Abstract: A device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for frothing a liquid (15) is presented, in particular for providing two or more streams of froth in parallel. The device comprises: a steam generator (10) for generating a stream of steam (13), a steam splitter (30) for splitting the stream of steam (13) into a first sub-stream of steam (33A) and a second sub-stream of steam (33B), wherein the first sub-stream of steam (33A) is provided at a first steam outlet (32A) and the second sub-stream of steam (33B) is provided at a second steam outlet (32B), a first frothing unit (11A) having a first liquid inlet (14A) and a first steam inlet (16A), a second frothing unit (11B) having a second liquid inlet (14B) and a second steam inlet (16B), wherein the first steam outlet (32A) of the steam splitter (30) is connected to the first steam inlet (16A) of the first frothing unit (11A) and the second steam outlet (32B) of the steam splitter (30) is connected to the second steam inlet (16B) of the second frothing unit (11B).

Abstract: A water container for a beverage machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, as well as a beverage machine comprising such a water container are specified. With the goal of also ensuring the fillability of the water container when attached to the beverage machine and of improving the manageability of the water container, which may be removable from the beverage machine, the water container may have a filling opening, which can be covered by means of a lid, wherein, when the water container is attached to the beverage machine, a filling area is defined above the filling opening, and wherein the lid can be guided by means of a guide device, which provides for a pivoting of the lid out of the filling area into at least one predetermined or predeterminable open position, so that the filing area can be accessed freely at least from the top.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for customized control, monitoring, and analysis of commercial kitchen equipment. Example systems and methods include utilizing on-board servers on commercial kitchen equipment to provide remote access to operational information, real-time access to operational information, and mirrored control of commercial kitchen equipment using local and/or remote devices associated with the equipment.

Abstract: Provided is a non-stick cooking container, comprising a container body, in which the container body comprises a ribbed inner surface, the ribbed inner surface comprising a plurality of ribs and grooves arranged at regular intervals, a non-stick coating covering the surfaces of the ribs and the grooves, the ribs comprising a top surface, the grooves comprising a bottom surface. It is difficult to scratch or chip off the non-stick coating of the non-stick cooking container, which allows the cooking container to retain the non-stick properties over a long period.

Abstract: A pie pan has a sidewall configured with a cut-out wall section that is held up and in place during packaging and/or baking of a pie, which can be folded down prior to serving the pie to improve access for removal of a first slice of pie. A method of making the pan from a foil sheet includes cutting out the wall section, and forming a releasable connection between the wall section and the remainder of the pan. Forming the releasable connection may include reducing a diameter of the remainder of the pan, nesting the wall section against an outside of the remainder of the pan, and curling a rim of the remainder of the pan over an overlapping portion of a rim of the wall section. This curling operation may create a rim of the wall section slideably engaged inside a rim of the remainder of the pan.

Abstract: A rotisserie adapter apparatus for use with a cooking device includes an annular cylindrical base. The base has an inner wall about a central opening, the inner wall having a substantially consistent depth about the base. The base also includes a top surface abutting the inner wall and an outer wall abutting the top surface, the outer wall having a depth ranging from a first depth at a front of the base comparable to the depth of the inner wall to a near zero depth at a back of the annular cylindrical base. A bottom surface of the base connects between a bottom of the outer wall and an outer surface of the inner wall. At least two notches are formed in the inner wall, wherein the central opening is positioned between notches, and wherein at least one of the notches extends through the top surface of the cylindrical base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to food preparation. In order to provide an apparatus for preparing food with hot air with an improved flow characteristic, an apparatus (10) for preparing food is provided, comprising a food preparation chamber (12), an air movement device (14), a heating device (16), and air guiding means (18). The food preparation chamber is provided by a container structure (22) at least partly enclosing a receiving volume (24) for receiving food to be prepared by a through-streaming of hotair; wherein the container structure comprises sidewalls (26) and a bottom wall (28), wherein the bottom wall and/or one of the side walls is air-permeable providing an air entry opening (30) for entering of hot air into the receiving volume, and wherein the container structure comprises an air discharge opening (32). The heating device is configured to heat air of an air flow provided by the air movement device.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to an electric ejection bread toaster. The electric ejection bread toaster comprises a toaster body having a base portion and at least one slot at an opposite top portion. A plurality of heating elements within the body for toasting a bread product is provided. A bread supporting assembly is provided. The bread supporting assembly has side guides and a moveable base member. The base member is being slidably moveable between the side guides from a lower retracted toasting condition to a raised ejecting condition for operatively ejecting a toasted bread product out of the slot onto a predetermined distance from the toaster. The bread supporting assembly is tilted from a horizontal plane such that, in use, the toasted bread product is ejected out through the slot onto a plate kept alongside the toaster body and to a lateral side of the toaster body.

