Abstract: Trays for food are disclosed. A tray includes a plurality of receptacles, or compartments, for different courses of a meal (e.g., the entrée, a vegetable, a fruit, a starch, a dessert, a drink, etc.). Compartments for relatively unhealthful items may be configured to make the portion sizes of those items appear to be larger than they are, while compartments for healthful items may be configured to make the portion sizes of those items appear to be smaller than they are. The tray may also be configured to ensure that healthful items are positioned closest to an individual who is eating from the tray. Methods for presenting food to an individual are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container lid is disclosed that accepts a snap-on container. The lid includes a continuous outer coupling trough for attachment to the open top of a beverage container where the trough circumscribes a footprint of the container lid. A straw-hole planar surface is disposed within the footprint, the straw-hole planar surface is adjacent to the outer coupling trough and a hole for drinking a liquid in the container extends through the straw-hole planar surface. A riser wall extends away from the straw-hole planar surface and defines a first planar surface above the straw-hole planar surface. A sip hole extends through the first planar surface. A food container coupling wall connects to the first planar surface and extends from the first planar surface to a position lower than the first planar surface and a food container coupling bottom connected to the food container coupling wall.

Abstract: A child snacking device is disclosed. The child snacking device may include a handle, having a first end and a second end with an elongated region extending therebetween, and a plurality of food restraining surfaces comprising polymeric microfiber fabric, with the plurality of food restraining surfaces extending from a portion of the handle. The child snacking device may include a core region with a plurality of food restraining surfaces comprising polymeric microfiber fabric extending from the core region. The food restraining surfaces may removably adhere a cereal-based food product thereto.

Abstract: A device is for cracking a shell of a food item. The device has a first plier, a second plier and a pivot rotatably connecting the first plier with the second plier for enabling the food item, when arranged between the pliers, to be compressed between the pliers by a rotation of the pliers towards each other. The device further comprises a lockable spacing arrangement having an acceleration dependent locking device adapted to permit the rotation of the two pliers towards each other if an acceleration of the rotation is below a threshold value and adapted to lock the rotation of the two pliers towards each other if the acceleration of the rotation is equal to or exceeding said threshold value.

Abstract: The invention provides improved straws, which are formed from paperboard sheets comprised of rapidly renewable resources and are recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. The paperboard sheets are comprised of bamboo, bagasse, reed or any combination or singularity thereof.

Abstract: A cup stacking and holding assembly is disclosed with methods of application in standard use and with internal electronics for visual displays. The cup holder assembly may be manufactured in various configurations, all providing a cup rack for convenient and stable stacking of disposable cups. The cup rack may comprise: a base providing a surface for abutting support for a plurality of cups; a cup retainer plate coupled to the base; a plurality of cup retaining apertures formed within the cup retainer plate, each cup retaining aperture sized to receive a corresponding cup and having a diameter smaller than the largest exterior diameter of the corresponding cup; the cup retainer plate moveable from a first closed position parallel and proximal to the surface for abutting support to a second open position for insertion of cups within the cup retaining apertures.

Abstract: A bottle storage includes a container that contains a bottle; a cooling-warming apparatus provided to surround a position where the bottle is contained; and an image capturer that captures an image of the bottle contained in the container. The cooling-warming apparatus has a gap at least at a portion of the cooling-warming apparatus corresponding to at least a part of an image capturing region of the image capturer.

Abstract: A suspension aid 1 has a frame 3a, 3b and two curved arms 5, 7 rotatably connected thereto. The frame is provided with two pivot axes 9 about which the arms are rotatable. Between the arms there is a transmission element 11 which is slidable in the frame. A suspension element 13 to which an object can be suspended is attached to the transmission element. The arms are rotatably connected to the frame near a first end 5a, 7a and are provided with a toothing 17, 19. The transmission element is provided with two toothed racks 21, 23 which are in engagement with the toothings. The transmission element is provided with a contact surface 29 which, when the suspension aid is around the tube, comes into contact with the tube and stops the transmission element, whereby the frame moves with respect to the transmission element and thereby rotate the two arms with their free ends towards each other.

