Abstract: A hot drinks machine is provided that is configured to perform a cleaning program and a descaling program, both of which require the use of a service function object. The hot drinks machine is formed with a holder for the service function object.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: an image heating roller in a nip; a nip forming member; a heating roller rubbing roller; a moving mechanism for moving the rubbing roller between a spaced position and a rubbing position; and a controller for executing operations in first and second modes. In the first mode, the heating roller is rotated with the rubbing roller in the spaced position and the heating roller in contact with the nip forming member with a target temperature of the heating roller higher than that of the nip forming member. In the second mode, the rubbing roller is contacted with the heating roller, rubbing the surface of the heating roller. The temperature difference in the first mode between the target temperature of the heating roller and that of the nip forming member is larger than the temperature difference when the toner image is heated by the nip.

Abstract: A fryer unit includes a vat and heat exchange system with multiple passes within the fryer vat. Additional heat exchange passes may be provided in ductwork along the exterior surface of the lateral vat sidewalls.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a rind from a food item, the apparatus comprising: a compartment defining an interior area adapted to contain a food item, the compartment having at least one opening and a blade assembly; a pushing apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the pushing apparatus is movable to engage the food item; actuator means for driving the pushing apparatus to contact at least a portion of said food item in the compartment.

Abstract: A device for preparing a liquid food or beverage having an outermost housing with faces that are arranged to shield at least part of a liquid food or beverage module. A face of the housing has a connection to an appliance. This face is arranged to support mechanically such an appliance. The connection is disconnectably connectable by a user to the appliance. The housing is so arranged that the appliance is removably mountable onto the housing face by a user.

Abstract: An apparatus, a loop burner element, and a method for surface-roasting a food product wherein the roasting apparatus comprises (a) a conveyor which carries the food product and (b) at least one non-linear ribbon flame burner element or element assembly which preferably applies a ribbon flame to at least the upper and side surfaces of the food product as it is conducted through the roasting apparatus.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using welding electrodes with a spherically-domed welding face having concentric contoured features formed into the face for better contact with workpiece surfaces. The concentric contoured features may be initially formed by rotating a cutting tool with a contoured cutting edge, the cutting edge being in engagement with the electrode face. A similar practice may be followed to re-create the weld face surface geometry if it becomes eroded or malformed during welding use. A suitable tool may have a blade-like geometry, with a mounting portion for supporting and positioning the tool in a rotating holder and a cutting edge. The cutting edge may have a contour complementary to that of the weld face and extend at least from the center of the weld face to at least the radial extent of the concentric contoured features.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may comprise an infant formula cartridge for preparing infant formula from premeasured quantities of dry or concentrated liquid components. Other embodiments may include a device for preparing infant formula from said cartridge including means for customizing the infant formula preparation to suit specific health issues.

Abstract: A coffee beverage system is described including a coffee bean packaging cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. The packaging cartridge includes a container holding coffee beans and transportation component for transporting the coffee beans towards an exit opening of the cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises a grinder for grinding the coffee beans from the cartridge and a brewing device for brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee obtained by means of the grinder. The system is further provided with a metering chamber for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the transportation component into the metering chamber. In use, the metering chamber will hold a predetermined amount of coffee beans. The metering chamber comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder, said bottom portion being arranged in the coffee apparatus for rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A heat generating element for an electrical heating device of a motor vehicle includes a positional frame which forms a receptacle in which a PTC element is accommodated, and two contact plates abutting on oppositely situated sides of the PTC element. A heat generating element has a sheet metal cover that is connected to the positional frame. Also provided are a frame, which has oppositely situated side openings for the passage of a medium to be heated, and a layer structure, which is arranged in the frame and which comprises layers of corrugated-rib and heat generating elements, such that the heat generating element has at least one PTC element arranged between two parallel contact plates. The electrical heating device is protected against EMC via sheet metal covers that are arranged on both sides of the heat generating element and between the corrugated-rib elements and the contact plates.

Abstract: A modified phase shift scheme that provides the minimum on-time and regulation benefits of the conventional phase shift method with the reduced circulating current benefits of the traditional PWM control. A welding machine comprises an inverter operatively connected to a controller, wherein the controller controls a welding process of the welding machine using modified phase shifted switching of the inverter.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a lid structure including a lid having a bottom side provided with an opening and concavely provided with an assembly space corresponding in position to the opening and having a first threaded connection portion protrudingly provided on an inner wall of the lid and extending toward the opening; a gasket fitted around the outer periphery of the first threaded connection portion and protrudingly provided with a pulling tab which extends toward the opening; and a filter having a second threaded connection portion provided on a top side thereof and threadedly engageable with the first threaded connection portion. Thus, when it is desired to clean the lid, the user only has to rotate the filter to easily detach the filter from the lid and pull the pulling tab to rapidly remove the gasket from the lid for cleaning, without using any tool.

