Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is movably attached to the housing. The lid is moveable about a hinged axis between an open position and a closed position. A foot for supporting the housing is substantially vertically aligned with the hinge axis to stabilize the housing when the housing is oriented at a 15 degree angle and the lid is in the open position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A food container having a hollow container interior is positionable within the hollow chamber. An end of the food container extends above the upper portion of the housing when the container is installed within the hollow chamber. A lid is moveably attached to the housing and is moveable between a first position that covers the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber when the food container is installed within the hollow chamber and a second position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said lid and said housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. At least one lid is movable relative to the housing. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the at least one lid and at least one detector is operable to detect a configuration of the at least one lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of cooking modes and operation of a particular cooking mode is dependent on a detected configuration of the at least one lid by the at least one detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the cooking system is functional in a plurality of cooking modes. The cooking system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing and at least one heating element is associated with said lid. In a first cooking mode of the plurality of cooking modes, the at least one heating element is open to airflow between the at least one heating element and the hollow chamber, and in a second cooking mode, the at least one heating element is closed to airflow between the at least one heating element and the hollow chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the cooking system being functional in a plurality of cooking modes. The cooking system includes a housing having a hollow chamber, and a cooking lid movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the housing. At least one heating element is associated with said lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a convective cooking mode and a pressure cooking mode. The cooking lid is configurable in the closed position when the cooking system is in both the convective cooking mode and the pressure cooking mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system including a housing defining a hollow chamber for receiving a cooking container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber and includes a heating element. A first portion of a bayonet locking system is located on the upper portion, about the opening. A pressure cooking lid configured to cover the opening and seal the cooking container includes a second portion of the bayonet locking system engageable with the first portion to lock the pressure cooking lid to the housing. A convection cooking lid is moveable between a first position where the convection cooking lid covers the opening and a second position where the convection cooking lid is spaced away from the opening. The convection cooking lid includes a heating element and a fan. The cooking system is operable in a pressure cooking mode and a convective cooking mode.

Abstract: A live fire grill lift system uses a direct drive acme gear system to raise and lower a grilling surface, which may be performed utilizing a hand wheel mounted to a horizontal metal rod and coupled to a bevel gear. The hand wheel can be rotated to raise and lower the grilling surface. The grill lift system does not use cables or chain systems to raise and lower the grilling surface, making it safer and longer lasting.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming vacuum insulated containers, such as beverage and food containers, are described. The methods and systems include using a laser to close openings in walls of the container while the container is held at vacuum conditions. The closing of the opening forms the vacuum space within the walls of the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee bean container (10, 10?) comprising green and/or partially roasted coffee beans, the container comprising: an inner volume (14) where beans are stored; roasting means allowing beans roasting in a certain required degree depending on the original roasting level of the stored beans; at least part or complete grinding means allowing grinding of the beans, once roasted, to a certain grinding size. The roasting means preferably comprise a roasting hollow tube (11) through which hot air at pressure circulates such that coffee beans circulate within the internal container volume and inside the tube (11), creating a fountain effect.

Abstract: A food preparation device can include a receptacle, a manipulator, one or more sensors and a processor. The processor can recognize one or more food items being prepared on the receptacle to detect attributes of each food item of the one or more food items, based on the sensor data of the one or more sensors. Additionally, the processor can control a cooking operation of the manipulator based on the detected attributes.

Abstract: A foaming component for use in a foaming liquid dispenser, and an insert arranged so that it may be inserted into a liquid dispenser comprising the foaming component. The foaming component comprises a liquid chamber; an air chamber; a sparging component, which comprises a sparging interface and a foaming region; an exit aperture; and a pumping mechanism. The pumping mechanism is arranged such that it can transfer liquid from the liquid chamber directly to the foaming region, and air from the air chamber to the foaming region, via the sparging interface. The forcing of air through the sparging interface causes bubbles to form in the liquid located in the foaming region, resulting in a foamed mixture for dispensing. The pumping mechanism is then used to transfer the foamed mixture from the sparging component through the exit aperture, wherein the sparging interface is arranged such that at least a portion of the foaming region is positioned in between opposing surfaces of the sparging interface.

