Abstract: A cutting accessory for a food processor has a body that fits within the food processor's bowl and lid. The body supports a cutting disc that is offset to the food processor's spindle. The cutting disc is driven by the rotation of the spindle.

Abstract: A one-piece, flat, stainless steel kitchen utensil formed with offset working portions for use in handling fried or baked food products and for scraping pots and baking pans. The utensil is composed of a unitary sheet of stainless steel divided into two working portions. One working portion is of rectangular shape and extends in a first direction. The other working portion is of trapezoidal shape and extends in a second direction opposite the first direction. The working portions are connected integrally by an intermediate portion extending transversely between the working portions to space them in separate planes.

Abstract: A cooking and processing appliance includes a container having a lid and a stirring mechanism for rotating at least one processing attachment of a plurality of processing attachments, a housing having a receptacle for receiving the container and having a motor in communication with the stirring mechanism, a heating structure disposed within the housing and a wall of the container, a heating activation system included within the housing and the container, wherein the heating structure defines a heating-active state when the container is received within the receptacle, a mixing activation system, wherein the motor defines a mixing active state when the container is received within the receptacle and the lid is in a closed position and a control in communication with the heating structure and the stirring mechanism.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser including a wall mounted toilet paper dispensing body entirely recessed within a building wall; at least one rod disposed within the wall mounted toilet paper dispensing body to support at least one toilet paper roll thereon; and a door hingedly coupled to a lateral edge of the wall mounted toilet paper dispensing body so to form an enclosure that encloses the at least one rod and the at least one toilet paper roll when the door is closed.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl part with a waste discharge hole formed on its bottom part and also includes a valve structure capable of opening and closing the waste discharge hole, and the toilet bowl part is formed of a material having flexibility. Accordingly, the toilet bowl part is easily bent by waste brought into the toilet bowl part. When the toilet bowl part is bent while waste is accumulated in the bottom part of the toilet bowl part, a gradient on an inner surface of the toilet bowl part becomes larger, so that the waste can be easily led to the bottom part of the toilet bowl part.

Abstract: A disposable liner is an apparatus that allows a bedpan to be reusable while limiting the cleaning between uses. The apparatus includes a lining sheet, an elastic loop, a first finger slot, and a second finger slot. The lining sheet upholds the waste and prevents the waste from coming into contact with the bedpan. The elastic loop secures the lining sheet onto a bedpan and closes an opening of the apparatus in order to prevent the waste contained within the lining sheet from escaping. The first finger slot and the second finger slot allows the user to access the elastic loop. The elastic loop is perimetrically and slidably mounted around the lining sheet so that the user may remove the apparatus from the bedpan without coming into contact with the waste. The elastic loop is preferably slidably positioned within an annular sleeve that is perimetrically connected around the lining sheet.

Abstract: A microgravity urine collection apparatus may include a bellows defining an internal chamber having a selectively adjustable volume. The bellows may include an inlet and an outlet. The microgravity urine collection apparatus may further include a first valve coupled to the bellows and configured to selectively control fluid flow through the inlet. The microgravity urine collection apparatus may also include a second valve coupled to the bellows and configured to allow fluid flow out of the bellows via the outlet and prevent fluid flow into the bellows via the outlet.

Abstract: A method for fixing WC seat on a WC-body is disclosed. A positioning aid is aligned in relation to the WC seat. At least one toilet seat fixing element is aligned in at least one fixing opening of the WC-body using the positioning aid. A toilet seat fixing element is preliminarily fixed in a nominal position. The toilet seat fixing element is then permanently fixed by backfilling a free space between the toilet seat fixing element and a fixing opening with a permanently hardening gap filler.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly cleans a multi layered glass window having at least two glasses forming an internal space. The cleaning assembly includes an internal magnetic body and an outer magnetic body. The internal magnetic body is disposed in the internal space of the glass window. The internal magnetic body includes an internal magnetic module including two or more pair of magnetic parts spaced apart from each other, a housing receiving each of the internal magnetic modules, and a bracket forming each of the housings as one structure, the pair of magnetic parts including two magnets facing each other by repulsion. The outer magnetic body includes an outer magnetic module attracted with the internal magnetic module, and a cleaning part surface contacted with an outer surface of the glass window by the attraction to clean the outer surface of the glass window corresponding to the outer magnetic module.

Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus has a portable cleaning unit that is removably mounted to the support member. The upright surface cleaning apparatus is operable in a floor cleaning mode, in which the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the support member, and in an above floor cleaning mode, in which the portable cleaning unit, an above floor cleaning wand and a hose are concurrently removed from the support member.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a blower for pulling air and debris through the upright vacuum cleaner, a motor connected to the blower, and a cleaning head for removing the debris from a floor. The cleaning head includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend between the front wall and rear wall. The vacuum cleaner further includes a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris from the cleaning head. The vacuum cleaner also includes magnet assemblies adapted to prevent metal objects from entering the cleaning head. Each magnet assembly includes a bracket and a magnet. The bracket includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate. The magnet is connected to the vertical plate. The front wall includes shelves to support the magnet assemblies. Each shelf is arranged to receive one of the magnet assemblies such that the horizontal plate rests on the shelf and the magnet is positioned below the shelf.

Abstract: A method of removing debris from a lavatory on a vehicle, a lavatory debris removal vacuum apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a debris removal vacuum system. A vacuum supply line is connected to a vacuum toilet in a lavatory and configured to provide suction to the vacuum toilet. A vacuum socket is connected to the vacuum supply line and configured to have a tube attached thereto that extends from the vacuum socket into the lavatory. The suction is provided by the vacuum supply line through the vacuum socket to the tube to remove debris from the lavatory into the tube as the tube is positioned in the lavatory by an operator.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head for removing debris from a floor, a rotary brush for agitating the debris, and a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris from the cleaning head. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a motor to drive the rotary brush. The motor includes a rotatable drive shaft. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a pulley assembly adapted to operatively connect the motor to the rotary brush. The pulley assembly includes a clutch and a belt. The belt is adapted to extend between the drive shaft and the clutch. The clutch is connected to the rotary brush to rotate the rotary brush. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a clamp connecting the clutch to the cleaning head. The tightness of the belt is adjusted when the clamp moves between an unfastened position and a fastened position.

Abstract: A vacuum system comprises a vacuum source, an energy-storage device, a handle operatively connected to the vacuum source, an extension tube operatively connected to the handle, and a power head. The power head comprises a housing assembly and a brush assembly. The brush assembly comprises a brush defining an axle chamber, a motor assembly, and a transmission system. At least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber, and a fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported relative to the housing assembly. The transmission system transmits rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush. At least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber. Operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn into the handle. The rotating portion of the motor assembly rotates the brush through the transmission system relative to the brush housing.

Abstract: A dusting and dust collecting device comprising; —a hollow body (A) comprising a hollow section and an outer shell, and—a dust brushing means (D), wherein the hollow body (A) comprising an open end (11), the open end (11) being open to the hollow section of the hollow body (A), and adapted to be connected to an external vacuum source by fastening means (4). The hollow body (A) comprising a plurality of grooves (1) arranged along an outer circumference of the hollow body (1) creating a plurality of canals, and wherein at least one perforation (2) extends from the hollow section of the hollow body and through the outer shell and connects with at least one of the plurality of grooves (1) for distributing a vacuum in the at least one of the plurality of canals when a dust brushing means (D) is covering the at least one of the plurality of grooves (1), and the hollow body (A) is connected to the external vacuum source.

Abstract: A brush that is hand-held, cordless, rechargeable, self-cooling, and vacuum operated, so as to loosen and collect dust and other small particles from a surface. The brush includes a plurality of exterior components and a plurality of interior components. The plurality of interior components are contained within the plurality of exterior components, and therewith, are the hand-held, the cordless, the rechargeable, the self-cooling, and the vacuum operated, so as to loosen and collect the dust and the other small particles from the surface.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head for removing debris from a floor, a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris, and a steering handle connected to the debris tube. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a hinge connecting the debris tube to the cleaning head such that the debris tube rotates relative to the cleaning head. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes braces to support the debris tube as the debris tube rotates relative to the cleaning head. The braces are disposed on opposite sides of the debris tube. Each brace includes a bearing connected to the cleaning head to allow the brace to rotate relative to the cleaning head.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises having a primary dirty air inlet and a drive handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and comprising an above floor cleaning wand, a flexible hose and an auxiliary dirty air inlet, wherein the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus is useable in a floor cleaning mode in which the drive handle is drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and air enters the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus via the primary dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head and an above floor cleaning mode wherein the above floor cleaning wand is extended from a stored position and air enters the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus via the auxiliary dirty air inlet.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path, a cyclone, and an air flow passage. The air flow path extends from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow path. The cyclone is positioned in the air flow path, and has a cyclone chamber, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a plurality of tangential air inlets, a cyclone air outlet, and a longitudinal cyclone axis. Air rotates in a direction of rotation in the cyclone chamber. Each tangential air inlets includes an inlet port provided in the cyclone chamber sidewall, each inlet port having an upstream edge and a downstream edge in the direction of rotation. The air flow passage extends parallel to the cyclone axis and upstream from the tangential air inlets. The air flow passage has a terminal end at which the plurality of tangential air inlets are located.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system includes an upright vacuum cleaner operable in a cordless mode and a corded mode. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head for removing debris from a floor, a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris, and an electrical connection interface. The vacuum cleaning system also includes a battery and a power cord adapted for connection to the electrical connection interface. The upright vacuum cleaner operates in the cordless mode when the battery is connected to the electrical connection interface. The vacuum cleaner operates in the corded mode when the power cord is connected to the electrical connection interface.