Abstract: A screw-rod squeeze juicer includes a base having a motor, a crushing chamber mounted on the base, and a screw rod arranged inside the crushing chamber. The crushing chamber includes a crushing chamber body, the crushing chamber body has a juice outlet and a residue outlet, the crushing chamber has a feeding opening and a feeding channel connected to the feeding opening, the feeding channel includes an upper opening and a lower opening connected to the feeding opening. A rotatable overturn storage container is provided at the upper opening, a rotation center of the overturn storage container traverses the upper opening, and the overturn storage container is configured for placing a material and is rotatable about the rotation center in any direction.

Abstract: A food steaming assembly for steaming food includes a pot that is configured to position water. An extrusion is coupled to and extends from an inner surface of the pot. A tray, which has a circumference that is substantially complementary to a perimeter of the pot, is positionable within the pot on the extrusion and above the water. An aperture is centrally positioned through the tray. A tube, which has opposing ends that are complementary to the aperture, is reversibly couplable to the tray such that the tube is alignably positioned with the aperture. The tube is configured to allow a user to observe a level of the water in the pot and to add water, as required, through the tube into the pot.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least two cooking devices, a control unit, an input device and an output device. The control unit is adapted to determine if at least two of the foodstuffs to be cooked can be cooked in one of the cooking devices in an at least partly concurrent manner. Depending thereon, the control unit allocates the foodstuffs to be cooked to the cooking devices and outputs, via the output device, which of the foodstuffs can be cooked in which cooking device or in which cooking devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for preparing a beverage, in particular for preparing a protein-containing mixed beverage, having the following: a mixing device (100); at least one first container (200) for storing a pourable substrate (210); at least one first supply device (220) which is provided for supplying the pourable substrate (210) out of one of the first containers (200) to the mixing device (100); at least one second container (300) for storing an at least substantially liquid substrate (310); at least one second supply device (320) which is provided for supplying the at least substantially liquid substrate (310) from one of the second containers (300) to the mixing device (100); a third supply device (420) which is provided for supplying a carrier liquid (410) to the mixing device (100); and a dispensing device (500) which is provided for dispensing the beverage into a container (600), in particular a container which can be removed from the device (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of modular baby food preparation devices and use thereof. The present invention provides a modular baby food preparation device comprising: (a) a stationary unit, comprising: (i) a water boiling tank; (ii) a water cooling system; and (iii) a water pump; (b) an optionally detachable and portable baby food dispenser, fluidly connected to said stationary unit, comprising: (i) a baby food capsule holder; and (ii) an actuator for opening said baby food capsule; (c) a computer having a processor and a memory; (d) a control panel/circuit; and (e) a display unit.

Abstract: An embossed paper-based bakeable tray having a bottom surface and sidewalls and an embossed pattern formed in the bottom surface providing a series of closely spaced projections substantially entirely over the bottom surface.

Abstract: An improved chafer rack and panel assembly having hingedly attached and removable wind-shield panels connected to integral wire bars of the chafer rack.

Abstract: A barbecue grill and shelf assembly in which the grill has a cooking chamber. A hollowed bracket is attached to the cooking chamber and has a tube secured thereto and defining a hollow interior. A shelf with a distal end and a proximal and has a cylindrical post depending downwardly from the proximal end, whereby the post is received in the tube for pivotally mounting the shelf to the cooking chamber. The hollowed bracket serves to insulate the shelf mount and the securing mechanism from the heat of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A barbeque grill scraper and related methods of use that utilize a scraping end formed of a heat-responsive material to remove char and other debris from the grilling surface. The grill scraper includes a conformable scraping edge formed of the heat-responsive material. As the conformable scraping edge is drawn back and forth along the heated grilling surface, a combination of pressure applied by a user as well as the heat of the grill surface results in the formation of individual grooves along the conformable scraping edge, wherein each groove is formed to match an upper profile of the grilling surface. Over time, the grooves fully conform to the upper profile of the grilling surface such that an entire cooking surface can be scraped clean of char and debris.

