Abstract: System for moving objects (201,203) by a driving cable (115). The system comprises two cable spools (105,107) enabled to wind and unwind the cable both sides (115a,b). A remote cable pulley (113) is arranged for guiding, at a remote location (X), the cable. The cable spools are arranged to exert, by means of constant torque springs (117,119) a cable pretension force in a direction (T) contrary to the unwinding direction (U) of the spools. Electric driving means (108) are provided to be coupled either to the one or to the other cable spool, thus causing the cable to move from the one to the other cable spool or reversely, in order to move said one or more objects connected to the cable, or to be disengaged from both cable spools in order to enable manual operation of said one or more objects connected to the cable.

Abstract: A manual food ricer tool includes a lower body assembly, one or a plurality of lower handles or grips connected to the body assembly, a strainer with interchangeable and replaceable screen inserts and a handle connected to the sleeve insert that is pivotally disposable into the body assembly, a pressure applying pusher plate disposed on the upper handle assembly that is pivotably attached to the lower body assembly and displaceable into the sleeve insert, the upper handle assembly pivotably connected to the pusher plate and the body assembly. The upper and lower handles and grips feature ergonomic inserts for easier handling and operation, while the replaceable screen inserts provide convenience in selecting ricer patterns as well as faster switching between ricer patterns during use, and easier disassembly and cleaning of the ricer tool during and after usage.

Abstract: A method for cooking and curing a food item comprises; sealing the food item in a plastic bag with a flavoring sheet, and applying pressure and heat on that food item. The step of applying pressure and heat includes controlling a pressure according to a pressure setting corresponding to a nature of the flavoring sheet, or to the ingredients in the flavoring sheet or to both. These pressure settings are also related to a nature of the food item, and/or to the cooking temperature. The sous-vide cooking appliance used for carrying that method comprises an inflatable membrane mounted against the heating surface for covering the heating surface and the food item. An air pump and pressure regulator are used to precisely adjust the pressure-temperature relation and the function of that relation during cooking, for promoting a flavor transfer between a flavoring sheet and the albumins of the meat being cooked.

Abstract: A portable sous vide cooking appliance that does not require a motor to physically move water or have its own container is provided. The portable sous vide cooking appliance may be used with a separate pot or other container holding water. The sous vide cooking appliance requires no water circulators to function. Unlike immersion circulators, only the heating element and the mechanism for delivering power to the heating element are immersed in water. The sous vide cooking appliance described requires no electric motor, no impeller pump, no water intakes and no water outtakes. Further, unlike immersion circulators, the sous vide cooking appliance passively circulates water through convection currents and are not required to actively agitate the water bath, creating noise and more evaporation and steam.

Abstract: A cold brew coffee apparatus has a first container, a second container, a centerpiece connector, and a filter. Preferably, the filter is positionable within the first container such that it divides the filter interior volume from the remainder of the first container interior volume. Preferably, cold brew infusion occurs when water in the first container interior volume passes through the water-permeable barrier and soaks coffee grounds within the filter interior volume to form a soluble coffee extract. An alternative cold brew coffee apparatus includes only a single brew chamber and a filter.

Abstract: Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.

Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus comprising a platform section having a plurality of attachment points for additional components. The platform is adapted to releasably secure in a wide variety of target beverage vessels. The additional components include, but are not limited to, a large volume filter means, a temperature regulator, or a gravity-fed brewer. The platform may also be incorporated into a vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel beverage vessel.

Abstract: A capsule for holding an extractable product for dispensing a beverage is disclosed. The capsule comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom, a lid, and an entrance opening portion and an exit opening portion for letting fluid in the capsule and draining prepared beverage from the capsule, respectively, of which at least one opening portion is closed to prevent fluid from passing. The circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid of the capsule enclose an inner space that comprises an extractable product, and the capsule further comprises at least one moveable portion of the capsule that extends at a distance from a respective opening portion, and that is arranged to open the respective opening portion by being moved with respect to the respective opening portion.

