Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage machine. The beverage machine comprises a brewing unit (10) with (i) a main body (12) defining a hollow (14) for receiving a portable capsule holder (18) and (ii) a lid (20) connected to the main body (12) for opening and closing the hollow (14). The beverage machine comprises a portable capsule holder (18) that is configured to receive a capsule (50) which encapsulates an extractable food product. The brewing unit (10) and the portable capsule holder (18) cooperate together in a manner that is regarding the liquid flow similar as a fountain.

Abstract: A packaging system for infant nutritional composition with dosing devices(304, 305), comprises a first dosing device (304) for dispensing a first quantity of said infant nutritional composition, said first quantity being adapted to boys, and a second dosing device (305) for dispensing a second quantity of said infant nutritional composition, said second quantity being adapted to girls, said first quantity being different from said second quantity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter holder comprising a filter housing having a bottom and a dispensing duct or aperture through said bottom. A valve with a valve stopper is arranged for selectively opening and closing the dispensing duct or aperture, the valve stopper being supported by a pivoting arm and resiliently biased towards a closed position. The valve stopper is closed when the filter holder is attached to a hot-water dispensing unit of a beverage producing machine, so that hot pressurized water will soak a beverage ingredient, for instance coffee powder, loaded in the filter cup. The valve is calibrated so that it will open once a certain pressure in the filter cup has been achieved. Once opened, the valve stopper will remain open irrespective of the pressure inside the filter cup, by means of the arrangement described here below. The filter holder further comprises a cam located between the bottom of the filter housing and the pivoting arm which supports the valve stopper.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a milk heating system, methods, and apparatus for combining milk, which is heated, ambient, or chilled, selectively with or without being infused with air, and selectively dispensed with or without flavorings. The apparatus and method disclosed includes structures for selectively combining milk with air and flavorings to dispense a selected combination of ingredients. The assembly includes a dispensing head assembly having a flavoring dispensing component and a milk dispensing component. The flavoring dispensing component can be coupled to the milk dispensing component for combining ingredients and dispensing into a container. The milk dispensing component includes a single path for the introduction of a flow of milk and a single path for the introduction of steam. The milk path and steam path are oriented to be fed into an intermediate passage which communicates with a swirl cavity defined by the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An automatic tea brewing system may include a first container configured to hold a first liquid; a second container configured to hold a second liquid; a brew pot configured to be fluidly coupled to the first container and to the second container; a heating element; and a controller programmed to dispense the first liquid from the first container to the brew pot at a first time, heat the first liquid in the brew pot to a first temperature, dispense the second liquid from the second container to the brew pot at a second time later than the first time to produce a liquid combination in the brew pot, heat the liquid combination in the brew pot to a second temperature, and, at a third time later than the second time, begin decreasing the temperature of the liquid combination.

Abstract: A fire safe fire pit device is disclosed. An example device includes a fire chamber. The example device also includes a lid movable between an open position and a closed position. The example device also includes a baffle configured to route smoke around edges of an upper surface while also retaining heat adjacent the upper surface.

Abstract: Steaming accessory (4) including a receptacle (5) for collecting condensates designed to rest on a mixing bowl of a household appliance including a means of heating the contents of the mixing bowl, the receptacle (5) having a cavity (50) for collecting condensates and two gripping handles (52) arranged symmetrically on either side of the cavity (50), said cavity (50) having a bottom including a protruding shaft (53) equipped with a central orifice allowing steam to pass through, said accessory (4) also having at least one basket (6) for cooking food that is positioned on said receptacle (5), wherein the shaft (53) includes, near its upper end, an annular wall extending around the central orifice and crosswise to the shaft (53), and wherein the shaft (53) includes, facing each gripping handle (52), a deflecting wall that stands taller than the level of the annular wall.