Abstract: Upright vacuum cleaners that include a switch that detects whether a removable filter assembly has been connected to the vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In some embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner includes a capacitor for protecting the switch from voltage transients.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cleaner according to one embodiment, which includes a main body, a grip unit provided on the main body to be gripped by a user, a pressure sensor unit provided on the grip unit to detect pressure applied by the user to a part of an outer surface of the grip unit, a driving unit provided at a lower portion of the main body to move the main body, and a controller to control the driving unit based on the detected pressure.

Abstract: A power system includes a rechargeable battery removably connected to a vacuum cleaner. The power system also includes a charger including an electrical connection interface to conduct electrical current to the rechargeable battery. The charger also includes a switch to detect when the rechargeable battery is connected to the charger. The switch is movable between an ON position and an OFF position. The switch is positioned in the ON position when the rechargeable battery is connected to the charger and in the OFF position when the rechargeable battery is disconnected from the charger. The charger further includes a housing supporting the electrical connection interface. The housing defines a groove and includes a barrier extending across the groove. The barrier prevents movement of the switch to the ON position when the rechargeable battery is disconnected from the charger.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head having a suction opening defined along a bottom thereof, a handle assembly connected to the cleaning head, a motor, and a blower connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction opening upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes an electrical connection interface selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The electrical connection interface is electrically connectable to the motor via an electrical path such that an AC current is supplied to the motor when the AC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface, and a DC current is supplied to the motor when the DC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface.

Abstract: Battery-powered upright vacuum cleaners are disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a battery support plate from which the battery is suspended. The battery support plate is connected to a debris tube of the vacuum cleaner. In some embodiments, the debris tube includes mounting members that are received in recesses formed within the battery support plate.

Abstract: A method for operating a household appliance with an accumulator, wherein a charging start time of a charging operation for charging the accumulator is controlled in dependence on predefined conditions. In order to ensure a required charge capacity of the accumulator without a charge maintaining mode, it is proposed that the charging start time is controlled in dependence on a charging period and a predefined time of use of the household appliance.

Abstract: A ground working system has at least one self-driving ground working device, wherein the operating region (A) of the ground working device is determined by an edge boundary. The ground working device travels automatically within the operating region (A) along a traveling path (W), wherein the ground working device has a drive, a control unit and an in-device battery for supplying energy to the ground working device. A charging station for charging the battery of the ground working device is also provided. The charging station is set up on the edge boundary without interrupting the edge boundary. The ground working device goes to the charging station for charging the battery as required.

Abstract: A system consists of an unmanned vehicle that moves independently within an environment, in particular a cleaning robot, and a door located in the environment with a doorframe and a door leaf. The vehicle has a detector for detecting object data within the environment. In order to be able to open a door without the vehicle manually acting on the door, the door has an electronic actuator for changing an open state of the door, and the vehicle has or is allocated a controller, which is set up to output a control command for activating the actuator depending on an operating state and/or position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cleaning robot is provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a floor processing device that moves automatically within an environment, has a detection system of the floor processing device that detects features of a surface to be cleaned and compares them with reference features of carpets. Upon detection of a carpet, it is determined whether and where the carpet has fringes, and the fringes are aligned in a defined direction relative to the carpet by means of a combing attachment of the floor processing device.

Abstract: An automatically moving floor treatment appliance has a floor treatment element for acting on a surface to be treated, and a control device for controlling the floor treatment element. To increase the area of application of the floor treatment appliance, the control device is embodied to automatically control the floor treatment element as a function of a measuring result from an air parameter sensor in such a way that a floor treatment of the surface to be treated occurs using the floor treatment element and/or to automatically control the floor treatment element as a function of environmental data stored in an external storage device and relating to an air quality.