Abstract: A ground coffee dispenser intended to cooperate with a coffee machine, includes a ground coffee storage reservoir provided with a contour and a bottom, and a ground coffee distributor pouring a predefined quantity of ground coffee from the reservoir into a brewing area of the machine. The distributor includes a disk driven in rotation, curved blades being attached onto a lower face of the disk. The quantity of ground coffee poured is defined by a peripheral space provided between the diameter of the periphery of the disk and an inner wall of the contour, close to the bottom of the storage reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir includes an opening for transferring the ground coffee arranged under the disk. The curved blade extends from the periphery towards the inside of the disk to transfer the ground coffee admitted by the peripheral space into the transfer opening when the disk rotates.

Abstract: A device for filling a receptacle with a beverage and a user interface for allowing a user to select a desired level of fill of beverage in the receptacle. The interface includes a mechanism for detecting an object below the outlet, such that the receptacle can be filled with the beverage up to the user selected level of fill, wherein the detection mechanism is arranged to detect a position of a human finger or a hand-held freely movable pointing instrument, which human finger or pointing instrument is adjacent to and pointing towards a side of the receptacle, so that the level of fill of the receptacle is determined from the detected position of the finger or pointing instrument the user-selected level of fill and the beverage is dispensed to fill the receptacle up to that level. The device is useful in coffee or other beverage dispensing machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable containing a food substance for the preparation of a beverage by use of a beverage dispenser. To enable the recognition of placement and/or type of consumable in a simple, foolproof and easily implementable way an embodiment of the system comprises a light source (31, 301, 311, 321, 331, 341) for emitting light (35) to the consumable (4a, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), a light sensor (32 302, 312, 322, 332, 342) for sensing light (36) reflected from a reflection element (42, 52, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the consumable to obtain a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal depends on the position, orientation, fluorescence, phosphorescence and/or polarization characteristic of said reflection element, and a signal processor (33) for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable based on said sensor signal.

Abstract: A portable device having a temperature setting element is described. In some implementations, the portable device can include a cap including an integrated power source for supplying power; a housing including a storage for storing content; and a temperature-setting element including a temperature detection component for detecting the temperature of the content and a temperature-adjusting component for adjusting the temperature of the content. The temperature-setting element can include a core and one or more flanges protruding from the core. The temperature-setting element can receive power supplied by the integrated power source to perform the adjustment of the temperature of the content.

Abstract: A safety timer device, for a cooking appliance connected to an energy source, the cooking appliance having a heat generating component in communication with a heat controller. A timer communicates with the heat controller configured to count down a predetermined cooking time. An alarm unit, in communication with the timer, is configured to communicate an alarm signal for a predetermined alarm time after the cooking time expires.

Abstract: A food heating device with multilayer shelf includes a base, one or more shelf support, a first side wall member, a second side wall member, a bottom cover member, a middle cover member, and a top lamp bracket. There are two or more layers of heating rollers between the first side wall member and the second side wall member. The bottom cover member and the middle cover member are disposed above bottom heating rollers and middle heating rollers. Each of the cover members at different layers has a cover body. The cover body covers foods on the heating rollers. In addition, one or more lamp bodies can be provided. The food heating device with multilayer shelf is capable of increasing space for exhibition of foods and also increasing overall brightness by adding the lamp bodies.

Abstract: An automated grill system includes a food product dispensing system for dispensing uncooked food product; a dual-sided grill system for cooking the uncooked food product; a staging system for receiving cooked food product; and a non-continuous indexed conveyor belt for conveying the uncooked food product from the food product dispensing system to the dual-sided grill system and for conveying the cooked food product from the dual-sided grill system to the staging system.

Abstract: An air fryer with a flip function includes a body and an internal cavity installed in a lower interior of the body. A first wind wheel is mounted on an inner side at an upper end of the internal cavity. A heating pipe is installed below the first wind wheel. A partition is arranged above the internal cavity within the body. A cold circulation channel is formed between the internal cavity, the partition and the body. A second wind wheel is mounted on an upper end of the cold circulation channel. A detachable flip rack is horizontally provided in a middle portion of the internal cavity. A drive motor is arranged on an outer side of the internal cavity to drive one end of the detachable flip rack to rotate. An opening is provided on one side of the inner cavity. A flip openable panel is provided at the opening.

