Abstract: An electrically-driven kitchen machine (10), comprising a food mixer or a food processor, has a support platform (33) for supporting a receptacle (60) for foodstuffs to be mixed or otherwise processed. The machine has an electric motor used to drive mixing or processing tools disposed in the receptacle (60); and a heater (71) for heating the foodstuffs in the receptacle. In order to ensure that the temperature of the foodstuffs is accurately determined, the base of the receptacle (60) consists of multiple layers, comprising a first metallic material (63), such as aluminium, having a relatively high thermal conductivity, sandwiched between outer (62) and inner (64) skins of a second metallic material of lower thermal conductivity than the first metallic material, and the machine (10) is also provided with first and second probes (80 and 81), each protruding through the receptacle-supporting platform (33) and urged upwardly to contact the inner skin (64) and the first metallic material (63) respectively.

Abstract: A stand mixer (10) capable of subjecting ingredients in a bowl (60) to a planetary mixing action, and which is also provided with the capability of heating the ingredients, is further provided with a guarding device (70, 80) to reduce unwanted egress of steam and/or to prevent ingredients being ejected from the bowl (60). The guarding device comprises a first component (70) which is removably attachable to the stand mixer (10) in the vicinity of its planetary drive outlet (44) and a second component (80) which is removably attachable to the first component (70) and also to the bowl (60). The first component (70) is shaped and configured to shield part of the stand mixer (10) from heat and the second component (80) is designed to resist unwanted egress of steam and/or to prevent ingredients being ejected from the bowl.

Abstract: A surgical table comprising a base for standing on a floor, a column of adjustable height mounted on the base, a tabletop providing a patient support surface, a movable framework mounted between the tabletop and the column for enabling at least a part of the tabletop to be rotatable about two orthogonal axes, the movable framework comprising first and second framework, and first and second actuators, each actuator being connected to a respective frame portion for moving the respective frame portion about a respective axis.

Abstract: Cyano-containing polymers can be prepared from polymers having isolated, non-activated double bonds and hydrogen cyanide in the presence of catalysts of the formulaNi[P(OR.sup.1).sub.3 ].sub.n (I)in whichR.sup.1 stands for alkyl or aryl andn denotes the number 3 or 4,and also in the presence of cocatalysts of the formulaAlR.sup.2.sub.3-m Hal.sub.m (II)in whichR.sup.2 stands for hydrogen, alkyl or cyano,Hal stands for chlorine, bromine or cyano andm denotes the number 0, 1, 2 or 3,and also, if appropriate, in the presence of a phosphite of the formulaP(OR.sup.1).sub.3 (III)in which R.sup.1 has the given meaning, in inert organic solvents at 40.degree. to 100.degree. C.