Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a lower part and an upper part, the upper part and lower part being movable relative to one another from an open position in which a beverage cartridge can be received in the closure mechanism and a closed position in which the beverage cartridge is fixedly retained between the upper part and lower part, wherein in the closed position the closure mechanism contacts a top surface and a bottom surface of the beverage cartridge at or near a centre of the beverage cartridge to exert a compressive force of greater than 50N.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising a compartment containing the one or more beverage ingredients, the compartment comprising a plurality of inlet apertures for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the compartment and a plurality of outlet apertures for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein at least a proportion of the inlet apertures are out of alignment with the outlet apertures such that at least a proportion of the aqueous medium entering the compartment through the inlet apertures is forced to circulate within the compartment before exiting the compartment through the outlet apertures, characterised in that the inlet apertures are arranged around the periphery of the compartment.

Abstract: Content of interest to a user is identified. A first semantic abstract is generated for the content of interest using a state vector representation of the content of interest. The first semantic abstract is compared to a second semantic abstract representing another prospective content. If the first semantic abstract is within a threshold distance of the second semantic abstract, then the prospective content is recommended to the user.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a fixed lower part, an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part and a cartridge holder interposed between the lower part and the upper part and being rotatable relative to the lower part and the upper part, wherein the lower part comprises inlet piercing means and outlet piercing means for forming, respectively, an inlet and an outlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the cartridge holder, wherein rotation of the upper part towards the lower part causes the upper part to engage the cartridge holder and to move the cartridge holder into contact with the lower part and at the same time to cause, in use, the inlet piercing means and the outlet piercing means to pierce a cartridge received in the cartridge holder.

Abstract: A cartridge (containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge defining a storage chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients and a manifold chamber, the cartridge comprising an opening through which the one or more beverage ingredients can be filled into the storage chamber, the opening being closed by a lid having a first portion overlying the manifold chamber and a second portion overlying the storage chamber, wherein the first portion of the lid is pierceable in use to accommodate an inflow of an aqueous medium into the manifold chamber and the lid is pierceable in use to accommodate an outflow of beverage formed from interaction of the aqueous medium and the one or more beverage ingredients in the storage chamber.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a lower part and an upper part, the upper part and lower part being movable relative to one another from an open position in which a beverage cartridge can be received in the closure mechanism and a closed position in which the beverage cartridge is fixedly retained between the upper part and lower part, wherein in the closed position the closure mechanism contacts a top surface and a bottom surface of the beverage cartridge at or near a centre of the beverage cartridge to exert a compressive force of greater than 50N.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part, the upper part being moveable from an open position, in which the upper part is disengaged from the lower part, and a closed position, in which the upper part is engaged with the lower part, the closure mechanism further comprising a clamping lever operable to retain the upper part in the closed position, wherein the clamping lever comprises a first member being pivotably connected at a first pivot to the upper part and a second member having a first end pivotable about a second pivot, an end of the first member and a second end of the second member being pivotably connected together at a third pivot such that the clamping lever has first and second positions of stability, wherein on operation of the clamping lever to move the upper part from the open position to the closed position the clamping lever moves from the first to the second position of stability.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a fixed lower part, an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part and a cartridge holder interposed between the lower part and the upper part and being rotatable relative to the lower part and the upper part, wherein the lower part comprises inlet piercing means and outlet piercing means for forming, respectively, an inlet and an outlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the cartridge holder, wherein rotation of the upper part towards the lower part causes the upper part to engage the cartridge holder and to move the cartridge holder into contact with the lower part and at the same time to cause, in use, the inlet piercing means and the outlet piercing means to pierce a cartridge received in the cartridge holder.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, said cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet for a beverage produced from said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein said cartridge comprises an outer member, an inner member inserted in the outer member and means for producing a jet of the beverage, wherein said means for producing the jet of the beverage comprises an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet, characterised in that the aperture is delimited by an interface between the inner member and the outer member.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising a compartment containing the one or more beverage ingredients, the compartment comprising a plurality of inlet apertures for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the compartment and a plurality of outlet apertures for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein at least a proportion of the inlet apertures are out of alignment with the outlet apertures such that at least a proportion of the aqueous medium entering the compartment through the inlet apertures is forced to circulate within the compartment before exiting the compartment through the outlet apertures, characterised in that the inlet apertures are arranged around the periphery of the compartment.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the cartridge comprises an outer member and an inner member conjoined on assembly with the outer member, characterised by the inner member comprising a discharge spout defining the outlet of the cartridge.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which correspond to general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein: R and R' each independently represent an alkyl chain of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which may be branched, and which may be partially or fully fluorinated;n and n' each independently represent an integer of from 0 to 4, the R, respectively R' substituents may be the same or different when n, respectively n' is greater than 1;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl chain of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, which may be branched, and which may be partially or fully fluorinated, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent an alkylene chain of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by alkyl groups and which may be partially or fully fluorinated;and wherein the amino substituents are situated in ortho, meta or para position with regard to the oxy substituent;with the proviso that said compound does not correspond to bis-(2- and 3- and 4-aminophenoxy)methane.

Abstract: Compounds having the formulaH--A--(BA).sub.n --OHwhereinn is 1-20;A is ##STR1## B is ##STR2## R.sub.1 is alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is an alkylene having 1-6 carbon atoms, alkenylene having 2-6 carbon atoms, cyclo-alkylene or cycloalkenylene having 5-8 carbon atoms or phenylene having 6-10 carbon atoms;a is 1-6; andb is 2-6.These compounds are useful for making polyurethanes.

Abstract: Compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is the residue of a polyoxyalkylene diamine or triamine having an average equivalent weight of at least 500, after having deleted the two or three amine groups,n is two if X is a residue of a diamine and three if X is a residue of a triamine, andR is the residue of a cyclic anhydride of a polycarboxylic acid having at least four carboxyl groups, after having deleted one group ##STR2## prepolymers comprising such compounds and polyimide foams prepared from such compounds and prepolymers. The foams have good mechanical-, fire retardant- and smoke emission properties.