Abstract: A particle sensor includes an aperture for receiving a gas flow with entrained particles, an electrostatic particle charging section, a parallel-plate particle precipitation section; and a sensor for detecting precipitated particles to produce a sensor signal. The sensor signal Isensor is related to an apparent particle number concentration of the particles in the gas flow entering the charging section by a calibration constant S1, such that Isensor=f(Napp, S1), the calibration constant being dependent on a count mean diameter of the particles in the gas flow entering the charging section according to a first relationship. The particle sensor includes a pre-filter positioned upstream from the charging section, the pre-filter filtering a part of the particles from the gas flow entering the pre-filter, a fractional degree of particle filtering depending on the count mean particle diameter of the particles entering the pre-filter according to a second relationship.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an air-ionizing part of an electrode. The device comprises a cleaning member arranged to be in physical contact with the air-ionizing part of the electrode, the air-ionizing part of electrode and the cleaning member being arranged to slide relative to each other. The cleaning device further comprises an actuator arranged to activate the relative motion between the air-ionizing part of the electrode and the cleaning member. There is also provided an ionization electrode comprising the air-ionizing part and the cleaning device, as well as a ultrafine particle sensor, an air ionizer or an electrostatic air cleaner comprising such an electrode.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for purifying and/or humidifying air, and a related method for purifying and/or humidifying air. The apparatus comprises a rotary filter (1), a fan (9, 10) for passing air through the rotary filter (1), and a reservoir (4, 5), and wherein the rotation speed of the rotary filter (1) and the settings of the fan (9, 10) depend on the ambient relative humidity and ambient gas pollutant concentration. The apparatus combines the feature of chemisorption with the use of a rotary filter (1), thereby providing an apparatus which is able to purify air and/or regulate the ambient humidity based on humidity levels and levels of a target gas pollutant in the air. The invention removes the need for a pump for liquid transport, removes the need for frequent and expensive filter changes by the user, and instead only requires the user to periodically refresh the filtration solution in the reservoir (4, 5).

Abstract: A coffee dispensing apparatus includes a base and an at least one nozzle. Further, base and nozzle are arranged such that the dispensed coffee flows via inner upstanding wall of a standard sized coffee container.

Abstract: The invention provides a filtration system for removing a target gas from a gas to be filtered in a space. The system has different modes of operation. Based on sensing of the current level of the target gas, the previous history of the sensing signals and the previous modes of operation, a degree of filter loading with the target gas can be determined. This information and the current sensed level of the target gas are together used to select a mode 5 of operation. In particular, the filter loading and the current pollutant level is used to determine whether absorption/adsorption or desorption will take place and which rates these processes will occur, which provides the basis for deciding what operation mode should be executed.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for purifying and/or humidifying air, and a related method for purifying and/or humidifying air. The apparatus comprises a rotary filter (1), a fan (9, 10) for passing air through the rotary filter (1), and a reservoir (4, 5), and wherein the rotation speed of the rotary filter (1) and the settings of the fan (9, 10) depend on the ambient relative humidity and ambient gas pollutant concentration. The apparatus combines the feature of chemisorption with the use of a rotary filter (1), thereby providing an apparatus which is able to purify air and/or regulate the ambient humidity based on humidity levels and levels of a target gas pollutant in the air. The invention removes the need for a pump for liquid transport, removes the need for frequent and expensive filter changes by the user, and instead only requires the user to periodically refresh the filtration solution in the reservoir (4, 5).

