Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises:—a body (2) having a body connector (10) and a beverage outlet for dispensing a beverage over a beverage dispensing area (27); and—a module (3) having a disconnectable module connector (34) for removably connecting the module to the body via the body connector. The body connector (10) and the module connector (34), when connected, are:—fixed together by a magnetic field-generating arrangement, such as magnets (111,112,113), and a cooperating magnetic arrangement (341) so as to fasten the module to the body; and/or—fastened together only at the module connector (34) that forms a foot (34) of the module (3) and that is mounted on the body connector (10) that forms a platform of the body (2), the module having a generally upright elongated face (33,33?) that is adjacent to and faces the body and that is free from the body above the foot.

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and at least one piercer selected from an upstream piercer (34) borne by the upstream part (7) for opening an upstream portion of such cartridge and a downstream piercer (30) borne by the downstream part (8) for opening a downstream portion of such cartridge. The at least one piercer (30,34) has a generally tapered shape, in particular a tapered shape that has a truncation surface (35) delimiting a piercing edge (34?).

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7, 8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and a cartridge removal arrangement (36, 37) for assisting removal of such cartridge when the enclosing parts (7, 8) are brought from the closed to the open position. The upstream part (7) bears an upstream piercing arrangement (34) for opening an upstream portion of such cartridge. The downstream part (8) bears a downstream piercing arrangement (30), such as a piercing member, for opening a downstream portion of such cartridge.

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and a cartridge handling arrangement comprising a cartridge holder (10), in particular a holder fixed to or integral with the upstream part or the downstream part, for receiving and holding such cartridge against gravity when inserted and descending under gravity between the enclosing parts in the open position prior to forming the extraction chamber (11).

Abstract: A system comprises a cartridge (9) containing a beverage ingredient and a device (1) for brewing the ingredient in the cartridge by supplying a brewing liquid such as heated water into the cartridge. The device has upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7, 8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing the cartridge and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber (11) enclosing the cartridge during brewing. The brewing chamber (11) has a confining expansion space (12) which is: unoccupied by the cartridge (9) when the enclosing parts (7, 8) are in the closed position enclosing the cartridge; and occupied by the cartridge upon expansion thereof caused by exposure of the ingredient to the brewing liquid.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of locally colouring a part made of ceramic material of the metallic oxide type mainly including the following steps of taking a support for the part and a laser, able to move relative to each other in an XY plane, performing a plasma treatment of the part using a gas containing one element selected from among nitrogen an carbon, so as to convert a surface layer of metallic oxide, into a substantially stoichiometric ceramic chosen from among metal nitrides and carloides, locally illuminating the part with the laser beam so as to provide sufficient energy to cause a local change in colour by altering the stoichiometry of the surface layer, and scanning the surface of the part using the laser beam so as to form a determined pattern.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of locally colouring a part made of ceramic material of the metallic oxide type mainly including the following steps: taking a support for the part and a laser, able to move relative to each other in an XY plane, Performing a plasma treatment of the part using a gas containing one element selected from among nitrogen an carbon, so as to convert a surface layer of metallic oxide, into a substantially stoichiometric ceramic chosen from among metal nitrides and carloides. locally illuminating the part with the laser beam so as to provide sufficient energy to cause a local change in colour by altering the stoichiometry of the surface layer, and scanning the surface of the part using the laser beam so as to form a determined pattern.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a satin finish surface on a part made of a material with a Vickers hardness greater than 1000 HV including at least one polished surface, mainly including the following steps: taking a support for the part and a pulse laser, capable of a relative movement with respect to each other in an XY plane, exposing the polished surface locally to a laser pulse with enough energy to cause local melting of the polished surface so as to form a micro-crater, repeating the laser pulses simultaneously with a relative movement of the piece relative to the laser, so as to traces micro-furrows on the polished surface, formed by the alignment of several successive partially overlapping micro-furrows, the micro-furrows being substantially parallel to each other and equidistant, and together defining the satin finish surface.

Abstract: Successive values of a horizontal phase of a video signal are determined a predetermined integer number of video lines after the successive occurrences of vertical synchronization pulses. The successive values of a parity bit are updated according to the successive values of the horizontal phase. Indications on the parity of the fields are provided from the successive values of the parity bit.

Abstract: Successive values of a horizontal phase of a video signal are determined a predetermined integer number of video lines after the successive occurrences of vertical synchronization pulses. The successive values of a parity bit are updated according to the successive values of the horizontal phase. Indications on the parity of the fields are provided from the successive values of the parity bit.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the vacuum pump cooling system includes tubes expanded along their entire length in bores through the vacuum pump body. The tubes can be made of stainless steel, and inserted into a vacuum pump body made of cast iron. This prevents the risk of corrosion of the vacuum pump body by a cooling liquid passing through the tubes to cool the vacuum pump body.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the vacuum pump cooling system includes tubes expanded along their entire length in bores through the vacuum pump body. The tubes can be made of stainless steel, and inserted into a vacuum pump body made of cast iron. This prevents the risk of corrosion of the vacuum pump body by a cooling liquid passing through the tubes to cool the vacuum pump body.