Abstract: The invention relates to the lid (100) of a container, in particular a beverage can having at least one pour opening (103) penetrating the lid panel (101) which is reclosable by at least one closure member (120), where the at least one closure member (120) can be moved by an actuating element (103) from a closed position, in which the at least one pour opening (103) is closed, to an open position, in which the pour opening (103) is at least partially exposed, at least one planar seal element (130) is arranged between the lid panel (101) and the closure member (120), and at least one sealing area is provided at the closure member (120) which when closing the pour opening (103) coacts with the at least one planar seal element (130), and where the at least one sealing area is formed as a seal ridge (121).

Abstract: A lid assembly includes a closure member and a valve assembly. The closure member has a socket in fluid communication with a liquid passageway. The socket has a wall with a cutout therein. The valve assembly includes a plug adapted for insertion into the socket to form a seal between the socket and the plug. The plug has a base, a side wall, and an interior chamber cooperatively defined by the base and the side wall. A portion of the side wall of the plug with a minimum thickness is disposed adjacent the cutout when the plug is inserted into the socket. The seal formed between the plug and socket is selectively moveable from a sealed configuration to an unsealed configuration by vacuum pressure being applied to the interior chamber of the plug.

Abstract: A dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments. The retrieving device has a front wall, first and second sidewalls, a rear wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall has a top edge. In a preferred embodiment, the front wall is convexly shaped and the top edge is curved upwardly. A tension arm is substantially parallel to the rear wall.

Abstract: A hand to mouth bite counting device is provided that may be worn on a hand, wrist or arm of a user to silently and continuously count the number of bites of food taken by the user. The bite counting device may include a sensing device that collects data corresponding to a sensed movement, and a processor that implements an algorithm to process the collected data and determine whether data collected within a given interval of time corresponds to a bite of food taken by the user. The processor derives a set of attributes from the data collected within the given interval of time to define the sensed movement. The device also provides feedback, goal setting functionality, and long-term statistics to serve as a dietary aid.

Abstract: A recipe holder that temporarily hangs from the top of a cabinet door with a clip that adapts to a very wide variety of cabinet door edges and configurations. The recipe holder is adjustable in length to conform to the user's eye level and collapses for ease of storage. The holder has a spring clip at its lower end for holding sheets of paper or cards.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a logistics rack and an application method thereof. The logistics rack comprises a cabinet frame, wherein the cabinet frame is divided into a plurality of storage areas; a plurality of encoded cards A are provided on the top of the cabinet frame, a hanging member is connected below the encoded card A, and an express fixing device is connected to the bottom of the hanging member; a cabinet door with a password recognition device is mounted on the cabinet frame. A control system is mounted inside the cabinet frame, and an input end of the control system is connected to an input end of the password recognition device, and the output end is connected to a lock of the cabinet door. The logistics rack can save logistics time, improve logistics efficiency, and reduce logistics costs, and is safe and reliable.

Abstract: A foldable tree skirt to cover a tree stand for a tree or Christmas tree. The cover includes a plurality of enclosed pockets containing rigid panels therein, and an attachment device for attaching a first end of the cover with a second end of the cover. The cover with the enclosed panels within the pockets of the cover is foldable in a disassemble state. In an assembled state, the cover is releasably secured together to form a three-dimensional enclosure having a substantially continuous sidewall adapted to surround the tree stand of the Christmas tree. The plurality of poles with pole connectors are assembled to removably fit onto the top of the inside sidewall and onto the bottom inside sidewalls of the cover, so as to maintain the three-dimensional shape, i.e. cone shape. The cover can be a single piece that wrappers around the tree stand and/or fits around the tree trunk.

Abstract: A foldable lighted tree assembly includes an assembly frame with a plurality of elongated assembly frame legs each having a first leg end and a second leg end. The plurality of assembly frame legs converges at the second leg end. The plurality of assembly frame legs are selectively deployable between an extended, functional configuration wherein the assembly frame is generally pyramid-shaped and a folded, non-functional transport and storage configuration wherein the plurality of assembly frame legs are generally parallel and adjacent to each other. At least one light string having a plurality of lights is supported by the assembly frame.

