Abstract: A shelving system includes a plurality of horizontal support members, each horizontal support member having a length; a plurality of wall supports, each wall support including a first surface on which at least a portion of a horizontal support member rests; a plurality of brackets, each bracket attachable to the horizontal support members at different positions along the length of the horizontal support member; a plurality of vertical support members, each vertical support member coupled to at least one bracket; and a shelf attached to at least two of the plurality of vertical support members.

Abstract: A blank for forming a one-piece picture frame with picture includes a blank body having front and rear surfaces, a central rectangular picture portion formed thereon with a picture on the front surface. The blank further includes four wing portions extending from the four margins of the rectangular picture portion and the four wing portions are foldable into four rectangular tubular frame sections. Twelve locking mechanisms are used to lock the four frame sections in a folded position. A method of forming the picture frame with picture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A versatile mounting system for hanging flat objects on walls and vertical surfaces provides a combination of hooks interlocking with mounting members. The system makes hanging of those flat objects, like flat panel displays, smart TVs, monitors, screens, large paintings and picture frames, quick and easy. Hooks pivotally attach to the back panel of a flat object and are configured and positioned to lock onto corresponding mounting members anchored to the wall. Flat objects can be hung securely anywhere on any wall, nearly flush with the wall surface. In addition, this system allows for making adjustments in pitch and level after objects are hung.

Abstract: A covering blanket, comprised of a fabric material, and having a tapered shape such that a width at a top of the covering blanket is greater than a width at a bottom of the covering blanket. The covering blanket includes a pocket disposed at the bottom thereof for providing an extra layer of covering for the feet of a user. The covering blanket optionally includes a means for thermal regulation for keeping the feet of a user warm when kept within the pocket.

Abstract: An adjustable beverage insulator device, including: a side wall forming a substantially cylindrical vessel holding structure defining a slot along one side of the substantially cylindrical vessel holding structure, wherein the slot traverses the length of the substantially cylindrical vessel holding structure from a top portion to a bottom portion thereof; wherein a bottom portion of the substantially cylindrical vessel holding structure optionally includes one of a spring clamp and a constriction mechanism operable for biasing the substantially cylindrical vessel holding structure into a constricted configuration. The side wall includes one of a substantially rigid material and a substantially flexible material, and optionally an insulation material disposed one of on and adjacent to an interior or exterior surface thereof. Optionally, the slot is sized to accommodate the handle of a vessel selectively disposed within the substantially cylindrical vessel holding structure.

Abstract: A vessel holder device attachable to a suitcase for holding a cup containing a drink such as coffee, tea, water, or a soda can, or bottle, or the like (“vessel”) when the suitcase is upright and also while rolling the suitcase at a tilted angle. The vessel holder device includes a handle attachment adapted for releasable attachment to a suitcase handle, a container attached to the handle attachment portion, and a vessel holder attached to the container and being capable of holding the vessel in horizontal orientation when the suitcase is orientated in a range of zero to thirty degrees.

Abstract: A narrow and flat platform with hidden embedded magnetic material covered by a smooth bonded surface. One or more receptacles ordered in a single line with magnetic material connected to the receptacle's base. The receptacles adhere to the platform's smooth surface magnetically and can be removed easily.

Abstract: The invention provides a vibration and noise absorbing mat structure which includes a flexible mat body including a sound-absorbing layer, a vibration damping layer and a buffer layer stacked in order. The sound-absorbing layer is made of a first foam body having a relatively low hardness. The vibration damping layer includes a sub-layer which is composed of a second foam body having a relatively high hardness, a third foam body having a relatively high elasticity and a fourth foam body having a relatively high hardness stacked in order. The buffer layer is composed of a fifth foam body and a plurality of buffer units spacedly disposed on a bottom side of the fifth foam body.

Abstract: An article for magnetically attaching a purse to a vertical magnetized surface such as a public restroom stall partition. The article includes enclosed magnet(s) joined to a clasp or ring, which is removably attached to a purse strap or purse hardware. Once attached to the purse, the article may be removably adhered to a magnetized surface.

Abstract: A pleating device for use with a pleating tape attachable along an upper end region of a drapery panel, the pleating tape having elongate vertically-extending pockets defined at predetermined spaced apart locations, the pockets being open at upper and lower ends thereof, the pleating device including a least one pair of fingers being adapted to be inserted into said pockets so as to form at least one vertically-extending pleat; and a spacer body attachable to a drapery rail and to the pair of fingers, wherein the spacer body is locatable in the pleat and extends transversely from a longitudinal axis of the fingers to brace the pleat.

