Abstract: An automated, unmanned continuous system (200) for packaging flowable food products at elevated temperatures and pressures includes an upstream thermal processing station (202) to heat the food products and direct the heated food products to a pressurized unmanned filling station (204), whereat containers (242) are filled with the heated food products within a pressurized housing (232), and then transported to a pressurized and unmanned sealing station (206) where the containers are sealed with a lid or cover (283) within a pressurized housing (282). Thereafter, the filled and sealed containers (242) are routed from the pressurized housing (282) through a pressurized transfer tube or passageway (208) for further processing at a downstream thermal processing station (210).

Abstract: A food preparation system includes a plate including a food preparation surface for placing food thereon. A cryogenerator is in thermal connection with the food preparation surface and can cool the food preparation surface to a temperature below 230 K.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having radiant burners and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a kettle assembly having a heating plate that separates an upper portion from a lower portion. The heating plate can include a coated lower surface to absorb radiant heat, and the kettle assembly can be supported by a base having a gas-fired radiant burner. The radiant burner can include a heating element positioned to direct radiant heat toward the heating plate. In several embodiments, the heating element includes an opening extending therethrough, and a coupler can extend through the opening to connect a motor in the base with a mixer in the upper portion of the kettle assembly.

Abstract: Method for continuously making kettle style potato chips. A continuous cooking process is disclosed without regard or need to mimic the U-shaped temperature-time profile typically used to create kettle-style fried potato chips. Potato slices are placed directly into hot oil of a single continuous fryer having multiple temperature zones, with no flume frying prior to placement therein and without regard to a monolayer arrangement. Cool oil from the end of the continuous fryer to the upstream portion of the fryer ensures continuous achievement of an initial low temperature profile, lower than that of previous methods. A further dip in temperature profile is achieved as water evaporates from the slices. The potato slices are then further fried in the downstream portion of the fryer in one or more regions having increased hot oil temperatures, which occur through the injecting of hot oil into the downstream portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cooking hot pepper gimbap and hot pepper gimbap cooking thereof, characterized by comprising: hot pepper fillings making process for adding black pepper and cooking oil to hot pepper fillings, including green Cheongyang chili pepper(green Ttaeong Cho), red Cheongyang chili pepper(red Ttaeong Cho), and carrot, and frying; seasoning mixing process for mixing hot pepper fillings and powder seasoning, including condiments and powder seasoning, together and frying again; cooling process for cooling hot pepper fillings with the powder seasoning at room temperature; mixing process for sprinkling black sesame over the rice and mixing the cooled hot pepper fillings with it; and hot pepper gimbap making process for spreading the mixed rice on the dried seaweed sheet and rolling it.

Abstract: This document relates to food products containing highly conjugated heterocyclic rings complexed to an iron ion and one or more flavor precursors, and using such food products to modulate the flavor and/or aroma profile of other foods. The food products described herein can be prepared in various ways and can be formulated to be free of animal products.

Abstract: The present invention relates in a first aspect to a pharmaceutical composition and in a second aspect to a therapeutic combination for use in the treatment or prevention of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in patients which have been subjected to gastric bypass-surgery. A third aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition as such.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a surface-reacted calcium carbonate as anti-caking agent, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural ground or precipitated calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and at least one acid in an aqueous medium, wherein the carbon dioxide is formed in situ by the acid treatment and/or is supplied from an external source, and to a composition comprising said anti-caking agent, as well as to a method for the production of such a composition.

Abstract: A smoking apparatus is provided. The smoking apparatus includes a hookah. The hookah may include a water jar, a bowl and a body stem running from the bowl into the water jar. First ends of a plurality of hoses may fluidly connect with the water jar. A bite valve may be secured to a second end of each of the hoses. Therefore, a user may bite down on the bite valve and smoke the hookah, while the other hoses remain closed, allowing the user to inhale a larger amount of smoke.

