Abstract: A sleeping pillow is configured to provide various support configurations. The sleeping pillow includes a top panel attached to a central panel. A bottom panel is attached to the central panel. A divider assembly is attached to the central panel, the top panel and the bottom panel creating a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a fourth chamber, a fifth chamber and a sixth chamber. Padding is inserted into each of the first chamber, the second chamber, the third chamber, the fourth chamber, the fifth chamber and the sixth chamber to provide support for a head and a neck of a human user.

Abstract: A drinking vessel for determining an amount of a liquid which is consumed and which includes a first portion, which has a base portion and a vertically, upwardly extending wall, and wherein the vertically upwardly extending wall defines an internal cavity, and the exterior-facing surface thereof defines a multiplicity of continuous, circumscribing, longitudinally spaced grooves; and a multiplicity of continuous, elastomeric members are individually received in the respective spaced grooves and which can be moved along the exterior-facing surface of the drinking vessel so as to permit a user to readily account for the amount of fluid they have consumed during a given time interval.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing lid is described and which includes a lid body defining a drinking aperture, and an internal cavity, and wherein the lid body cooperates with a drinking vessel for enclosing a source of a liquid to be consumed, and a fluid regulating plate is provided, and which movably cooperates with the lid body, and which further is operable to move along a path of travel from a first position which impedes the movement of the liquid to the drinking aperture, to a second position which allows liquid to move to the drinking aperture.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enhancing drinking chilled drinking vessels are provided. In some aspects, a concentric set of arms or tabs in a pre-configured section of a drinking vessel applies holding pressure to expanded water poured within the section. A beverage is then poured over the frozen water, submerging it. In other aspects, holding pressure is maintained through flexible and/or adjustable arms, and lateral play eliminated, even if the frozen water melts. In other embodiments, a loop or set of loops extends from the center of the vessel above the section, and separate, flexible members (preferably cambered) are threaded through the loops after the water is frozen to apply greater holding pressure.

Abstract: A disposable container for the dispensing of a plurality of different spices, the container being included in the box for take-out pizza, the container being segmented into multiple compartments for the selective and separate storage of multiple spices in either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, the lid of the container having a peelable foil cover, the lid having a plurality of apertures in alignment and registration with the container compartments for the shakable dispensing of a desired spice, the container being secured or snap fit relationship to a multi-leg pedestal used to separate and maintain the distance of the lid of a take-out pizza box from the surface of the pizza.

Abstract: The present invention is a sleeve device for beverage containers. It can be transparent or decorative and made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal. The current prototypes are made of transparent PET plastic. The sleeve is applied from the top of the beverage can. It adheres snugly and stably to the surface of the beverage can and can easily be applied and removed as desired. It has an opening at each end and is essentially cylindrical in shape while fitting the contours of the beverage can. The top end is flush with the top of the beverage can. The bottom end is flush right at or slightly below the bottom of the label of the beverage can. Although variable, the wall thickness is generally no more than 0.5 mm. This construction is essential to ensure that the general appearance of the beverage can is maintained. The sleeve can serve multiple functions. If the correct insulating material is used in the sleeve's construction, it can keep itself and its contents cool.

Abstract: A carrying tray comprises a base having a support surface configured to support food containers and a plurality of pegs. The support surface includes a plurality of peg openings to receive the pegs. To transport food containers, a user places the food containers on the support surface and inserts the pegs into selected ones of the peg openings to prevent the food containers from shifting during transport. The carrying tray is thus able to accommodate food containers of varying size.

Abstract: Provided is a functional take-out cup carrier which is easily assembled when two or more disposable beverage cups for take-out are moved or delivered to an office, the home and the like and support the cups to present the cups from easily falling after use. The functional take-out cup carrier includes an upper support bracket including support surfaces to support the edge surfaces of two or more cups so as to support the two or more cups and a through hole formed at the center thereof, and a carrying handle including insertion protrusions formed at the upper and lower portions thereof so as to be connected to the through hole of the upper support bracket and configured to carry the cups. The functional take-out cup carrier is conveniently assembled and carried and allows disposable cups to be reused, thereby preventing environmental pollution and reducing costs and thus promoting public interest.

Abstract: A method of removing a sports bra comprising inserting a sports bra removal device between a band of the sports bra and a torso of a wearer. The sports bra removal device is looped around the band. The method includes cinching the sports bra removal device around the band. The method includes doffing the sports bra from the wearer and removing the device from the sports bra.

