Abstract: A semiconductor module includes a power electronics carrier including a metallization layer disposed on an electrically insulating substrate, a power semiconductor die mounted on the power electronics carrier, a housing that surrounds an interior volume over the power electronics carrier, a volume of electrically insulating encapsulant that fills the interior volume and encapsulates the power semiconductor die, and a pressure compensation element disposed on or within the electrically insulating encapsulant, wherein the electrically insulating encapsulant is a liquid, wherein the semiconductor module forms an impermeable seal that contains the volume of electrically insulating encapsulant, and wherein the pressure compensation element is configured to maintain the electrically insulating encapsulant at a substantially constant pressure during thermal expansion and thermal contraction of the electrically insulating encapsulant.

Abstract: A semiconductor module includes a power electronics carrier including a structured metallization layer disposed on an electrically insulating substrate, a power semiconductor die mounted on the power electronics carrier, a housing that surrounds an interior volume over the power electronics carrier, a reinforcing structure contained within the interior volume and including a textured surface that is accessible by fluid, a volume of curable encapsulant disposed within the interior volume and encapsulating the power semiconductor die, wherein the reinforcing structure is embedded within the volume of curable encapsulant such that the textured surface adheres to the encapsulant, and wherein the reinforcing structure has a tensile strength that is greater than a tensile strength of the curable encapsulant.

Abstract: A method for joining at least two joining partners includes performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation includes, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners. The method further includes, during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool. The second joining tool is heated or cooled by a temperature unit. The temperature unit is inactive during each of the plurality of ultrasonic joining operations.

Abstract: A method for joining at least two joining partners includes performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation includes, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners. The method further includes, during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a dielectric insulation layer and a first metallization layer attached to the dielectric insulation layer. The dielectric insulation layer includes a first material having a thermal conductivity of between 25 and 180 W/mK, and an insulation strength of between 15 and 50 kV/mm, and an electrically conducting or semiconducting second material evenly distributed within the first material.

Abstract: A method for joining at least two joining partners includes performing a plurality of ultrasonic joining operations in direct succession, wherein performing an individual ultrasonic joining operation includes, with a second joining tool, applying pressure to a second joining partner arranged adjacent to a first joining partner, thereby pressing the second joining partner against the first joining partner, and, with the second joining tool, applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to the joining partners. The method further includes, during at least one intermediate time interval between two directly successive ultrasonic joining operations, at least one of actively cooling and heating the second joining tool.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a dielectric insulation layer and a first metallization layer attached to the dielectric insulation layer. The dielectric insulation layer includes a first material having a thermal conductivity of between 25 and 180 W/mK, and an insulation strength of between 15 and 50 kV/mm, and an electrically conducting or semiconducting second material evenly distributed within the first material.

Abstract: A sachet for insertion into a beverage container prior to the sealing and pressurization of the beverage container. The sachet is made from a gas permeable and substantially liquid impermeable material. The article is positioned within this material and sealed with substantially no excess gas contained therein. The sachet sinks when dropped into the beverage container and subsequently floats after the container is sealed and pressurized as gas from within the container penetrates into the sachet until equilibrium is reached. The sachet then rises within the beverage container when the container is opened.

Abstract: A beverage can for housing liquid products and a prize therein includes a prize dispensing assembly which cannot be easily detected without opening the beverage can. The prize dispensing assembly includes a holder which is frictionally held inside a guide. The holder is held in a position such that it is displaced from an underside of an openable tab on a lid of the beverage can. By this arrangement, a consumer may not detect the presence of the holder inside the beverage can by tapping on the openable tab, or attempting to rattle the holder against the openable tab. The holder also includes a spring loaded cap for contacting the underside of the openable tab, in case the holder becomes dislocated and abuts against the openable tab. The spring loaded cap dampens the impact of the holder against the openable tab and thus reduces the possibility that the prize dispensing assembly will be discovered prior to opening the beverage can.

