Abstract: A method of forming a heating element for use with a steering wheel includes (i) forming a first heating part of a heating element which is coated in a longitudinal direction of the rim along an inner diameter portion of the rim by continuously connecting loops having the same shape, (ii) forming a second heating part of the heating element which is coated in the longitudinal direction of the rim along an outer diameter portion of the rim by continuously connecting loops having the same shape, (iii) forming a third heating part of the heating element which is coated in the longitudinal direction of the rim by continuously connecting loops having the same shape between the first heating part and the second heating part; and (iv) adjusting an electrical resistance of the heating element according to a coating width or thickness of the conductive paste.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating raw produce without introducing excess heat to the produce, including a first chamber for holding warm, moist air, a second chamber connected in fluidic communication with the first chamber for cooling and drying warm, moist air received from the first chamber, and a filter operationally connected between the first and second chambers for removing suspended particulates from warm, moist air flowing therethrough with a drain operationally connected to the second chamber for removing water therefrom. A third chamber is connected in fluidic communication with the second chamber for receiving cool, dry air therefrom and for receiving raw produce for drying, and a wind current generator operationally connected to the second chamber to urge cool, dry air therefrom and into the third chamber.

Abstract: A manufacturing method in which laser welding is used to weld multiple posts of a protection structure with multiple splits of the silicon steel sheet assembly of a stator module. The manufacturing method has high welding precision and excellent sealing effect. Also, the welding time is shortened and the thermal deformation is reduced.

Abstract: A convertible beverage container includes a pod configured to hold an otherwise separate container containing a beverage or ingredient for a beverage (such as a nip bottle of alcohol) in such a way that the pod with container can be distributed as a unit and is convertible to an article of stemware in which a top portion of the pod that secures the container becomes the foot of the stemware, the container becomes the stem of the stemware, and a bottom portion of the pod can be attached to the top of the container to become the bowl of the stemware.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for converting the energy of an energy storage (2) for operating an arc (6), wherein a power unit (3) and an input and/or output device (5) for setting the current for operating the arc (6) is used to convert energy, as well as an appropriate welding device. In order to be able to provide the user with information on the state of energy storage (2), the time remaining for operating the arc (6) using the set current is calculated depending on a determined capacity of the energy storage (2) and a value for the current set on the input and/or output device (5), and said time is displayed on a corresponding display unit (27).

Abstract: An open bottom electric induction cold crucible with a slotted wall extending below one or more induction coils surrounding the partial exterior height of the crucible is used in an electromagnetic casting process for the production of ingots. A bottom magnetic shield is provided around the outer perimeter of the crucible's slotted wall in the vicinity of the bottom opening and the bottom termination of the wall slots and the bottom connecting member.

Abstract: A reactive-species supply device is configured to supply a treatment gas to an electric discharge space that is formed by at least one pair of electrodes, for thereby supplying at least a reactive species formed in a plasma, to an object through a reactive-species output port. The reactive-species supply device includes (a) a reactive-species outlet passage disposed between the electric discharge space and the reactive-species output port and (b) an earth ground member disposed in a portion of the reactive-species outlet passage. The portion of the reactive-species outlet passage is distant, by a given distance, from the reactive-species output port. Also disclosed is a surface treatment apparatus that includes the reactive-species supply device.

Abstract: A basket for holding beverage grounds includes a frame. The frame includes a continuous rim that defines an opening at a top of the frame, a bottom portion that is closed, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the rim to a peripheral edge of the bottom portion. The bottom edge, plurality of ribs and rim define a plurality of openings that facilitate fluid flow. A filter material is positioned in the plurality of openings. A removable outer sleeve is formed on an outside surface of the frame. The outer sleeve is configured to cover at least the plurality of openings to thereby provide an air-tight seal within the frame.

Abstract: A rechargeable backup electric heating system includes a rechargeable portable electric heater, multiple rechargeable battery packs, a rapid recharging circuit, and one or more high capacity storage batteries, from which the battery packs are recharged. The rechargeable portable electric heater has a design power output of P watts, which is determined by the BTU/hr of heat output required to maintain a target temperature in living space under prevailing outdoor temperature conditions. There are n sets of rechargeable battery packs, each having a weight of B kg. At any given time, one of the battery packs is within or attached to the heater and serving as its source of electric power, and (n?1) battery packs are being recharged by the storage battery through the recharging circuit.

Abstract: A vacuum tumbling system for marinating meat including a vacuum sensor; an airtight driver; an outer vacuum chamber configured to monitor and pull a vacuum; and an inner vacuum tumbling chamber configured to enclose a marinade mixture, liquid, and the meat, configured to be disposed inside the outer vacuum chamber, and configured to pull the vacuum from the outer vacuum chamber through a small hole which is recessed on a bottom surface of the inner vacuum tumbling chamber. The outer vacuum chamber monitors the vacuum through the vacuum sensor, pulls the vacuum through the airtight driver, and tumbles the inner vacuum tumbling chamber in response to the airtight driver being driven.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards regulating flow rate in an espresso machine, during a multi-phase brewing process which includes a pre-brew and an extraction phase. During the pre-brew phase, coffee grounds are slowly pre-wetted and/or out-gassed with a first volume of water delivered at a first flow rate. During the extraction phase, a second volume of water is delivered, at a second flow rate, to extract espresso, where the second volume is delivered at a generally greater pressure than the first volume. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate. The flow rates, volumes, and pressures are regulated by the espresso machine, which includes a flow rate regulation assembly that comprises first and second flow paths and first and second valves. Baristas may vary the flow rate, volume, and pressure of water throughout the brewing process by opening, closing, or otherwise adjusting at least one of the valves.