Abstract: A rolled product dispenser for dispensing a web of rolled product, comprising: a housing; and a dispensing assembly at least partially housed in the housing and interacting with the web of rolled product and including a dispensing roller having a rotation center and a peripheral wall with an upper section. The dispensing assembly can comprise an upper tensioning assembly and/or a lower tensioning assembly and/or a variable tension return assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to a devices for dampening inadvertent rollout of a paper roll. Generally, the disclosed dampening device for a paper roll is a device that rests on a bottom portion of an inner surface of a paper roll when the paper roll is installed in a horizontal orientation. The dampening device relies on its weight, to provide friction to resist rollout.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to dispensing wipes that are treated as the wipes move through a housing of a dispenser. Such in situ treatment of the wipes may facilitate, for example, achieving control over one or more of the concentration, composition, or distribution of one or more chemicals carried by the wipes. Further, or instead, the one or more chemicals may be formed within the housing (e.g., just prior to treating the wipes), which may be useful for treating the wipes with chemicals that have limited stability and/or for reducing chemical handling requirements along a supply chain.

Abstract: A toilet roll extender uses an existing toilet roll dispenser and repositions the toilet paper to a more reachable location.

Abstract: The cleaner includes a suction inlet configured to guide air and dusts, a main body including a first cyclone unit configured to separate the air and the dusts, which are suctioned through the suction inlet, from each other, and a dust separation module separably connected to the main body and including a second cyclone unit configured to separate the dusts from the air discharged from the first cyclone unit.

Abstract: The cleaner includes a main body having an opening, a suction motor accommodated in the main body and configured to generate suction force, an opening cover separably coupled to the main body and configured to cover the opening, and a filter mechanism accommodated in the main body through the opening and configured to filter foreign substances of air discharged by the suction motor. When the opening cover is separated from the main body, at least a portion of the filter mechanism protrudes to the outside of the main body through the opening. While the opening cover is coupled to the main body, at least a portion of the filter mechanism protruding to the outside of the main body is pressed by the opening cover so as to be accommodated in the main body.

Abstract: A suction nozzle includes a nozzle body including a suction port. The suction nozzle also includes a rotary cleaning unit rotatably mounted in the nozzle body and having a cleaning element for cleaning a floor. Additionally, the suction nozzle includes an anti-winder mounted on the nozzle body and having a plurality of contact parts that overlap a side end of the cleaning element along at least a portion of a rotational path followed by the cleaning element of the rotary cleaning unit when the rotary cleaning unit is rotated.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a body configured to house a suction motor, a nozzle coupled to the body and including a suction port, and a movable unit coupled to the nozzle in front of the suction port. The movable unit is movable between a first position where the movable unit overlaps with the nozzle and a second position where the movable unit protrudes forward from the nozzle.

Abstract: A dust gathering box is disclosed. The dust gathering box is installed inside a sweeping robot. Dust is sucked into a dust containing space through an air inlet hole. The airtight dust containing space is formed via the engagement of the protruding rim of the box and the first sealing portion as well as the engagement of the protruding rim of the filtering portion and the second sealing portion.

Abstract: A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to, and surrounding at least a portion of the cyclone chamber. The dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber via a dirt outlet. An air flow passage extending to the cyclone air inlet travels generally axially through the dirt collection chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a housing and a cover moveably mounted to the housing between a closed position and an open position. A filter is carried by the cover and includes an upstream surface and a downstream surface through which working air passes. When a user of the vacuum cleaner opens the cover, the upstream surface of the filter can be seen by the user.

Abstract: A cleaning robot system includes a cleaning robot and a charging dock. The cleaning robot carries a first battery. The charging dock magnetically attracts a second battery and charges the second battery. When the cleaning robot is electrically connected to the charging dock and an electrical quantity of the first battery is lower than a default electrical quantity, the charging dock magnetically attracts the first battery and releases the second battery and the cleaning robot carries the second battery.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a first cleaning module including left and right spin mops configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above while being in contact with a floor, and a second cleaning module including a rolling member configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from a left side while being in contact with a floor, the rolling member being spaced apart from the left and right spin mops in an anteroposterior direction. A controller controls rotational motion of the left and right spin mops and rotational motion of the rolling member.

