Abstract: There is provided a shoe tie-assisting device that allows a user to position themselves such that they can tie their own shoes. The shoe tie assisting device includes a frame assembly that includes support columns spaced to create a geometric space between them. The support columns are connected with support bars. The shoe tie-assisting device further includes a platform assembly positioned in the geometric space between the support columns. The platform assembly allows a user to place one of their feet thereon. The shoe tie-assisting device further includes a handle assembly having one or more components that the user can grasp. This component(s) are positioned at height that a user can grasp them from an upright position without having to bend over. Using the platform assembly and handle assembly, a user can position their body such that they can tie their own shoes.

Abstract: A receiving and pick-up arrangement for postal items with a foldable housing. When the arrangement is not in use, the housing can be folded up to save space. For this purpose, the side walls are foldable, so that the side walls are arranged or stowed between the top wall and the bottom wall in the folded up state. In the folded up state, the arrangement does not have a receiving chamber for receiving postal items. In operation, the housing is unfolded. In the unfolded state of the housing, the postal item can be placed into the receiving chamber then formed between the side walls via the first opening or the second opening and removed again at a later stage. Also, a method for receiving and a method for picking up a postal item with such an arrangement.

Abstract: A secure containing device with an adjustable volume for receiving and safeguarding items includes a bag, a rear cover, a mounting element connected to opposite sides of the bag, a lock assembly on the rear cover and protruding toward the mounting element, and an active element overlapping with the mounting element. When the mounting element moves to a closed position, the bag is compressed. When the mounting element moves to an unfolded position away from the rear cover, the bag presents a containing space. When the mounting element is in the unfolded position, the active element is movable and rotatable relative to the mounting element to cover a top of the bag and engage with the lock assembly.

Abstract: A tamper resistant parcel delivery box includes a container configured to receive packages therein. A lid is secured over the container via a hinge and a locking interface is secured to the container and has a retractable deadbolt. The box also includes a locking bar having a first end and a second end, where the second end cooperates with the retractable deadbolt. A catch is secured to an underside of the lid to lock the first end of the locking bar to the lid when the deadbolt is extended to force the first end into the catch. In addition, the box includes a tamper prevention circuit configured to selectively prevent the locking interface from actuating the retractable deadbolt when the lid is open.

Abstract: A tree stand having a base assembly including a bottom, a sidewall, a plurality of stanchions, and a plurality of receivers. The bottom, sidewall and plurality of stanchions define a water reservoir. Each stanchion includes an upper portion having a bore arranged and designed to engage a bolt for securing a tree. The tree stand includes a plurality of legs having a connecting end and a distal end. The connecting end of each leg is arranged and designed to be releasably attached to one of the plurality of receivers.

Abstract: An electric curtain track structure includes a guiding track assembly, a first actuator, a transmission assembly and a decorative assembly. The guiding track assembly includes a guiding track main body having first and second bending sections opposite from each other. The first actuator is installed on the first bending section. The transmission assembly includes a transmission cable and first hooks. The transmission cable is inserted into the guiding track main body and driven by the first actuator to move along the guiding track main body. The decorative assembly includes a decorative panel and heads. The decorative panel is attached onto an outer side of the guiding track main body, and two ends of the decorative panel protruded out of the guiding track man body for the decorative heads to correspondingly install on an outer side of the first and second bending sections. Consequently, the overall appearance thereof is improved.

Abstract: There is provided a cooking appliance having an oven cavity, a fan, a heater, and a convection shroud. The fan is configured to circulate air heated by the heater to redistribute the air throughout the oven cavity. The heater configured both to heat the expelled by the fan and to generate steam from water in which the heater is immersed within a water reservoir. In described embodiments, the water reservoir is part of the convection shroud and is formed or attached together with a fan cover thereof.

Abstract: A steam cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber, an evaporator unit configured to evaporate water to generate steam for supply into the cooking chamber, and a water supply unit including a removable water tank. The water tank includes a valve unit for coupling to the evaporator, with the valve unit including two valves formed separately from one another.