Abstract: A fajita meal serving apparatus comprises a thermally-insulative serving platter defining an upper recessed area configured for securely receiving and supporting a serving plate, a two-way drawer disposed in a cavity under the upper recessed area of the serving platter, where the two-way drawer defines a circular recess configured for holding tortillas. The apparatus further includes first and second diametrically opposed handles formed in the serving platter.

Abstract: There is provided an appliance including a base having a housing, a motor-fan assembly disposed in the housing, a working implement which is operated by the motor-fan assembly when energized, a pocket integrally formed in a sidewall of the housing configured for use as a carrying handle, and one or more apertures formed in the pocket configured to allow cooling air to enter the housing to cool the motor-fan assembly.

Abstract: A spill-resistant container, that both permits easy access to solid items, and retains these items within, even when dropped, tipped, or shaken. Said spill-resistant container comprises of a means for cleaning or replacing the lid of the container, a means to detect a hand movement of a user inside of said container and a means to stably keep the container in a slippery surface.

Abstract: A shower rod assembly includes an arcuate rod having a first end and an opposing second end. A first mounting bracket is engageable with the first end and a second mounting bracket is coupleable with the second end. An end connector has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is engageable with the second mounting bracket and the first portion is insertable into the second end of the arcuate rod. An extent of insertion of the first portion of the end connector into the arcuate rod is adjustable, for adjusting a length of the shower rod assembly.

Abstract: An inventive dispenser for storing and dispensing hygiene products is disclosed. The dispenser includes, in a closed state, a rear wall, two opposite side walls, a front wall, and an upper wall. The dispenser further includes a dispensing opening and an openable cover that may be opened for refill of the dispenser. At least one wall of the dispenser includes a support structure made at least mainly of plastic material. An outer thin metal sheet is laminated to an exterior surface of the support structure, and the surface of the metal sheet includes a curved surface in at least one direction.

Abstract: A towel holding device for storing a towel and a washcloth in a rolled configuration. The holding device includes a bracket having a first section rigidly affixed to a second section, wherein the first and second sections are preferably perpendicular to one another. The bracket includes a first ring thereon, wherein the first ring includes an open central area sized to receive a rolled towel therein. The bracket further includes a second ring, wherein the second ring includes an open central area sized to receive a rolled washcloth therein. Thus, the first ring preferably comprises a larger diameter than the second ring. Further, the first and second rings are positioned adjacent to one another on the bracket. The bracket can be affixed to a support surface, such as a wall, using any conventional fasteners, such as screws, or nails, among others.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a wet wipe packaging body are designed to improve use quality as to press resistance application member against front surface of wet wipe stacked body at all times when bulk of wet wipe stacked body in bag body is reduced. Exemplary embodiments of the wet wipe packaging body include an outlet port frame body for wet wipes that pulled out from an opening portion provided in a bag body. A resistance application member, which is biased in direction in which resistance is applied to the wet wipe continuous body, is provided on an outlet port side of the outlet port frame body, and lower surface side of outlet port frame body is attached on an outer surface side of bag body so as to surround an opening portion of the bag body.