Abstract: A single-use filtering capsule for producing an alimentary infusion includes a casing inside which is positioned a filtering sachet containing an aromatic essence. The sachet is perimetrally fixed to the casing to separate two base extremities of the casing. A first perforable closure element allows the access of water to the aromatic essence. The first closure element is attached in closure of a first base extremity of the casing to which the sachet directs the inner side, a second closure element of a second base extremity of the casing to which the sachet directs the outer side. The capsule also includes dissociable member between the second closure element and the second base extremity of the casing, and gripping member for the second closure element for its dissociation from the second base extremity of the casing before the positioning of the capsule in an infusion apparatus.

Abstract: Material treatment is effected in a treatment region by at least two energy sources, such as (i) an atmospheric pressure plasma and (ii) an ultraviolet laser directed into the plasma and optionally onto the material being treated. Precursor materials may be dispensed before, and finishing material may be dispensed after treatment. Electrodes for generating the plasma may comprise two spaced-apart rollers. Nip rollers adjacent the electrode rollers define a semi-airtight cavity, and may have a metallic outer layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating a sample includes a microchip; a microchannel flow channel in the microchip, the microchannel flow channel containing the sample; a microwave source that directs microwaves onto the sample for heating the sample; a wall section of the microchannel flow channel that receives the microwaves and enables the microwaves to pass through wall section of the microchannel flow channel, the wall section the microchannel flow channel being made of a material that is not appreciably heated by the microwaves; a carrier fluid within the microchannel flow channel for moving the sample in the microchannel flow channel, the carrier fluid being made of a material that is not appreciably heated by the microwaves; wherein the microwaves pass through wall section of the microchannel flow channel and heat the sample.

Abstract: For producing an aerated confectionery mass, a raw confectionery mass is fed at a feed rate from a supply to an aeration unit for introducing gas into the confectionery mass and wherein the aerated confectionery mass is fed to a production line for the production of confectionery or tablets. The feed rate of the raw confectionery mass is controlled such that it corresponds to the demand of the production line, the amount of introduced gas is controlled in response to the feed rate of the confectionery mass so that the aeration level of the confectionery mass remains substantially constant and the temperature of the aeration mass within the aeration unit is controlled such that it remains substantially constant and independent from the feed rate.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a co-filled product. A center layer is fed through a center channel of a die face and an outer layer is fed through an outer layer of a die face. The center channel is coupled to a fluid control device which controls the flow of the center layer. The position of the fluid control device is determined by the location of a cutting blade located downstream from the die face. In one embodiment the fluid control device is synchronized to ensure that when the product is cut by the cutting blade the cutting blade does not cut through the center layer.

Abstract: An interactive programmable beverage brewing apparatus providing audible setup and control instructions for ease of use is presented. The beverage brewing apparatus includes the ability to audibly instruct a user in the steps for setup of the beverage flavor characteristics when a beverage is to be brewed, and provide audible instructions in the use of the machine during normal brewing operations. The beverage brewing apparatus also provides a visual display to present phrases and icons to assist the user in performing setup and brew operations in conjunction with the audible instructions. Visual phrases and icons presented to a user also provide instruction in how to setup and control timers and how to turn on and off one or more warming plates to keep a beverage hot during and after brewing.

Abstract: A laser irradiation device includes a laser generator for patterning and a laser generator for preheating. A laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) method, includes preparing an acceptor substrate, laminating a donor substrate on the acceptor substrate, and irradiating a laser beam onto a predetermined region of the donor substrate and carrying out transfer using a laser irradiation device having a laser generator for patterning and a laser generator for preheating. Advantageously, a laser beam having high intensity generated by the laser generator for patterning is used to prevent the transfer layer from being degraded, and a laser beam generated by the laser generator for preheating is simultaneously used for preheating so that an edge open failure does not occur and the transfer can be readily carried out even in a portion having a step of the acceptor substrate.

Abstract: Superalloy components are joined by mating a recess formed in one component with a corresponding projection formed in another component along a contact surface. The components are compressed along the contact surface and resistance heat welded to each other. Current is passed between the components at a selected flow rate and application time until localized melting occurs along the contact surface, and they are mutually affixed to each other. When repairing a damaged surface portion of a superalloy material component, the damaged portion is removed to form an excavated recess. A repair splice is formed, preferably of a same material with similar mechanical structural properties, having a mating projection with profile conforming to the corresponding recess profile. The splice and substrate are resistance heat welded under compression pressure until localized melting occurs along the contact surface, so that they are mutually affixed.