Abstract: A watertight fuel-gauge housing comprises a housing at least partially positioned in the interior of a fuel tank; a gauge mechanism within said housing for providing an indication of the level of fuel within said tank according to the position of a floating device connected to a shaft that penetrates the housing; and a sealing assembly for sealing the opening through which said shaft penetrates the housing, the sealing assembly comprising a rotatably movable sealing washer and a mounting packing tightly positioned within a seat formed around the opening of the housing through which said shaft projects.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of a semiconductor piezoresistive accelerometer includes the steps of: providing a wafer of semiconductor material; providing a membrane in the wafer over a cavity; rigidly coupling an inertial mass to the membrane; and providing, in the wafer, piezoresistive transduction elements, that are sensitive to strains of the membrane and generate corresponding electrical signals. The step of coupling is carried out by forming the inertial mass on top of a surface of the membrane opposite to the cavity. The accelerometer is advantageously used in a device for monitoring the pressure of a tire of a vehicle.

Abstract: A gyro sensor having a vibrator and a start circuit generates an oscillation encouraging signal by boosting a first voltage to a voltage of the signal in response to a start signal of a start frequency sent from the start circuit. The vibrator is vibrated in response to the oscillation encouraging signal. When the vibrator is self-excited, the vibrator outputs a first detecting signal indicating an oscillating amplitude and oscillating frequency in the vibration of the vibrator. The sensor boosts the first voltage to a second voltage in response to the first detecting signal and generates a driving signal of a driving frequency and the second voltage. The self-excitation of the vibrator is continued in response to the driving signal. The vibrator outputs a second detecting signal indicating a yaw added to the vibrator. The sensor generates a sensor signal corresponding to the yaw from the second detecting signal.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a vibrating beam that comprises a nodal point for oscillation in any one or more of a plurality of substantially perpendicular directions for driving into oscillation and sensing angular rate of the vibrating beam. The vibrating beam comprises an aperture that allows a frame to support the vibrating beam near the nodal point.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a lead frame. The lead frame has a chip mounting section and a plurality of leads. The chip mounting section has a base section, an insulation film covering the base section, a plurality of inter-connect sections, and a chip mounting area. The leads surround the chip mounting section. The semiconductor device also includes a first semiconductor chip having a plurality of first electrode pads. The semiconductor device also includes first bonding wires for connecting the first electrode pads to the inter-connect sections. The semiconductor device also includes a second semiconductor chip which has a cavity and a plurality of second electrode pads. The first semiconductor chip and the first bonding wires are received in the cavity. Second bonding wires connect the inter-connect sections exposed from the second semiconductor chip to the leads. Third bonding wires connect the second electrode pads to the leads. The semiconductor device also includes a sealing section.

Abstract: A comb capacity accelerometer including: a substrate, a first mobile electrode free to move with respect to the substrate provided with a set of mobile fingers, a first fixed electrode fixed with respect to the substrate and provided with a set of fixed fingers, each of the mobile fingers being arranged between two contiguous fixed fingers so as to form a first microstructure with interdigitised combs, at least one second mobile electrode associated with at least one second fixed electrode to form at least one second microstructure with interdigitised combs superposed on the first microstructure with interdigitised combs, and the second mobile electrode and the second fixed electrode are etched in the same substrate as the first mobile electrode and the first fixed electrode.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a mass and a supporting member linked by a flexible beam. A strain detector having low-resistance areas at both ends is formed near a boundary between the beam and the mass or between the beam and the supporting member. A dielectric film formed on the supporting member and the beam has multiple contact holes disposed over each low-resistance area. Wiring formed on the dielectric film is connected to the low-resistance areas through the contact holes. The provision of multiple contact holes for each low-resistance area extends the life of the acceleration sensor by preventing sensor failure due to the separation or other failure of any single contact.

Abstract: In a micro-electromechanical structure, a rotor has a centroidal axis and includes a suspended structure which carries mobile electrodes. A stator carries fixed electrodes facing the mobile electrodes. The suspended structure is connected to a rotor-anchoring region via elastic elements. The stator includes at least one stator element, which carries a plurality of fixed electrodes and is fixed to a stator-anchoring region. One of the rotor-anchoring regions and stator-anchoring regions extends along the centroidal axis and at least another of the rotor-anchoring regions and stator-anchoring regions extends in the proximity of the centroidal axis.

