detect a curving amount of the flexible portion. The calibration assist apparatus assists in calibrating the curve detection unit. The calibration assist apparatus includes a calibrator configured to restrain a deformation and a movement of the flexible portion in both directions along a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flexible portion and restrain a deformation and a movement of the flexible portion in at least one direction along a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first axis.

Abstract: An endoscope auxiliary tool includes a first support section which is formed to extend along a longitudinal axis, a second support section which is formed substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first support section, a first protrusion section and a second protrusion section which are formed at distal end sections of the first support section and the second support section, respectively, and disposed more distal than the distal end section of the endoscope to sandwich an axis of a channel having an opening at the distal end section of the endoscope, and a positioning section which is configured to position the first protrusion section and the second protrusion section with respect to the distal end section of the endoscope such that the first support section and the second support section are inclined to the axis of the channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hood for an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic endoscope that prevent a body wall from getting into close contact with an observation window at a time such as when an ultrasonic transducer is brought into close contact with the body wall. In a hood for an ultrasonic endoscope to be attached to the ultrasonic endoscope, a notch is formed at a front edge of the hood, and a front edge corner at an observation window side along the notch is provided as an eaves-shaped part. The eaves-shaped part protrudes in front of the observation window, and when an ultrasonic transducer is brought into close contact with the body wall, the eaves-shaped part lies between the body wall and the observation window, thereby preventing the body wall from getting into close contact with the observation window.

Abstract: A sheath for an endoscope is provided that includes: a first tubular member; a holding hole; a stopper member; a contact member; a second tubular member including a longitudinal axis direction through-hole, a locking portion, a movement range setting hole that is a long hole leading to the longitudinal axis direction through-hole and that sets a longitudinal axis direction movement range of the contact member, and a positioning hole; a positioning and fixing member that positions and fixes a first stopper member with respect to the second tubular member; and a knob portion that is fixed to the contact member.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment system includes: an endoscopic treatment device having an operating unit which has a distal end and a proximal end and a sheath; and a guide wire which has a coated region applied with coating at a distal end. A packaging material has a tray which maintains a predetermined position relationship between the sheath and the guide wire and holds the distal end side of the sheath in a state where the coated region of the guide wire is exposed from the distal end of the sheath. The tray is located on the distal end side of the sheath to a sheath holding portion, which holds the sheath, and has a wire accommodating portion which holds the full length of the coated region of the guide wire exposed from the distal end of the sheath in a linear form.

Abstract: A curved shape sensor to detect a curved shape of a measured object includes a light source to emit detection light, an optical fiber to guide the detection light, a detection part provided at a portion of the optical fiber, a rotation suppressing member fixed to the optical fiber, and a light detection unit to detect the detection light traveling through the optical fiber. The measured object includes a tubular member having flexibility so as to be curved, and an incorporation member located inside the tubular member. The detection part changes characteristics of the detection light in accordance with a change in a curvature of the optical fiber. The rotation suppressing member is located within a space defined by the tubular and incorporation members with being in contact with them, so as to suppress rotation of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A medical device such as an endoscope, a laparoscope, or other device including an entry guide uses outriggers or arms that are mounted on the distal end of the entry guide and rotationally deployed to provide separation of instruments when the entry guide reaches a work site. Deployment can be implemented with as few as one cable or actuator to operate the arms. This mechanism may achieve working separation in a short axial length without complicating instrument channels that may be used for other instruments introduced through the entry guide.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes a light emitting section that emits light for illuminating an object which operates periodically, an image pickup section including an image pickup device that performs an image pickup operation by a rolling shutter system, a period detection section that detects a period of motion of the object, a light emission signal generating section that outputs a stroboscopic light emission signal for causing the light emitting section to perform a stroboscopic light emission in synchronism with the period of the motion, a light emission period control section that sets as a light emission permission period, and a light emission non-permission period, and a light emission control section that performs control for causing the light emitting section to perform a light emission in the light emission permission period, and performs control for inhibiting a light emission of the light emitting section in the light emission non-permission period.

Abstract: A tubular system includes a tubular apparatus including a flexible inserting section and a physical quantity detector, a physical quantity detector signal processing box to process a signal from the physical quantity detector, and a detachable connection cable to connect the tubular apparatus with the physical quantity detector signal processing box. The physical quantity detector includes an optical waveguide arranged in the inserting section. The connection cable includes a light source to supply light to the optical waveguide, a photodetector to detect light modulated by the physical quantity detector, a light entrance/exit section to supply or receive an optical signal to or from the physical quantity detector, and an electrical input/output section to supply or receive an electrical signal to or from the physical quantity detector signal processing box.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container for use with an endoscope. More particularly, this invention relates to a container for storing and delivering sterile water to an endoscope.

Abstract: Improved devices, systems, and methods for planning cataract surgery on an eye of a patient incorporate results of prior corrective surgeries into a planned cataract surgery of a particular patient by driving an effective surgery vector function based on data from the prior corrective surgeries. The exemplary effective surgery vector employs an influence matrix which may allow improved refractive corrections to be generated so as to increase the overall efficacy of a cataract surgery by specifying one or more parameters of an intraocular lens (IOL) to be implanted during the cataract surgery.

Abstract: An example method for automatically measuring a subject's phoria while the subject fixates on a visual target can include capturing an image of at least one of the subject's eyes using an image capturing device. The image can include a reflection of light from at least one of the subject's eyes. The method can also include analyzing the image to identify a position of the reflection of the light within at least one of the subject's eyes, and determining a phoria measurement based on the position of the reflection of the light within at least one of the subject's eyes.

Abstract: An example method for automatically measuring a subject's phoria while the subject fixates on a visual target can include capturing an image of at least one of the subject's eyes using an image capturing device. The image can include a reflection of light from at least one of the subject's eyes. The method can also include analyzing the image to identify a position of the reflection of the light within at least one of the subject's eyes, and determining a phoria measurement based on the position of the reflection of the light within at least one of the subject's eyes.