Abstract: Embodiments of a diffuser device, system, and method for diffusing exhaled vapor that is inhaled from a vaper producing device. In one embodiment, the diffuser device includes a first tubular portion, a second tubular portion, and a removable, disposable filter. The first tubular portion includes a length and a first interior surface that defines a first bore extending through the first tubular portion along the length, the first interior surface defining a first ledge. The second tubular portion includes a second interior surface that defines a second bore. The second tubular portion is removably and rotatably coupled to the first tubular portion such that the second bore is coaxial with the first bore. The removable, disposable filter may include a cylindrical structure sized to be positioned within the first bore between the first ledge and an end of the second tubular portion.

Abstract: A simulated smoking device (1) comprising a simulated cigarette having a substantially cylindrical cigarette-like shape and a refill device (2, 50) having a substantially cuboid housing with a cigarette pack-like shape containing refill gas (32, 59) for the simulated cigarette and having means for selectively retaining the simulated cigarette. The simulated cigarette may be retained wholly within the housing. It may be retained at a location different from the refill location. A dose counter may be provided to give a visual indication of the doses in the refill device.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a fluid ejection and vaporization device and a fluid ejection and vaporization device containing the maintenance apparatus. The maintenance apparatus includes a movable wiper blade, the wiper blade being attached to an arm on one end of the arm, wherein a distal end of the arm is attached to an air operated mechanism for moving the arm and for causing a sweeping movement of the wiper blade over an ejection head in the fluid ejection and vaporization device.

Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a sidewall, a transverse wall at the first end of the sidewall, and an inner tube integrally formed with the housing. The sidewall is generally cylindrical and a first end and a second end. The transverse wall includes at least one outlet therein. The inner tube extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner tube is concentrically positioned with respect to the sidewall. The inner tube communicates with the at least one outlet. The cartridge also includes a reservoir between the sidewall and the inner tube. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device having a detachable power source is provided. A control body may be coupleable with a cartridge to form an aerosol delivery device. The cartridge may contain an aerosol precursor composition and be equipped with a heating element configured to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The control body may comprise a housing and a power source detachably coupled to an outer surface of the housing. A control component may be contained within the housing and configured to operate in an active mode in which the control body is coupled with the cartridge. The control component in the active mode may be configured to direct power from the power source to the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette comprises nicotine without harmful tar. The cigarette includes a shell, a cell, nicotine solution, control circuit, and an electro-thermal vaporization nozzle installed in the air suction end of the shell. The advantages of the present invention are smoking without tar, reducing the risk of cancer, the user still gets a smoking experience, the cigarette is not lit, and there is no fire danger.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly, an atomizer assembly and a cigarette bottle assembly. An external thread electrode is located in one end of battery assembly. An internal thread electrode is located in one end of atomizer assembly. The battery assembly and the atomizer assembly are connected by the screwthread electrode. The cigarette bottle assembly is inserted into the other end of the atomizer assembly and both form a cigarette type or cigar type body.

Abstract: A lower torso garment has a genital portion or gusset having a single layer panel or a double layer panel including inner and outer layers. The genital portion includes at least one pair of darts extending from a crotch region to at least a lower front part of the pelvic portion to provide comfort and/or support to the wearer. In a double layer panel, may have a single dart on an inner layer and a single dart on an outer layer.

Abstract: A lower body undergarment with a genital-receiving pouch that allows a user to perform adjustments covertly. A distribution connector and a drawstring allow the user to raise and lower the genital-receiving pouch. The genital-receiving pouch is centrally integrated into a front panel of the lower body undergarment with a top end being positioned adjacent to a waistband of the lower body undergarment. The distribution connector is connected to a bottom end of the genital-receiving pouch, in between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of the genital-receiving pouch. The drawstring is positioned adjacent to a top end of the genital-receiving pouch with a first end of the drawstring being connected to a waistband of the lower body undergarment. A second end of the drawstring being terminally connected to the distribution connector.

