Abstract: A roasting and glazing apparatus includes a roaster, an agitator mounted within the roaster bowl for mixing a mixture of nuts and sugar during a roasting or glazing operation, a heater controlled to heat the roaster bowl during the roasting or glazing operation, and a cover removably mounted to the roaster bowl. The cover includes a reservoir for receiving water from a user and restricting water flow from the reservoir into the mixture of nuts and sugar in the roaster bowl. The cover and the roaster bowl together define a vent on a side of the cover opposite the reservoir. The vent is configured to direct steam out of the roaster bowl in a direction away from the reservoir.

Abstract: An on-demand automated aseptic fryer may be used to prepare multiple types of fried foods without requiring vats of hot oil. The fried foods that may be prepared include, for example, donuts or potatoes, or any other fried foods that can be prepared from a dry mixture that produces a dough when mixed with water. Alternatively, the dry mixture may include a dried, powdered or reconstituted fruits or vegetables that are subsequently mixed with water. The entire process is automated once the process is initiated by a user and thus does not require an attendant during the frying process, which in some implementations can be completed in less than about 1.5 minutes once initiated.

Abstract: A mechanism for raising and lowering a cooking surface within a recessed combustion chamber is provided.

Abstract: A grinder for a spice mill, in particular a hand-operated spice mill, having an inlet side for entry of unground grinding stock and an outlet side for the exit of ground grinding stock, including a rotor, a stator interacting with the rotor and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotor and/or stator. The housing includes a stator housing part, which is substantially rotationally fixedly connected to the stator, and a rotor housing part which is rotatable relative to the stator housing part and is substantially rotationally fixedly connected to the rotor via a connecting element. The connecting element is at least partially received in a recess in the rotor, and the connecting elements and the rotor are frictionally connected. The housing has, on a side of the rotor facing the inlet side, a blocking element which blocks displacement of the rotor in the direction of the inlet side.

Abstract: An implement attachment holder for a hand mixer includes a body defining opposed first and second surfaces and first and second mounting projections coupled with the body and extending away from the first surface of the body at respective first and second locations spaced apart at a first distance along a first direction. The attachment holder further includes a device retention projection extending away from the second surface of the body and partially along the first surface to at least partially overlie the first and second locations from which the first and second mounting projections extend. The device retention projection further defines at least three attachment channels extending in a second direction normal to the first direction at spaced-apart locations along the device retention projection.

Abstract: A blender includes a jar including a blade module to cut an object, a main body to receive the jar and including a motor to rotate the blade module, and a controller disposed inside the main body and configured to operate the motor. The main body further includes an outer case and forming an outer structure of the main body. The outer case includes a touch input portion on an outer surface of the outer case. A touch sensor is disposed on an inner surface of the outer case at a position corresponding to the touch input portion to detect a touch input on the touch input portion. The controller is configured to determine an operation time period of the motor based on the touch input detected by the touch sensor.

Abstract: Proposed is a blender in which an inclined surface is formed on the leading or rear edge portion of a blade. The blender includes a container body in which food is received, a main body provided under the container body and configured to support the container body, a container lid mounted detachably to an upper surface of the container body and configured to open and close the upper surface of the container body, and a blade assembly which crushes food contained in the container body by a blade unit, wherein an inclined surface is formed on each of leading and rear edge portions of the blade unit constituting the blade assembly such that the inclined surface has thickness decreasing gradually toward an end thereof. In such a blender, the cutting ability of materials by the blade unit is increased and noise thereof is decreased.

Abstract: An assembly for a portable blender. The assembly having a housing that is configured for coupling to a container. The assembly has at least one battery, a motor electrically connected to the battery, a blade coupled to the motor, and a user input device operable to cause power to be sent from the battery to the motor so that the motor rotates the blade. At least a portion of the blade is positioned outside of the housing so that the blade is configured to be positioned in an interior space of the container when the housing is coupled to the container. The assembly may include a plurality of batteries each positioned radially outward from the motor with the batteries positioned circumferentially around the motor. A portable blender including the assembly and a container. The container having a dual-wall, vacuum insulated construction.

Abstract: A rack holder configured to securely hold a rack or tray used to hold food items during cooking is described. The rack holder may include bracket with a lower lip and a top lip. The bracket may be affixed to a support bar with an offset portion extending downward. The support bar may also include a handle support portion where one or more handles are affixed to the rack holder. The rack holder may provide a fitting engagement with a rack to remove the rack from a cooking environment and to transport the rack to another preparation station.

