Abstract: The invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, having a capsule body with a capsule base and a filling side. A cavity for receiving a pulverulent or liquid beverage substrate is formed between the capsule base and the filling side, and a filter element is arranged between the beverage substrate and the capsule base. The filter element comprises an open-pore felt and/or nonwoven fabric, and the felt and/or nonwoven fabric has a first average pore size in a first region facing the beverage substrate and a second average pore size in a second region facing the capsule base, said first pore size being smaller than the second pore size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a part provided with an external element comprising the following steps: provide an electrically conductive substrate having an upper surface and a pattern forming a recess in said upper surface deposit an electrically insulating layer into the pattern so that the insulating layer extends as far as the upper surface deposit a metal layer onto the upper surface of the substrate by galvanic growth so that at the end of this step the metal layer partly rests on the insulating layer dissolve the insulating layer cover an assembly comprising the substrate and the metal layer with a mass of a base material of the part, wherein the mass forms an imprint of the assembly separate the mass and the metal layer from the substrate, wherein the mass then exhibits an external element with a shape corresponding to the imprint of the pattern.

Abstract: A solid thermal balancing composite material with lightweight is formed by a reinforced composite material pressured by a molding machine after going through a powder filling equipment. The reinforced composite material is a mixture of inorganic filler powders and polymer adhesives after granulation. The specific gravity of the solid thermal balancing composite material is no greater than 2.0. In addition, the present invention is adjustable in different shapes for various applications of heat dissipation.

Abstract: A fastener feed head includes a chute having a feed passage along a feed axis to support and guide fasteners from a chute inlet to a chute outlet connected to a fastener installation head. A carriage is movably attached to the chute along a feed axis. Opposed pawls are pivotably attached to the carriage. The carriage reciprocates along the feed axis between a retracted position and a feed position. The carriage cyclically advances a predetermined number of fasteners from a queue of fasteners in an upstream zone into a queue of fasteners in a downstream zone by: retracting to the retracted position from the feed position; abutting the lead fastener in the upstream queue with the pawls; and, driving the lead fastener with the pawls until the carriage reaches the feed position.

Abstract: A method of attaching a surgical suture to a needle and testing the attachment includes dispensing a length of suture from a spool by using a first suture gripper, and using a surgical needle gripper for holding a surgical needle stationary. A leading end of the suture is inserted into and attached to a receiving end of the surgical needle. A second suture gripper is located between the first suture gripper and the spool. After the second suture gripper is closed for gripping the suture, the second suture gripper is advanced downstream toward the surgical needle to reduce the tension on the suture. The tension on the suture is reduced by moving the second suture gripper a pre-determined distance. The first suture gripper is opened for releasing the suture and the first suture gripper is moved toward the suture spool for re-grasping the suture at a location between the second gripper and the suture spool.

Abstract: Systems, methods and containers for forming a beverage. A container includes a closure arranged with a movable element that is movable to pierce a membrane and permit beverage material in the container to exit. The movable element can include a piercing element that pierces the membrane. Gas can be introduced into the container to force beverage material to exit the container. A gas inlet port can be provided with the closure and arranged to mate with a gas source of a beverage machine.

Abstract: A swaging system for attaching surgical needles to sutures and testing the attachment strength includes a frame, a bottom swaging die mounted on the frame, and a top swaging die mounted on the frame and being moveable up and down along a swaging axis that is aligned with the bottom swaging die. The bottom swaging die includes a hinge mechanism with a bottom plate mounted to the frame and a top plate overlying the bottom plate. The top and bottom plates are pivotally connected for enabling the top plate to pivot relative to the bottom plate. The bottom swaging die includes a swaging tool that extends toward the top swaging die along the swaging axis, and a load cell disposed between the top and bottom plates for monitoring load. The system includes a control system having one or more pull test programs stored therein for conducting pull tests on armed surgical needles to determine if the armed surgical needles are acceptable or unacceptable.

Abstract: A precision baking system includes a baking vessel that defines a vertical direction. The baking vessel includes a base wall and at least one sidewall. An aperture is formed in one of the base wall and the sidewall. The precision baking system also includes a temperature probe. The temperature probe includes a tip and a temperature sensor within the tip. The temperature probe is sized to extend through the aperture such that the tip of the temperature probe is spaced from the base wall and the sidewall of the baking vessel when the temperature probe is fully inserted into the baking vessel through the aperture.

Abstract: A method provides for manufacturing a flap carrier for an exhaust gas flap, especially for the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. The method includes providing a flap housing (50) and providing a stop ring (48). The stop ring (48) is inserted into the flap housing (50) in a position corresponding to an installed position. The stop ring (48) is fixed to the flap housing (50). Subsequently to fixing the stop ring (48) to the flap housing (50), at least one shaft opening (60, 62) for a pivot shaft carrying a flap diaphragm with at least one flap wing is inserted into the stop ring (48).

