Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a fluid includes a cooling medium (32) and a drive mechanism (37). The cooling medium (32) is arranged to accept, in use, an insert (36) comprising a fluid contained by a wall such that the cooling medium is in thermal contact with a first side of the wall and causes heat from the fluid in contact with a second side of the wall to flow through the wall to the first side to cool the fluid. The drive mechanism (37) is arranged to apply a series of shock accelerations to the wall of the insert for a period of time during cooling of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage, the method comprising: (i) providing a beverage liquor containing soluble tea or coffee solids, and a freezing-point suppressant; (ii) aerating the beverage liquor by the addition of a gas; (iii) flowing the aerated beverage liquor through a refrigeration system to cool the aerated beverage liquor and to thereby form a plurality of ice crystals within the aerated beverage liquor; and (iv) dispensing the cooled aerated beverage liquor as an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, at a target ice/liquid ratio with a corresponding target temperature, a slush comprising frozen and non-frozen liquid comprises a flow path for recirculation of liquid therethrough, the flow path comprising a heat exchanger having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the heat exchanger being configured for flow therethrough of coolant at a temperature below the target temperature, the apparatus being configured to vary the rate of coolant flow through the heat exchanger between a first rate and a second rate that is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: An electronic click wrench comprises a handle for applying torque through a shaft to a working head. The shaft includes torque sensing means for calculating the torque applied to a workpiece by the working head, and a trigger mechanism for sending a haptic feedback to a user by triggering a small movement of the handle relative to the working head when a set point torque is reached. The trigger mechanism comprises a permanent magnet that is normally anchored by magnetic attraction to a pole piece so as to resist separation when a force is applied through the handle, and an electromagnetic means actuable to reduce or cancel that magnetic attraction so as to permit separation of the pole piece and permanent magnet, thus generating the haptic feedback. Operation of the electromagnet may oppose the flux of the permanent magnet through the pole piece. Alternatively operation of the electromagnet may divert the flux of the permanent magnet away from the pole piece.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat transfer device (2), the heat transfer device comprising a heat exchanger (10) driven by movement of a fluid, a heat transfer cavity (6) and a fan (12) for creating a circulating gas flow between the heat exchanger and the heat transfer cavity. The heat transfer device (2) includes: a housing having an opening (14) for allowing an object to be inserted into the heat transfer cavity (6); an outlet valve (52) for exhausting gas and/or liquid from the heat transfer cavity (6); and a controller arranged to operate the outlet valve (52). The heat transfer device (2) may, for example, take the form of a cooling device for rapidly cooling a drinking vessel such as a beer glass.

Abstract: An electronic click wrench comprises a handle for applying torque through a shaft to a working head. The shaft includes torque sensing means for calculating the torque applied to a workpiece by the working head, and a trigger mechanism for sending a haptic feedback to a user by triggering a small movement of the handle relative to the working head when a set point torque is reached. The trigger mechanism comprises a permanent magnet that is normally anchored by magnetic attraction to a pole piece so as to resist separation when a force is applied through the handle, and an electromagnetic means actuable to reduce or cancel that magnetic attraction so as to permit separation of the pole piece and permanent magnet, thus generating the haptic feedback. Operation of the electromagnet may oppose the flux of the permanent magnet through the pole piece. Alternatively operation of the electromagnet may divert the flux of the permanent magnet away from the pole piece.

Abstract: A method of producing a body portion (2) of a capsule (1) comprises forming the body portion (2) from a polymeric material and subsequently treating one or more piercing zones (30) of the body portion (2) to alter one or more material characteristics of the polymeric material of the piercing zone(s) relative to the material characteristics of the polymeric material of a remainder of the body portion (2). A capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage comprises a body portion (2) comprising one or more piercing zones (30) intended to be pierced in use by one or more piercers (13) of a beverage preparation machine to provide one or more inlet apertures for feeding water under pressure into the interior of the capsule (1). The body portion (2) is formed from a polymeric material. The polymeric material of the piercing zone(s) comprises a transformed structure which has been treated after formation of the body portion (2) to alter one or more of its material characteristics.

Abstract: A method of extruding products comprises varying the rate of flow of at least one material (12) through an extrusion aperture in a die (10). The method may be used to produce an extrudate body (16) whose cross-sectional area varies along its length or to produce an extrudate body comprising two or more different materials in which the proportions of the materials varies along its length. Apparatus (11) for carrying out the method comprises an extrusion die (10) defining an extrusion aperture and a material delivery system for delivering the material(s) to the die in a suitable condition for extrusion. A control system is operative to vary the rate of flow of the material. The control system may comprise a flow control mechanism (240) in a supply path for the first material upstream from the die (10). The flow control mechanism (240) may be operative to vary the volume of the supply path and may comprise a fluid actuated resiliently deformable flexible element.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, at a target ice/liquid ratio with a corresponding target temperature, a slush comprising frozen and non-frozen liquid comprises a flow path for recirculation of liquid therethrough, the flow path comprising a heat exchanger having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the heat exchanger being configured for flow therethrough of coolant at a temperature below the target temperature, the apparatus being configured to vary the rate of coolant flow through the heat exchanger between a first rate and a second rate that is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing products comprising an outer casing of a first material (12) and containing at least one chamber (18) filled with a second material (14) comprises extruding the first material through a die (10) to form an extrudate body (16) and delivering the second material through at least one fluid outlet (22) in the die to form the least one filled chamber. The extrusion process is varied periodically and momentarily to produce sections (30) of extrudate body having no filled chamber. In one embodiment, the flow of the second material (14) is periodically reduced to form the unfilled sections. The flow of the second material (14) may be reduced by increasing the volume of a supply path for the second material upstream from the die (10). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly adapted for producing food, and especially confectionery, products.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing products comprising an outer casing of a first material (12) and containing at least one chamber (18) filled with a second material (14) comprises extruding the first material through a die (10) to form an extrudate body (16) and delivering the second material through at least one fluid outlet (22) in the die to form the least one filled chamber. The extrusion process is varied periodically and momentarily to produce sections (30) of extrudate body having no filled chamber. In one embodiment, the flow of the second material (14) is periodically reduced to form the unfilled sections. The flow of the second material (14) may be reduced by increasing the volume of a supply path for the second material upstream from the die (10). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly adapted for producing food, and especially confectionery, products.

Abstract: A method of extruding products comprises varying the rate of flow of at least one material (12) through an extrusion aperture in a die (10). The method may be used to produce an extrudate body (16) whose cross-sectional area varies along its length or to produce an extrudate body comprising two or more different materials in which the proportions of the materials varies along its length. Apparatus (11) for carrying out the method comprises an extrusion die (10) defining an extrusion aperture and a material delivery system for delivering the material(s) to the die in a suitable condition for extrusion. A control system is operative to vary the rate of flow of the material. The control system may comprise a flow control mechanism (240) in a supply path for the first material upstream from the die (10). The flow control mechanism (240) may be operative to vary the volume of the supply path and may comprise a fluid actuated resiliently deformable flexible element.