Abstract: A garment hanger with particular ease of use advantage when removing or hanging crew neck or turtleneck type shirts or blouses. The hanger provides an easily manipulated and intuitive mechanism for collapsing the garment support portions of the hanger, thus allowing for simple passage through the narrow neck hole of a garment. The hanger further provides an easily manipulated and intuitive mechanism for returning the folded garment support portions to their extended and supportive positions, which can be done with the hanger enveloped within a garment, thus providing an improved means for hanging some shirts or blouses without the need to feed a hanger up through the bottom opening of the garment.

Abstract: A device for retaining a shoe tongue in a fixed position includes a first portion adapted to be retained within an eyelet of a shoe and a second portion adapted to retain a shoe tongue in a fixed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mailbox flag holder configured to be inserted over a conventional mailbox. The flag holder is particularly constructed to frictionally engage a mailbox such that the flag holder is securely held on the mailbox. Structurally, the flag holder is of a U-shape construction that includes a pair of legs and a base interconnecting the legs. The legs are slightly spreadable to accommodate the mailbox and once inserted on the mailbox, the legs tend to pull inwardly and grip the mailbox.

Abstract: This invention involves a novel method, device, system and apparatus to receive return or exchange goods and services at one's doorstep securely. The invention involves a novel security apparatus and a parcel receptacle. The security apparatus is connectable to any fixture, including to one or more parcel receptacles. The parcel receptacles can be of many types. The parcel receptacles can be secured via a physical cable and a security apparatus, or secured via connectivity to the wireless network of a parcel recipient. The parcel receptacles can also be secured via a novel GPS module, accelerometer and other technological devices inside parcel receptacle. The locking mechanism in the security apparatus and/or on the parcel receptacle can be of technological in nature using the latest advancements in wireless technology, or alternatively, involve simple physical lock and key mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method for cooking. The system includes a sealable bag and a bag seal located on the sealable bag. Coupled to the sealable bag is a snorkel which has a top end and a bottom end. The snorkel also has a cap. The snorkel is coupled to the sealable bag such that when the sealable bag is immersed in a fluid, the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid causes the air to be purged from the sealable bag. The resulting purged bag is then cooked in the bath of fluid for a desired time and temperature. The removal of air provides several benefits including more uniform cooking.

Abstract: An extracting apparatus for extracting a beverage liquid from an extraction target includes an extraction container including a neck portion with an opening and a trunk portion and configured to store the extraction target and a liquid, a filter arranged on the opening of the neck portion and configured to restrict leakage of the extraction target, and a driving unit configured to change a posture of the extraction container from a first posture in which the neck portion is located on an upper side to a second posture in which the neck portion is located on a lower side.

Abstract: Press beverage brewing assemblies and related brewing methods. In some embodiments, the brewing assembly may comprise a brewing chamber, which may be configured to be received within a receiving chamber, such as a carafe. A valve assembly may be coupled with the brewing chamber and a plunger may be slideably received within the brewing chamber to selectively release a valve, such as a pressure-actuated valve within the brewing chamber, to allow for dispensing of coffee or another brewed beverage from the brewing chamber to the receiving chamber.

Abstract: An extracting method of extracting a beverage liquid from an extraction target includes a pressure reduction step of switching an interior of an extraction container in which the extraction target and a liquid are stored from a first air pressure to a second air pressure lower than the first air pressure, and an extraction step of extracting the beverage liquid from the extraction target. The first air pressure is an air pressure at which the liquid at a predetermined temperature does not boil, and the second air pressure is an air pressure at which the liquid that does not boil at the first air pressure boils. The switching from the first air pressure to the second air pressure is done by releasing the air pressure in the extraction container.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing beverages from a pod, includes a frame, a container including a pod-receiving zone, a fluid-dispensing needle holder to hold fluid-dispensing needles and a moving system for moving the needle holder from a position released from the pod to a position engaged on the pod, the moving system including a control member mounted in rotation about a vertical axis on the frame, wherein the control member includes a body equipped with at least one spiral ramp which cooperates with at least one pin secured to a piston, the piston being secured to the needle holder and mounted in translation along the vertical axis, the at least one spiral ramp including at least two different slope zones, configured to correspond respectively to a zone where the fluid-dispensing needles approach contact with the pod and to a work zone where the fluid-dispensing needles are engaged on the pod.