Abstract: Presented is a filtration system (10) for removing a target gaseous pollutant from a gas to be filtered in an indoor space, the filtration system (10) comprising: a sensor arrangement (12), which comprises a gas sensor (14) for sensing a concentration of a target gas in the indoor space; an air cleaner (20) which comprises a filter (22) for filtering the target gas from the gas to be filtered, and a ventilation system (24) for controllably driving air through the filter (22), wherein the filter (22) comprises a reversible absorption filter or a reversible adsorption filter; and a controller (26) for controlling ventilation system air flow settings, wherein the controller (26) is adapted, based on current sensor arrangement signals, and a previous history of the sensor arrangement signals, and previous ventilation system air flow settings, to: determine a degree of filter (22) loading with the target gas; determine from the degree of filter (22) loading with the target gas a concentration of the target gas in

Abstract: A particle sensor comprises an electrostatic particle charging section and a parallel-plate particle precipitation section, and a sensor for detecting the precipitated particles to produce a sensor signal. A pre-filter is placed upstream from the particle charging section. The pre-filter characteristics are such that the sensor signal in response to entrained particles which are not filtered out by the pre-filter relates to the apparent particle number concentration Napp of the particles entering the particle sensor by a calibration constant S which is less dependent on the count mean particle diameter dp,av of the particles entering the particle sensor than the dependence on dp,av that exists in the absence of the pre-filter.

Abstract: A surface treatment device (100) is disclosed that comprises a conduit (110) including an air inlet (105) and an air outlet (115). The conduit comprises a reactive particles generator (130) for generating reactive particles from air and arranged to subject the surface to the generated reactive particles. The reactive particles generator (130) is also used for generating an air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet through the conduit.

Abstract: The invention proposes an apparatus for gas cleaning having a high gas cleaning efficiency at any relative humidity. The apparatus comprises a passage (10) for gas flow; a hydrophilic carrier (12) permeable for gas flow, at least part of which is positioned within said passage for gas flow, and configured for containing a reagent that contacts the gas in said passage for gas flow; a unit (14) for disposing liquid to said carrier; and a controller (16), associated with said unit for disposing liquid, configured for controlling the unit for disposing to dispose an aqueous solution of dissolved reagent to the carrier; and after that controlling the unit for disposing to dispose liquid in case the humidity of the gas is below a first humidity threshold, or to stop disposing liquid in case the humidity of the gas is above a second humidity threshold.

Abstract: A pleated filter structure is provided for the removal of gaseous pollutants from a gas mixture to be filtered. The structure comprises an ideally air impervious filter sheet, being pleated so as to form an adjacent series of slit shaped conduits for the passage of air through the structure, each bounded on either side by the folded sections of the filter sheet, these being joined by a series of top creases and bottom creases. The top and/or bottom creases incorporate slit-shaped openings allowing passage of a gas mixture into and/or out of the structure. Gas to be filtered enters through one side of the structure, passes laterally across the filter sheet section surfaces and exits through the other side. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of a pleated filter structure, comprising forming rows of slit-shaped openings in a filter sheet and providing folds, in alternating directions, along the lengthwise extensions of adjacent rows of openings. Methods for filtering a gas are also provided.

Abstract: A coffee dispensing apparatus (200) includes a base (210) and an at least one nozzle (208). Further, base (210) and nozzle (208) are arranged such that the dispensed coffee flows via inner upstanding wall (214a) of a standard sized coffee container (212). The coffee thus collected in the container has an aesthetically improved crema.

Abstract: An air quality alert system provides a signal which indicates whether or not a door or window should be (fully or partially) opened or closed. The system takes account of the air quality in a first area (e.g. outdoors) as well as the proximity of the user to a door or window so that information is only provided when the user is situated at the door or window. This avoids overloading the user with unwanted information.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an air-ionizing part of an electrode. The device comprises a cleaning member arranged to be in physical contact with the air-ionizing part of the electrode, the air-ionizing part of electrode and the cleaning member being arranged to slide relative to each other. The cleaning device further comprises an actuator arranged to activate the relative motion between the air-ionizing part of the electrode and the cleaning member. There is also provided an ionization electrode comprising the air-ionizing part and the cleaning device, as well as a ultrafine particle sensor, an air ionizer or an electrostatic air cleaner comprising such an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning device (1) for cleaning the air-ionizing part (4) of an electrode (3), said device comprising a cleaning member (5) arranged to be in physical contact with the said air-ionizing part of said electrode, the air-ionizing part of electrode and the cleaning member being arranged to slide relative to each other. The cleaning device further comprises an actuator (6, 8, 9) arranged to activate the relative motion between said air-ionizing part (4) of the electrode (3) and the cleaning member (5). There is also provided an ionization electrode comprising an air-ionizing part and the cleaning device, as well as a ultrafine particle sensor, an air ionizer or an electrostatic air cleaner comprising such an electrode.

