Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for brewing beverages. A brewing system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a fluid conduit system, an air conduit system, a valve, and a pump. The valve is coupled to the fluid conduit system and the air conduit system. The pump is coupled to the valve. The valve selectively accesses the fluid conduit system and the air conduit system such that the pump selectively pumps fluid and selectively pumps air.

Abstract: A brewing unit (100) for a beverage producing device (900) is disclosed. The brewing unit (100) includes a main body (102) defining a cavity (200) for receiving multiple types/formats of capsules (120). Further, one or more piercing members (106) are also included in the brewing unit (100). Furthermore, the one or more piercing members (106) are actuated by an actuator (108) to pierce or not to pierce the capsule (120) when the brewing unit (100) is in at least one of corresponding piercing mode/non-piercing mode.

Abstract: A multicompartment capsule for use with a beverage forming apparatus includes a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The sidewall includes a rim extending outwardly from an upper end thereof. The rim surrounds an opening of the multicompartment capsule wherein an upper surface of the outwardly extending rim is sealed to a lower surface of a lid. At least one partition extends through an interior of the multicompartment capsule so as to form a first sealed compartment that is fluidly isolated from a second sealed compartment. The first sealed compartment includes a first beverage formulation and the second sealed compartment includes a second beverage formulation. The first beverage formulation is reactive with the second beverage formulation and the partition separates the first beverage formulation from the second beverage formulation to extend the shelf life of the multicompartment capsule.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine for dispensing beverages comprising: a housing; a first reservoir station; a first reservoir for containing an aqueous medium, the first reservoir being connectable to said first reservoir station; an auxiliary module station for receiving an auxiliary module.

Abstract: A cooking pot assembly includes a pot that may contain a fluid. The pot has a bottom wall that is hingedly coupled to an outer wall. Thus, the pot may selectively drain the fluid. A strainer is coupled to the pot. The strainer may retain food items in the pot when the fluid is drained from the pot. A pair of handles is provided. Each of the handles is coupled to the pot and each of the handles may be manipulated. A trigger is coupled to the pot and the trigger may be manipulated. The trigger is in mechanical communication with the bottom wall of the pot. The trigger urges the bottom wall between the open position and the closed position when the trigger is manipulated.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance that includes an oven cavity and an oven door is pivotally coupled adjacent to an entrance leading into the oven cavity, and a method of controlling such a cooking appliance. The oven door includes a substantially opaque region that interferes with external observation of the oven cavity while the door is in the closed orientation, and an electrochromic indicator provided to the opaque region. The electrochromic indicator includes a material with a first appearance that renders the electrochromic indicator substantially indistinguishable from the opaque region in a first operational state, and a second appearance in a second operational state that contrasts with the opaque region to issue a notification related to operation of the cooking appliance.

Abstract: A kitchen workspace and a method of organizing a kitchen workspace is set forth. The kitchen workspace is consolidated into a small footprint area with automated vertical storage shelves for storing and housing kitchen items and kitchen appliances. The automated storage shelves may be provided with electrical power for powering kitchen appliances found on the shelves. Kitchen appliances may be rotated around the automated storage shelves while the appliances are being used. One or more food cooking devices above a sink are able to be moved while being fixed to a kitchen wall.

Abstract: A fuel source combustion assembly is configured to allow for easy and safe reloading of a pre-ignited fuel source, in particular charcoal, into a cooking apparatus, such as a smoker, barbecue grill, indoor cooker, and the like. The assembly has a housing, to an inside of which a hamper is installed so as to be able to rotate through an opening on an outside wall of the housing. While in the rotated position, hamper is configured to present a rectangular opening, into which the fuel source may be poured. After the hamper is loaded, it can be rotated so as to be back inside of housing to be secured securely (e.g., by an external door).

