Abstract: A counterweight for an elevator system has an asymmetrical cross section in a horizontal sectional plane. The asymmetrical cross section results in an improved connection of the counterweight to a guide rail, a reduction in a number of components, in particular guide rails, for the elevator system, and a reduction in an installation space for the elevator system thereby simplifying installation of the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator rail guides moving bodies of an elevator system. The moving bodies serve in particular as a car for the transport of people or goods or as a counterweight. The elevator rail has more than one guide contour including a guide contour 6 that interacts with a guide shoe such that in a first horizontal direction, a relative horizontal movement between the guide contour and the guide shoe is delimited at least on one side, and such that in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a relative horizontal movement between guide contour and the guide shoe is delimited on both sides. The elevator rail has a hollow cross section bordered in a closed manner. The elevator rail has at least three of the guide contours that are formed on the outer surface of the elevator rail.

Abstract: A universal bracket for a rail system includes a positionable and alignable main support and at least one mounting point for at least one rail of the rail system. The main support has two guides that are inseparably connected to the main support in order to guide one plumb bob in each case, the mounting point and the guides being arranged in fixed positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A positioning aid positions a nut on a guide rail of an elevator system, the guide rail being formed as a hollow rail, the hollow rail having a plurality of elongated holes arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the hollow rail in order to be fastened to a guide rail holder. The positioning aid includes an elongate fastening portion to which at least one nut is fastened and which is dimensioned such that it can be passed through one of the elongated holes together with the at least one nut and moved within the hollow rail. The positioning aid also includes a holding portion for holding the fastening portion, the holding portion being fastened to one end of the fastening portion and being configured to be wider than the elongated hole.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a water circuit (12,13) for guiding water (2,2?,2?) from a source (11); and a mixing unit (20) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to a beverage outlet (23) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug (5) a beverage (3) formed in the mixing unit (20). The mixing unit (20) has a first module (21) and a second module (22) that are relatively movable from: a distant configuration for inserting an ingredient between the first and second modules (21,22); to a proximate position for combining such ingredient with water (2?) supplied by the water circuit (12,13) so as to form the beverage (3). The machine has: a further unit (30) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to an outlet (33) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug water (2?) supplied by the water circuit (12,13); and a water directing device (14) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13), to the mixing unit (20) and to the further unit (30).

Abstract: A counterweight for an elevator system has an asymmetrical cross section in a horizontal sectional plane. The asymmetrical cross section results in an improved connection of the counterweight to a guide rail, a reduction in a number of components, in particular guide rails, for the elevator system, and a reduction in an installation space for the elevator system thereby simplifying installation of the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator system, suitable both for normal operating situations and for emergency situations, includes an elevator car that can be displaced directly or indirectly within an elevator shaft, a guide means that is connected to the elevator car, a derailment protection device that is connected to the elevator car, and a guide rail that has a first subregion which works together with the guide means and is used to guide the elevator car along the guide rail, and that has a second subregion which works together with the derailment protection device. A clearance between the derailment protection device and the second subregion of the guide rail is large enough that the derailment protection device and the second subregion of the guide rail remain spaced apart from each other during the normal operating situations.

Abstract: A method for fastening a rail of an elevator system to a bearing element fixed in an elevator shaft utilizes a clamp set having a clamp and a spacer. The clamp is arranged on a side part of a rail foot arranged on the bearing element whereby the clamp connects to the bearing element in a fastening zone of the clamp and a contact zone of the clamp is situated on a bearing side on an upper face of the side part. The spacer defines a mounting distance between the contact zone and the bearing side such that the clamp is partly elastically and plastically deformed in the fastening zone when connected. The spacer is then at least partially removed so that a distance between the contact zone and the bearing side is reduced.