Abstract: The holder rests or attaches to the ledge of a sink and stores a tool such as a toothbrush in an inverted position to drain into the sink basin. The holder includes a base cooperating with a suction cup, a post with at least one notch, and an arm with slots to hold the tool handle. In most cases, a three-walled shield protects the stored tool from splashes or debris created in the sink during regular use. The angle of the tool holder advantageously encourages any liquid debris on the tool to drain away from the tool as it dries during storage. In one example, a toothbrush handle rests in the notch and contacts the arm extending over the sink. The cleaning head, bristles, razor, or other working end of the tool will desirably hang to enhance the hygienic storage of the tool. A cover protects the tool from splashes.

Abstract: A portable towel dryer is provided in the present application, which comprises a main machine and a rack configured to hang a cloth, wherein the main machine comprises a shell, a heater mounted in the shell and a fan mounted in the shell, an air outlet is provided at a bottom of the shell corresponding to an outlet of the fan, the bottom of the shell is provided with an air inlet, and the heater is arranged on an airflow path of the fan, wherein the rack comprises a hanging rod, two supports respectively supporting both ends of the hanging rod, and a lifting mechanism configured to adjust the height of the supports, each of the supports is connected with the lifting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism is connected with the shell.

Abstract: A towel bar includes a retractable and extendable robe hook. The robe hook may be formed in a wall-mounted first base joined by a towel bar to a wall-mounted second base. A shaft may be extended from the base to reveal the robe hook. When extended, the robe hook provides a location from which objects may be hung. When not needed, the robe hook may be pushed into the base and reside within an internal cavity, thereby concealed from view.

Abstract: Dry, plied roll paper is transformed into hand wetted roll paper that may be used either dry, or selectively hand wetted using a wetting device. The device is then shaped into a container filled with an anti-bacterial cleaning agent, or other agent, and assembled on the paper ply. The hand wetted paper ply can be used as paper towels or toilet paper for dry and/or wet hygienic cleaning.

Abstract: A package or pouch comprising one or more panel portions and a reclosure device. The reclosure device is provided to extend outward from a panel portion of the package to facilitate the use of the package to store and dispense wet wipes and like products.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a sink system having an air recirculating mechanism for exhausted hand dryer air. The sink system includes a sink deck having a sink opening and an outer shell. The sink deck being separated from a sink basin region of a sink basin by a vent ring. A sink basin defines a sink basin region and a plenum region. The plenum region is separated from the sink basin region by the vent ring. A plenum cavity is formed between an internal surface of the outer shall and the plenum region. The vent ring includes a vent with an associated opening. The opening is exposed to the sink basin region and to an area underneath the sink deck, the opening allowing a flow of air therethrough. A dryer is configured to direct forced air through a dryer exhaust port into the sink basin region of the sink basin.

Abstract: A joint arrangement for the pivotable mounting of a lid, a seat or a seat/lid fitting about a pivot axis on a ceramic sanitary article, which joint arrangement comprises an elongate fastening element which is intended to be arranged on the sanitary article, a bearing element having a passage bore through which the fastening element is intended to engage, and a damper element which damps the pivoting movement and has a connecting element, which likewise has a passage bore into which the fastening element engages or through which said fastening element engages and which fits on the bearing element in the assembled position, wherein the bearing element has a retaining portion which receives the connecting element in a form-fitting manner.

Abstract: A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.

Abstract: An autonomous cleaning device, including: a casing, a cover, and a switch. The cover is arranged on the casing and protrudes from a top of the casing. The cover and the casing are connected in a manner enabling the cover to be movable downwards and backwards; and the cover has an acting portion. A trigger position of the switch is located at a moving path of the acting portion, and the cover is configured to trigger the switch by the acting portion during movement of the cover. The switch comprises at least two first switches, configured to be triggered in a horizontal direction. A horizontal circumferential trigger range formed by all the at least two first switches is greater than or equal to 180 degrees.

Abstract: This application provides a method and an apparatus for updating a working map of a mobile robot, and a storage medium in the field of intelligent control technologies. The method includes: determining a plurality of detected environment maps based on object distribution information detected by the mobile robot in a moving process; merging the plurality of detected environment maps to obtain a merged environment map; and then performing weighting processing on the merged environment map and an environment layout map currently stored in the mobile robot, to obtain an updated environment layout map. The environment layout map stored in the mobile robot is updated by using the plurality of detected maps obtained by the mobile robot during working, so that the updated environment layout map can reflect a more detailed environment layout. This helps the mobile robot subsequently better execute a working task.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a triggerless extractor surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which a cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and extracted using suction along with dirt and/or debris on the surface in a continuous operation as the extractor moves along the surface. The extractor further comprises an encoder positioned adjacent a wheel of the extractor for detecting a rotational direction and speed of the wheel to generate a signal. Based on receiving the signal, a controller controls operation of a valve to situationally distribute the cleaning solution to the surface depending on a forward rotation of the wheel and independent of user actuation of a trigger positioned on a handle used to propel the extractor along the surface. Distribution of the cleaning solution can be further optimized based on the detected rotational speed of the wheel.