Abstract: Various implementations of a grill are described. A grill may include a grill body, a lid, a lower grate, an upper grate, a thermal-insulating blanket and a thermal-insulating wall. The grill body may have a hollow therein. The lid may be configured to be placed on the grill body to form a cooking space therebetween. The lower grate may be disposed in the hollow of the grill body, and may be configured to hold a fuel material thereon. The upper grate may be disposed in the hollow of the grill body and over the lower grate. The thermal-insulating blanket may be disposed on and around the lid. The thermal-insulating wall may be disposed in the hollow of the grill body and between the lower grate and the upper grate.

Abstract: A modular cooking system includes a body, a grill receiver located in an upper region of the body, a grill top resting on the grill receiver, and a charcoal holder located in a region of the body below the grill receiver. Two pairs of support arms support the charcoal holder. A threaded lever passes through the body into the interior region of the system. There is a horizontal resting on a support bracket in the interior of the system. The horizontal, the support bracket, the threaded lever, and the support arms to lift and lower the charcoal holder.

Abstract: A shutoff device includes a guiding unit, a bread carriage connected movably to the guiding unit, a lever unit, and a switch. The bread carriage includes a first carriage body. The lever unit has a contact segment that has a lower portion disposed between first and second portions of the first carriage body, and an upper portion disposed above the lower portion and the first portion of the first carriage body. The lever unit is upwardly movable relative to the bread carriage, with the lower portion being moved toward the first portion of the first carriage body and the upper portion being moved away from the first portion of the first carriage body, thereby converting a contact portion of the switch from a contact position to a shutoff position.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking container (1, 1?) including a bottom (3, 3?) having a temperature sensor (10) which is electrically connected to signal processing and display means (40) arranged at a distance from said temperature sensor (10). The bottom (3, 3?) of the cooking container includes means (20a, 20b, 20e, 20d) for identifying an area for placing the food to be cooked, said area being arranged facing the temperature sensor (10) in order to allow the user to monitor the cooking temperature of said food.

Abstract: The invention details a plate (as in a divider wall or bulkhead) that separates two or more foods inside of a cooking pot, saucepan, slow cooker, or frying pan while the food is being cooked. A plate divider that allows you to be able to cook two or more different foods or meals in the same pot or pan without their contents being mixed together. Each of the different foods remains in the boundary or perimeter of the pan and the plate while the food is being cooked and they do not leak into each other. The Multi-Cavity Cooking Device: Prevents from having to use so many pots and pans while cooking; Saves time by not having to wash so many dishes; Helps keep so many dirty pots and pans from cluttering up; Saves money by not having to buy so many pots and pans.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for grinding coffee beans. In one form, the apparatus comprises a hopper arranged to receive and dispense coffee beans. The coffee grinder also includes a conical burr arranged to grind the coffee beans dispensed by the hopper. The apparatus may be employed to grind roasted coffee beans for use in a coffee extraction (conventional coffee machines), for example in a cafe.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and an agitator configuration fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The agitator configuration includes a blade arrangement disposed on a spindle performing a blending operation on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container and a whisk including a plurality of loops disposed a pre-determined distance from the blade arrangement at a distal end of a rotating shaft interconnected to the spindle.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and an agitator configuration fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The agitator configuration includes at least a first blade form performing a blending operation on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container and at least a second blade form extending vertically upward from the first blade form and performing a processing operation on the ingredients in the blending container above the first blade form. The at least second blade form includes a pair of opposing elongated spiral shaped Hades that spiral in a direction of rotation of the agitator configuration when the motorized base is energized and configured to stir ingredients and force ingredients down into the first blade form.

Abstract: A free standing egg cracking receptacle comprising two body segments (10) which are attached by a hinge (14), the lower segment of the receptacle comprises a concavity (18) located on the lower segments' surface which has the shape of a lower part of an egg. The upper segment of the receptacle comprises a concavity (18) located on the upper segments' lower surface which comprises the shape of the upper part of an egg and the concavity comprises a projection (22) located on the central part of the concavity.