Abstract: A beverage maker for making a beverage includes a duct system having at least one duct for conveying a fluid beverage ingredient, and at least two elements for defining the duct system, which are configured to be fitted closely together. Recesses are arranged in a surface of at least one of these two elements, and serve for defining the ducts of the duct system. The duct system is further configured to convey steam besides the fluid beverage ingredient, where the steam serves for heating and pumping the fluid beverage ingredient. Furthermore, the duct system may also include at least one duct for supplying air to the fluid beverage ingredient, so that a frothed beverage may be obtained.

Abstract: A machine for making and dispensing semiliquid and/or semisolid food products includes a working unit equipped with a cylinder for processing a mixture of a basic product and air, a heat exchange fluid flow chamber located around the cylinder, a dispensing tap and a mechanism for treating and feeding the heat exchange fluid to the flow chamber, and a flexible container for containing the basic product. A peristaltic pump transfers the basic product from the container to the processing cylinder through a supply duct along which there is a first pressure sensor for the pressure of the mixture fed into the cylinder. The sensor sends a signal indicating the pressure of the mixture to a control and drive unit which adjusts the operation of the peristaltic pump and thus the output pressure of the pump.

Abstract: A capsule to form a closed interior filled with an extraction product or extract can be perforated in a known manner by perforation elements of an injection device or a discharge device in order to introduce an extraction liquid and to discharge an extraction product produced in the interior of the capsule following an extraction process. The capsule has the shape of a cuboid or a die.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cavity unit having a cooking chamber therein; a door on the cavity unit, opening and closing an opening of the cavity unit; a heater in at least one of upper, rear and lower parts of the cavity unit, generating hot air to be supplied to the cooking chamber; a cooking container including a housing unit which has an entrance through which hot air enters, and a support unit on the housing unit and on which one or more cooking objects to be cooked by the hot air are placed; and an agitation unit configured to directly contact the cooking object(s) placed on the cooking container, and mix or turn the cooking object.

Abstract: A collision protection device for connecting a welding torch connected to a hose pack to a robot arm of a welding robot, comprising two coupling elements that is adapted to be detachably connected to each other by means of magnets, wherein one coupling element is designed to be connected to the welding torch or to a torch coupling that is adapted to be connected to the welding torch, and the other coupling element is designed to be connected to the robot arm, and the coupling elements have openings. The openings in the coupling elements are designed for feeding the hose pack through, and the coupling element that is adapted to be connected to the welding torch or to the torch coupling, or the torch coupling comprises elements to be connected to the hose pack.

Abstract: An automated casing removal system for removing the casing of encased food products supported on a support frame. An inclined surface on the support frame has a staging area onto which encased food product is loaded. The staging area has a cutting member moveable along a portion of the length of the staging area, and a stop mechanism downstream from the cutting member on the inclined surface. The stop mechanism extends within a plane which intersects the inclined surface to prevent the food product from moving down the inclined surface. The staging area has retaining member upstream of the stop mechanism which retains the casing to unravel the casing from the food product as the food product rolls down the inclined surface when the stop mechanism is removed.

Abstract: A vacuum tumbling system for marinating meat including a vacuum sensor; an airtight driver; an outer vacuum chamber configured to monitor and pull a vacuum; and an inner vacuum tumbling chamber configured to enclose a marinade mixture, liquid, and the meat, configured to be disposed inside the outer vacuum chamber, and configured to pull the vacuum from the outer vacuum chamber through a small hole which is recessed on a bottom surface of the inner vacuum tumbling chamber. The outer vacuum chamber monitors the vacuum through the vacuum sensor, pulls the vacuum through the airtight driver, and tumbles the inner vacuum tumbling chamber in response to the airtight driver being driven.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for solid-state oscillators and related resonant circuitry. An exemplary oscillator system includes an amplifier having an amplifier input and an amplifier output and resonant circuitry coupled between the amplifier output and the amplifier input. In exemplary embodiments, the resonant circuitry includes an annular resonance structure that is substantially symmetrical and includes a pair of arcuate inductive elements. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the resonant circuitry includes an additional inductive element that is capacitively coupled to the annular resonance structure via an air gap to improve the quality factor of the resonant circuitry.

Abstract: A steam unit, e.g., for a machine for espresso beverages, includes a supporting island with external fastening, which connects removably to the machine; a tank for frothing milk, a base of which connects removably to the supporting island. A circuit delivers steam from the machine to the tank via the connection at the base of the tank. The tank includes an upper part for heating and emulsifying the beverages.