Abstract: A hand drying assembly includes a housing structured to have a front portion hingedly coupled to a back portion such that the front portion is positionable at a selected angle with respect to the back portion. The back portion may be coupled to a support surface such that the front portion is accessible to a user. An outlet is movably coupled to a distal end of the front portion with respect the back portion. A motor is positioned within the front portion. An actuator is coupled to the front portion. The actuator is electrically coupled to the motor such that the actuator actuates and de-actuates the motor. A fan is coupled to the motor. The fan urges air outwardly through the outlet onto the user's hands. A heating coil is positioned within the front portion such that the fan urges the air over the heating coil. The heating coil is electrically coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: There is provided a support device 1 capable of being engaged with a sanitary appliance 20 so as to define an aid for using the sanitary appliance 20 itself, particularly suitable for the elderly, disabled and/or infirm. The support device comprises a support body 2 having a rest surface 7 facing upward in conditions of normal use of the device 1 and a lower surface 8 opposite the rest surface 7; the support body 2 is substantially “U”-shaped and has a first substantially rectilinear portion 3, a second substantially rectilinear portion 4 which is parallel to said first portion 3, as well as a curvilinear connecting portion 5 that connects said rectilinear portions 3, 4 to each other. The support device is provided with a plurality of suction cups 6 constrained to the support body 2 on the lower surface 8 thereof and capable of removably engaging said device 1 with said sanitary appliance 20.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a walking frame which includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a front bridge. The first side portion is U-shaped as defined via a first front leg, a first back leg, and a first handle portion spanning therebetween. The second side portion is U-shaped as defined via a second front leg, a second back leg, and a second handle portion spanning therebetween. The first handle portion and the second handle portion extend along a first horizontal plane. The front bridge spans between the first front leg and the second front leg along a second horizontal plane such that the walking frame is U-shaped. The apparatus comprises a back bridge spanning between the first back leg and the second back leg along a third horizontal plane. The first horizontal plane is closer to the second horizontal plane than the third horizontal plane.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction source, an air inlet, and an airflow path extending from the air inlet to the suction source. A valve is movable between an open position in which the suction source and the air inlet are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the valve inhibits fluid communication between the air inlet and the suction source. The vacuum cleaner also includes a link coupled to the valve such that movement of the link in a first direction when the valve is in the closed position opens the valve, and movement of the link in a second direction when the valve is in the open position closes the valve. The link has a deformable portion resiliently deformable to permit additional movement of the link in the second direction when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner including a housing having a front end, a back end, a first side, and a second side, a handle having a longitudinal axis that extends in a direction toward the front and back ends of the housing, a suction source, and a cyclonic separator. The cyclonic separator includes a cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end, a first end wall located at the first end of the cylindrical wall, a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, a debris outlet adjacent the second end of the cylindrical wall, and a longitudinal axis surrounded by the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator extends in a direction toward the first and second sides of the housing. The housing includes an aperture that extends through the first side, and the first end wall of the cyclonic separator is removable through the aperture.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device having an anti-bacterial treatment system includes a recovery tank configured to receive and retain waste cleaning liquid, a recovery hose in fluid communication with the recovery tank, and a vacuum system configured to draw waste cleaning liquid from a surface that is being cleaned through the recovery hose and into the recovery tank. An anti-bacterial material is located whereby at least some of the waste cleaning liquid discharged into the recovery tank passes over the anti-bacterial material. In a particular embodiment a debris trap assembly is positioned within the recovery tank such that waste cleaning liquid drawn through the recovery hose passes through the debris tray prior to discharging into the recovery tank, with the anti-bacterial material disposed at the debris tray.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner may include a suction nozzle; a cleaner body in communication with the suction nozzle; a supporter configured to connect the cleaner body with the suction nozzle and to allow a position of the cleaner body with respect to the suction nozzle to be varied; and a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the supporter. The wheel assembly may include a frame, a wheel shaft installed at the frame, and a wheels installed at the wheel shaft to be independently rotated. A contact area between each of the wheels and a floor may vary according to a varied position of the cleaner body with respect to the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A cleaning nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner. The cleaning nozzle assembly includes: a lower case having a main inlet and a lower sub-inlet to guide foreign substances and air to be introduced into the lower case, wherein the lower case is open at an upper side thereof and includes a partition wall isolating the main inlet from the lower sub-inlet and having a connection hole; an upper case coupled to the lower case to cover the open upper side of the lower case; and an inflow setting unit setting inflow of foreign substances and air into the lower case through the lower sub-inlet and an upper sub-inlet by opening/closing the connection hole.