Abstract: Flat mops and self-wringing flat mops can include a wringing configuration for applying a linear wringing motion to a mop head assembly, such as may occur along an axis coaxial with a handle. Four-point self wringing configurations may include four-point guide surfaces and/or four-point pressure points for wringing a mop head assembly.

Abstract: A sponge roller, a cleaning roller assembly, and a floor cleaner. The sponge roller includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is sleeved on the inner layer; the inner layer is made of non-absorbent sponge, and the outer layer is made of absorbent sponge. The sponge roller can be made with a large thickness, thus improving the cleaning capacity of the cleaner. The water is mainly stored in the outer layer, so it can be squeezed out without the exertion of much more external force, and thus the resistance against the rotation of the sponge roller is negligible, thus saving the energy consumption.

Abstract: A composition for absorbing liquids such as water and oil can include a thermoplastic elastomeric copolymer, a superabsorbent material, and a solvent. The composition can be applied as a coating to a non-woven substrate. A method of removing water or oil from a surface employing the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning cartridge comprises an outer housing having a mouth; a cap for attachment to the housing at the mouth; a stiffening component attached to the cap; and a cleaning element attached to the stiffening component. When the cap is attached to the mouth of the outer housing, the stiffening component and cleaning element fit inside the housing and the housing is sealable by the cap. When the cap is removed from the mouth, the stiffening component is released to expand the cleaning element to provide a cleaning surface, and the outer housing is connectable to the free end of the cap to provide a handle for the opened cartridge, thereby transforming the cleaning cartridge into a standalone cleaning device.

Abstract: Mop buckets and methods of using the same are provided. A mop bucket includes a liquid-retaining portion that permits retained liquid to move in a liquid-movement direction extending from the first sidewall portion toward the second sidewall portion within a higher-momentum region and an energy-dissipation device disposed within the liquid-retaining portion and extending into the higher-momentum region, the energy-dissipation device being configured to inhibit buildup of momentum of liquid in the higher-momentum region along at least a portion of the liquid-movement direction by breaking surface tension of the liquid. The energy-dissipation device includes at least three baffles.

Abstract: A washing item receptacle for a flat washing item in a dishwasher, in particular in a domestic dishwasher, includes a base and a support element for supporting the flat washing item. The support element is configured for pivoting between a rest position arranged in a plane of the base and a support position which projects from the plane of the base, and for pivoting from the rest position into the support position by the weight of the flat washing item.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device and method of use are provided. The surface cleaning device includes a strip of flexible material having an adhesive on one surface that can removably secure the strip to a strip cover before use, or a surface or surface crease during use. The strip may be included with one or more additional strips, forming a sheet, wherein a plurality of sets of horizontal perforations is disposed along the length of the sheet such that the strip can be removed from the sheet by tearing along the perforations. Once the strip is removed from the sheet and the cover, the strip adhesive may be applied to a surface or a surface crease, such as a stair or a stair crease, to enable the adhesive to attach to, and thereby easily remove dirt, dust, hair, debris, and the like, from the surface or surface crease.

Abstract: A medication confirmation method and apparatus for confirming administration of medication employing an inhalable medication administration apparatus. The method of an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of capturing one or more video sequences of a user administering medication employing the inhalable medication administration apparatus, storing the captured one or more video sequences, capturing one or more audio sequences of the user administering medication employing the inhalable medication administration apparatus and storing the captured one or more audio sequences. At least one of the stored video sequences and at least one of the stored audio sequences are then analyzed to confirm that the user has properly administered the medication.

Abstract: In order to acquire height information regarding a subject disposed on the internal surface of an elongated tubular member, an image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure, includes a processor the processor including hardware and configured to perform the steps of receiving a first image and a second image acquired from a subject using an optical system having a field of view in a direction of at least about 90° to a central axis of the optical system, the first image acquired at a first position, the second image acquired at a second position, the second position different from the first position along the central axis; and calculating a distance between the subject and the central axis of the optical system, based on a distance between the first position and the second position, and based on the corresponding points in the third image and in the fourth image.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes: a casing configured to form an exterior; an imaging unit housed in the casing and configured to capture a subject image; a manipulation ring rotatably provided on an outer surface of the casing; a detection unit configured to detect rotation of the manipulation ring; a manipulation calculation unit configured to calculate a rotation direction and a rotation angle of the manipulation ring based on a detection result of the detection unit; a function execution unit configured to execute a first or second function depending on the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the manipulation ring calculated by the manipulation calculation unit; and a function switch unit configured to switch a function executed by the function execution unit to the first or second function.