Abstract: An engineered bra having preconfigured lockout and stretch zones with different stretch properties is provided. The different stretch properties may be achieved by adjusting one or more knitting or weaving techniques and/or materials throughout the bra, with at least a first portion of the bra including a common feature between multiple regions. The knit or woven bra may include varying knit or woven structures within the zones, varying the modulus of elasticity of the yarns used to form the zones, and/or varying the modulus of elasticity of the knit or woven material through specific knit stitch orientation or woven technique. In further aspects, different stretch properties correspond to individual yarn placement, integrated knit or woven structures such as channels, pockets, or shaping, and/or additional integrated knit or woven aspects used to create lockout in a first zone and stretch characteristics in an adjacent, second zone.

Abstract: A brassiere cup for a bra is disclosed. The cup comprises an inner foam-fabric layer which is in contact with a wearer's skin. The cup further comprises an outer spacer fabric layer and a middle plastic underwire. The outer spacer fabric layer is arranged on an outer side of the inner foam-fabric layer, the side being distal from the wearer's skin; and the middle underwire is sandwiched between the inner foam-fabric layer and the outer spacer fabric layer at the lower region. The outer spacer fabric layer comprises at least two fabric layers between which a support containing fusible yarn is sandwiched.

Abstract: [Task] An object is to provide coldness-preventing protective clothing that can be manufactured at low cost and is lightweight and comfortable to wear. [Means for Resolution] Coldness-preventing protective clothing is formed in the form of a working wear by using a sheet-shaped base material formed by joining either of a lattice-shaped, net-shaped, linear, or point-like foamed body or a sheet-shaped foamed body having at least one of a concave portion and a hole, or a combination of two or more of these foamed bodies, to cloth made of a nonwoven fabric, a net fabric, an air-permeable film, or an airtight film.

Abstract: A safety harness for vertically lifting of a user is provided. The safety harness includes an upper body harness and a lower body harness which may be positioned on liners within a coat and pants of the user, respectively. The upper body harness and lower body harness attach together to function as a Class III harness enabling lifting of a user in a vertical orientation by virtue of the harness geometry. The lower body harness alone serves as a Class II harness and the upper body harness alone serves as a drag line. The harness is particularly suited to be integrated with firefighting turnout gear for ready donning with the turnout gear.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-function hip protector device (hip protector) designed to slip-on and slip-over existing clothing, to be resistant to incontinence accidents, to reduce the number of hip injuries and dislocations, provide a gait belt member allowing a 3rd person or nurse to assist the wearer in providing gait-sturdy support to those individuals or hospital patients with needed balance correction, provide cushioning of the sacral area and offers protection to the greater trochanters in the event of a fall, add cushion to the pelvis and hips, function as a protectant for bed-ridden people who are unable to adjust their body weight due to a physical debilitation by adding cushion to reduce the shear friction which is a causative agent to bed sores for the elderly with skin integrity issues.

Abstract: A structural support system for reinforced garments having an axial support member joined to a spinal support member by a quick release mechanism. The axial support member may be incorporated with a reinforced garment belt, while the spinal support member is incorporated with a jacket or vest. The members may be joined by a quick release pin mechanism, so that the jacket may be quickly removed, while the support belt remains in place. The structural support system may be easily adapted based on the needs of a particular user and configured for a variety of applications. For example, the structural support system may be adapted to be incorporated into a reinforced garment or alternately configured to provide external support.

Abstract: An article of apparel is provided having sleeves with a first panel, a second panel and a third panel. The first panel is generally located on a medial portion of the sleeve, and the second panel and the third panel are generally located on a lateral portion of the sleeve. The sleeves may also comprise an elastically resilient panel positioned adjacent at least the second panel, such that the elastically resilient panel provides increased range of motion for a wearer.

Abstract: An apparel item having an insert configured to provide ventilation to the wearer is provided herein. The apparel item is formed by at least a front panel having a posterior edge, a back panel having an anterior edge, and an insert made for coupling the front panel and the back panel. An anterior edge of the insert is coupled to the posterior edge of the front panel while a posterior edge of the insert is attached to the back panel at a position posterior to the back panel's anterior edge.