Abstract: A nut cracking device with a frame comprising elongated, parallel members that surround a mechanical advantage device, such as a hydraulic jack. Top and bottom channel members are mounted at opposite ends of the frame members to separate the frame members and form a rigid frame structure. An anvil with texture to reduce slipping and increase pressure is mounted to the top member and extends toward the jack, on which a table is mounted. A nut may be placed on the table. Upon displacement of the jack's shaft, the table moves toward the anvil and any nut on the table is clamped, and ultimately fractured, between the table and the anvil. A hand-grippable knob permits manual bypass of a valve to permit the table to be pulled away from the anvil by springs mounted to the table.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser including a contaminant sensor and methods of use of such a fluid dispenser to monitor contaminants either alone or in an array of similar dispensers within a facility.

Abstract: A container for receiving handkerchiefs including a housing which defines an interior in a closed condition of the container; and at least one insert container that is positionable in the interior, wherein the housing is formed by at least two housing elements which are movable relative to each other so that the container is transferable between a closed condition and an open condition, wherein the interior is accessible from an outside in the open condition of the container so that at least the insert container is insertable into the interior or removable from the interior, wherein the interior of the housing is divided by at least one divider element into at least two partial interior spaces, and wherein the housing includes at least one housing opening through which an object is movable from the outside into the interior space or vice versa when the container is in the closed condition.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a selectable quantity of absorbent sheet products is provided. The dispenser includes a container for containing a stack of absorbent sheet products, and an opening through which at least one absorbent sheet product is graspable. The opening includes a main portion in a first side of the container and at least one additional portion extending the main portion towards a second side of the container such that the, at least one, additional portion extends above and transversally relatively to the stack of absorbent sheet products contained in the container. The, at least one, additional portion defines multiple exposing zones along an axis (x) from one end of the main portion towards another end of the main portion. Each additional portion has a length from the axis (x) being associated with a maximum amount of absorbent sheet products graspable at the same time in a single seizure by a user.

Abstract: A toilet seat includes a seat unit, a sprayer device, a user-operating unit and a control device. The seat unit includes a housing, and a seat member having front and rear portions and pivotally connected to the housing at the rear portion. The sprayer device is mounted to the seat unit. The user-operating unit is mounted in a middle part of the front portion, and includes a sensor unit to generate a motion signal in response to being touched by a user, and a light emitting unit to emit light for indicating a position of the sensor unit. The control device is mounted in the housing, is electrically connected to the sensor unit for receiving the motion signal therefrom, and is to control the sprayer device to spray water in response to receiving the motion signal.

Abstract: A process for aircraft retrieval and aircraft crash site remediation may include establishing a perimeter at an aircraft crash site. The process may include containing wreckage in a containment unit that is adapted to prevent release of hazardous materials into the environment. The wreckage may include wreckage of an aircraft from the aircraft crash site. The process may include washing at least some of the wreckage in a decontamination unit. The process may include packaging the washed wreckage in a container.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a hand vacuum cleaner, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit. The hand vacuum cleaner has a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly and a handle having a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface. The hand vacuum cleaner also has a cyclone unit provided on a front end of the main body, the cyclone unit comprising a cyclone chamber having a cyclone axis of rotation. The rigid air flow conduit extends between a cleaning head air outlet and a hand vacuum cleaner air inlet and has a longitudinally extending conduit axis which is parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning system, method, and machine is provided, wherein a chassis, a communications module configured to communicate with a device remote from the chassis, a sensor operable to sense one or more characteristics of the mobile cleaning machine, and a controller including a processor and memory are provided. The processor is programmed to perform instructions stored in the memory, and the instructions include receiving the one or more characteristics of the mobile cleaning machine, receiving a non-mobile cleaning machine data set from the remote device, and transmitting at least one of the one or more characteristics of the mobile cleaning machine and the non-mobile machine data to a central location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a robot cleaner comprising: a main body which forks an outer appearance; a driving unit for moving the main body; a cleaning unit, installed at the lower portion of the main body, for sucking filth or dust on a floor surface in the air; light emitting units which are installed at the lower portion of the main body and configured to externally emit light according the driving condition of the driving unit; and a controller for controlling the plurality of light emitting units so that the light emitting units emit light in forms different from each other according to each of a first driving condition where the main body is stopped, a second driving condition where the main body moves, and a third driving condition where the main body rotates.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a refillable handle, a scrubbing member, a plurality of bristles, and a squeegee. The refillable handle includes first and second end portions and a hollow interior configured to hold a cleaning fluid. The scrubbing member is positioned at the first end portion of the handle and arranged in flow communication with the hollow interior. The plurality of bristles are mounted to the handle. The squeegee is mounted to the second end portion of the handle.