Abstract: Provided is an electrical fryer including an inner pot configured to contain oil, an oil filter configured to filter oil and drain oil contained in inner pot, an electrical heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held electrically driven domestic appliance and to a corresponding method for controlling the hand-held electrically driven domestic appliance. The domestic appliance includes an electric motor for driving the domestic appliance; a control unit for controlling the motor; a first actuation element for outputting a first control signal to the control unit in order to select a motor control mode; and a second actuation element for outputting a second control signal to the control unit. The control unit is designed to select a motor actuation mode from the specified motor actuation modes on the basis of the first control signal, and the control unit is designed to determine a motor actuation signal to be output to the motor on the basis of the selected motor actuation mode and the second control signal.

Abstract: A blender system is shown and described herein. In one aspect, the blender system includes a base with an interior and an exterior formed by a housing. The housing may include an air inlet port and an exhaust port. The interior of the base includes a motor bore forming an air pathway connecting the air inlet port to the exhaust port. The motor bore also includes an entry aperture fluidly connecting the motor bore to the air inlet port. The entry aperture is indirectly in line with the air inlet port. The exit aperture fluidly connects the motor bore to the exhaust port, and the exit aperture is indirectly in line with the exhaust port.

Abstract: A swizzle stick or drink stirring device includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end and at least one pair of opposed mixing blade segments extending outward from the elongated member and adjacent the second end. Plural opposed pairs of mixing blade segments may be spaced from one another near the lower end of the elongated member. Each opposed pair of mixing blade segments has a common axis that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The mixing blade segments have a distal end that terminates in a generally loop-like or paddle-shaped end.

Abstract: A film-uncovering and material-feeding mechanism includes a food material box, a film-uncovering assembly, and a connection housing assembly configured to support the food material box and the film-uncovering assembly. The connection housing assembly is provided with a feed port. The food material box includes a box body movably connected to the connection housing assembly and configured to accommodate the food material and a seal film provided between the box body and the connection housing assembly and configured to seal the box body. The seal film is provided with a hitching opening. The film-uncovering assembly includes a film-uncovering rotation shaft and a drive device configured to drive the film-uncovering rotation shaft to rotate. The film-uncovering rotation shaft is provided with a hook configured to be hitched with the hitching opening to uncover the seal film via rotation and to drive the box body to move towards the feed port.

Abstract: A baked good holding cabinet includes a compartment and provides a controlled environment within the compartment. A tray is configured to receive a plurality of baked goods and to be received within the compartment to hold the plurality of baked goods in the controlled environment. A cabinet actuator is operable to move a baked good within the cabinet to a dispense point of the cabinet.

Abstract: A method of making a sanitary basin. The method has the steps of providing a steel basin body, coating a face of the body with a layer of enamel, and burning macroscopic structures into the enamel coating with a laser beam. The structures are interconnected, for example forming a channel network.

Abstract: A wipe dispenser support system that includes an adjustable length base and a cover that is connected to the base and constructed to cooperate with a dispense end of a container of wipes. A lid is connected to the cover and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the cover. A support is connected to the base such that the cover and the support are located at generally opposite longitudinal ends of the base. The base preferably has a first portion and a second portion that are movable relative to one another such that the dispenser support system is usable with wipe containers of various sizes and shapes.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for determining or identifying the type of product in a dispenser based at least in part on the length of rolled product dispensed and/or the radial measurement.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly that includes a docking station comprising a body and an electrical contact coupled to the body; a hinge lock configured to couple the body to a toilet base, the hinge lock comprising a fastener engaging an opening in the body and having a bore; a hinge body coupled to the body, such that an electrical contact of the hinge body is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the docking station; a seat and/or a lid rotatably coupled to the hinge; and an electronic component housed on/in the hinge body, the seat, and/or the lid, where the electronic component is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the hinge body and is configured to receive electric power from an electrical wire configured to route through the bore in the fastener to electrically connect to the electrical contact of the docking station.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly that includes a unitary hinge base and a seat and/or lid rotatably coupled to the hinge base through a pivot member. The unitary hinge base includes a base member having interconnected walls including a front wall and defining an open bottom; a first mount extending from a first portion of the front wall; a second mount extending from a second portion of the front wall; a cover assembly configured to detachably couple to at least one of the first and second mounts in a covering position; a first living hinge connecting the cover assembly to the first mount, such that the cover assembly is movable relative to the first mount through the first living hinge; and a second living hinge connecting the cover assembly to the second mount, such that the cover assembly is movable relative to the second mount through the second living hinge.