Abstract: Mailbox comprising at least two compartments, a first compartment for receiving letters and a second compartment for receiving packages, each compartment comprising a respective access door, first locking means being provided for locking the door of the first compartment and second locking means being provided for locking the door of the second compartment, wherein the arrangement is such that the unlocking of the door of the second compartment locked by the second locking means is made by the unlocking of the door of the first compartment locked by the first locking means.

Abstract: A snowflake-shaped ornament apparatus constructed from a flat, rigid material with a side serving as a decorative surface and an opposite side serving as a reusable writing surface. The decorative surface allows a user to personalize the snowflake by covering it with paint, marking pen, glue, or fabric. The reusable writing surface is used for communicating with others that can be erased by a second user, often a parent-proxy for Santa Claus, to return written communication with the first, child user. The snowflake is constructed from a rigid material such as medium density fiberboard, solid wood, plywood, or gypsum. The decorative surface may be a coating such as paint or a wooden laminate and the reusable writing surface may be a coating or a laminate of dry-erase material, slate, or chalkboard paint.

Abstract: A method for operating an appliance. The method includes establishing a current date and time of day and automatically shifting the appliance to a Sabbath operating mode when the current date and time of day is Sabbath. A related appliance having a controller that is configured for automatically shifting the appliance to a Sabbath operating mode when a current date and time of day of a clock corresponds to Sabbath is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a juice extracting screw assembly and a juicer comprising the same which allows the selection between a mesh net and solid net, thereby making it possible to conveniently change the operation modes, satisfying any of the user's preferences in the cases of whether both the juice and residue are needed together or needed separately, and further by having a screw assembly capable of being separated into a top and a base, it allows convenient cleaning for users.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance which includes a concentration sensor for detecting a concentration of a reference substance in which proportional amounts of ingredients change in accordance with progress in cooking an object to be heated; a control unit for determining a cooked state of the object to be heated based on the detected concentration of the reference substance; and a communication unit for transmitting, to an external device which is connected to a home network, information which indicates the cooked state of the object to be heated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an insulated article. The insulated articles comprise either a twin walled construction and/or a protective pouch of packaging material encompassing a layer of insulating material. The insulating material comprises an aerogel material such as silica aerogel material and the function of the insulation is to minimize energy usage in the articles. One particularly preferred article is an oven constructed with an inner and an outer wall and a layer of aerogel insulation encapsulated in a packaging material therebetween. A transparent insulation may be used for the front door of the oven or alternatively a camera capturing images inside the oven may be provided in conjunction with a visual display for displaying the images captured by the camera. The energy consumption of the oven is reduced significantly. Similar techniques can also be applied to other articles of manufacture including hot water cylinders, beverage and food containers, radiators and fireplace surrounds to name a few.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a head assembly for a brewing apparatus is described. The head assembly includes a lid portion coupled to a fixed base portion and moveable between open and closed positions; a lock coupled to the lid portion and slideable between locked and unlocked positions; a lever with a first end connected to the lock, an axis point connected to the lid portion, and a second end; and a cover movably coupled to the lid portion and abutting the second end of the lever, such that pressure on the cover rotates the lid portion to the closed position, and rotates the lever so as to slide the lock into the locked position.

Abstract: A device for the convenient frothing or mixing or agitating of milk or other liquids is disclosed. The unit may take many forms, but common to nearly all is that the user simply pours or dispenses the liquid from the devices vessel or holding area, and as the fluid flows to the devices exit spout, the fluid is frothed, thus providing a “Pour to Froth” experience.

Abstract: Provided is a beverage preparation apparatus having a central constant temperature water supply. The hot water furnace heats water to a predetermine temperature and supplies hot water to at least one hot water branch via a hot water supply line. Different beverage preparation modules are mounted to the hot water branch. Hot water and beverage materials are mixed in the beverage preparation module to prepare beverage. A return pipe interconnects the hot water furnace and the hot water supply line. In response to flowing hot water to the hot water supply line, the solenoid valves for water branch are closed and the solenoid valve for return pipe is open so that hot water flows to the hot water furnace via the return pipe. The hot water flow stops when the temperature sensor senses temperature of the hot water flow in the return pipe is equal to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A multiple tank brewer having a rinsing system is disclosed having a container having a first top and a first tank for receiving a first brewed beverage through the first top, the first tank having a first bottom outlet, a first tube connected between the first bottom outlet, a first pinch valve, and a first dispenser nozzle, a first drain tube connected between the first pinch valve and a drain line, a rinse tube, and a rinse spray head for delivering rinse water into the first tank through the first top, out through the first bottom outlet, through the first tube, the first pinch valve, the first drain tube, and the drain line.