Abstract: An inflation mechanism adapted to a robotic device is provided. The inflation mechanism includes a regulating unit and a control unit. The regulating unit includes an inflatable air bag, a pressure detecting unit and a pressure adjusting unit. The inflatable air bag is arranged on a body surface of the robotic device. The pressure detecting unit is coupled to the inflatable air bag for detecting an internal pressure of the inflatable air bag. The pressure adjusting unit is coupled to the inflatable air bag for adjusting the internal pressure of the inflatable air bag. The control unit is coupled to the regulating unit. The control unit processes a signal received from the pressure detecting unit, and determines and controls the pressure adjusting unit to adjust the internal pressure of the inflatable air bag according to a set condition.

Abstract: A mobile robot configured to travel across a residential floor or other surface while cleaning the surface with a cleaning pad and cleaning solvent is disclosed. The robot includes a controller for managing the movement of the robot as well as the treatment of the surface with a cleaning solvent. The movement of the robot can be characterized by a class of trajectories that achieve effective cleaning. The trajectories include sequences of steps that are repeated, the sequences including forward and backward motion and optional left and right motion along arcuate paths.

Abstract: A floor maintenance machine includes a chassis, a floor-cleaning implement adapted for engagement with the floor, and a service cabinet. The floor-cleaning implement is supported by the chassis. The service cabinet is coupled to the chassis and defines a cavity. The cavity receives a plurality of fluid access points collectively therein.

Abstract: A drying rack easily attachable to, as well as readily removable from, the interior, stationary rear wall of a tumble-type, clothes dryer, for drying boots or similar objects in minutes and without their being tossed about. Supporting such objects placed on the drying rack's wire frame shelf and the shelf itself in such a way that it extends generally horizontally away from the rear wall is a pair of hinged, opposable side rails, each having an elongated arm that ends in a hook. By utilizing the flexibility afforded by the hinged connections between the side rails and the shelf, one can quickly suspend the drying rack from the rear wall by simply hooking the elongated arms onto a pair of air flow duct-covering grids commonly found there or, alternately, onto a 0.25 inch hole or pair of holes drilled into the rear wall in place of the grid(s).

Abstract: A footwear cleaning device comprises a housing, a brushing system disposed in an interior of the housing, and a spraying system disposed in the interior of the housing. The housing has a lid with an encasement portion. The encasement portion is formed of a semi-rigid, waterproof material and has an opening adapted to receive a footwear and expose only a sole of the footwear to the interior of the housing. The brushing system includes a brush and a driving device driving the brush to have a translational movement with respect to the housing and the sole of the footwear. The spraying system is adapted to spray a cleaning solution on the brush.

Abstract: A system and method of repositioning a region of interest within an endoscopic image from a first location to a target location on the display screen of an endoscopy system is provided. The endoscopy system includes an insertion portion having a tip section with at least one viewing element for capturing images of a body cavity having the region of interest. The method includes detecting a region of interest within a body cavity, displaying the region of interest on a display screen in communication with the endoscopy system, marking the region of interest on the display screen, selecting a target location on the display screen, estimating a transformation to be applied to the region of interest, and applying the estimated transformation for causing the region of interest to be displayed at the target location of the display screen.

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: A tube like member having a first flexible portion comprising a first and a second circumferential slits, the first circumferential slit is arranged opposite to the second circumferential slit and comprises a first end and a second end, the second circumferential slit comprises a third end and a fourth end, wherein the first end and the third end are arranged such that a first bridge is provided between said first and second circumferential slits characterized in that the first flexible portion comprises a first longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member and a second longitudinal slit arranged longitudinally along the tube like member, wherein the first circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the first longitudinal slit, wherein the second circumferential slit is communicatively connected to the second longitudinal slit, the first longitudinal slit and second longitudinal slit being arranged to define longitudinal sides of the first bridge.

