Abstract: An apparatus for generating a rotary reciprocating motion comprises an input shaft which is driven with unidirectional rotation and an output shaft for delivering reciprocating rotary motion. A first magnetic or ferromagnetic ring is disposed about a rotation axis fixed to the input shaft and a second magnetic or ferromagnetic ring is disposed about the rotation axis fixed to the output shaft. At least one is formed as an arrangement of permanent magnets. The first and second rings are disposed one within the other around the rotation axis. The magnetic coupling between the rings in combination with the effect of an output load results in the desired reciprocating motion of the output shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas flow stream to generate a respiratory gas to be delivered to a patient is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of humidification chambers connected in a sequence to allow the gas flow stream to flow sequentially through the plurality of humidification chambers. Each humidification chamber is configured to contain a liquid over which the gas flow stream can flow. At least one humidification chamber includes a nozzle that forms the gas flow stream into a gas jet that impinges on a surface of the liquid in each humidification chamber. The humidity level of the gas increases as the gas flow stream flows sequentially through the plurality of humidification chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier (10) for a system for providing a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the humidifier (10) comprises: a casing (12) configured to contain a liquid reservoir (20); an air inlet (14) which is arranged at the casing (12); an air outlet (16) which is arranged at the casing (12); and a flow passage (18) connecting the air inlet (14) with the air outlet (16), wherein the flow passage (18) is in fluidic communication with the liquid reservoir (20), and wherein the humidifier (10) comprises a heat pipe (24) having a hot end (26) and a cold end (28), wherein the hot end (26) of the heat pipe (24) is arranged outside the casing (12) and the cold end (28) of the heat pipe (24) is arranged in the liquid reservoir (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier (10) for a system for providing a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the humidifier (10) comprises: a casing (12) configured to contain a liquid reservoir (20); an air inlet (14) which is arranged at the casing (12); an air outlet (16) which is arranged at the casing (12); and a flow passage (18) connecting the air inlet (14) with the air outlet (16), wherein the flow passage (18) is in fluidic communication with the liquid reservoir (20), and wherein the humidifier (10) comprises a heat pipe (24) having a hot end (26) and a cold end (28), wherein the hot end (26) of the heat pipe (24) is arranged outside the casing (12) and the cold end (28) of the heat pipe (24) is arranged in the liquid reservoir (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a rotary reciprocating motion comprises an input shaft which is driven with unidirectional rotation and an output shaft for delivering reciprocating rotary motion. A first magnetic or ferromagnetic ring is disposed about a rotation axis fixed to the input shaft and a second magnetic or ferromagnetic ring is disposed about the rotation axis fixed to the output shaft. At least one is formed as an arrangement of permanent magnets. The first and second rings are disposed one within the other around the rotation axis. The magnetic coupling between the rings in combination with the effect of an output load results in the desired reciprocating motion of the output shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas flow stream is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of humidification chambers connected in a sequence to allow the gas flow stream to flow sequentially through the plurality of humidification chambers. Each humidification chamber is configured to contain a liquid over which the gas flow stream can flow. At least one humidification chamber comprises a nozzle that forms the gas flow stream into a gas jet that impinges on a surface of the liquid in each humidification chamber. The humidity level of the gas increases as the gas flow stream flows sequentially through the plurality of humidification chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeding bottle device (100) comprising at least one air vent valve (140) for allowing the passage of air from outside the feeding bottle device (100) to within a container volume (125) when the feeding bottle device (100) is assembled, a confined volume forming component (150) for defining a confined volume (155) within a container volume (125) of a container component (120) of the feeding bottle device (100), wherein the confined volume (155) is configured to provide a controlled opening (165) for air entering through the air vent valve (140) into the container volume (125), and an optional duct forming component (170) for forming a guidance duct (175) from the at least one air vent valve (140) to the confined volume (155). The feeding bottle device (100) reduces the risk of colic-like symptoms for an infant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeding bottle device (100) comprising at least one air vent valve (140) for allowing the passage of air from outside the feeding bottle device (100) to within a container volume (125) when the feeding bottle device (100) is assembled, a confined volume forming component (150) for defining a confined volume (155) within a container volume (125) of a container component (120) of the feeding bottle device (100), wherein the confined volume (155) is configured to provide a controlled opening (165) for air entering through the air vent valve (140) into the container volume (125), and an optional duct forming component (170) for forming a guidance duct (175) from the at least one air vent valve (140) to the confined volume (155). The feeding bottle device (100) reduces the risk of colic-like symptoms for an infant.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing hot beverages includes a heater and a latent heat storage provision (LHSP) that is in thermal contact with the heater. The LHSP contains, or is configured to contain, a phase-change material. The apparatus further includes an electric circuit for powering the heater. The electric circuit includes a switch assembly that is configured cut power to the heater when a temperature of the LHSP fulfills a predetermined auto-power-down condition.

Abstract: A citrus fruit pressing device comprises two pressing elements for performing a pressing action on a piece of citrus fruit, The pressing elements have surfaces for contacting different sides of a piece of citrus fruit to be pressed and are movable with respect to each other in two opposite directions, i.e. towards and away from each other. The pressing device also comprises at least one knife for performing a cutting action on a piece of citrus fruit, through the peel of the piece The at least one knife is arranged at a side position with respect to the surface of the pressing elements for penetrating into the piece from a side which is free from contact to the surfaces of the pressing elements. The at least one knife is arranged at a side position with respect to the surfaces of the pressing elements.