Abstract: A cookware which may have a titanium pan bottom that has been bisected by a thermal partition into two independent cooking sections. The thermal partition is configured to thermally insulate a first cooking portion and a second cooking portion from each other. A sidewall and the pan bottom together forming a cooking cavity. A lid is configured to close the cooking cavity. A first heating element is coupled to the base and thermally coupled to the first cooking portion of the pan bottom. A second heating element is coupled to the base and thermally coupled to the second cooking portion of the pan bottom. A removably attached user interface is in communication with a heating controller and configured to set a first cooking temperature and a second cooking temperature, independently of each other. The cookware further features a removably attached temperature gage.

Abstract: A plastic, transparent food mould for use in the preparation of non-baked moulded foods, comprising a sleeve having a continuous peripheral wall about opposite openings surrounded by terminal edges of the peripheral wall, and a closure plate for closing a lower one of the openings of the sleeve element and thus defines with the sleeve a mould cavity into which food may be received for setting/moulding, wherein the closure plate has on a first face thereof, which in use closes the lower opening, a rim protrusion extending into the cavity and engaging with a cavity-facing, inner surface of the peripheral wall in a transition fit of such nature as to secure the closure plate in a releasable manner to the sleeve, preferably in sealing engagement, and wherein the closure plate has on a second face thereof a skirt protruding therefrom located radially inward from a peripheral edge of the closure plate.

Abstract: Rice-washing work can be easily performed by anyone, and proper rice-washing of various kinds of rice can be performed irrespective of an amount of rice. Namely, conventional apparatuses have not dealt with water absorption, infiltration, swelling, weakening, dissolving, and unpleasant taste, making it difficult to secure Japanese style rice quality in a white rice state. The present invention provides a rice-polishing technique for reproducing the quality. Provided is a rice washer that can be installed in a saved space not to cause obstruction even when installed in a kitchen. The rice washer according to the present invention includes a charging part into which milled rice is charged; a pressurized-stirring part provided at a rear-stage of the charging part and configured to, while pressurizing, stir and sequentially feed the milled rice charged from the charging part; a first water supply part configured to supply water to the pressurized-stirring part.

Abstract: A plug (10) comprising a body (12) having a base portion (22) and an upper portion (24), the base portion (22) being receivable in an outlet (14) of a bath to prevent water flow. An actuator (42) is provided within the body (12) being moveable from a retracted position to an extended position. A timer is operable such that when a time period has elapsed from activation of the timer, the actuator (42) moves from the retracted to the extended position. In the extended position, the actuator (42) moves the body (12) of the plug (10) to disengage the plug (10) from the outlet (14) such that water may flow outwardly through the outlet (14).

Abstract: Implementations of a ring for a hookless shower curtain are provided. In some implementations, the ring comprises a body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter defining an interior opening bounded by the body except at an elongated opening in the body, wherein the inner diameter is sized such that the ring can fit around and slide along a shower curtain rod. In some implementations, the body comprises an outer, front surface and an outer, back surface, opposite the outer front surface wherein the slit extends from the inner diameter to the outer diameter and from the outer, front surface to the outer, back surface. In some implementations, the outer, front surface and the outer, back surface conceal the interior parts of the ring when the ring is viewed from a front elevation or back elevation.

Abstract: This invention addresses waste of liquids in all sorts of bottles/containers made from plastic, glass, metals bottles, containers, dispensers, caps which use pumping action to expel all sorts of liquids. Inside the bottles will be installed a refillables enclosed bags for liquids made from plastic/silicon based membrane inserted in plastic and glass bottles (containers) filling the volume within the bottles/containers, expelling the liquids using various type of pumps to improve suction of leftover (excess) of liquid as oil base, water base, soap base as shampoo, and any liquid in the bottom of the containers. The inner sealable, elastic, contracting, collapsing membrane made from flexible silicon base, and/or/with, plastic base, and/or/with rubber base, and/or/with nylon base, and/or/with, metal base material and/or from a combination of the material/s.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of universal mounting brackets and dispensers with mounting brackets are disclosed herein. An exemplary universal dispenser mounting bracket includes a base. The base has a first surface for connecting to a dispenser. A first spring arm extends from the base in a first direction and has a first arm clamp. A second spring arm extends from the base in a second direction and has a second arm clamp. The first and second spring arms have a rest position and a biased position. Moving the first and second spring arms away from their rest position generates a clamp force in the spring arms that urges the first and second spring arms toward their rest position. When the mounting bracket is mounted to a surface, the base is on a first side of the surface and the first and second clamp arms are on a second side of the surface and the clamp force generated by the spring arms secures the mounting bracket to the surface.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a dispenser housing, a container for holding a foamable liquid, a foam pump, an outlet in fluid communication with the foam pump, and a vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism in fluid communication with the foam pump and the outlet. The foam pump has a liquid pump portion and an air pump portion. The vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism includes a chamber and a movable member. The chamber has a vacuum port that is in fluid communication with the air pump portion of the foam pump, and a suck-back port that is in fluid communication with the outlet. The movable member of the vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism moves under vacuum pressure to reduce the volume of the chamber. The volume of the chamber increases upon removal of the vacuum pressure.

