Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making metallic and/or non-metallic products 2, in particular dental products, by freeform sintering and/or melting, in which the products 2 are fabricated layer by layer from a material 5 that is applied layer by layer by means of a computer-controlled high-energy beam 7, in particular a laser or electron beam. In order to reduce production times, beam 7 irradiates predetermined positions P1 to P6 of a layer of a material 5 a plurality of time, namely m times, where m is a whole integer greater than 1. Each of said positions P1 to P6 is initially heated during the first irradiation to a temperature below the melting point Tmelt of the material 5, and during the mth irradiation to a temperature above said melting point and is completely melted over the entire thickness of the layer in such a way that the material (5) fuses at said position to the layer thereunder. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing said method.

Abstract: A device for treating a surface, in particular a textile surface or a leather surface, such as, for instance, the upper surface of leather shoes, with a liquid substance, comprises a holder with a reservoir for this substance and with a sponge-like body via which the substance absorbed from the reservoir can be spread on the surface. Between the reservoir and the sponge-like body there is at least one receiving chamber having an inflow opening communicating with the reservoir. This inflow opening is closed in the condition of rest and can be opened at a movement of the sponge-like body with respect to a plane with which this body is contacted. From the receiving chamber the substance is absorbed by the sponge-like body with delay.

Abstract: The invention relates to an abrasive product intended to be driven in a particular grinding direction over the object to be abraded. The abrasive product is composed of parallel threads placed at a distance from one another and running in the grinding direction and transverse abrasive threads provided with an abrasive coating placed at a distance from one another and fastened to the parallel threads. The open structure allows to easily remove the grindings from the abrasive product during abrasion, thus extending the working life of the abrasive product.

Abstract: A substrate comprises at least one semiconductor layer applied to a substrate material, whereby the semiconductor layer comprises an inert matrix material, in which an inorganic semiconductor material is embedded in particle form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a first electrode that is provided with a holding area for holding probe molecules which can bind macro-molecular biopolymers. The first electrode and/or a second electrode is/are divided into a plurality of electrode segments that are electrically insulated from one another. The randomly selected electrode segments, independently from one another, can be electrically coupled in such a way that an effective electrode surface can be adjusted in the size thereof according to the selected electrode segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceiling structure comprising a number of sheets that span between parallel beams mounted underneath a fixed ceiling, wherein the sheets can, by elastic deformation, be taken from an initial configuration to a desired curved configuration, in which the sheets form the visible ceiling face. The ceiling structure comprising force-transmitting means that provide, in combination with the abutment force of the sheets against the abutment areas, the flexular moment necessary for maintaining the desired curved configuration of the sheets.

Abstract: A device for introducing active substances, such as aromatic substances, insecticides and the like, into ambient air, comprises a holder for a carrier with a wick impressed thereon, which carrier can be placed in the holder and is replaceable. A mechanism to be operated by hand is provided for operating an ignition element, which can be placed in the holder and is replaceable, as for instance a gas lighter, to enable a wick to be ignited when a carrier with this wick has been placed in the holder.

Abstract: A micromechanical sensor element for recording the bonding of molecules to the micromechanical sensor element. The sensor element having a substrate and at least one electrical terminal. There is also an oscillatable element that is coupled to the electrical terminal in such a manner that an electrical variable that characterizes the oscillation behavior of the oscillatable element may be provided at the electrical terminal. Further, there is a molecule coupling layer, arranged in such a manner that molecules may bond to the molecule coupling layer. The molecule coupling layer is coupled to the oscillatable element in such a manner that bonding of molecules to the molecule coupling layer causes a change in the oscillation behavior of the oscillation element.

Abstract: Communication unit comprising a house in which at least one transducer is placed, and on which a microphone arm is suspended. The housing also has an ear hook for fastening the communication unit to the head of a user. The microphone arm is pivotally connected to the housing by a hinge link at an outer area of the housing, and so that the microphone arm can be moved between a position in which it lies up against the housing, and a position in which it extends away from the housing. The microphone arm has a length, which in the main is less than or of the same order as the greatest extent of the housing, so that in the folded-in state the microphone arm does not project out over the circumference of the housing. The communication unit can be used on both the right and the left side of the head, in that the ear hook can be suspended in two different positions.

Abstract: The assembly for use in a coffee machine comprises a container having a bowl-shaped inner space bounded by a bottom having at least one outlet opening and at least one vertical sidewall. The assembly further comprises a pill-shaped pouch manufactured from filtering paper and filled with ground coffee, accommodated in the inner space of the container. The pouch extends over the bottom to a position adjacent the vertical sidewall. In the bottom, a number of channel-shaped grooves are provided, extending in radial direction of the container to the outlet opening. The grooves extend from a position located at a distance from the sidewall in the direction of the outlet opening. This prevents bypass.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting a biological fluid from an organism and continuously monitoring its characteristics. The system includes a tissue interface device suitable for positioning on or about the surface of the biological membrane of the organism and a monitor and control unit coupled to the tissue interface device. The tissue interface device includes a sensor positioned in a flow path of the fluid for continuously sensing a characteristic of the biological fluid as it flows out from the one or more artificial openings formed in the biological membrane. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof. The monitor and control unit electrically or optically reads the sensor to obtain a measurement of a characteristic, such as concentration of a particular analyte, of the biological fluid on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A method for making metallic or non-metallic products by freeform laser sintering, in which the products are fabricated from powdery material on a substrate plate in vertically additive, layer-by-layer fashion by means of a computer-controlled laser beam, characterized in that at least one support is fabricated between the substrate plate and the outer surface of the product, said support being connected via a predetermined breaking area with the outer surface of the product, wherein the predetermined breaking area is formed by reducing the strength of the support along the outer contour of the product.