Abstract: The devices, methods, and algorithms of the present disclosure provide a hot food holding cabinet to detect the presence and uniquely identify a plurality of food holding trays within a plurality of food holding locations within a hot food holding cabinet. There can also be multiple, separate food holding cabinets that are linked together. Timing and other functions related to the storage of the food holding trays are initiated automatically, without any manual input from a user. This allows for the automated initiation and tracking of product quality parameters by the cabinet computer. The parameters can include product timers and holding profiles, and whether the food holding trays are removed, transferred between bins in a single cabinet, or transferred between separate cabinets.

Abstract: An infant bathing assembly includes a tub that may have an infant positioned therein thereby facilitating the infant to be bathed in the tub. The tub has a bottom wall and the bottom wall is undulated. Thus, the bottom wall may accommodate contours of the infant when the infant is positioned in the tub thereby enhancing comfort of the infant. The tub has a length of at least fifty centimeters.

Abstract: A shower liner system configured to engage a shower rod having a rib with a strut slidably engaging the shower rod and a panel disposed approximately perpendicular to the strut having a top end and a bottom end. A liner can include a waterproof body with a top header disposed approximate the shower rod and having an engagement point, and a second header disposed away from the first header toward the floor. The top end of the panel engages the first header and the second end of the panel engages the second header. The rib is configured to hang at least a portion of the liner at an angle to the shower rod.

Abstract: A bar soap recycling device comprises a container with an opening, a lid, a screen mesh with a handle, and a faucet. Used bar soaps and water are added to the container to form a soap solution. The screen mesh is used to smash the bar soaps into small pieces for a fast dissolving. The soap solution is dispensed through the faucet for hand wash or other cleaning uses.

Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a drive motor and a foam pump operatively coupled to the drive motor. The foam pump is secured to the housing and the foam pump includes a housing and a molded multi-chamber diaphragm. The molded multi-chamber diaphragm includes a liquid pump chamber, two or more air pump chambers; and an outlet valve. A mixing chamber is included and located downstream of the outlet valve for mixing foamable liquid from the liquid pump diaphragm with air from each of the two or more air pump chambers. In addition, a foam cartridge and an outlet for dispensing foam are also included.

Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.

Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.

Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.

Abstract: A toilet seat and toilet lid assembly is provided which prevents bodily waste from undesirably exiting flushing toilets and contaminating surrounding areas and surfaces. More particularly, the assembly comprises an annular toilet seat and a lid, hingedly attached to the seat. An underside of the lid is configured to closely mate with the opening formed in the seat. Prior to flushing a toilet, a user may pivotally close the assembly, which may be secured over a toilet bowl. When closed, a male protrusion in the lid may be closely mated with the opening in the seat to prevent contaminants within the toilet bowl from exiting such bowl when activating the toilet's flushing capability agitates water and waste contained therein.

Abstract: A toilet bowl apparatus includes: a toilet bowl main body; a functional part installed at an upper section of the toilet bowl main body; a seal member attached to at least one of the toilet bowl main body and the functional part and disposed in a gap between the toilet bowl main body and the functional part, and the seal member includes a soft seal body and an elastic body covered by the soft seal body.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a uniflow cyclone with a front cyclone air inlet and a rear air cyclone outlet.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member having an air inlet passage which comprises a handle for the air treatment member and a door lock of the air treatment member wherein, when a user's hand is holding the air treatment member by the air treatment member handle, the door release actuator is operable by the same hand.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a hand vacuum cleaner, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit extending between the surface cleaning head and the hand vacuum cleaner. The hand vacuum cleaner comprises a main body and a removably mounted air treatment member. The air treatment member has an air inlet and the outlet end of the rigid air flow conduit is removably connectable in air flow communication with the air inlet.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a main body and a removably mounted air treatment member. The air treatment member has an air flow passage which comprises a handle for the air treatment member.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air outlet having an associated electrical outlet for an accessory cleaning tool. The electrical outlet has at least electrical connector that is moveably mounted and biased to a de-energized position.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a main body has a driving handle and houses a suction motor and fan assembly, the suction motor and fan assembly having a suction motor axis of rotation wherein the driving handle has a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the upper end above the lower end. An air treatment member has a dirt collection region having an openable door provided on a front end of the air treatment member.