Abstract: An acoustic wave sensor system for monitoring the etch rate or etch ability of a selective material has an acoustic wave sensing device having a piezoelectric substrate and at least one electrode coupled to the substrate for generating a propagating acoustic wave and for detecting changes in frequency or other propagation characteristics of the acoustic wave. A selective material is disposed on the substrate. Changes in propagation characteristics of the wave caused by etching of the selective material by an etchant can be analyzed to evaluate the etching rate or etch ability of the selective material. The sensing system can have a wireless sensing device which device is mountable in an oil filter system for monitoring the corrosion of the engine. The sensing device can be configured as BAW, SH-SAW, SH-APM, FPM devices or other acoustic wave devices.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring structural health conditions of objects. Each system includes patch sensors attached to an object, wherein each patch sensor is capable of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal in response to the wave. The system includes a tree structured relay unit that has a root node and at least one lower level node that includes at least one leaf node connected to the patch sensors. The lower level node includes switches, wherein the switches are operated to establish a channel between the root node and a selected one of the patch sensors and wherein actuator signal or sensor signal is transmitted through the channel. The sensor signals are analyzed to monitor health conditions thereby prevent catastrophic failure.

Abstract: In industrial sensing applications at least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe 12 is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors 14,16,18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1, x2, x3 along the pipe 12. The pressure sensors 14,16,18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines 20,22,24 which are provided to signal processing logic 60 which determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe 12 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe 12. Numerous spatial array-processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to logic 48, which calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture, or fluid, which is related to the sound speed amix. The logic 60 may also determine the Mach number Mx of the fluid.

Abstract: A pressure sensor integrated onto an electronic circuit substrate. The pressure sensor measures the effect of the ambient air pressure on a characteristic of the pressure sensor that can be translated into a variable pressure measurement. Another embodiment of the pressure sensor is a pressure switch having a set point that can be configured at, or after, the time of installation of the associated circuit substrate.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a stainless steel tubular housing. Within the housing is a polyetheretherketone tube and a sensor. An optical fiber joins the sensor to a transmission cable and is fixedly positioned within the tube. A first end of the housing includes a pressure transmission device or bellows and the second end of the housing is crimped about the tube to fixedly position the tube and the sensor within the housing. The sensor assembly is positioned within a channel of a gasket to obtain pressure data from a combustion chamber. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A vacuum gauge of the Pirani type for measuring the pressure of vaporized organic or inorganic material used in forming a layer of a device, comprising: an extended filament having a thickness of 5 microns or less and having a temperature coefficient of resistance greater than 0.0035/° C., the filament being subject to the vaporized organic or inorganic material; means for applying a current to the filament so that the temperature of the filament is less than 650° C. so as not to degrade the molecular structure of the organic material; and a structure responsive to a change in resistance or a change in current to determine heat loss from the filament, which is a function of the pressure of the vaporized organic or inorganic material.

Abstract: A robust, easy to mount probe sensor includes an elongated body enclosing a sensor element and an integral flange extending away from the body. The body and flange are formed of material having a relatively low characteristic yield point. First and second generally parallel closely spaced through passages extend through the flange. An insert formed of material having a relatively high characteristic yield point is disposed in one of the passages. A fastener including a shank portion which extends through the other passageway includes an enlarged head which overlays the insert containing passageway and engages an attachment structure to effect directed compressive loading of the probe sensor flange.

Abstract: A system and method relating to the measuring of torque in a rotating shaft is provided. An optical torque sensing system comprises a rotating shaft, wherein a sleeve of photo-elastic material overlays a portion of the shaft. A light emitting component delivers light into the photo-elastic material, wherein the light delivered by the light emitting component is directed through the photo-elastic material along an axis of the rotating shaft. A capturing component captures the light that exits the photo-elastic material. The exiting light comprises fringe pattern data, and a computing system computes torsion strain of the shaft based at least in part on the fringe pattern information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided to measure the process flow of a fluid or medium traveling in a pipe. The system and apparatus feature a standoff and piezoelectric-based sensor arrangement having a plurality of standoffs arranged on a pipe and a plurality of sensor bands, each arranged on a respective plurality of standoffs, each having at least one sensor made of piezoelectric material arranged thereon to detect unsteady pressure disturbances in the process flow in the pipe which in turn can be converted to the velocity of and/or speed of sound propagating within the pipe, and a cooling tube arranged in relation to the plurality of standoffs for actively cooling the sensor band; and further comprise a processing module for converting one or more sensor signals into a measurement containing information about the flow of the fluid or medium traveling in the pipe, as well as a pump and heat exchanger for processing the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the location and annular orientation of pipe inverts and other features in manholes. An elongate, telescoping rod is supported centrally in the manhole opening by a pivot assembly that permits the rod to both rotate in the horizontal plane and pivot in the vertical plane. A laterally-extending foot member on the lower end of the telescoping rod is inserted into the openings of the inverts for measurement. Electronic angle sensors record the length and orientation of the rod member at each measurement point, from which the location and angular orientation of the invert opening or other feature is then calculated.