Abstract: A method of selectively sensing the concentration of a target gas in polluted ambient air comprises the steps of: —providing a target gas sensor (220) sensitive to the target gas; —providing a first gas flow derived from the ambient air, from which first flow the target gas is substantially removed; —providing a second gas flow derived from the ambient air, substantially comprising the same target gas concentration as the ambient air; —exposing the target gas sensor to the first gas flow during a first time interval, and obtaining from the sensor a first output signal (Smf); —exposing the target gas sensor to the second gas flow during a second time interval not overlapping with the first time interval, and obtaining a second output signal (Smu); —calculating the difference (S?) between the first and the second output signals; calculating the concentration of the target gas from the calculated signal difference (S?).

Abstract: A coffee machine (1) for providing coffee brew with reduced caffeine content is disclosed. The coffee machine (1) comprises a mixer (8) for mixing coffee grind (19) and a caffeine-reducing additive (20), the mixer having a coffee inlet (14) for receiving the coffee grind (19), an additive inlet (18) for receiving the caffeine-reducing additive (20), and a mixer outlet (21) for providing a mixture (22) of coffee grind and additive, and a brewing unit (5) for brewing the mixture (22) of coffee grind and additive, the brewing unit (5) having a brewing unit inlet (23) and a brewing unit outlet (24) for providing coffee brew, wherein the brewing unit inlet (23) of the brewing unit (5) is connected to the mixer outlet (21) of the mixer (8) for receiving the mixture (22) of coffee grind and additive. Furthermore, a corresponding method and a replaceable cartridge containing a caffeine-reducing additive are presented.

Abstract: The invention proposes an apparatus for gas cleaning having a high gas cleaning efficiency at any relative humidity. The apparatus comprises a passage (10) for gas flow; a hydrophilic carrier (12) permeable for gas flow, at least part of which is positioned within said passage for gas flow, and configured for containing a reagent that contacts the gas in said passage for gas flow; a unit (14) for disposing liquid to said carrier; and a controller (16), associated with said unit for disposing liquid, configured for controlling the unit for disposing to dispose an aqueous solution of dissolved reagent to the carrier; and after that controlling the unit for disposing to dispose liquid in case the humidity of the gas is below a first humidity threshold, or to stop disposing liquid in case the humidity of the gas is above a second humidity threshold.

Abstract: In a method for grinding coffee beans (5), the beans (5) are ground off bit by bit by applying a device (1) comprising two tools (20; 40, 42), wherein one of the tools (20; 40, 42) is a grinding tool (20) having an abrasive surface (21), wherein the beans (5) and the abrasive surface (21) are made to contact each other and to perform a relative movement with respect to each other, and wherein another of the tools (20; 40, 42) is a bean delimiting tool (40, 42) having a surface (44) against which the beans (5) are retained during the time that they are in contact with the abrasive surface (21). By grinding off coffee beans (5) instead of crushing coffee beans (5) in a conventional manner, it is achieved that the grinding process can be performed at a relatively high speed and a relatively low torque.

Abstract: A method of selectively sensing the concentration of a target gas in polluted ambient air comprises the steps of: —providing a target gas sensor (220) sensitive to the target gas; —providing a first gas flow derived from the ambient air, from which first flow the target gas is substantially removed; —providing a second gas flow derived from the ambient air, substantially comprising the same target gas concentration as the ambient air; —exposing the target gas sensor to the first gas flow during a first time interval, and obtaining from the sensor a first output signal (Smf); —exposing the target gas sensor to the second gas flow during a second time interval not overlapping with the first time interval, and obtaining a second output signal (Smu); —calculating the difference (S?) between the first and the second output signals; calculating the concentration of the target gas from the calculated signal difference (S?).