Abstract: The semi-automatic collapsible chafer system is a multi-angle framework with a plurality of locking joints arranged at the corners thereof and a plurality of interlocking rail pole assemblies. The frame is designed with at least one well to accommodate one or more industry standard chafing pans with a unique dual canned heat compartment for each well. The semi-automatic collapsible chafer system quickly opens to be used as a complete food service station then quickly retracts for easy storage and mobility. The complete assembly utilizes these joints to collapse horizontally and vertically in the X, Y, and Z axis. The present invention is the only fully collapsible/erectable chafer with heater supports and built in safety features.

Abstract: A rethermalizing station includes a well defined by an exterior wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the exterior wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan, and a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature.

Abstract: A waffle maker includes a first grill member and a second grill member openably coupled to the first grill member. The first grill member has a grill body and a cross-shaped rib mounted in a receiving space of the grill body. The cross-shaped rib has first rib portions, second rib portions under the first rib portions when the first grill member is at an upright state, and a cross-shaped notch. The cross-shaped notch has first notch portions extending respectively along the first rib portions, and second notch portions extending respectively along the second rib portions and communicating with the first notch portions. Each of the first notch portions has a length larger than that of each of the second notch portions.

Abstract: Battery powered portable electric grill is an electric grill for cooking food. The system will include dual heating elements with a lid and basin, attached to a battery. Rechargeable batteries and an AC or cigarette lighter receptacle cable powers the heating elements to allow for greater ease of use. The heating elements will be contained within an entire grilling system and stand on wheels for maximum portability.

Abstract: A food processor is provided with a wide feed tube. The food processor has a pusher that cooperates with a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism comprises a linkage assembly that prevents the food processor's motor from operating unless the pusher is inserted into the feed tube.

Abstract: A cutting board system is provided and includes a board base, a board back stop, a board front stop and a knife anchor, wherein the knife anchor includes at least one knife interface sleeve which includes a sleeve cavity for receiving and containing the knife, wherein the knife is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration via the at least one knife interface sleeve.

Abstract: A food crumb catching system has a container with a primary enclosed compartment, a second smaller enclosed compartment, and a partition separating the two compartments. The partition has a plurality of spaced-apart openings to allow food crumbs located in the larger compartment to flow through into the second compartment. Removable lids are provided for each of the compartments. Another embodiment of the invention discloses a slideable arm. member located between the first compartment and the smaller second compartment. The arm member also has a plurality of openings and can be slid to a position where all food and its crumbs remain in the first compartment, to a second position in Which the arm member openings are aligned with the partition openings to allow the crumbs to fall into the second compartment.

Abstract: A device for storing multiple bars of soap in a stack. The device is water-proof or water-resistant, and securely stores each bar of soap in a separate enclosure or compartment in a vertical stack. The number of compartments may vary, and any number of compartments may be used. Each compartment is separated by a removable separator or slab, and the bar of soap in each compartment becomes accessible upon removal or repositioning of the separator or slab.

Abstract: An exemplary refill unit for a foam dispenser includes a container for holding foamable liquid and a liquid pump. The liquid pump includes a pump housing and an outlet nozzle with an elongated central axis. The pump housing has an arcuate shaped liquid pump chamber formed by a backing plate. The backing plate includes a liquid inlet and a flexible membrane. At least a portion of the elongated central axis of the nozzle extends through a central area defined, at least in part, by the arcuate shaped pump chamber.

Abstract: Toilet paper rolls are provided with alternating indentions in the left and right sides of the toilet paper sheet wherein the opposite side will retain the straight shape of a normal toilet paper roll. When multiple sheets are folded, the effective area is the same as “normal” toilet paper width. From this, toilet paper sheets may be produced with less material while maintaining wiping performance. For use as a covering for an oval toilet seat, coverage is improved.