Abstract: A clutch device for an upright vacuum cleaner and an upright vacuum cleaner having the same are provided. The clutch device is disposed between an electric motor assembly and a machine body assembly of the upright vacuum cleaner, the electric motor assembly includes an electric motor housing and an electric motor, the machine body assembly includes a machine body and a bridging member rotatably connected to the electric motor housing. The clutch device includes a slide chute; and a triggering member having a first end provided with a sliding column slidaby fitted in the slide chute and a second end provided with a toggling rod configured to stir the electric motor to move. When the bridging member drives the slide chute to move, the sliding column slides along the slide chute to rotate the triggering member. When the triggering member rotates, the toggling rod stirs the electric motor to rotate.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes a body that defines a suction chamber, the suction chamber having a suction inlet for engaging a surface to be cleaned, and an outlet for fluid connection to a suction generator of a vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head further includes first and second brush bars each configured to contact a surface engaged by the suction inlet, and a drive mechanism which has an actuator. The drive mechanism is configured to rotate the brush bars about respective axes. The drive mechanism is also configured to rotate the first brush bar independently of the second brush bar, and to rotate the second brush bar independently of the first brush bar.

Abstract: A wand and hose assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a suction wand fluidly connected to the end of a suction hose by a duct and the duct incorporates an articulating joint for allowing articulated movement of the suction wand relative to the end of the suction hose. The wand and the duct are arranged for telescopic sliding movement relative to one another, and the articulating joint is moveable into a position in which the wand can slide telescopically through the duct for retraction into the suction hose.

Abstract: A charging stand (100) for a vacuum cleaner (200) includes: a body (1); and a pedal (2) disposed on the body (1) and pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the pedal (2) is in the first position, the vacuum cleaner (200) is suitable to be placed on the pedal (2) to be charged.

Abstract: A charging stand (100) for a vacuum cleaner (200) includes: a body (1); and a blade (4) vertically disposed on the body (1), in which the blade (4) extends curvedly along a length direction of the blade (4) and is configured to cut off hairs wound around a brushroll (201) of the vacuum cleaner (200).

Abstract: A dusting device for a cleaning machine, being capable of detachably assembled to a bottom of the cleaning machine, includes at least a first rotary disc, a second rotary disc, an idler pulley, a driving rope unit, and dusting elements respectively attached to the first and second rotary discs. The driving rope unit is movably disposed on the first rotary disc, the idler pulley, and the second rotary disc. The first rotary disc is driven to rotate by a motor installed in the cleaning machine, and the idle pulley is driven to rotate by the driving rope unit and the first rotary disc, so as to further drive the second rotary disc to rotate in conjunction with the first rotary disc, whereby enabling the dusting elements to rotate to dust and clean a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person, visually indicating and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.

Abstract: A dish treating appliance for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation can comprise a tub defining a treating chamber. The treating chamber can fluidly couple to condenser having an inlet, an outlet, and a condensing passage. The condenser can further comprise multiple ambient air inlets to mix humid air drawn from the treating chamber with ambient air within the condenser. The condenser can further integrate a water inlet with a condenser outlet, such that a water supply and condensed liquid can be provided to the treating chamber through the same opening.

Abstract: A cleaning tool includes: an adhesive portion that adsorbs an object to be adsorbed and a film portion that includes the adhesive portion. The film portion includes a hole portion which expands in accordance with an external force applied to the film portion. The adhesive portion is exposed to the outside of the film portion via the hole portion in a case where the external force equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude is applied to the film portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for method of determining the shape of a flexible endoscope. The invention may include registering image-space coordinates of a path of a flexible endoscope within the anatomy of a patient to patient-space coordinates of the path of the flexible endoscope within the anatomy of the patient. In some embodiments, the image space coordinates of the path of the flexible endoscope may be predicted coordinates such as, for example, a calculated centerline through a conduit-like organ, or a calculated “most likely path” of the flexible endoscope within the anatomy of the patient. In other embodiments, the path of the flexible endoscope may be an actual path determined using intra-operative images of the patient's anatomy with the flexible endoscope inserted therein. The registered instrument may then be navigated to one or more items of interest for performance of the endoscopic medical procedure.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, endoscopes, and endoscope sheaths are provided having an integrally formed imaging window. The sheath may comprise thin coiled wires and may be made using a dip-casting process.

