Abstract: The present invention provides an ice shaver with a multi-link, self-locking, force-reduction, motion control arm or armature to press an ice block against a blade. The armature has a lever with a forward handle, an intermediate connection to the column, and a rear connection to the frame of the ice shaver. A link is coupled between the rear connection of the lever and the frame of the ice shaver to form a four-bar linkage. The armature has a raised locked configuration in which the lever and the link are oriented substantially co-linear to maintain the column in a raised position. In another aspect, joints between the lever and the column can comprise dampers.

Abstract: A computer system including a processor executing processor-executable code stored in a non-transitory processor-readable medium, causing the processor to receive a signal via an input port, including data indicative of an amount of a combustion product produced by a sample of drill cuttings subjected to oxidation at a constant temperature (1000° C. or 650° C. 100° C.) as a function of time and process the data according to a predetermined logic to: locate a peak in the amount of the combustion product produced at a set of instants in time; correlate the set of instants in time with the presence in the sample of an organic carbon from a contaminant or light volatile carbon molecules, organic carbon, and inorganic carbon; calculate at least one of an amount of contaminant, a total amount of organic carbon, and a total amount of inorganic carbon; and output a signal indicative of the calculated amount.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for comminuting a polycrystalline silicon rod, which apparatus includes a base, at least one movable comminuting tool and optionally at least one immovable anvil. A silicon rod to be comminuted lies on a longitudinal axis oriented parallel or virtually parallel to the surface of the base and can be adjusted between the comminuting tool and anvil. Also disclosed is a method for comminuting a polycrystalline silicon rod.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a working unit or a device that includes a working unit of this type for processing foodstuffs. The working unit can be driven and made to rotate by means of a drive unit of said device. The working unit preferably has at least two working elements that are situated on a working axis and that act in the peripheral direction of said working axis. At least one of the working elements can be pivoted about the working axis in relation to at least one additional working element within a restricted pivoting angle. The pivoting mobility of the blades, which are preferably interspaced and positioned axially one above the other, permits said blades to be brought into a common radial resting position in order to fill the container with the product to be cut, in such a way that practically the entire container volume is exposed and can be filled.

Abstract: A grinding system includes a mortar container having an open top portion and a bottom portion having a first interior grinding surface and a wall portion interconnecting the top and bottom portions for defining a hollow interior collection chamber, a modular pestle assembly including a universal pestle shaft having at its proximate end an actuator portion extending above the top portion and at its distal end a mounting portion for receiving one of a set of pairs of matching tips and pestle collars, the pestle tip having a second grinding surface for engaging the first grinding surface, and a closure device sealingly engageable with the pestle assembly and the open top portion for sealing the container and the collection chamber between the grinding surfaces and the top portion of the mortar container.

Abstract: The traditional mortar-and-pestle consists of a bowl-shaped container and a rod-shaped pestle. During use, a user holds the pestle in his/her hand and uses it to pound and grind the raw ingredients such as fresh herbs and whole spices to reduce them into fine particles. This invention proposes a new design with a stubby mushroom-shaped pestle having a dome-shaped bottom profile which correlates closely (i.e. closely fitting in form or outline with each other) with the profile of a dome-shaped inside bottom of the mortar. This novel design allows a user to simply press down on the “mushroom head” of the pestle and twirl the pestle inside the mortar for it to sufficiently break down the raw ingredients into fine particles without hard pounding, or the associated noise and splashing.

Abstract: A device for mixing and homogenizing materials, especially infectious or chemically aggressive materials, which can be inserted into a laboratory test container. A disposable lid is provided to hermetically seal said laboratory test container. A stirring element is provided in the disposable lid for processing the material that is introduced into the laboratory test container. Said stirring element is fitted with a cutting element that rotates about the longitudinal axis of the laboratory test container, said cutting element processing the material together with additional cutting edges. Complete homogenization of tissue fragments can be securely achieved by hermetically closing the laboratory test container.

Abstract: The invention is a food processor with a blade that moves up and down while rotating, for improved comminuting action. An additional, more general field of this invention is in the area of transmission mechanisms, specifically a mechanism that adds up-and-down motion to rotational motion. The mechanism includes a lifting element which is coupled to the drive shaft and which is also free to move up and down along the shaft. The blade is attached to the lifting element. A cylinder is fixed to the main body of the processor. A thread forms a continuous loop inside the cylinder, beginning at the bottom of the cylinder, extending in a spiral fashion to the top of the cylinder, and returning in a reverse spiral fashion to the bottom of the cylinder. The lifting element fits inside the cylinder, and has a post and a member located thereon. The post and member on the lifting element fit into the thread on the cylinder.