Abstract: A bedding or furniture product comprises a foldable leg assembly movable between a folded position for storage or shipping the product and a locked position for supporting the product in use. The foldable leg assembly comprises a threaded connector adapted to be securable to a frame of the product and a linkage member pivotally coupled to the threaded connector to form a pivot joint therebetween. The leg assembly further comprises a leg member coaxially coupled to the linkage member and slideable therealong. The leg member has a threaded inner surface adjacent to an upper end configured to be threadably coupled to the threaded connector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides kangaroo care neonatal device and method of applying thereof. The device comprises the sling pouch which holds infant and attached to the main structure of device through zippers and zippers can be easily unzipped to access and position the baby for feeding and reposition back for continuing kangaroo care, without needing to remove the sling or the infant.

Abstract: A shelving system includes a dispensing module including a shutter and a track. The shutter is movable on the track. The shutter is associated with a motor, a connecting mechanism to control connection of the shutter and the motor, and a controller to control location of the shutter using the motor. The system further includes a control module including a user interface device and a control device to communicate with the dispensing module for dispensing an item.

Abstract: A locker assembly having a backlit indicia includes a pair of sidewalls and a horizontal top defining a locker enclosure. At least one shelf extends at least partially between the sidewalls and defines a storage space in the locker enclosure. An illuminated panel extending at least partially between the sidewalls includes: an at least partially translucent sheet, a plurality of powered lighting elements disposed under the sheet, and a lighting enclosure cooperating with the panel to enclose the lighting elements.

Abstract: Provided is a frame configured to easily replace an exhibit in the case where an exhibition location for a print is a magnetic material, such as a metallic plate, a wall surface of a building composed of a magnetic board or sandwich panel. A wide and thin rubber magnet plate and another rubber magnet plate thicker than the thin rubber magnet plate are cut into predetermined shapes, and a freely bendable thin transparent film is attached to the surface of the thick rubber magnet opposite to the magnet with an adhesive in the state of covering the outer periphery of the magnet plate, so that a space is secured between the thin rubber magnet plate and the film.

Abstract: Craft pictorial media that is easily folded to form a frame structure includes a sheet of relatively stiff paper having a rectangular main region and respective edge portions extending outwardly from each side and end of the main region, the edge portions being defined by fold lines that are marked and/or embossed, or carved in case the sheet of material is extra thick. Corner reinforcements can also be included.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pillow apparatus that is structured to support a user's limbs or legs. The pillow apparatus typically comprises a pillow body. The pillow body typically comprises a first concave depression positioned on a first surface of the pillow body. The first concave depression is structured to support at least a portion of a thigh of a user or a portion of crus leg part of the user. In some embodiments, the pillow body also comprises a second concave depression positioned on a second surface of the pillow body, opposite the first surface. Moreover, in some embodiments, the pillow apparatus comprises a coupling member structured for releasably connecting the pillow apparatus with an adjacent pillow apparatus.

Abstract: A conventional plate is problematic in that oily juices from barbequed meat on an upper part of a plate run along linearly cut grooves when the plate is tilted, and thus tend to spill off the plate. In the present invention, thirteen raised parts curved in an outer peripheral direction are formed toward a direction of an outer edge from a middle part of the upper surface of a plate, and thus oily juices from barbequed meat that collect on the plate run along the raised parts curved in the outer peripheral direction from the middle part even when the plate is tilted, and can thus be made less likely to spill off the plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper cup provided with a heat conduction prevention plate. The paper cup is provided integrally with a heat conduction prevention plate by being attached to the paper cup, and thus it is not necessary for a user to frequently insert a separate heat conduction prevention plate into the paper cup when drinking a drink. Also, a certain space is formed between the integrated heat conduction prevention plate and the paper cup body, thereby effectively performing a heat conduction blocking function. Moreover, since the heat conduction prevention plate is provided in an area that can be held by a finger, it is possible to be manufactured at a low manufacturing cost, and the paper cup widens toward the top, so that the paper cup slips less from fingers.

Abstract: A spice dispensing device is provided for an automatic meal preparation apparatus. The device uses a replaceable cartridge containing a volume of spice for dispensing in predetermined volumetric doses. A dispensing mechanism is built in to the cartridge for isolating the predetermined volumetric dose and moving it toward an opening in the bottom of the cartridge. The cartridge is sized and shaped to be placed into the automatic meal preparation apparatus in a rack for containing a plurality of such cartridges. The cartridge is alignable with a position in the rack in which the spice dose can be dispensed directly into a cooking vessel of the apparatus.

