Abstract: A personal care appliance (10) comprises a handle (12), an attachment (14), and a controller (16). The handle (12) includes an actuator (20) and drive shaft (22). The attachment (14) has a body (30) with a principal axis (32) extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, wherein the proximal end couples to the drive shaft. The attachment (14) further includes a mass-spring identifiable assembly (40) having at least one identifiable resonant frequency in response to a given excitation, wherein the at least one identifiable resonant frequency comprises a resonant frequency selected from at least two different resonant frequencies. The controller (16) is configured to control the attachment (14), via the actuator (20), over a predefined range of frequencies that includes the given excitation.

Abstract: The present application relates to a centrifugal separator for separating fruit or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp. The centrifugal separator comprises a body (22) configured to rotate about a central axis (24), a chamber (28) formed by the body (22) for receiving pulp and juice, and an elongate aperture (29) defined by and extending arcuately around the body (22). Therefore juice in the chamber (28) is urged to flow through the aperture (29) when the body (22) is rotated about the central axis. The present application also relates to a juicer for extracting fruit and or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp comprising a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: A skin treatment device having a treatment window for treating skin through the treatment window and a user guide to deliver a tactile feedback signal during movement in stepwise increments of the treatment window along the skin.

Abstract: A personal care appliance (10) comprises a handle (12), an attachment (14), and a controller (16). The handle (12) includes an actuator (20) and drive shaft (22). The attachment (14) has a body (30) with a principal axis (32) extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, wherein the proximal end couples to the drive shaft. The attachment (14) further includes a mass-spring identifiable assembly (40) having at least one identifiable resonant frequency in response to a given excitation, wherein the at least one identifiable resonant frequency comprises a resonant frequency selected from at least two different resonant frequencies. The controller (16) is configured to control the attachment (14), via the actuator(20), over a predefined range of frequencies that includes the given excitation.

Abstract: Citrus fruit pressing devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Several features that can reduce the incidence of rupturing oil pockets in the fruit peel can be employed to improve the taste of the juice pressed from the fruit. One feature includes cutting (307) the peel at least partly along a circumference of the fruit to reduce rupturing of oil pockets when the fruit is flattened and the surface of the fruit is folded over. Another feature includes utilizing a curved knife, which can provide a relatively deep cut and a smooth expansion of the peel. According to other aspects, juice extraction can be improved by employing one or more protrusions in a surface of the pressing element to press areas of the fruit in which the peel of the fruit is not present. Another aspect is directed to using the pressing speed to control the pulp content of the juice.

Abstract: A flowable medium distribution device (10) comprises a chamber (12), a distribution member (30), a dispensing membrane (24,40,68,72) and bristles (36). The chamber (12) is configured to contain the flowable medium (62). The distribution member (30) includes an aspect (32,34) from which the flowable medium is to be dispensed. The dispensing membrane (24,40,68,72) is disposed on the aspect of the distribution member for dispensing the flowable medium on at least one surface to be treated. The dispensing membrane comprises a plurality of uni-directional dispensing outlets (26,46,70,74), operable between (a) normally-closed and (b) open positions. The bristles (36) extend from the dispensing membrane and are for contacting with the surface to be treated.

Abstract: A breast massager (not shown) arranged to provide a combing motion is provided. The breast massager comprises a number of linearly arranged massaging protrusions (2) which perform a circular or elliptical motion in a plane coinciding with the linear arrangement of the massaging protrusions (2) and perpendicular to a skin of a woman's breast (1). The massaging protrusions (2) are arranged to invoke a linear arrangement of local areas of increased pressure on the skin varying in position and pressure during the circular or elliptical motion.

Abstract: A shield for a breast pump is disclosed. It comprises a resilient, flexible insert configured to receive a user's breast, and an adjuster operable by a user to alter the shape of the insert.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert adapted to fit on a breast-receiving funnel of a breast pump. The insert comprises a circumferentially extending resiliently deformable wall which defines a teat receiving space and against which a user's teat is locatable, the insert being configured to define a pressure chamber between the resiliently deformable wall and a breast receiving funnel when the insert is fitted on a breast receiving funnel, wherein said wall is configured to deform towards a user's teat located in the teat receiving space in a predetermined manner when a pressure difference is applied between the teat receiving space and the pressure chamber such that a peristaltic action is applied to a user's teat, to aid the expression of milk therefrom.

Abstract: A set of articles comprises a beverage making device (1), at least one pad holder which is suitable for receiving and supporting at least one pad comprising a filter envelope and containing a quantity of beverage extract, and at least one brewing unit (21) having a space (23) for receiving and accommodating a quantity of beverage extract in a loose form. Advantageously, the space (23) of the at least one brewing unit (21) is large enough for enabling the brewing unit (21) to be used in a process of making a considerably larger quantity of beverage than may be obtained by using at least one pad and a pad holder. In this way, it is achieved that it is possible to make a large variety of quantities of beverage without a need of using another beverage making device (1), wherein a range of possible quantities may run from one cup to an entire jug.