Abstract: A self-wringing flat mop includes a flat mop head, a mop handle and a holding sleeve. The mop handle includes a connection rod, a holding rod, and a transmission assembly. The holding rod is operated to rotate. The transmission assembly transmits rotation to the connection rod. The connection rod drives the flat mop head to collapse and wring out water. The transmission assembly includes a first engaging member and a second engaging member for undertaking engagement-disengagement actions. The holding rod includes a limiting rib. The holding sleeve sleeves the mop handle and includes a control lever. The control lever is turned pivotally with respect to the holding sleeve to separate the first engaging member from the second engaging member and restore the collapsed flat mop head to the flattened state. The holding sleeve includes a unidirectional limiting ring corresponding to the limiting rib.

Abstract: A cleaning tool comprising a handle assembly and a pad assembly. The pad assembly is coupled to the handle assembly such that the handle assembly extends distally beyond a first end of the pad assembly. The pad assembly includes a pad securing surface having a plurality of pad securing members extending substantially perpendicularly from the pad securing surface, and a slotted member located at a second end of the pad assembly, the second end being opposite the first end. The slotted member defines a slot configured to accept a cleaning pad, and the slotted member extends at an angle from the pad securing surface.

Abstract: A disposable pad for treating or cleaning various types of surfaces is presented. The disposable pad has one or more flaps that are operatively affixed to the first surface on the first sheet of the pad and is rotatably movable between a first configuration and a number of second configurations to expose one of many surface pairs having a cleaning material unique to the desired application. A second sheet is operatively affixed to the second surface of the first sheet on at least two edges to form a mitt-like cavity and provides for ambidextrous wielding of the disposable pad.

Abstract: A rim unit includes a locking section and a lifting section, wherein the locking section is configured to be fixed on a tub element, wherein the lifting section has an undercut which extends transversely to a first direction and is configured to transmit a lifting force along a first direction to the rim unit, wherein the locking section has a protrusion or recess which forms an undercut contrary to the first direction, and wherein the rim unit comprises two lifting sections which are arranged opposite to one another and spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the undercuts of the lifting sections can be brought into engagement with a lifting unit.

Abstract: A mop bucket includes a mop body with first and second compartments. The first compartment includes a sump region that is sized for receiving a portion of a floor care tool to best utilize the floor care tool and the contents of the mop bucket. A wringer assembly is attached to the mop bucket for cleaning the floor care tool and separating used cleaning supplies from unused. The mop bucket can include an insert for receiving the used cleaning supply to more easily dispose of the same.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a compartment in the form of a drawer or pull-out treating chamber slidably mounted in a chassis is provided with one or more liquid supply and draining conduits for supplying and draining liquid to and from the treating chamber.