Abstract: A multi-functional fruit and vegetable shaping tool includes a main body and a separation member. The main body has a main wall surrounding a receiving space, and a plurality of cutters that have different functions and are formed in the main wall at angularly spaced-apart positions. The separation member is removably disposed in the receiving space to isolate at least one of the cutters that is selected for performing a desired function from the rest of the cutters. The separation member is connected non-rotatably to the main wall and divides the receiving space into an unshielded operative region proximal to the at least one of the cutters, and a shielded inoperative region proximal to the rest of the cutters.

Abstract: A vacuum-type coffee maker includes an upper brewing unit and a lower carafe. The upper brewing unit includes a vessel and a collar disposed around a lower portion of the vessel. The collar includes a magnetic array defining an upper magnetic coupler. The lower carafe includes a vessel having a collar disposed around an upper portion of the vessel. The collar further includes a magnetic array to define a lower magnetic coupler. In assembly, the upper magnetic coupler is magnetically coupled to the lower magnetic coupler when the upper brewing unit is received on the lower carafe. A heating element is disposed in a base portion of the lower carafe. The lower carafe is removeably received on a support stand, and the heating element of the lower carafe is powered by the support stand in use during a brewing sequence.

Abstract: A brewing filter includes a hollow, substantially funnel-shaped body defining therewithin a brewing cavity adapted to receive a brewing material. The body is at least partially formed by a perforated filter material. The body has a top portion defining an open top end and a bottom portion including a closed bottom end. The bottom portion and the top portion respectively define bottom and top lateral profiles. The bottom lateral profile is laterally recessed relative to the top lateral profile. A transition line located between the top and bottom portions forming a visually-identifiable demarcation within the brewing cavity.

Abstract: A beverage brewing package includes a cup and a filter bag. The filter bag is supported in an interior region formed in the cup.

Abstract: The present patent application relates to a small-sized hand-operated pressure coffeepot, which mainly comprises a filter bowl, a piston-type pressure pump contained in the filter bowl and a coffee box component. A cavity of the filter bowl is partitioned, by a middle partition piece, into an upper space for containing hot water and a lower space for containing the coffee box component. The hand-operated piston-type pressure pump is arranged in the upper space; coffee powder is placed in a coffee powder box; the coffee powder box is compacted in the lower space of the filter bowl through a sleeve; and the filter bowl is arranged at the upper end of a pot body. Concentrated coffee can be made by the small-sized hand-operated pressure coffeepot.

Abstract: A hand drip coffee tumbler comprises: a container keeping coffee; a filter unit seated on the top of the container; a grinder unit separably coupled to the container over the filter unit to grind coffee beans; a cap separably coupled to the top of the container; and an auxiliary container having a space for keeping the grinder unit and separably coupled to the lower end portion of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward a milk frothing device having at least two fine mesh screen assemblies in essentially parallel and spaced relationship, constructed and arranged to create a high volume, thick and long-lasting foamy froth from milk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surface treatment of disposable roasting pan using atmospheric plasma, and a disposable roasting pan fabricated using the same method are disclosed herein. The apparatus for surface treatment of a disposable roasting pan using atmospheric plasma includes a conveyer belt, a discharge electrode, a plate-shaped ground electrode, first and second power lines, and a discharge space. The conveyer belt transfers an aluminum sheet base. The discharge electrode is disposed above the conveyer belt. The plate-shaped ground electrode is disposed below the conveyer belt. The first power line applies the (+) high voltage of a high-voltage power unit to the discharge electrode. The second power line applies the (?) high voltage of the high-voltage power unit to the ground electrode. The discharge space is forced in a space between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A griddle apparatus, includes a lower cooking plate and an upper cooking plate, where the upper cooking plate is mounted for movement relative to the lower cooking plate between a lower cooking position and an upper access position by a biasing arrangement that provides an upward force sufficient to move the upper cooking plate up to the upper access position once the upper cooking plate has been manually moved to a set raised location between the lower cooking position and the upper access position.

Abstract: A griddle apparatus includes a lower griddle plate, and an upper griddle plate mounted on arm assembly for movement relative to the lower griddle plate between a lower cooking position and an upper access position. The arm assembly carries a gap adjustment mechanism that includes a plurality of gap defining orientations, and the gap adjustment mechanism moves with the arm assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation grill unit (1) comprising (i) a food support unit (100), for instance with bars (110), (ii) a radiation unit (200) comprising a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an (electrical) IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is optionally configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300) (with edge (311)).