Abstract: The modular holiday tree device is a convertible item of furniture for domestic use. The modular holiday tree device is multi-functional. The function of the modular holiday tree device converts between a floor lamp, an apparel rack, a display rack, and a holiday tree. The modular holiday tree device comprises a base, a stanchion, and an electric fixture.

Abstract: A system for mounting decorative objects, such as Christmas trees, is disclosed. The system can include a base and a plurality of inserts. The base can comprise a plurality of feet that have a retracted position for ready storage and a deployed position for supporting a tree. The base can further comprise a locking mechanism for locking the feet in the retracted position, the deployed position, or both. The base can further comprise an adapter for receiving one or more inserts. The inserts can comprise a consistent outer diameter, for insertion into the adapter, and a variety of inner diameters for use with a variety of tree diameters. The insert can be installed on the trunk of a tree and then installed into the adapter on the base simplifying the tree erection process.

Abstract: A corn creamer may include a creamer base. A rotatable sleeve drive shall may be carried by the creamer base. A creamer sleeve may he drivingly engaged for rotation by the sleeve drive shaft. The creamer sleeve may have a sleeve wall and a sleeve interior formed by the sleeve wall. At least one creamer blade assembly may include at least one blade shaft carried by the sleeve wall of the creamer sleeve. At least one creamer blade may be carried by the at least one blade shaft in the sleeve interior of the creamer sleeve. In some, applications, a hand drill may be coupled to the sleeve drive shaft to rotate the sleeve drive shaft as an ear of corn is inserted into the rotating creamer sleeve. The at least one creamer blade of the at least one creamer blade assembly may contact the corn kernels on the ear of corn to remove the corn kernels typically for preparation of creamed corn.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a food processing chamber having a food inlet, a juice outlet and a pulp outlet. The food processing chamber includes a food entry section having the food inlet and the juice outlet, and a food compression section extending between the food entry section and the food pulp outlet. A spindle extends through the food processing chamber for transporting food from the food entry section through the food compression section. The spindle has a body and a helical member extending from the body by a height of no more than 10 mm. The helical member includes a helical cutting portion in the food entry section, and a motor having a gear box coupled to the spindle and configured to rotate the spindle at a rotation speed of at least 300 rotations per minute during operation of the juice extractor.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking vessel which comprises heat transfer structures for directing a flame, which is concentrated on the center of a vessel part, to be diffused to the edge of the vessel part, thus allows heat to be sufficiently diffused to parts other than the center while the heat is conducted from the outer side to the inner side of the bottom of the vessel part, can be made lightweight, and allows a reduction in material and production costs. The cooking vessel, which comprises the vessel part in which to put and cook contents and handle parts installed on the vessel part, has the heat transfer structures installed on the outer side of the bottom of the vessel part, wherein the heat transfer structures are formed in a shape that allows the radial formation of multiple flame diffusion paths for flame diffusion to the edge of the vessel part.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a communicator that communicates with a terminal, a link-state manager that manages link-state information indicating whether or not a link to the terminal is active, a heater that performs a heating operation on a cooking tool, a receiver that receives a user operation, and a controller that controls the communicator or the heater which is a control target, on the basis of the user operation. In the case where the link is active, when the user operation is performed on the receiver, the controller causes the communicator to transmit instruction information to the terminal. The instruction information indicates an instruction to switch an image being displayed on the information display apparatus from a first image to a second image.

Abstract: A coffee preparation machine can include at least one sealed pod containing unroasted green coffee beans, a roasting system that accepts the at least one sealed pod, a grinding system, and a brewing system, where the brewing system, the roasting system, and the grinding system can be housed within a single self-contained unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-retaining tray for a pizza, comprising one of a support means and an electricity supply means. The present invention provides a heat-retaining tray comprising: an upper plate having a plurality of protrusions formed such that food is laid on the upper surface of the plurality of protrusions; a side wall integrally formed vertically on the periphery of the upper plate; and a temperature increase unit for raising the temperature of the upper plate.