Abstract: Provided are a dish washing machine capable of effectively removing garbage which remains at the bottom of a washing tub and a filter and a method of controlling the same. When washing water is sprayed from a nozzle while a vane is positioned at a reference position during a drainage operation, since a deflection angle of the vane is bent back and the washing water is strongly sprayed toward a rear wall of a washing tub, the washing water may form a fast and strong water current over a bottom plate of the washing tub, and the fast and strong water current may remove garbage which remains at a filter while flowing over the bottom of the washing tub. Also, even when an excessive amount of garbage is accumulated at a filter at a top end of a sump and blocks the filter during a washing operation such as preliminary washing, main washing, etc., the filter is automatically washed using a small amount of water, thereby eliminating inconvenience of a user to directly separate and wash the filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes at least two tanks and methods of using the tanks to isolate, substantially isolate, or incrementally isolate different chemistries from each other during a cycle. The disclosed dishmachine design and method allows for the use of two different, and potentially incompatible, reactive, or offsetting chemistries to be used in the same dishmachine cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dishwasher comprising: a tub for containing dishes; a nozzle assembly for ejecting washing water; a vane assembly for changing the path of the washing water, while moving from a first position to a second position inside the tub, such that the ejected washing water is directed towards the dishes; and a controller for stopping the vane assembly, changing the movement speed of the vane assembly, or changing the movement direction of the vane assembly while the vane assembly moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the washing water can also be ejected to corner portions of the tub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a method for controlling same, and the dishwasher may comprise a wash tub having an opening on at least one side thereof; a spray nozzle, provided in the interior of the wash tub, for spraying wash water; a reflecting module capable of moving in the interior of the wash tub, and reflecting the wash water sprayed by the spray nozzle; and a moving module, to which the reflecting module is detachably attached, for moving same in at least one direction.

Abstract: A portable system for imparting a reciprocating motion between a driving member and a driven member. The driving member has an upper and lower surfaces joined by one or more edges and includes a battery-powered drive mechanism. The driven member includes a treatment surface. First and second spaced apart studs extend from one of the members, and first and second spaced apart slots are formed in the other member. A locating recess is formed in each of the slots into which the studs are received. The drive mechanism is connected to one of the studs to impart a linear reciprocating motion thereto when the driven member is attached to the driving member. The connection between the driving member and the driven member is effected by each stud being entered into the respective slot and then moved into the respective locating recess by a twist-fit action.

Abstract: A medical signal processing device is communicably connected to a medical control device through a plurality of signal transmission paths and processes an image signal corresponding to a result obtained by examining an inside of a subject. The medical signal processing device includes a transmission signal processing unit configured to generate a plurality of image signals for transmission by distributing the image signal based on transmission failure information that indicates a transmission failure on a signal in the signal transmission paths.

Abstract: Provided is a joint mechanism including a tubular first member having a through-hole; a second member disposed at the distal end of the first member and swivelable about a swivel axis intersecting a central axis thereof; a flexible, tubular guide sheath extending near the central axis of the through-hole and a distal end of which is fixed to the second member; a manipulation wire introduced toward the distal end of the guide sheath; and a turnaround section that is provided in the second member at a position decentered from the swivel axis in the radial direction and that causes the manipulation wire introduced from the first member via the guide sheath to make a U-turn toward the first member. A distal end of the manipulation wire caused to make a U-turn at the turnaround section is fixed to a position decentered in the radial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing an elongated hollow profile element that has at least one pulling wire (13), comprising: two counter-bearings (11, 12), which are arranged on opposite sides of the device and which correspond to the elongated ends of the elongated hollow profile element, wherein one end of the at least one pulling wire (13) is anchored to the distal counter-bearing (11), and a mold (2a, 2b), which forms a sealed elongated cavity (3) that can be filled with a hardening material, wherein the cavity (3) extends between the two counter-bearings (11, 12) and the pulling wire (13) extends in the cavity (3) so as not to touch the cavity wall. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an elongated hollow profile element that has at least one pulling wire (13), the elongated hollow profile element, and a bending section for an endoscope.

