An item of equipment includes a worktop formed of at least one substrate made of transparent monolithic glass material with a surface area of greater than 0.7 m.sup.2. The substrate exhibits a light transmission T.sub.L of greater than 10% and an opacity indicator between 5 and 90. The substrate is predominantly or completely bare or provided with coating(s) such that the substrate, thus coated, exhibits a haze of less than 15% and/or a light transmission T.sub.L of greater than 60% and/or an opacity indicator of less than 85. The item of equipment also includes a heating element and a light source to mark one or more zones or one or more elements or displays of the substrate. The item of equipment also includes at least one interface for communication with at least one element of the worktop and/or with at least one external element for wireless communication.

A hollow fusion panel and application thereof is disclosed, wherein the hollow fusion panel includes a first layer, a second layer, a first panel member and a second panel member, wherein the first panel member and the second panel member are constructed to form a hollow integral structure. The first layer and the second layer are at least partially overlapped and composited such that a plurality portions of the second panel member are recessed in a direction toward the first panel member to form a predetermined number of supporting structures distributed in a predetermined manner, wherein each of the supporting structures forms a recessed cavity therein and is at least partially fused with the first panel member.

A hollow fusion panel and application thereof is disclosed, wherein the hollow fusion panel includes a first layer, a second layer, a first panel member and a second panel member, wherein the first panel member and the second panel member are constructed to form a hollow integral structure. The first layer and the second layer are at least partially overlapped and composited such that a plurality portions of the second panel member are recessed in a direction toward the first panel member to form a predetermined number of supporting structures distributed in a predetermined manner, wherein each of the supporting structures forms a recessed cavity therein and is at least partially fused with the first panel member.

A blow-molded unitary structure includes a panel having first and second panel walls and a generally hollow interior between the first and second panel walls. The structure also includes one or more different types of strengthening elements monolithically formed with the panel and across a substantial portion of the panel to enhance the strength of the structure. A strengthening element can be a depression recessing from the second panel wall toward an interior of the panel, a protrusion protruding from the second panel wall toward an exterior of the panel, a rib protruding outwardly toward the exterior of the panel and a trench formed by side walls of adjacent protrusions.

A blow-molded unitary structure includes a panel having first and second panel walls and a generally hollow interior between the first and second panel walls. The structure also includes one or more different types of strengthening elements monolithically formed with the panel and across a substantial portion of the panel to enhance the strength of the structure. A strengthening element can be a depression recessing from the second panel wall toward an interior of the panel, a protrusion protruding from the second panel wall toward an exterior of the panel, a rib protruding outwardly toward the exterior of the panel and a trench formed by side walls of adjacent protrusions.

An off-counter tableware, cookware or utensils drying/storage space includes a mix of drawers and/or shelves distributed in upper and/or lower locations. The drawers and shelves allow water to evaporate off tableware, cookware or utensil which have been cleaned and placed in the drawer/shelf wet and also direct any water which does not evaporate to a collection point. In addition, a communal washing and/or rinsing station includes a primary washing and rinsing device with a default-spray nozzle. The station can include a high flow filling device and a filtered water faucet.

An off-counter tableware, cookware or utensils drying/storage space includes a mix of drawers and/or shelves distributed in upper and/or lower locations. The drawers and shelves allow water to evaporate off tableware, cookware or utensil which have been cleaned and placed in the drawer/shelf wet and also direct any water which does not evaporate to a collection point. In addition, a communal washing and/or rinsing station includes a primary washing and rinsing device with a default-spray nozzle. The station can include a high flow filling device and a filtered water faucet.

Apparatus that include an article of furniture and a display device are disclosed. One apparatus includes an article of furniture and a display device integrated with the article of furniture in which the display device is coupleable with an external computing device. Also disclosed are methods for operating an apparatus including a display device integrated with an article of furniture. The methods include opening a top portion of an article of furniture from a closed position to an open position to expose a storage compartment of the article of furniture and opening a display device to a viewing position external to the storage compartment from a storage position within the storage compartment.

Apparatus that include an article of furniture and a display device are disclosed. One apparatus includes an article of furniture and a display device integrated with the article of furniture in which the display device is coupleable with an external computing device. Also disclosed are methods for operating an apparatus including a display device integrated with an article of furniture. The methods include opening a top portion of an article of furniture from a closed position to an open position to expose a storage compartment of the article of furniture and opening a display device to a viewing position external to the storage compartment from a storage position within the storage compartment.

Apparatus and methods to automatically inspect precision tabletops used for vibration isolation are described. An inspection head having an imaging device and/or perturbing device can be positioned automatically at a plurality of locations over a precision tabletop. The inspection head can further include a distance sensor that can be used to determine a flatness of a portion or all of a surface of the precision tabletop. The inspection head may further include marking apparatus to automatically mark non-compliant features formed on the precision tabletop.