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly fiber straw structure includes a straw body made of an environmentally-friendly fiber material. The straw body has an inlet and an outlet at two ends thereof and a circular section having a circular cross-section between the inlet and the outlet. From the circular section to the outlet forms a first tapered section at a first inclination so that the outlet has an approximately elliptical shape. When in use, the mouth of a user sucks the outlet of the straw body for drinking a beverage, the first tapered section corresponds in shape to the mouth, thereby avoiding rotation of the straw body, reducing a gap between the mouth and the straw body.

Abstract: An adjustable garment hanger is disclosed that can accommodate the width and shape of a plurality of different garments. The adjustable garment hanger includes a hanger hook body having a hanger hook leg and an adjustable extension arm having an adjustable extension leg and a retention bracket. The hanger hook leg and the adjustable extension leg are slidably disposed within the retention bracket and configured to adjust the adjustable garment hanger between a maximum length position and a minimum length position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an artificial tree having a plurality of electrified tree sections that couple together to provide power and/or command signals to devices connected thereto. One or more tree sections may have a trunk portion, one or more electrical connectors having a plurality of terminals, branches, a light string, and an electrical distribution system located at least partially within the trunk portion. A first tree section may be configured to couple to a second tree section such that an electrical connector of the first tree section is in electrical connection with an electrical connector of the second tree section, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the first tree section to the second tree section such that power and/or the control data are transmitted to the second tree section. Further, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector that permits adjacent trunk segments to connect in a plurality of radial orientations relative to each other.

Abstract: A beverage machine with a holder including front and side walls around an opening where beverage material is held to form a beverage where the walls slope downwardly and inwardly toward the opening. A peripheral wall may extend upwardly from the opening and form a trough around the opening with the front and side walls.

Abstract: The present invention presents a pumping system (1) with a preheated reservoir (2), a main pump (4) for pumping a preheated liquid (3) from the reservoir (2), and pressurizing means (5) for pressurizing the reservoir (2). Preferably, the pressurizing means set an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 1 bar in the reservoir (2). The liquid (3) in the reservoir (2) can be heated up to 90° C. or more. The present invention achieves a nearly complete suppression of the phenomenon of cavitation at the main pump entrance, and thus achieves an increased pumping performance at elevated liquid temperatures.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine comprising: a beverage preparation module comprising an extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from capsule supplied thereto or an ingredient container which is part thereof; a fluid supply comprising the components a fluid heater, a fluid pump, optionally a fluid reservoir; a first module movably connected to the beverage preparation module; wherein the beverage preparation machine further comprises a second module movably connected to the first module, the first module comprising the fluid pump and/or the fluid heater, the second module comprising the said components of the fluid supply different to those of the first module, the components comprising at least one of the fluid pump or fluid heater or fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cylindrical container with lid and pour spout, a container insert, and a plunger including a piston, a rod, a handle, and a filter or filtration chamber. The container insert is designed to catch infusible material which may be easily removed from the container when the container is empty or when the extract fluid remains in the container. The plunger may temporarily couple with the insert to allow the insert to be pulled up through the container with the grounds of other infusible material captured between the insert and the plunger allowing for quick and easy cleanup. The extraction apparatus is adapted for a use in a variety of sizes and may be adapted for manufactured at low cost. A variety of embodiments and alternatives are also included in the disclosure.

Abstract: The beverage preparation unit comprises a mixing chamber having a beverage outlet, a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber, and an air flow path for supplying air to the liquid flow path. The mixing chamber is arranged for receiving a beverage related ingredient, such as concentrate, preferably from an exchangeable supply pack. The liquid flow path is arranged for generating a hollow jet of liquid having an outer liquid portion extending in a flow direction of the jet and an inner air portion extending in a flow direction of the jet wherein the outer liquid portion surrounds the inner air portion.

Abstract: A milk frothing apparatus which includes a steam probe which consists of an inner steam tube surrounded by an outer tube spaced annularly from the inner tube with a nozzle mounted on the end of the outer tube adjacent the outlet end of the inner tube. The air gap between the inner and outer tubes insulates the outer tube from the heat generated in the inner tube during the steam cycle. By using stainless steel the milk does not stick to the cool outer tube surface and no cleaning of the outer surface of the probe is necessary. The steam itself keeps the inner surfaces of the probe clean.