Abstract: In one aspect, an autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to propel the robot along the floor surface and a tank assembly. The tank assembly includes a reservoir, left and right receptacles, and a handle extending across a cover of the tank assembly, the handle being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the handle is in the second position, the tank assembly is locked in position. The tank assembly also includes left and right latch assemblies receivable by the left and right receptacles, respectively. Each latch assembly includes a moveable assembly configured to lock the tank assembly in position when the handle is in the second position.

Abstract: A robot that includes a cleaning head including a first cleaning roller comprising a first sheath comprising a first shell and a first plurality of vanes extending along the first shell and extending radially outward from the first shell, the first shell tapering from end portions of the first sheath toward a center of the first cleaning roller, and the first plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a first axis of rotation of the first cleaning roller; and a second cleaning roller comprising a second sheath comprising a second shell and a second plurality of vanes extending along the second shell and extending radially outward from the second shell, the second shell being cylindrical along an entire length of the second cleaning roller, and the second plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a second axis of rotation of the second cleaning roller.

Abstract: A debris canister and filter assembly, which may be used in a vehicular vacuum cleaner, includes a debris canister having an inlet, an outlet, and a peripheral side wall. The peripheral side wall at least partially defines an interior space of the debris canister. A filter is disposed in the interior space of the debris canister, and includes filter media having a non-pleated portion and a pleated portion. The peripheral side wall forms a corner of the debris canister, and the filter media has a rounded-corner shaped to fit adjacent to the corner of the peripheral side wall.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dust container having a dust bag, made of an air permeable material, and a connector plate, surrounding an opening in the dust bag. The connector plate is configured by the connector plate being slid into a holder of a vacuum cleaner to correctly position the opening therein. The connector plate has a central portion surrounding the opening, and an extending portion projecting from the central portion. The extending portion has a lower bending stiffness than the central portion about an axis perpendicular to the direction in which it is inserted. Thereby extending portion can be bent out of the plane of the central portion and into a curvature without bending the central portion, which facilitates fitting the connector plate in a vacuum cleaner canister with curved inner walls.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an extension tube for electric vacuum cleaner, which has a reduced weight, is easier to grip, and is easier to operate. This extension tube for electric vacuum cleaner comprises a tube body and a conductive unit provided so as to pass through the interior of the tube body. The conductive unit has a conductive cable and a hollow plate which accommodates the conductive cable.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a cleaner main body including a motor for generating a suction force; a suction unit that is in communication with the cleaner main body and sucks air and dust; a battery that supplies power to the motor; a battery management system (BMS) that detects a status of the battery; and a controller that controls an operation of the suction motor, wherein the controller determines a time of stopping the suction motor based on a voltage detected by the BMS.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a waste water tank. The seal assembly comprises: a base (2) disposed at a waste water tank (1); a linkage (3) movably disposed at the base (2); a sealing cover (4) connected to the linkage (3) and disposed at a waste water inlet (101) and on a suction opening (102); and a push rod (5) connected to the linkage (3) and used for pushing the linkage (3) to press the sealing cover (4)so as to seal the waste water inlet (101) and the suction opening (102). A bottom end of the push rod (5) is connected to a side wheel component (6) of a floor cleaning machine and the push rod (5) can move up and down along the side wheel component (6).