Abstract: For use with a barbecue grill, a locking insert mounted to the firebowl of the grill and having a slot or slots formed in its upper rim. A cooking grate having a bar or bars underlying the cooking surface is disposed over the insert, the bars mating with the slots to secure the grate in a defined position. The grate has laterally extending handles for lifting the grate and the grill hood off of the insert for replenishing spent fuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a condiment mill capable of separately accommodating and grinding two condiments depending on the orientation of the condiment mill. The condiment mill comprises two superimposed compartments which may be inverted for grinding two condiments separately and allowing to release the condiment out of the mill by rotating one of the two compartments relative to the other.

Abstract: A device and method for separating liquids from food through the use of gravity. The device and method also provide the liquids separately so that it can be used for other purposes.

Abstract: A coffee pod storage device to hold a pod of beverage may include a base to support the pod holder, a spacer to connect to the base, a disk to rotate with respect to the spacer, and a pad chair connected to the disk to pivot as the disk is rotated and to hold a beverage pod.

Abstract: A multiple roll toilet tissue holder that includes: a first mounting arm; a second mounting arm; a first mounting slot extending from the first mounting arm; a second mounting slot extending from the second mounting arm; a first rod extending from the first mounting arm at a 90 degree angle; a second rod extending from the second mounting arm at a 90 degree angle; and a third rod in between the first mounting arm and second mounting arm, where the third rod is parallel and aligned with the first rod and second rod. The multiple roll toilet tissue holder may further include a magnetic portion at the center of the third rod, wherein the magnetic portion enables a division of the third rod and tissue holder into two halves. In one particular embodiment, the first rod and second rod are curved to help secure a toilet tissue roll in place.

Abstract: Certain hybrid dispenser systems and methods of dispensing sheet product are provided. In one example, the method includes dispensing, by the dispenser, an exposed tail of sheet product upon activation of a proximity sensor associated with the dispenser. The method includes dispensing a second length of sheet product in response to a user manually exerting a pull force on the exposed tail. The method includes generating electrical energy using an electrical generator of the dispenser. An amount of electrical energy generated by the electrical generator is based in part on the second length of sheet product pulled by the user. The method includes charging an energy storage device electrically coupled to the electrical generator by transferring energy from the electrical generator to the energy storage device, and modifying the pull force the user exerts to dispense the second length by adjusting an energy transfer rate from the electrical generator to the energy storage device.

Abstract: This appliance for dispensing strips of pre-cut material rolled into spools includes a case to accommodate the spool, with a bottom face, a horizontal lower part and lateral faces, and a hinged closing cover, with the case and the cover being designed at their lower part with a central opening allowing passage and dispensing of the strip of material. The case has a horizontal lower part with a central opening in its thickness and, on its bottom face, a profiled ring positioned in a plane that is eccentric in relation to the central opening, defining a passage between them for the pulled strip of material. Under the bottom face of the case, there is a hinged flap designed to accommodate a circular profiled dome form, to integrate opposite the interior opening formed on the ring, while allowing continuity of passage for the pulled strip of material, and its exit from the appliance.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an upright surface cleaning apparatus are disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus has a first cyclonic cleaning stage and comprises a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the upright surface cleaning apparatus. A support member is mounted to the surface cleaning head. A portable cleaning unit is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an upright liquid filtration vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum nozzle head and a housing moveably coupled to the vacuum nozzle head. The vacuum cleaner further includes a liquid tank that includes a wall defining an interior volume and a tank intake channel positioned in the interior volume. The interior volume is configured to hold a liquid. The tank intake channel is positioned to direct debris received from an intake passageway into the liquid tank so that the liquid in the interior volume of the liquid tank filters the debris into the liquid so that clean air is exhausted. The vacuum cleaner further includes a separator configured to generate an airflow. The vacuum cleaner is configured to seal the intake passageway when the vacuum cleaner is deactivated and further configured to unseal the intake passageway when the vacuum cleaner is activated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vacuum including a dust extraction system. The system includes a filter assembly, an airflow generation assembly, and valve assembly. The airflow generation assembly is configured to draw contaminated air toward the filter assembly and exhaust filtered air as a discharge stream. The filter assembly is configured to remove contaminants from the contaminated airflow by capturing particulate material suspended within the airflow. The valve assembly is configured to selectively direct filtered airflow into the filter assembly such that the filtered air stream cleans the filter.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning system comprised of a mobile robot having compartments to hold modules corresponding to various functions and a base station storing extra modules. The mobile robot runs until one or more modules is expended, at which point the robot navigates to the base station, ejects expended modules, and loads new modules. The robot continues operation with a minimum amount of downtime and a reduced need for human intervention. The base station may be supplied with numerous ready modules so that a human administrator only needs to replenish, replace or empty the modules periodically.