Abstract: A system for attaching a blender container to a blade assembly, which comprises a first mechanism to secure a blender container to a blade assembly. Some embodiments of the system include a second latch mechanism to lock the blender container to the blade assembly while the container and blade assembly are mounted to a base for operation of the blender.

Abstract: A cooking plate includes a metal plate for cooking; a heating element, which is in contact with the metal plate and is configured to heat the metal plate; and a temperature sensing element which is integrated with the metal plate and which is configured to sense a temperature of the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal for control heating of the heating element.

Abstract: An Electro-Mechanical Pulse Generator (“EMPG”) may be used to ignite an ignition pad comprising of fine carbon steel fibers. When electrical energy is applied to the carbon steel fibers, the carbon steel ignites thus starting the combustion of the fuel in a fuel basket located within the grill's combustion chamber. An electrical control panel connects an energy source such as a battery with an ignition wire positioned within the combustion chamber of the grill. A fan positioned below or near the fuel basket controls the amount of air flow into the combustion chamber to aid in initially lighting the fuel as well as controlling the temperature of the grill and the amount of combustion used to heat the food that is cooking.

Abstract: A serving spoon has a spoon portion with a depression portion that forms a depression in a serving of malleable food product, thereby allowing some other food product to be retained within the depression. The serving spoon includes a spoon portion and a handle portion. The spoon portion has a concave body and a depression portion configured within the concave body, wherein the depression portion extends up from the bottom of the concave body. The depression portion forms a depression, in a malleable food product. The spoon portion may be detachable from the handle portion.

Abstract: A foam roll bath mat comprising suction cups on a bottom surface thereby securing the bath mat to a bathtub to prevent unwanted displacement while in use structured and arranged to allow a user to rest and elevate their legs while bathing.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a pump mechanism that dispenses a dose of fluid when a movable pump member of the pump mechanism is moved between a selected extended position and a retracted position. The fluid dispenser includes a dose adjustment mechanism for selecting the selected extended position from at least a high dose extended position and a low dose extended position. An actuator of the fluid dispenser, when activated, effects movement of the movable pump member between the selected extended position and the retracted position to dispense the dose of fluid. A volume of the dose of fluid that is dispensed upon activation of the actuator is higher when the high dose extended position is the selected extended position than when the low dose extended position is the selected extended position.

Abstract: An authentication reader and a dispenser comprising the authentication reader for authenticating a product having a taggant ink disposed on the product's surface.

Abstract: Hand dryer having volume for receiving the hands delimited by two facing walls and provided with blow holes, an opening delimiting the volume by its sides superior and lateral, the walls being provided in their part opposed to the volume for receiving the hands with a fence delimiting a volume wherein air is injected blown before its ejection by the holes, each one of the fences including an upper wall, two lateral walls and a lower wall, the hand dryer being provided with means for detecting the introduction of hands in the volume, wherein the detecting means include a capacitive detector made of at least a continuous conductive element which runs in the vicinity of the upper and lateral walls of one of the fences.

Abstract: A reconfigurable upright vacuum cleaner has a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to an upper portion. The portable surface cleaning unit has a suction motor and an air treatment member. The air treatment member is removably mounted to the portable surface cleaning unit and secured in position by an air treatment member lock. The portable surface cleaning unit is secured in position by a portable surface cleaning unit lock. When the portable surface cleaning unit is mounted to the upper portion and the upper portion is in the storage position, the portable surface cleaning unit actuator is provided on an upper end of the portable surface cleaning unit and the air treatment member release actuator is provided on an upper end of the air treatment member.

Abstract: A suction hose connecting piece for a suction hose for producing a flow connection from a machine tool to a vacuum cleaner, the connecting piece including a tubular body with a circumferential wall that delimits a flow channel, and a plug section which is arranged on the tubular body for the purpose of producing a plug connection with a mating connecting piece, it being possible to plug the connecting piece and mating connecting piece one onto the other along a longitudinal axis of the plug section, a longitudinal latch contour being arranged on the plug section, counteracting release of the mating connecting piece from the connecting piece relative to the longitudinal axis, and engaging with a longitudinal mating latch contour of the mating connecting piece when the mating connecting piece is plugged onto the connecting piece, along the longitudinal axis of the plug section.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes a dirt separator for separating dirt from an airflow, and a main body, the dirt separator including a bin for collecting dirt separated from the airflow, and the main body including a runner portion extending alongside a side wall of the bin, wherein the bin is slidable along the runner portion between an operational position and an extended position, and a release catch releasably engages with a formation on the runner portion to prevent the bin from being separated from the cleaning appliance, and wherein the release catch is positioned on the side wall of the bin such that it is hidden by the runner portion of the main body unless the bin is in the extended position.

