Abstract: A beverage dispensing system that can dispense both cold and hot drinks from either cold drink capsules or hot drink capsules. The cold or hot drink capsule is inserted into the system, and the lid is manually closed. if a cold drink capsule has been inserted, a mechanism cracks the capsule along a predetermined seam, injects cold mixing fluid into the capsule, and then rotates the capsule to pour out or further flush out the cold drink into a cup. If a hot drink capsule has been inserted, the lid is closed, and a rotating needle pierces the top of the capsule. The capsule is then punctured from the bottom. Hot water can then be injected into the top of the capsule, and the hot drink can be removed from the bottom into a cup.

Abstract: Frothing milk for cappuccinos is a skill that not many of the employees of restaurants and café s poses. Cappuccinos are therefore not always as creamy as preferred by the customers. The invention provides a device for frothing a liquid. This device allows employees of restaurants and café s with a minimum of skill and training to froth milk for much appreciated cappuccinos. The device comprises a support for positioning the device on a receptacle holding the liquid; and a guide for guiding an outlet for expelling a fluid for frothing the liquid, wherein the guide is adapted for positioning the outlet at an angle and/or a depth inside the receptacle relative to the support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knock box-integrated cleaner for a coffee machine portafilter, the knock box-integrated cleaner comprising: a knock box having an inner space part for receiving coffee grounds; a knock member in which fixing members are respectively coupled through guide rails to both sides of a cylindrical rubber bar disposed in the knock box, the guide rails being formed in upper parts of the knock box; a cleaner body in which a coupling projection and a mounting projection protrude from the cleaner body and a motor is installed in a center of a space part formed inside the body, the mounting projection having an upper part for mounting a handle of a portafilter; a collecting bucket which is inserted into the space part formed inside the cleaner body and has a protuberant part, formed protruding therefrom, for receiving the motor, and a space part for receiving coffee grounds inside, the protuberant part having a through hole formed in the upper end thereof, a motor shaft protruding out of t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating cooker using a ceramic heating element and a manufacturing method thereof, the method comprising: a cooker body preparation step; a heating element material preparation step of preparing any one or more selected from among mill scale, steelmaking slag and magnetite (Fe3O4); an inorganic binder preparation step of preparing, as an inorganic binder, a colloidal silica sol having a colloidal silica content of 8 to 30 wt %; a mixing step of mixing 20 to 40 parts by weight of the colloidal silica sol as the inorganic binder with 100 parts by weight of the heating element material, thereby making a heating material paste; an application step of applying the heating element paste to the bottom of the cooker body; and a drying and curing step of drying and curing the heating element paste, thereby forming a solid heating element.

Abstract: A baking pan is disclosed which protects edges of baked goods from becoming hard, chewy, burned, or caramelized during baking. An example baking pan may include a first sidewall forming an outer perimeter of a bottom surface, and a second sidewall forming an inner perimeter within the first sidewall, the inner perimeter defining a baking area for a product being baked. An insulating gap is formed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, thereby providing an even baking temperature for both edges of the product being baked and a middle portion of the product being baked. A removable lid at least partly covers the insulating gap and overlaps the baking area to protect edges of the product being baked from direct heat from above.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a food product adapter for a vertical grill. The vertical grill is standardly configured to heat or cook a round, square, or rectangular patty approximately the size of a hamburger. The food product adapter enables heating or cooking of other shapes in a standard hamburger slot, such as sticks, tubes, rolls, and other food product having a relatively narrow width and a relatively long length, such as a hot dog, fish stick, or the like.

Abstract: An assembly and method for the cooking of food is presented. The assembly of the present application is a singular device allowing versatility for the cook to prepare food either indoor or outdoor by operating effectively with different forms of heat generation while also being adaptable to various types of foods and work surfaces. Included is an upper portion and a lower portion concaved in shape to define an internal volume. The upper portion may pivot relative to the lower portion. An attachment member may be used to stabilize the lower portion to a work surface when the upper portion is opened. Heat may be provided via flame, charcoal and electrical heating element. Heat may be applied internally or externally to the lower portion. Additionally food may be cooked on a grate or in contact with the internal surface of the lower portion.

