Abstract: A single serving brewing cartridge adapter fits into known single serving horizontal coffee makers and allows use of a common single serving cartridge made for a vertical coffee maker. The cartridge adapter includes a fixed extraction needle in the base of cartridge adapter and defines walls rising from the base to guide a cartridge into position. The extraction needle pierces a single use cartridge to release brewed beverage into the cartridge adapter. An injection needle in the horizontal coffee maker lid punctures a foil cover of single use cartridges and passes through a permanent opening in a lid of the cartridge adapter and an extraction needle in the horizontal coffee maker cooperates with the cartridge adapter to carry brewed drink from the cartridge adapter. Reusable cartridges including permanent openings to receive the injection needle and to release brewed beverage may also be used with the cartridge adapter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a flow path (14, 16, 20, 22, 24) for a liquid heat transfer agent; an electric heating device (34) for generating heat and for releasing generated heat to the heat transfer agent on a heating portion (20) of the flow path; and an electronic controller (26) for controlling a heat output of the heating device. The controller (26) is provided with a heat releasing body in order to release waste heat of the controller (26) to the heat transfer agent on a preheating portion (16) of the flow path upstream of the heating portion (20). The invention likewise relates to a method for cooling the controller.

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus comprises a laser radiation source that generates laser radiation. A first and a second adaptive mirror are provided each having a pressure chamber connected to a pressure source and a mirror substrate that bounds the pressure chamber. An internal pressure in the pressure chamber can be changed with the aid of the pressure source in such a way that the mirror substrate deforms if the internal pressure in the pressure chamber changes. The mirror substrate of the first adaptive mirror has a thickness which varies at least within a region of the mirror substrate that bounds the pressure chamber. The mirror substrate of the second adaptive mirror has a thickness which is constant over the entire region over which the mirror substrate is deformable.

Abstract: A method for forming a laser processed hole in a workpiece configured by bonding a transparent first member formed of a first material and a second member formed of a second material. The method includes holding the workpiece by a chuck table with a side of the first member directed upward; applying a pulsed laser beam to the workpiece from the upward side of the first member; detecting a wavelength of plasma light generated by applying the pulsed laser beam to the workpiece; and controlling the laser beam according to a detection signal from the plasma light. The plasma is detected by: passing only the wavelength of plasma light generated from the first material, and detecting the plasma light generated from the first material and outputting a light intensity signal based on the detection. The processed hole extends entirely through the first member without melting the second member.

Abstract: A multifunction cooking device includes a base unit, a cooking pan, and a cover unit. The base unit includes a base seat that defines an annular receiving space, and a heating unit disposed in the base seat and surrounded by the annular receiving space. The cooking pan is disposed on the base unit, and includes a bottom wall contacting with the heating unit, and a surrounding wall transversely extending from the bottom wall and inserted into the annular receiving space. The cover unit is movably connected to the base unit and covers the cooking pan.

Abstract: A welding equipment for metallic materials capable of performing heat treatment such as tempering based on partial heating in spot welding is provided. The welding equipment sandwiches metallic materials with a pair of electrodes, and heats different regions of the metallic materials by energization, with the pair of electrodes maintained at the same position with respect to the metallic materials. The welding equipment includes a first heating means connected to the pair of electrodes for heating and welding the internal region of the circle defined by projecting the cross-sectional area of the axis of the electrodes on the metallic materials by applying power having a low first frequency, a second heating means for heating a ring-shaped region along the circle by applying power having a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, and an energization control unit for independently controlling the first and the second heating means.

Abstract: A heating system for a motor vehicle having an electrical supply circuit and an engine liquid cooling assembly includes a housing structure having an inlet duct, an air outlet duct and means such as a fan for creating a flow of air into the inlet and out of the outlet. The electric heater is capable of being heated to 1,800° F. in three (3) seconds or less disposed in said air flow to heat the air passing therethrough. The system further includes means for heating the flow of air by exposure to heated coolant and means for deactivating said electric heater when the air flow is being heated by the heated coolant.

Abstract: A beverage preparation system (1,2,3) comprises: —a first machine (1) for preparing a first beverage (15??), the first machine having a first outlet (11) for dispensing a beverage, such as coffee, onto a beverage dispensing area (12) for positioning a cup or mug (4); and—a second machine (2) for preparing and dispensing a second beverage (25??) via a second beverage outlet (21), the second machine being disconnectably connected to the first machine and separable therefrom. The first and second machines (1,2), when connected, are configurable so that the second outlet (21) is positioned or positionable adjacent to the first outlet (11) to dispense the second beverage (25??) onto the beverage dispensing area (12) and into a cup or mug (4) in position for collecting the first beverage (15??) from the first beverage outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for joining a predetermined geometrical profile shape from a sheet material (SM) includes a positioning assembly (12) including a base member (14) and a frame (28) that is operable to receive the sheet material (SM), to configure the sheet material in a predetermined orientation and to linearly translate the sheet material along a process direction (20). A Z-bar (22) is configured to guide a first longitudinal edge (FE) and second longitudinal edge (SE) of the sheet material (SM) into adjacent alignment along the process direction (20). A welding and forging assembly (60) welds and then forges a seam between the first longitudinal edge (FE) and the second longitudinal edge (SE) of the associated sheet material (SM).