Abstract: A portable extractor includes a supply tank, a recovery tank, a pump in fluid communication with the supply tank, a suction source in fluid communication with the recovery tank, a base configured to support the suction source and the pump, and a main housing mounted on the base and housing the suction source and the pump. The main housing is configured to removably support the recovery tank and the supply tank. The recovery tank is arranged at a front side of the portable extractor and the supply tank is arranged at a lateral side of the portable extractor between the front side and the rear side.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for farther external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.

Abstract: Cleaning robots may use floor-type-detection techniques as a trigger for autonomously altering various floor-cleaning characteristics. In some examples, a controller circuit of the robot is configured to determine a flooring type as a function of a signal from a motion sensor indicative of a change in pitch caused by the robot crossing a flooring discontinuity. In some examples, the controller circuit is configured to determine a flooring type based on a power draw signal corresponding to the cleaning head assembly of the robot.

Abstract: A laminated foam mop head which includes a foam block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces, a fabric material laminated to the bottom and side surfaces of the foam block, and a bracket attached to the top surface of the foam block such that the bottom and side surfaces of the foam block are drawn upward and inward to form a mop head having an elliptical shaped cross section and the top surface of the foam block is pushed inward and not exposed.

Abstract: A warewash machine for washing wares includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having an inlet side, an outlet side, multiple spray zones between the inlet side and the outlet side, and a conveyor arrangement for moving wares along a conveyance path through the multiple spray zones in a ware travel direction. A prescrapping zone is located toward the inlet side of the chamber, the prescrapping zone having a blow-off system comprising a plurality of prescrapping nozzles and a compressed air feed line for delivering compressed air to the prescrapping nozzles.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber with an access opening, a sump fluidly coupled to the treating chamber, at least one sprayer emitting liquid into the treating chamber, a pump, a conduit fluidly coupling the sump to the pump and the pump to the at least one sprayer, thereby defining a recirculation circuit through which the liquid sprayed into the treating chamber collects in the sump and is pumped back to the at least one sprayer, a filter assembly provided in the sump and having a filter through which at least a portion of the liquid passes, and an insert sleeve at least partially located within the filter assembly.

Abstract: An endoscope image processing apparatus includes a region-of-interest detection apparatus configured to sequentially receive observation images obtained by performing image pickup of an object and perform processing for detecting a region of interest for each of the observation images, and a processor. The processor calculates an appearance time period as an elapsed time period from a time when the region of interest appears within the observation image when the region-of-interest detection apparatus detects the region of interest, and starts emphasis processing for emphasizing a position of the region of interest existing within the observation image at a timing at which the appearance time period reaches a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An objective optical system includes a lens group and an optical path splitting element. The optical path splitting element is disposed on an optical path of the lens group, the optical path splitting element includes an optical path splitting surface configured to form a first optical path and a second optical path, an optical path length in the first optical path is different from an optical path length in the second optical path, a sum total of the number of transmissions of light and the number of reflections of light in the second optical path is larger than a sum total of the number of transmissions of light and the number of reflections of light in the first optical path, and an optical surface satisfying following conditional expression (1) is disposed on the first optical path, 0.8?MR650/MR550?0.9??(1).

Abstract: A system for advancing an instrument along an arbitrary path includes a flexible and steerable instrument and an electronic memory configured to store a three-dimensional model of the path, the three-dimension model being generated based on signals from the instrument as it traverses along the path. The system further includes an electronic motion controller logically coupled to the electronic memory, wherein the electronic motion controller is configured to automatically control the instrument to traverse the path based on the three dimensional model.

Abstract: A camera system for monitoring the inside of a body having excellent work efficiency is suggested. The camera system for monitoring the inside of a body includes: a cable (12) in which one end is connected to the imaging part; a first auxiliary tool (8) which is connected to the other end of the cable (12); and a second auxiliary tool (7) which includes a holding unit (7g) which holds a held unit (8g) provided in the first auxiliary tool (8), and a rod-like unit (7x) connected to the holding unit (7g), and which draws out the held unit (8g) toward the outside of the body from the inside of the body through the inside of a tube-like device (6) of which one end is guided toward the inside of the body, in a state of being held by the holding unit (7g).

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.

