Abstract: An accessory for an oven includes a support base and a heating element hingedly coupled to the support base. The heating element is movable between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. A motor is positioned in the support base. A drive assembly is positioned in the support base and operably coupled to the motor. A rotary pan is operably coupled to the drive assembly and positioned on a top side of the support base. A food holder assembly can be operably coupled to the rotary pan.

Abstract: An automated microwave oven configured to autonomously determine a duration of time for heating an object based on a location of the object in a microwave cavity. The heating duration may be a function of cumulative energy estimated to be experienced by the object due to the object location, e.g., radial distance from center, under rotational motion of the rotating tray. A concentric energy visualization is provided on an interior surface of the microwave cavity, representing a function of cumulative energy experienced under rotational motion of a rotating tray about its center-line. The visualization may comprise a plurality of rings concentric about the center-line, each concentric ring representing a constant value of the function of cumulative energy, oscillating in value along the radial length of the rotating tray.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus may include a chassis. The chassis may include a chassis beverage cup base. A chassis beverage cup cavity defined within the chassis beverage cup base may be configured to receive a beverage cup of a plurality of beverage cups. The brewing apparatus may include an adaptor insert assembly dimensioned to fit within the chassis beverage cup cavity. An adaptor insert cavity defined within the adaptor insert may be configured to receive a second beverage cup of a plurality of beverage cups. The brewing apparatus may include a controller configured to acquire data about the beverage cup or the second beverage cup via the one or more sensors. The controller may be configured to at least one of select or adjust a catering profile of a plurality of catering profiles based on the acquired data.

Abstract: The document describes an assembly of a capsule (5) and brew chamber (3) for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber (3) has a first brew chamber part (7) including a cavity (10) for the capsule (5), and knives (11) for piercing the capsule (5). The aluminum capsule body (15) is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom (20), a side wall (21), a flange (22) and a lid (17) for closing the capsule (5). The flange (22) is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber parts (7, 8), to provide a seal (30) cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts (7, 8). The bottom (20) includes a slanted wall portion (35) under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule (5), and configured for cooperating with the knives (11) which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber (3). This enables centering of the capsule (5) relative to the central axis of the brew chamber (3) prior to piercing of the capsule.

Abstract: A coffee maker and coffee holder cooperate to tamp coffee in the coffee holder. The coffee holder may include a top tamping spring, a bottom tamping spring, or a top or bottom passage allowing entry of a tamper into the coffee holder. The coffee maker includes an actuator above or below the coffee holder, or a fixed tamper attached to a ceiling or platform of the coffee maker. The coffee holder may be inserted between the ceiling and platform, or into a moving drawer of the coffee maker. The actuator may be a solenoid actuator or a hydraulic actuator actuated by water pressure of heated water used for brewing.

Abstract: A method for cleaving an optical fiber may include generating a laser beam, such as a CO2 laser beam, for a discrete time period. The laser beam may impact an optical fiber and form a discrete crater extending into the optical fiber from the outer surface thereof. The method may further include pausing generation of the laser beam for a discrete time period, and rotating the optical fiber about a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The method may further include repeating generation of the laser beam. A plurality of discrete craters disposed in an annular array about a circumference of the optical fiber may be formed. The method may further include separating the optical fiber into a main optical fiber portion and a cleaved portion after formation of the annular array of discrete craters.

Abstract: A popcorn popper configured to cook popcorn includes a vessel and an electric heating element which heats the vessel. A vibration element vibrates the vessel and a controller controls the heating element and the vibration element. A temperature sensor is in communication with the controller such that the controller can receive temperature readings from the temperature sensor indicative of a temperature of the vessel. The controller activating the heating element to heat the vessel which contains the popcorn until the temperature sensor indicates that a first temperature has been reached. The controller, based on readings from the temperature sensor, maintains the vessel at a second temperature by controlling a power setting of the heating element and the controller activates the vibration element to vibrate the vessel which thereby vibrates the popcorn. The controller after maintaining the vessel at the second temperature, reduces the power of the heating element.

Abstract: An alcoholic beverage maturing device is provided including a container and an ultrasonic energy device. The container defines an interior volume for holding an alcoholic beverage and the ultrasonic energy device is configured for subjecting the alcohol beverage within the interior volume of the container to ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic energy device defines a range of exposure of ultrasonic energy to the interior volume of the container that is greater than 180 degrees in order to efficiently subject the alcoholic beverage contained therein to ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A cookware assembly including a cooking vessel with a vessel side wall and an elongated handle extending outwardly from the sidewall, a cover, an opening in at least one of the vessel side wall and the cover in an area above the elongated handle, and a utensil, where the handle of the utensil rests in relation to the elongated handle and the opening permits the utensil component to reside in the interior of the covered cooking vessel when the cover is on the cooking vessel. The cover can be placed on the cooking vessel in a plurality of positions, to allow the utensil to pass to the interior of the cooking vessel, to allow pouring from the cooking vessel with the cover on, and to seal the cover on the cooking vessel without the utensil. An auxiliary vessel can also be included as part of the cooking assembly.