Abstract: A portable surface treatment tool is provided, which is configured for attachment to a suction controller. The portable surface treatment tool is configured for use with vertical, overhead, inclined and horizontal surfaces and includes a head and a handle coupled to the head. The head includes: a rotatable surface treatment unit configured to engage a surface to be treated; a motor configured to drive the rotatable surface treatment unit; and a shroud substantially encasing at least a portion of the rotatable surface treatment unit, the shroud defining a suction region proximal the rotatable surface treatment unit. The suction region is configured to suck fluid from a surface to be treated. The shroud defines a suction connection formation configured to be coupled to a source of suction supplied by a suction controller, the suction connection formation being in fluid communication with the suction region to remove fluid from a surface to be treated.

Abstract: An autonomously traveling floor washer autonomously performs an appropriate cleaning operation so that a washing liquid does not remain on a floor surface. In accordance with a cleaning schedule, the autonomously traveling floor washer autonomously travels and performs cleaning of the floor surface using a squeegee and the washing liquid. If a washing liquid discharge position at a taught data obtaining time is not included in a squeegee movement track calculated based on a position and a width of the squeegee at the taught data obtaining time, the cleaning schedule is modified so that the washing liquid discharge position is included in the squeegee movement track.

Abstract: A system for enabling spot cleaning includes a mobile computing device and a mobile cleaning robot. The mobile computing device includes at least one camera configured to capture images of an environment, and at least one data processor configured to (a) establish, based at least in part on first information provided by the at least one image sensor, a coordinate system in the environment, (b) determine, based at least in part on second information provided by the at least one camera, a first set of coordinates of a region at a first location, (c) determine, based at least in part on third information provided by the at least one camera, a second set of coordinates of a mobile cleaning robot at a second location, (d) send the first set of coordinates and second set of coordinates, or coordinates of the first location relative to the second location, to the mobile cleaning robot, and (e) send an instruction to the mobile cleaning robot to request the mobile cleaning robot to travel to the first location.

Abstract: A scraper sponge for cleaning and scraping away unwanted substances from an object or surface comprising a sponge body defining a first surface, a first layer, second layer, third layer, second surface opposite the first surface, a continuous side surface around the perimeter; and a scraper and scraper holder secured in an aperture defining the scraper holder approximately between the first surface and second surface of the sponge body. The scraper, after being inserted into the scraper holder has a tip portion extending outwardly from the scraper holder within the aperture within the sponge body and defining at least 5 edges and a depressible surface concave female groove to which forces are applied to manipulate the rigid scraper. The sponge body is usable with or without the scraper and has two surfaces available for cleaning and scouring; the first surface and second surface. The second layer, third layer, third surface, and continuous side surface are made of the same sponge-like cellulose material.

Abstract: A dishwasher with an integrated closure element, such as a pivoting door or sliding drawer front, having a metallic front panel extending from an upper edge to a lower edge of the closure element includes a control console located at an upper end of the closure element. The control console includes an antenna located adjacent a user interface.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance also includes an inlet defined in the tub and providing fluid communication into the wash chamber. A sump is positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber and a heater is in operative communication with the sump. The dishwashing appliance also includes a heat pipe heat exchanger having a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section in operative communication with the wash chamber and the evaporator section is in operative communication with the sump.

Abstract: A rack assembly for an automatic dishwasher having opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle. Each roller wheel roller wheel has a hub adapted to be fixedly attached to the axle, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the hub. A plurality of separators that define pockets is integrally molded with one of the hub or the wheel. Each pocket is adapted to contain one ball bearing such that no two adjacent ball bearings make contact.