Abstract: An extractor cleaning machine that includes a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, the base including a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle. The extractor further includes a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. A recovery tank is in fluid communication with the suction source and the suction nozzle to receive the fluid drawn through the suction nozzle. The extractor further includes a supply tank including a first chamber for storing a first fluid, a second chamber for storing a second fluid, and a third chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber to receive the first and second fluids, the third chamber also in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle for supplying a mixture of the first and second fluids to the distribution nozzle.

Abstract: A method of cleaning residue from a surface using a disposable cellulosic wiper that includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of fibrillated regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml and having a weight average diameter of less than 2 microns. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure with the applied wiper.

Abstract: In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a dental finger glove device can include a first finger portion configured to fit on a first digit of a user and a second finger portion configured to fit on a second digit of a user and connected to the first finger portion. An outer surface of the finger portion can include a mesh material for massaging teeth. The mesh material can include gauze or any other suitable material.

Abstract: A portable hands-free device for cleaning a surface includes a motor, an assembly that includes scrub brushes mechanically coupled to the motor, a hinged portion coupled to the assembly by a hinge, and a scrub brush coupled to the hinged portion.

Abstract: The invention proposes a dishwasher, comprising a cleaning chamber for accommodating washware. The dishwasher is designed to apply at least one washing liquid and at least one final-rinse liquid to the washware in the cleaning chamber. The dishwasher has a controller which is designed to carry out at least one cleaning program. The cleaning program comprises at least one washing step, in which the washing liquid is applied to the washware, and at least one final-rinse step, in which the final-rinse liquid is applied to the washware. The dishwasher has at least one operator control element which can be operated by a user. The controller is designed in such a way that the final-rinse step can be carried out at least once on the basis of operation of the operator control element after at least the washing step of the cleaning program has been carried out.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for controlling a vent fan motor associated with a dishwasher based at least in part on sensed vibration signals. A vibration sensor, such as a microphone and/or an accelerometer, may be associated with the vent fan motor and may be configured to sense sound pressure level vibrations emitted by the vent fan motor. A controller associated with the dishwasher may receive the sensed vibration signals, identify various operating characteristics of the vent fan motor, and may compare the identified operating characteristics against preferred operating characteristics. A determination that the operating characteristics do not satisfy the preferred operating characteristics may correspond to inefficient operation of the vent fan motor, and the controller may thus adjust the vent fan motor speed.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope system which can secure appropriate bending stiffness of an insertion portion while maintaining the slide length of an endoscope insertion portion. According to one aspect of one of the present invention, in an endoscope system including an endoscope and an insertion assisting tool in which the endoscope is inserted and which assists the insertion of an endoscope insertion portion into a body, a flexible portion of the endoscope insertion portion includes a projection region which projects from the distal end opening of a tube body when the endoscope insertion portion is located in the distal end position in a movable range with respect to the tube body of the insertion assisting tool, and the projection region includes a bending stiffness change portion in which bending stiffness increases from a first position on the distal end side to a second position on the proximal end side.

Abstract: An operation device for an into-bore introduction device, includes: a projecting portion formed to project from a grasping section in a radial direction to a longitudinal axis of the grasping section, in a surface between a surface on which a bending operation knob is disposed and a surface on which operator's palm abuts to grasp the grasping section, in the grasping section; a pressing switch disposed on the projecting portion; and an inclined surface formed distantly by as much as a predetermined distance from the pressing switch, and in which an amount of the inclined surface to project outside in the radial direction is decreased on an insertion section side of the projecting portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an operation portion grasped by an operator; an insertion portion pivotable relative to the operation portion; a switch portion provided on the operation portion and switchable by a grasping hand of the operator; a pulling/relaxing member pulled and relaxed by back and forth movement in the operation portion based on switch operation of the switch portion; and a braking unit that includes a deformation portion deformed by the pulling and the relaxing of the pulling/relaxing member and that restrains or allows rotation of the insertion portion.