Abstract: A rotisserie adapter apparatus for use with a cooking device includes an annular cylindrical base. The base has an inner wall about a central opening, the inner wall having a substantially consistent depth about the base. The base also includes a top surface abutting the inner wall and an outer wall abutting the top surface, the outer wall having a depth ranging from a first depth at a front of the base comparable to the depth of the inner wall to a near zero depth at a back of the annular cylindrical base. A bottom surface of the base connects between a bottom of the outer wall and an outer surface of the inner wall. At least two notches are formed in the inner wall, wherein the central opening is positioned between notches, and wherein at least one of the notches extends through the top surface of the cylindrical base.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a grill is provided including performing a first calibration run. A first calibration run includes monitoring a current of a leveling mechanism as the first grilling surface moves into contact with a second opposite grilling surface to determine a first location of the grilling surface. The current of the leveling mechanism is also monitored as the first grilling surface moves out of contact with the second grilling surface to determine a second location of the first grilling surface. A first calibration setting including the first location and the second location is stored in the control.

Abstract: A grilling device includes an oven section having an outer wall with opposing side portions and an encircling body portion extending therebetween. The body portion has an access opening and the grilling device includes a lid that selectively covers the access opening by means of a handle attached thereto. The grilling device also includes opposing hinge elements connected to opposite sides of the lid and to the side portions of the outer wall, as opposed to the encircling body portion. In particular, the hinge elements are connected to respective rear areas of the side portions. Accordingly, the path of opening the lid has a different shape or curvature and thereby positions the handle substantially lower than if the hinge elements were connected to the body portion adjacent to the access opening. The opposing side portions have a substantially oval shape and the hinge elements have an elongated configuration.

Abstract: A modular food holding system includes a plurality of individual modularized food holding chambers, each of the plurality of food holding chambers being physically and communicatively removably connected to one another. Each of the food holding chambers includes a food holding cavity and at least one of a heating element and/or a cooling element for heating or cooling the food holding cavity. A chamber base is physically and communicatively removably connected to one of the food holding chambers and operation of at least one food holding chamber is controlled by the chamber base.

Abstract: A mixing system and method may be used to facilitate mixture of ingredients within a container such as a bottle for mixing fitness and recreational beverages and the like. The mixing system may include a mixing apparatus with a container engagement component that couples the mixing system to the container, and a mixing component that mixes the ingredients. The mixing component may have a shaft, a plurality of rotatable mixing members that are rotatable about the shaft, and a plurality of stationary mixing members that are fixedly secured to the shaft. The mixing members may be arranged to contact the ingredients in a manner that facilitates mixture of the ingredients together, in response to repetitive motion of the container.

Abstract: An automated food storage, preparation and dispensing device includes a housing, a plurality of food compartment units, a plurality of utensil compartment units, a dispensing unit for dispensing food, a refrigeration unit, a cooking unit for cooking food material, a packaging unit for packaging the cooked food material, a food collection unit, a memory unit for information storage, a processor coupled to the memory unit, and a touch screen display. The device is configured to receive information and commands over a communication network.

Abstract: A method using thin material such as plastic to create a flat food preparation surface of suitable size. Any durable, hygienic, and easily-cleaned substance may be utilized. The sheet is adapted by inclusion of perforations to serve has handles as well as longitudinal scoring or similar features to control site of folding. The perforations may be of different shapes and scoring of different lengths and positions in varying embodiments. Reinforcement with hinges at the scorings may be included in certain embodiments. Grasping and bringing together the handles folds the sheet into a predictable shape to allow foods to be easily directed to a recipient vessel of any dimension.

Abstract: The bathroom support system is a stability assistance device. The bathroom support system is removably installed in the bathing structure. An individual uses the bathroom support system as a supporting structure by holding onto the bathroom support system during bathing activities. The bathroom support system comprises a telescopic structure, a plurality of supports, and an alarm system. The plurality of supports and the alarm system attach to the telescopic structure. The telescopic structure adjusts the size of the bathroom support system to match the space provided in the bathing structure. The plurality of supports: 1) stabilize the bathroom support system; and, 2) provide anchor points, which are grasped by the individual for stabilization. The alarm system is a safety device that allows the individual to call for assistance from an appropriate authority if it is required.

Abstract: A bathing vessel includes a base and at least one wall extending vertically from the base. The wall includes a multi-layer structure that includes a layer of acrylic material on a first layer of polyurethane material, a layer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material between the layer of acrylic material and the first layer of polyurethane material, and a second layer of polyurethane material between the layer of ABS material and the first layer of polyurethane material. A wood-containing composite panel is chemically bonded to at least one of the first or second layers of polyurethane material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for integrated emergency wash systems. Various embodiments include thermostatically controlled mixing valves arranged so as to permit load carrying by the body of the valve. Further, the integrated wash systems are especially suited for use in laboratories and manufacturing settings in which available space is at a premium.

