Abstract: A modular track system for hanging a curtain, the track system consisting of modules or sections with attachments and accessories designed to adjust to varying environments and specifications. Track shape and length are adjusted by specifying various combinations of the specialized components created as part of the system. Complementing the track system is a curtain with integrated loop fasteners which allows the curtain to be attached and removed without removing the track. The system further preferably includes a side support for use in attached the track to a fixed support in the environment, and a guiderail on the side of the track on one or more track sections, the track and curtain all being coordinated to form an efficient and improved curtain hanging system.

Abstract: A slow cooker comprises a case; a control circuit component and an inner pot for receiving food are disposed inside the case; the inner pot is arranged inside the case in a pick-and-place manner; a temperature detection component for temperature detection is arranged on the sidewall of the inner pot, and a mount seat connected to the case is arranged at the bottom of the inner pot; a liftable heating apparatus is arranged on the mount seat; the heating apparatus comprises a heating component and a lifting mechanism which can drive the heating component upwards and downwards. A temperature detection component arranged in the slow cooker is capable of detecting the temperature in the inner pot precisely; a lifting mechanism arranged in the slow cooker is capable of adjusting the distance from the inner pot to preheat the inner pot, improving cooking efficiency.

Abstract: A heating device for a food item in a food container includes the food container that contains the food items), a cooking container that contains the food container, and a steam generation device that supplies steam into the cooking container. The food container has an opening hole that communicates with an internal space and an external space, and at least one of a food surrounding space provided between an inner wall of the food container and the food items, and between the food items. The food surrounding space and the external space are communicated with each other through the opening hole, and steam is supplied into the cooking container to heat the food items by the steam. Thereby, the heating device for a food item in a food container that can subject the food item in the cooking container to steam heating can be provided.

Abstract: A system for brewing a beverage dependent on the water characteristics of a brewing location is described. The system includes a brewing device, a packaged brewing material having a barcode with encoded information pertaining to at least one brewing parameter, and a database having stored thereon or having access to at least one brewing parameter associated with at least one characteristic of a water composition or TDS of the water used by the brewing device to brew a beverage. A method for providing beverage brewing parameters to a brewing location is also described.

Abstract: A brewing device includes a base cup having a sidewall defining a plurality of openings that are covered with a filtering material. A bottom wall defines impermeable outlet probe receptacles sized and positioned to receive an outlet probe of a brewing device. Two or more adapter rings removably secure to the base cup thereby defining multiple combinations with differing volumes for use in different brewing devices and for preparing different numbers of servings. An adapter ring for multiple-serving implementations may include a tube along the side thereof with a bottom opening located below the lowermost surface of the adapter ring. An insert secures within each adapter ring and defines an inlet probe aperture and structures for creating a seal with respect to an inlet probe of a brewing device. In one embodiment, an adapter ring and the base cup are sonically welded together having a screen positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A tea brewing apparatus is disclosed which has a first dish having a rounded periphery and a perforated area, and a second dish also having a rounded periphery and engaging the first dish to form a container, the container forming a cavity for containing tea leaves yet being able to accept water through the perforated area, and the container being able to rest freely on bottom of a tea brewing mug even when the mug is tilted slightly over horizontal position.

Abstract: A single cup capsule brewing machine which incorporates a device for automatically brewing and dispensing single cups of coffee, or other beverages, the device containing a receptacle for receiving a single serve capsule, a housing for raising or lowering onto the capsule, and process the capsule during various sequences of operation of the brewing machine, an upper housing raising or lowering onto the capsule to attain sequential piercing of the capsule through an inlet probe and then an outlet probe, and for preparing a hot beverage for individual consumption, and then a lower housing that moves along an arc to provide for alignment of the capsule for a brewing cycle, or for shifting forwardly for interconnection of a capsule in preparation of a brewing cycle, or for shifting the capsule rearwardly for its disposal after performance of a brewing cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product includes at least one disposable capsule; an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid to the at least one capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The at least one disposable capsule comprises a material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product. The disposable capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least an exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule.

Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milk-frothing device with a dynamic mixing unit having a stator and a rotor which can be set in rotation relative to the stator, rotor and stator being configured such that milk and air can be conducted firstly to the dynamic mixing unit, subsequently, for frothing-up in the dynamic mixing unit, can be subjected multiple times to a shearing effect by rotation of the rotor relative to the stator and finally can be discharged out of the dynamic mixing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for portably brewing tea, coffee, or other beverages in a container that regulates the temperature and diffusion during and after brewing. For example, the present technology allows people to prepare and consume tea, coffee and other beverages while on the go. In some aspects, a portable brewing device includes a container having a specialized canister system in the interior of the container that encloses the beverage material and controls the diffusion of water in/out of the canister; an intelligent heating and cooling system to continuously regulate the temperature of water in the device; and a data processing unit in communication with the canister and heating and cooling systems to control operational features and store user-specialized settings for the device.

Abstract: A system and method to address the shortcomings of previous and existing designs by incorporating novel and unique features allowing the invention to perform well for a wide variety of popular dishes and meal solutions. Some embodiments of the present invention include a kitchen countertop barrel cooker which rotate bite size or smaller food ingredients around a horizontal axis and use a unique tumbler blade design which also rotates food around perpendicular horizontal axes resulting in thorough mixing and equalization of temperature throughout. The resulting uniform temperature allows readings from a non-contact infrared sensor to be relevant and effective for automatically assessing and controlling doneness. The embodiments vary primarily in how ingredients are handled. Each allows the draining of unwanted liquid from the ingredient contents during cooking or before unloading.

Abstract: A container device includes a receptacle having a bottom wall and an outer peripheral wall for forming a chamber to engage with a heat conductive member, a housing is engaged into the receptacle and includes an inner peripheral flange, a cap is selectively engaged with the receptacle, and a cover is selectively engaged with an inner peripheral portion of the cap for selectively engaging onto the cap when the cap is engaged onto the receptacle, and the cover is engageable into the housing and engageable with the inner peripheral flange of the housing when the cap is disengaged from the receptacle for providing different food cooking effect to the microwave oven cooking.

Abstract: The inventive concept presents a device and method to better provide cooking options to a user of an outdoor cooking grill. The disclosed “Plate Setter” is a reversible, circular plate-like structure having three legs integral to, and spaced symmetrically about, the circumference of the Plate Setter. The reversible structure is characterized by two integral, back-to-back cooking surfaces. Disclosed is a first cooking surface consisting of a plurality of parallel, raised ribs elevated above a walled, circular plate bed. The second cooking surface comprises a flat cooking surface reversible from, and precisely opposite to the first cooking surface. The second cooking surface further consists of three raised beams which intersect at a common point on the surface of the second cooking surface. The raised beams provide structural strength and also partition the second cooking surface into three equal cooking sections.

Abstract: The barbecue grill includes a cooking compartment, a cooking surface located in the cooking compartment, and at least one heating element located under the cooking surface and operated to provide heat for cooking food placed on the cooking surface. The barbecue grill also includes at least one additional heating element to generate electromagnetic radiation in the microwave spectrum and feed the electromagnetic radiation into the cooking compartment for investing food placed on the coking surface.

Abstract: A non-electric stovetop toaster that functions on various types of cooktops and is accommodative of various sizes and thicknesses of food contents. It folds flat to occupy a small, book sized volume and is designed for small kitchens (e.g. boats, motorhomes, cottages, apartments . . . ) where countertop space is too limited for an electric toaster. As with an electric toaster, both sides of the food contents are toasted simultaneously whereby good, even toasting results are produced through the combined action of A) IR diffusers, B) IR reflective sidewalls and C) an air filled heat shield.

Abstract: A heating system for heating a food product includes a housing including at least one heating cavity, a conveyor belt system which is configured to move the food product from a first end of the heating cavity to a second end thereof, a heating unit disposed generally parallel to a top surface of the conveyor belt system, and an in-feed rack having a first and second portion. The first portion of the in-feed rack may be positioned proximal to the conveyor belt system, and the second portion is positioned distal to the conveyor belt system. Each of the first and second portions of the in-feed rack has a generally planar cross section. A longitudinal length of the first portion of the in-feed rack is offset a substantially vertical distance from a longitudinal length of the second portion of the in-feed rack.