Abstract: The inventive concept is directed to an improvement in the bathroom tissue holder. The casing of the roll holder is enlarged to take another or second roll. The installation is standard as was with the long time single roll. The second roll will be soaked with a sanitary fluid which is desirable after every use of the toilet. This assures that the desired sanitary fluid is nearby and always available.

Abstract: An assembly offering to consumers a choice between two types of closure systems for a wipes flexible container is provided. The assembly comprises at least one flexible container and a reusable closure element.

Abstract: A urinal device comprises an upper opening, a reservoir portion, a funnel portion, a drain pipe portion, and a lower opening. The upper opening is configured for receiving urine from above. The reservoir portion extends downwards from and is formed below the upper opening and configured for holding urine received through the upper opening temporarily. The funnel portion extends downwards from and is formed below the reservoir portion and configured for draining urine from the reservoir portion. The drain pipe portion extends downwards from and is formed below the funnel portion and configured for draining urine from the funnel portion. The lower opening is formed at a lowest end of the drain pipe portion. The reservoir portion has a largest cross-sectional area between the upper opening and the funnel portion, so that the reservoir portion has a volume enough to hold urine.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a skirt valve mechanism is supplied that can easily ret to an existing, prior art waterless urinal fixture. The skirt valve reduces or prevents evaporation from a P trap and does not present a barrier to liquid flow through the inlet to the outlet of the device, but prevents the passage of fluids (gases or liquids) from the outlet to the inlet. The skirt valve similarly prevents the attempted passage of a pest species (for example, an insect pest) from the outlet to the inlet of the device, thereby prevent the pest from exiting the sewers through the waterless urinal. A P trap is also provided that can be retro-fitted to existing waterless urinals and is compatible with the skirt valve mechanism, thereby replacing prior art float valve devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and system to use the lavatory or toilet without sitting directly on the toilet, which may be rampant with infectious diseases, dirt, feces, or other unwanted viruses, bacterial, or materials.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a treatment device for a urinal (e.g., waterless urinal, waterless conversion, “P” trap in addition to skirt valve) is effective to reduce insects, uric acid buildup and odor in urinals and urinal pipes. The treatment device is typically installed in a urinal cartridge having a valve (e.g., a skirt valve), and comprises an upper dispenser positioned above the valve and a lower dispenser positioned below the valve.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow path. At least one air treatment member, which is optionally a cyclone chamber, is positioned in the air flow path. A pre-motor filter is positioned in a pre-motor filter housing having an openable cover and the air treatment member air outlet axis extends through the pre-motor filter housing.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a front end having a dirty air inlet and a cyclone that has a cyclone axis of rotation that extends rearwardly wherein the cyclone air inlet is located at a front end of the cyclone and the cyclone air outlet is located at a rear end of the cyclone.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a surface cleaning head, a rigid air flow conduit moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and moveable to a reclined in use position and a hand vacuum cleaner removably mounted to an upstream end of the rigid air flow conduit. The hand vacuum cleaner has a handle and a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rigid air flow conduit when the hand vacuum cleaner is mounted to the upstream end of the rigid air flow conduit. When the hand vacuum cleaner is mounted to the upstream end of the rigid air flow conduit, the handle is a driving handle for the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: Surface cleaning device, comprising a cloth (C) placed on a porous material (PM), a reservoir (R) for collecting liquid absorbed by the cloth (C), and an arrangement (P) for applying under-pressure in the reservoir (R) so as to transfer liquid from the cloth (C) into the reservoir (R). A pore size of the porous material (PM) is between 1 ?m and 50 ?m.

Abstract: The present application relates to a vacuum cleaner head (2). The vacuum cleaner head (2) has a base (10) and a suction opening (8) in the base (10). An array (35) of flexible flaps (40) protrude from the base (10). The flexible flaps (40) are configured to act on a surface to be cleaned. The flexible flaps (40) are spaced from each other to allow the passage of detritus therebetween in a predefined arrangement. The predefined arrangement of the flexible flaps (40) is configured to promote a non-linear flow path through the array (35) of flexible flaps (40) between an end of the base (15, 16) and the suction opening (8). A gap (39) between first and second rows (36, 37) of flaps (40) is substantially equal to or greater than a space (43) between adjacent flexible flaps (40) in each of the first and second rows. The present application also relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a vacuum cleaner head (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting sanding dust from rotary sanders includes a suction hood disposed on a suction pipe and enclosing a drive group and a flexible or moveable grinding head which faces the surface to be machined. A sealing profile leads around the entire periphery of the suction hood and at least one secondary air valve disposed in the suction pipe is configured in such a way that an opening in the suction pipe is regulated by the secondary air valve. The suction hood has at least one auxiliary air hole which penetrates the suction hood from the surface to the interior of the suction hood.