Abstract: A hairpiece having a lace material, a hair-tied portion, and a pre-tweezed portion is provided. The lace material has a mesh structure with a predetermined eye size for anchoring hairs on an outer side of the mesh structure and enclosing a scalp portion of a user with an inner side of the mesh structure. The hair-tied portion covers a substantial portion of the top side of the lace material. The pre-tweezed portion covers a slit portion of the top side of the lace material and disposed in a middle of the hair-tied portion. The pre-tweezed portion is configured to provide a clear center part line, and the pre-tweezed portion has a predetermined width and a predetermined length. The hair-tied portion may have a plurality of hairs hand-tied, knotted, or planted.

Abstract: A wig base comprises a sheet of material having a dome shape with a peak, a border defining a bottom opening, and an anterior portion comprising net material. A reinforcement, for a gap that can be formed in a selected area of the net material adjacent the bottom opening, is provided by one of a plurality of strips of fabric each of which has a pair of opposite ends spaced from each other and located adjacent the border of the sheet, and a U-shaped intermediate portion connecting one of the ends to the other and extending from the border toward the peak. A wearer's natural hair can be passed through a gap and blended with hair woven to the net material of wig base. The reinforcement maintains the integrity of the wig base.

Abstract: A head, neck and shoulder protection assembly for protecting the head, neck and shoulders of a user includes a pair of shoulder pads. A helmet, which has a bottom edge defining an opening, is reversibly couplable to the shoulder pads. The bottom edge is substantially complementary to an upper surface of the shoulder pads. The helmet is couplable to the shoulder pads such that the helmet is fixedly positioned relative to the shoulder pads. The opening is configured for insertion of the user's head into the helmet. The helmet is positioned to couple to the pair of shoulder pads, such that movement of the helmet relative to the shoulder pads is restricted. The helmet is dimensionally larger than the head and neck of the user, such that the user has full range of movement of the head and neck of within the helmet without the user's head contacting the helmet.

Abstract: A shield for a lacrosse helmet, wherein the shield includes a shield structure having a shield front, a shield rear, a shield top, a shield bottom and shield sides, wherein the shield structure includes a mounting structure located proximate the shield bottom, wherein the mounting structure is configured to securely associate the shield structure with a front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the shield structure is arcuate in shape between the shield sides to conform to the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the lacrosse helmet shield further includes an impact absorbent material associated with the shield rear to be located between the shield rear and the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet when the helmet shield is associated with the lacrosse helmet.

Abstract: A helmet comprising and outer liner and an inner liner slidably coupled to an interior surface of the outer liner is disclosed. The outer liner comprises an interior surface and the inner liner comprises an exterior surface. The inner liner is composed of an elastically deformable material. A majority of the interior surface of the outer liner and a majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner are both substantially parallel to a pseudo-spherical surface having a coronal cross section that is circular with a first radius and a sagittal cross section that is circular with a second radius different from the first radius. The inner liner is elastically deformable along the interior surface of the outer liner in response to rotation of the outer liner relative to the inner liner caused by an impact to the helmet.

Abstract: A protective headgear for equestrian use provides a traditional style cowboy hat with protective features to allow it to comply with prevailing equestrian helmet standards. The hat includes interior protective padding in the top of the dome, exterior protective padding below the crown of the dome, and exterior protective padding on the rear of the hat below the brim. The protective padding may be secured to the hat by adhesive, stitching, or mechanical fasteners. A chin strap securement system comprising mutually connectable strap-and-buckle assemblies is optionally provided.

Abstract: The present invention regards a sole for shoes including an upper surface, in use facing the user, a lower surface, in use facing the ground or the resting surface, and a thickness, wherein the thickness corresponds to a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the sole includes at least one signaling means. Such at least one signaling means includes at least one vibrating motor, capable of vibrating inside such sole and/or at least one light device and the sole includes means for receiving-processing a control signal (sc) intended, in use, to receive and process such control signal (sc) and to emit in reply an activation-deactivation signal (S) towards such at least one signaling means.

