Abstract: A motor-compressor unit is provided which comprises a vibration motor (1) having an armature (3) which can perform a rotationally vibrating movement about a drive shaft (4), and a compressor (10) having at least one piston (12) which can be reciprocated in a cylinder (11) by an arm (9) of the armature (3). The couping between the piston (12) and the arm (9) comprises a sleeve (15), which is slidable in a bore (16) in the piston and which is connected to the arm (9) by a ball joint (21). The oscillating movement of the arm (9) produces a helical reciprocating movement of the piston (12). This leads to an improved lubrication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee maker comprising a water reservoir (1), a filter device (2) and a flow heater (3) for heating water from the water reservoir for delivery to the filter device. A problem associated with coffee makers is the deposit of scale in the flow heater. It is proposed to provide a coffee maker with means (13, 14) for adding a small amount of coffee extract to the water before it enters the flow heater (3). Coffee extract naturally contains phosphoric-acid-like compounds which inhibit the crystal growth of metal salts in the water. Preferably, coffee extract is fed continuously from the filter device (2) to the water reservoir (1).

Abstract: A heat pipe contains a getter for gaseous impurities arranged in the vapor space and distributed between the vaporization wall and the condensation wall.