Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing hot water, a beverage concentrate and cold water, as well as one or more additives. The hot water and cold water are supplied at a predetermined flow rate at a predetermined proportion, regardless of the pressure of the water supply. A water heater supplies the hot water within a specified pressure range and without significant entrapped air.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing device, at least one valve that distributes a diluent, at least one solenoid for controlling the valve, a concentrate pump that distributes concentrate, a support structure that supports the foregoing components, and exterior cladding attached to the support structure. The exterior cladding provides the appearance of a real leaf tea brewer and the solenoid is of a quiet-type to minimize noise to a level like that in a real leaf tea brewer during dispensing. The diluent valve and concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate into the dispensing device to form a mixture to be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: A cooking appliance incorporates a convection system including a blower or fan having an associated heating element used for thawing food items in an oven cavity. The convection fan and its associated heating element are specifically controlled to regulate the air flow and temperature within the oven cavity in a manner which significantly reduces thaw time over ambient conditions, while not negatively effecting food quality. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the convection fan is constantly operated at a high RPM and the convection heating element is operated in the order of 80° F.-100° F. (approximately 26-38° C.) in order to establish and maintain an oven cavity temperature of about 80° F. (approximately 26° C.) for food thawing purposes.

Abstract: A cooking appliance incorporates a convection system including a blower or fan having an associated heating element used for thawing food items in an oven cavity. The convection fan and its associated heating element are specifically controlled to regulate the air flow and temperature within the oven cavity in a manner which significantly reduces thaw time over ambient conditions, while not negatively effecting food quality. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the convection fan is constantly operated at a high RPM and the convection heating element is operated in the order of 80° F.-100° F. (approximately 26-38° C.) in order to establish and maintain an oven cavity temperature of about 80° F. (approximately 26° C.) for food thawing purposes.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing hot water, a beverage concentrate and cold water, as well as one or more additives. The hot water and cold water are supplied at a predetermined flow rate at a predetermined proportion, regardless of the pressure of the water supply. A water heater supplies the hot water within a specified pressure range and without significant entrapped air.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispenser 10 that can be assembled virtually entirely by hand without the need for hand or power tools. Exterior cladding panels 14, 50, 52, 54 and 70 thereof provide for interlocking assembly. A new ice bank evaporator structure 46, baffle 28 and method of ice bank control are also shown. In addition, dispenser 10 includes a merchandising cover 100 that permits for quick low cost conversion from an opaque display to one utilizing a back-lit transparency 120. Dispenser 10 further includes a molded plastic box 146 releasably securable to the base panel 14 thereof for retaining syrup pumps 134 therein for permitting quick access thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to topical compositions containing components of plants from the Purslane family and methods for improving the aesthetic appearance of skin, particularly, preventing, ameliorating, treating and/or reducing fine lines and/or wrinkles. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of topical compositions containing extract from the Portulaca oleracea plant to treat signs of dermatological aging, especially facial lines and deep wrinkles, and/or improve the aesthetic appearance of the skin. Preferably, the composition is applied once daily to the skin.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing device, at least one valve that distributes a diluent, a concentrate pump that distributes concentrate, a support structure that supports the foregoing components, and exterior cladding attached to the support structure. The exterior cladding provides the appearance of a real leaf brewer. The diluent valve and concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate into the dispensing device to form a mixture to be dispensed therefrom. The diluent can be hot water and the apparatus further includes an air ejector device for eliminating air bubbles from the hot water prior to mixing. In addition, an improved sensor can accurately determine when the supply of concentrate is depleted.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing device, at least one valve that distributes a diluent, a concentrate pump that distributes concentrate, a support structure that supports the foregoing components, and exterior cladding attached to the support structure. The exterior cladding provides the appearance of a real leaf brewer. The diluent valve and concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate into the dispensing device to form a mixture to be dispensed therefrom. The diluent can be hot water and the apparatus further includes an air ejector device for eliminating air bubbles from the hot water prior to mixing. In addition, an improved sensor can accurately determine when the supply of concentrate is depleted.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispenser 10 that can be assembled virtually entirely by hand without the need for hand or power tools. Exterior cladding panels 14, 50, 52, 54, and 70 thereof provide for interlocking assembly. A new ice bank evaporator structure 46, baffle 28 and method of ice bank control are also shown. In addition, dispenser 10 includes a merchandising cover 100 that permits for quick low cost conversion from an opaque display to one utilizing a back-lit transparency 120. Dispenser 10 further includes a molded plastic box 146 releasably securable to the base panel 14 thereof for retaining syrup pumps 134 therein for permitting quick access thereto.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for treating and/or evaluating photodamage and/or photoaging of skin caused by exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The method employs a unique set of marker genes whose expression was newly found to be altered following exposure of skin to UV radiation. The invention provides an advantageous system of identifying and assessing substances that are capable of modulating, e.g., via attenuation, UV radiation induced alteration or change in the expression of at least one of the newly provided marker genes in skin relative to the gene expression level in skin not exposed to UV radiation. Also provided are compositions comprising materials that upon application to skin can modulate the gene expression of at least one gene of the marker gene set after exposure of skin to UV radiation, thereby affording protective and therapeutic effects and treatments for photodamage and photoaging. The potential benefit of, e.g.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing device, at least one valve that distributes a diluent, at least one solenoid for controlling the valve, a concentrate pump that distributes concentrate, a support structure that supports the foregoing components, and exterior cladding attached to the support structure. The exterior cladding provides the appearance of a real leaf brewer and the solenoid is of a quiet-type to minimize noise to a level like that in a real leaf brewer during dispensing. The diluent valve and concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate into the dispensing device to form a mixture to be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing device, at least one valve that distributes a diluent, a concentrate pump that distributes concentrate, a support structure that supports the foregoing components, and exterior cladding attached to the support structure. The exterior cladding provides the appearance of a real leaf brewer. The diluent valve and concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate into the dispensing device to form a mixture to be dispensed therefrom. The diluent can be hot water and the apparatus further includes an air ejector device for eliminating air bubbles from the hot water prior to mixing. In addition, an improved sensor can accurately determine when the supply of concentrate is depleted.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that regulates the size of an ice bank (50) and that prevents short cycling of the compressor (30) therefor and operation thereof at undesired voltages. A microprocessor based control circuit (10) includes a circuit for sensing line voltage (14) combined with an ice bank sensing circuit (18, 20). The ice bank sensing circuit is of the conductivity sensing type wherein the electrical conductivity between two probes (P1, P2) is sensed. The microprocessor (16) continually monitors the probes (P1, P2) to determine if refrigeration is needed or not, and continually senses the line voltage to determine if that voltage is within the design limits of the refrigeration compressor (30). The voltage sensing circuit (14) can also sense if power has been interrupted where the voltage drops to zero.