Abstract: An article of footwear flat pattern upper (126, 300, 302) portion (216) is provided. The upper portion (302) has a midline reference line (415, 416) extending between the toe end apex (316) and a midpoint on the heel end (314). The upper portion (302) also is comprised of an origin (344) aperture that is located within 10 millimeters of the midline reference line (415, 416) between the toe end (306) and the heel end (314) of the upper portion (302). The upper portion (302) is also formed with an overlay (500) that is coupled with the upper portion (302) between the toe end (306) and the heel end (314) and between the medial side (315) and the lateral side (317). The overlay (500) has an alignment aperture (345) that is aligned with the origin (344) aperture.

Abstract: A shoelace securing device including a lace lock through which a pair of shoelaces are disposed and secured. The lace lock includes a pair of locking apertures and a spring. The shoelace securing device includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the lace lock about which a pair of shoelaces are wrapped. The shoelace securing device includes a shield member selectably coupleable over the plurality of protrusions thereby trapping any shoelaces wrapped around the plurality of protrusions. The shield member includes a non-front aperture for shoelaces to extend through.

Abstract: A shoe fastening system comprises a body extending between first and second ends. Fastening members releasably engage each end permitting the engagement of one or more eyelets on a shoe. The first fastening member is defined by a first hook having a clip that is biased toward the body. The second fastening member is defined by a second hook. The hook and clip are adapted to engage eyelet openings of the shoe. A method for fastening a shoe comprises providing shoe fastening devices, positioning each device to engage the eyelets, and adjusting each device to retain facings on the shoe.

Abstract: There is provided a slider assembly for a slide fastener, including: a slider body; a pull-tab; and a resilient locking member. The pull-tab is provided with a window aligned with an aperture in an upper wing of the slider body when the pull-tab is in a first angular end position. A distal end of the locking member extends towards a guide channel through the window and the aperture. The locking member is configured to be resiliently biased towards a locking position where a distal end thereof protrudes in the guide channel. A proximal end of the pull-tab has a cam cooperating with the locking member such that the locking member takes the locking position when the pull-tab is in the first angular end position, and the locking member is moved towards an unlocking position when the pull-tab is pivoted away from the first angular end position.

Abstract: A slide fastener includes a first tape with a plurality of first elements, a second tape with a plurality of second elements, and a slider element configured to interface with the first tape and the second tape. The slider element includes a body portion and a removable portion that are configured to selectively mechanically engage/disengage with one another.

Abstract: A small device, substantially flat, used to shorten the length or circumference of a fabric, or other type of materials, while at the same time making the item being altered look appealing by forming a pleat-like appearance. The device is simple and is made of metal, plastic or other rigid material suitable for its purpose. Configured of one body, this device disappears into the folds of the material and disappears as if it was not even there. It is easy to use and virtually undetected by the wearer.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for producing an ornamental piece, comprising a step of forming a first, closed ring (32), comprising a step of cutting out a first template comprising a sheet of base material configured to be cut out and pierced, and a step of at least partial winding of the first template with a first set of threads; a step of forming a second, open ring (33), comprising a step of cutting out a second template (43) comprising a sheet of base material configured to be cut out and pierced and a step of partial winding of the second template (43) with a second set of threads (24); a step of intertwining the second ring (33), comprising partial winding of the second template (43) with the first ring (32), comprising at least partial winding of the first template; and a step of closing the second ring (33).

Abstract: A luggage container includes: a main compartment; a cover portion coupled to the main compartment and configured to be open or closed via a first opening/closing mechanism element to expose or cover the main compartment; an expandable portion extendingly coupled to the main compartment, the expandable portion comprising a second opening/closing mechanism element; and a storage compartment comprising an opening portion formed at the expandable portion and a pocket portion extending from the opening portion such that the pocket portion of the storage compartment is located in the main compartment.