Abstract: A dust container assembly for a vacuum cleaner. The dust container assembly includes: a casing having an intake port formed at one side thereof and an outlet port formed at the other side thereof, and provided therein with an inlet guide member therein corresponding to the outlet port such that a vortex can be generated by introduced air; an operation unit provided at the outlet port side and inducing foreign substances and air to be suctioned through the intake port; and a filter unit disposed inside the casing, filtering out foreign substances from air introduced through the intake port and flowing to the outlet port, and having a shape gradually decreasing in diameter with increasing distance from the outlet port.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from an airflow, the apparatus comprising a housing comprising an inner wall, and a body positioned within the housing and separated therefrom so as to define a substantially annular flow path between the body and the inner wall. The housing is rotationally stationary, and the body is rotatable relative to the housing about a rotational axis, the body comprising an impeller section having a first set of blades extending from the body into the annular flow path towards the inner wall of the housing, the impeller being rotatable for generating airflow through the apparatus and for generating swirl within the airflow, and a turbine section located downstream of the impeller section, the turbine section having a second set of blades for recapturing rotational energy from the airflow.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a debris separator having a cyclonic separator including a cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical wall located in within the housing, the cyclonic separator further including a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, an end wall at the first end of the cylindrical wall, and a debris outlet adjacent the second end of the cylindrical wall. The debris separator further includes a lid coupled to an upper end of the housing, a debris collection chamber located within the housing and in fluid communication with the debris outlet of the cyclonic separator, and a door coupled to a lower end of the housing to empty the debris collection chamber through the lower end of the housing. A portion of the cyclonic separator is removable from the housing through the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a debris separator that includes a housing, a cyclonic separator including a cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end. The cylindrical wall is located in within the housing and the cyclonic separator further includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, a debris outlet adjacent the second end, and a longitudinal axis surrounded by the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator extends in generally a horizontal orientation. The debris separator further includes a lid coupled to the housing and the cyclonic separator is coupled to the lid such that the cyclonic separator is removable from the housing with the lid. A debris collection chamber is located within the housing and in fluid communication with the debris outlet of the cyclonic separator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone configured to separate dust from air introduced together with foreign objects from a lower side thereof and discharge the separated dust to a first dust storage chamber through an outlet provided at an upper portion thereof, a plurality of second cyclones arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the case and configured to separate fine dust from air which has passed through the first cyclone and discharge the separated fine dust to a second dust storage chamber differentiated from the first dust storage chamber, and a lower configured to form bottom surfaces of the first dust storage chamber and the second dust storage chamber.

Abstract: A separator for removing dirt particles from an airflow, the separator comprising a first separation stage having an impeller, and a second separation stage having one or more cyclone bodies arranged in parallel, the first separation stage being upstream of the second separation stage. The impeller generates the airflow through the separator and concentrates the dirt particles within the airflow to produce a clean portion and a dirty portion of airflow, and wherein only the dirty portion of airflow is passed through the second separation stage.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a dirt separator that is removably attached to the main body. The dirt separator includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has an impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner that includes a first dirt-separation stage, a second dirt-separation stage, and a vacuum motor for moving air through the first dirt-separation stage and the second dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor has a centrifugal impeller driven by an electric motor. The first dirt-separation stage is then located upstream of the impeller, the second dirt-separation stage is located downstream of the impeller, and the second dirt-separation stage has a plurality of cyclonic separators that are arranged around the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt-separation stage and a vacuum motor for moving air through the dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor includes an impeller driven by an electric motor. The impeller is then located upstream of the dirt-separation stage, the electric motor is located downstream of the dirt-separation stage, and at least part of the air discharged from the dirt-separation stage is used to cool the electric motor.

Abstract: A device for a scrubbing-liquid scraper ring for a wet-scrubbing machine having a motor-driven rotatable brush. The scraper ring includes a plurality of flexible blade members that are tilted in relation to the ring's circumference and intended rotational direction and that are held in place in the scraper ring by respective quick-attachment mechanisms. A quick-attachment mechanism includes a manual actuation part and an attachment part that cooperates with a respective flexible blade member, and the attachment part is configured to move between a holding position and a releasing position.

Abstract: A debris monitoring system includes a receptacle, a first and a second emitter, and a first receiver. The receptacle defines an opening to receive debris into the receptacle. The first and second emitter are each arranged to emit a signal across at least a portion of the opening. The first receiver is proximate to the first emitter to receive reflections of the signal emitted by the first emitter, and the first receiver is disposed toward the opening to receive an unreflected portion of the signal emitted by the second emitter across at least a portion of the opening.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaning device including a surface-contacting assembly having a suction opening; a body providing a suction source in fluid communication with the suction opening for sucking a fluid mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface; a rotation assembly mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body, the rotation assembly being rotationally fixed relative to the surface-contacting assembly, a separation chamber in which liquid is separated from the fluid mixture, the separation chamber providing a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction opening, a suction outlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a drainage outlet for connection to a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture; and a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture via the drainage outlet.

