Abstract: On a coffee machine, a pressurized-hot-water sprinkler is positioned facing a dispenser cup for receiving a rigid sealed capsule closed, on the side facing the sprinkler, by a foil seal, which is pierced, in use, by a piercing device interposed between the sprinkler and the dispenser cup and having a number of needles, each of which is in the form of a pyramid with concave faces, so that each needle cuts the foil seal into portions defining a non-return blade valve, which closes, when the needle is extracted, to prevent pressurized water from escaping from the sealed capsule onto the sprinkler. (FIGS. 1, 7 and 9).

Abstract: Database system comprising a storage means for storing encoded and compressed multidimensional array data; a storage interface; an application programming interface; and processing means for effecting a storage and query processing, and for providing processed data to the storage interface or the application programming interface, said processing means comprising an encoder/decoder, a compressor/decompressor, a query processor, a query optimizer and a format converter. The provision of to be stored data to the storage interface through the processing means takes place in a storage format predetermined by an indicator assigned to the data. The provision of to be output data to the application programming interface through the processing means takes place in an output format predetermined by an indicator transmitted via the application programming interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an anchor assembly for installing a threaded mine-roof bolt under tension in a bore hole formed in underground passageways, mines, and the like. The anchor assembly includes a two compartment resin cartridge and a mechanical expansion unit. A support collar is threaded on the bolt to restrict axial movement of the mechanical expansion unit. The mechanical expansion unit includes a camming plug and an expansion shell. The expansion shell has a plurality of fingers extending upwardly from an annular collar. Spaces or slots are formed between adjacent fingers. Each of the plurality of fingers include a vertically extending rib for forming channels between the external surfaces of the fingers and the side walls of the bore hole to permit the free flow of resin. The side surfaces of the fingers adjacent the uppermost portion thereof are tapered so that substantially V-shaped notches are formed between adjacent fingers.