Abstract: The current invention are towels that are designed to wrap up wet hair, to control and assist in drying wet hair. It is a Birds Eye Organic cotton fabric cut to taper. The wide end is rounded, to be placed on the back of the head, and hair will end near the tapering end. The tapering fabric is twisted and secured in place over the user's head. The single-piece model will have a single opening, and use elastic bands to hold the opening on the head. A multi-piece model can be made, in which the tapered end is secured to the broad base either by sliding into a loop or by a loop and button.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for providing a web for cleansing, the apparatus comprising a web, a liquor reservoir, a liquor actuator for applying liquor from the reservoir to the web at a predetermined location and an air actuator for directing air through the web at the predetermined location so as to generate foam from the liquor.

Abstract: The present invention is for wipe dispensers for dispensing interconnected wipes. An exemplary wipes dispenser may include a container body and a removable lid forming an interior region into which a plurality of interconnected wipes may be disposed. Pulling on a lead end of a lead wipe causes a following wipe to also be pulled and follow the lead wipe. The removable lid may cover a portion of a container aperture (e.g., an open top of the container body). A landing member in the lid covers a portion of the container aperture by extending from a top rim of the container body toward the middle of the interior region. The landing member may form an angle with a substantially vertical exterior wall of the container, where the formed angle may be less than 90°. In an embodiment, the landing member may include a concavely shaped portion. The landing member may include one or more fingers.

Abstract: A hand dryer includes a nozzle for blowing out an airflow toward a drying space, which is open at the front and the left and right sides so that hands can be freely inserted and withdrawn, and a water receiving part that receives water droplets blown away from hands inserted in the drying space by the airflow blown out vertically downward from the nozzle. While the airflow is being blown out vertically downward from the nozzle, the water receiving part and the nozzle do not directly face each other.

Abstract: A chair commode. The chair is designed to look like a functional, decorative furniture piece while providing the utility of a chair that a person can relieve himself or herself thereupon. The chair provides a seat with a hole to a seat housing. A removable bowl is disposed in the seat housing to receive objects passing through the hole.

Abstract: Toilet seat cleaning devices, methods and systems are described. Toilet seat cleaning systems may include a toilet, a toilet seat, a sensor, and a fluid dispenser. Toilet seats may include a flow way, at least one opening and at least one surface whereon fluids from a fluid dispenser may be communicated. Fluid dispensers may include a fluid container and a dispenser mechanism. Methods of using toilet seat cleaning systems may include a user influencing the activation of a dispenser mechanism; the dispenser mechanism influencing the communication of fluid from a fluid container to a flow way; the fluid being communicated through the flow way and out of at least one opening and onto at least one surface of a toilet seat; and the fluid on the at least one surface of the toilet seat being engaged by the user in order to clean the toilet seat.

