Abstract: A fluid-heating device for heating fluid with a heater includes: a heating portion that is molded so as to cover the surrounding of the heater; and a support body integrally cast into the heating portion, the heating portion being molded in a state in which the heater is supported by the support body in a die for molding the heating portion.

Abstract: A shutoff valve system for dispensing beverage from an open source syrup tank is presented. The shutoff valve system includes a syrup inlet receiving syrup from the open source syrup tank and a syrup outlet dispensing the syrup to a pump. The shutoff valve also includes a water inlet receiving water, and a water outlet dispensing the water to a dispensing point. Two distinct inlets and outlets for syrup and water prevent the syrup and water being mixed in the shutoff valve. The shutoff valve system further includes an actuator rod that is configured to block the water outlet in response to a pressure change at the syrup inlet, where the pressure change is caused by air flow from the syrup inlet.

Abstract: A coffee dose adjustment tool has interchangeable or adjustable blades for adjustment of the coffee fill height within a portafilter dosing tool.

Abstract: A heating apparatus and method of heating. The embodiments of the invention relate to coffee machine heating apparatuses for providing heated brew water for passing through coffee grounds. The apparatus and method involves using low pressure steam (i.e. less than 1 bar absolute) at a saturation temperature that is substantially equal to the desired brew water temperature. Advantageously, improved temperature control of the brew water is achieved in a manner which is more convenient to an end user. The operating temperatures are more stable (the need for a “cooling flush” is removed) and the operating temperatures is reached in a quicker manner than with conventional machines.

Abstract: Provided is a laser crystallizing apparatus including a laser generator generating a laser beam and an optical system photo-converting the laser beam to make a converted laser beam. A beam transmitting unit includes a passage through which the converted laser beam is transmitted into the chamber. The beam transmitting unit includes a chamber window provided on the chamber to transmit the laser beam, and a shield window movably disposed below the chamber window to prevent a material generated in the chamber from reaching the chamber window.

Abstract: Disposable foaming device (100) for foaming a fluid (1) comprising a container compartment (20) and a foaming compartment (10), the container compartment (20) being pressurized by primary incoming air (14?) so that the fluid (1) is driven into the foaming compartment (20), wherein the foaming compartment (20) is provided with secondary incoming air (15?) to be mixed with the fluid (1) coming from the container compartment (20), the foaming compartment (10) being designed in such a way that the mixture of air and fluid (1) is moved under certain level of shear stress calculated so that it allows the mixture of air and fluid (1) to be emulsified in the foaming compartment (10).

Abstract: A cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a case in which a cooking chamber is formed; a door for opening or closing the front opening of the case; a steam generating device mounted to the outer surface of the case; and a steam supply tube for connecting the steam generating device to the cooking chamber, wherein the steam generating device includes: a housing fixed to the case; a drawer which can be pushed into and pulled out of the housing and is filled with water for steam generation; and an induction unit installed at the bottom of the housing so as to heat water filled in the drawer by using electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, two electrodes proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrodes, and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the output of the RF signal source and the electrodes. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured to detect reflected signal power along the transmission path. A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, a value of a variable passive component of the impedance matching network to reduce the reflected signal power. The impedance matching network may be a single-ended network or a double-ended network.

Abstract: A system for removing metal foil shield from electrical wires and/or cables, using ablation process, shear stress generation and video camera feedback.

Abstract: A method of laser processing of a metallic material is described by means of a focused laser beam having a predetermined transverse power distribution on at least one working plane of the material, comprising the steps of: providing a laser beam emitting source; leading the laser beam along a beam transport optical path to a working head arranged in proximity to the material; collimating the laser beam along an optical axis of propagation incident on the material; focusing the collimated laser beam in an area of a working plane of the material; and conducting the focused laser beam along a working path on the metallic material comprising a succession of working areas, wherein the laser beam is shaped: by reflecting the collimated beam by means of a deformable controlled surface reflecting element having a plurality of independently movable reflection areas, and by controlling the arrangement of the reflection areas to establish a predetermined transverse power distribution of the beam on at least one worki

Abstract: A food heating device includes a plurality of chambers capable of receiving respective food items. The device further includes a steam generator and a plurality of valves for controlling admittance of steam from said steam generator into said chambers. The device is arranged to operate in at least one mode in which during a first period a first one of said valves is open and at least one of said valves remains closed and wherein said steam generator is operated to produce steam for a time less than said first period.