Abstract: Provided is a rice cooker suitable for enzyme brown rice. The rice cooker (1) is provided with rice-cooking control details with via which the following steps are executed in the stated order: a softening step in which the temperature detected by a temperature detector (5) is kept in a range of 50 to 70° C. inclusive and contents of the rice cooker (1) are softened; a first heating step in which the temperature detected by the temperature detector (5) is kept in a range of 110 to 130° C. inclusive while the pressure in an inner pot part (2) is kept in a range of 1.8 to 2.2 atmospheres inclusive; a second heating step in which the temperature detected by the temperature detector (5) is raised so as to be higher than that in the first heating step and the temperature is kept in a range of 115 to 155° C. inclusive while the pressure in the inner pot part is kept in a range of 1.8 to 2.2 atmospheres inclusive; and a steaming step in which the contents are steamed for a prescribed period.

Abstract: A pressure cooker with grill pot functions includes a pressure cooker body. The pressure cooker pot body is hinged to a grill pot lid. A heating tube is on top of the said grill pot lid and a lid motor is installed on grill pot lid downwards with a rotating shaft is on top of the heating tube. The lid motor is connected to downward air supply fan blades with a rotating shaft. The inside of the pressure cooker body includes a detachable electric grill.

Abstract: A compound eco-friendly stove includes a main body, a baking tray support, a baking tray, a butterfly style burner assembly, a grill grate, a grease guide plate, a grease pan, and a lift handle. The main body is provided, on a top, with a first cover and a second cover, which define therebetween an airflow passage. The baking tray support supports the baking tray thereon and is formed with multiple through holes at two sides of the baking tray. The butterfly style burner assembly, the grill grate, the grease guide plate, and the grease pan are disposed sequentially under the baking tray support. An upper compartment oven is formed between the baking tray support and the first and second covers and a lower compartment grill is formed between the butterfly style burner assembly and the grill grate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a fluid system comprising a fluid source (2), a pump (3), a heating element (4), at least two container holders (7a, 7b) adapted for receiving ingredient containers (11, 17), a control unit (8) for controlling the fluid system to prepare a beverage by mixing fluid with the beverage ingredient contained in the containers to produce a mixed beverage component in each of the containers, wherein the control unit is further arranged to dispense part or whole of the mixed components sequentially or simultaneously to produce the beverage, wherein the container holders (7a, 7b) differ from one another for holding containers of different sizes and/or types and, and wherein it further comprises separate fluid injection interfaces (9a, 9b) having different structural and kinematic configurations, and arranged for independently delivering fluid in one of the corresponding ingredient containers; each interface being connected to the fluid system and bein

Abstract: Described is a system for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee comprising: an infuser head in fluid communication with a source of hot water and comprising bedding means for distributing coffee grounds such that they are disposed substantially evenly on an inner surface of a slidable wall of a coffee cartridge thereby forming an extraction bed within an extraction chamber; and infuser means comprising one or more outlets for the hot water, the infuser head being adapted to deliver hot water to the extraction bed within the extraction chamber, whereby coffee is extracted to yield a coffee brew.

Abstract: Described is a system for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee comprising an infuser head adapted to deliver hot water preferentially to coffee grounds located on the periphery of an inner surface of a central portion of a slidable wall of a coffee cartridge and/or the inner surface of an extraction sleeve.

Abstract: A coffee machine makes use of a valve arrangement for controlling the coupling of a water heater outlet selectively to one of two or more outlets, such as a steam delivery nozzle, a brew chamber and a water collection unit (e.g. drip tray). The valve arrangement comprises a rotatable routing element, wherein the angular position of the routing element controls the coupling of the inlet channel to one of the outlets. The rotation is driven by rotational coupling to a brew chamber motor. This coffee machine design makes use of a single valve arrangement to provide the flow control from the water heater. This provides a compact arrangement with a low component count and simple control mechanism.

Abstract: In a machine for preparing coffee or other beverages by infusion, the flow of water to the infusion chamber is controlled through a variable-flow valve; the valve is driven by a device manually operable by the barista thus controlling the flow of the beverage in the delivering step.