Abstract: An extractor includes a fluid recovery system including a suction nozzle, a recovery tank assembly, and a suction source having an inlet fluidly connected to the recovery tank assembly and the suction nozzle through an air conduit and adapted to draw liquid through the suction nozzle and deposit the liquid in the recovery tank assembly. The extractor includes a body provided with the air conduit for movement between a first position wherein suction is unreduced and a second position wherein suction is reduced. The extractor includes a fluid delivery system including a solution supply tank assembly, a fluid distributor, and a conduit for depositing fluid onto a surface. The extractor includes a hydraulic connector operably coupled to the body and adapted to move the body between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A cleaning assembly for a cleaning robot is provided. The cleaning assembly includes a motor, a transmission mechanism coupled with the motor, and a cleaning device comprising a shaft having a first gear coupled with the transmission mechanism and a cleaning module mounted to an end of the shaft. The transmission mechanism is configured to drive the shaft to rotate through the first gear. The shaft is configured to move axially. The cleaning module is configured to clean a surface area.

Abstract: Fibrous structures containing filaments and optionally, solid additives, wherein the pre-moistened fibrous structures exhibit wet compressive modulus values that are superior to known pre-moistened fibrous structures as measured according to the Wet Compressive Modulus Test Method described herein and methods for making same are provided.

Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a plurality of compartments. At least one compartment is provided for cleaning the flat headed mop to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second compartment is provided for recharging the mop pad with water or a cleaning solution. At least one wringing device is operably coupled to one of the plurality of compartments. The at least one wringing device having an extractor element to remove at least a portion of water or cleaning solution from the mop pad.

Abstract: A dishwasher and method of operating a dishwasher according to a cycle of operation are described herein. The dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a rotatable spray arm comprising a nozzle outlet, and a liquid supply conduit fluidly coupled to the spray arm. A pump can be fluidly coupled to the liquid supply conduit and operated to flow liquid through an aperture in the liquid supply conduit.

Abstract: Image-based object sensing is utilized in a dishwasher to configure a wash cycle and/or perform other operations in the dishwasher.

Abstract: A reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head, a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position and a portable cleaning unit removably mountable to the support structure. The support structure has a pair of laterally extending portions and the portable cleaning unit has a first mounting member comprising mating grooves which slideably receive the laterally extending portions when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: Vacuum cleaning devices include foldable wands to provide a storage configuration and/or facilitate use. A vacuum cleaning device includes a wand having a first end coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end coupled to a vacuum head or surface cleaning head. The wand defines an air passage allowing air to pass from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit and includes a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand. The wand also includes a plurality of segments pivotably connected together such that the wand is foldable about 180° in a forward direction until the vacuum unit is positioned proximate a top of the surface cleaning head, thereby providing a storage configuration.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic stage which comprises a stationary portion and an openable portion. The openable portion is rotatably mounted by a rotatable mount between a closed position in which a cyclone chamber is closed and an open position in which the cyclone chamber is open. The stationary portion comprises an upper portion of the first cyclonic stage and the openable portion comprises a lower portion of the first cyclonic stage. The rotatable mount is located at a rearward end of the openable portion.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a body which houses a suction motor. A handle is provided on a sidewall of the body and extends outwardly therefrom. The handle axis intersects the suction motor. An air treatment member comprises a chamber, which has an openable door and which forms a front face of the hand vacuum cleaner. The air treatment member having an inner hollow member that occupies all of the central portion of the chamber between the front end of the chamber and a rear end of the chamber. The air treatment member has an openable door lock comprising a door release actuator wherein the door is moveable to an open position in which the chamber is opened when the door release actuator is actuated.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve mounted at various locations in a structure or RV and connected to the inlet end of a vacuum conduit. A section of hose is slidably mounted within the conduit and extends from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. The hose includes a hose plug connected with a distal end of the hose. The hose plug includes an annular channel and an orthogonally aligned slot. The hose plug may also include a first seal and a second seal.