Abstract: An operation assistance system includes a support column as well as at least a first and second robotic arm. A lower end section of the support column is pivotally mounted about a first pivotal axis (SA1) on a base unit and controlled by a first drive unit. A first end section of the first robotic arm is pivotally mounted about a second pivotal axis (SA2) on the upper end section of the support column opposite to the base unit and controlled by a second drive unit. A first end section of the second robotic arm is pivotally mounted about a third pivotal axis (SA3) on a second end section of the first robotic arm by a third drive unit. Each drive unit is associated with a controllable magnetic brake unit by which the robotic kinematics can be uncoupled from the drive units.

Abstract: An optical fiber scanning system includes: an optical fiber with a magnet; four drive coils configured to apply a drive magnetic field generated using a drive power signal to the magnet; four detection coils configured to output a detection signal in response to variation of a magnetic field; a controller configured to perform feedback control of the drive power signal; a signal output circuit configured to output a drive signal; a voltage-current conversion circuit configured to convert the drive signal to the drive power signal; and a correction circuit configured to output a magnet magnetic field signal by removing the drive magnetic field signal from the detection signal, and the controller controls the signal output circuit based on the magnet magnetic field signal.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath comprising: (a) a tube configured to receive all or a portion of a shaft of an endoscope, the endoscope including a light post in a proximal end region of the endoscope; and (b) an arm attached to and extending from a proximal end region of the sheath; wherein the arm has one or more features that are in communication with the light post to orient the sheath axially and rotationally with respect to the endoscope.

Abstract: An ingestible scanning device includes, in an embodiment, a capsule housing having a transparent window and sized so as to be ingestible, a photo-sensing array located within the capsule housing, a mirror located within the housing and oriented to direct an image from a surface outside the transparent window to the photo-sensing array, and a light source for illuminating the surface outside the transparent window.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the composite image generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.

Abstract: An image pickup module includes: an optical waveguide plate that includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide optically coupled to the first waveguide and the second waveguide through a branch portion; an image pickup device; a first optical device and a second optical device both mounted on the optical waveguide plate; an optical fiber; a ferrule into which the optical fiber is inserted; and a plurality of conductive wires. The ferrule includes a notch on a front surface, and distal end portions of the conductive wires are held between the optical waveguide plate and a surface of the notch of the ferrule. The other components are disposed within a plane of projection of the image pickup device.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope including a control section, an insertion section, and a light guide member, a light source configured to emit light guided by the light guide member, a failure-cause detecting circuit configured to detect a pre-failure state that causes a failure of the endoscope, and a light source controller configured to control an output of the light source based on a detection result of the failure-cause detecting circuit. The failure-cause detecting circuit includes a cause predicting circuit configured to detect a second pre-failure state in which it is predicted that the endoscope reaches a first pre-failure state that directly causes the failure of the endoscope. The light source controller controls the output of the light source based on a detection result of the cause predicting circuit.

Abstract: A protective sleeve comprises a housing configured to fit over a portion of an intraoral scanning device and protect the intraoral scanning device from an external environment. The intraoral scanning device comprises a first aperture for transmission of optical signals, the housing defines a second aperture for transmission of the optical signals, and the second aperture is aligned with the first aperture when the housing is fit over the portion. The protective housing comprises one or more supports attached to the housing and a transparent element secured by the one or more supports and aligned with the second aperture. The transparent element is further aligned with a defogging element of the intraoral scanning device when the housing is fit over the portion, and an external surface of the transparent element is to receive heat generated by the defogging element to prevent fogging of the transparent element.

Abstract: Provided is an optical tomographic imaging apparatus including: a determination unit for determining whether or not an optical member for changing a field angle has been inserted between a scanning unit and an object to be inspected to change a field angle of an acquiring area of a tomographic image; and a switching unit for switching a value of at least one parameter among a control parameter of a control portion for the optical tomographic imaging apparatus, a signal processing parameter of a calculation processing portion, an image processing parameter, and an analysis processing parameter, based on a determination result from the determination unit. Accordingly, a preferred tomographic image of the object is acquired by switching values of various parameters to suitable values even when the optical member for changing a field angle is inserted to change the field angle of the acquiring area of the tomographic image.