Abstract: An attachment for a fishing rod to respond to tension on the fishing line. In one mode it responds to a lateral pull on the rod tip. In another mode it responds to an axial pull on the line. It enables accurate adjustment of the drag, and can indicate when the tension on the line is in a safe or risky range relative to the rated stress of the line.

Abstract: Sample processing devices with variable valve structures and methods of using the same are disclosed. The valve structures allow for removal of selected portions of the sample material located within the process chamber. Removal of the selected portions is achieved by forming an opening in a valve septum at a desired location. The valve septums may be large enough to allow for adjustment of the location of the opening based on the characteristics of the sample material in the process chamber. If the sample processing device is rotated after the opening is formed, the selected portion of the material located closer to the axis of rotation exits the process chamber through the opening. The remainder of the sample material cannot exit through the opening because it is located farther from the axis of rotation than the opening.

Abstract: A first ball circulating hole and a second ball circulating hole for connecting a circulator are bored midway at a screw groove formed on an inner circumference of a ball nut, an intermediate groove path between the first and second ball circulating holes becomes the range of a ball screw track for circulating balls, and other ranges become a first outer track and a second outer track which are not the ball screw track. By making the groove depth of the intermediate groove path deeper than the groove depth of a first groove path of the first outer track and the groove depth of a second groove path of the second outer track, steps are formed between the ball screw track and the two outer tracks. These steps prevent an outflow of the balls from the intermediate groove path to the respective groove paths of the outer tracks.

Abstract: A step down gear train for an adjusting device of an automotive vehicle seat which has an input shaft and an output shaft that is connected to a pinion. At least one first cogwheel and one second cogwheel are provided in the path between input shaft and output shaft. A follower wheel is provided, in engagement with the first cogwheel, and is not located in the path between the input shaft and the output shaft. A pusher wheel is provided, that is likewise not located in the path between input shaft and output shaft, and is in engagement with both the follower wheel and the second cogwheel, and is carried so as to be longitudinally slidable. An elastic means is provided, that is associated with the pusher wheel, and which elastically biases said pusher wheel into engagement with the follower wheel and the second cogwheel.

Abstract: There is provided an industrial robot having no interference of a cable for an end effector or the like with a peripheral apparatus. An end effector 5 is fixed to a wrist flange 4 through an intermediate member 6. The intermediate member 6 takes the shape of a crankshaft in which a first flange 6a attached directly to the wrist flange 4, a second flange 6b provided at a predetermined interval in parallel with the first flange 6a and attached directly to the end effector 5, and two members 6c and 6d for coupling the first and second flanges 6a and 6b are arranged symmetrically.