Abstract: There is provided a bending portion for an endoscope and the endoscope which can prevent the piece fall of bending pieces without enlarging the diameter of the bending portion and raising the filling rate of built-in components in the bending portion. In the bending portion, one bending piece of adjacent bending pieces is formed so that a cross-sectional shape is, for example, an elliptic shape whose major axis direction or minor axis direction corresponds to a first direction. The other bending piece of the adjacent bending pieces is formed so that a cross-sectional shape is, for example, a circular shape in which a length in the first direction differs from the first bending piece; and an abutting portion in which their end portions facing each other of the adjacent bending pieces abut on each other in at least two points when the bending portion is bent.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: operation wires insertedly arranged inside an insertion portion and an operation portion, the operation wires causing a bending portion to bend by being pulled/slackened; an operation member provided on the operation portion, the operation member performing a bending operation of the bending portion; a rotation member provided in the operation portion, the rotation member pulling/slackening the operation wires by rotating in conjunction with an operation of the operation member; and an amount-of-operation-force reducing portion giving rotation torque in a direction in which the rotation member inclines to reduce an amount of operation force of the operation member, in response to inclination of the operation member, wherein the rotation torque of the amount-of-operation-force reducing portion changes in conjunction with displacement of the operation member operated, and the amount-of-operation-force reducing portion offsets and reduces the amount of operation force required for the oper

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental mirror sucker (10) for extracting liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, having a hollow base body (12), which has an outer surface (16), an inner surface (14), a longitudinal axis (X-X) and a suction opening (20), wherein the inner surface (14) has a mirror (22) which can be observed through the suction opening (20) and the base body (12) is formed from a first base body part (32) and a second base body part (34), which are connected to each other.

Abstract: A sheathed endoscope, includes: an endoscope and a disposable component. The disposable compartment protects the inner and outer surfaces of the endoscope. The disposable compartment includes: a cap of endoscope tip in the distal end of endoscope, a disposable tube for biopsy forceps, and an outside sheath capsule for endoscope shaft. The tip cap connects the sheath capsule and the disposable tube for biopsy forceps. There are multiple windows set on the lateral side of endoscope tip, wherein pills containing transparent fluid are placed somewhere in between of the tip cap and the distal end of endoscope. The pills will be crushed by co-fraction of the tip cap and the distal end of endoscope, to release the transparent fluid to fill in the space formed between the tip cap and the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: The delivery of biological compounds to ischemic and/or infarcted tissue are described herein where such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, any number of therapeutic tools can also be passed through the deployment catheter and into the imaging hood for performing any number of procedures on the tissue for identifying, locating, and/or accessing ischemic and/or infarcted tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an achromatic endoscope which employs a diffractive microlens. Along with a broadband rotary joint and a custom 800 nm SD-OCT system, ultrahigh-resolution 3D volumetric imaging over a large area becomes possible. The diffractive microlens can be used directly with a GRIN lens, making the endoscope design simpler and cost effective. Preliminary ex vivo 3D intraluminal imaging was performed with the endoscope in conjunction with a home-built broadband rotary joint and a spectral-domain OCT system, demonstrating the performance of the diffractive endoscope. Considering the miniature OCT imaging probe is the required component for using the OCT technology in internal organs, the proposed approach will have a broad impact on endoscopic OCT imaging by improving OCT resolution in any applications that involve a miniature OCT probe, as intravascular OCT imaging, gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging, airway imaging etc.

Abstract: A guided tracheal intubation system using an autonomous modulated light source, outputting modulated illumination at a constant level, and externally applied to the subject's larynx region. An optical imaging system receives a video stream from within the subject's throat, including modulated illumination from the subject's trachea. A display control system performs signal processing on the modulated content of the images, and outputs frames of those images in which the intensity level of illumination from the trachea can be controlled without any need to change the illumination output from the modulated light source. The light source has no connection with the rest of the system, and need contain no more than a battery, a power supply circuit and a light source. It can therefore be of low cost and can be made disposable, such as in the form of an adhesive patch applied to the subject's neck.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an optical transmission section that is provided in an endoscope inserted into an interior of a subject and transmits illuminating light to a distal end, a light source section that generates light, a first lens section that receives the light, from the light source section and emits the light with characteristics of different spatial intensity distributions, a second lens section that causes the light emitted from the first lens section to enter the proximal end of the optical transmission section, a distance adjusting section that can adjust a distance, and a control section that controls the distance adjusting section that adjusts the distance between the first lens section and the second lens section so that amounts of the light of a first and second wavelength bands have a predetermined ratio of amount of light.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an insertion portion insertable into a body cavity of a subject; an illumination fiber guiding light caused to be incident on a proximal-end-side end face, to a distal-end-side end face; a light-receiving fiber group guiding light from the subject and emitting the light; a light source portion generating illuminating light; a light detecting portion; a first optical unit capable of changing an optical path of the illuminating light caused to be incident on the proximal-end-side end face of the illumination fiber; a second optical unit capable of changing the optical path for the illuminating light changed by the first optical unit and causing the illuminating light to be incident on the light-receiving fiber group; and a control portion performing control of whether or not to change the optical path in the first optical unit and the second optical unit.