Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system includes a liquid storage portion configured to store a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The liquid storage portion includes one or more flexible walls and is configured to change at least one of the shape and the size of the liquid storage portion upon a change of the volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in the liquid storage portion. The cartridge includes a sensor configured to detect data of a physical property. The data relates to at least one of a corresponding shape and a corresponding size of the liquid storage portion so that the volume of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in the liquid storage portion is determinable from the measured data.

Abstract: An adjustment collar for a laser machine tool includes a first actuator between an outer housing and an inner collar, the first actuator operable to move the inner collar with respect to the outer housing in the X-axis and a second actuator between the outer housing and the inner collar, the second actuator operable to move the inner collar with respect to the outer housing in the Y-axis.

Abstract: An electrically heatable glazing panel including a substrate and at least a first electrically heatable zone including: (i) a substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating layer, (ii) at least first and second spaced bus bars substantially parallel and configured to supply electrical voltage across the substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating layer, and (iii) a conductive pathway defined between the at least the first and the second busbars. The glazing panel further includes a conductive pathway provided by a pattern of coated and decoated regions in the substantially transparent electrically conductive coating layer of electrically heatable zone to affect electrical resistivity of the coating in the first electrically heatable coated zone.

Abstract: The apparatus for 3D laser printing by fusing a metal wire material is provided. The zone of fusion is heated and fused by a plurality of laser beams which uniformly converge into the focal area around the tip of the metal wire material by a focusing lens into a focal point on an object-formation table. The optical and wire feeding units are stationary, while the object-formation table is moveable under command of a computer along a pre-programmed spatial trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage machine (1) having an external housing (10) and a movable beverage preparation module (20, 30) that is configured to process a beverage and/or a beverage ingredient to be dispensed. The housing (10) has a front opening (10?) and forms a cavity (10?) for housing the module (20, 30). The module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into an operative position into the cavity (10?) and removable as a unit out of the cavity (10?) via the front opening (10?). The housing (10) has a cavity connector (11) in the cavity (10?) and the module (20, 30) has a module connector that is connected to the cavity connector (11) when the module (20, 30) is located there against while reaching its operative position and that is disconnected from the cavity connector (11) when the module (20,30) is removed from the cavity (10?).

Abstract: A laser processing method includes a first step of emitting measurement laser light of a first wavelength from the reference surface side to a reference object having a reference surface of which reflectance for the first wavelength is known to obtain a reference light amount as a reflected light amount of the measurement laser light on the reference surface, a second step of emitting the measurement laser light from the first surface side to the object to be processed to obtain a first light amount as a reflected light amount of the measurement laser light on the first surface, and a third step of, after the first step and the second step, calculating a reflectance of the first surface for the first wavelength based on a reflectance of the reference object, the reference light amount, and the first light amount.

Abstract: A locking brewing device includes a seat body configured to mount a material cup and including a piston chamber with an open end and a closed end, a piston slidably and sealedly arranged in the piston chamber and configured to lock a beverage capsule in the material cup, and a liquid guide piercing tube arranged at a surface of the piston that faces the open end of the piston chamber and being configured to pierce the beverage capsule in the material cup and deliver liquid. The piston and the closed end of the piston chamber form a pressure medium chamber having an opening, and the piston includes a liquid inlet passage in communication with the liquid guide piercing tube.

Abstract: An induction cooking system in accordance with the principals of the present invention includes an induction cooking appliance and custom cookware. The induction cooking appliance includes a cooktop surface, an induction heating system contained below the cooktop surface, and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor sensing temperature above the cooktop surface. The induction heating system includes a coil positioned immediately below the cooktop surface. The coil is configured to produce an electromagnetic field when the coil is energized. The custom cookware is configured to be placed on the cooktop surface above the coil. The custom cookware includes an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell is comprised of a metallic material to heat a food material. The outer shell is comprised of a thermally insulative material that is substantially transparent to magnetic flux. The outer shell includes an underside configured to rest on the cooktop surface above the coil during cooking.