Abstract: A system enabling conversion of a conventional ringlight for differential illumination such as dark field or Rheinberg illumination is disclosed. The system comprises a ringlight having an annular light emitting portion and a hood that fits over the ringlight. The hood has an aperture and an annular reflective surface, disposed opposite the light emitting portion, that reflects the light from the ringlight through the aperture. An angle of the annular reflective surface is selected relative to a direction of light from the ringlight to form a cone of light exiting the aperture. To ensure good contrast, a light baffle in the form of a sleeve, inserted into the ringlight, may be incorporated to prevent stray light from the ringlight from directly exiting through the aperture. The differential illumination produced by the invention is applicable to machine vision applications, but also microscopy, gemology, and serology, for example.

Abstract: A system enabling conversion of a conventional ringlight for differential illumination such as dark field or Rheinberg illumination is disclosed. The system comprises a ringlight having an annular light emitting portion and a hood that fits over the ringlight. The hood has an aperture and an annular reflective surface, disposed opposite the light emitting portion, that reflects the light from the ringlight through the aperture. An angle of the annular reflective surface is selected relative to a direction of light from the ringlight to form a cone of light exiting the aperture. To ensure good contrast, a light baffle in the form of a sleeve, inserted into the ringlight, may be incorporated to prevent stray light from the ringlight from directly exiting through the aperture. The differential illumination produced by the invention is applicable to machine vision applications, but also microscopy, gemology, and serology, for example.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with a carbonator and water pump provides improved flow of water for dispensing non-carbonated drinks. When a non-carbonated drink is dispensed a valve in a pump bypass line opens allowing water to flow around the pump rather than through it.

Abstract: A premix beverage dispensing apparatus is provided with an adapter to eliminate the standard threaded connection between dispensing valves and a premix beverage dispensing tower. The adapter includes a plug-in connector fitting welded at the outlet of the beverage conduit on the dispensing tower and an adapter fitting having one end threaded into the dispensing valve and the other end engaging the plug-in connector fitting.