Abstract: A cycle pedal includes a pedal body mounted to rotate about a pedal spindle, a front hoop having a front attachment bar situated in front of the pedal spindle and substantially parallel to the spindle, and a rear hoop having a rear attachment bar situated behind the pedal spindle and substantially parallel to the spindle. The rear hoop is articulated about a first hoop spindle mounted in bearings of the pedal body and elastic means are provided to urge the rear hoop toward a rest position. The front hoop is articulated about a second hoop spindle which is situated below the mid-plane of the pedal, on a side opposite to the front attachment bar, and elastic means are provided to urge the front hoop toward a rest position. The front upper part of the pedal body is inclined downward toward the front, thereby allowing a greater angular range for a user to click into the pedal.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly has a cleat releasably coupled to a pedal by a cleat engagement mechanism formed on an upper surface of its pedal body. The pedal body has a front end configured and arranged to include a sole guide portion that assists the rider in rotating the pedal body about its pedal shaft. In one embodiment, the sole guide portion is formed by a first concaved sole receiving recess located in a tip surface of the pedal body and a second concaved sole receiving recess located on the upper surface of the pedal body adjacent to the tip surface. Alternatively, the concaved sole receiving recesses can be replaced with either a pair of laterally spaced projections located on at the front end of the pedal body, or a V-shaped tip surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wrench handle includes preheating a work piece made of metal, with a layer of carbon scale being generated on the work piece during preheating. The preheated work piece is forged/pressed to form a wrench handle, with the carbon scale on the work piece being forged into upper and lower faces of the wrench handle. An indentation is formed on each of the upper and lower faces of the wrench handle. The carbon scale is then removed, leaving pits in the upper and lower faces of the wrench handle, with the pits concealed by the indentation sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing barber scissors (1), wherein the scissor blades (23, 33) are pre-shaped from blanks by a predetermined degree of curvature in the direction facing away from the edge. This is followed by a step of welding on a hard metal material in the form of a welding bead on respective mutually facing faces of the scissor blades (23, 33) in order to form the edges (24, 34), wherein the preliminary curvature of the scissor blades (23, 33) is neutralized owing to the influence of heat during the welding process. Subsequently the welding beads are ground so as to form the edges (24, 34), and the scissor halves (2, 3) are pre-set and hardened. Then the barber scissors (1) are hard-set in the assembled condition. The invention furthermore relates to barber scissors (1) having such a configuration.

Abstract: A wrench capable of switching sense of rotation comprises a handle, a head portion formed on one end of the handle and a switch mounted on the head portion of the handle. The head portion further comprises a ratchet wheel, a claw piece and an inverting piece. The switch further comprises two driving pieces downwardly extended from two lateral sides thereof. As either side of the switch is pressed down, the associated driving piece will be pushed against the inverting piece with a sloppy wall thereof, so as to restrict the rotation of the ratchet in one angular direction.

Abstract: A wrench includes an operative member and an extension. The operative member includes a first end for driving a fastener. The operative member further includes a second end having a connecting portion. The connecting portion includes an engaging hole. The extension includes a receiving hole in an end thereof. The connecting portion of the operative member is received in the receiving hole of the extension. A coupling portion protrudes inward from a perimeter wall defining the receiving hole. The coupling portion is engaged in the engaging hole of the operative member. Another operative member may be coupled to the other end of the extension.

Abstract: A compound screwdriver head, which comprises a first working portion and a second working portion of the same size, the first, second working portion of the bigger size is used for screwing and unscrewing a bolt of bigger, smaller size respectively, so that different sizes of bolts can be locked and unloaded by one screwdriver. Thereby this invention is not only can save the structure of the bolt, but also can prolong the life of the bolt.

Abstract: A table saw includes a stationary table, a movable table linearly movable relative to the stationary table, a rip fence movable relative to the stationary table and the movable table, and a scale device mounted between the stationary table and the movable table and including a tape measure secured on the movable table to move therewith and having a retractable tape having a distal end secured on the stationary table. Thus, when the movable table is pulled outward from the stationary table to fit a wooden workpiece having a longer cutting length, the user can read the values of the retractable tape of the tape measure of the scale device so as to obtain the cutting length of the wooden workpiece directly.

Abstract: A light-weight armor system for retrofitting onto light vehicles, such as HMMWVs, trucks, or helicopters, or incorporating into a vehicle to protect against HEAT or high explosive warheads. The armor system comprises multiple layers of a thin metal film. The front side of the thin metal sheet facing away from the vehicle is coated with a layer of zirconium nanoparticles and imprinted with a network of hollow packets filled with water and sealed. The back side of the thin metal sheet is coated with a layer of potassium bicarbonate powder. The multiple layers of metal film are imbedded in a matrix of composite foam to form a honeycomb structure that can be retrofitted onto light vehicles or used in new designs.

Abstract: A defense system for protecting a static structure, such as a building in an urban environment, from attack from an aircraft is provided. The air defense system includes at least one launching device for discharging a fluid payload at an incoming aircraft. Each launching device is mounted to an exterior wall of the static structure. In a preferred embodiment, the launching device is a water cannon. In a typical system, an array of launching devices are mounted to an exterior wall of the static structure which may be subject to attack from an aircraft.

Abstract: The present device relates to a housing module 1 for a brake booster. The housing module has a housing shell 3 that accommodates a movable wall 4. The movable wall subdivides an interior space of the brake booster into a low-pressure chamber 5 and a working chamber 6. Also, a control housing 11, in which a control valve 10 is arranged, controls a pressure difference acting on the movable wall 4 and is operable of an actuating rod 9. The control valve includes two sealing seats 12, 13 which are arranged concentrically to one another and of an elastically deformable valve body 14.