Abstract: A steam dispensing apparatus for hot beverage preparation may include: a boiler configured to generate steam and comprising a first outlet; a wand configured to introduce the steam into a container; a steam supply conduit connected to the first outlet of the boiler and configured to supply the steam to the wand; and a valve for dispensing the steam to the wand and for draining condensation water formed in the steam supply conduit upstream from the valve, during a closing time of the valve elapsed from a previous dispensing operation, wherein the valve is interposed between the wand and the steam supply conduit. The valve may include a hollow body that includes: a steam inlet connection; a steam outlet connection; a condensation water drain connection; a cartridge configured to perform angular movements about a longitudinal axis; and a control knob, connected to the cartridge to impart the angular movements thereto.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a heating cavity with a heat source. A cavity connector is disposed within the heating cavity and a rack is slidably coupled with a sliding structure disposed within the heating cavity. A powered accessory has a connecting plug and is engageable with the rack. The connecting plug is configured to be in selective communication with the cavity connector. A first locating assembly is configured to locate and engage the powered accessory with the rack and is coupled to the powered accessory. A second locating assembly is disposed between the sliding structure and a pair of opposing sidewalk of the heating cavity.

Abstract: Brining apparatus includes a refrigerator, a sink, and a hollow housing to receive brining fluid and a turkey. The housing has an open mouth at the top. The apparatus also includes a cover which sealingly removably engages the mouth of the housing. The housing includes a valve to drain brining liquid from the housing. The housing and cover are shaped and dimensioned, when assembled, to fit in the refrigerator for cooling, and to fit in the sink to drain brining liquid from the housing.

Abstract: A food cooking appliance which utilizes both steam and heat for rapidly cooking food products is disclosed. The food products are disposed within a food cooking housing and a steam generator is provided within a steam generator housing so as to generate steam which is fluidically conducted into the food cooking housing. In this manner, the food products are cooked as a result of the steam being conducted into upper regions of cooking chambers defined within the food cooking housing while the heat generated from the heated grills or platens impart heat to the lower regions of the cooking chambers thereby cooking the food in an accelerated manner which is extremely desirable by commercial fast-food establishments. The steam generator housing is wholly separate and apart from the food cooking housing but fluidically connected to the food cooking housing by a fluid conduit which may rigid or flexible.

Abstract: A milk-frothing apparatus for preparing high quality micro-foamed milk for coffee drinks consistently and at high volume. A machine having one or more steaming stations includes an elevator at each station with an elevator-mounted steaming wand have a precise angle at the discharge end. The elevator-mounted steaming wand is configured to travel from an upward stowed status to a downward deployed status to insert the discharge end of the elevator-mounted steaming wand into milk inside a pitcher precisely located on the machine. A steam boiler is hydraulically coupled to the elevator-mounted steam wand via flexible tubing and an infrared sensor monitors the temperature of the pitcher during a downward deployed status. An LCD screen with operator controls and displays oriented to coincide spatially with the elevator indicate different operational settings selected by the user and related to machine operation.

Abstract: A processing system (10) and corresponding method (158) are provided for processing workpieces (WP), including food items, to cut and remove undesirable components from the food items and/or portion the food items while being conveyed on a conveyor system (12). An X-ray scanning station (14) is located on an upstream conveyor section (20) to ascertain size and/or shape parameters of the food items as well as the location of any undesirable components of the food items, such as bones, fat or cartilage. Thereafter the food items are transferred to a downstream conveyor (20) at which is located an optical scanner (102) to ascertain the size and/or shape parameters of the food items. The results of the X-ray and optical scanning are transmitted to a processor (18) to confirm that the food item scanned by the optical scanner is the same as that previously scanned by the X-ray scanner.

Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking cavity adapted to cook food therein; and a steam generator adapted to supply steam for cooking to the cooking cavity. The steam generator includes an L-shaped conduit for steamable fluid having one vertical arm and one horizontal arm, and a heating element located adjacent and external to the L-shaped conduit. The vertical arm is substantially vertical in an operative position of the steam generator.

Abstract: A material cleaning device and a cooking appliance. The material cleaning device comprises: a cleaning chamber, an air inlet, a material inlet, and a water inlet being provided on the cleaning chamber, the air inlet, the material inlet, and the water inlet being respectively used for transporting air flows, a material to be cleaned, and water for cleaning the material to the cleaning chamber; and a stirring assembly provided in the cleaning chamber and being capable of rotating in the cleaning chamber under the action of the air streams, so as to stir the material and the water in the cleaning chamber. The material cleaning device drives the stirring assembly to rotate by means of air streams, so as to make the stirring assembly stir the material and the water in the cleaning chamber, thereby implementing automatic cleaning. The material cleaning device features a simple structure, and is easy to use.

Abstract: A flameless heater system is described. The flameless heater system includes an energy source configured to generate energy and a heating system operatively coupled to the energy source, the heating system being configured to convert the energy to heat. The flameless heater system further includes a humidifying system operatively coupled to the energy source, the humidifying system being configured to convert the energy into moisture and a control system operatively coupled to the energy source, the heating system and the humidifying system, the control system being configured to monitor and control the energy source, the heating system and the humidifying system.

Abstract: A vaporizer body (1) having a vaporizing surface (3) for vaporizing metal in a PVD-metallization installation, wherein the vaporizing surface (3) comprises a plurality of recesses (5, 5?, 5?), with an opening of the respective recess having an area/perimeter-ratio of greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.