Abstract: Systems and methods that include and/or leverage a cluster of machine-learned models to recontour components of gas turbine engines are provided. In one exemplary aspect, the systems and methods leverage a cluster of machine-learned models to predict repair machining offsets for certain sections of the component that can be used to adjust or set a material removal tool path.

Abstract: A one-piece heat exchanger manufactured using an additive manufacturing process is described. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of channels formed therein. At least some of the plurality of channels may be configured to provide structural support to the heat exchanger to reduce its weight. Different coolant media may be used in a first set and a second set of the plurality of channels to provide different types of cooling in an integrated one-piece heat exchanger structure.

Abstract: Provided is a stacking apparatus for heat exchanger cores that can assemble heat exchanger cores manufactured by a conventional manufacturing apparatus for heat exchanger core into stacked heat exchanger cores. As a solution, the stacking apparatus for heat exchanger cores includes: a core uprightly supporting unit; a first core holder with a J shape that holds a first heat exchanger core in close contact with a second heat exchanger core, a second core holder that holds the first heat exchanger core and the second heat exchanger core in close contact, and a core holding unit that moves the first core holder and the second core holder; a core conveying unit including a bottom supporter, a third core holder with a J shape that holds the first heat exchanger core or the second heat exchanger core held by the bottom supporter in close contact, and a moving mechanism; and an operation control unit that controls an operation of the core holding unit and the core conveying unit.

Abstract: A calibrated coupling station for components of capsules includes an external body and a bag. A through seat for stably housing the external body supports the bag and is arranged on an articulated sector of a respective advancement component movable along a frame. At least one grip element is aligned with a predefined stop area of the at least one through seat and is movable from a raised configuration in which its terminal end rests on a bottom of the bag, in turn juxtaposed against an inner face of the base of the external body/The grip element is adapted to define an intermediate configuration for a calibrated positioning in which the terminal end, stably coupled to the bottom of the bag, is arranged at a predefined distance from the inner face of the base of the external body.

Abstract: An accumulator according to an embodiment includes, for example, a base member; a cover member welded to the base member, the cover member and the base member defining a pressure chamber therebetween; a stretchable partition member that partitions the pressure chamber into an inner chamber and an outer chamber; and a labyrinth structure provided in at least one of a first part of the base member and a second part of the cover member. The first part is located closer to the outer chamber than a welded part between the base member and the cover member. The second part is located closer to the outer chamber than the welded part, facing the first part.

Abstract: A one-piece heat exchanger manufactured using an additive manufacturing process is described. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of channels formed therein. At least some of the plurality of channels may be configured to provide structural support to the heat exchanger to reduce its weight. Different coolant media may be used in a first set and a second set of the plurality of channels to provide different types of cooling in an integrated one-piece heat exchanger structure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a brewing unit (5) for a beverage preparation machine (1), having several automated functionalities actuated by one single motor (16). The invention also concerns a beverage preparation machine comprising such an automated brewing unit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a core. A header is on a side of the core, and a tank is brazed to the header. A connector is brazed to an outer surface of the tank. A welding aperture is defined by the tank beneath the connector. A weld at the welding aperture secures the connector to the tank prior to brazing of the connector and the tank together.

Abstract: A repair method for repairing an assembly including a main body and an old reinforcement, the assembly including an initial hole passing through the old reinforcement and at least a portion of the main body, the method including removing the old reinforcement; positioning a plug in the initial hole in the main body; fastening a new reinforcement on the main body, the new reinforcement covering the plug; and forming a new hole passing through the new reinforcement and at least a portion of the main body.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus (1) for making a beverage, in particular a beverage containing milk. The apparatus (1) comprises a machine body, a milk container (2) and a milk frothing device (3) for mixing milk with air and steam. The milk frothing device (3) is removably mountable in a seat (10) in an outer wall (11) of the machine body. The milk container (2) is removably couplable to the milk frothing device (3). The apparatus (1) also comprises a locking member (5) for locking the milk frothing device (3) in the mounted condition.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for splicing substantially flat continuous material (10) comprises a transport unit (1) for transporting a first substantially flat continuous material (70) and a second substantially flat continuous material (71) to a splicing location. The transport unit is adapted to transport the first substantially flat continuous material and the second substantially flat continuous material parallel to each other forming an overlap portion of the first substantially flat continuous material and the second substantially flat continuous material in the splicing location. A pressure unit (3) is arranged in the splicing location. The pressure unit is adapted to apply a mechanical impact onto at least a part of the overlap portion of the first substantially flat continuous material and the second substantially flat continuous material, thereby at least partially merging the first substantially flat continuous material with the second substantially flat continuous material.