Abstract: A safety circuit for media-operated consumers, such as steam turbines or gas turbines, includes at least one first solenoid valve (1.1) which acts on a fluid circuit. An actuating device (9) can be connected to the fluid circuit, and acts at the same time on the operating behavior of the consumer. At least one other solenoid valve (1.2, 1.3) is connected at least to one of the other solenoid valves (1.1) such that only with simultaneous triggering of at least two solenoid valves (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) does at least one control valve (2.1), connected to the fluid circuit (10) act on the actuating device (9). Permanent verifiability can occur with simultaneous implementation of the safety function. A process for operating the safety circuit is also involved.

Abstract: A rotary displacement machine (10) with radial pistons (19), includes a bearing (29) having a rotating thrust ring (28) and a stationary outer ring (30), with bearing rollers (31) therebetween. The thrust ring (28) includes one engagement device (43, 45) per piston (19), the engagement device (43, 45) allowing movement in a straight line along a second direction defined by a second axis (b) perpendicular to a first longitudinal centerline (a) of the piston (19).

Abstract: A piston for a fluid operated power cylinder has two mutually coaxial sealing lips axially extending away from each other and being able to radially yield, for sealing engagement with the piston running face of the power cylinder and adjacent to at least one piston end side an elastic buffer body serving for shock absorbing in the end of stroke position of the piston, said body having an impact face facing away from the piston. At least at one piston end face the sealing lip itself constitutes the buffer body and has the impact face at its end, groove-like recesses being formed on the inner periphery of the sealing lip with a distribution in the peripheral direction, such recesses opening toward said impact face.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston and cylinder unit comprising the combination of a cylinder assembly defining a cylindrical chamber, a piston member mounted in the cylindrical chamber for reciprocating movement therein in response to movement of hydraulic fluid under pressure into and out of the chamber, and a piston rod member connected to the piston member for movement therewith and extending from one end of cylinder assembly. The members have meshing threads thereon configured to be meshingly interengaged when the members are rotationally moved into an assembled position relative to one another in one direction.

Abstract: This invention provides a locking device for coffee brewing apparatus of an automatic coffee maker. With this invention, when the top cover is closed, the brewing chamber can be locked and sealed at the same time automatically, while after coffee is brewed, the brewing chamber can be unlocked automatically, which provides easy operation that is convenient for users.

Abstract: A coffee machine, particularly an espresso machine, comprising a brewing device (6) for producing and dispensing coffee via a coffee dispensing nozzle (11), as well as a hot water boiler (2) having a fresh water supply line (1) and a hot water line (10) coming out into a brewing chamber (5) of the brewing device (6), and a control unit (4). The coffee dispensing is controllable by said control unit (4). A heating element (13) is disposed on the hot water line (10) between the hot water boiler (2) and the brewing chamber (5), by means of which heating element the water flowing from the hot water boiler (2) into the brewing chamber (5) is able to be brought to brewing temperature. The brewing temperature can thereby be maintained at a virtually constant value whereby improving the quality of the coffee dispensed.

Abstract: A coffee dispenser group, in particular for espresso coffee, for a drinks machine comprises two shoulders (62) connected together by two sealing blocks (63) arranged at the bottom and an upper brewing cylinder (64) arranged on top. Said shoulders have guide and sliding runs (65) for a mobile lower brewing device (66), said lower brewing device (66) being equipped with a plunger (69) that can slide inside it guided by a first lever (70) through a slot (71) formed in the lever itself and the lower brewing device (66) being connected to an actuation linkage to be driven from an initial position for feeding the ground coffee to a brewing position engaged with the upper brewing cylinder (64).

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more liquid beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, a compartment containing the one or more liquid beverage ingredients and an outlet for a beverage produced by dilution of the one or more liquid beverage ingredients by the aqueous medium, characterised in that the compartment includes means for controlling dilution of at least a proportion of the one or more liquid beverage ingredients on introduction of the aqueous medium into the compartment.