Abstract: A cooking grill includes a container defining a combustion area and a cooking surface over the combustion area. The grill features a pellet burner unit disposed within the container under the cooking surface and a pellet feeding device arranged to feed pellets into the burner unit. The burner unit comprises a trough into which the pellets are fed. The trough is mounted in a movable support which can be pulled out from within the container. The feeding device includes a removable cartridge for containing pellets and a receptacle for receiving the cartridge inserted thereon so that the cartridge supplies pellets for transfer to the pellet burner unit. In addition, a gas burner system is arranged in the container adjacent to the pellet burner unit so as to apply heat from the gas burner system to the cooking surface in addition to or as an alternative to the pellet burner unit.

Abstract: A collapsible three-legged platform is provided. The three legs are attached at a central pivot point such that the platform can collapse. The legs can be adapted to support a variety of objects.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rack for supporting pieces of meat within oil in a deep fryer. The rack includes a structure and one or more meat supporting members supported by the structure. The meat supporting members extend along a longitudinal axis and are spaced apart from neighbouring elements of the rack by a minimal distance in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The minimal distance is selected such that, when mounted on a first one of the meat supporting members, each of the pieces of meat is free from contact with the neighbouring elements of the rack and/or free from contact with adjacent pieces of meat received on a second one of the meat supporting members.

Abstract: An apparatus for roasting coffee beans comprises a roasting chamber for containing coffee beans. The roasting chamber is positioned within a resonant cavity of a waveguide. A microwave emitter produces microwave energy within the waveguide with one or more stable high intensity microwave regions within the roasting chamber to heat the coffee beans in the roasting chamber to a temperature sufficient to roast the coffee beans. A device configured to move the coffee beans within the one or more high intensity microwave regions is coupled to the roasting chamber.

Abstract: A food processor may include: a base; a container including an accommodation tub installed on an upper surface of the base and accommodating a processing target, a handle support part laterally protruding from a side surface of the accommodation tub, and a handle extending upwards or downwards from the handle support part; a lower enclosure installed on the upper surface of the base to surround a lower portion of the accommodation tub; and an upper enclosure positioned in a coupled state and a released state with respect to the lower enclosure and cooperatively supporting the handle support part together with the lower enclosure to suppress shaking of the container.

Abstract: A food product gripping mechanism is provided. The food product gripping mechanism includes a shaft connected to a hub. A release mechanism has a first passage in fluid communication with a second passage. The second passage is configured to allow the shaft to pass therethrough. A tension member is positioned partly within the first passage of the release mechanism. A guide spool is configured to receive a portion of the tension member and further configured to allow the shaft to pass therethrough and a plurality of tongs is connected to the hub. The plurality of tongs are configured for a contracted orientation and further configured for rotation to an expanded orientation. The plurality of tongs are further configured to grip a food product without piercing a skin of the food product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (100) of operating a kitchen machine (1) suitable for preparing foods, including the following steps: specifying (104) a recipe (11) for preparing the foods, determining (106) a thematic category (20) assigned to the recipe (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a kitchen machine (1) for preparing foods, as well as an ambience system (40).

Abstract: A cutting board includes a cutting surface assembled on a support surface, and corner fasteners that fasten the cutting surface on the support surface. At least some of the corner fasteners are releasable to detach the cutting surface from the support surface.

Abstract: A shower system includes a panel. The panel is configured to be mounted on a ceiling within a showering enclosure. The panel includes a deflection surface that includes a plurality of deflection features that are configured to redirect water that is incident upon the deflection surface at an upward angle toward a location directly beneath the panel.

Abstract: An dispenser includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing for holding a liquid, a nozzle, and a pump. The pump is disposed between the container and the nozzle. The pump includes a pump inlet, a pump outlet, a pump chamber, a first check valve, and a second check valve. The pump inlet is in fluid communication with the container and the pump chamber, and the pump outlet is in fluid communication with the pump chamber and the nozzle. The pump chamber is movable between an expanded position and a compressed position. The first check valve is disposed between the container and the pump, and the first check valve has a first cracking pressure. The second check valve is disposed between the first check valve and the pump, and the second check valve has a second cracking pressure. The first cracking pressure of the first check valve is greater than the second cracking pressure of the second check valve.