Abstract: A carrying platform for moving a device within a conduit, the carrying platform comprising: a body configured to be moveable within the conduit; a number of clampers provided on the body and configured to releasably engage the conduit for immobilizing the carrying platform relative to the conduit; and a device engagement mechanism provided on the body and configured to releasably engage the device.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a connector portion for electrically coupling to an external connector. The connector portion includes: a base portion having a tubular shape; and a tubular sleeve portion extending from the base portion, at least a part of an end portion of the sleeve portion being provided with a cutout portion. When a water-resistant cap is installed at the connector portion, the endoscope takes any state of a first state where an abutting portion of the water-resistant cap configured to abut on the sleeve portion abuts on the sleeve portion on a side of the base portion with respect to the cutout portion to hold an airtightness between the water-resistant cap and the connector portion, and a second state where the abutting portion abuts on or faces the sleeve portion including the cutout portion to make non-airtight between the water-resistant cap and the connector portion.

Abstract: A conduit control device includes a cylinder member, a piston member, an attachment section including a rigid cylinder, a compression spring, a first elastic member being brought into contact with a contact surface of the rigid cylinder and elastically deformed to thereby seal a gap in a state in which the piston member is depressed via the button section, and a second elastic member brought into contact with an exterior member and elastically deformed to thereby seal a gap in a state in which the piston member is depressed via the button section.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a light source unit that alternatingly emits first illumination light and second illumination light; an imaging means for generating a first image signal of a subject illuminated by the first illumination light, and generating a second image signal of the subject illuminated by the second illumination light; a first image signal storing means for storing the first image signals; a second image signal storing means for storing the second image signals; an image evaluation value calculating means for calculating at least one of image evaluation values based on the first image signals and image evaluation values based on the second image signals; an image signal selecting means for selecting a first display image signal and selecting a second display image signal based on the image evaluation values; and a displaying means for displaying a first image and a second image that are based on the first display image signal and the second display image signal respectively.

Abstract: To provide an image pickup unit that can prevent axis deviation of a movable lens barrel and obtain high-quality picked-up image, a stopper member is positioned and fixed in a state in which the stopper member is abutted against an outer circumferential surface of a rear group lens barrel, movement of a movable lens barrel to a retraction side along a photographing optical axis is restricted by contact of a stopper section of the stopper member and an operation rod, and a movable lens is held in a position for realizing a second focal length.