Abstract: A nozzle for a cleaner has a nozzle housing, and first and second rotation cleaning units arranged on a lower side of the nozzle housing and spaced apart from each other. Each of the first and second rotation cleaning units includes a rotation plate coupled to a mop. The nozzle includes a first driving device having a first driving motor to drive the first rotation cleaning unit. The nozzle also includes a second driving device having a second driving motor to drive the second rotation cleaning unit. Further, the nozzle has a water tank mounted on the nozzle housing to store water. The nozzle housing includes driving unit covers arranged to surround each of the driving devices. At least one of the driving unit covers includes a first protruding surface, and a second protruding surface positioned higher than the first protruding surface.

Abstract: A self-moving cleaning device includes: a base; a mobile module adjacent to the base and configured to contact a surface when the self-moving cleaning device moves on the surface; a vacuum module arranged over the base; a dust box arranged over the base and connected to the vacuum module, the dust box including a first opening and a second opening; a first suction port arranged on the base and including a first suction inlet connected to the first opening; a second suction port arranged on the base and including a second suction inlet connected to the second opening, the first suction port disposed between a front side of the base and the second suction port; a roller brush device arranged on the base and within the second suction port; and an air duct, wherein the first suction port is connected to the dust box through the air duct to thereby connect the first suction inlet to the first opening.

Abstract: A cleaning system may include a vacuum cleaner and a docking station. The vacuum cleaner may include an air inlet, a suction motor having a suction motor inlet and a suction motor outlet, and a cleaner dust cup configured to transition between a collection position and an emptying position, the cleaner dust cup being upstream of the suction motor inlet when in the collection position and downstream of the suction motor outlet when in the emptying position. The docking station may include a base, a support extending from the base, a station dust cup removably coupled to the support, and a receptacle coupled to the support and configured to receive at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner, the cleaner dust cup being fluidly coupled to and upstream of the station dust cup when the vacuum cleaner is inserted in the receptacle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a collection device capable of collecting a virus or the like effectively. The collection device according to the present disclosure is an autonomous collection device (2) for collecting an object having an analyte and moisture from a floor surface. The autonomous collection device (2) comprises a drying part (18) for drying the object, a suction opening (36) for suctioning the object dried by the drying part, and a dust container (12) for storing the object suctioned from the suction opening.

Abstract: A dirt detection method includes the steps of: selecting a motor with a motor processor, and then using the motor to provide power to form a negative pressure to suck the dirt into the dirt collection device, the motor processor sending the motor's operating signal to the detection processor that has written therein a threshold range for detection, and then comparing the threshold range with the operating signal from the motor processor. The invention is based on the motor as the power source of negative pressure, and the dirt collection device has good collection effect and sealing. Based on the equipment characteristics of the motor in the negative pressure system, the degree of dirt in the dirt collection device is detected by detecting the operating signal of the motor.

Abstract: A method for influencing the device-typical sound emission of a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device has a device housing and a cleaning mechanism for carrying out a cleaning activity on a surface to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning device emits device-typical sound while carrying out the cleaning activity, and wherein the device-typical sound is detected and analyzed with respect to at least one sound frequency contained therein. In order to adapt the soundscape of the cleaning device in such a way that a user can ascertain a proper functionality of the cleaning device, a displaceable section assigned to a flow channel of the cleaning device is displaced relative to the flow channel and/or the device housing in dependence on the analysis result until a characteristic sound frequency for the cleaning activity emitted by the cleaning mechanism has a defined amplitude.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure includes a cleaner body having a suction motor provided inside thereof and a handle provided outside thereof, and a suction nozzle connected to the cleaner body, wherein the suction nozzle includes a housing having at least part of a front portion opened, and a rotary cleaning unit disposed inside the housing, having at least part thereof exposed through the opening of the housing, and configured to clean a floor by a rotating operation, wherein the rotary cleaning unit includes a cylindrical nozzle body rotatably installed inside the housing, and fiber filaments and metal filaments disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle body.

Abstract: A processing system (100, 200) for processing surgical images. The system includes at least one image pickup unit (115) for obtaining surgical image frames and data, at least one image receptor (113) for receiving surgical image frames to be displayed, and a processing unit (153) connected with a network (103, 106, 107) to the image pickup unit (115) for receiving surgical image frames, the processing unit (153) being configured for processing the surgical image frames and for extracting at least one processing information thereof. The processing unit further is being connected to the at least one image receptor (113) for providing the at least one correction parameter to the at least one image receptor. The system further comprises a connection (102) between the at least one image pickup unit (115) and the image receptor (113), for sending the surgical image frames directly to the image receptor (113).