Abstract: Exemplary soap, sanitizer and lotion dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a housing; a receptacle for receiving a container; a container of fluid comprising soap, sanitizer or lotion; a pump in fluid communication with the container; a power source; a pump coupled to a motor and pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. The pulse width modulation circuitry is initially set to cause a selected dose of fluid to be dispensed at a base speed. A sensor for detecting a parameter indicative of an actual speed of a dispense of the fluid is also included. When the actual speed of the dispense of fluid is less than the base speed or greater than the base speed, the pulse width modulation circuitry adjusts the pulse width to cause the speed of a following dispense of fluid to be closer to the base speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of novel fibrous structures having a design element disposed on at least one surface. More particularly the present invention provides fibrous structures comprising a textured surface, and more preferably a textured background surface, and a design element wherein the design element is formed by removing a portion of the textured background. In this manner the fibrous structures of the present invention generally comprise a textured background surface having a top surface lying in a surface plane, a bottom surface lying in a bottom plane and a design element lying in a third plane between the surface and bottom planes. The textured surface provides the fibrous structures with an overall background pattern that is typically visually distinct from the design element imparted thereon.

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: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and an upper section mount and an upper portion moveably mounted to the upper section. The upper portion includes a wand. A portable surface cleaning unit is removably mounted to the upper portion. An air flow path extends from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and includes an upstream portion comprising the wand and a flexible air flow conduit downstream of the wand. Each of the wand and the portable cleaning unit can be separately removable from the upper section mount.

Abstract: A system, method, and a physical figure for presenting user progress in a virtual space are disclosed. The presented user progress may indicate user advancements in the virtual space and/or user development in the real-world. Based on information indicating such user progress, character representation may be determined to reflect the user progress for presentation on the physical figure. In some implementations, specific location(s) on the physical figure may be determined for presenting specific aspect(s) of user progress in the virtual space. The physical figure may receive the determined character representation information and present the character represent on one or more screens thereon.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are vacuum-based systems, products, devices, and methods for de-odorizing, disinfecting, or cleaning articles such as clothing, shoes, toys, or dishes. A system or device can comprise a vacuum chamber comprising an housing defining an internal space having an internal pressure and an opening; a vacuum lid adapted to engage with the opening of the vacuum chamber; and a vacuum source connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein operation of the vacuum source reduces the internal pressure of the internal space of the vacuum chamber, wherein the lower internal pressure enhances the vaporization and removal of odors located on one or more articles disposed within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An accessory module for a vacuum cleaner system that can be attached to any of the standard shop vacuum and help for reducing the re-emptying times while cleaning. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vacuum lid in a vacuum cleaning system with a large waste receptacle to be used in industrial or construction site. The vacuum lid is an innovative cleaning unit that has been designed to allow the user to easily swap the suction head off of the shop vacuum and place it on the large waste receptacle to pick up larger volumes of dust, dirt, and debris. Further, the system could adapt standard shop vacuum to larger containers, and latches could be used to secure the assembly to top of large waste receptacle.

Abstract: A buckle mechanism of a dust collecting barrel of a two-stage dust collector is provided. The buckle mechanism is disposed on the two-stage dust collector, and includes a first retaining seat and a second retaining seat corresponding to one side of the dust collector, and a support unit is disposed on a barrel cover. The first retaining seat is pivotally connected with a linking unit. One end of the linking unit is connected to the support unit. The second retaining seat is pivotally connected with a control unit. The linking unit is driven to actuate through two connecting members. The control unit drives the linking unit to actuate. By the lever principle, the linking unit drives the barrel cover to move up and down so as to assemble and disassemble the dust collecting barrel quickly and conveniently.

Abstract: A cleaner holder includes: a first body having a first charging port configured to charge a cleaner; a second body protruding to a front side of the first body; and a battery accommodating space recessed downward from an upper surface of the second body to accommodate a battery detachably mounted to the cleaner, wherein a second charging port configured to charge the battery is provided in the battery accommodating space, and a cleaner guide configured to perform guiding such that terminals of the cleaner come into contact with the first charging port is provided in the second body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning robot including: a driving unit configured to move the cleaning robot; an obstacle sensor configured to sense an obstacle; and a controller configured to reduce, if a distance between the cleaning robot and the obstacle is shorter than or equal to a reference distance, a driving speed of the cleaning robot so that the driving speed of the cleaning robot is lower than a shock absorbing speed when the cleaning robot contacts the obstacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a moving robot capable of recognizing a position on a map and a control method of the moving robot, and the moving robot according to the present invention includes: a travel drive unit configured to move a main body; an image acquisition unit configured to acquire images of surroundings; and a controller configured to recognize a current position.