Abstract: A cooking pan having a pivoting strainer which provides a unique, safe way to drain grease contained within a pan while cooking. The cooking pan generally comprises a substantially flat and circular base having a cooking surface, a peripheral wall upstanding from the circular base, a pan handle extending outwardly from the peripheral wall and a pivoting strainer moveable between a closed position and a raised, draining position.

Abstract: A filtration device to filter cooking oil is provided having an upper layer comprised of a filter paper and a lower layer comprised of a filter pad. The filter paper of the upper layer includes pleats defining a plurality of food particle receiving channels over a substantial portion of a central area of the filter paper. The filter pad is attached to a peripheral portion of the filter paper to form a multi-layered filtration device having a central pleated region in which the upper and the lower layers are unbonded to each other. The central pleated region is configured to accumulate food particles above a threshold size as the filter paper and filter pad cooperatively filter cooking oil during a filtration operation. Methods of making and using filtration devices are also provided.

Abstract: An inflatable bathtub which enables efficient use of water and space. The bathtub also provides comfort and ease of use with respect to e.g. cleaning, storing, filling with water, emptying, carrying and moving. The bathtub comprises upright side walls consisting of inflatable side tubes. The side tubes at least partly extend around the circumference of the bathtub in a horizontal plane. The bathtub further comprises a bottom section attached to the bottom side on the side walls. At least a part of the outside of the side walls is curved inwardly in the horizontal plane. The side walls, being up to a certain level flexible, but in a way biased in an inward direction, are forced in an outward direction. The inward bias and the outward pressure by the water results in a straitening of the walls or any other predetermined shape of the side walls.

Abstract: A water barrier assembly for a shower door, including first and second sidewalls, a bottom wall joining the first and second sidewalls, interior surfaces of the bottom wall and the first and second sidewalls defining a channel adapted to receive a bottom portion of a shower door, a deflector extending outward from a top portion of the first sidewall, and a flexible blade extending from a bottom surface of the deflector and adjacent to an exterior surface of the first sidewall terminating with a distal end beyond a bottom surface of the bottom wall.

Abstract: An exemplary refill unit for a dispenser includes an inverted non-collapsing container for holding a liquid. A pump housing is secured to the bottom of the inverted non-collapsing container. The pump housing includes a pump chamber for pumping fluid out of the inverted non-collapsing container. The pump housing includes an annular venting chamber. The annular venting chamber has a floor with an opening therethrough. A vent valve is located within the venting chamber. The vent valve has a first wiper seal in contact with a wall of the annular venting chamber.

Abstract: A foamer dispenser includes a hollow stem, an air piston configured to pressurize and pump air, and a tubular guide that is coupled integrally to the air piston, that defines an airway for air supply between the hollow stem and the tubular guide, that holds the hollow stem slidably, and that is configured to come out of abutment with the flange in response to sliding of the hollow stem, thereby opening the airway is provided. The flange is provided with: an outer annular wall protruding upward from an outer edge of the flange; and a guide rib located on an outer side of the tubular guide in the radial direction and configured to be guided by the tubular guide during sliding of the hollow stem.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a body washing enclosure device may include a footing wall having a flange and a scrubbing pad depression. The scrubbing pad depression may include a depression sidewall and a depression base. The depression sidewall may be coupled to the flange and may extend below the flange. The depression base may be coupled to the depression sidewall below the flange, and the scrubbing pad depression may be disposed on the footing wall with the flange extending around the scrubbing pad depression. A fastener may couple a scrubbing pad having a scrubbing pad surface within the scrubbing pad depression. In further embodiments, the flange may be coupled to a shower wall of a washing area enclosure. In still further embodiments, the flange may form one or more shower walls of a washing area enclosure.

