Abstract: A device for descaling flow passages of a pod-type beverage machine, comprising: a container having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, the sidewall defining an opening at a top of the container, wherein the container is configured to be received by the beverage machine; a dry, liquid-absorbing material disposed within the container adjacent to the bottom wall, and configured to retard a flow of liquid therethrough; a dry powder descaler disposed within the container, wherein at least a portion of the dry powder descaler is disposed on a surface of the absorbing material opposite the bottom wall; and a cover over the opening at the top of the container and configured to seal the liquid-absorbing material and the dry powder descaler in the container.

Abstract: A device for descaling flow passages of a pod-type beverage machine, comprising: a container having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, the sidewall defining an opening at a top of the container, wherein the container is configured to be received by the beverage machine; a dry, liquid-absorbing material disposed within the container adjacent to the bottom wall, and configured to retard a flow of liquid therethrough; a dry powder descaler disposed within the container, wherein at least a portion of the dry powder descaler is disposed on a surface of the absorbing material opposite the bottom wall; and a cover over the opening at the top of the container and configured to seal the liquid-absorbing material and the dry powder descaler in the container.

Abstract: A conductor feedthrough is provided for allowing an electrical conductor, cable, wire, etc., to be passed through a wall of a pressurized vessel (e.g., a compressor vessel forming part of a refrigeration or air conditioning system) while maintaining a hermetic seal within the vessel and providing resistance to mechanical stress imparted on the conductor. The feedthrough comprises a first casting formed on a portion of a conductor, a fitting engageable with the first casting and inserted into an aperture in a vessel wall, and a second casting formed on an end of the first casting. The fitting is engaged with the first casting in such a manner as to prevent relative rotational movement between the first casting and the fitting. The feedthrough maintains a hermetic seal within the vessel and locks the conductor in place to provide resistance to mechanical stress and/or torque applied to the conductor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating discrete items of different materials from a mixture. The mixed items fall vertically from a feeder device onto a plate spinning about a vertical axis. According to their difference in material, the items rebound with different trajectories so that they land on separate receiving surfaces lying at different radii from the axis. The receiving surfaces may be stationary or maybe vibratable, so that items received by them are conveyed along them by vibration to collection points.

Abstract: A pyrolysing vessel in which the inlets and outlets for the charge and the pyrolysing gas are so arranged that charge and gas pass through the vessel along paths that meet substantially at right angles. The charge may descend vertically, and the vessel may taper outwardly and downwardly to aid this descent. The gas may enter and leave the vessel through grilles that can be oscillated to further aid the descent. Pyrolysing plant including the vessel may include means to take a fraction of the gas at the outlet and recycle it through a heater to the gas inlet.