Abstract: The present invention is an OCT imaging system user interface for efficiently providing relevant image displays to the user. These displays are used during image acquisition to align patients and verify acquisition image quality. During image analysis, these displays indicate positional relationships between displayed data images, automatically display suspicious analysis, automatically display diagnostic data, simultaneously display similar data from multiple visits, improve access to archived data, and provide other improvements for efficient data presentation of relevant information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a refractive prescription for a consumer away from an optical office are disclosed. At a first time point, a first prescription for a first pair of corrective lenses is generated according to measured refractive errors, and a historical visual acuity profile is measured using the first prescription and a varying spherical power. At a second time point, a second visual acuity is measured using the first prescription. A new spherical power is computed using the historical visual acuity profile and the second visual acuity. A second prescription for a second pair of corrective lenses is generated based on the first prescription and the new spherical power. In some embodiments, the second visual acuity may be self-administered by the consumer away from an optical office.

Abstract: A method for determining the topography of the cornea of an eye on the basis of an optical, contactless data capture. In the method for determining the topography of the cornea of an eye, which is based on a deflectometric method, the deflectometric measurements are carried out with the aid of a keratometric method by virtue of additional OCT-based scans being made at the keratometric measurement points, wherein the two measurement systems are registered to one another and both the keratometric and the OCT-based measurement values are recorded and used for mutual calibration to determine and output the topographic data. The proposed method serves to determine the topography of the cornea of an eye. It is helpful to ascertain the topography in order to be able to draw conclusions about possible pathological changes. Moreover, the exact measurement of the corneal topography is of great importance for correcting refractive errors.

Abstract: An object is to simply and easily evaluate differences in behavior of the eyes of subjects. A binocular measurement system 1 includes a photodetector 7 that detects reflected light from the right eye ER and the left eye EL of a subject, and outputs image signal of the reflected light, a feature amount calculating unit 11 that calculates a feature amount corresponding to the right eye ER and a feature amount corresponding to the left eye EL based on the image signal, and a comparison value calculating unit 13 that calculates, based on the two feature amounts, a comparison value obtained by comparing the two feature amounts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking system (10) and a method for operating an eye tracking system (10) for determining if one of a left and a right eye of a user is dominant, wherein at least one image of the left and the right eye of the user is captured (S30), based on the at least one image and according to a predefined accuracy function a left accuracy score for the left eye (S34a) and a right accuracy score for the right eye (S34c) is determined and it is determined if one of the left and the right eye of the user is dominant in dependency of at least the left and the right accuracy score (S36). Thereby user-specific properties relating to his eyes can be provided and considered when performing eye tracking so that the robustness and accuracy of eye tracking can be enhanced.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus to make it possible to dynamically change the blinking pattern of the light source according to the imaging result, the information processing apparatus including: a light source control unit configured to control each of light sources constituting a plurality of light sources that irradiate an eye with light; and an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image of the eye including a bright spot that is a reflection point of the light. The light source control unit controls blinking of each of the light sources on a basis of the captured image of the eye.

Abstract: A retinal imager for imaging a retina of an eye includes an illumination source operable to generate illumination light and a beam splitter operable to receive the illumination light and direct the illumination light along an optical axis. The retinal imager also includes a field lens disposed along the optical axis and an objective lens disposed along the optical axis and operable to contact a cornea of the eye. An aerial image is formed adjacent to the field lens. The retinal imager further includes an image sensor and one or more lenses disposed along the optical axis between the beam splitter and the image sensor. The one or more lenses are operable to form a sensor image at the image sensor.

Abstract: A system for measuring intraocular pressure in an eye of a patient includes a sensor configured to be positioned in the eye of the patient. The sensor includes a sealed cavity, and a flexible membrane sealing a distal end of the sealed cavity, the flexible membrane configured to deflect responsive to the intraocular pressure in the eye of the patient. The system includes a detection device configured to be positioned external to the eye of the patient and optically coupled to the sensor, the detection device configured to detect an indication of change in length of the sealed cavity resulting from deflection of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: For characterizing spatial-temporal dynamics of a medium (1) excitable for deformation, an elastic model of the medium is defined. The medium is imaged at consecutive points in time to obtain a series of images. Shifts of structures of the medium (1) between the images of the series are determined. A dynamic description of a temporal development of spatial deformations of a predefined elastic model of the medium (1) is adapted to match the shifts of the structures; and temporal developments of rate of deformation patterns in the medium (1) are identified from the dynamic description.