Abstract: A descaling module is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the descaling module includes a container configured to receive a descaling fluid. The descaling module further includes at least one input port and at least one output port. The input port is configured to couple the container to a respective brew head of the beverage maker. The output port is configured to flow the descaling fluid through a fluid path of the beverage maker when pressurized fluid enters the container through the input port and forces the descaling fluid through the output port.

Abstract: A deployable grill including a support frame having a support member operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. First and second brackets outwardly extend from the support member and are spaced-apart from one another to define a receiving area therebetween. A heating element is disposed on the support member adjacent to the receiving area. At least one spit rod is received in the receiving area.

Abstract: An electric heating griddle device for baking spherical foods able to shorten the time of baking spherical foods includes an iron plate part 2 made of cast iron having an upper surface 2a and a lower surface 2b that are planar, and which is formed to be a predetermined thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface, and an electric heating part 3 connected to the iron plate part 2 so as to contact a heat transfer surface 3a with the lower surface of the iron plate part 2. The iron plate part 2 has a plurality of recess parts 21 which are formed to be concave from the upper surface 2a to bake the spherical foods and the electric heating part 3 is formed so as that the heat transfer surface 3a is broad to substantially conform to the lower surface 2b of the iron plate part 2.

Abstract: A system for cooking food, can include a control circuit that operates a fuel feeder, for instance to vary a rate of fuel discharged from the fuel feeder. The control circuit can operate a fan, for instance to vary the speed of the fan. The control circuit can receive one or more signals from the fan that correspond to an amount of fuel discharged from the fuel feeder. The control circuit can receive one or more signals from the fuel feeder that correspond to an amount of air displaced by the fan. The system can monitor a temperature of a cooking area and can adjust the amount of fuel discharged from a fuel feeder, for instance to vary the temperature in the cooking area. The system can adjust the speed of the fan to establish a desired air-to-fuel ratio for combustion in a combustion chamber.

Abstract: A shaker device can include a cap configured to be resiliently fit around at least a portion of a container to seal an opening of the container and to engage the cap to the container to hold the cap to the container. The shaker device can include a mixing stalk attached to the cap and configured to hang into the container when the cap is sealing the opening of the container.

Abstract: A bathing assistance apparatus for use within either a shower or a bathtub. The apparatus includes a seat with a base portion, a back-rest portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, and the seat is configured to support a user atop the upper surface. The seat support assembly includes a base member and the seat support assembly is mounted to the lower surface of the seat. The seat support assembly further includes laterally opposed biased locking members as well as a ratcheting mechanism for selectively altering the inclination of the seat relative to the support assembly. The apparatus further includes a support platform, the support platform is positioned beneath the seat support assembly and is detachably engageable from the seat support assembly using the laterally opposed and biased locking members. The support assembly is operable to support the seat and the seat support assembly.

Abstract: An article of sanitary ware includes a hollow shell. A filler material is disposed within the shell, the filler material forming a continuous structure within the shell. The shell includes a first surface adapted to provide a water collection surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface. The second surface includes a pattern of recesses with ribs therebetween, and the depth of the recesses varies with position in such a way that the minimum distance between the water collection surface and bases of the recesses is maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: Exemplary foam-at-a-distance systems include a spout, a container, and a foam generator having a suck-back mechanism located within the spout. The system includes a liquid pump chamber, an air pump chamber, a liquid conduit and an air conduit. The foam generator has a differential bore housing. The differential bore housing has a first portion with a first inside bore and a second portion with a second inside bore, wherein the first inside bore has a smaller diameter than the second inside bore. A piston having a seal extending from the piston that is in contact with the second inside bore is also included. A mixing chamber is located in the large bore. Movement of the seal in an upstream direction provides negative pressure in the second mixing chamber and draws in fluid from the outlet.

Abstract: A sheet product (e.g., napkin) dispenser may include an example calibration system and method for a product depletion curve for accurately determining a product level. An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing, a roll holder, a dispensing mechanism, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is configured to emit a signal toward the product roll and receive a return signal. The controller is configured to receive a calibration product roll and operate the sensor to emit the signal and receive the return signal. The controller determines a brightness value of the return signal and determines a calibration value associated with the determined brightness value. The determined brightness value is within a range of brightness values associated with the calibration value. The controller adjusts a product depletion curve based on at least the determined calibration value and the determined brightness value. Additionally, example product level notification systems are provided herein.