Abstract: A method for fastening a rail of an elevator system to a bearing element fixed in an elevator shaft utilizes a clamp set having a clamp and a spacer. The clamp is arranged on a side part of a rail foot arranged on the bearing element whereby the clamp connects to the bearing element in a fastening zone of the clamp and a contact zone of the clamp is situated on a bearing side on an upper face of the side part. The spacer defines a mounting distance between the contact zone and the bearing side such that the clamp is partly elastically and plastically deformed in the fastening zone when connected. The spacer is then at least partially removed so that a distance between the contact zone and the bearing side is reduced.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a water circuit (12,13) for guiding water (2,2?,2?) from a source (11); and a mixing unit (20) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to a beverage outlet (23) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug (5) a beverage (3) formed in the mixing unit (20). The mixing unit (20) has a first module (21) and a second module (22) that are relatively movable from: a distant configuration for inserting an ingredient between the first and second modules (21,22); to a proximate position for combining such ingredient with water (2?) supplied by the water circuit (12,13) so as to form the beverage (3). The machine has: a further unit (30) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to an outlet (33) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug water (2?) supplied by the water circuit (12,13); and a water directing device (14) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13), to the mixing unit (20) and to the further unit (30).

Abstract: A combination of a flow meter and printed circuit board or flex-print for a liquid food or a beverage preparation machine, which board or flex-print is rigidly connected to the flow meter. This combination is used in a liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes an in-line heating device in which machine liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber that includes a capsule or pod housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber.

Abstract: A liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes a fluid arrangement and a printed circuit board for controlling one or more functions of the fluid arrangement, with the printed circuit board being enclosed within a substantially impervious housing to protect the printed circuit board from fluid or vapor emissions from the fluid arrangement.

Abstract: A liquid food of beverage preparation machine that includes an electric supply circuit connectable to an electric power source; a heater powered by the electric supply circuit; and a thermal fuse device in thermal communication with the heater and associated with the electric supply circuit, the fuse device being arranged to interrupt the electric supply circuit from the power source when the heater exceeds a temperature limit. The thermal fuse device is reversible and includes a switch for automatically interrupting the electric supply circuit when the heater exceeds the temperature limit, the switch being operable by a user to close the electric supply circuit when the heater has a temperature that has returned below the temperature limit.

Abstract: An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage machine that includes a brewing unit which can be opened for introducing or removing an ingredient capsule and closed for brewing a beverage from the ingredient capsule; a passage having an opening and which is arranged for guiding the ingredient capsule from the passage opening into the brewing unit; and a closing part for closing the passage opening when the brewing unit is closed. The closing part is relatively movable over the passage opening with a generally parallel relative movement thereto from an open relative position in which the ingredient capsule can be passed into the brewing unit via the passage to a closed relative position, in which the passage opening is closed by the closure member. The closing part optionally extends over edges of the passage opening.

Abstract: A device and method for warming a cup in a machine for preparing a hot drink or beverage involving transmitting by conduction a part of the surface heat of the heating body to a cup holder. The heating body is also used to heat water in the machine. The device and method also at least partially dampen a vibration transmissible by the heating body to the surface of the cup holder.

Abstract: A machine for preparing a beverage having a main body containing a brewing unit and a handle movable relative to the main body, so as to act on the brewing unit to open the brewing unit for introduction or removal of an ingredient into and from the unit, and act to close the brewing unit for extraction of such ingredient within the unit. The movable handle has a gripping part and is arranged to be drivable by a human hand. The main body and the movable handle are so connected and configured that the gripping part has a carrying position in which the gripping part is seizable by the human hand for safe lifting and single-handed displacing of the machine.

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 machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage, including at least one outermost machine face selected from a front face, a top face and a lateral face; a component for emitting light and a control unit connected to the light emitting component. The light emitting component has states of light emission or non-emission, and an illuminatable outer face on the outermost machine face. The control unit is arranged to detect at least one condition of such machine involving a non immediate readiness of such machine to prepare a liquid food or beverage, and to communicate this condition to a user via the illuminatable outer face by changing the state of the light emitting component. The illuminatable outer face extends in at least one direction across a substantial part of the outermost machine face and is arranged to be substantially entirely illuminated when in this state of light emission.

Abstract: A machine for preparing liquid food or beverage from a beverage or food ingredient contained in a capsule or pod. The machine includes a liquid food or beverage preparation unit arranged to receive capsules or pods for use and evacuate capsules or pods after use; a housing having an opening leading into a seat to which capsules or pods are evacuated from the preparation unit; and a receptacle having a cavity forming a storage space for collecting capsules or pods evacuated to the seat into the receptacle to a level of fill. The receptacle is insertable into the seat for collecting capsules or pods and is removable from the seat for emptying the collected capsules or pods. The preparation machine further comprises a mechanism to inhibit jamming of the receptacle at removal from the seat when the level of fill in the receptacle extends above the opening of the housing.