Abstract: Valve assembly (8) for fine tuning the temperature of some fluid that has been heated or cooled in a heat exchanging section of a beverage making apparatus (1). The valve assembly (8) comprises a mixing valve (10), having a first inlet (21) for fluid communication with an outlet of the heat exchanging section (6), a second inlet (22) for fluid communication with a source of a hotter or colder version of aforementioned fluid, first and second closing means for altering a flow rate through the first and second inlet respectively, and control means arranged to control the first and second closing means in such way that an increase in flow rate through one of the inlets is matched by a substantially similar sized decrease in flow rate through the other inlet, so that the total flow rate through the mixing valve remains substantially constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing baby milk from water and dry formula includes a formula supply system having a reservoir for holding formula and a feeder for feeding formula out off the reservoir through an outlet opening in the reservoir. The apparatus further includes a scraper for guiding formula towards and through the outlet opening into the feeder. The scraper is arranged to move closely along an inner wall portion of the reservoir that borders on the outlet opening.

Abstract: An appliance (1) which can be used for making a beverage in at least two different ways comprises at least two different types of removable accessories, a housing (43) having an internal space for receiving and accommodating one of the accessories at a time, and a liquid supplying system for supplying a liquid to the internal space. In a practical embodiment of both types of accessories, a substantial portion of the accessory is generally shaped like a dish, wherein the dish-shaped portion of a first type of accessory comprises at least one hole for allowing liquid to pass that portion and flow from one side of that portion to the other, and wherein the dish-shaped portion of a second type of accessory is free from holes. The second type of accessory can therefore be used for guiding liquid received from the supplying system directly to outside of the appliance (1).

Abstract: A baby bottle warmer is disclosed, comprising a chamber (3) for receiving a baby bottle comprising a base (5) and side walls (6), configured so that in use the sides and base of the chamber (3) are at an angle to the surface on which the baby bottle warmer is supported. A water reservoir (11), positioned higher up than the chamber (3), feeds water into the chamber (3), by gravity, through a pipe (12). The reservoir (11) is sealed except for the pipe (12) so air may flow in the opposite direction to the water along the pipe (12) until the water level in the chamber (3) reaches the level of the outlet (15) of the pipe (12) at which point the water level is prevented from rising. When the baby bottle is inserted into the chamber (3), the water is displaced so that it forms a layer between the baby bottle and the walls (5, 6) of the chamber (3). This layer of water acts as an efficient heat transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A shield for a breast pump is disclosed. It comprises a resilient, flexible insert configured to receive a user's breast, and an adjuster operable by a user to alter the shape of the insert.

Abstract: The present application relates to a centrifugal separator for separating fruit or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp. The centrifugal separator comprises a body (22) configured to rotate about a central axis (24), a chamber (28) formed by the body (22) for receiving pulp and juice, and an elongate aperture (29) defined by and extending arcuately around the body (22). Therefore juice in the chamber (28) is urged to flow through the aperture (29) when the body (22) is rotated about the central axis. The present application also relates to a juicer for extracting fruit and or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp comprising a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert adapted to fit on a breast-receiving funnel of a breast pump. The insert comprises a circumferentially extending resiliently deformable wall which defines a teat receiving space and against which a user's teat is locatable, the insert being configured to define a pressure chamber between the resiliently deformable wall and a breast receiving funnel when the insert is fitted on a breast receiving funnel, wherein said wall is configured to deform towards a user's teat located in the teat receiving space in a predetermined manner when a pressure difference is applied between the teat receiving space and the pressure chamber such that a peristaltic action is applied to a user's teat, to aid the expression of milk therefrom.

Abstract: A set of articles comprises a beverage making device (1), at least one pad holder which is suitable for receiving and supporting at least one pad comprising a filter envelope and containing a quantity of beverage extract, and at least one brewing unit (21) having a space (23) for receiving and accommodating a quantity of beverage extract in a loose form. Advantageously, the space (23) of the at least one brewing unit (21) is large enough for enabling the brewing unit (21) to be used in a process of making a considerably larger quantity of beverage than may be obtained by using at least one pad and a pad holder. In this way, it is achieved that it is possible to make a large variety of quantities of beverage without a need of using another beverage making device (1), wherein a range of possible quantities may run from one cup to an entire jug.

Abstract: Valve assembly (8) for fine tuning the temperature of some fluid that has been heated or cooled in a heat exchanging section of a beverage making apparatus (1). The valve assembly (8) comprises a mixing valve (10), having a first inlet (21) for fluid communication with an outlet of the heat exchanging section (6), a second inlet (22) for fluid communication with a source of a hotter or colder version of aforementioned fluid, first and second closing means for altering a flow rate through the first and second inlet respectively, and control means arranged to control the first and second closing means in such way that an increase in flow rate through one of the inlets is matched by a substantially similar sized decrease in flow rate through the other inlet, so that the total flow rate through the mixing valve remains substantially constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skin treatment device (10) having a treatment window (12) for treating skin (16) through the treatment window (12) and user guidance means (18) for aiding a user of the skin treatment device (10) in moving the treatment window (12) along the skin in a stepwise manner, each moving step having a finite step width by which the treatment window (12) is displaced. According to the invention, the user guidance means (18) are arranged separate from the treatment window (12) and they deliver a tactile feedback signal to the user at each moving step. Advantageously the user guidance means include at least one step roller (22).