Abstract: A supply device for one or more beverage-dispensing machines (1a, 1b) is provided, having a holding space for the insertion of at least two storage containers (5a, 5b) for liquid foods, in particular milk, which storage containers can be connected to the one or more beverage-dispensing machines by food lines (4a, 4b, 4a?, 4b?). The supply device (2) has a cooling device (10) for the temperature control of liquid foods contained in the storage containers to a specifiable target temperature. A thermally conductive, in particular metal, contact surface (8a, 8b) is provided for each of the food containers (5a, 5b), which contact surface is in thermally conductive contact with a thermally conductive outer wall (7a, 7b), in particular bottom surface, of the storage container in question when the storage container is installed, in order to cool the contents of the storage container.

Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion, the reference portion comprising an arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion comprising: a plurality of adjacent sectors arranged on an encoding line D, whereby each sector is bounded by a first circumferential position and a second circumferential position on the encoding line D and each sector comprises a data unit arranged on the encoding line D between said first and second circumferential position, the data unit arranged a distance d extending from the first circumferential position as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby the encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at an intersection point.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a graphite pot and a manufacturing method thereof. The graphite pot comprises a pot body made of graphite, the pot body comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, and a hard carbon film or a covalent carbide film attached to the surface of the inner wall. A hard carbon film or a covalent carbide film is attached to the surface of the inner wall of the pot body, and the hardness of the hard carbon film and the hardness of the covalent carbide film are both higher than that of the existing PTFE resin film layer, and the carbon film and the covalent carbide film have superior air permeability. When in use, the far infrared characteristic and the adsorption property of the graphite pot body are fully exerted, which is very environment-friendly and healthy.

Abstract: The present application discloses an automated cooking system comprising: a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking container configured to hold food or food ingredients and a stirring motion mechanism configured to produce a motion in the cooking container as to stir, mix or distribute the food or food ingredients held in the cooking container; a plurality of ingredient containers each configured to contain food ingredients; an dispensing apparatus configured to turn an ingredient container to dispense the food ingredients from an ingredient container into the cooking container; a transfer apparatus configured to move an ingredient container; a plurality of food containers each configured to hold a cooked food; a cooking container unloading mechanism configured to turn the cooking container to dispense cooked food from the cooking container to a food container which is positioned near to the cooking container; a receiving apparatus configured to hold a plurality of food containers; a transfer apparatus config

Abstract: A heated beverage rail comprises a shelf with a horizontal surface for receiving at least one beverage container, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls extending vertically above the shelf, a top wall extending from a top edge of the front wall substantially parallel to the shelf and defining a space within the rail bounded by the top wall cup bracket, front wall, rear wall and side walls. At least one opening is provided in the top wall cup bracket, sized to receive a heated beverage cup. An electrical heating unit is arranged within the rail to heat the space below top wall cup bracket and all cup contact surfaces of the rail, and a thermostat is in line with the heating unit configured to control a temperature of the space below top wall cup bracket and all cup contact surfaces of the rail.

Abstract: A grill is provided including a base structure. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper grilling surface. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling surface. A plurality of leveling mechanisms is mounted to the base structure with a mounting bracket. A portion of each leveling mechanism is arranged in contact with the lower platen assembly. The leveling mechanisms are configured to automatically level the lower grilling surface relative to the upper grilling surface. Each of the plurality of leveling mechanisms is configured to independently move a portion of the lower grilling surface about a different axis.

Abstract: A cooking device (1) for cooking foods on a barbecue includes a support frame provided with two longitudinal members (12) and at least one food-holding grill (10) pivoted between the longitudinal members (12). The cooking device (1) is provided with a control transmission formed by at least one sprocket (14, 305, 425) connected to the grill (10) and engaged with a chain (15, 302, 303, 424), the chain (15) being actuated by a motor (16) controlled by a timer (17) for automatically inverting the grill (10) around the corresponding axis of rotation (X). The control transmission is adapted to mechanically and periodically invert the grid (10), allowing a uniform cooking of the food.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking system having an elongated horizontal chamber, a vertical chimney that covers a portion of the chamber, and a frame that supports the chamber. The vertical chimney has an inner wall that has an opening that is in communication with the chamber and permits that coals to be easily transferred from the chimney and spread out within the chamber.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a grill. The grill comprises a cooking grid. The cooking grid rests on a frame of the grill substantially without being coupled to the grill. Certain exemplary embodiments provide a handle that is coupleable to the cooking grid. The handle is grippable by a human hand. The handle is constructed to allow a user to lift the cooking grid off of a portion of the grill that is above a burner of the grill.