Abstract: A light source device includes a primary light source that emits primary light, a light guide that guides the primary light, an optical conversion unit that converts the primary light emitted from the light guide and having a first light distribution angle into secondary light having a second light distribution angle and emits the secondary light, and a light distribution adjustment unit that adjusts the secondary light to illumination light having a third light distribution angle and emits the illumination light. The light distribution adjustment unit and the optical conversion unit slide each other. The light distribution adjustment unit allows a light distribution adjustment amount for adjusting the second light distribution angle of the secondary light to adjust to the third light distribution angle of the illumination light.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for imaging at least one anatomical structure can be provided. For example, the apparatus can include an endoscopic first arrangement, a radiation source second arrangement which provides at least one electro-magnetic radiation, and a third arrangement attached to at least one portion of the endoscopic arrangement. The third arrangement can contain an optical arrangement which, upon impact by the at least one electro-magnetic radiation and based thereon, may transmit a first radiation and reflects a second radiation. The first radiation can impact at least one first portion of the anatomical structure(s), and the second radiation can impact at least one second portion of the anatomical structure(s). The first and second portions can be at least partially different from one another. Further, the first and second radiations can have characteristics which are different from one another.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system, method, and wireless endoscope for performing internal imaging. A first portion of a wireless endoscope including at least a lens and a light emitter for physical connection to a second portion of the wireless endoscope is received. The first portion is interchangeable. The first portion is inserted into a body while the second portion remains outside the body. The wireless endoscope is powered on in response to receiving user input from a user. A distal end proximate the lens is illuminated utilizing a light in communication with the light emitter. Video inside the body is captured utilizing a camera in communication with the lens. The video is wireless communicated to a receiver associated with a display.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a device, method, and wireless viewing system. The wireless viewing system includes a light emitter integrated in a first portion. The wireless viewing system also includes a lens positioned proximate the light emitter in the first portion. The light emitter and the lens are inserted into a body. The first portion is interchangeable. The wireless viewing system further includes a connector physically securing the first portion to the second portion. The second portion is not inserted into the body. The wireless viewing system further includes a camera capturing video content received through the lens. The wireless viewing system further includes a wireless transmitter transmits the video content to a receiver associated with a displaying device.

Abstract: In order to take advantage of the real time nature of intra-operative refraction or wavefront aberrometry, and visually make the history of the measurements apparent to a surgeon, a histogram of frequency vs IOL results calculated from an IOL formula is computed and IOL suggestions being accumulated are displayed in a histogram. One embodiment is a means to present to a surgeon a histogram of intra-operative refractions. Another embodiment is to automatically and intra-operatively detect the aphakic phase of a cataract surgery to display a histogram of a recommended IOL power.

Abstract: An excitation force (internal or external) and phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, used in conjunction with a data analyzing algorithm, is capable of measuring and quantifying biomechanical parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The method was approbated and demonstrated on an example of the system that combines a pulsed ultrasound system capable of producing an acoustic radiation force on the crystalline lens surface and a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the lens displacement caused by the acoustic radiation force. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. The noninvasive measurement method also utilizes phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) to distinguish between tissue stiffness, such as that attributable to disease, and effects on measured stiffness that result from external factors, such as pressure applied to the tissue.

Abstract: The present specification describes methods and systems for modifying a media, such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, or Mixed Reality (VR/AR/MxR) media based on a vision profile and a target application. In embodiments of the specification, a Sensory Data Exchange (SDE) is created that enables identification of various vision profiles for users and user groups. The SDE may be utilized to modify one or more media in accordance with each type of user and/or user group.

Abstract: The invention relates to mobile computer devices, front-mounted optical systems and computer program products allowing perimetry measurement.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus which captures a tomographic image of a subject's eye using interference light obtained by combining a return light from the subject's eye irradiated by measurement light and a reference light includes a control unit configured to perform (a) control, when a first imaging mode for capturing the tomographic image of the subject's eye is selected, to display the tomographic image as a first tomographic image of the subject's eye on a display unit and (b) control, when a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode is selected, to display a second tomographic image of the subject's eye on the display unit, the second tomographic image generated using the tomographic image to increase intensity of the second tomographic image higher than that of the first tomographic image.

Abstract: A method, a controller, and a non-transitory medium for controlling an optical-image pickup apparatus. Receiving quality data representative of quality of wavefront data. Comparing the quality data to a threshold. Performing normal adaptive optics feedback if the wavefront data is of sufficient quality. Performing an initial adjustment if the wavefront data is not of sufficient quality. The initial adjustment comprising sending control information to modify the optical path in which light is radiated onto a subject. After the initial adjustment, receiving new quality data that is based on new wavefront data after the optical path has been modified. Performing the normal adaptive optics feedback if the quality information indicates that the wavefront data is of sufficient quality. Re-performing the initial adjustment if the new quality information indicates that the wavefront data is not of sufficient quality.