Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized hydrogel networks grafted with at least one moiety for use in numerous fields, from cosmetics to surgery and medicine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized hydrogel networks grafted with at least one moiety for use in numerous fields, from cosmetics to surgery and medicine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized hydrogel networks grafted with at least one moiety for use in numerous fields, from cosmetics to surgery and medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve flap (1) for producing a casting machine valve (100), in particular for installing into a casting machine for casting a flowable substance, in particular a liquid substance with suspended solid particles, such as chocolate for example, in which cocoa particles and sugar particles are typically suspended in a molten fatty substance that has cocoa butter and milk fat to a greater or lesser extent. The valve flap is designed such that a valve can be produced with at least one other valve element, said valve consisting in particular of at least two valve flaps (1) that are preferably identical.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of interconnected components which include a brewing unit for receiving a beverage ingredient beverage and a liquid; an in-line heater for the liquid; a pump; one or more fluid connecting members; an electric control unit for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the heater and pump; and one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic of the brewing unit, the heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit. At least two or three modules, each containing at least two components, are preassembled such that the components are automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other.

Abstract: A device for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage, such as tea, coffee or soup from a preferably portioned ingredient, in particular in the form of capsules, housed within a beverage preparation chamber. The device includes a housing, a pump comprising a pump chamber, in particular a pump chamber containing a piston moveably mounted therein, the pump further comprising a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid supply which is in fluid connection with the liquid inlet of the pump, a pump support connected to the housing of the device at which the pump is mounted, and a pre-suction chamber connected to the liquid inlet of the pump and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to the liquid inlet of the pump.

Abstract: Devices for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage. One device includes a housing, pump, pump support for securing the pump to the housing, a rigid duct that is connected by an elastic sealing member to the housing and to an inlet or outlet of the pump. The pump support includes an elastic support member for resiliently supporting the pump chamber in the housing. Another device includes a pre-suction chamber connected to a liquid inlet of a pump and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to said liquid inlet. A further device includes a connector of at least one elastic sealing member designed to absorb vibrations from a pump of the device and to enable a relative movement of a duct and a liquid inlet or outlet of the pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve flap (1) for producing a casting machine valve (100), in particular for installing into a casting machine for casting a flowable substance, in particular a liquid substance with suspended solid particles, such as chocolate for example, in which cocoa particles and sugar particles are typically suspended in a molten fatty substance that has cocoa butter and milk fat to a greater or lesser extent. The valve flap is designed such that a valve can be produced with at least one other valve element, said valve consisting in particular of at least two valve flaps (1) that are preferably identical.

Abstract: A method is provided for portioning a flowable, optionally pressurized mass. In a first step a first pinch valve is opened and a second pinch valve located thereafter in a principal flow direction of the mass (m) is slightly closed. As soon as a desired quantity of the mass has passed the pinch valves the first pinch valve is closed. The second pinch valve is then opened. The opening, the slight closing and the closing of the first pinch valve and of the second pinch valve is accomplished by a pressure medium. A controller, a valve arrangement and a portioning device are also provided for executing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting machine valve (32, 42; 50; 60; 70; 80; 90; 100; 110; 120; 130), a pressure generating means (3, 4, 5, 6, 32, 42) for installation in a casting machine (1), and a casting machine (1) for casting a flowable mass, particularly a liquid mass having suspended solid particles, such as chocolate, wherein cocoa particles and sugar particles are typically suspended in a melted fat mass containing cocoa butter and more or less milk fat. The valve (50; 60; 70; 80; 90; 100; 110; 120) comprises a valve body (51; 61; 71; 81; 91; 101; 111; 121; 131) having a valve opening and at least one valve cap (53; 64; 76; 83; 94; 105; 115; 128; 133) that is associated with the valve opening, is hinged on the valve body, and closes the valve opening in the unpressurized state without preloading.

Abstract: Devices for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage. One device includes a housing, pump, pump support for securing the pump to the housing, a rigid duct that is connected by an elastic sealing member to the housing and to an inlet or outlet of the pump. The pump support includes an elastic support member for resiliently supporting the pump chamber in the housing. Another device includes a pre-suction chamber connected to a liquid inlet of a pump and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to said liquid inlet. A further device includes a connector of at least one elastic sealing member designed to absorb vibrations from a pump of the device and to enable a relative movement of a duct and a liquid inlet or outlet of the pump.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of components a) to f), with the components including a brewing unit for receiving an ingredient of the beverage and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid, through the ingredient to a beverage outlet; b) an in-line heater for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit; c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the heater; d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet; e) an electric control unit for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the heater and pump; and f) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic of the brewing unit, the heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process and an apparatus for partially exposing conductor tracks in fully insulated laminated cables according to specifiable parameters selectable in accordance with the subsequent conditions for use. The object of the invention is to insert windows in exactly predetermined parts above/below individual/all flat conductors of a multiconductor flat cable, which windows are distinguished by clean and accurate contours and furthermore ensure good positional stability of the conductors. The flat cable (1) is first fed to an apparatus and fixed on it in such a way that an individually feedable and individually movable peeling tool (5) can be coordinated in a defined manner with each flat conductor, both from above and from below, which peeling tool effects first an incision in the insulation layer, then peeling off down to the flat conductor and finally separation of the chip (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process and an apparatus for partially exposing conductor tracks in fully insulated laminated cables according to specifiable parameters selectable in accordance with the subsequent conditions for use. The object of the invention is to insert windows in exactly predetermined parts above/below individual/all flat conductors of a multiconductor flat cable, which windows are distinguished by clean and accurate contours and furthermore ensure good positional stability of the conductors. The flat cable (1) is first fed to an apparatus and fixed on it in such a way that an individually feedable and individually movable peeling tool (5) can be coordinated in a defined manner with each flat conductor, both from above and from below, which peeling tool effects first an incision in the insulation layer, then peeling off down to the flat conductor and finally separation of the chip (10).

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed which makes it possible to produce contact windows only for one conductor track or a plurality of individual conductor tracks in the flat cable. The other conductor tracks should not be influenced or impaired. A flat cable is transported in a guide channel through the apparatus. For each conductor track of a flat cable, a cutting disk is present above and a pressure element below. As soon as insulation is to be stripped from an area, the actuating element is actuated and the pressure element is raised. As a result, the flat cable is pressed with the insulated conductor track against the cutting disk and the insulation layer above the conductor track is removed.