Abstract: Food containing water is improved. A fryer controls water which is an ingredient of food as an object placed between a pair of opposed plate antennas, to be more specific, the water activity of the object, by generating electromagnetic waves between the pair of opposed plate antennas. Then, the fryer applies a DC electric field of +100 V as an offset electric field on the water phase side relative to the oil phase in an AC electric field to irradiate food with electromagnetic waves at a frequency of 50 kHz. Thus, the interfacial polarization between the water phase and the oil phase can be increased to decrease the interfacial tension between the water phase and the oil phase by approximately 60% and bind water in a pearl-chain structure, thus decreasing the water activity.

Abstract: A Bowl Assembly A bowl assembly (110) for a kitchen appliance (1) arranged to process ingredients contained within the bowl assembly (110), comprising: a bowl (112) having an aperture (115) in its base; a drivable tool mount (200) for a food processing tool arranged to fit within the aperture (115); and a blanking plug (300) arranged to fit within the aperture (115); wherein the drivable tool mount (200) and blanking plug (300) are interchangeable with one another.

Abstract: A container having one or more sections, wherein each of the one or more sections are defined by a bottom surface having one or more sidewalls extending upward from the bottom surface, wherein an upper perimeter of the one or more sidewalls is irregularly shaped.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a food item contains a cultivation component for cultivating and preparing an edible cultivated ingredient, and a device for preparing an edible external ingredient, which is not cultivated in the apparatus. The apparatus also has processing devices, which are intended to produce a food item from at least one cultivated ingredient and at least one external ingredient. The apparatus further has a control unit, which is intended to determine a recipe for producing a first food item. The recipe indicates ingredients and process steps for producing the first food item. The control unit is also intended to cause the processing devices to produce the first food item in accordance with the recipe.

Abstract: A bathtub includes a bathing well having a rim and an inner well defined in the rim. The bathtub further includes a rim cap disposed over the rim and an electronic component disposed in at least one of the inner well or the rim cap.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a hinged closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position.

Abstract: A pre-plumbed shower stall system with an access panel is designed. The pre-plumbed shower stall is a complete panelized system. The stall includes a floor pan, front glass frame with doors, and back wall panels. The stall system integrates all plumbing components such as mixing control valves, massaging jets and shower heads onto one back panel. This panel is so called function panel. The function panel is screwed to its adjacent stall panels in such a way that the plumbing components on the function panel can be easily accessed for future repairs.

Abstract: A laminated glass header for supporting a shower door. The header may have a taper at one or both of its ends to provide an automatic full open or full close feature of the door.

Abstract: An elongated member for a shower door assembly includes a protrusion configured to be received within a channel of a header to slidably couple the elongated member to the header. The elongated member is configured to be slid within the channel between a first position to allow for a shower door to be installed onto, or removed from, the header and a second position to substantially impede upright movement of the shower door when the shower door is moved along the header.

Abstract: A shower door frame is disclosed comprising a track and a side frame; wherein a fixing part is fixed at a tail end of the track, a positioning block is arranged on an outer side of the fixing part, and a retaining block is arranged at a top end of the positioning block; the positioning block is embedded into the side frame; a locking assembly is arranged on the side frame, the locking assembly comprises a base fixed on the side frame and a tensioning part hinged with the base, the tensioning part is provided with a locking groove, and the locking groove is buckled with the retaining block. The present invention also provides a shower door comprising the shower door frame. The shower door frame and the shower door are simple in assembly operation, and suitable for a field assembly occasion.

Abstract: A soap holder 10 comprises a reversible elastic wristband having a dual-sided face 20. A first side of the face 20 has an indentation 30 for receiving a piece of solid soap. A second side of the face is provided with a waterproof watch or other functional device, or a decorative surface. In normal wear, the soap holder 10 is worn on the wrist of a user with the second side facing outwards. When the user wishes to wash, the wristband is reversed so that the first side faces outwards. The face 20 is moved to the palm of the user. A piece of soap is pressed into the indentation 30 and the user is conveniently able to wash themselves.

Abstract: A tamper-proof and ligation-resistant apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a liquid container contained within a dispenser. The apparatus includes a back housing, a cover pivotally coupled to the back housing, a liquid cartridge coupled to the back housing, and an actuator coupled to the cover. The apparatus includes plates coupled to the cover and back housing to strength the apparatus or reduce gaps to prevent ligation. The actuator includes a dispensing hole small enough to prevent ligation. A pump nozzle insert compressibly fitted inside the pump nozzle reduces the liquid stream diameter and extends the pump nozzle so that the liquid stream passes through the dispensing hole unimpeded.