Abstract: Heating apparatus includes an air inlet, a plurality of air outlets, an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to draw air through the air inlet, a user interface for allowing a user to select a rotational speed of the motor from a user selectable range of values, and a plurality of heater assemblies each comprising at least one positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element for heating air passing from the air inlet to a respective air outlet. The magnitude of a current drawn by the heater assemblies is detected, and the rotational speed of the motor is controlled independently from the rotational speed selected by the user depending on a characteristic of the current drawn by the heater assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cartridge holder of a beverage forming machine. The cartridge holder may have an opening arranged to receive and hold a cartridge with the cartridge holder. The opening may be adjustable in size and/or shape to allow the cartridge holder to receive and engage with cartridges of different size and/or shape. The cartridge holder may include one or more movable portions that are adjustable in position to effectively adjust a size and/or shape of the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for induction sealing workpieces, in which a series of workpieces are conveyed along a path extending in a conveyance direction, and each workpiece is exposed to a first electromagnetic field generated by a first induction head and to a second electromagnetic field generated by a second induction head, each of the first and second electromagnetic fields inducing eddy currents through the entirety of each workpiece. Respective magnetic axes of the first and second induction heads are non-parallel to each other such that each workpiece is exposed to a plurality of differently oriented electromagnetic fields as the workpiece is conveyed along the path.

Abstract: A system of forming a bimetal medical device from dissimilar metal components includes a first metal component, a second metal component, a retaining device, a compression mechanism, and an energy source. A method of forming the bimetal medical device with the system includes applying a first pulse of laser energy to a joint formed between the first and second metal components retained by the retaining device and compressing the first and second metal components together with the compression mechanism to form a welded region.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage from beverage ingredients contained therein, comprising a body (2) comprising at least one compartment for receiving said beverage ingredients and a flange-like rim (4) extending outwardly and transversally to a central axis (I) of said body; a membrane (6) for closing the opening which is sealed onto the flange-like rim, an optical code (7) containing binary information configured to be read by a camera (11) of a beverage producing device (20), wherein the optical code (7) is a two-dimensional barcode having rectilinear borders (7a-7d) and which is inscribed in a circular area (8) concentric relative to the center (O) of the membrane having a radius (R) smaller than the radius (R0) of the membrane.

Abstract: A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes a laser device configured to generate a melt pool in a powder bed based on a build parameter. In addition, the DMLM system includes a confocal optical system directed at the melt pool and configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the melt pool. The DMLM system further includes an optical sensor operatively coupled to the confocal optical system that is configured to receive the optical signal and to generate an electrical signal in response to the optical signal. A computing device is configured to receive the electrical signal from the optical sensor and to generate a control signal in response. The control signal is configured to modify the build parameter of the direct metal laser melting system in real-time to adjust at least one of a melt pool size and a melt pool temperature to achieve a desired physical property of the component.

Abstract: A method of processing a component (10) with an energy beam (13) comprises simultaneously scanning and heating a first portion (12) and second adjacent portion (14) of the component with an energy beam (13) At a point or area of divergence of the portions of the component, the energy beam is controlled to repeatedly move back and forth between the portions of the component. This simultaneous heating of adjacent portions (12, 14) of the component is configured to keep a thermally-induced distortion of the component within a predefined tolerance. This dual-path processing may be performed on a bed of fluidized powdered material including a powdered metal material and a powdered flux material.

Abstract: A spill-resistant appliance may be constructed to prevent spilled liquids from entering a control housing and contacting electronics with the use of a first sealant preferably formed out of santoprene and a second sealant preferably formed out of a very high bond, double-sided foam tape. The first sealant and the second sealant may be used in various areas of the control housing that contains electronics for operating the appliance. The first and second sealants may also be used to help attach the control housing to other components of the appliance.

Abstract: A hybrid heater includes a heater core portion connected to a cooling water inflow tube and a cooling water outflow tube at one side and having an inside through which cooling water circulates, and a PTC heater portion fastened to a front of the heater core portion, inside of which a plurality of plate-type PTC rods arranged in parallel in a horizontal direction are provided, and provided at one side with a connector that is connected electrically to the plurality of PTC rods.

Abstract: A cooking assembly comprises a container for receiving cooking fluid therein and comprising a vat and a reserve tank in fluid communication with the vat such that overflow of cooking fluid from the vat flows into the reserve tan. The vat provides for cooking food products therein. The reserve tank includes at least a two stage filter for filtering the cooking fluid overflow so as to return it back to the vat. A mobile basket provides for receiving food product and positioning it within the cooking vat and removing it therefrom when cooked. A three stage air filtering system is provided for suctioning air above the container during cooking and filtering it to provide clean air to the outside of the assembly. The assembly can be provided in a single enclosed unit with an in-feed for food products and an out-feed to discharge cooked food products therefrom.

Abstract: A dc rechargeable, battery powered, food preparation device uses rapid angular displacement action thereby enabling a human operator to use barely more than the weight of the instrument's spinning cutter against a wide variety of fruit and vegetable peels ranging from dense eggplant to delicate peach, while also providing for operator safety through the use of safe-start interlock technology along with a catch-and-release safety cover over the cutting head itself. As a result the user friendly appliance scales the entire surface of common produce items while rapidly and efficiently removing the outer layer of skin in bitwise fashion as opposed to generating continuous long strings of discard material.