Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a heating element and a fail-safety device using the same. The steering wheel having a heating element has a rim, a surface of which is coated with an electrically conductive heating element. The heating element includes a plurality of unit heating elements arranged in parallel, each of which includes a first unit line, each of two ends of which connect a positive power-applying terminal and a negative power-applying terminal together in series; a second unit line spaced apart from the first unit line, each of two ends of which connects the positive power-applying terminal and the negative power-applying terminal together in series; and a connection line for connecting the first and second unit lines.

Abstract: There are disclosed cooking devices and methods for automatically emptying the drain/waste water of such devices with minimal spillage of the drain/waste water. More particularly, disclosed are structures for automatically emptying the drain/waste water of cooking devices that employ a moveable collection device with minimal spillage of the drain/waste water. The cooking devices of the present disclosure provide increased safety by: reducing the possibility of a slippery floor; reducing the potential of food/food area contamination; and reducing the possibility of water penetrating building construction or causing mold growth. Also disclosed are methods of suing such devices and methods of retrofitting cooking devices with such means for automatically emptying the drain/waste water.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving, moving and holding a cartridge. A cartridge holder may be movable between an open position in which the cartridge holder is in an upwardly inclined orientation to receive a cartridge and a closed position in which the cartridge holder is in a downwardly inclined orientation. A cover may be arranged to at least partially cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position, yet be positioned away from the opening with the cartridge holder in the open position.

Abstract: In some aspects, electrodes can include a front portion shaped to matingly engage a nozzle of the plasma cutting system, the front portion having a first end comprising a plasma arc emitter disposed therein; and a rear portion thermally connected to a second end of the front portion, the rear portion shaped to slidingly engage with a complementary swirl ring of the plasma cutting system and including: an annular mating feature extending radially from a proximal end of the rear portion of the electrode to define a first annular width to interface with the swirl ring, the annular mating feature comprising a sealing member configured to form a dynamic seal with the swirl ring to inhibit a flow of a gas from a forward side of the annular mating feature to a rearward side of the annular mating feature.

Abstract: In an arc welding method of performing welding by employing CO2 gas as shield gas, supplying a welding current to flow between a welding wire and a workpiece to be welded while feeding the welding wire toward the workpiece, and generating an arc with the welding current, the arc welding method includes a welding step of performing the welding of the workpiece while executing control to adjust the welding current, and a welding termination step of executing control to apply the welding current having a trapezoidal waveform when the welding of the workpiece is terminated.

Abstract: A machine for making variegated ice cream or ice cream shake, including: a basic structure; one or more basic product mixing and freezing units, where each mixing and freezing unit in turn includes a processing cylinder containing the basic product and cooled by a respective refrigerating system and a stirring member mounted inside the processing cylinder and rotating to mix the basic product to prevent it from hardening and sticking to the cooled inside wall of the processing cylinder and to transform the basic product into a basic flavor; a closing element for closing the cylinder and provided with at least one outlet duct leading to the processing cylinder at one end and to an outlet mouth at the other end.

Abstract: A system when coupled with a material inputting, material holding, and washing device is a fully automated robotized cooking system. Computer control what material is inputted in the Cooking Chambers, the correct time and degree of heat, required amount of rotation, placing the cooked item in the bowl, and washing the Cooking Chamber. The device have horizontal rotation, like a ferris wheel, that keep each Cooking Chambers horizontally until rotation is required. The Pivoter pivot the Cooking Chambers up or down at any position in the rotation. There can be up to 6 Cooking Chambers independently operating at the same time. This invention can cook up to six different food items at the same time twenty four hours a day.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater includes a lamp housing having an outer edge that forms a partial circle. The lamp housing has an opening extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the lamp housing. The opening further extends from the outer edge into a center region of the lamp housing. A plurality of lamps is distributed throughout the lamp housing, and is configured to emit light out of the top surface of the lamp housing.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) element includes: producing a polymer aqueous emulsion solution; producing a polymer aqueous emulsion conductive composite by mixing the polymer aqueous emulsion solution with a conductive agent; and producing the PTC element by coating a substrate with the polymer aqueous emulsion conductive composite, or print the polymer aqueous emulsion conductive composite on the substrate, or dipping the substrate in the polymer aqueous emulsion conductive composite and drying the substrate. Here, the polymer aqueous emulsion solution includes an adhesive polymer, a cross-linking agent, an initiator, and water. The substrate is film, non-woven, textile, inflexible plate, and the like, which are formed of polymer resin.