Abstract: An endoscope of the present invention includes: a cylindrical member disposed at a distal end of a bending portion of an insertion portion; a wire inserted into the cylindrical member; a protruding portion provided by cutting and bending a predetermined part of an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member in a direction of a central axis; an outer peripheral surface-side concave where a distal end portion of the wire is disposed; and a guide groove including an end part face provided at a predetermined position of the outer peripheral surface-side concave, the guide groove being elongated along the central axis and larger in width than a diameter of the wire, the guide groove being configured to guide the wire to the outer peripheral surface-side concave.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic endoscope system including: image signal generation means for sequentially taking images of a subject sequentially irradiated with multiple types of irradiation light having different spectrums and generating image signals of the subject irradiated with the respective types of irradiation light as image signals of multiple systems; storage means having a predetermined correction value stored therein in advance; and spectral image generation means for generating a spectral image based on image signals of at least two systems among the image signals of multiple systems generated by the image signal generation means. When generating the spectral image based on the image signals of the at least two systems, the spectral image generation means corrects an image signal of at least one system among the image signals of the at least two systems based on the correction value stored in advance in the storage means.

Abstract: Provided are an endoscopic system, a processor device, and a method of operating an endoscopic system that accurately index the depth of blood vessels within tissue of an observation object irrespective of the scattering characteristics of the observation object. A blood vessel depth feature amount calculation unit calculates a blood vessel depth feature amount. A scattering characteristics feature amount calculation unit calculates a scattering characteristics feature amount in which the blood vessel depth feature amount is not included and scattering characteristics in an observation object are reflected. A feature amount correction unit corrects the blood vessel depth feature amount depending on the scattering characteristics feature amount to obtain a corrected blood vessel depth feature amount. A display unit displays a blood vessel depth image on the basis of the corrected blood vessel depth feature amount.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an endoscope operation portion; a first grasping portion configured to enable the endoscope operation portion to be grasped in a first grasping state; a second grasping portion configured to enable the endoscope operation portion to be grasped in a second grasping state; and attaching portion mounting portions to which an attaching portion of a treatment instrument operation portion is attached so as to enable an operation of the bending operation lever and an operation of a slider provided to the treatment instrument operation portion of the treatment instrument to be performed with fingers of a hand grasping the first grasping portion or the second grasping portion, the attaching portion mounting portions being formed respectively on the first grasping portion and the second grasping portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible surgical instrument system, comprising a flexible surgical instrument (10). The flexible surgical instrument (10) comprises a flexible continuous body structure composed of a distal structural body (11), a proximal structural body (16) and a middle connecting body (15). The distal structural body (11) comprises a distal structural segment (12, 13), and the distal structural segment (12, 13) comprises distal spacing disks (121, 131), a distal fixing disk (122, 132) and structural backbones (123, 133). The proximal structural body (16) comprises a proximal structural segment (17, 18), and the proximal structural segment (17, 18) comprises proximal spacing disks (171, 181), a proximal fixing disk (172, 182) and structural backbones (173, 183). The middle connecting body (15) comprises channel fixing plates (152) and a structural backbone guide channel (151).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to body passageways. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods to facilitate entry of an endoscopic accessory tool into and/or through patient-specific anatomies. For example, the devices, systems and methods of the present disclosure may transmit mechanical motion to the distal end of an endoscopic accessory tool to facilitate atraumatic access to tortuous or otherwise restricted anatomies.

Abstract: Provided are a flexible portion shape estimating device and an endoscope system having the same. According to the present disclosure, the flexible portion shape estimating device includes a probe adapted to be inserted into a flexible portion and having a torque transmission wire transmitting a torque applied to one end thereof to other end thereof, and a rotation information measuring part coupled to other end of the probe to measure rotation information on the other end of the torque transmission wire.

Abstract: An endoscope cover includes a cover main body, a fragile portion, and a buffer portion. The cover main body includes a window and an annular portion. The window opens in a radial direction of a longitudinal axis of an insertion section. The annular portion is provided on a proximal side of the window along the longitudinal axis of the insertion section and surrounding the distal framing portion. The fragile portion is provided at a position on the annular portion which is adjacent to the window. The buffer portion is provided on the cover main body. The buffer portion includes an end portion. The end portion of the buffer portion is configured to reduce a force exerted from the distal side of the fragile portion onto the fragile portion along the longitudinal axis.