Abstract: Disclosed are a moving robot and a control method thereof, and the moving robot performs cleaning by moving based on a map and is able to determine, based on a global localization function, the current position on the map no matter where the moving robot is positioned, so that the moving robot is capable of recognizing the current position on the map, and, even when the position of the moving robot is arbitrarily changed, the moving robot is able to recognize the position thereof again and move to an exact designated area, so that the moving robot is capable of perform designated cleaning and move rapidly and accurately, thereby performing cleaning efficiently.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first tank and a second tank. The body includes a front side, a back side, a top side and a bottom side. The body also includes a first fluid output, a first air passage, a second air passage, and a third air passage. A nozzle is removably attached to the front side of the body. The nozzle includes a fourth air passage proximate the bottom side of the body and a fifth air passage proximate the top side of the body. The fifth air passage is communicatively coupled with the fourth air passage. The nozzle is attached to the body such that the first air passage and the fifth air passage are substantially aligned. The apparatus also includes a handle coupled with the body, a vacuum motor, a fluid pump and a controller configured to activate the fluid pump and/or the vacuum motor.

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

Abstract: A method of adjusting a height of a robotic cleaning device over a surface across which the robotic cleaning device moves, and a robotic cleaning device performing the method. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a need to adjust height of the robotic cleaning device over the surface, and controlling, in response to the received signal, at least one actuator configured to adjust height of the robotic cleaning device in accordance with the indicated need.

Abstract: A robotic cleaning device having a main body, at least one drive wheel, at least one linking member rotationally coupled to the main body about a suspension axis and rotationally supporting the at least one drive wheel about a drive wheel axis such that at least a section of the main body can be raised from a lowered position, closer to the ground surface, to a raised position, further away from the ground surface. First and second spring members are arranged to provide a moment on the linking member about the suspension axis in the first direction to press the at least one drive wheel towards the ground surface. The moment provided by the first spring member is higher in the lowered position than in the raised position and the moment provided by the second spring member is higher in the raised position than in the lowered position.

Abstract: A robot includes a controller configured to: detect a virtual wall signal; identify a virtual wall according to a signal threshold and the virtual wall signal; and when the virtual wall is identified, adjust the signal threshold, and control the robot to travel along an outer side of the virtual wall according to an adjusted signal threshold and the virtual wall signal, such that a driving wheel of the robot is located at the outer side of the virtual wall when the robot is traveling along the outer side of the virtual wall; wherein the outer side of the virtual wall is a side of the virtual wall within an active region of the robot.

Abstract: In one example, a scouring article comprises: a backing layer having opposed first and second major surfaces; and a visually discernable functional material provided on at least one of the first and second major surfaces; wherein the functional material comprises a resin, and further wherein the functional material is configured to communicate information to a user of the scouring article regarding an intended end-use application of the scouring article. In another example, an abrasive article comprises: a pad having a scrubbing surface; and a plurality of shaped abrasive structures disposed on the scrubbing surface; wherein the plurality of shaped abrasive structures are arranged to provide an indication regarding a characteristic of the abrasive structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of automatic dishwashing, comprising: placing soiled wares inside a cleaning volume; providing a first cleaning composition comprising a bleach and a second cleaning composition different from the first composition; and delivering the first composition and the second composition separately to the cleaning volume to contact the soiled wares, wherein: the first composition is delivered to the cleaning volume as a mist and the second composition is delivered to the cleaning volume as a jet; and the first and second compositions are delivered to the cleaning volume at a temperature below 100° C. The invention also relates to a dishwasher and a kit for use in the inventive method.

Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first condenser and a second condenser, the first condenser located upstream of the second condenser in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant medium circuit includes a first flow path through the first condenser and a second flow path in bypass of the first condenser, and a valve for selectively controlling whether at least some refrigerant medium flows along the first flow path or the second flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sink incorporating dishwasher functionalities. The sink is mounted, or otherwise installed, on a kitchen countertop and includes a basin and a cover allowing to fluidly seal the basin from above. According to some embodiments of the sink, at least one portion of the walls of the basin, extending along two peripheral directions, is double walled, having an outer wall and an inner wall, such as to define an inner chamber there between. The inner chamber is controllably fluidly coupled to a pressurized fluid source and has apertures on the inner wall for ejecting fluid jets into the basin. In some embodiments of the sink, the cover is a shutter.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dishwasher may include a frame defining a treatment chamber for items to be washed, and at least one coupling system for coupling the frame to furniture walls. Each one of the at least one coupling system may include a support element coupled with the frame with the possibility of moving with respect to the frame, the support element being further adapted to be fixed to a corresponding furniture wall by means of a fastening member; and a regulation element coupled with the support element and operable to cause a movement of the frame with respect to the support element after the support element is fixed to the corresponding furniture wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes at least two tanks and methods of using the tanks to isolate, substantially isolate, or incrementally isolate different chemistries from each other during a cycle. The disclosed dishmachine design and method allows for the use of two different, and potentially incompatible, reactive, or offsetting chemistries to be used in the same dishmachine cycle.