Abstract: Multi-ply fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Modulus (GM Modulus) of less than 1700 g/cm at 15 g/cm as measured according to the Modulus Test Method described herein and a Geometric Mean Elongation (GM Elongation or GM Elong) of less than 11.7% measured according to the Elongation Test Method described herein are provided.

Abstract: A toilet system having a toilet device with a toilet seat and electricity-using equipment such as an electronic component unit; a power supplying device that is disposed behind a wall and that has a power supply coil by which power is supplied; and a power receiving device that has a power receiving coil built into the toilet seat, that has a resonance frequency with respect to the power supplying device set, and that supplies power received from the power supplying device by way of magnetic resonance to the electricity-using equipment such as the electronic component unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas driven automatic moving steam circulation window wiping robot, comprises a housing, a driving mechanism, a wiping mechanism and a steam circulation mechanism. The driving mechanism comprises a main drive shaft, a follower shaft, a first motor, a rolling wheel, a suction cup walking device. The suction cup moving device comprises a crankshaft, a support pole, suction cups and a second motor. The wiping mechanism comprises a striped wiping cloth, a UV sterilization lamp and rotary brushes. The follower shaft is drivably connected to the rotary brush. The steam circulation mechanism comprises a negative pressure suction mouth, a negative pressure pump, a water precipitation tank, a filter tank and a steam generator connected in series through pipes.

Abstract: A water-fed pole for window cleaning comprising: an extendable pole comprising two or more pole sections, the pole sections being moveable relative to each other, in use, to extend and shorten the pole; and one or more clamps, each clamp being coupled to a given pole section and being operable to clamp the given pole section to an adjacent pole section, thereby fixing, in use, the length of the pole; wherein the or each clamp comprises a clamping surface arranged such that, on operation of the clamp, the clamping surface is brought into contact with a surface of the adjacent pole section to clamp the given pole section to the adjacent pole section, wherein at least a portion of the clamping surface comprises a resilient material.

Abstract: A jet cleaning structure of a cleaning robot mainly comprising at least one jet port and one roller brush, wherein the jet port is disposed at a perimeter of a suction port at the bottom of the cleaning robot and is provided for ejecting air towards the underside of the suction port; the roller brush includes a shaft and a plurality of hard brush rods, wherein two ends of the shaft are disposed in a roller groove at the bottom of the cleaning robot, the plurality of hard brush rods is arranged in a straight or helical manner in equal parts on the shaft, when the cleaning robot is moving, the cleaning robot drives the shaft to rotate with respect to the moving direction of the cleaning robot so that the cleaning robot can use the plurality of hard brush rods to push away the fluff of the carpet and use the jet port to eject air to blow away the dust and foreign substance accumulated at the bottom of the fluff, thereby allowing the suction port disposed at the bottom of the cleaning robot to suck in the dust an

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a hand vacuum cleaner, a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit. The hand vacuum cleaner has a main body housing a suction motor and fan assembly. The hand vacuum cleaner also has an air inlet centrally positioned on a front end of an air treatment member, the air inlet is releasably connectable with the air outlet of the rigid wand. The hand vacuum cleaner also has a hand vacuum cleaner electrical connector provided on the front end of the air treatment member adjacent the hand vacuum cleaner air inlet, the hand vacuum cleaner electrical connector is releasably connectable with the outlet end electrical connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention described herein relate to vacuum cleaners. The vacuum cleaners described herein can include a motor, a lid, a collection receptacle, and at least one support member to permit access to the interior of the vacuum cleaner. Also described herein are vacuum cleaners having a motor, a lid, a collection receptacle, and an accessory holder that can be pivotally mounted to the collection receptacle to permit access to the contents thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retaining plate (2) for a vacuum cleaner filter bag, comprising a base plate in which a passage opening (3) is formed, and a sealing flap (5) for sealing the passage opening (3), wherein the sealing flap (5) is biased in the sealed position via an elastic element (7), wherein the elastic element (7) is arranged in front of the sealing flap (5) when viewed in the sealing direction; and wherein the elastic member (7) comprises an elastomer, or the elastic member (7) comprises a coil spring (9), wherein the coil spring (9) is at least partially enclosed by a sheath (10).

