Abstract: A Technical Data Management framework (TDM framework) including various components for managing the storage and retrieval of technical data, such as measurement data. One or more of these components may be usable by client application programs, simplifying the task of managing technical data that is stored and used by multiple applications. The TDM framework described herein may simplify technical data management tasks by utilizing data models and providing a common data retrieval and storage interface for applications to use to manage technical data.

Abstract: The invention is related to a one- or two-dimensional arrangement of flow cells, as part of an array of sample compartments, with at least one in- and outlet for each sample compartment, formed by a base plate and a body, with an arrangement of spatial recesses corresponding to the (geometrical) arrangement of the sample compartments, combined with said base plate. The arrangement allows for supplying to or removing from the sample compartments, which can be arranged at a high quantity on a small base area, even very small amounts of samples or reagents.

Abstract: For a traveling-wave valve arrangement with a traveling-wave valve and a linearizing circuit arrangement, it is proposed to design the linearizing circuit arrangement and the traveling-wave valve as one constructional unit and, for the thermal protection of the linearizing circuit arrangement in the simultaneous presence of a high permissible temperature of the valve housing, to maintain the circuit arrangement by means of an active cooling element at a nondamaging temperature lower than the one of the wall of the valve or of a common wall. The cooling element is preferably a Peltier element.

Abstract: The invention is related to a variable embodiment of a sensor platform based on a planar thin-film waveguide for the determination of one or more luminescences from one or more measurement areas on said sensor platform, comprising an optical film waveguide of different layers (“stratified waveguide”) with a first optically transparent layer (a) on a second optically transparent layer (b) of lower refractive index than layer (a) and at least one grating structure for the incoupling of excitation light to the measurement areas or outcoupling of luminescence light from the measurement areas. The invention is also related to an optical system for luminescence determination and to an analytical system, comprising a sensor platform according to the invention, an optical system according to the invention, and supply means for contacting one or more samples with the measurement areas on the sensor platform.

Abstract: In a heat treatment method for producing boundary layer-hardened long products and flat products of unalloyed or low-alloy steel, the workpiece is cooled for producing a martensitic grain within a boundary layer of the workpiece by repeating several sequential cooling process steps. Each sequential cooling process step has a cooling phase, in which the workpiece is cooled to a temperature below a martensite starting temperature for martensitic conversion of only a portion of the boundary layer of the workpiece, and a temporal stress-relief phase for relieving stress within already formed martensitic grain areas and already formed martensite/austenite boundary areas. Subsequently, the workpiece is cooled at a cooling rate below a lower critical cooling rate for cooling the workpiece core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hair removing apparatus as, for example, a dry shaving apparatus (TR), a hair clipping machine, an epilation appliance, with a housing (1) and a liquid conveying arrangement comprising a liquid container (5), a drivable pumping device (13) with a pump inlet (E) and a pump outlet (PA), and a liquid dispensing device (4) for wetting a human skin and/or hairs with liquid, wherein the liquid dispensing device (4) is adapted to be coupled to the pump inlet (E) by way of a first liquid conduit (31) and to the liquid container (5) by way of at least one second liquid conduit (32).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a liquid container (5) for a hair removing apparatus as, for example, a dry shaving apparatus (TR), a hair clipping machine, an epilation appliance, with at least one chamber (40, 41) for receiving a liquid as, for example, a shaving aid, and delivering said liquid to a liquid dispensing device (4) of the hair removing apparatus, wherein the liquid container (5) is equipped with a pumping device (13) drawing in air and/or a liquid and conveying it to the liquid container (5), and provision is made in the liquid container (5) for a storage material (44) for holding the liquid to be dispensed.

Abstract: A mascara applicator includes a brush attached to a wand which is preformed with a predetermined bend angle which presents the brush in an offset orientation that makes it easier and more convenient to apply mascara to eyelashes. In a first embodiment, the wand is a narrow gauge wire or tube of a shape memory alloy which is characterized by pseudo-elasticity, and the wire or tube is deformed by a predetermined longitudinal bend angle in its relaxed memory recovery state. In an alternative embodiment, the wand includes link segments of a narrow gauge rod or tube of relatively stiff plastic material. At least two of the segments are joined together by a living hinge section which permits the wand to flex preferentially at the living hinge in response to a bending force. The living hinge is also characterized by flex memory recovery in which it automatically assumes a predetermined bend angle in the absence of a bending force.

Abstract: A method of preadjusting cold deforming plants, such as cold rolling trains, skin pass stands, stretcher-and-roller levelers, straightening machines, and the like, wherein the hardness of the material to be deformed is measured shortly before the cold deformation of the material and is utilized for correcting its hardening curve and the preadjustment of the cold deforming plant based on the measurement. The standard hardening curve of a material or a group of materials with corresponding standard values of hardness, yield strength, tensile strength, etc., can be corrected by an additive or multiplicative linkage with a correction member which contains at least one tensile strength determined through the measured hardness value.