Abstract: A portable storage device for carrying and storing baby products. The device includes a sheet having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are disposed on the front surface thereof. The pockets are each specifically dimensioned so as to receive a particular item therein, such as diapers or lotions, and so as to allow the sheet to fold into a compact configuration. The pockets are removably sealable via a fastener. The sheet can be folded in half and secured in the half folded position via a zipper disposed on the periphery of the sheet. The sheet can be folded again and secured in a fully folded position via a latch disposed thereon. Further, a blanket is removably secured over the top of the sheet via mating fasteners disposed on the periphery of the sheet and the blanket.

Abstract: An article of luggage that has a built in storage compartment with customizable departments, that includes a top portion having at least two side walls, a closeable top, a closed bottom having an exterior bottom surface and an interior top compartment. This article of luggage also includes an open bottom portion having at least two side walls, a closed top having an exterior top surface, a closed bottom an interior bottom compartment and at least one access opening into the interior bottom compartment, and a compartmentalized tray having a plurality of individual removable compartments. A removable tray positioned within the interior bottom portion having removable interconnected walls cooperating to define a plurality of individual storage compartments. A track system is included to attach the top portion to the bottom portion, where the track system has a first component and a second component that slidingly engage one another.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, an electronic luggage device may be disclosed. The electronic luggage device may be fully TSA and FAA compliant. The device may be capable of communicating both wirelessly and by wired connection(s) to other devices. The electronic luggage device may also charge other devices by battery and in turn be charged by other electric power facilities. The electronic luggage device may have GPS capabilities, an intelligent “sleep-mode,” multiple various charging and communicatory ports, a recessed telescoping handle fixture, a hidden battery compartment, and a high capacity removable battery. The removable battery may be retained by any locking means understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The removable battery may be automatically or manually ejected. This may be accomplished by a spring-loaded force, a slot and rail system, or equivalents as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Abstract: A flat iron with two opposing portions, the first featuring a comb and the second featuring a ditch for the comb to received, thereby providing a flush surface for the opposing portions to adequately and evenly apply heat to hair strands separated by the comb.

Abstract: A double heat resistant comb flat Iron, with built in combs attached to the Iron clamp/body is disclosed. My invention improves on these difficulties because mastering the ability to use two hands and hair tools isn't necessary. Also, using my invention makes straightening hair convenient and gives better results.

Abstract: A fingernail polishing assembly for sanding fingernails and toenails includes a vibration unit that may be manipulated. A sander is removably coupled to the vibration unit. The sander may frictionally engage a nail when the vibration unit is manipulated. Thus, the sander may sand the nail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) for accommodating a liquid, in particular a deodorant roller, has a container jacket (2), a discharge opening (3) arranged in the container jacket (2), a supporting and holding unit (4) which is arranged on the container jacket (2) and which encloses a flow channel (5) connected to the discharge opening (3), and a ball (6) arranged such that the ball can rotate in the supporting and holding unit (4) and is able to seal off said flow channel (5) with respect to the surroundings of the container (1). Formed between the supporting and holding unit (4) and the ball (6) are at least three contact areas (7), which run around the ball (6) and are formed substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, at least two contact areas (7) are formed as a supporting and holding areas (8), and at least one contact area (7) as a sealing area (9).

Abstract: An automated hair color dispensing device that includes: a plurality of color cartridges; tubing extending from each cartridge; an input color selection; a control system, wherein the control system releases color from a subset of the plurality of color cartridges based upon the input color selection; and a means to provide the input color selection. The means to provide the input color selection may be a scanner or a software application, where the software application is available on a computer tablet.

Abstract: A process manufactures a padding device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e), for a carrying belt system (100) for a respirator (1000), having a closed pad core shell (20) and a pad core (30) configured in the pad core shell. The process includes injection molding a hollow profiled section, inserting of a pad core material into the hollow profiled section for forming the pad core in the hollow profiled section, and closing the hollow profiled section (21) for creating the closed pad core shell (20). The padding device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) has a closed pad core shell (20) and a pad core (30) arranged in the pad core shell. The pad core shell is seamless as an injection-molded component in at least some sections. A carrying belt system as well as a respirator with the carrying belt system are provided with the belt system having the padding device.