Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter device (10) and to a method of cleaning such a filter device for an electrically powered air-moving hair-care appliance, in particular for a hair dryer, a hot-air curling brush or the like, with a filter element (12) having an inner and an outer side (25, 26), in which the inner side (25) of the filter element (12) is arranged in the area of an air entrance opening of the appliance. The filter element (12) is configured as a type of fabric, perforated foil or the like of small thickness, comprising in particular a screening fabric made of a plastic material.

Abstract: A hand blender powered by an electric motor, for mixing or comminuting foodstuffs in a container, includes a working shaft having an output end, a processing tool attached to the output end of the working shaft, a shaft housing which carries the working shaft, and a bell-shaped casing enclosing the processing tool. The bell-shaped casing has a lower chamber, a lower end bounded by an aperture, and a plurality of lateral openings for the discharge of foodstuffs. A cover plate within the bell-shaped casing forms a fluid-tight seal between the lower chamber and an inner chamber of the shaft housing. The hand blender also includes an air supply structure through which outside air is supplied to the lower chamber of the bell-shaped casing when the bell-shaped casing is immersed in the foodstuffs. The air supply structure includes a flow channel with an inlet side which communicates with the outside air and an outlet side which communicates with the lower chamber of the bell-shaped casing.

Abstract: A cutter which performs the function of either the outer or the inner cutter in a cutting device comprised of outer and inner cutters of an electric shaving apparatus or an electric beard trimmer. The cutter includes in its cutting area configured as a plane sliding surface a plurality of teeth extending from a comb strip with slots therebetween and with cutting edges formed on the tooth edges. Arranged on the cutter are one or several wall portions angled relative to the cutting area. The cutting area of the cutter includes a blade made of hardened sheet steel, with the teeth of the blade being produced by etching. The wall portions of the cutter are formed by welding one or several formed sheet metal sections to the blade. The weldment is effected such that the resulting rise in temperature of the blade is so low that the hardened sheet metal material is neither adversely affected by deformations nor exposed to significant losses in respect of hardness and wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas-heatable appliance for personal use as, for example, a curling iron, a curling brush, a hair dryer, an epilating appliance, a domestic appliance, or the like, including a fuel gas reservoir, a combustion chamber, and a valve assembly disposed between the fuel gas reservoir and the combustion chamber for controlling and/or regulating the amount of fuel gas supplied, in particular in dependence upon temperature. There are further provided a valve housing (4) with a gas passageway (5, 15, 16) and a sealing element (6) associated with the gas passageway (5, 15, 16), as well as an actuator (7) for actuating the sealing element (6). The element is configured as a control member actuatable by a user and/or as a temperature-responsive actuator (7). In this arrangement, the sealing element (6) is actuated directly by the actuator (7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a depilating device with a multiple-shell housing (2), which a user can hold in the hand, a motor (13) accommodated in the housing (2), and a gear (14) to drive a rotary cylinder (8) which is preferably provided in a housing part (7) that is adapted to be uncoupled from the housing (2). The mechanically operated component parts, more particularly motor (13), gear (14), and rotary cylinder (8) with the housing part (8) in which it is incorporated, form an assembly unit (15) which is retained in the housing (2). Vibration absorbing elements (16, 17, 18) are provided at the points of connection between the assembly unit (15) and the housing (2).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of conditioning accumulators in an apparatus operating in the line and the accumulator modes, in which an accumulator discharge/charge cycle is effected at cyclic intervals in which the accumulator is at least nearly completely discharged, wherein a count is made of the number of times the apparatus is used, wherein upon attainment of a predetermined frequency of use a cycle is started when the apparatus is connected to the line, in which cycle the accumulator is first completely discharged through a load and subsequently recharged, and wherein following this discharge/charge cycle a fresh count is made of the number of times the apparatus is used.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beverage brewing apparatus having a water reservoir (1) and a pump (6) powered by an electric motor (45), the pump pressurizing water from the water reservoir (1) and delivering it to a flow-through heater (11) heated by an electric heater (14). In the flow-through heater (11), water is heated in a water conduit (13) and subsequently fed to a pressure chamber (35), adapted to be filled with coffee grinds, of a brewing unit (34) from which, following an extraction operation, the brewed coffee flows into a receptacle (38, 39). According to the invention, a valve device (20) opening when a predetermined pressure is exceeded is provided in the fluid path (9, 13, 15) between the flow-through heater (11) and the brewing unit (34).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tea filter assembly (10) adapted to be fitted to a coffee maker (18) in place of a coffee filter in order to be able to make tea with the coffee maker (18). It is known in the art to provide such a tea filter assembly (10) with a first valve (36) for closing an outlet (44) from the tea filter assembly (10) while the tea is steeping. It is a disadvantage in such a type of tea filter assembly (10) that upon termination of the steeping time hot water continues to be discharged from the coffee maker (18), flowing over the tea leaves and extracting bitter principle in the process. To avoid this drawback, provision is made in the invention for a water conduit (14) through which hot water exiting the coffee maker flows straight into a carafe after the steeping time has ended, without coming into contact with tea leaves contained in a tea basket (16).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a carafe (10) for carrying a beverage, with a vessel (12) formed in particular from glass and having at its opening an upper rim (26) upon which a plastic ring structure (28) is seated. Because the thermal expansion of plastics is about 20 times greater than that of glass, the seat of the plastic ring (28) on the vessel (12) may work loose due to the effect of changing temperatures to which the carafe (10) is exposed as when hot or cold beverages are filled in. In order to ensure a consistently firm seat also at varying temperatures, it is proposed in the invention that the plastic ring structure (28) be provided with inner (30, 36) and outer (38) detent means rearwardly engaging inner (20) and outer (24) undercuts of the vessel (12).

Abstract: Foils are manufactured by creating a pattern on a substrate and then thickening the patterned film. The foil may then be peeled away from the substrate and/or pattern. The patterning step may include use of a laser or use of a photoresist, and may include deposition of a further layer. The thickening step may be performed by electrodeposition or electroless methods. The foils produced may be employed for dry shavers, sieves or filters.