Abstract: An imaging device for imaging a portion of a patient's vasculature with an imaging element may include a proximal portion having a relatively higher stiffness that provides rigidity for pushing the imaging device through a patient's vasculature, and may include a distal portion having a relatively lower stiffness that enables threading through a curved vasculature of the patient. The imaging device also may include a transition region disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: An in-body imaging device includes a camera support tube, one end of which is able to be introduced into a body; a camera joined to the camera support tube inside the body; a support tube joining portion that joins the camera and the camera support tube; a camera-side cable connected to the camera and led out to an outside of the body through the camera support tube; and a controller outside the body, connected to the camera-side cable, and including at least a display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are connection systems for establishing electrical connections across a sterile field. An example connection system includes a sensor connector, a probe connector, and a tether having a first end connected to the sensor connector and a second end connected to the probe connector. The sensor connector includes a piercing element. The piercing element is configured to pierce a sterile side of a drape and establish a first electrical connection with a receptacle of a sensor when the piercing element is inserted into the receptacle. The probe connector includes a probe-connecting means configured for a user to establish a second electrical connection between an electrical contact of the probe connector and a wire probe. The tether is configured to convey electrical signals between the sensor connector and the probe connector. Also disclosed herein are methods of connection systems for establishing electrical connections across a sterile field.

Abstract: An example endoscope cap, attachable to and detachable from an endoscope including a lever pivotally provided at a distal end of an insertion part of the endoscope, includes: a bottomed cylindrical cover attachable to and detachable from the distal end; a pedestal including a foundation and two walls disposed within the cover; and an elevator including a plate-like flange disposed between the two walls, an elevator shaft protruding from a first surface of the flange and inserted into an elevator attachment hole in one of the walls, an elevating part extending from the flange in a direction away from the elevator shaft, and a lever connection part disposed on a proximal side of the elevating part and engageable with the lever, the elevator being pivotable around the elevator shaft with respect to the pedestal.

Abstract: Mounting a double-balloon auxiliary endoscope assembly over a conventional endoscope by sliding an overtube subassembly over the conventional endoscope, and thereafter sliding over the conventional endoscope, while connected to the overtube subassembly via a flexible interconnection tube, a forward balloon support sleeve of a forward balloon subassembly also including a forward balloon fixedly mounted on the forward balloon support sleeve and defining together therewith a forward inflatable volume.

Abstract: Various multi-lumen caps and methods of use are provided herein that can be integrated with devices configured to image target tissue from a body cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, an imaging sleeve is provided with an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends. The elongate shaft is configured to receive at least a portion of an imaging device therein, and an engagement member is disposed on the proximal end and configured to engage with the imaging device. A cap is configured to removably attach to the distal end of the elongate shaft and engage each of the plurality of lumens. The cap is configured to seal one or more of the plurality of lumens and to leave open one or more of the plurality of lumens.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for an articulated stabilizer arm includes a body for supporting an articulated stabilizer arm. The body has a bore with a longitudinal axis, and a planar face parallel to the axis of the bore has a clamping surface. The clamping mechanism further includes a clamping plate movable relative to the body, the clamping plate having a planar face with a clamping surface facing the clamping surface of the body. The clamping plate further includes a control post extending from the planar face of the clamping plate inwardly of the circumference of the clamping plate, and configured to move the clamping plate through a range of positions from adjacent to the body and spaced from the body.

Abstract: Various flexible windows and methods of use are provided herein that can be integrated with devices configured to image target tissue from a body cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, an imaging sleeve is provided with an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends. The elongate shaft is configured to receive at least a portion of an imaging device therein, and an engagement member is disposed on the proximal end and configured to engage with the imaging device. A flexible window is disposed adjacent to the distal end and is configured to form to the imaging device to minimize distortion of light collected by the imaging device through the flexible window.

Abstract: An endoscope scope includes: an imaging device that acquires image information; a color filter disposed on pixels of the imaging device and in which primary-color pixels and complementary-color pixels coexist; a detector that detects whether or not an image processor that generates an observation image based on the acquired image information via the color filter is compatible with the image information consisting of an array in which the primary-color pixels and the complementary-color pixels coexist; and a converter that performs Bayer-conversion processing for converting the image information to a Bayer array in a case in which the detector detects that the image processor is not compatible with the image information consisting of the array, and that does not perform the Bayer-conversion processing on the image information in a case in which the detector detects that the image processor is compatible with the image information consisting of the array.