Abstract: An air blowing device includes a motor, a ring-shaped cover, an impeller, and an impeller housing. The impeller includes a base portion and moving blades. The impeller housing includes an exhaust air guide portion. The ring-shaped cover includes a ring-shaped cover upper face portion and a ring-shaped cover outer edge portion having faces disposed across a gap that configures a flow path through which a fluid is guided. The gap has a first width where a distance between the faces is shortest, and which is smaller than a flow-in opening width where the fluid flows into the gap and a flow-out opening width where the fluid flows out.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a body formed by a foam material, the body having a first end and a second end. The vacuum cleaner further includes an air inlet adjacent the first end, an air outlet, and an airflow passage that extends from the air inlet to the air outlet. A suction source is disposed within the body operable to generate an airflow that travels from the air inlet through the air outlet. A separator is in communication with the airflow passage operable to filter dirt from the airflow. A battery is releasably mounted to a battery receiving portion operable to supply power to the suction source when the battery is mounted to the battery receiving portion and the battery receiving portion is in the second end of the body.

Abstract: A dust collector includes a tank, a main body, a suction fan, a flexible pre-filter, and a main filter. The tank includes a suction opening. The main body is fixed to an upper portion of the tank. The suction fan is disposed at the main body. The suction fan is rotated by a motor. The flexible pre-filter is housed in the tank at a lower side of the main body. The pre-filter is positioned at an upstream side of external air suctioned from the suction opening. The main filter is positioned at a downstream side of the pre-filter. The main filter has a plate shape disposed laterally.

Abstract: Described are methods, apparatuses, and systems for securing a vacuum appliance to a vacuum device including a first locking adapter that includes a tab and a second locking adapter that includes a receiving slot. The first and second adapters form an airtight seal when the tab is received by the slot by rotating one adapter relative to the other. The receiving slot can include a slot terminus to restrict rotational movement of the first adapter relative to the second. The apparatus can further include a securing slot that can secure the tab within a slot terminus such that a portion of the second locking adapter adjacent to the receiving slot is adapted to flex. Through the described rotation, the first and second adapters tighten and become rigid thus minimizing both the slippage between these two elements and the leakage between the vacuum device and any attached appliances.

Abstract: A self-propelled electronic device including: at least one drive wheel disposed at a bottom of a housing, the drive wheel traveling the housing while being displaced in a vertical direction in accordance with undulations of a floor surface; a drive wheel sensor for detecting a position of the drive wheel relative to the housing; a floor detection sensor for detecting a distance between the bottom of the housing and the floor surface; and a travel control unit for determining and deciding a course of the housing based on the determination that there exists a step on the floor surface if the distance detected by the floor detection sensor is longer than a predetermined reference distance, or, otherwise, the position of the drive wheel detected by the drive wheel sensor is lower than a predetermined reference position, by successively referring to output of the drive wheel sensor and the floor detection sensor, wherein, if the position of the drive wheel detected by the drive wheel sensor is lower than a predete

Abstract: Provided are a vacuum cleaner that uses both alternating current (AC) power and direct current (DC) power without a separate switch module, and a control method thereof. The cleaner includes a suction nozzle sucking a cleaning target, a suction connection part connected to the suction nozzle and allowing the sucked cleaning target to pass therethrough, and a main body separated from the suction nozzle and having a dust box collecting the cleaning target, wherein the main body includes a suction force generating unit installed in the main body to generate a suction force and a power supply unit detachably provided in the main body to apply a voltage to the suction force generating unit, wherein the power supply unit supplies power to the suction force generating unit using any one of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning system including a charging base and a cleaning robot is provided. The charging base includes a signal transmitter and a power supply portion. The charging base determines whether to transmit a start signal by the signal transmitter according to a preset time. The cleaning robot includes a signal receiver and a power receiving portion. The power receiving portion is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply portion of the charging base when the cleaning robot performs a charging operation. When the signal receiver receives the start signal, the cleaning robot leaves the charging base, and performs a cleaning operation. In addition, a charging base suitable for charging an automatic cleaning device is also provided.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a body configured to traverse a surface and to receive debris from the surface, and a debris bin within the body. The debris bin includes a chamber to hold the debris received by the mobile robot, an exhaust port through which the debris exits the debris bin; and a door unit over the exhaust port. The door unit includes a flap configured to move, in response to air pressure at the exhaust port, between a closed position to cover the exhaust port and an open position to open a path between the chamber and the exhaust port. The door unit, including the flap in the open position and in the closed position, is within an exterior surface of the mobile robot.

