52nd week of 2016 patent applcation highlights part 3 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160374457 | COSMETIC CONTAINER IDENTIFIER SYSTEM - An apparatus is disclosed that includes a container with a first end defining an opening, the opening providing access to an inner cavity of the container. In addition, an applicator having a end cap and an applicator portion is disclosed, wherein the applicator is removably attachable to the opening of the container. An indicator is positioned on the end cap of the applicator, the indicator identifying a type of applicator portion of the applicator. An example of a type of applicator portion identified b the indicator may be an applicator portion configured to apply mascara, lip gloss, eyeliner or blush to a face of a user. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374458 | Backpack And Garment Assembly - A backpack and garment assembly according to the present invention includes a wearable garment having a left front portion, a right front portion, a back portion opposite from the left and right front portions, respectively, and a pair of sleeve portions extending away from the left and the right front portions, respectively. A storage pack is formed to an outer surface of the back portion of the torso wearable garment and configured to contain objects therein. The storage pack includes an upper end and opposed lower end and defines a first compartment extending within an interior area of the storage pack substantially between the upper and lower ends. The assembly includes a GPS device for security tracking and an electrical receptacle enabling external devices access to an internal battery. The wearable garment may be a coat, jacket, or vest. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374459 | FASTENER SYSTEMS - An adjustable-length tensile member, for example, a strap for a wearable pack, can include a fastener member defining first and second apertures and a cross-member positioned therebetween. A strap can extend through the first aperture in a first direction, over the cross-member and through the second aperture in a direction opposite to the first direction. A cover plate can matingly engage with the fastener member to obscure a segment of the strap from view. Wearable packs can incorporate such adjustable-length tensile members. Methods for assembling such adjustable-length tensile members are also disclosed. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374460 | MULTI-FUNCTIONAL UTILITY MAT - A multi-purpose mat comprises a circular flat body portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface comprises a structural fold pattern. The outer surface comprises a plurality of wing pockets extending from a peripheral edge and spaced at ninety degree intervals that may be folded into a plurality of interior pockets between the outer surface and the inner surface, a drawstring interwoven through a plurality of eyelets along the perimeter, a pair of webbing straps positioned at right angles to each other, and a pair of pole pockets below the pair of webbing straps, a bag clip and a bag handle. A functional strap and a plurality of tent poles allow the multi-purpose mat to be configured into a beach mat, a backpack bag, a surfboard carrier sling and a shade shelter. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374461 | BRUSH - A brush includes a brush body and a liquid-resisting tray. The brush body includes a brush head part, a connecting part and a handle part. The connecting part has a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other. The first end and the second end are connected to the brush head part and the handle part, respectively. The liquid-resisting tray is installed on the connecting part. A length of the brush head part is a. A length of the handle part is b. A length parameter associated with the length of brush head part and the length of handle part is K, wherein K=(a+b)/a, and 2.363≦K≦2.889. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374462 | Toothbrush Head - The abstract has been amended as follows: | 2016-12-29 |
20160374463 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL STORAGE DEVICE - A multifunctional storage device has a lower seat with a storage room, an upper mount pivotally connected to the lower seat, a bottom cover mounted on the lower seat, and an adjustable connecting assembly connecting the lower seat and the upper mount. The upper mount can cover the lower seat or can be opened to tilt relative to the lower seat and be held at a specific angle by the adjustable connecting assembly. When the multifunctional storage device is attached to a piece of furniture, the upper mount is flush with a platform of the furniture, such that articles can be placed on the upper mount and the platform of the furniture or be stored in the storage room. Accordingly, the furniture with the multifunctional storage device can have a basic function and multiple additional functions derived from the multifunctional storage device. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374464 | RECONFIGURABLE WORKSTATION SUPPORT - A workstation services support structure including a beam supported at or near desk height on one or more legs is described. The beam includes one or more elongate mounting means extending substantially along its length. Each elongate mounting means corresponds to a zone (Zones | 2016-12-29 |
20160374465 | AUTONOMOUS TROLLEY SYSTEM - Autonomous trolleys include an integrated power source, which energy can be utilized for integrated trolley systems such as a wheel assist module, heating module, and cooling module. The power source may include a fuel cell system or a rechargeable electrical energy storage device or a combination thereof. The rechargeable electrical energy storage device can be charged by any other power source, including a fuel cell system. The trolley can also be equipped with a fuel tank for easy and safe refueling of a fuel cell system. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374466 | GONDOLA GRAVITY FEED CONVERSION BRACKET SYSTEM - A bracket system for converting horizontally arranged shelving members in a gondola system to a gravity feed orientation including a left, right, and at least one center bracket member each selectively engageable with any one of a plurality of vertical upright support members associated with the gondola system, each bracket member having a front wall portion angularly oriented relative to the vertical upright support members and each having a plurality of receiver members for selectively engaging attachment members associated with each shelf member. The receiver members associated with the at least one center bracket member are configured to receive the attachment members associated with two adjacent side-by-side shelf members. When the bracket members are attached to the upright support members and the shelf members are attached to the bracket members, each shelf member is oriented in gravity feed orientation. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374467 | CLIP AND COLLAR FOR REVERSIBLY ATTACHING SHELVES TO POLE - A clip that is operable to reversibly connect a collar-attached shelf with a tension pole. The clip generally has an axis, and an aperture that extends in the direction of the axis, such that the aperture is shaped to correspond with the shape of the tension pole. The clip also has a flexible connecting member that connects left and right sides of the clip, such that the clip can be opened and closed around the tension pole. The clip may have an outwardly-extending faceplate which is engageable with a collar. The collar may hold the clip in a closed position and may be attached to other items, such as a shelf. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374468 | Theater Seating - Theater seating systems, theater lounge seats, theater seats, and theater seating arrangements are described herein. An example embodiment of a theater seating system comprises a separating panel and a theater seat. The separating panel has a first end, a second end, a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section. The first section, the second section, the third section, and the fourth section cooperatively define a chamber within which the theater seat is disposed. The first end is separated from the second end to define an opening that provides access to the chamber defined by the separating panel. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374469 | ROTATION ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR SEATS - A rotation adjustment system for seats according an embodiment of the present invention includes a first viewing chair and a second viewing chair. The first viewing chair includes a first seat part and a first backrest part which is stood from the first seat part to maintain the seating function of the first seat part, and is laid down toward the first seat part to disable the seating function of the first seat part. The second viewing chair includes a second seat part and a second backrest part which is stood from the second seat part to maintain the seating function of the second seat part, and is laid down toward the second seat part to disable the seating function of the second seat part. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374470 | CHAIR AND FURNITURE SET WITH THE CHAIR - A chair has a seat member and a backrest member. The seat member has a seat body having a horizontal frame disposed horizontally; a front supporting leg mounted on a bottom surface of the horizontal frame near a front end of the horizontal frame; and two rear supporting legs mounted respectively on two sides of a bottom surface of the horizontal frame near a rear end of the horizontal frame. The backrest member has a backrest frame having two backrest sidebars mounted respectively on two sides of the horizontal frame and an upper crossbar connected between two top ends of the backrest sidebars and having a suspension slot defined in a rear surface of the upper crossbar. The suspension slot is axially elongated and has an L-shaped cross section. The chair may be used independently and may be easily combined other furniture units to form a furniture set. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374471 | ROTATABLE SEAT CRADLE - A rotatable seat cradle including a lumbar supporting back, a thigh supporting front, an intermediate pelvic support bucket located between the back and the front, and an upwardly sloping transition wall that extends continuously and co-extensively between the pelvic support bucket and the thigh supporting front. The seat cradle is pivotally coupled to a stand or to a yoke connected to a chair base. The thigh supporting front of the seat cradle lies above the pelvic support bucket and cantilevers outwardly from the upwardly sloping transition wall. A seated user shifting his weight towards the front of the seat cradle pushes his legs against the thigh supporting front to generate a rotational force thereagainst for causing a corresponding rotation of the seat cradle relative to the stand or the yoke to which the seat cradle is pivotally coupled. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374472 | Swinging seat frame for mounting to any supportive vertical surface - A swinging seat frame of the type deriving support from a mounting bracket attached to a vertical surface. Frame to bracket connection is pivotal allowing the legless frame to swing laterally in relation to vertical surface. Mounting bracket ( | 2016-12-29 |
20160374473 | ADJUSTABLE HEAD SUPPORT APPARATUS - An adjustable head support apparatus includes a head support and an adjusting assembly disposed within the seat back of a chair. The adjusting assembly includes a positioning base, a rotating block, a moving base and a latch base. The positioning base is disposed at a rear end of the seat back and the rotating block is pivoted within the positioning base. The moving base is installed at the rear end of the positioning base to move the head support. The latch base is installed at the front end of the head support and engaged with the latch. When the head support is pulled up enough to move the moving base upward, the moving base will rotate the latch of the rotating block. Therefore, the height of the head support can be adjusted to satisfy different people and the support of the head can be provided properly. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374474 | ADJUSTABLE LUMBAR SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR SEAT BACK - An adjustable lumbar support apparatus for a seat back is disclosed and includes a lumbar support and two adjusting assemblies respectively disposed at two sides of the seat back. Each of the adjusting assemblies includes a supporting sheet disposed on an exterior surface of the seat back, an acting rod disposed in a positioning cylinder base on a front end of the seat back, and a knob disposed on a rear end of the seat back. The acting rod and the knob are co-acting, and the acting rod and the supporting sheet are corresponding to each other by the slope surface and the acting slope surface. When the knob is rotated, the corresponding relationship between the acting slope surface and the slope surface is varied. The distance between the lumbar support and the seat back can be adjusted in accordance with different requirements under different circumstances to overcome the elastic fatigue problem. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374475 | BACK SUPPORT - A back support structure includes a frame, a support, a fulcrum member, and an adjustment mechanism. The support includes an upright member having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of the upright member is connected to the frame at a first location. A support pad is connected to the upper end of the upright member. The fulcrum member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is connected to the frame at a second location spaced vertically above the first location. The fulcrum member includes a fulcrum engaging the upright member between the upper and lower ends. The fulcrum member is moveable between a plurality of fulcrum positions. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member connected to the frame and the lower portion of the fulcrum member. The adjustment member is adjustable to move the fulcrum member to the plurality of fulcrum positions. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374476 | FOOTREST ASSEMBLY OF A CHAIR - A footrest assembly disposed under a chair includes an assembly, a tracking frame, a first rotating plate, a second rotating plate and a footrest. The tracking frame is movably mounted in the seat mounting frame. The first rotating plate is pivotally connected to the tracking frame. The second rotating plate is pivotally connected to the first rotating plate. The footrest is mounted on the second rotating plate. By disposing the two rotating plates between the footrest and the tracking frame, the footrest can rotate twice relative to the tracking frame, so as to increase a distance between the footrest and the tracking frame. That is, a distance between the footrest and the chair is increased, so as to meet users' various needs. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374477 | ARTICULATED SOFA BED WITH LOCKING MECHANISM - A seat convertible to a bed. The seat includes a locking mechanism for fixably maintaining a head panel section of the bed in a generally horizontal orientation when the bed is in the deployed configuration and releasing the head panel section from the deployed configuration by a lifting motion. The locking mechanism is connected to the head panel section and a mid-swinging member. The mid-swinging member pivotally attaches to the head panel section and a stationary mounting arm. The stationary mounting arm is fixably attached to a seat frame. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374478 | Assemblable Mattress Support Whose Components Fit Inside The Headboard - An assemblable mattress support can be shipped with all of its components compactly packed into the headboard. The mattress support includes a foldable longitudinal bar, a lateral bar, side panels, wooden slats, block legs and a footboard, all of which fit inside a compartment in the headboard. In an assembled state of the mattress support, a first connector at one end of the longitudinal bar attaches to a third connector on the outside of the headboard. A second connector at the other end of the longitudinal bar attaches to a fourth connector on the footboard. The middle of the lateral bar connects to the middle of the longitudinal bar. The block legs are attached to the bottom sides of the headboard and footboard. The slats are attached to one another by fabric ribbons and are placed in parallel over the longitudinal bar and support ledges on the side panels. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374479 | AIR MATTRESS AND ARRANGEMENT OF AIR MATTRESSES - An air mattress with at least one cavity to be filled with air, which is bounded by a sitting and reclining surface, a bottom surface disposed opposite the sitting and reclining surface, and a peripheral side surface connecting the sitting and reclining surface and the bottom surface. Magnets, each incorporated in separate chambers, are arranged on the side surface on the sitting or reclining surface and on the bottom surface for the connection of air mattresses of the same design. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374480 | Children's Table Assembly - A children's table assembly includes a table that has a platform and a frame. A chair is rotatably coupled to the table and the chair is positioned on the frame. Thus, chair facilitates a user to access an entirety of the platform. A pair of containers is provided and each of the containers is rotatably coupled to the table such that each of the containers is positionable between a deployed position and a stored position. An easel is attached to the table. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374481 | MODULAR RECONFIGURABLE INFANT-CONTAINMENT AND JUVENILE ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS - A modular reconfigurable child containment and entertainment product, including a foldable frame structure to which one or more accessories or modules are interchangeably attached. A stationary module and a mobile module can be used in combination, or the mobile module can be used independently of the stationary module, for example as a co-sleeper. A projector or other entertainment features can be included, as well as a child monitor. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374482 | INFANT SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR NURSING MOTHERS - The infant support system provides a method for enabling a nursing mother to breastfeed a baby without using her hands to hold the baby. In one embodiment of the invention the mother is seated on a chair or rocker and a support pillow is placed across the mother's lap. A relatively small pillow is placed on the support pillow below the mother's nursing breast. The baby is then positioned on its side on the support pillow such that its head is supported on the relatively small pillow in alignment with the mother's nursing breast. Another relatively small pillow is placed behind the baby's back to stabilize the position of the baby while the baby is nursing. In another embodiment of the invention the mother is in a reclining position on a mattress and a relatively small pillow is used to support the baby's head in alignment with the nursing breast of the nursing mother, and another relatively small pillow is placed behind the baby's back to stabilize the position of the baby while the baby is nursing. In this manner whether the mother is seated or in a reclining position the nursing session can be accomplished without the mother having to hold the baby. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374483 | Stackable/wall mountable headwear storage and display cabinet system with variable lighting (CapPalace) - One embodiment of the CapPalace is a furniture style Stackable/wall mountable headwear storage/display cabinet with manual/remote controlled dimmable lighting, a sliding drawer, external magnetic stacking guides for good adhesion between units, external elastic pressure electrical contacts for power between units, internally placed insulation piercing electrical contacts for power within the unit, and an outwardly opening translucent front door. A plurality of adjustable head forms are set to desired hat sizes with an Allen wrench and mounted on the drawer. In alternate embodiments without head forms the CapPalace can be made in any size or material for storage/display of collectibles, shoes, clothing, etc. The stacked configuration's base has a low voltage power supply for the lighting system in it and magnetic stacking guides and elastic pressure electrical contacts on the top surface. Use of quick connect/disconnect bolts and bolt receptors on the inner walls of units, flexible flanges on female magnetic stacking guide retainer rings, and elastic pressure and insulation piercing electrical contacts are designed so low tech users with a few hand tools can easily assemble a unit. Other embodiments are described and shown. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374484 | Portable Screen Kit - A portable screen kit includes a screen that may be stretched around an area. A plurality of sleeves is provided and each of the sleeves is attached to the screen. A plurality of poles is provided and each of the poles is slidably inserted into an associated one of the sleeves. Thus, each of the poles may penetrate a support surface thereby facilitating the screen to be retained in an upright orientation with respect to the support surface. A plurality of caps is each removably positioned on an associated one of the poles. Each of the caps may be pressed downwardly thereby urging each of the poles into the support surface. A plurality of loops is each attached to the screen. A plurality of stakes is provided and each of the stakes is insertable through an associated one of the loops. The first end of each of the stakes penetrates the support surface. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374485 | CEREAL BOWL - A cereal bowl according to the present invention includes a basin that may be attached to a base. A partition extends from a sloped floor of the basin to divide the basin into a front interior space and back interior space which can be used to separate a liquid from solid material. The cereal bowl is particularly useful for separating dry breakfast cereal from milk so that the dry breakfast cereal does not absorb milk and become soggy. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374486 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AN ATTACHABLE SPICE DISPENSING DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMATIC MEAL PREPARATION APPARATUS - 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. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374487 | Device for a Set of Cutlery - A set of cutlery includes an eating part connected to a handle part, increasing the ability of small children to eat by themselves with the cutlery and encouraging them to grasp the cutlery with precision. A device for the set of cutlery includes a spoon piece and/or a fork piece having a handle connected to an eating part of the piece. The handle has a grip part that extends from the eating part. The width of the handle is about 1-10 mm and the handle has a height that exceeds the width. A user of the piece can grasp, by a precision grasp, the handle of the piece between the thumb and at least one other finger. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374488 | OVERMOLDED LOW COST CUTLERY - The invention relates to a molded article that includes a first molded structure that includes a working end, a bottom end, at least one wall member extending from the working end to the bottom end of the structure and at least partially or fully outlining a handle for the article, at least one decorative feature that resides on the handle surface of the article, and a connecting element that provides a flow path for first material to fill the decorative feature(s). The first molded structure is configured and dimensioned to receive a second material that also resides on the handle surface surrounding the decorative feature(s). The second shot molded structure is molded from the second material and includes surface portions that form top and bottom surfaces of the handle and that surround or encompass but do not cover the decorative feature(s) of the first molded structure. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374489 | Holster Beverage Holder - A beverage holder configured for selectively holding a beverage is disclosed. Said beverage holder comprising a beverage containment comprising a base portion, an upper retainer portion and a handle portion. Said base portion and said upper retainer portion comprise a round sidewall having an internal diameter being larger than an external diameter of a beverage. Said base portion comprises a bottom surface configured to receive and hold a bottom portion of said beverage. Said upper retainer portion and said base portion are aligned along a vertical axis such that when said beverage is held within said beverage containment it is held upright along said vertical axis. Said upper retainer portion and said base portion are connected to one another with said handle portion. Said handle portion extends outward away from said vertical axis so as to enable a user to grip said beverage holder with said handle portion. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374490 | Snow Boot Removal Apparatus - Apparatus for assisting the removal of snow sports boots such as alpine ski boots and snowboard boots is described. The device includes a boot heel engagement member that cooperates with and engages the standard heel edge on a ski boot and a boot sole support that is forward from the heel engagement member. The heel engagement member and the boot sole support are either integral parts of a stable floor plate, or mounted to the floor plate and the floor plate has an extended rear portion. The boot sole support is elevated relative to the heel engagement member and has an angled surface that slopes downwardly toward the heel engagement member. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374491 | SEWING-FREE BORDER WRAPPED FOOT PAD - The utility model discloses a sewing-free border wrapped foot pad, consisting of a shock absorption core and an outer wrapping layer, wherein the outer wrapping layer is a whole piece of cloth and is adhered to the outer part of the shock absorption core, and the outer wrapping layer is provided with border embossed patterns corresponding to the shock absorption core; and embossing is formed on the surface of the shock absorption core and used for increasing the adhesive force between the shock absorption core and the outer wrapping layer and between the shock absorption core and the ground, so the foot pad has a good skid-proof effect. The product omits a sewing and border wrapping procedure, can achieve an ideal border effect, saves time, labor and cloth, and has strong practicability. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374492 | ANTI-FATIGUE CHAIR MAT - A chair mat especially designed for use in both a sitting and standing position can have a substantially rigid base including a fold line separating a first portion of the base from a second portion. A resilient cushion can positioned on only the second portion lower surface of the base. The second portion can be movable about the fold line relative to the first portion between a first position where the cushion is downwardly facing and a second position where the cushion is upwardly facing. When the second portion is in the first position, the substantially rigid base can present a substantially continuously smooth upper surface providing for easy movement of any casters or rollers supporting a desk chair spider. When the second portion is in the second position, the cushion can provide a compressible yet resilient portion that facilitates a comfortable standing working position for prolonged periods of time. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374493 | METHOD OF SEAMING CARPET - A method for joining two carpet segments, each carpet segment having an underside and at least one edge, comprises abutting one edge of one carpet segment with one edge of the other carpet segment, positioning a length of seam tape under the abutting edges, and activating the adhesive to secure the seam tape to the undersides of both carpet segments. The seam tape comprises an elongated base layer being resilient in a transverse direction, an intervening layer applied to the base layer, and an adhesive applied to the intervening layer. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374494 | SMART MAILBOX, SMART MAILBOX SYSTEM AND RELATED METHOD - A mailbox comprises a box body with a door having a lock, a mailbox unlocking code input device for inputting an unlocking code to unlock the mailbox, a communication module for communicating with a remote management terminal, a storage at the mailbox or the remote management terminal for storing one or more preset mailbox unlocking codes, and a processor at the mailbox or the remote management terminal for identifying whether the input mailbox unlocking code matches the one or more preset mailbox unlocking codes, and issuing a mailbox unlocking instruction if matching. The processor comprises a mailbox unlocking code management circuit used to invalidate the matched mailbox unlocking code after the mailbox is unlocked, generate a new mailbox unlocking code when no valid mailbox unlocking code is currently available, and store the new mailbox unlocking code in the storage. The mailbox can safely, conveniently and automatically receive and/or send mail. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374495 | CHRISTMAS TREE STAND - A tree stand comprising a supporting base including an upwardly facing hemispherical socket, a positioning sphere having a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree, and a collar engageable by threads with the base and comprising a flange, wherein the positioning sphere may be disposed in the hemispherical cavity, and the compression collar maximally threadably engaged with the base, thereby contacting the flange with the sphere and immobilizing the sphere in the socket. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374496 | DRAPERY TRACK SYSTEM - A drapery track system is provided that includes one or more drapes, a motor adapted to spin a shaft in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, and a track system. The track system includes at least one track length secured to a fixed surface via a track securing mechanism, and a gearing assembly adapted to interface with the motor to translate the clockwise spin direction and counterclockwise spin direction to first and second movements, respectively, of the drapes. The track length also includes a carrier channel and a guide wheel channel, and the gearing assembly includes a timing belt adapted to be rotated by said motor. The track system further includes at least one track carrier adapted to be attached to the timing belt such that the drapes can be moved by the track carrier. The track carrier includes a plurality of independently mounted track carrier wheel assemblies adapted to rotate independently of each other within the carrier channel such that if one of the independently mounted wheel assemblies binds, the remaining independently mounted wheel assemblies can rotate freely. The track carrier further includes at least one guide wheel assembly located at a first end of the track carrier, the guide wheel assembly adapted to freely rotate within the guide wheel channel of the track length. The system further includes a drape truck assembly adapted to be removably secured to the drapes, and which includes at least two independently rotating truck wheels adapted to freely rotate within the carrier channel of the track length such that the one or more drapes can be moved by the motor. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374497 | Battery Retaining System and Method for Motorized Architectural Coverings - An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. A motor and motor controller is connected to the rotatable drive element that controls rotation thereof. A plurality of compressible members are connected to an internal surface of the rotatable drive element or a battery tube positioned within the rotatable drive element and extend outwardly therefrom and engage the exterior surface of the plurality of batteries. These compressible members hold and support the plurality of batteries while allowing for easy installation and removal. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of holding a plurality of batteries in a rotatable drive element of an architectural covering. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374498 | DRAPERY HOLDBACK ASSEMBLY - A drapery holdback assembly having interchangeable, adjustable decorative ends is provided. The drapery holdback includes a base portion for mounting to a supporting surface. A neck portion extends from the base portion to a distal head portion, which provides an arcuate magnet along a portion of its periphery. The drapery holdback includes an interface assembly having a decorative end and an opposing joint end, wherein the joint end forms a magnetically attractive curved surface so as to be movable and/or positionable over the arcuate magnet to various orientations. Being magnetically connected, different interface assemblies and so different decorative ends, may be interchanged onto the head portion at the user's whim. A spring is disposed between the decorative and joint ends, so that the interface assembly absorbs shock and other compressive forces to prevent damage to the drapery holdback assembly. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374499 | STEAM GENERATION SYSTEM FOR USE IN COOKING APPLIANCE - A steam generator system for a cooking appliance includes an in-line heating element coupled to a heating tube, wherein water from a water reservoir is gravitationally fed into the heating tube for heating by the in-line heating element to produce a hot water and steam mixture. A first supply line is coupled to the heating tube to carry the mixture to a separator without the need for moving or complex pump parts. The separator separates steam and hot water from the mixture of the two. A second supply line is coupled to the separator at a first end and opens into the cooking cavity of the cooking appliance at a second end. The second supply line is configured to supply steam separated at the separator to the cooking cavity via a steam outlet disposed in the cooking cavity. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374500 | Electric Kettle - An electric kettle comprising a container body comprising electric heating elements adapted to heat water contained in the container body, and comprising a base, configured to support the container body and to supply electric power at least to such electric heating elements when the container body is supported by the base; the container body comprises a longitudinal extension axis and is able to rotate, about the longitudinal extension axis, with respect to the base; the electric kettle further comprises means for detecting the angular movement of the container body with respect to the base, where the extent of the angular movement detected by the means for detecting angular movement determines the degree of activation of the electric heating elements necessary in order to bring the water to a desired temperature. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374501 | Intelligent Cooking Apparatuses and Methods - Intelligent cooking apparatuses incorporate wireless communication technology to carryout cooking procedures. More specifically, stoves, ovens, and cookware may send and receive data wirelessly to carryout cooking procedures. An application may guide persons through recipes and automate many of the cooking procedures. Cookware may send batch information to an application for processing, display, and analysis. Cookware may use hardware for automated cooking actions, such as a magnetic stirrer and driver for stirring the contents in cookware, all monitored by various sensors located in the cookware. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374502 | Method and Device for Producing a Beverage - A method and device for producing a beverage from a capsule containing at least one beverage ingredient are disclosed. The device is configured to carry out the method by feeding a first volume of water into the capsule for prewetting the at least one beverage ingredient, interrupting the flow of water into the capsule for a predetermined waiting time, feeding a second volume of water into the capsule for extracting the at least one beverage ingredient, and dispensing the produced beverage. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374503 | BEVERAGE PREPARATION APPARATUS - A beverage preparation apparatus includes a milling unit which obtains powders by grating an object to be grated, a liquid storage tank which stores a liquid, a liquid supply path having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and having the other end provided with a supply port, a powder reception portion which is provided to be movable and receives powders obtained by the milling unit, and an agitation tank which has an opening portion opening upward and mixes the powders introduced through the opening portion from the moved powder reception portion and the liquid supplied through the opening portion from the supply port. The milling unit includes an outlet port which discharges the obtained powders into the powder reception portion and the outlet port is located below the opening portion. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374504 | CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF AN EXTRACT - Techniques and systems are provided for continuous production of a coffee extract product. A method includes roasting green coffee beans in a roaster, which may be a continuous roaster, and grinding the roasted beans in a grinder, which may be a continuous grinder. The ground roasted coffee beans are brewed in a continuous brewing station, where the ground roasted coffee beans and water co-flow through a tube during the brewing process. The tube has dimensions selected to provide a desired brewing time. The brewed coffee is separated into a liquid coffee extract and coffee grounds. The liquid coffee extract is cooled to a desired temperature, packaged, and frozen. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374505 | COOKING SPLATTER PROTECTION DEVICE - A cooking splatter guard is provided that includes a surface extending up from a top edge of a cooking implement at an angle. The angle formed between a plane defined by a top edge of the cooking implement and the surface is greater than 90 degrees. The surface forms a friction fit with the top edge of the cooking implement. A lip of the cooking implement formed by the top edge the cooking implement is a same size or slightly smaller than a bottom edge of the cooking splatter guard. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374506 | LID SITTER - Systems and method are disclosed for forming a holder adapted to be mounted to a container by using a continuous wire, forming first and second legs shaped to form a rim engaging portion to secure the holder to a container rim; first and second extension members extending from the first and second legs above the container; and first and second object contacting arms extending from the first and second extension members, wherein the legs, body portions and object contacting arms are formed using a single continuous wire; and suspending an object above the container with the object contacting arms. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374507 | COMPACT VERSATILE PORTABLE COOKER - A compact versatile portable cooker comprising a fire pan, a cover, and a pair of support racks adapted to support a spit and adapted to be attached to the opposed ends of the fire pan. Front and back plates are hinged to the fire pan, and one can alternately either secure the cover or the support racks to the fire pan, to provide with the cover a dosed container for containing and storing all of the parts of the portable cooker; and to provide with the support racks a support for the spit above the fire pan. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374508 | AUTOMATIC BROILER WITH AIR FLOW RESTRICTION PLATE - In an aspect, the disclosure provides an automatic broiler. The automatic broiler may include a conveyorized cooking surface, a lower heat source below the cooking surface, and an upper heat source above the cooking surface. A cooking chamber may be defined by the cooking surface, the upper heat source, and a broiler housing. A venting through passage, or flue, may extend from the cooking chamber to an opening located above the upper heat source. An air flow restriction plate may be positioned above the venting through passage. The air flow restriction plate may have a perforated flat surface extending across the opening. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374509 | BARBEQUE GRILL AND OVEN - A barbeque grill and oven or food smoker having an offset firebox configuration is disclosed. Example embodiments include: an oven having an enclosed interior region for cooking food items; an offset firebox sharing at least a portion of a side of the oven, the offset firebox having a first opening over which a removable grill may be placed, the firebox having a second opening through which airflow may travel from the firebox into the oven; an oven lid configured to produce an opening in the top of the oven of any desired size, the opening of the oven lid causing an increase in the flow of heated air from the firebox into the oven; and a controller coupled to a temperature sensor and an airflow conduit, the temperature sensor being terminated at a location in the oven to sense a temperature in the oven, the conduit being terminated at the offset firebox to deliver an airflow to stoke a fire in the offset firebox, the controller being configured to automatically generate an airflow in the conduit to drive the temperature in the oven to a desired temperature. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374510 | GAS GRILL - A gas grill according to one embodiment comprising a structure and a lid, a cooking chamber, a cooking surface in the cooking chamber comprising at least a first area and a second area, at least one heat source below the first area comprising at least one burner, and a gas valve fluidically connected with the burner, the gas valve regulating the rate of the gas flow towards the burner and comprising a highest gas flow rate regulating configuration which allows foods arranged in the first area of the cooking surface to be seared. The gas valve being a thermostatic gas valve which allows automatically regulating a temperature selected for the cooking chamber. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374511 | Detachable External Heating Device For an Outdoor Grill or Smoker - Disclosed is a grid-like device for the support of the bottom exterior surface of a cooking vessel, the grid being removably placed atop the upper exterior surface of an outdoor cooking grill or smoker. Three identically-shaped and symmetrically bent metal rectangular bands are conjoined at their midpoints to form essentially a spherical grid shape. A series of symmetrical bends, arcs, and rounds are formed at specific intervals transverse to the length of each band such that the cumulative shape of the adjoined bands forms the grid. The bottom-most segment of the support grid comprises legs and feet of a semi-rigid elasticity such that the support device may be flexibly placed about the top of the grill or smoker. Spring tension coils connect the inner surfaces of the bands to stabilize the grid shape and to impart leveraged gripping force upon the feet of the grid. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374512 | COOKING SPLATTER PROTECTION DEVICE - A cooking splatter guard is provided that includes a surface extending up from a top edge of a cooking implement at an angle. The angle formed between a plane defined by a top edge of the cooking implement and the surface is greater than 90 degrees. The surface forms a friction fit with the top edge of the cooking implement. A lip of the cooking implement formed by the top edge the cooking implement is a same size or slightly smaller than a bottom edge of the cooking splatter guard. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374513 | Portafilter and grounds weighing platform system and methods of use - A device with weighing capability (or “scale feature”) and also anvil capability (or “tapping feature”) allows accurate and precise filling of an espresso portafilter with coffee grounds for use in beverage preparation. Some versions switch between a protected mode for anvil use, and a weighing mode for accurate weighing of the portafilter and its grounds, by pivoting the entire load cell into and out of a protected location wherein tapping/shocks do not flex/strain the load cell free end. In other versions, one or more stop(s)/limit(s) are near the load cell free end or associated elements, and the free end/elements move during said tapping/shocks but only to the stop(s)/limit(s), corresponding to a safe amount of strain for the load cell. Also, this way, weighing the portafilter and its contents may continue between taps without switching to a separate protected mode. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374514 | SOYBEAN MILK MACHINE OF RAPID PULPING - A self-cooked soybean milk machine comprises a base, a control unit, a grinding cooked device, grinding blades inside the grinding cooked device, a motor driving the grinding blades to rotate, and a preheat device. The motor and/or the grinding cooked device are/is installed on the base, with the motor electrically connected with the control unit. When the soybean material and water are blended in the grinding cooked device and is grinded into seriflux/paste, the seriflux/paste is heated and cooked by heat produced by the friction between the seriflux/paste, the grinding blades and the grinding cooked device. The design of the grinding cooked device with a high grinding and cooking efficiency allows the self-cooked soybean milk machine to reduce the pulping time and to produce the pulp in five minutes. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374515 | Removable Blender Pad - This invention reduces the noise and vibration from a blender. One embodiment of a blender pad which has an air inlet and an air exhaust opening which corresponds with air inlet and exhaust ports in a blender. In addition, positioned between the exhaust port and exhaust opening is an acoustic chamber, and acoustics ridge with attenuating sound foam. The blender pad is releasably connected to a blender base. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374516 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE KITCHEN - A multifunctional apparatus for use in the kitchen is provided, having a lower housing; an upper cover plate of at least partially translucent design; at least one light source arranged within the housing; at least one weight sensor arranged between the housing and the cover plate or on a bottom face of the housing; at least one operator control element for selectively activating a lighting mode and/or a weighing mode. A kitchen work surface, including a kitchen sink having at least one sink basin which has a circumferential basin edge, and the multifunctional apparatus, as defined above, is also provided. The basin edge and the housing of the multifunctional apparatus are complementary at least in regions, so that the multifunctional apparatus can be suspended in the sink basin in the edge region, and a top face of the cover plate and a sink edge or a sink surface preferably lie in or define a common plane. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374517 | ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT SUSPENDED SHOWER APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE SHOWER SPRAYERS - A shower apparatus includes a ceiling mounting assembly and a plurality of tensioning lines; and a framework and arrangement of sprayers suspended thereby. The ceiling mounting assembly includes a spool in engagement with the tension lines such that winding of the spool in a first rotational direction results retraction of the tensioning lines into the ceiling mounting assembly and raising of the suspended assembly, and unwinding of the spool in a second, opposite rotational direction results in extension of the tensioning lines out of the ceiling mounting assembly and lowering of the suspended assembly. The ceiling mounting assembly further includes a spring that biases rotation of the spool; and the ceiling mounting assembly defines an opening through which access to the exposed end of the spool is provided for winding and unwinding of the spool by a person standing under the ceiling mounting assembly. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374518 | LAMINATED SHOWER CURTAINS - Laminated shower curtains are disclosed having an antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer comprising a first antimicrobial agent, and an antimicrobial liquid impermeable film layer bonded to the antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer comprising a polymeric material and a second antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer and the antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer of the laminated shower curtains may be individually produced before being bonded together. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374519 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A DISPENSING STATE OF A DISPENSING SYSTEM - Methods, apparatus, and systems are described that provide an improved way to monitor the state of a dispensing system and apparatus. The method begins when an activation sensor generates a signal indicating a desired dispense cycle operation in response to detecting user input, such as user hand motion in front of the sensor. The dispenser motor is energized in response to the generated signal, and a battery sensor monitors a status of the battery during a startup phase of the dispenser motor. The monitored status of the battery during the startup phase is indicative of a state (e.g., power state or operational state) of the dispensing system, and a dispenser controller determines if the system can complete the desired dispense cycle operation based upon the monitored status and reacts to control the system accordingly, e.g., aborting a dispense cycle or allowing the dispense cycle to initiate. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374520 | ELASTIC BAG FOAM PUMP - The invention discloses an elastic bag foam pump, which comprises a bottle cover ( | 2016-12-29 |
20160374521 | APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING AND DISPENSING PAPER PRODUCTS - An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material comprised of a semi-flexible sheet is disclosed. The semi-flexible sheet may be radially collapsed into a cylindrical shape to cover and protect a roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet comprises a leading end and a distal end. When the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed over the roll of sheet material, the leading end covers the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet creating a gap, the sheet may be positioned in the gap created and allows the sheet material to pass between the leading end and the distal end for dispensing. The semi-flexible sheet may continue to radially collapse via the use of attachment mechanisms, as the sheet material is dispensed, applying pressure to the roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet may further comprise a gripping surface located along the leading end to cut sheet material when necessary. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374522 | APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING AND DISPENSING PAPER PRODUCTS - An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material comprised of a semi-flexible sheet is disclosed. The semi-flexible sheet may be radially collapsed into a cylindrical shape to cover and protect a roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet comprises a leading end and a distal end. When the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed over the roll of sheet material, the leading end covers the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet creating a gap, the sheet may be positioned in the gap created and allows the sheet material to pass between the leading end and the distal end for dispensing. The apparatus may include a first end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the first side edge and a second end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the second side edge. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374523 | SHEET MATERIAL DISPENSER - In one aspect, a sheet material dispenser may generally include a flexible pouch and a rigid container. The flexible pouch may generally be configured to receive a plurality of sheets and may include a dispenser opening. In addition, the flexible pouch may include a resealable cap for intermittently exposing and resealing the dispenser opening. The rigid container may generally include an interior region defined at least partially between a back wall and sidewalls extending outwardly from the back wall. The rigid container may also include first and second front plates configured to be slideably coupled to the sidewalls such that the front plates are movable relative to one another and relative to the sidewalls between an open position, wherein the front plates are positioned in a distal relationship relative to one another, and a closed position, wherein the front plates are positioned in an adjacent relationship relative to one another. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374524 | DISPENSER FOR INTERFOLDED NAPKINS - The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for interfolded napkins, including an inner container defining a dispensing opening, and an outer sleeve including a dispensing mouth. The outer sleeve forms at least one open end portion being arranged to receive the inner container, and the dispensing mouth forms an open end towards an open end portion of the sleeve. When the inner container is located in the outer sleeve, a supporting surface is biased towards the dispensing opening of the inner container and vertically movable inside the inner container between a lower position and an upper position, and, at least in a region adjacent the open end of the dispensing mouth, the outer contour of the upper ends of the side walls of the inner container deviates from the inner periphery of the sleeve, forming an access opening to the space between the upper position and the dispensing mouth. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374525 | BATTERY-POWERED CORDLESS CLEANING SYSTEM - A cleaning system including a motor, a battery receptacle, and a motor controller. The battery receptacle is configured to receive a battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells and a battery controller. The motor controller is configured to receive from the battery controller at least one selected from the group consisting of a first signal indicative of a first characteristic of the battery pack and a second signal indicative of a second characteristic of the battery pack. The motor controller is further configured to operate the motor at a defined speed, the defined speed being a first speed upon receiving the first signal and a second speed upon receiving the second signal. Wherein the first characteristic and the second characteristic are at least one selected from the group consisting of a capacity, a current, and a resistance. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374526 | ROBOT CLEANER, INFORMATION PROVIDING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION - A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a communication unit configured to communicate with the robot cleaner using a near field wireless communication (NFC) and a processor configured to detect a state of the robot cleaner among a plurality of predefined states. The processor is also configured to, in response to NFC tagging being performed with the mobile terminal, control the communication unit to transmit information corresponding to the detected state to the mobile terminal. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374527 | CLEANING ROBOT - A cleaning robot includes a main body and a drive unit to move the main body. The drive unit includes a plurality of motors to generate driving force; a plurality of wheels connected to one of the plurality of motors and rotating by driving force received from the one of the plurality of motors; and a driving frame to support the plurality of wheels, receive driving force from another motor among the plurality of motors, and rotate for changing positions of the plurality of wheels. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374528 | EVACUATION STATION - A mobile robot includes a body configured to traverse a surface and to receive debris from the surface, and a debris bin within the body. The debris bin includes a chamber to hold the debris received by the mobile robot, an exhaust port through which the debris exits the debris bin; and a door unit over the exhaust port. The door unit includes a flap configured to move, in response to air pressure at the exhaust port, between a closed position to cover the exhaust port and an open position to open a path between the chamber and the exhaust port. The door unit, including the flap in the open position and in the closed position, is within an exterior surface of the mobile robot. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374529 | Floor Scuff Remover Scraper - A floor scuff removal device consisting of an elongated hollow tube having an angle cut end for applying friction to the scuff for removal. Angle cut end is partially and permanently filled with flat area for applying self-adhesive removable cloth pad. Area of angle cut end not covered by previously mentioned flat area may be used for scraping scuff when needed. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374530 | Deck Gap Cleaning Tool - One embodiment of a tool for cleaning the gaps between boards ( | 2016-12-29 |