Abstract: A container assembly for housing liquid products and a prize therein which may be distributed with non-prize bearing containers comprising: a can for containing the liquid product in an interior chamber thereof, and a prize-holding subassembly positioned within the interior chamber for retaining a prize therein. The prize holding subassembly includes a tether for supporting the prize assembly. The tether includes a hair-pin shaped spring portion defining legs, and foot portions extending from those legs. A proximal end of the tether on one of the foot portions engages a gate on the underside of the can closure, and compresses the spring portion into a cocked, position. When the closure is opened, the gate releases the proximal end of the tether so that it may pop up through the open end of the can for gripping by the consumer. A distal end of the tether on the other end of the tether supports a prize container which is manually removable from the can with the tether.

Abstract: There is provided a cardboard packaging for liquids which consists of a folding box, an inner bag arranged therein and made from a plastic material, and of a withdrawal nozzle which is accessible from the outside through a hole formed in one wall of the folding box. The withdrawal nozzle comprises a base plate which is welded or bonded in liquid-tight fashion to the bag at the inner side of said bag in a weldless area thereof. The inner bag is only bonded to and easily detachable from the folding box wall that includes the hole for the withdrawal nozzle, but, apart from this, is not bonded to the walls of the folding box. The withdrawal nozzle is therefore secured against rotation, and the bag is sufficiently fixed in the folding carton. In addition, it can easily collapse during emptying, and the packaging can be easily disassembled into its cardboard and plastic parts after use (FIG. 2 ).

Abstract: A dosing unit for concentrate in a post-mix beverage dispenser is described which includes an enclosed cylinder space, and a pump piston with a bore running parallel with the axis. A control piston which is in contact with the input side shutoff of the cylinder space is disposed within and movable longitudinally of the bore in the pump piston. The control piston includes an intake opening, and in contact with the pump piston, forms an outlet opening, where the intake and the outlet openings are alternately opened or closed through axial movement of the control piston with respect to the cylinder space and the pump piston. The control piston movement is restricted with respect to the accelerator piston and constrained by axial impact points, so that an axial movement forced upon the control piston causes an impulse in both directions to open or close the intake or the outlet openings, after which by carry-over of the particular impact, the pump piston is moved axially the same distance.

Abstract: A beverage concentrate container includes an integrally connected piston pump as a concentrate dosing unit. The container and piston pump are insertable into rigid support within a beverage dispenser cabinet for mechanical interconnection with a drive mechanism for the pump. The container and pump combination (syrup package) are fabricated from materials which are disposable.

Abstract: A disposable CO.sub.2 gas generator cartridge of cylindrical construction and including inner and outer coaxial reagent chambers which are interconnected when installed in a cylindrical pressure vessel and having a top cover assembly including a pusher type activating mechanism which is operated by a cam surface located on a handwheel. The cover assembly connects to a carbonated drink dispenser by means of a quick disconnect coupling activated by the operation of a manually operated pull down lever assembly including the handwheel. Operation of the handwheel acts to start gas generation and also vent the cartridge to atmosphere when spent.

Abstract: A dosing system has a vessel for holding a fluid and a dosing device for dispensing a measured quantity of fluid from the vessel. The dosing device hermetically seals the vessel and has a valve with a fluid passage, a piston surrounding the valve and a cylinder housing surrounding the piston. The valve is positioned in a first position wherein fluid is gravity fed from the vessel to a chamber formed between a drive face of the piston and the cylinder housing. The valve can be reciprocated from the first position to a second position whereat the valve closes the inlet from the vessel to the chamber. The piston closes the passage within the valve when the valve is in the first position and opens the passage when the valve is moved to the second position to permit discharge of fluid from the chamber. When the valve moves to a third position, the drive face of the piston moves toward a shoulder of the cylinder housing to thereby pump the fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for the metered dispensing of beverage concentrate includes a storage container with a discharge opening and a dosing chamber assembly attached to the discharge opening. The dosing chamber assembly includes a chamber housing with an input opening communicating with the discharge opening of the container, an output opening and a sliding control valve displaceable in the chamber to alternately open and close the input and output openings of the chamber housing. The container includes an outer rigid shell and a flexible foil bag therein which varies in volume with pressure changes therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for the metered dispensing of beverage concentrate includes a storage container with a discharge opening and a dosing chamber assembly attached to the discharge opening. The dosing chamber assembly includes a chamber housing with an input opening communicating with the discharge opening of the container, an output opening and a sliding control valve displaceable in the chamber to alternately open and close the input and output openings of the chamber housing. The container includes an outer rigid shell and a flexible foil bag therein which varies in volume with pressure changes therein.