Abstract: An endoscope made by a method for fixation of portions of a steering wire of the endoscope, the steering wire having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the first portion connected to a steerable tip and the second portion connected to a control element, the method including pulling the third portion so as to tension the steering wire and inserting a pin with a wire guide into a pin spacing so that so that the second portion is positioned in the wire guide and is clamped between the pin and at least one wall of the control element, whereby the pin and the second portion are fixated to the control element to thereby maintain a wire tension between the first and second portions.

Abstract: An imaging module includes: an image-sensing device that includes a terminal group having a plurality of image-sensing terminals; a flexible substrate that includes: a first surface, a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, and conductors disposed on the first surface and the second surface; a single-core wire unit that: is disposed between the image-sensing device and the flexible substrate, electrically connects the terminal group to the conductors, and includes a plurality of flexible single-core wires; and a coaxial cable that is connected to the conductor.

Abstract: There is provided herein an endoscope assembly, the assembly comprising at least one front-pointing camera and at least one front illuminator associated therewith, at least one side-pointing camera and at least one of side illuminator associated therewith, a first front working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool and a second front working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool.

Abstract: Some systems comprise a light source; a spectrometer; an optical scope that has a longitudinal axis and that includes a rotatable optical assembly, which is coupled to the light source and to the spectrometer; and an oscillating-drive device that is coupled to the optical scope. Also, the oscillating-drive device and the optical scope are configured such that the oscillating-drive device can oscillate the rotatable optical assembly of the optical scope through greater than 90° of rotation around the longitudinal axis of the optical scope. And some systems comprise an optical scope that includes a rotatable optical assembly and a spooling mechanism. The rotatable optical assembly includes one or more light-guiding components. Furthermore, the spooling mechanism is configured to wind or unwind the one or more light-guiding components when the rotatable optical assembly rotates.

Abstract: An intraoperative lens cleaning device includes a handle component and a tool assembly supported on a distal portion of the handle component. The handle component includes a grip portion and an elongate body portion. The tool assembly includes a distal loop portion that defines an opening and is formed of a resilient material that is deformable to a deformed configuration to be received within a trocar-cannula assembly. A cleaning member is formed from a biocompatible material and is supported on the distal loop portion to cover the opening.

Abstract: An improved visual field perimeter testing tool is provided that employs a head mounted display apparatus configured to removably support a hand-held electronic device comprising at least one processor, memory system and integral display screen. The memory system stores a software program executed by the at least one processor, wherein execution of the software program carries out visual field perimeter testing of a subject wearing the head-mounted display apparatus whereby discrete stimuli are presented to the subject on the display screen of the hand-held electronic device. In order to address nonlinearity of the display characteristics of the hand-held electronic device, a calibration routine can be performed to generate calibration data that is stored as part of the software program and used to generate the RGB pixel values for the discrete stimuli and background that surrounds the discrete stimuli in a manner that provides accurate contrast sensitivity measurements during the testing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining an updated visual correction need for designing a new vision correcting device of an individual already having a previous vision correcting device previously designed to correct his/her vision, wherein, in a first step, a previous level of correction of the previous vision correcting device is acquired, in a second step, a current vision acuity parameter of the individual wearing the previous vision correcting device is assessed, and, in a third step, the updated visual correction need is determined based on the previous level of correction of the previous vision correcting device acquired in the first step and on the current vision acuity parameter assessed in the second step. A complementary visual correction need can also be determined.

Abstract: According to a method for determining metamorphopsia based on user interaction disclosed as an embodiment of the present invention, a test chart may be displayed to a user, an input from the user for a part which is perceived as being distorted in the displayed test chart may be received, and a metamorphopsia degree of the user may be accurately determined based on a distortion area selected according to the received input. Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a test chart may be displayed to a user, a response (e.g., distance values of points, an area value, etc. in a zone) for each zone for the test chart may be received from the user, and metamorphopsia of the user may be determined based on the received response.

Abstract: A method for measuring layer thicknesses of a multi-layer structure includes generating first and second 2D images of the structure, each image being generated by measuring an intensity of a reflection of incident lights, from different discrete narrow spectral bands, on the structure. Thicknesses for at least one layer of the structure are then determined based on the measured reflection intensities at those locations.