Abstract: A removable toilet seat system for a walker, including a seat portion removably connected to at least a portion of the walker to facilitate a user being disposed thereupon, and at least one seat-holding tab rotatably disposed on at least a portion of the walker to move from retracted in a first position to at least partially extracted in a second position, such that the seat portion is prevented from falling in response to a bottom surface of the seat portion contacting the at least one seat-holding tab.

Abstract: A disposable toilet-seat cover for attaching to a toilet seat of a toilet has a plurality of seat-cover sheets stacked together and separably coupled to each other via a first adhesive. Each seat-cover sheet has a shape for completely covering the toilet seat and has a central opening matching and alignable with a central opening of the toilet seat for access to a bowl of the toilet.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a mobile cleaning system for cleaning a work surface can include a drive shaft, a sheath, a bushing, and a bushing shroud. The drive shaft can be rotatable about a drive axis, and the drive shaft can include a driven end and an opposite bushing end. The sheath can be supported by the drive shaft and the sheath can be rotatable with the drive shaft. The sheath can include a shell engageable with the work surface. The bushing can be located about the bushing end of the drive shaft. The bushing shroud can be connected to the bushing. The sheath and the drive shaft can be together rotatable with respect to the bushing and the bushing shroud, the bushing shroud can include an outer portion defining a first radius of curvature and a recessed portion connected to the outer portion.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaner having improved cleaning efficiency. The cleaner includes a main body having a intake provided to suction an object to be cleaned and a suction device having a brush chamber that communicates with the intake and a brush accommodated in the brush chamber, wherein the brush includes a brush body rotatably coupled to the brush chamber, a blade protruding in a radial direction of the brush body, and prevention members formed to be inclined from a central portion of the brush body to opposite side ends of the brush body to prevent foreign substance introduced into the brush chamber from being wound around the blade.

Abstract: A suction apparatus includes a housing, an electric motor for generating an air flow, wherein the housing has an air inlet by way of which the air flow can enter the housing and an air outlet by way of which the air flow can exit the housing. The suction apparatus further includes at least one cyclone chamber, a collection container, and a filter element. The suction apparatus has at least one air-directing device for directing the air flow within the cyclone chamber.

Abstract: Retrofit box systems to maximize operational capacity of inaccessible floors are described. The retrofit box system includes a gate complex that provides fluid communication between an inaccessible floor and a box, and a box to deliver a cleaner to the inaccessible floor and adapted for equalizing pressure when the inaccessible floor is under water while minimizing waste seepage from the retrofit box system. The retrofit box system further includes a power system and a control system to deliver the cleaner to the inaccessible floor and remove waste from the inaccessible floor and the box.

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 mop cleaning device includes an outer bucket, a water pump, a big cavity and a small cavity, wherein the big cavity and the small cavity are used for storing liquid, and the water volume of the big cavity is greater than that of the small cavity; the big cavity is communicated with the small cavity, a valve for controlling on/off of the big cavity and the small cavity is arranged between the big cavity and the small cavity, the water pump is communicated with the small cavity and pumps water from the small cavity, and the outer bucket is provided with a support abutting against a mop head of a mop; when the mop is cleaned, the valve is controlled to close a water passage between the big cavity and the small cavity, and the water pump pumps water from the small cavity to the mop to fulfill cleaning.