Abstract: A plastic window includes a plastic window body, a conductive portion, a first bus bar, and a second bus bar. The window body is formed in a plate shape and has a first surface and a second surface on both sides thereof. The conductive portion and the first bus bar are made of a conductive material and disposed on the second surface of the window body. The first bus bar is electrically connected to the conductive portion. The second bus bar is made of a conductive metal strip and disposed to be electrically connected to the first bus bar. The second bus bar has a main body, first fixing portions, and second fixing portions. The first fixing portions fix the main body to the second surface. The second fixing portions extend from the main body along the second surface and are attached to the first bus bar.

Abstract: A planar carrier for mounting on a rim of a steering wheel without wrinkles, the planar carrier including a portion of planar flexible foil of roughly rectangular shape having two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides, wherein the length B of the lateral sides is 0.96 to 1.00 times the perimeter of the rim, and wherein N cut-outs per unit length are provided on each of the longitudinal sides. The cut-outs of one side are located in a staggered fashion relative to opposing cut-out portions on the opposite side. The optimum shape and size of the cut-outs may be determined as described. The planar carrier may be implemented as a heat carrier, a heating device and/or a sensing device.

Abstract: A coffee machine includes a brewing unit, a grinding mechanism to process coffee beans into coffee grounds that are used by the brewing unit to brew coffee, and a container for coffee beans. The container has a bottom surface with an outlet opening that leads to the grinding mechanism. The bottom surface is inclined toward the outlet opening and includes ridges extending in a direction of the outlet opening.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus 10 includes a continuous-wave laser oscillator 12 for generating a continuous-wave laser beam, a condenser lens 18 for concentrating a continuous-wave laser beam onto a workpiece, and a delay time setting means for calculating an energy value for each processing by a continuous-wave laser beam irradiation on the basis of processing data and accumulating the calculated energy value, and setting a predetermined delay time between the processings when the accumulated energy value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sliding surface on a machine element, in particular a cam follower, wherein the machine element is first provided with a coating on at least part of the surface of the machine element, into which coating a surface structure is then introduced by laser structuring. In order to be able to introduce a surface structure that does not penetrate the coating even in the case of low layer thicknesses (s1) of the coating, the introduction of the surface structure is performed by laser interference structuring.

Abstract: In a laser processing method, laser lights of fiber lasers or direct diode lasers is irradiated onto an iron-based plate material from a nozzle, a nozzle with a nozzle opening whose opening diameter is preliminarily set according to a thickness of the plate material is selected from plural nozzles whose nozzle openings have different opening diameters from each other, and the plate material is cut while irradiating the laser lights onto the plate material and injecting assist gas from the nozzle opening toward the plate material.

Abstract: A welding electrode apparatus has a base member and a locking ring for clamping a consumable electrode tip to the electrode base. The base and the tip are predominantly made of copper, or a copper alloy. The base member has a first end that is threaded to fit a welding head that supplies electric current; and an electrically conductive second end to which the electrode tip is mounted. The second portion has an externally facing, axially extending cylindrical wall. A circumferential groove is formed in the wall. The locking ring has a quick-disconnect feature in the form of an array of spring-loaded stainless steel ball bearing detents that deflect to ride upon the cylindrical wall, and spring inwardly to seat in the circumferential groove.

Abstract: A three-dimensional deposition device and a three-dimensional deposition method used to highly accurately manufacture a three-dimensional object are provided. A three-dimensional deposition device for forming a three-dimensional shape by depositing a formed layer on a base unit includes: a powder supply unit which supplies a powder material; a light irradiation unit which irradiates the powder material with a light beam so that at least a part of the powder material irradiated with the light beam is sintered or melted and solidified to form the formed layer; a heating unit which selectively heats an area having passed through a position irradiated with the light beam in the base unit or the formed layer or an area not having passed through the position irradiated with the light beam; and a control device which controls operations of the powder supply unit, the light irradiation unit, and the heating unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a load with microwave energy is provided. The microwave energy is applied by the apparatus at frequencies wherein the load's dielectric constant is within a predetermined range. The apparatus may include a microwave power source configured to supply microwave energy at the applied frequencies; and a radiating plate. The radiating plate may include an electrically conductive structure that includes a plurality of radiating elements; and a feeding port, connecting the electrically conductive structure to the microwave power source. The radiating plate is configured so that most of the power fed from the microwave source through the feeding port returns towards the power source when no load is contacting the radiating plate, and most of the power fed from the microwave source through the feeding port is absorbed by the load to be heated by the apparatus when the load is contacting the radiating plate, even in absence of a microwave cavity that encloses the radiating plate and the load.