Abstract: A method of assembling a shower door sealing assembly includes inserting a bumper into a channel that extends along an outer perimeter of at least one vertical side of a door frame having two vertical sides and a horizontal side that extends between the vertical sides. The bumper is coupled to the door frame via a friction fit between the channel and the bumper. The method also includes installing the door frame within a showering enclosure in an orientation in which the vertical sides of the door frame are parallel to a wall of the showering enclosure and the at least one horizontal side is parallel to a floor of the showering enclosure.

Abstract: A shower track guide system for a shower enclosure may include an elevated track positioned above a base and at least one stand disposed between the base and the track. The track may be mounted to the at least one stand. A shower door may be movable along a top of the track to permit access to the shower enclosure. The stand may elevate the track above the base to permit water to flow underneath the track.

Abstract: A dispenser has a housing with a stem extending through the housing. The stem is attached to a head which rotates therewith. When the stem/head combination are rotated axially into, are in some positions, blocking flanges block portals into the stem. In other axially rotated positions, portals in the stem are unblocked by the portals. The portals are at a side of the stem adjacent to the bottom in embodiments of the disclosed technology. Further, a bottom region of the internal space can be conical to direct the material towards the portals, the bottom side of the stem being surrounded by the adjacent conical space such that it fits snugly there-with in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing a fluid product from a product container, includes a unitary pump body defining an axis and including a pump chamber, a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump chamber is collapsible over an axially directed pumping stroke from an initial condition to a collapsed condition and is biased to return to its initial condition in a return stroke. An axially compressible spring is arranged to at least partially support the pump body during its collapse.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.

Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first motor to control a rotation and a second motor to control a vibration of a moving portion of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a controller to control of a ratio between the rotation and the vibration.

Abstract: A coreless roll of an absorbent sheet product, such as napkins, toilet paper, towels etc., including a spirally wound continuous web of absorbent material having a first end and a second end and a coating composition comprising a specific polymer coated onto the second end is disclosed. The coreless roll has excellent resistance to collapsing, as well as excellent flexibility and elasticity. Moreover, the coreless roll has excellent disintegrability in water and can be used along its whole length. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture of the coreless roll.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a dispenser body having an interior cavity, and an aperture that communicates with the interior cavity. The dispenser also includes a loading door and a lid. The lid engages a dispenser surface when in the closed position to thereby create a substantially gas impermeable seal. The dispenser further includes a mounting surface disposed within the interior cavity and proximal the aperture. The mounting surface includes a mounting interface that permits substantially gas impermeable mounting of a cartridge while permitting access to the cartridge from the exterior of the dispensing body through the aperture.

Abstract: Certain dual roll dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet product are provided. In one example, the method includes receiving, by the controller, a first trigger from at least one motion sensor. The method includes determining an active product being dispensed by the dispenser, and powering, in response to the first trigger, a measurement device configured to measure an amount of the active product dispensed by the dispenser. The method also includes receiving, from the measurement device, dispense event information associated with the measured amount of the active product dispensed by the dispenser during a dispense event, and storing the dispense event information.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for a sequential roll paper product dispenser is presented. The carriage assembly is placed within tracks of the dispenser and allows for automatic advancement of roll paper products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a foldable chair frame adapted for a bedpan, comprising: a fixed base; a seat plate, a center of which forms a defecation hole; a support assembly, two ends of which are hinged to the fixed base and the seat plate, respectively, the support assembly comprising a front support assembly and a rear support assembly; a driving device provided for driving the support assembly to rotate and/or driving the seat plate to move up and down, the driving device being connected to the front support assembly or the rear support assembly, or being connected between the fixed base and one of the seat plate, the front support assembly and the rear support assembly. The present invention can provide aid to the patients or the disabled person lying in bed all day to use the bedpan. It also can be folded for easy and convenient storage when not in use.

Abstract: A storage caddy for a cleaning implement can include a holder configured to receive a wand or cleaning implement and a storage container having a lid connected to the storage container. The storage caddy can also include a tray for holding a first set of cleaning pads and a sleeve for holding a second set of cleaning pads. The first set of cleaning pads can be arranged in an upper portion of the storage container above the second set of cleaning pads, and the second set of cleaning pads can be located in a lower portion of the storage container. The wand or cleaning implement can be configured to receive one of the first set of cleaning pads from the tray or one of the second set of cleaning pads from the sleeve.

