Abstract: A lithographic apparatus including a barrier system and a device manufacturing method using such a lithographic apparatus. The barrier system is used to maintain a protected volume of gas within a barrier. The protected volume may be maintained when different components of the lithographic apparatus move relative to each other. The barrier system may be used in different locations within the lithographic apparatus. The geometry of the barrier affects how efficiently the protected volume is maintained, especially at high speeds. The geometry reduces the amount of ambient gas entering the protected volume from outside the barrier.

Abstract: A substrate handling system includes: a thermal shield for thermally insulating a space through which a substrate passes, from a thermal load originating outside the space, the thermal shield including: a first wall and a second wall with a gap therebetween, the first wall positioned between the space and the second wall; an inlet opening configured to allow a flow of gas from a gas source to enter the gap from outside the space; and an outlet opening configured to allow the flow of gas to exit the gap to outside of the space, wherein the system is configured to direct the flow of gas to enter the gap through the inlet opening, to flow through the gap and out of the gap to outside the space through the outlet opening thereby to reduce thermal fluctuations in the space due to the thermal load originating outside the space.

Abstract: A substrate handling system includes: a thermal shield for thermally insulating a space through which a substrate passes, from a thermal load originating outside the space, the thermal shield including: a first wall and a second wall with a gap therebetween, the first wall positioned between the space and the second wall; an inlet opening configured to allow a flow of gas from a gas source to enter the gap from outside the space; and an outlet opening configured to allow the flow of gas to exit the gap to outside of the space, wherein the system is configured to direct the flow of gas to enter the gap through the inlet opening, to flow through the gap and out of the gap to outside the space through the outlet opening thereby to reduce thermal fluctuations in the space due to the thermal load originating outside the space.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus including a barrier system and a device manufacturing method using such a lithographic apparatus. The barrier system is used to maintain a protected volume of gas within a barrier. The protected volume may be maintained when different components of the lithographic apparatus move relative to each other. The barrier system may be used in different locations within the lithographic apparatus. The geometry of the barrier affects how efficiently the protected volume is maintained, especially at high speeds. The geometry reduces the amount of ambient gas entering the protected volume from outside the barrier.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, the lithographic apparatus has a substrate table configured to hold a substrate. The substrate table includes a conditioning system configured to hold a conditioning fluid and to condition the substrate table. The conditioning system includes a pressure damper that is in fluid communication with the conditioning system and is arranged to dampen a pressure variation in the conditioning system.

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.

Abstract: An ironing board for multifunctional use comprising a base (1), a body (5) with a work surface (6), which body has a first longitudinal axis (I-I) and is connected to the base. A column (7) extends between the body and the base, the column having a second longitudinal axis (II-II) and a tilting means. The tilting means is arranged for tilting the body about a tilting axis (T-T) extending substantially perpendicularly to both the first axis and the second axis. A system comprises such an ironing board and an iron for cooperation with the ironing board. The invention further relates to a method for refreshing an article and a method for pressing an article.

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.

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 (4) for cleaning a hair-cutting portion (2) of an electric hair-cutting device (1) includes a cleaning-liquid basin (5) 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 (13). The electric hair-cutting device is cleaned by generating a cleaning-liquid flow revolving within the basin (5) 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.

Abstract: An ironing board for multifunctional use comprising a base (1), a body (5) with a work surface (6), which body has a first longitudinal axis (I-I) and is connected to the base. A column (7) extends between the body and the base, the column having a second longitudinal axis (II-II) and a tilting means. The tilting means is arranged for tilting the body about a tilting axis (T-T) extending substantially perpendicularly to both the first axis and the second axis. A system comprises such an ironing board and an iron for cooperation with the ironing board. The invention further relates to a method for refreshing an article and a method for pressing an article.

Abstract: An oral care system using a stream of fluid droplets for cleaning teeth includes a hand-held portable oral care device having a handle portion with a nozzle at a forward end thereof, a source of dental fluid and a source of pressurized gas, between 10-30 bar, both located in the handle portion. The system also includes a base unit which includes a reservoir tank for pressurized air, a reservoir tank for fluid, and a compressor connected to the gas reservoir. The handle includes valves for controlling the release of pressurized gas and fluid from the handle to the nozzle. Connecting ducts are arranged from the fluid and pressurized gas source to the nozzle such as to accelerate the pressurized gas droplets from the nozzle to a desired velocity.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (4) for cleaning a hair-cutting portion (2) of an electric hair-cutting device (1) includes a cleaning-liquid basin (5) 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 (13). The electric hair-cutting device is cleaned by generating a cleaning-liquid flow revolving within the basin (5) 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.

Abstract: A coffee maker comprises a pump for pressurizing water, a pump tube connected to an outlet side of the pump, and a brewing chamber which is adapted to accommodate a coffee pad. During operation of the coffee maker, the water is heated and pressed through a coffee pad in order to obtain coffee. In order for the performance of the coffee maker to be stable, it is important that a predetermined pressure is obtained in the brewing chamber. The stability of the performance is found to be dependent on a ratio between a length of the pump tube and a wavelength of a wave which is caused by the pump in the pump tube during operation. If said ratio is within a range of 0.3 to 0.7±0.5N, wherein N is an integer, the performance is stable. However, if the ratio is outside of this range, the performance is unstable.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, the lithographic apparatus has a substrate table configured to hold a substrate. The substrate table includes a conditioning system configured to hold a conditioning fluid and to condition the substrate table. The conditioning system includes a pressure damper that is in fluid communication with the conditioning system and is arranged to dampen a pressure variation in the conditioning system.