Abstract: To provide a fabric heater that can be stretchable in all direction and warms up quickly. The aforementioned problem is solved by means of a fabric heater (1) that comprises a piece of fabric (2) that is formed into one piece by twist-braiding the plurality of loop portions (5) with each other, the plurality of loops portions (5) being formed by conductive thread (4), and electrodes (30) that are comprised by electrode thread (31, 35) and by spacing from each other, and the conductive thread (4) has a core (10) formed by a fiber and a conductive layer (11) or a conductive foil (12) that covers the surface of the core (10) or; by means of fabric heater (1) which is formed by the conductive thread (4) comprises a bunch of lines (7) having at least one or more conductive lines (6a).

Abstract: A wire feeding mechanism includes feeding rollers and a cushioning mechanism. The feeding rollers feed a wire, which is drawn from a wire supply source, along a predetermined feed path. The cushioning mechanism is arranged between the wire supply source and the feeding rollers. The wire has an intermediate portion that extends from the wire supply source to the feeding rollers. The cushioning mechanism applies tension to the intermediate portion while the length of the intermediate portion is changing.

Abstract: A metallurgical melting vessel has a vertical shaft, surrounded by a housing wall, which receives steel scrap. At least one closure element, having laterally spaced-apart fingers extending parallel to one another, is mounted such that it can move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the fingers protrude at least partially into the shaft for the purpose of holding back steel scrap. In the open position, the fingers free the shaft at least to such an extent that the steel scrap can fall from the shaft into the melting vessel. The at least one closure element is mounted so as to be movable from the side of the shaft into the shaft and laterally thereoutof.

Abstract: A rugged, one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame includes an integral wind screen and is configured for application in elegant formal events. The one-piece, portable and collapsible construction allows caterers and tailgaters to easily transport the frame to the desired location. The integrated wind screen allows the unit to be efficiently used in outdoor locations, such as by tailgaters and caterers. The insulating features can improve food service and decrease fuel consumption for the users. The hiding of conventional chafing dish frame components allows the unit to be associated with elegant formal events, increasing the usefulness to caterers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater comprising a PTC heating resistor based on barium titanate. The PTC heating resistor is printed onto a substrate. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such a heater.

Abstract: A wine aerator comprises a spherical aerating member and an open-mouthed hemispherical receptacle which releasably receives the aerating member. The receptacle has an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outlet. Projections project from the inner surface of the receptacle and support the aerating member within the receptacle. Ribs extend along the outer surface of the receptacle and space the receptacle apart from a wine glass.

Abstract: A pair of upper and lower pressure rollers 3, 4 is disposed so that their axes 15, 16 are tilted in a horizontal plane in respective directions opposite to each other with respect to a straight line perpendicular to a welding line of a joint portion J. The pressure rollers 3, 4 are positively driven by corresponding electric motors 63, 64 to thereby roll the joint portion. Thus, steps defined at the joint portion can be smoothed and a step gradient can be reduced to ensure a high degree of joint strength. Thus, it is possible to prevent a step portion from being interfolded into the base material of the meal plates 5, 6.

Abstract: An apparatus for angular positioning of a mirror includes a motor that rotates a mirror, a detector that detects a rotational angle of the mirror, and a controller. The controller supplies current to the motor so that the rotational angle of the mirror reaches a target angle, estimates, based on a model representing a relation between a value of current to be supplied to the motor and an angle of inclination of the mirror, the angle of inclination of the mirror to which current is supplied, and if the estimated angle exceeds a predetermined tolerance, adjusts the supply of current to the motor so that the angle of inclination of the mirror falls within the predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method of operating a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a load receiving cavity, at least one microwave source, a plurality of feeding ports connected to the microwave source and the cavity for feeding microwaves to the cavity, a measuring unit and a control unit. The measuring unit measures, for at least one frequency or within a frequency range, the power of microwaves reflected back to the microwave source for at least part of the plurality of feeding ports. The control unit selects at least one of the feeding ports based on the measured powers of the reflected microwaves in order to feed microwaves to the cavity via the at least one selected feeding port during operation of the microwave heating apparatus at the at least one frequency or within the frequency range.