Abstract: Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor, sidewalk extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening, the sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure, and a door operatively connected to the sidewalk in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening, a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure, and a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cooking apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, to a technology for reducing stress caused by a current flowing through a diode included in the cooking apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique and novel, low-cost external assembly that can be used to add a pulsed current functionality to a continuous welding machine. The external assembly is located in series between a pedal for controlling the welder and the welder itself. The external assembly includes a controller that modifies the pedal input signal typically entering directly into the welder. The modified signal converts the continuous welding machine such that it operates as a pulsed welding machine.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a placement unit which has a food-holding element and a heating unit for heating the food-holding element. An induction unit provides in at least one operating state an amount of heating energy for inductively heating the food-holding element. The heating unit includes a heating element which is different from an induction heating element and is provided for heating the food-holding element.

Abstract: A beverage pod for a beverage machine is provided. The beverage pod can include a container having an internal space and a container flange defining an opening to the internal space, a plug sealing the opening of the container, and a cap secured to the container flange. A beverage medium can be located within the internal space of the container. The cap can be operable to selectively engage a portion of the plug to release the beverage medium through the plug and the cap.

Abstract: An electric heating mat may include an outer sleeve having an interior, and an access end with an opening to the interior. The access end may be folded upon itself into a closed condition, and unfolded into an opened condition. When the access end is closed, the interior of the outer sleeve may provide a sealed enclosure. The sealed enclosure may accommodate and protect internal components, such as heating elements, a power source, and associated controls. The heating elements, associated wiring, and an insulation layer may be provided in an inner sleeve, which may be insertable into the outer sleeve as a unit. When the access end is opened, the opening provides access to the internal components. Such access allows the power source to be turned on to supply power to the heating elements.

Abstract: A temperature-regulating appliance includes a top portion, a base, and a mounting adapter. The top portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The top portion is configured to be mounted to a countertop. The base includes a housing defining an internal compartment and a thermal element disposed within the internal compartment of the housing. The mounting adapter extends from the lower surface of the top portion to the housing. The mounting adapter detachably couples the base to the top portion.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a printed circuit board includes: passing a first laser beam output from a laser output device through a first aperture so as to define an outer diameter of the first laser beam, positioning the first laser beam by an optical axis positioning device including a galvano device and an f? lens, and irradiating the printed circuit board with the first laser beam such that a through-hole is formed in a copper layer; and passing a second laser beam output from the laser output device through a second aperture so as to define an outer diameter of the second laser beam whereby a diameter of the second aperture is smaller than a diameter of the first aperture, positioning the second laser beam by the optical axis positioning device, and irradiating the printed circuit board with the second laser beam such that an insulating layer is processed.

Abstract: An electric kitchen appliance has a pot for receiving food to be processed using the electric kitchen appliance. An ultrasound transmitter and an ultrasound receiver are provided in order to determine the fill level of the food in the pot. The ultrasound transmitter and the ultrasound receiver are attached to the upper edge of the pot such that an ultrasound signal can be transmitted onto the surface of the food by the ultrasound transmitter, and an ultrasound signal reflected by the surface of the food can be received by the ultrasound receiver. In this manner, an electric kitchen appliance is provided which allows the fill state of the food in the pot to be determined in a simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: A welding-type power supply includes a fan configured to operate at multiple fan speeds. A controller of the welding-type power supply is configured to identify a welding parameter of the welding-type power supply, and determine an operating fan speed of the multiple fan speeds based on the welding parameter.

Abstract: A system includes an energy source, a focusing system, and a controller. The energy source is configured to output energy pulses to the focusing system. A chamber surrounds at least a portion of a metallic substrate and contains a liquid in contact with a surface of the metallic substrate. The controller is configured to cause the energy source to output energy pulses and cause the focusing system to focus a focal volume of the energy pulses at or near the surface of the metallic substrate that is in contact with the liquid to create micro-scale or smaller surface texturing on the metallic substrate.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus includes a working coil; an inverter configured to perform switching operation to thereby apply a resonance current to the working coil; and a controller configured to provide a control signal with a fixed frequency to the inverter to thereby control the switching operation. The controller changes a pulse width of the control signal based on a predetermined cycle that is set based on a temperature of the inverter.