Abstract: A self-wrung flat mop includes a mop handle and a flat panel mop head with a backside attached to a cleaning cloth. The mop handle is coupled with an operation handgrip which is slidable up and down. The operation handgrip includes a head at a lower end. The head includes a slot and a squeezing portion at a bottom plane corresponding to the slot. The flat panel mop head has a use state and a wringing state. At the wringing state the operation handgrip is moved upward to squeeze water from the cleaning cloth via the squeezing portion. The head also includes a support plane extended transversely. When in use the entire mop (including the flat panel mop head) can be positioned upright to facilitate drying of the cleaning cloth on the flat panel mop head without touching the floor surface that might otherwise make the cleaning cloth dirty.

Abstract: A waterproof cleaning glove is provided. The waterproof cleaning glove includes a body having a palm portion and five finger stalls projecting therefrom. The palm portion and the five finger stalls are made of a water-proof polymer material. The five finger stalls each having a tip portion and base portion at a junction of the finger stall with the palm portion. A scouring pad is affixed to the palm portion and the base portion of the each finger stall by a water-proof adhesive. The scouring pads extend from the base portion of each of the finger stalls to a knuckle region. Sponges are located on the tip portion of each of the finger stalls. The sponges extend up the front side of the finger stall and over the tip portion.

Abstract: An adjoined shock absorbing non-breakable two-sectional swivel type attachment in which one section is made from a unitary shock absorbing flexible elastomer material absorbing shocks and allowing for a quick release clamp mechanism and the other section is adjoined by an axis that retains the handle allowing for swivel movement. The adjoined two piece attachment can be locked via a pin with protruding lock lever that can be rotated in either the locked non-swiveling position that engages into a lock cavity housing or rotated 90 degrees and allow for the connector to freely swivel. The combination of a non-removable lockable pin allows for easy transition between the locked and swivel position thus a quick release unitary flexible clamp mechanism adjoined to a swivel mechanism allows for small tools, cleaning devices, such as scrub brushes, wall washers, abrasive pad holders, etc.

Abstract: A method of maintaining commercial ware-washers includes sending a first exchange head to a designated location, receiving a second exchange head requiring repair, repairing the second exchange head, and sending the repaired second exchange head to a designated location. Each of the first and second exchange heads are capable of being removed from and installed on a commercial ware-washer without the use of tools.

Abstract: A ware-washer control assembly includes electrical control components, an inlet water plumbing assembly, and a drain mechanism. Each of the electrical control components, inlet water plumbing assembly, and drain mechanism are contained within or attached to a housing for shipment and off-site service and distribution. The housing includes at least a first connector for attaching the housing to a ware-washer cabinet. The ware-washer control assembly further includes a plurality of connectors for connecting the electrical control components and inlet water plumbing assembly to a corresponding supply source and for connecting the drain mechanism to a drain plug assembly. Each of the first connector and the plurality of connectors are connected and disconnected by a user without tools.

Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, the tub having a bottom portion with a sump opening therein, a liquid spraying system supplying a spray of liquid to the treating chamber, and a liquid recirculation system recirculating the sprayed liquid from the treating chamber to the liquid spraying system to define a recirculation flow path. A sump is positioned in the sump opening of the bottom of the tub within the recirculation flow path, the sump having an outlet therein located adjacent the forward portion of the sump opening. A pump has an inlet fluidly interconnected with the outlet of the sump, the pump configured to receive fluid from the outlet of the sump and impel the fluid along the recirculation flow path toward the treating chamber.