Abstract: A disposable sheath device for use with an endoscope is disclosed. The endoscope has a body with an insertion tube having optics at its distal end. The disposable sheath device has a primary lumen and at least one secondary lumen attached to the primary lumen along a length of the lumen. The primary lumen is for covering and protecting the insertion tube from bodily contamination. The secondary lumen is for accommodating a desired tool. The secondary lumen has an insert substantially commensurate in length to the secondary lumen and has a slit longitudinally along its length. The slit permits radial expansion to accommodate tools having a radius larger than that of the secondary lumen, which preferably is made of a flexible material that expands. A connector is attached to the proximal end of the primary lumen and connects to he body of the endoscope. The connector extends longitudinally to accommodate different length insertion tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device (E) comprising: at least one generator (1) of structured light; an emission first image guide (5, 5?) for uplinking the structured light from the generator (1) to an object to be observed; and a return second image guide (5?, 5) for downlinking the light reflected by said object to be observed to a system (2) for capturing said reflected light. Each of the two image guides (5, 5?) is able to uplink the structured light and downlink the reflected light, and the imaging device comprises an optical switch (3) configurable into three different operating modes.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention there is provided a colon cleaning system comprising: a working channel, a vacuum source, a separate vacuum pipe provided alongside the working channel, and a sensor positioned at a conduit connected externally to the working channel, the sensor configured for providing an indication related to pressure within at least a segment of the working channel. In some embodiments, the system comprises a controller configured for controlling one or more parameters of a vacuum induced in the separate vacuum pipe, the parameter determined according to the pressure related indication provided by the sensor.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes: a body extending in a lengthwise direction, and having a first channel and a second channel parallel to each other; and an optical portion provided with an incident surface formed at an end part of the first channel so as to receive an external image, the optical portion disposed at the first channel, wherein the second channel is formed such that a laser module is insertable thereinto, and the laser module is configured to output laser in a direction crossing the lengthwise direction, and wherein the incident surface is formed to be inclined from a sectional surface of the first channel, such that the optical portion captures an image disposed on a path of the outputted laser. With such a configuration, a surgery can be performed through a single punched hole.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope apparatus is configured to be introduced into a subject, and includes: an imaging unit configured to image an inside of the subject to generate and read image data of the inside of the subject; a shared coil configured to transmit or receive radio waves; a function switching unit configured to switch between an image transmitting function in which the shared coil transmits the image data through the radio waves outside the capsule endoscope apparatus, and a driving function in which the shared coil receives the radio waves applied from outside to start or stop the capsule endoscope apparatus; and a switching controller configured to control the function switching unit so as to switch from the driving function to the image transmitting function at a timing when the imaging unit completes reading of the image data.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a first light source that emits visible light, a second light source that emits non-visible light, an image sensor that generates a first image including a subject through first photoelectric conversion using the visible light and generates a second image including a subject that emits fluorescence emission light due to excitation by the non-visible light through second photoelectric conversion using the non-visible light, and an output device that alternately switches between and outputs the first image and the second image. The second light source starts light emission by a predetermined time before start of the second photoelectric conversion due to driving of the driving circuit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging element; a filter array including a unit including visible light filters with different transmission spectrum maximum values, and invisible light filters having a transmission spectrum maximum value in an invisible light range of wavelengths longer than those of the visible light band; an optical filter disposed on a light-receiving surface of the filter array, the optical filter transmitting light included in either a first wavelength band that includes the respective transmission spectrum maximum values of the visible light filters or a second wavelength band that includes the transmission spectrum maximum value of the invisible light filters; and a first light source that emits, toward the subject, light having a wavelength within the second wavelength band, light of a first wavelength having a half-value width less than or equal to half of the second wavelength band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source apparatus for a laryngoscope. The light source apparatus is remotely operated. In an embodiment, it comprises a magnetically operated reed switch. A co-operating magnet in the laryngoscope blade actuates the reed switch when the blade is brought into proximity with the light source apparatus mounted in the laryngoscope handle.

Abstract: An antifogging shield prevents fogging and condensation during surgery at a junction of surgical devices. The antifogging shield includes an antifogging shield body forming an interior chamber for accommodating a surgical tool therein and an insulation material disposed within the interior chamber to minimize temperature change.

Abstract: A video capable electric toothbrush for proper periodontium prophylaxis having a rotating bristle assembly configured to rotate in multiple directions so as to implement a brushing technique having the brush rotate in a direction from the gum towards the tooth by use of a switch, and regardless of the specific tooth or teeth being brushed, the electric toothbrush is configured to brush along the gingival margin towards the tooth crown. The video capability allows a user to see and target brushing along the gingival margin, and recognize areas with high debris quantity requiring additional attention.