Abstract: Dishwashing appliances and methods, as provided herein, may include features or steps such as activating the drain pump for an activation period and receiving a pump-status signal during the activation period. Dishwashing appliances and methods may further include features or steps for detecting a pressure (P1) upstream from the drain pump during the activation period, determining a condition at the filter based on the pump-status signal and P1, and directing the drain pump based on the determined condition.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a structure so that a height of a rack assembly may be adjusted includes: a main body; a tub provided inside the main body and having an opening; a door provided to open or close the opening of the tub; and a rack assembly disposed inside the tub to accommodate tableware, wherein the rack assembly includes: a frame including a loading portion on which the tableware is placed, the loading portion including a fixing plate and a lifting plate provided to be movable up and down; an operating member provided to be capable of adjusting a height of the lifting plate; and a lifting induction member provided to connect the operating member and the lifting plate, and wherein the lifting plate moves in conjunction with the lifting induction member by the operation of the operating member.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an image sensor and a first memory, which is a nonvolatile memory, storing first information disposed in a distal end portion, and includes a controller and a second memory configured to back up the first information disposed on a proximal end side relative to the distal end portion. The controller reads out the first information stored in the first memory and stores the read first information as a backup in the second memory when the controller is started when supplied with power, and reads out the first information stored in the second memory and transmits the read first information to a video processor when the controller receives a request from the video processor.

Abstract: A recommended operation presentation system includes an insertion instrument including an insertion section to be inserted into an insertion object and an insertion section shape detector configured to detect shape information of the insertion section. The system also includes an attention state/operation control information arithmetic operator configured to calculate operation control information changing in association with an operation of the insertion instrument, based on the shape information and target state information, and a recommended operation arithmetic operator configured to calculate recommended operation information based on the operation control information.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a coil spring which is helically wound around an outer periphery of a treatment instrument channel disposed in an insertion section, the coil spring including a distal end which is fixed to the insertion section on a distal end portion side with respect to a bending portion; and a slide member disposed on a proximal end side of the coil spring, the slide member provided for applying an operation force for deforming the coil spring so as to increase a bending strength of at least a portion of the coil spring corresponding to the inside of the bending portion.

Abstract: An endoscope having an operating handle comprising a handle housing arranged at a proximal end and an insertion tube extending from said handle towards a distal end of the endoscope and terminating in a steerable tip part at the distal end of the endoscope, the endoscope further comprising a control mechanism with a Bowden cable having an outer guide tube having a first length between a proximal end and a distal end of said outer guide tube and an inner pull-wire having a second length between a proximal end and a distal end of said inner pull-wire, said second length being longer than said first length, the proximal end of the outer guide tube is affixed to the operating handle by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: An inserting apparatus includes a base, a first recess, an opening forming surface, a movable member, a tabular lid member including a contact surface, the lid member closing an opening of the first recess, a second recess provided on the contact surface of the lid member, fixing resin for fixing the lid member to the base, and a third recess being a cutout recessed from a sidewall of at least one of the first recess and the second recess along a boundary between the opening fanning surface and the contact surface and including, on an inner surface, the boundary between the opening forming surface and the contact surface. The opening arming surface of the base and the contact surface of the second recess are provided at least on one side of both ends defining a moving range, the moving range being a range in which the movable member moves.

Abstract: A medical cleaning valve (or cleaning valve) may be configured to provide cleaning functionality to air and water channels of an endoscope. One or more embodiments described herein may include cleaning valves with features and/or components that facilitate differentiating them from procedural valves. In some embodiments, valves may be made from a limited number of parts and materials, to limit their cost. For example, multiple seals may be formed as a single component, such as via overmolding. In another example, wiper seals may be used to accommodate greater manufacturing tolerances. In yet another example, the valve may have a single elastomeric component, or spring cap, which may combine the functionality of a number of components (e.g., a boot, spring, spring housing, and stem cap).

Abstract: A cap for attachment to a distal end of an endoscope and a method of positioning the cap on the endoscope are provided. The cap includes a tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The proximal portion includes a first portion and a second portion where at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a connector for operably connecting the first portion and the second portion. The cap has in open configuration wherein at least a portion of the first portion and the second portion are spaced apart and movable relative to each other. The cap also has a closed configuration wherein the first and second portions are connected and the lumen if formed therethrough. The cap in the closed configuration is sized and shaped to be positionable on the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for gastroscopy includes a laryngeal tube for gastroscopy. A drainage tube is fixedly installed on an outer surface of an upper end of the laryngeal tube for gastroscopy. A PC connector is fixedly installed at one end of the drainage tube. A ventilation hole is formed in an outer surface of an upper end of the drainage tube, and a suction hole is formed in an outer surface of a lower end of the laryngeal tube for gastroscopy. An inner cavity and an inflation tube hole are formed inside the laryngeal tube for gastroscopy. The inflation tube hole is disposed under the inner cavity and receives an inflation tube, and a single-cavity connector is fixedly installed at one end of the inflation tube. The LMA absorbs secretions from a patient's esophagus to minimize coughing during a gastroscopy, thereby reducing patient discomfort and pain.

