Abstract: Housings for electronic devices may include a steel body, such as a stainless steel body, that has an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion may exhibit an average Vickers hardness of 200 HV or higher. The inner portion may exhibit an average Vickers hardness of 180 HV or lower. The lower hardness of the inner portion may facilitate working the material of the inner portion, such as to form attachment points, protrusions, holes, or other features. Various additional devices, methods, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed visible-light barrier may include a light-scattering layer that preferentially scatters visible light over infrared light. The light-scattering layer may include (1) a substantially transparent or translucent material and (2) at least one of TiO2 or ZnO particles dispersed within the substantially transparent or translucent material at a concentration of from approximately 0.02 wt % to approximately 2 wt %. Various other articles, devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring brain activity of a user is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of spatially separated emitters operable to generate infrared radiation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of spatially separated infrared radiation detectors, and a plurality of light pipes urged into contact with the user's scalp, each one of the plurality of emitters and detectors having an associated light pipe operable to couple infrared radiation from the emitter into the scalp or to couple infrared radiation from the scalp to the detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting shelving and other hanging components (hanging baskets, boxes, prongs and display holders) to a backing board. The shelves have a pre-fitted protruding aluminium extrusion piece that fits into and locks into a dovetail piece that is pre-installed into a pre-cut triangle groove in the backboard. The backing board has a number of pre-cut grooves (to suit customer requirements) running the length of the board that are filled with the dovetail extrusions. The shelves can be removed without tools, can take significant weight and cannot be accidently dislodged.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting shelving and other hanging components (hanging baskets, boxes, prongs and display holders) to a backing board. The shelves have a pre-fitted protruding aluminium extrusion piece that fits into and locks into a dovetail piece that is pre-installed into a pre-cut triangle groove in the backboard. The backing board has a number of pre-cut grooves (to suit customer requirements) running the length of the board that are filled with the dovetail extrusions. The shelves can be removed without tools, can take significant weight and cannot be accidently dislodged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for operating a beverage dispenser and programs regarding same. In an embodiment, at least one of a list of selectable coffee sensory parameters that relate to a coffee sensory property selected from the group consisting of foam or crema quality property, aroma, flavor and mouthfeel is presented. At least one input is received regarding at least one of the parameters. A beverage is dispensed from soluble coffee powder based at least in part on the selectable parameters by instructing at least one device selected from the group consisting of at least one dosing device, a pump and a whipping device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising: a frame (1) for supporting the components of the dispenser, a whipper assembly (2) comprising a whipper 9b housing (21), a whipper device (22) and a back wall (23), the whipper housing and the back wall forming a whipper chamber (24) in which is lodged the whipper device, a drive shaft (3) for driving the whipper device (22), said drive shaft being supported by the frame (1), detachable connection means (4a, 4b) for attaching the back wall to the whipper housing, wherein it further comprises detachable connection means (5) for attaching the whipper housing to the frame.

Abstract: A baseball holder for a batting tee is disclosed. The baseball holder includes a body to couple the baseball holder to the batting tee, and a plurality of supporting members that extend out from the body to suspend a baseball. The plurality of supporting members cooperates to define an unimpeded zone to enable the baseball to be struck off the baseball holder in a direction having at least a partially downward trajectory.

Abstract: The invention concerns a set of differing beverage production machines, the machines comprising: —one core unit comprising at least a diluent supply system, and —one food ingredient storing module, said storing module being selected in a plurality of different alternative modules for storing the food ingredient, and/or —one food ingredient dosing module, said dosing module being selected in a plurality of different alternative modules for dosing the food ingredient, and/or —one food ingredient processing module, said processing module being selected in a plurality of different alternative modules for processing the food ingredient.

Abstract: A baseball holder for a batting tee is disclosed. The baseball holder includes a body to couple the baseball holder to the batting tee, and a plurality of supporting members that extend out from the body to suspend a baseball. The plurality of supporting members cooperates to define an unimpeded zone to enable the baseball to be struck off the baseball holder in a direction having at least a partially downward trajectory.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising: a frame (1) for supporting the components of the dispenser, a whipper assembly (2) comprising a whipper 9b housing (21), a whipper device (22) and a back wall (23), the whipper housing and the back wall forming a whipper chamber (24) in which is lodged the whipper device, a drive shaft (3) for driving the whipper device (22), said drive shaft being supported by the frame (1), detachable connection means (4a, 4b) for attaching the back wall to the whipper housing, wherein it further comprises detachable connection means (5) for attaching the whipper housing to the frame.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising: —means for preparing a beverage from at least a concentrated food ingredient, —a user interface (6) operable to interact with a consumer for presenting to the consumer at least one of a list of selectable sensory parameters (P1, P2, P3, P4) and for receiving at least one input (61) from the consumer regarding at least one of said parameters, —a control unit (7) controlling the means for preparing a beverage and dispensing a beverage based at least in part on the at least one input of the consumer regarding at least one of the selectable sensory parameters.

Abstract: A device stores and meters a powder and mixes the powder with a diluent to prepare a food product. The device is able to be connected to a tank containing the diluent and to a source of air. The device includes a multidose container to form a reserve of powder, a powder dosing system, a powder duct integrated in an air chamber that can carry air around the powder duct outlet. The powder duct outlet emerges in a mixing chamber that includes a diluent inlet and a food product outlet, the whole forming a single piece disposable device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dispensing machine for producing beverages from a beverage ingredient powder comprising:—at least one powder storing and dosing sub-assemblies, each of them comprising: a buffer tank able to be connected to a food or beverage ingredient powder container, a dosing device for metering a dose of a beverage ingredient powder,—reconstitution means for preparing a beverage from a dose of the food or beverage ingredient powder, wherein each of the buffer tank comprises a tube for guiding the powder from the container connection means to the dosing device, the first portion of said tube emerging on the doses device being vertical.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dispensing canister comprising:—a reservoir (1) having a bottom in the form of a U shaped throat, two terminal walls (1c, 1d) and two side walls (1a, 1b) said side walls being attached to the upper extremities of the U shaped throat,—a rotatable volumetric dosing means (2): longitudinally extending through the bottom of the reservoir (1e), and. configured for displacing a volume of powder longitudinally through the bottom of the reservoir, and. lodged in the U shaped throat, the upper point of the U shaped throat extending at least up to the top of the rotatable volumetric dosing means, and wherein at least the portion of at least one of the reservoir side walls attached to the U shaped throat is straight outwardly inclined according to an angle of at most 25° with the vertical.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for storing and metering a powder (3) and mixing said powder with a diluent to prepare a food product, the device being able to be connected to a tank containing the diluent and to a source of air, the device comprising: —a multidose container (2) to form a reserve of powder (3), —a powder dosing system (4), —a powder duct (5) integrated in an air chamber (6) configured to carry air around the powder duct outlet, —said powder duct outlet (5) emerging in a mixing chamber (7) comprising a diluent inlet (8) and a food product outlet (9), —the whole forming a single piece disposable device.