Abstract: The present application relates to a centrifugal separator for separating fruit or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp. The centrifugal separator comprises a body (22) configured to rotate about a central axis (24), a chamber (28) formed by the body (22) for receiving pulp and juice, and an elongate aperture (29) defined by and extending arcuately around the body (22). Therefore juice in the chamber (28) is urged to flow through the aperture (29) when the body (22) is rotated about the central axis. The present application also relates to a juicer for extracting fruit and or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp comprising a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: In a device (1) for making a beverage on the basis of interaction between a beverage extract and an extracting fluid, which comprises an openable and closeable chamber (50) for receiving and accommodating a quantity of the beverage extract, and heating/cooling means (30) for setting the temperature of the extracting fluid, arranged upstream of the chamber (50), a beverage making process can be performed with extracting fluid that is exactly at a desired temperature. During heat-up or cool-down phases of the heating/cooling means (30), the extracting fluid is transported to another position than the chamber (50) where the beverage making process is supposed to take place. For the purpose of determining an appropriate path of the extracting fluid in every possible situation, valve means (60) are applied, which are switchable under the influence of a change of the flow rate of the extracting fluid.

Abstract: Citrus fruit pressing devices, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Several features that can reduce the incidence of rupturing oil pockets in the fruit peel can be employed to improve the taste of the juice pressed from the fruit. One feature includes cutting (307) the peel at least partly along a circumference of the fruit to reduce rupturing of oil pockets when the fruit is flattened and the surface of the fruit is folded over. Another feature includes utilizing a curved knife, which can provide a relatively deep cut and a smooth expansion of the peel. According to other aspects, juice extraction can be improved by employing one or more protrusions in a surface of the pressing element to press areas of the fruit in which the peel of the fruit is not present. Another aspect is directed to using the pressing speed to control the pulp content of the juice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a masticating separator for separating fruit or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp. The masticating separator comprises a housing (21), an inner wall (43) in the housing (21), an auger (22,71) rotatably mounted in the housing (21), a cavity (46) defined between an outer surface (39,86) of the auger (22,71) and the inner wall (43) to receive pulp and juice, and a juice passageway (44) separated from the cavity (46). An elongate aperture (52) is formed in the inner wall (43) extending between the cavity (46) and the juice passageway (44). Therefore, when the auger (22,71) is rotated about its longitudinal axis to urge pulp and juice along the cavity (46), juice in the cavity (46) is urged to flow through the aperture (52) to the juice passageway (44).

Abstract: A centrifugal bowl comprises a base that can rotate about an axis of rotation. A filter sieve in the shape of a perforated peripheral side sieve wall extends from an open end to the base, and a plurality of vanes is disposed in a predominantly radial direction on the inner surface of the perforated peripheral side sieve wall.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for preparing hot beverages, comprising: —an electric heater (16); —a latent heat storage provision (30) that is in thermal contact with the heater (16), and that contains, or is configured to contain, a phase-change material (38); and —an electric circuit (40) for powering the electric heater (16), comprising a switch assembly (44) that is configured cut power to the heater (16) when a temperature of the latent heat storage provision (30) fulfills a predetermined auto-power-down condition.

Abstract: A citrus fruit pressing device comprises two pressing elements (30, 40) for performing a pressing action on a piece of citrus fruit, which pressing elements (30, 40) have surfaces for contacting different sides of a piece of citrus fruit to be pressed, and which pressing elements (30, 40) are movable with respect to each other in two opposite directions, i.e. towards each other and away from each other. Furthermore, the pressing device comprises cutting means for performing a cutting action on a piece of citrus fruit, through the peel of the piece, which cutting means are arranged for penetrating into the piece from a side which is free from contact to the surfaces of the pressing elements (30, 40). The cutting means may comprise at least one knife arranged at a side position with respect to the surfaces of the pressing elements (30, 40).

Abstract: A baby bottle warmer is disclosed, comprising a chamber (3) for receiving a baby bottle comprising a base (5) and side walls (6), configured so that in use the sides and base of the chamber (3) are at an angle to the surface on which the baby bottle warmer is supported. A water reservoir (11), positioned higher up than the chamber (3), feeds water into the chamber (3), by gravity, through a pipe (12). The reservoir (11) is sealed except for the pipe (12) so air may flow in the opposite direction to the water along the pipe (12) until the water level in the chamber (3) reaches the level of the outlet (15) of the pipe (12) at which point the water level is prevented from rising. When the baby bottle is inserted into the chamber (3), the water is displaced so that it forms a layer between the baby bottle and the walls (5, 6) of the chamber (3). This layer of water acts as an efficient heat transfer mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a masticating separator for separating fruit or vegetable juice from fruit or vegetable pulp. The masticating separator comprises a housing (21), an inner wall (43) in the housing (21), an auger (22,71) rotatably mounted in the housing (21), a cavity (46) defined between an outer surface (39,86) of the auger (22,71) and the inner wall (43) to receive pulp and juice, and a juice passageway (44) separated from the cavity (46). An elongate aperture (52) is formed in the inner wall (43) extending between the cavity (46) and the juice passageway (44). Therefore, when the auger (22,71) is rotated about its longitudinal axis to urge pulp and juice along the cavity (46), juice in the cavity (46) is urged to flow through the aperture (52) to the juice passageway (44).