20160374531 | UV TREATED SCRUBBING ARTICLES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - A scrubbing article including a substrate and a UV treated texture layer on a surface of the substrate. The substrate is formed from a single layer of foam or sponge material having a thickness that is conducive to handling or holding. The UV treated texture layer is a resin-based material forming a textured abrasive layer on the surface of the substrate. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374532 | HARD SURFACE CLEANING DEVICES - A cleaning device is provided that includes a housing, a cleaning head, a flexible pouch, a cleaning element, and a spray nozzle. The housing defines an internal cavity having a power source in selective electrical communication with a pump. The flexible pouch is removably stored in the housing and includes a cleaning fluid therein. The pouch forms a fluid and air tight connection with an inlet of the pump. The cleaning element is connected to the cleaning head and has a first spray opening. The spray nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump. The spray nozzle is positioned on the cleaning head so as to spray the cleaning fluid from the flexible pouch through the first opening onto a surface being cleaned. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374533 | SYSTEMS FOR STEAM CLEANING - Methods and Apparatuses for steam cleaning comprise a steam cleaning device/system employed for steam cleaning or treating operations. In an embodiment, a steam cleaning device may comprise agitation features employed for steam cleaning or treating. In another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may be a steam accessory employed for steam cleaning or treating. In yet another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may comprise various features employed for multi-purpose steam cleaning or treating. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374534 | SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A USER INTERFACE AND A CONTROLLER OF A DISHWASHER - A dishwasher may include a closure element, such as a door, a user interface on the closure element, and a controller. A data communication link having a first data connector may be coupled to the controller, and a second data connector may be coupled to the user interface. The first and second data connectors may communicatively couple when the closure element is in the closed condition to establish data communication between the controller and the user interface. The communication link may also form a power link to provide power to the user interface across an electrical link. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374535 | DISHWASHER WITH MICROFILTER - A dishwasher and a method of treating utensils in the dishwasher wherein the dishwasher has a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spray system, a liquid recirculation system fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the spray system to recirculate wash liquid from the treating chamber to the spray system, and filters capable of removing particles from the wash liquid. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374536 | BENDING OPERATION APPARATUS OF ENDOSCOPE, AND ENDOSCOPE - A brake adjustment body is disposed in a direction orthogonal to turning shafts between a bending drive shaft and a lock operation shaft. The brake adjustment body is configured by including an intermediate member that abuts a cam portion of the lock operation shaft, and a brake member that applies to the bending drive shaft a pressure according to displacement of the intermediate member. The intermediate member has a shaft body portion and a cylindrical sliding portion screwed together, and by rotating the sliding portion in a state where the shaft body portion and the sliding portion are screwed together, the distance between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the intermediate member may be adjusted, and when fixing force on the bending drive shaft is reduced, the distance may be re-adjusted to restore the fixing force. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374537 | ENDOSCOPE - The present invention relates to an endoscope. The present invention may include an endoscope main body; and a guide cap that is mounted to be fixed to a front end of the endoscope main body when inserting the endoscope main body into a human body and slides to protrude toward the front of the endoscope main body when withdrawing the endoscope main body inserted into the human body. An object of the present invention is to facilitate insertion of the endoscope by freely varying a length of the cap from the front end of the endoscope, and to enhance the detection rate of polyp. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374538 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE - An electronic endoscope transmits an image pickup signal converted into digital serial data, as a differential signal, to a processor such that a quality of an output waveform to the processor is fixed, and includes: a first transmission section; a first filter section arranged at an output side of the first transmission section, wherein a constant is adjusted according to a loss in a transmission channel including a cable disposed in a part from the first transmission section to the first filter section; a second transmission section for transmitting the differential signal from the first filter section to the processor; and a second filter section arranged at an output side of the second transmission section, wherein a constant is adjusted according to a loss including a cable located in the second transmission section or in a portion subsequent to the second transmission section. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374539 | Atraumatic Arthroscopic Instrument Sheath - A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument. The distal tip of the sheath may comprise a dissimilar material of a higher modulus of elasticity than the material comprising the remainder of the tube. The sheath is provided with a cylindrical grip on the proximal end to resiliently squeeze the proximal end of the arthroscopic instrument. A level is provided to move the grip radially outwardly to release the grip from the arthroscopic instrument. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374540 | DISPOSABLE SHEATH - A sheath for a medical instrument may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal face, and a first hollow lumen extending from a first end proximate the proximal end to a second end proximate the distal face. The sheath may also include a transparent window positioned at the second end of the first lumen to seal the first lumen at the second end. The transparent window may be configured to transmit light therethrough. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374541 | AUTOMATED ENDOSCOPE CALIBRATION - A surgical robotic system automatically calibrates tubular and flexible surgical tools such as endoscopes. By accounting for nonlinear behavior of an endoscope, the surgical robotic system can accurately model motions of the endoscope and navigate the endoscope while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. The surgical robotic system models the nonlinearities using sets of calibration parameters determined based on images captured by an image sensor of the endoscope. Calibration parameters can describe translational or rotational movements of the endoscope in one or more axis, e.g., pitch and yaw, as well as a slope, hysteresis, or dead zone value corresponding to the endoscope's motion. The endoscope can include tubular components referred to as a sheath and leader. An instrument device manipulator of the surgical robotic system actuates pull wires coupled to the sheath or the leader, which causes the endoscope to articulate. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374542 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system includes an image pickup section, an insertion section, a first optical system configured to project a first subject image onto the image pickup section, a second optical system configured to project a second subject image onto the image pickup section, an image generating section configured to generate an image based on the first subject image and the second subject image, an image processing section configured to perform predetermined image processing, and a storing section configured to record image processing target region information, and the image processing section moves an image processing region from a region set in the image processing target region information and sets the image processing region so as to coincide with a boundary region between the first subject image and the second subject image. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374543 | ENDOSCOPE HAVING A DISTAL ELECTRICAL FEED-THROUGH, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING AN ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope having a distal electrical feed-through, the endoscope including: an endoscope shaft having a distal objective unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator and a distal optical assembly that can be shifted in a longitudinal direction by actuation of the actuator, the endoscope shaft having a proximal unit having a proximal optical assembly arranged after the distal optical assembly in the direction of incident light, the objective unit is rotatable relative to the proximal unit about a longitudinal axis during assembly of the endoscope and is fixed rotationally relative to the proximal unit after assembly; and a cable for supplying current to the actuator, the cable being fed from the proximal unit to the objective unit, the cable having an excess length at a transition from the proximal unit to the objective unit, such excess length being at least half of the outer circumference of the objective unit. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374544 | Endoscope Circuit Board Assembly - There is provided herein a circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope comprising a camera circuit board configured to carry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera, a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374545 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system includes: illuminating windows configured to emit a first illuminating light to the front and a second illuminating light to the side inside the subject; an observation window configured to acquire an image of the subject from the front; an observation window configured to acquire an image of the subject from the side; an image generation portion configured to generate a first image based on an image of the subject from the front and a second image based on an image of the subject from the side; a control portion configured to compare brightnesses of the first image and the second image; a polarization filter configured to adjust the amount of at least one of the first illuminating light and the second illuminating light; and a drive portion configured to drive a polarization filter on the basis of a result of the brightness comparison by the control portion. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374546 | Otoscope Providing Multi-Directional Illumination - An otoscope provides a disposable speculum sleeve that conducts light to a narrow tip holding an electronic camera. By removing the light source from the tip, the diameter of the tip may be further reduced to allow the space of the ear canal to be shared between the otoscope and a tool such as a curette for removing foreign objects or to permit the tip to navigate around ear obstructions. The sleeve may provide for multidirectional illumination of the ear structure for improved visualization. The tip and sleeve may be flexible for increased patient comfort when using a compact tip design. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374547 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: a tomographic image acquisition unit that acquires a first tomographic image of a subject's eye captured at a first time point that is a past time point; a tomographic image capturing unit that acquires a second tomographic image of the subject's eye captured at a second time point later than the first time point; and an image display control unit that, if one image capturing region of an image capturing region of the first tomographic image and an image capturing region of the second tomographic image is larger than the other image capturing region, performs control to provide, on an image display portion, a display of both a tomographic image of only a partial region of the one image capturing region which is a corresponding region corresponding to the other image capturing region and a tomographic image of the other image capturing region. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374548 | OPHTHALMIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD THEREFOR - A processor extracts a reference signal of a scanner included in an adaptive optics SLO apparatus output while the scanner performs reciprocating scanning once on a region of an eye, generates sampling data strings of reciprocating scanning based on an electric signal obtained by a photoelectric conversion unit included in the adaptive optics SLO apparatus using the reference signal as a sampling reference position, and compares, among the sampling data strings of the reciprocating scanning, a sampling data string of forward scanning with a sampling data string of backward scanning so as to evaluate the correlation between the sampling data strings, and compensates a sampling reference position based on a result of the evaluation. An image construction unit assembles image data to construct an image of the region of the eye based on the sampling data strings of the reciprocating scanning in accordance with the compensated sampling reference position. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374549 | Shortened slit lamp microscope - An eye examination device including eye examination optics for examining a patient's eyes. A chin rest assembly accepts the patient's head and maintains the patient's head in a fixed stable position. The chin rest assembly can comprise two spaced apart upright posts for securing to a table, with a forehead rest member being secured to the two upright posts at an upper end, and a chin rest member being secured to the two upright posts below the forehead rest member. The chin rest member can have a chin rest portion which extends forwardly relative to an upright plane extending between centers of the two upright posts and away from the eye examination optics, so that generally only a front of the patient's face coincides with the upright plane when the patient's head engages the chin rest portion. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374550 | FIELD-OF-VIEW OCULAR AND FACIAL ALIGNMENT GUIDES - Low-cost, easy-to-use alignment target generators for aligning a user's own face or eye to a camera or scanner are based on field-of-view visual feedback from a filtered or apertured planar light source. These approaches may be made agnostic to the scanner's operating system or other software. Alternatively, software on the scanner or its host device may create a solid light-colored section of an existing display screen to use as a planar light source. In some embodiments, the planar light source may be the virtual image of an object viewed in a plane mirror. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374551 | METAMORPHOPSIA TESTING AND RELATED METHODS - A visual distortion test is disclosed using a sequence of binary interactions with a mobile device, in which segments of the grid having no distortions are eliminated, and the segments with distortions are divided into smaller segments for further analysis. The test can quantify the visual distortion using a decreased number of steps, compared to sequential analysis of all the segments of the grid. The binary interaction or input to the mobile device is also easier for patients than graphic interactions with a conventional Amsler Grid. Early detection of changes in the visual distortion can enable the healthcare provider to individualize treatment, helping to prevent vision loss while minimizing visits to the office, discomfort, and expense. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374552 | OPHTHALMIC APPARATUS - An ophthalmic apparatus capable of suppressing ghost, and securing a necessary amount of working distance even when an eye to be inspected has a diopter on a myopia side, includes: a large area image acquisition unit acquiring a large area image of a fundus of the eye to be inspected at a low resolution based on return light of first measuring light from the fundus; a small area image acquisition unit acquiring a small area image of the fundus at a high resolution based on return light of second measuring light from the fundus; and a dichroic prism combining the first measuring light and the second measuring light, and dividing the return light, in which the large area image acquisition unit includes an optical member having a positive optical power, which is arranged at a position opposite to the eye to be inspected with respect to the dichroic prism. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374553 | LIGHTING DEVICE - Lighting device ( | 2016-12-29 |
20160374554 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR EYE PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS - An intraocular pressure measurement arrangement is disclosed for measuring pressure of an eye of a patient. The arrangement can include at least one source for producing mechanical waves of several frequencies from a distance to the eye of the patient to generate at least one surface wave to the eye, a detector for detecting at least one surface wave from a distance from the eye to extract surface wave information, and a device for determining pressure information of the eye based on the surface wave information. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374555 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR EYE PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS - An intraocular pressure measurement arrangement is disclosed for measuring pressure of an eye of a patient. The arrangement can include at least one source for producing mechanical waves of several frequencies from a distance to the eye of the patient to generate at least one surface wave to the eye, a detector for detecting at least one surface wave from a distance from the eye to extract surface wave information, and a device for determining pressure information of the eye based on the surface wave information. | 2016-12-29 |
20160374556 | TRANSCUTANEOUS READER FOR USE WITH IMPLANTABLE ANALYTE SENSORS - Some embodiments described herein relate to a reader having a distributed source of radiation and a photodetector. The photodetector can be operable to sense radiation (e.g., light) emitted by an implanted sensor. The distributed source of radiation can at least partially surrounds the photodetector. The distributed source of radiation generates a photon cloud of excitation radiation within the skin, which can substantially envelopes a sensor that is implanted within the skin at a depth that is on the order of a centimeter or less. | 2016-12-29 |