Abstract: The brushhead includes a brushhead base member and at least one outer ring of bristles mounted thereto, the brush base member being non-oscillating. An inner assembly is adapted to capture a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like non-Newtonian balm element having shear thinning characteristics. In an embodiment, the inner assembly is adapted to receive energy from an oscillating action of the inner assembly produced by a motor in the appliance to which the brushhead is attachable. Oscillation of the inner portion at a selected frequency and amplitude results in the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element changing to a liquid in a shear thinning effect, the liquid being useful for removal of makeup.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a spool-less roll of non-perforated toilet paper contains a roll-receiving seat, a canopy, and a clamp and cut mechanism. A toilet paper roll is positioned within the roll-receiving seat and secured with the canopy. The canopy is pivotally mounted between a first side panel and a second side panel of the roll-receiving seat. The pivotal connection of the canopy allows the user to replace the toilet paper roll conveniently. The clamp and cut mechanism contains a slat, which includes a lower set of gripping teeth and a set of cutting teeth. When dispensing a plurality of sheets from the toilet paper roll the slat is positioned in a dispensing configuration. When detaching the plurality of sheets from the toilet paper roll, the slat is positioned in a clamping and cutting configuration. The apparatus is mounted onto a mounting surface, with a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A paper product dispenser assembly has a hood that includes a hood coupling component, as well as a first rear housing member that is configured for selective coupling with the hood. The first rear housing member has a first coupling component that cooperates with the hood coupling component for releasably coupling the hood and the first rear housing member to one another. The first rear housing member and the hood jointly define a first housing that is adapted to hold a roll of paper product therein. A second rear housing member of the assembly is configured for selective coupling with the hood in place of the first rear housing member. The second rear housing member has a second coupling component that cooperates with the hood coupling component for releasably coupling the hood and the second rear housing member to one another.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an air diversion device comprises a cover adaptable to be coupled to a wall-mounted hand dryer, the cover at least partially surrounding an inner volume, a first aperture disposed in the cover and adaptable to bring a hand dryer output of the wall-mounted hand dryer into fluid communication with the inner volume, and a wand coupled to the cover and in fluid communication with the inner volume, wherein the wand comprises a flexible tube and a wand aperture disposed distal to the flexible tube and the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus including a receptacle for holding therein organic waste, a first dispenser operative to dispense an oxidizing agent to the organic waste so as to cause an exothermic reaction that results in combustion of the organic waste, and a second dispenser operative to dispense a reducing agent that neutralizes a residual amount of the oxidizing agent that remains after the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A personal care composition is disclosed comprising a di-amido gellant, wherein the di-amido gellant has a formula: wherein R1 and R2 are aminofunctional end-groups which may be the same or different, and L is a linking moiety of molecular weight from 14 to 500 g/mol. The personal care composition may take a variety of forms such as a leave-on composition or an emulsion and/or may comprise one or more actives or agents.

Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head and a portable cleaning unit comprising an air treatment member and a suction motor that is removably mounted to the surface cleaning head. An upper portion may be moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, the upper portion comprising a drive handle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body and a base carrying a suction nozzle that is pivotally coupled with the upright body for movement between at least a storage position and a reclined use position. A motor is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and is mounted in the upright body in a configuration that partially offsets the weight-in-hand of the upright assembly as perceived by a user of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein a conduit is in communication with the cyclone air outlet. The conduit extends through the porous pre-motor filter media and is in communication with the upstream side of the porous pre-motor filter media.

Abstract: An outlet box system (1) for a central vacuum system (3). The outlet box system (1) includes a casing assembly (5) for operatively mounting onto a given support structure (7), the casing assembly (5) having a substantially closed body (9) provided with first and second ports (11,13), the first port (11) being sealingly connectable via piping (15) to the central vacuum system (3), and the second port (13) being configured for allowing a vacuum hose (17) of the central vacuum system (3) to extend therethrough and out from the casing assembly (5). The outlet box system (1) also includes a door assembly (19) operatively mountable onto the casing assembly (5) in a substantially sealed manner, the door assembly (19) being configured for allowing a user to selectively have access to an inside portion (21) of the casing assembly (5).

