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: A device for cooking food such as rice is configured to perform a cooking process which is performed by heating the food under the influence of boiling water during a period of time. The device includes a controller for controlling an operation of the device. The controller is configured o operate components of the device in such a way that a total quantity of water to be used in the cooking process is gradually supplied to the food. The supply of a major portion of the total quantity of the water is performed when the cooking process is already taking place. In one embodiment, the cooking process is initiated by evaporating a relatively small portion of the total quantity of the water to steam, supplying this steam to the food, and allowing this steam to condense on the food.

Abstract: A method of cooking food using a device for cooking the food in a container includes supplying water for cooking the food; generate heat by a heater of the device; and controlling by a controller an operation of the heater to initially supply the container with a first quantity of the water in a form of steam during a first period of time of a cooking process, and to subsequently supply the container with a second quantity of the water in a form of heated water during a second period of time of the cooking process. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for preparing hot beverages, comprising: —an electric heater (16); —a latent heat storage provision (30) that is in thermal contact with the heater (16), and that contains, or is configured to contain, a phase-change material (38); and —an electric circuit (40) for powering the electric heater (16), comprising a switch assembly (44) that is configured cut power to the heater (16) when a temperature of the latent heat storage provision (30) fulfills a predetermined auto-power-down condition.

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 citrus fruit pressing device comprises two pressing elements (30, 40) for performing a pressing action on a piece of citrus fruit, which pressing elements (30, 40) have surfaces for contacting different sides of a piece of citrus fruit to be pressed, and which pressing elements (30, 40) are movable with respect to each other in two opposite directions, i.e. towards each other and away from each other. Furthermore, the pressing device comprises cutting means for performing a cutting action on a piece of citrus fruit, through the peel of the piece, which cutting means are arranged for penetrating into the piece from a side which is free from contact to the surfaces of the pressing elements (30, 40). The cutting means may comprise at least one knife arranged at a side position with respect to the surfaces of the pressing elements (30, 40).

Abstract: A heating device for heating a fluid in a container, in particular milk in a baby bottle, the heating device including a heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the fluid, wherein the heating device is arranged to be brought into association with the container such that, in use, the heat transfer surface contacts the fluid to transfer heat to the fluid.

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: An iron (1), comprising: a water reservoir (10), configured to hold liquid water; a heatable soleplate (20), including at least one mist outlet opening (22); water atomization means (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir so as to generate a mist of water droplets at a mist generation site (32) mist distribution means (40), configured to distribute the mist from the mist generation site (32) to the at least one mist outlet opening (22), comprising: a distribution channel (42), extending from an air inlet (46), along the mist generation site (32), to the at least one mist outlet opening (22); and an air flow generator (44), disposed in or adjacent said distribution channel and configured to generate an airflow that transports the water droplets, from the mist generation site (32), through the distribution channel (42), to the at least one mist outlet opening (22).

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: A personal care system includes an electrical shaver and a cleaning device for cleaning a shaving head. The cleaning device further includes a displacing system for displacing its supporting member relative to a cleaning fluid container from a first position in which the shaving head, when the shaver is supported by the supporting member, is not in contact with the cleaning liquid in the container, to a second position in which the shaving head is at least partially immersed in the cleaning liquid in the container. The cleaning device does not need any pump for displacing the cleaning liquid. Rather, activation of the shaving head that causes, e.g., rotation of a cutting unit, provides a sufficient pumping effect for the cleaning liquid when the shaving head is immersed in the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: An iron (1), comprising: a water reservoir (10), configured to hold liquid water; a heatable soleplate (20), including at least one mist outlet opening (22); water atomization means (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir so as to generate a mist of water droplets at a mist generation site (32) mist distribution means (40), configured to distribute the mist from the mist generation site (32) to the at least one mist outlet opening (22), comprising: a distribution channel (42), extending from an air inlet (46), along the mist generation site (32), to the at least one mist outlet opening (22); and an air flow generator (44), disposed in or adjacent said distribution channel and configured to generate an airflow that transports the water droplets, from the mist generation site (32), through the distribution channel (42), to the at least one mist outlet opening (22).

Abstract: A boiling water dispenser (1) is disclosed comprising a water inlet (2) and a water outlet (7) between which a flow path (11) exists. In this flow path a heating device (4) is arranged to heat water flowing through the flow path (11). Further, the flow path comprises a pump (3) arranged to pump water from the water inlet (2) to the heating device (4) in a streaming direction through the flow path (11). A first restrictor element is (5) placed downstream of the heating device (4) in said flow path (11), creating an overpressure in said heating device (4). Also, the boiling water dispenser (1) comprises a hot water reservoir (15) downstream of the first restrictor element (5) in said flow path (11), wherein said hot water reservoir (15) is arranged to allow gaseous water to separate from liquid water.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a toothbrush body and a stem portion extending from the toothbrush body which has a workpiece with a flexible membrane at a remote end thereof, and a flexible membrane at a near end thereof as well. A movable piston is positioned in the stem portion, as well as a fluid which is in communication with the flexible membrane at the workpiece end of the toothbrush and the flexible membrane at the near end of the stem portion. The body includes a solenoid coil which, when actuated, moves the piston in opposing directions in a controlled manner within the stem, which acts on the fluid in the stem and moves the flexible membrane at the workpiece in and out at a desired frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a hair-cutting portion of an electric hair-cutting device includes a cleaning-liquid basin for receiving the hair-cutting portion of the electric hair-cutting device in a central area such that the hair-cutting portion is at least partially immersed in the cleaning liquid. The electric hair-cutting device is cleaned by generating a cleaning-liquid flow revolving within the basin around the central area of the basin, the hair-cutting portion being at least partially immersed in the cleaning liquid. The liquid flow effectively entrains debris away from the hair-cutting portion.