Abstract: Provided is a cleaner including a dust collecting device for separating dust from air, wherein the dust collecting device includes a dust collecting case having a dust discharging port opened to discharge the collected dust; a discharge cover coupled to one side of the dust collecting case to open and close the dust discharge port; and a sealing member provided to extend from an inner surface of the dust collecting case to a coupling surface of the dust collecting case while being in contact with the dust collecting case and thus to be sealed when the dust discharging port is closed.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner capable of shortening time for cleaning and thus performing efficient cleaning in accordance with a cleaning area. The vacuum cleaner includes a main casing, a driving wheel, a cleaning unit, a feature point extraction part, and a control unit. The driving wheel enables the main casing to travel. The cleaning unit cleans a floor surface. The feature point extraction part extracts feature points in a periphery of the main casing. The control unit controls the driving of the driving wheel to make the main casing autonomously travel. The control unit, at the start of cleaning, compares the feature points extracted by the feature point extraction part and feature points corresponding to a previously-stored cleaning area to specify a present cleaning area.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a fan motor configured to generate suction, an input button configured to receive an input of a user, a first power supply circuit configured to convert alternating current (AC) power supplied from an external power source and output first direct current (DC) power, a second power supply circuit configured to store electric energy upon receiving the first DC power, and output second DC power based on the stored electric energy, a driver circuit configured to drive the fan motor upon receiving at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power, a first semiconductor switching circuit configured to control the first DC power supplied to the second power supply circuit, a second semiconductor switching circuit configured to control the first DC power and the second DC power that are supplied to the driver circuit, and a microprocessor configured to output a control signal for turning on or off the first semiconductor switching circuit and the second semiconductor switching circu

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a body which forms an outer appearance; and a mop module which is detachably connected to the body. The mop module includes: a pair of spin mops which contacts a floor while rotating clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from a top; and a module housing which connects the pair of spin mops. The cleaner may travel autonomously due to the rotation of the spin mops.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body which forms an external shape; two or more spin mops which rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when viewed from above and mop a floor with a damp cloth, and move the main body; and a cleaning module which is positioned in front of the spin mops and collects foreign substance existing on a cleaning target surface, wherein the cleaning module includes: a housing which is coupled to the main body and opened at a lower side; a dust container which forms a space for accommodating foreign substance and is positioned to be detachable in a lower side direction of the housing; and an agitator which is positioned inside the housing, and sends foreign substance existing on the cleaning target surface to the dust container by a rotation operation.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a body which forms an outer appearance; a mop module having at least one rag part which is provided to wipe a floor while rotating; and a detaching module comprising at least one catching portion which detachably catches the mop module to the body, and a manipulation button which is exposed outside, wherein when the manipulation portion is touched, the catching portion releases catching of the mop module.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a body defining an exterior appearance of the robot cleaner; a cleaning module coupled to the body and capable of performing cleaning with water. The cleaner also includes a water tank capable of being withdrawn from the body, and storing water to be supplied to the cleaning module. The cleaner also includes a light source inside the body, and positioned to allow emitted light to pass through the water tank and then discharged outside of the body.

Abstract: The present application relates to a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner of the present application includes: a main body which forms an external shape; a water tank which stores water; a rotation mop which is in contact with a floor while rotating and moves the main body; a drive motor which rotates the rotation mop; a motion detection unit which measures a reference motion of the main body when the rotation mop rotates; and a controller which measures a slip rate based on an actual speed of the main body measured by the motion detection unit in the reference motion and an ideal speed of the main body estimated according to driving of the drive motor, and controls an amount of water supplied to the rotation mop.

Abstract: A cleaner according to the present disclosure includes: a mop module which includes a pair of spin mops that contacts a floor while rotating clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from a top and is left-right symmetric with a virtual central vertical plane; a collection module which includes at least one collection unit that collects foreign substances from the floor at a position spaced apart from the mop module in a forward and backward direction, forms a collection space which stores the collected foreign substances, and is left-right symmetric with respect to the central vertical plane; and a body that connects the mop module and the collection module.

Abstract: The present application relates to a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner of the present application includes: a main body which forms an external shape; a moving mechanism which moves the main body; a bumper which is positioned to protrude from an outer periphery of the main body; an impact sensor which is positioned obliquely in the main body to detect movement of the bumper; and a pressing unit having a curved end portion which presses the impact sensor, when the bumper moves.

Abstract: A device for dispensing detergent into a dishwasher, comprising a cover element for closing off or opening up at least one opening (2) of a reservoir (1) for storing the detergent, wherein the reservoir (1) has at least one base wall (8) arranged opposite the opening (2) and at least one side wall (7) oriented transversely to the base wall (8), is proposed, which device improves on the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that at least one water conducting element (5, 9) is arranged for the conductance and/or guidance of water.