Abstract: A brushroll dowel for a vacuum cleaner having bristle stiffeners protruding from a brush dowel. The brushroll can be made using an injection molding process, with the bristle stiffeners integrally molded with the brush dowel and a plurality of stiffened bristles protruding from the brush dowel adjacent to the bristle stiffeners.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaning head having a suction nozzle adapted to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, and a hair collection assembly provided on the cleaning head and having a hair collection element adapted to collect hair from the surface to be cleaned as the cleaning head moves along the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprises a cyclone separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air and a collection chamber for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber. The cyclone module assembly further includes at least one feature for directing contaminants downwardly, such as a circumferential fin that extends from the inside wall of the collection chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning fabric assembly used for an automatic cleaning machine includes an outer unit, a water absorbent unit, an assembly unit and a fixing unit. A plurality of openable portions, which extend from the peripheral portion of the outer unit to the center of the outer unit, are provided on top of the outer unit. The water absorbent unit and assembly unit and may inserted into the outer unit through the cracks between the openable portions. The cleaning fabric assembly of the present invention may be used to remove water stains with its water absorbent unit or by mopping the floor. Also, to uninstall the outer unit or the water absorbent unit for replacement or cleaning, a user simply has to rotate the fixing unit to disengage the male engagement pieces from the engagement portions.

Abstract: An unattended extraction cleaning machine includes a housing with a bottom portion that is adapted to rest on a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system including a fluid distributor, a fluid extraction system including a suction nozzle, at least one carriage assembly mounting the suction nozzle to the housing for movement with respect thereto and with respect to the surface to be cleaned, and an ultraviolet light mounted on at least one of the housing and the carriage assembly to emit ultraviolet light onto the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A deep cleaner for delivering cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned and removing the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned includes a pivotal brush carriage assembly comprising a pair of support legs, a rotatable brushroll extending between the first and second support legs, a brush motor, and a belt operably coupling the rotatable brushroll to the brush motor, wherein the belt is provided within one of the support legs.

Abstract: A fibrous gel-wipe, methods making the gel-wipe and methods of using the gel-wipe, suitable for use in personal care and household cleansing applications, which gel-wipe includes a superabsorbent gel fiber and a liquid cleansing composition.

Abstract: A scrubbing cloth having opposed first and second surfaces formed to have different properties relative to one another and a texture layer formed on at least one of the first and second surfaces to provide a multipurpose scrubbing cloth having enhanced surface treating capabilities.

Abstract: Fibrous structures containing one or more particles, and methods for making same are provided.

Abstract: A condition reliant control system for modulating on demand pumping volume for continuous motion washing systems comprising at least one manifold, at least one sensor in electronic communication with the manifold, a control module in electric communication with the sensor, and a modulating unit in electronic communication with the control module to receive signals therefrom. The sensor continuously monitors the pressure readings of the manifold. A pumping system is in fluid communication with the manifold and has an impeller that either speeds up or slows down based on feedback readings from the modulation unit. A targeted pumping volume is delivered in relation to the pressure and temperature conditions within a given continuous motion washing system.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance with a unitary sump, wherein the sump is integrally formed of a continuous piece of material such that a sump portion and a first filter portion of the unitary sump are integrally formed of the continuous piece of material, is provided. A dishwasher appliance with a unitary sump, wherein the sump is integrally formed of a continuous piece of material such that a sump portion and a diverter housing portion of the unitary sump are integrally formed of the continuous piece of material, also is provided. Further, a related method for forming a unitary sump for a dishwasher appliance is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes one or more features directed to water, energy or material savings. The disclosed dishmachines are still capable of meeting the soil demands of the articles to be cleaned.

Abstract: A coated glove for removal of pet hair or debris is provided. In one embodiment, the glove is made from a cotton or cotton/polyester blend. At least the palm side of the glove is coated with a tacky thermoplastic rubber. Debris present on a surface adheres to the tacky thermoplastic rubber as the glove is wiped across a surface. The glove may completely cover the fingers of a user, or may cover only a portion of the fingers.

Abstract: An optical scanning type observation apparatus includes: a light source portion for supplying illuminating light; an optical fiber for guiding the illuminating light and emitting the illuminating light from an emission end portion; an actuator portion for displacing an irradiation position of the illuminating light by swinging the emission end portion; a control portion for controlling the actuator portion such that at least a first frame and a second frame are periodically obtained; an image generating portion for sequentially generating at least a first image in the first frame and a second image in the second frame; a motion detecting portion for detecting a motion of an image between different frames; and an image outputting portion for outputting one or both of the first and second images based on a motion detected by the motion detecting portion.