Abstract: A mobile surface cleaning robot that includes a robot body having a forward drive direction and a drive system supporting the robot body above a floor surface. The drive system includes right and left drive wheels and a caster wheel assembly disposed rearward of the drive wheels. The caster wheel assembly includes a caster wheel supported for vertical movement and a suspension spring biasing the caster wheel toward the floor surface. The robot also includes a cleaning system supported by the robot body forward of the drive wheels and having at least one cleaning element that engages the floor surface. The suspension spring has a spring constant sufficient to elevate a rear end of the robot body above the floor surface to maintain engagement of the at least one cleaning element with the floor surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner may include: a cleaner body having a suction motor; a suction unit in communication with the cleaner body and to suction air and dust; a battery; a battery management system configured to detect a state of the battery; a charger configured to apply a charging current to the battery and thus to charge the battery; a body connector to which a charging connector for supplying commercial power to the cleaner body is able to be separably connected; and a controller configured to control charging of the battery. The controller may attempt charging of the battery when it is detected that the charging connector is connected to the body connector, and the controller may reattempt the charging of the battery when the charging of the battery is not normally performed.

Abstract: Hydraulically-driven dishwasher diverters are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system supplying a spray of liquid to the treating chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system having a rotating filter. A chopping system is included to macerate foreign objects within the recirculation flow path and includes a blade mounted to the rotating filter.

Abstract: The scrubbing or scouring pad of the invention is an artificial sponge made from a foam material that changes firmness or rigidity based on the temperature thereof. The foam sponge is then covered with a plastic mesh to increase the scouring power thereof. If desired, the foam may also include thermochromic additives therein that change the color of the foam based on the temperature. This provides a visual indication of the temperature of the foam.

Abstract: A sticky cleaner is provided for use in removing organic dirt stuck on a surface of an article. The sticky cleaner comprises a dirt-collecting member that collects the organic dirt as it makes contact with the surface of the article. The dirt-collecting member comprises a PSA at a part where it makes contact with the surface of the article. The PSA comprises, as its base polymer, an acrylic block copolymer having a hard segment (A) and a soft segment (B) in one molecule.

Abstract: A cleaning device having a frame and an elongated strip of cleaning material wound into a roll rotatably mounted on a roller support. A slave roller having a core and a cylindrical tube disposed over the core is mounted to the frame so that the slave roller is spaced and parallel to the roll. A torsion spring is secured to and between the core and the tube so that, as the tube rotates relative to the core, the spring is wound. The strip of cleaning material is wound in between the roll and slave roller so that, upon rotation of the first roller in a first rotational direction, the cleaning material is unwound from the slave roller onto the roll while simultaneously winding the torsion spring. Upon disengagement of the first roller from the cleaning surface, the torsion spring rotatably drives the slave roller and rewinds the portion of the strip around the tube.

Abstract: A manipulator and manipulator system in which a dynamic surplus is rapidly removed and a moving part actuates rapidly in association with the operation of an operating part. The manipulator includes an operating part operated by an operator, a moving part operated by the operating part, a transmitting part for coupling the operating part to the moving part to transmit driving force of the operating part to the moving part, a transmission compensating part for making up for a dynamic surplus occurring in the transmitting part in association with the operation of the operating part, an input part for acquiring a state of at least one of the operating, moving and transmitting part, and a control unit for controlling the transmission compensating part depending on the state acquired by the input part.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a cylindrical member; a ring member, in which the cylindrical member is fixed; a recess portion provided in an outer circumferential face of the cylindrical member; a first recess wall formed in a direction around an axis in the recess portion; a second recess wall formed along a direction of the axis; a projection portion provided on an inner circumferential face of the ring member, the projection portion being engaged with a recess portion; a first contact portion that comes into contact with the first recess wall in the direction of the axis; and a second contact portion that comes into contact with the second recess wall in the direction around the axis.