Abstract: A motorized floor mop that can deliver liquid to a surface to be cleaned is provided with a handle, a base, a fluid delivery system, a motorized agitation system and a multi-axis swivel joint coupling the handle with the base for movement of the handle. A lock-out mechanism selectively locks out one of the axes of rotation of the multi-axis swivel joint.

Abstract: A dual trigger member to release a disposable microfiber cloth or non-woven cloth from a flat mop combined with a ball and socket assembly. The flat mop with ball retaining member and dual trigger allow a user to easily change a disposable cloth without touching the cloth. Further, the ball retaining member allows a user full range of movement of the cleaning tool during use resulting in less energy exerted by the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a segmented rotary floor stripping pad having a plurality of symmetrical, polygonal pad segments secured together in partially overlapping relation to form an annular pad. The segments are preferably formed from non-woven polyester fibers and are secured radially along the overlapping, adjacent side edges by hot melt glue, ultrasonic welding or by stitching. There is no backing pad, and since the segments are symmetrical, the pad is reversible so that both sides can be used. The plurality of pad segments are secured together in an overlapping manner such that each pad segment presents an angled leading cutting edge and each pair of adjacent pad segments forms a radial fluid channel. Depending on the degree of overlap and the thickness of the pad segment, the presentation angle of the cutting edge can be varied.

Abstract: A cloth for a cleaning device having a support body with a first foldable frame element and a second foldable frame element includes: a first pocket and a second pocket, each pocket receiving a selected one of the frame elements; and a holder arranged inside each pocket. The holders and corresponding frame elements are automatically, without manual connection, connected together in a non-destructively detachable manner during movement of the frame elements into the pockets.

Abstract: A dual trigger member to release a disposable microfiber cloth or non-woven cloth from a flat mop combined with a yoke and a rotatable handle affixed to the yoke. The flat mop with yoke and rotatable handle and dual trigger allow a user to easily change a disposable cloth without touching the cloth. Further, the yoke allows the handle to rotate 180 degrees relative to the yoke and the perpendicular direction relative to the mop and allows a user 180 degrees of range of movement of the cleaning tool during use resulting in less energy exerted by the user.

Abstract: A wringer device for a mopping apparatus includes: a basket-like receptacle rotatably arranged in a support, the receptacle being caused to rotate by a mechanical drive, the drive including a lever movably mounted in the support and being provided with a spindle nut that causes a spindle to rotate when the lever moves; a first gear arranged on the spindle for conjoint rotation; a second gear associated with a rotary shaft of the receptacle; a freewheel arranged between the rotary shaft and the second gear, the freewheel allowing torque to be transmitted to the rotary shaft in only one direction of rotation; and a toothed belt arranged between the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A dish treating appliance for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation and including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, multiple sprayers emitting a liquid into the treating chamber, and a diverter valve having a rotatable valve body, which can be rotated to discrete rotational positions to selectively fluidly couple with the multiple sprayers. A rotary drive is located exteriorly of the tub and comprises a housing defining an interior with a liquid leak reservoir, a motor carried by the housing, an output shaft rotationally driven by the motor, extending through the housing and the tub, and operably coupled to the valve body, and a printed circuit board (PCB) located within the housing.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a wash chamber wherein the wash chamber has an access opening, having a first dishrack movably mounted to the tub, a second dishrack, and at least a first and second removable dishrack supported and having corresponding first and second sets of support elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting glassware particularly those pieces of glassware having stems from being damaged when placed in a dishwasher or a sink. The apparatus comprises a shroud having an opening at one end to receive the glassware so that the shroud surrounds the glassware, wherein the shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof. Multiple shrouds of varying size can be provided which are similar in shape so as to be stackable onto each other.

Abstract: A compact drying rack is disclosed having a portable carry case which is opened to reveal various sized pegs to accommodate a variety of different types of bottles and bottle brushes.

Abstract: A shoe cleaning system is a shoe cleaning system where high speed fans or air turbines are mounted within the doors of a vehicle that blow high speed air through adjustable direction louvers to blow mud, dirt, or debris off of the shoes of the user to keep the floor mats of the vehicle clean.