Abstract: A window-cleaning robot provided with a closed wiper (13), comprising a rotating base (10) and an outer frame (20); said rotating base (10) being rotatably disposed on the outer frame (20); the bottom of said outer frame (20) being provided with a cleaning unit (21); said rotating base (10) being provided with a travel unit (11) and a suction cup (12); the bottom surface of the rotating base (10) also being provided with a wiper (13); said wiper (13) being disposed on the bottom surface such that the wiper (13) surrounds the rotating base (10) in a closed shape; the travel unit (11) and/or the suction cup (12) being enclosed within said closed shape. The wiper (13) is entirely closed such that regardless of where the robot travels, 360° wiping can be accomplished, effectively preventing the travel unit (11) and the suction cup (12) from becoming wet, resulting in more effective wiping and effectively preventing slippage.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle, an upright portion pivotally connected to the nozzle, a hand vacuum including a suction source and a power source, the hand vacuum being removably attached to the upright portion, and the power source is removable from the hand vacuum while the hand vacuum remains coupled to the upright portion.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body that includes a suction motor, wheels that are configured to move the cleaner body, a driving motor that is configured to drive the wheels, a suction unit that is configured to communicate with the cleaner body, a connector coupled to the suction unit, the connector being rotatably connected to the cleaner body, a sensor that is disposed on the connector and configured to sense a movement of the connector, an elastic member that is configured to provide an elastic force to the connector toward an initial position of the connector, and a controller that is configured to control the driving motor based on movement information sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A particle collecting apparatus is provided with a case, an ultrasonic generator, a gas supplying unit, a suction unit and a seal member. The case has one end, and defines a space at the one end. The ultrasonic generator is provided in the case, and generates ultrasonic waves towards the opening defined by the one end of the case. The gas supplying unit supplies gas to the space. The suction unit exhausts the space. The seal member has elasticity, and is provided at the one end so as to surround the opening.

Abstract: A cleaner head that includes a main body having an agitator chamber, an axle that extends into the chamber, a bearing assembly mounted on the axle, a biasing member, and an agitator mounted on the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is moveable along the axle between a first position and a second position. The biasing member then biases the bearing assembly towards the first position, and the agitator pushes the bearing assembly against the biasing member towards the second position.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a driving member including a first driving shaft and a second driving shaft in both sides thereof, a first drum of which one end is coupled to the first driving shaft to be driven by directly receiving driving force of the first driving shaft, and a second drum of which one end is coupled to the second driving shaft to be driven by directly receiving driving force of the second driving shaft.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner that can be improved in quietness without increasing in size while securing air intake balance. The electric vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower. The electric vacuum cleaner includes a separating part that separates dust sucked by the electric blower. The separating part includes a first centrifugally separating part that centrifugally separates dust sucked by the electric blower. The separating part includes a plurality of second centrifugally separating parts that centrifugally separates dust smaller than dust to be separated by the first centrifugally separating part. The second centrifugally separating parts communicate with the downstream side of the first centrifugally separating part, and are disposed at positions opposite to each other with respect to the electric blower.

Abstract: In a first mode, a control unit controls operation of driving wheels so that a main casing is made to travel straight and, upon detection of an object by an object sensor, the main casing is changed in traveling direction and made to travel straight. In a second mode, the control unit controls the operation of the driving wheels so that the main casing travels in a curved shape along an object detected by the object sensor. When a charging device is not found by a signal reception part during traveling within a region by the first mode, the control unit is changed over to the second mode. The control unit is changed over to the first mode when it is decided a specified number of times or more that the main casing has moved to a different region by the second mode.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a housing a sensor assembly disposed in the housing, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a light source configured to emit light toward an area in front of the housing; a camera unit comprising a lens; a reflector configured to reflect light incident on a front of the housing toward a front region of the lens; and a guide member hollow inside configured to guide light incident on a top of the housing toward a rear region of the lens. The robot cleaner estimates a current position of the robot cleaner more accurately by correcting the current position of the robot cleaner estimated by using odometry information based on images acquired by the camera unit.