Abstract: An inserting apparatus of the present invention includes a base provided in an insertion section, a first recess provided in the base, an opening forming surface formed around the first recess, a movable member configured to move in the first recess, a tabular lid member configured to close an opening of the first recess, a second recess provided in the lid member, a wall surface provided on the base, and opposed to at least a part of a side surface of the lid member in a state in which the contact surface is in contact with the opening forming surface, a fixing resin fixing the lid member to the base, and one or a plurality of protrusions provided on the side surface, having thickness smaller than thickness in the side surface of the lid member, and projecting toward the wall surface.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion section, a distal end member disposed on a distal end portion of the insertion section, and a ring-shaped insulation member disposed on a proximal end side of the distal end member and a distal end cover including an opening that allows exposure of a portion of the distal end member and an inner peripheral surface disposed on a proximal end side with respect to the opening and in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the insulation member. The outer peripheral surface of the insulation member and the inner peripheral surface of the distal end cover in close contact with the outer peripheral surface are formed in a shape formed by connecting a plurality of curved surfaces having different curvatures about the axis over an entire circumference about the axis.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for driving a medical instrument having an inner body and an outer body. In one aspect, a system includes a medical instrument comprising an outer body and an inner body configured to be driven through a lumen in the outer body. The system may further include a set of one or more instrument manipulators configured to control movement of the outer and inner bodies and a set of one or more processors configured to: receive a change drive mode command, and in response to receiving the change drive mode command, change a drive mode of the medical instrument from a paired drive mode to an unpaired drive mode.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes: a base member, a rotary shaft, and a driven member including a hole. A plurality of concave portions are formed on the rotary shaft, and a pair of side wall surfaces which form each of the plurality of concave portions are disposed so as to intersect with each other at a right angle or at an obtuse angle.

Abstract: An endoscope treatment tool includes an insertion part that is insertable into a first treatment tool channel of an endoscope of an endoscope system, an operation part, and a single operation wire pulled through operation of the operation part. The insertion part includes a distal end portion that has an openable and closable grip portion, a bending portion that is able to be bent, and a connecting-portion that connects the bending portion to the operation part. The connecting-portion is moved forward and backward along a longitudinal axis of the connecting-portion and is rotated about the longitudinal axis. As the connecting-portion is moved forward and backward or is rotated, the grip portion moves forward and backward or rotates, through the operation of the operation part. As the operation wire is pulled, the grip portion is closed, and the bending portion bends in a state where the grip portion is closed.

Abstract: A distal end member of an insertion apparatus includes: a base; a recessed portion which is recessed on a surface of the base; an opening forming surface formed on a surface of the base so as to surround a periphery of an opening of the recessed portion; and a lid member with a plate shape including a contact surface which is larger than the opening of the recessed portion and is brought into contact with the opening forming surface, the lid member closing the opening of the recessed portion by bringing the contact surface into contact with the opening forming surface. The lid member is formed so as to expose at least a portion of a side surface of the lid member disposed adjacently to the contact surface of the lid member to an outer surface of the base.

Abstract: A self-propelled semi- or fully-autonomous robotic endoscope device is provided that include multi-degrees of freedom movement and may be sensor-enabled for colonoscopy procedures. The device may include two independently controlled motors configured to drive micro-pillared treads above and below the device, allowing for 2-degrees of freedom (DOF) skid-steering even in a collapsed lumen. The robotic device contains similar functionality of a traditional endoscope, such as a camera, adjustable LEDs, channels for insufflation and irrigation, and a tool port for common endoscopy instruments (e.g., forceps, snares, etc.).