Abstract: The present disclosure describes a beverage machine for dispensing liquids from a container and an apparatus for securing said container to the beverage machine. The container is removably received by a resilient sealing ring which can be tightened around the container using a rotatable bracket. Through a system of interlocking teeth, a plurality of resilient sealing rings may be operated by a single actuator so that multiple containers can be secured to the machine more or less simultaneously.

Abstract: A capsule holder for a beverage dispensing apparatus includes: a base having a lower wall defining an open chamber configured to receive a beverage capsule; an extractor extending from the lower wall into the chamber and configured to pierce the beverage capsule; a carriage having a ledge configured to engage with a perimeter flange of the capsule, the carriage movably coupled to the base between (i) a lowered position to place the capsule at a first depth in the chamber for piercing of the capsule by the extractor ; and (ii) a raised position to place the capsule at a second depth smaller than the first depth, and substantially withdraw the extractor from the capsule; and a biasing element configured to bias the carriage toward the raised position.

Abstract: A strain gauge apparatus for measuring stresses on a rotating blade includes a strain gauge assembly, a shaft connectable to the rotating blade, a slip ring connected to the shaft, and a sleeve for covering lead wires routed along the shaft from the strain gauge and connected to the slip ring. The present invention also relates to a method of determining the fatigue life of a rotating blade.