Abstract: Medical software tools platforms utilize a surgical display to provide access to specific medical software tools, such as medically-oriented applications or widgets, that can assist surgeons or surgical team in performing various procedures. In particular, an endoscopic camera may register the momentary rise in the optical signature reflected from a tissue surface and in turn transmit it to a medical image processing system which can also receive patient heart rate data and display relevant anomalies. Changes in various spectral components and the speed at which they change in relation to a source of stimulus (heartbeat, breathing, light source modulation, etc.) may indicate the arrival of blood, contrast agents or oxygen absorption. Combinations of these may indicate various states of differing disease or margins of tumors, and so forth. Also, changes in temperatures, physical dimensions, pressures, photoacoustic pressures and the rate of change may indicate tissue anomalies in comparison to historic values.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a memory storing a value indicative the remaining available rated capacity of one or more batteries. The stored value is changed in use to reflect reducing capacity. The initial stored value is chosen so that there is a very high (e.g. >99.9%) confidence that the one or more batteries will provide at least the capacity indicated by the initial stored value. This reduces the chance of failure during emergency procedures. The one or more batteries may be integral to the electrical device. An override facility is provided.

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

Abstract: A medical device comprising a shaft defining a first channel having a distal opening, a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to a distal end of the shaft to expose the distal opening to an external environment, wherein the PCB includes an imager and at least one light, the imager and the at least one light mounted on a distal facing surface of the PCB, and an optically clear covering, wherein the covering covers the imager and the at least one light.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing a surgeon with improved viewing angles during arthroscopic surgical procedures are provided. In some embodiments, a cannula is provided that includes an elongate body that can extend along a longitudinal axis, the body having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending through the body between openings at the proximal and distal ends. The cannula can have a first flange member that can extend at least partially around at least one of the openings, and the first flange member can have a distal-facing surface, where at least a portion of the distal-facing surface can be reflective.

Abstract: An insertable sleeve accessory and a method for use is provided. The insertable sleeve includes a cylindrical sleeve body. The cylindrical sleeve body includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow sleeve channel, and at least one open end. The cylindrical sleeve body is configured to be inserted into a vaginal cavity of a patient. The sleeve body is further configured to receive an insertion portion of a medical speculum in the hollow sleeve channel subsequent to being inserted into the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a drive housing having a first end and a second end, at least one spline extending between the first and second ends and including a drive gear that rotates with rotation of the spline, and a carriage movably mounted to the spline. An elongate shaft extends from the carriage and through the first end, an end effector is arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a wrist interposes the end effector and the distal end of the shaft. An activating mechanism is housed in the carriage and operatively coupled to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear correspondingly actuates the activating mechanism and thereby causes the wrist to articulate the end effector in at least one plane.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element of a medical instrument configured for insertion into a body cavity is provided. The device may include a housing; a cavity within the housing, the cavity being sized to removably retain at least a portion of the medical instrument therein, wherein the portion includes the optical element; a plasma activation zone within the cavity and arranged such that when the at least a portion of the medical instrument is retained within the cavity, the optical element is located within the plasma activation zone; a plasma generator configured to be activated to cause formation of a plasma cloud in the plasma activation zone in a vicinity of the optical element; and a controller configured to activate the plasma generator for a time period sufficient to cause the optical element to become hydrophilic prior to insertion into the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element is provided. The device may include a housing; a chamber within the housing; electrical circuitry in the housing; a plasma activation region configured to retain the optical element in a manner exposing an optical surface to the plasma activation region, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to form an electrical connection with a first electrode located on the first side of the dielectric barrier; a second electrode located on a second side of the dielectric barrier, opposite the plasma activation region; and at least one processor configured to: control electricity flow through the circuitry to cause an electric field associated with a voltage drop between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate plasma within the plasma-activation region; and maintain the generated plasma for a time period sufficient to cause the optical surface to become hydrophilic.

Abstract: A digestive organ internal contents sampling capsule for sampling internal contents in a digestive organ includes: a cylindrical container insoluble in a digestive tract for housing the internal contents in the digestive organ; an outer lid enclosing an orifice of the cylindrical container and to dissolve at least partially in the digestive organ; an inner lid arranged in the cylindrical container, and to swell in response to contact with the internal contents in the digestive organ to enclose the orifice of the cylindrical container after the orifice is exposed by dissolving of at least a part of the outer lid; and a marker material to be discharged together with the cylindrical container housing the internal contents in the digestive organ and feces.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring an opening of an appendage of an atrium of a subject, the method including inserting a catheter into the atrium of the subject using a transvenous approach. Thereafter, at least one loop is deployed from a wall of the catheter, such that a distal end of the loop is distal to a distal end of the catheter. Thereafter, the loop is used to measure the opening of the appendage. Other embodiments are also described.