Abstract: A dishwasher may include a frame defining a treatment chamber for items to be washed; a door for selectively accessing the treatment chamber, the door including a door panel; and at least one coupling system for coupling a decorative front panel to the door panel. The at least one coupling system may include a support member coupled to the door panel; a sliding member coupled to the decorative front panel and slidably coupled to the support member for sliding with respect and parallel thereto, such that the sliding of the sliding member with respect to the support member causes the sliding of the decorative front panel with respect to the door panel; and a regulation group including a rotatable regulation member that can be rotated by a user and a conversion member coupled to the regulation member and to the sliding member for converting a rotation of the regulation member into the sliding of the sliding member.

Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first heat exchanger arranged to deliver refrigerant medium heat to a first fluid and a second heat exchanger arranged to provide a heat exchange relationship between the refrigerant medium and a second fluid, the first heat exchanger located upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant medium circuit. A bypass arrangement for causing at least some refrigerant medium to selectively bypass at least one of the first condenser or the second condenser based upon subcooled refrigerant medium condition.

Abstract: A metering device for dispensing shaped cleaning-agent bodies into a washing chamber of a domestic dishwasher, comprising a reservoir, which is designed to hold a filling of the shaped cleaning-agent bodies and has a transfer opening in a region of the bottom of the reservoir, and a transport device for actively transporting the shaped cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening of the reservoir into the washing chamber. In addition, the metering device comprises a lifting device for raising the bottom of the reservoir at least in parts, wherein a discharge slant toward the transfer opening is produced at least in parts or the downgrade of an existing discharge slant is increased at least in parts by the raising of the bottom.

Abstract: A drying system includes a tub having a plurality of walls. The tub also defines a wet chamber. The drying system also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger integrally joined to one of the plurality of walls of the tub. The drying system may be provided in a dishwashing appliance. A method of making a dishwashing appliance includes positioning a pipe within a mold and forming a portion of the dishwashing appliance over the pipe in the mold.

Abstract: A tray rack includes opposed side support frames and a plurality of shelf hooks extend interior to the tray rack from the side support frames. Shelves include sides with a hang bar. Wires extend between the hang bars. The wires include a horizontal portion between upturned portions at either end. The upturned portion and the hang bars define the sides of the shelf. The shelves are connected between the opposed side support frames by engagement of the hang bars with the shelf hooks.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for sanitizing footwear having a pan, two or more mats positioned in the pan, and a spraying system to spray disinfectant directly on one of the mats. One of the mats is an absorbent mat, which may be a reusable mat, a disposable pad, or a plurality of disposable pads. The other mat is a heavy mat and has one or more cutouts. The heavy mat is positioned on top of the absorbent mat. The system for sanitizing footwear is a quick and easy way to sanitize the soles of footwear in an environment that cannot have moisture or the tracking of water.

Abstract: A footwear cleaning apparatus provides a footwear cleaning device that attaches to the door pocket of any vehicle. This reduces the amount of debris transferred from an individual's shoes onto the floor of a vehicle. It appeals to vehicle owners, passengers, mechanics, valets, and anyone else who desires to keep a car free of debris. This further prevents shoes from staining the interior carpet of a vehicle. The apparatus assists users in keeping their vehicle clean on a day to day basis with minimal effort.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting whether an illumination source of an endoscope is in use (inside the body of a patient) versus not in use (outside the body of a patient). The disclosure relies on the fact that the working environment is lit solely by the endoscope and its components. Thus, communication between the illumination or light source controller and the imaging device, such as a surgical camera, is required. When the illumination or light source is turned off and the endoscope is outside the body, a sensor will detect ambient light alerting the illumination source controller that it is outside the body, which then keeps the illumination source off or at a low intensity level. Conversely, when the illumination source is turned off and the endoscope is inside the body, the sensor will not detect any light (or will detect only a very low level of light).