Abstract: An apparatus for preparing coffee extract is equipped with a water feeding structure (1, 12), with an extracting receptacle (4) for receiving ground coffee (5), the receptacle (4) having an outlet (6) for dispensing coffee extract, with a water conduit (3) for conducting water from the water feeding structure (1, 2) towards the extracting receptacle (4), and with a flow heater (7) for heating water and generating steam in the water conduit (3). Gurgling of the apparatus is prevented or reduced in that a buffer storage (8, 11) is provided in or in communication with a portion of the water conduit (3) between the water feeding structure (1, 2) and the flow heater (7) for accommodating a volume of water which is variable in response to pressure fluctuations in the portion (9) of the conduit (3) between the water feeding structure (1, 2) and the flow heater (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for deep-frying food, including a window (22) of a transparent material which takes up at least a portion of a cover (5; 105; 205) and which extends at least partially at an angle or vertically. A vapor discharge channel (6) communicates with the inner space (3) of the pan. A cooling surface (7) is provided for cooling vapor, which cooling surface communicates with the inner space (3) via the vapor discharge channel (6). A storage reservoir (13) is used for storing condensate that has precipitated on the cooling surface (7), and a collecting gutter (21; 121; 221) serves for collecting condensate that has precipitated on the window (22). The collecting gutter (21; 121; 221) extends along a bottom end of the window (22) and includes a drain (30; 130), via which drain the collecting gutter (21; 121; 221) communicates also with the vapor discharge channel (6) for draining condensate to the vapor discharge channel (6).

Abstract: An apparatus for deep-frying food, including a window (22) of a transparent material which takes up at least a portion of a cover (5; 105; 205) and which extends at least partially at an angle or vertically. A vapor discharge channel (6) communicates with the inner space (3) of the pan. A cooling surface (7) is provided for cooling vapor, which cooling surface communicates with the inner space (3) via the vapor discharge channel (6). A storage reservoir (13) is used for storing condensate that has precipitated on the cooling surface (7), and a collecting gutter (21; 121; 221) serves for collecting condensate that has precipitated on the window (22). The collecting gutter (21; 121; 221) extends along a bottom end of the window (22) and includes a drain (30; 130), via which drain the collecting gutter (21; 121; 221) communicates also with the vapor discharge channel (6) for draining condensate to the vapor discharge channel (6).

Abstract: An apparatus for deep-frying food, comprising a vapour discharge channel (6) communicating with an inner space (3) and extending from an upper portion of said inner space. A cooling surface (7), which is cooled in use, is provided for cooling vapours. Condensate that has deposited precipitated on the cooling surface (7) can be collected in a collecting reservoir (13), into which the vapour discharge channel (6) opens. Fat contained in vapour being discharged deposits in a fat deposition area (14) outside the cooling surface (7). Since at least a portion of the fat deposition area (14) communicates with the collecting reservoir (13) for carrying fat that has deposited in the fat deposition area to the collecting reservoir along a path remote from the cooling surface (7), and/or since the vapour discharge channel (6) extends along a straight trajectory, the deposition of fat is made to occur in an area from which it can easily be removed.

Abstract: A steam iron comprises control device(s) for adjusting temperature and steam generation. The soleplate is heated with a heating element controlled by a control circuit which compares the desired temperature with the temperature of the soleplate measured with a temperature sensor. Steam is generated by transporting water from a water tank to a steam chamber which is thermally coupled to the soleplate. The control circuit adapts the power of the heating element upon activation of the steam generator in anticipation of the expected cooling down of the soleplate as a result of the transport of the water to be evaporated to the steam chamber.

Abstract: The recharging time for reheating the soleplate of an iron can considerably be reduced by accumulating energy from an energy supply, e.g. the mains, in a stand for the iron and by transferring this energy to the iron when the iron is attached to the stand. The iron is reheated very quickly, e.g. by exchanging cooled down liquid from the iron with hot liquid accumulated in the stand every time the iron is put back in the stand.

Abstract: Steam iron having an electrically heated soleplate (2), a steam generator (6) comprising a water tank (8), a water pump (10) and a steam chamber (12) for supplying steam via steam vents (20) in the soleplate (2). The steam production is made dependent on the temperature of the fabric a fabric temperature sensor (24) embedded in the soleplate (2). A cool fabric triggers the production of steam. The production is stopped as soon as the fabric temperature reaches the condensing temperature of steam. Since no more steam is absorbed in the fabric when the condensing temperature is reached, any more steam production is waste of water and power. In this way any further steam production is prevented and waste of water and power is avoided. After steaming has stopped the fabric temperature sensor (24) can be advantageously used to control the drying power of the soleplate (2) to avoid scorching of the fabric and to avoid waste of power.

Abstract: A flat-iron (10) is provided which comprises a thermal detector (13) mounted at the soleplate (11) of the iron by a fixing device (14) having a structure which minimizes heat transfer between the detector and the soleplate of the iron. The fixing device (14) has a low heat capacity and provides the thermal insulation of the detector (13), which is pressed smoothly onto the fabric to measure its surface temperature. The fixing device includes low-effusivity materials (110).The thermal detector (13) is used for controlling the operation of the iron (soleplate temperature, steam discharge).

Abstract: Electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp having a discharge vessel which is sealed in a gastight manner and is filled with an ionisable metal vapor and a rare gas, which lamp has a cylindrical core of a magnetic material in which during lamp operation an electromagnetic field is generated in the discharge vessel by a metal wire winding surrounding the core and a high-frequency electric power supply unit connected thereto, the magnetic material core being provided with a cooling body consisting of a heat pipe which is located at the area of the longitudinal axis of the core and is surrounded by the core at least as far as the proximity of its first end, while the second end of the heat pipe is maintained at a relatively low temperature.

Abstract: The low-pressure sodium discharge lamp according to the invention has a U-shaped discharge tube (1) with seals (4, 5), through which current-supply conductors (6, 7) extend to electrodes (8, 9). A supporting member (14) fixes the discharge tube (1) in an outer bulb (10). Upright collars (18, 19) at the supporting member (14), which surround the seals (4, 5) throughout their lengths, prevent the discharge tube from becoming leaky at high-frequency operation and the lamp from reaching the end of its life prematurely.