Abstract: A cellular phone system, optimizing user demand by charging system subscribers according to a Variable Charge Rate (VCR) that is based on the price elasticity of the subscribers. According to the present invention, the service provider monitors the load in each cell and, for each cell, the service provider continuously determines a charge rate that can be tailored to specific subscriber category according to a number of variables, offering subscribers a VCR that is optimized for the individual cell's capacity and overall system capacity. According to an exemplary embodiment, subscribers may use mobile stations supporting the Short Message Service (SMS) to provide the subscribers with the broadcast VCR. The system can determine, in real time, optimal VCRs for individual cells to maximize revenue generated by the cell for any time of day. The VCRs may be selectively broadcast to the VCR-mobile station to inform subscribers of the current rate of charge for calls.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beverage brewing apparatus having a water reservoir (1) and a pump (6) powered by an electric motor (45), the pump pressurizing water from the water reservoir (1) and delivering it to a flow-through heater (11) heated by an electric heater (14). In the flow-through heater (11), water is heated in a water conduit (13) and subsequently fed to a pressure chamber (35), adapted to be filled with coffee grinds, of a brewing unit (34) from which, following an extraction operation, the brewed coffee flows into a receptacle (38, 39). According to the invention, a valve device (20) opening when a predetermined pressure is exceeded is provided in the fluid path (9, 13, 15) between the flow-through heater (11) and the brewing unit (34).

Abstract: Disclosed is carboxymethyl inulin having a degree of substitution (DS) ranging from 0,15 to 2,5, preferably from 0,5 to 1,5, a process for the preparation of said carboxymethyl inulin by reacting inulin at a concentration of at least 100 g/l, preferably at least 200 g/l, at elevated temperature with an aqueous alkaline solution of monochloroacetic acid, followed by working up the reaction mixture according to a method known in the chemical art, and the use of said carboxymethyl inulin as inhibitor for the crystallization of calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A transponder as well as a data communications system equipped with such a transponder are described, with which identification and/or individual addressing of the simultaneously present transponders is guaranteed in a simple manner even in the case of the simultaneous presence of a plurality of transponders in the field range of the reader.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a coffee maker for the preheating and keeping warm of cups, including a support surface (3) for cups (7, 8) and a heat source (2) delivering heat also to the cups (7, 8) resting on the support surface (3), wherein water held in a water reservoir (1) is heatable by means of the heat source (2) to a temperature such that vapors and/or steam are formed. Discharge orifices (9, 10) are provided in the support surface (3) for passage of the vapors and/or steam therethrough to circulate around the cups (7, 8) resting on the support surface (3), thereby heating them. In this manner, the cups are preheated readily and kept warm durably. In addition, the discharge orifices (9, 10) in the support surface may be closable by a spring-loaded flap structure (19) or a valve, a flap structure (19) or a valve being movable to an open position by the weight of a cup (7, 8).

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a beverage brewing machine has a reservoir in which water is heated, which is arranged upstream of a brewing unit and heatable by an electric heating device. At the bottom is an outlet valve which opens only on reaching a given water temperature so that the hot water flows through an outlet pipe downstream of the outlet valve from the reservoir over the upper surface of a product, preferably ground coffee or tea-leaves, contained in a brewing unit, from which it goes to a receptacle as a beverage after extraction of the product. Hot water from the reservoir can also be taken via a pipe along paths other than over the upper surface of the product into the receptacle. The pipe takes a siphon-like path, the vertex of which is far enough above the bottom of the reservoir so that hot water also flows via the pipe to the other path and not only over the upper surface of the product only when a certain level is reached in the reservoir.

Abstract: A beverage brewing machine including a reservoir for holding cold water, an electric heating unit which during operation heats the cold water to produce a brewing water, and a brewing unit. The brewing unit has a receiving chamber for receiving a filter insert into which product is placed. The filter insert has a water-permeable wall. The receiving chamber has a collecting groove which receives water and delivers the received water to the outside of the water-permeable wall when the filter insert is resting in the receiving chamber so that water flows through the sidewall into an upper portion of the product in the filter insert. The reservoir includes a first water outlet through which a portion of the brewing water is delivered onto the top of the product in the filter insert, and the reservoir includes a second water outlet through which another portion of the brewing water is delivered to the collecting groove and from there through the water permeable wall of the filter insert.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a glass carafe (1) for storing a brewed beverage, comprising a glass vessel (2) having at its upper end (23) an opening (28) bounded by a rim (34). Affixed to the rim (34) is a plastic ring structure (30) provided with a pouring spout (39) and composed of a first (31), second (32) and third (33) ring. The third ring (33) serves as an outer boundary for the opening (28). The second ring (32) bears against the rim (34) of the glass vessel (2) from above. The first ring (31) engages from above within the opening (28) of the glass vessel (2) by resilient fastening elements (35). An annular circumferential neck (26) is formed on the glass vessel (2) below the rim (34). The fastening elements (35) resiliently engage the inside of the neck (26) from above, resting flush against the inner wall ( 27) in the area of the neck (26). Both the third ring (33) and the first ring (31) extend at a relative distance to the opening (28).

Abstract: The present invention provides a press to apply pressure to a three dimensional shaped article. The three dimensional shaped object generally has a greater length and width than the dimension to be pressed, and is, for example, a laminate. The press comprises (a) a first horizontal pressing plate and a second horizontal pressing plate facing each other with a nip therebetween; (b) a flexible hollow member disposed against said first horizontal pressing plate on the side opposite said nip, said flexible hollow member being a part of a closed system containing a pressure medium and means for regulating the pressure of said pressure medium; and (c) an inflexible support behind said flexible hollow member, whereby upon a change of the pressure of said pressure medium, said first horizontal pressing plate is caused to move relative to said second pressing plate.