Abstract: Dishwasher appliances configured to receive cleaning agent dispensers are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the tub comprising a plurality of sidewalls. The dishwasher appliance further includes a rack assembly arranged in the wash chamber, and a sump for collecting fluid from the wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance further includes a door movable between a closed position and an open position, the door including an inner wall further defining the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position. The dishwasher appliance further includes a dispenser mounting assembly disposed within the wash chamber, the dispenser mounting assembly configured to receive the cleaning agent dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a commercial dishwasher (1) which is in the form of a batch dishwasher and has a treatment chamber (2) for accommodating washware which is to be cleaned and also has a drying device for drying washware which is accommodated in the treatment chamber (2) as required. The treatment chamber (2) is divided into a first region (2a) and a second region (2b) which is or can be physically separated from said first region. The drying device has a first sorption unit (3) containing a reversibly dehydratable dry material and has a first fan (5), which is associated with the first sorption unit (3), for forming a first air circuit in the first region (2a) as required in such a way that air is conducted out of the first region (2a) through the first sorption unit (3) and then returned to the first region (2a).

Abstract: A deformable and foldable dish rack system for drying items is disclosed. In one embodiment, a dish rack system includes a deformable dish rack and an underlying portion. The deformable dish rack may be of a flexible material that may be deformed from a first planar shape used when storing the dish rack system to a second non-planar shape that may support and maintain the position of items for drying. An underlying portion may underlie the dish rack and may be of a material that may absorb liquids from drying items positioned on the dish rack. The dish rack, once deformed into a second shape used for drying items, may be connected to the underlying portion such that the connection between the dish rack and the underlying portion maintains the deformation of the dish rack in the second shape.

Abstract: A decoding device includes: a data obtaining unit configured to obtain a key block and a non-key brock, the key block forming a part of image data of one frame, and the non-key block forming a part of the image data of one frame on at least a part of which a coding process is performed; a characteristic information storage unit configured to store characteristic information regarding a pixel value correlation characteristic in a frame; and a decoding unit configured to perform repeated decoding by a belief-propagation method based on a first log-likelihood ratio and a second log-likelihood ratio to estimate the non-key block before the coding process, the first log-likelihood being obtained from the non-key block, and the second log-likelihood ratio being obtained from the key block and the characteristic information.

Abstract: The introducing apparatus comprises the operating section, which is easy to grip and easy to operate, mounted therein by providing the dial of the operation element to perform a bending operation of the bending section and a part of the rotary mechanism alone while avoiding an operation range of the operating section for fingers of a gripping hand.

Abstract: Provided is a surgical device that can give an accurate feeling of depth even when the surgical device is inserted in a horizontal direction on left and right images. Therefore, a plurality of indicators are provided in a shaft section and an interval between the respective indicators adjacent to each other is set to an interval for always setting an interval between the respective indicators on the left and right respective images to be larger than a shift amount in a left-right direction of the corresponding indicators between the left and right images when an image of the shaft section is picked up in a state in which the shaft section is orthogonal to optical axes of left and right image pickup optical systems within a predetermined error range.

Abstract: A microlens in radiography in providing healthcare services, including medical and dental fields. The microlens preferably is included as a component of a detector. The detector preferably comprises a converter, a plate, a filter, the microlens, and a collector including photosensitive areas. Low light images are received at the converter and transmitted directly or through the plate to the filter and then to the microlens. The microlens collects, refines and focuses the low light image that would have otherwise fallen onto the non-sensitive areas of the collector, thereby enabling low light detection efficiency at the sensitive areas, and thereby increasing the collector fill factor and quantum efficiency.

Abstract: A technique using a trocar including a retractable camera in which fogging and organic matters are removed to clean a lens of the camera. The trocar includes a pipe portion and a head portion. The pipe portion includes a side opening portion. According to rotation of a changing over mechanism and a shaft, the retractable camera rotates such that the camera is changeable between a stored position and a deployed position by passing through the side opening portion. A wiper blade is fixed to an end face of the side opening portion on a tip side of the trocar. When the retractable camera rotates, a tip of the wiper blade contacts a camera lens in a deformable manner.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging device configured to acquire a tomographic image of a tissue of an object, includes: a dividing device configured to divide a light beam emitted from a light source into measurement light and reference light; a combining device configured to combine the measurement light, which is separated by the dividing device and is reflected from the tissue, with the reference light so as to generate interference light for acquiring the tomographic image; a plurality of irradiation devices, each of the plurality of irradiation devices being configured to guide the measurement light and irradiate the tissue with the measurement light: and a switching device configured to switch the plurality of irradiation devices from one to another and select one of the plurality of irradiation devices to cause the selected irradiation device to irradiate the measurement light output from the dividing device with tissue.