Abstract: A fryer includes a cooking vessel, and the cooking vessel includes a wall and contains a cooking medium. The fryer also includes a heater for heating the cooking medium, and a first temperature sensor which determines a first temperature. The first temperature is a temperature of the cooking medium or is a temperature of air within the cooking vessel, depending on a level of the cooking medium within the cooking vessel. The first temperature sensor also generates a first signal indicating the first temperature. The fryer also includes a second temperature sensor, which determines a second temperature of the wall. The second temperature sensor also generates a second signal indicating the second temperature. Moreover, the fryer includes a controller which is electrically coupled to the first temperature sensor and to the second temperature sensor. Specifically, the controller receives the first signal and receives the second signal.

Abstract: The present application relates to a lid (4) for a pressure cooking appliance (1) the lid designed to be placed and locked on a cooking vessel (2). The lid (4) comprises at least one jaw (5) mounted to move radially between a locking position and unlocking position. Said at least one jaw (5) is substantially of channel section, with a top face (10) for bearing on the lid (4), a front face (11), and a folded-under bottom face (12) designed, when in the locking position, to come into contact with the underside of a rim (3) of the cooking vessel (2). The at least one jaw (5) includes a substantially central setback (15) extending in the front and bottom faces (11, 12) thereof so as to define two locking wings (16, 17). The invention also provides a pressure cooking appliance fitted with the lid (4).

Abstract: A domestic appliance for cooking under pressure. The appliance includes a cooking bowl and a lid. The lid is configured to be fit and locked onto the bowl to form a substantially leaktight cooking enclosure. The appliance further includes: means for locking and unlocking the lid relative to the bowl; pressure regulator means arranged to maintain a relative pressure inside the enclosure at a substantially constant predetermined cooking pressure value; and activatable and deactivatable decompression means arranged, when activated, to allow the pressure that exists inside the enclosure to drop. The pressure regulator means may be configured to maintain the cooking pressure substantially in the range of 10 kPa to 30 kPa.

Abstract: Overheat prevention device for household bean milk and bean curd makers is disclosed. Such makers include a housing having a cavity to contain water therein, a main body, and a drive motor to rotate a cutting blade on an end of a drive shaft. A heater may be provided which generates heat when electricity is applied to the heater, thus heating an interior of the housing. Overheat prevention device includes a temperature sensing and fusing bar extending to a predetermined length to reach a position around the filter net and has a temperature sensor to detect an internal temperature of the housing, and a thermal fuse to cut off electricity supplied to the heater, when the interior of the housing overheats. Overheat prevention device allows the thermal fuse to accurately detect an internal temperature of the housing, therefore preventing the bean milk and bean curd maker from overheating.

Abstract: An assembly for creating milk froth and/or for heating milk is disclosed. It comprises a foaming device and optionally a milk container and a valve assembly. The foaming device is provided with a steam supply channel, an air supply channel, a milk supply channel and a discharge opening. In order to provide for an easy cleaning of the assembly and its microbicity, at least the components and/or cavities coming into contact with milk are provided with a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface consisting of nano-particles which consist partially of silver or a silver compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus in an infuser for a liquid food product. The infuser is of the type which includes a pressure vessel (1) with an inlet (2) for the product located in its upper region and an outlet (6) for the product located in its lower region. In the product inlet (2) there is a device for dividing the product entering into the pressure vessel (1) into small droplets. The infuser also includes an inlet (8) for steam. The steam inlet (8) is disposed so that steam enters into the upper region of the pressure vessel (1) through a concentric distribution chamber (9). The distribution chamber (9) is defined by the wall (10) of the pressure vessel (1), a guide plate (11) and at least one foraminated plate (12).

Abstract: A contactor apparatus is adapted to expose a comminuted foodstuff such as comminuted meat to a processing fluid such as gaseous or aqueous ammonia or carbon dioxide gas. The contactor apparatus facilitates an even and consistent exposure to the processing fluid throughout the comminuted foodstuff as the foodstuff is pumped through a conduit. In order to produce this desired exposure to the processing fluid, the apparatus shapes the comminuted foodstuff into a relatively thin sheet of material flowing through a contact passage. The processing fluid is then applied to this relatively thin sheet of comminuted material from a processing fluid chamber. A fluid communication arrangement between the fluid chamber and the contact passage allows the flow of processing fluid into the contact passage and into contact with the sheet of foodstuff flowing through the contact passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing objects includes an inlet for serially feeding objects to the apparatus and a driver roller that is rotatably driven about a first axis by a power input mechanism, wherein the driver roller has a first notch. The apparatus further includes an idler roller rotatably coupled to the driver roller so as to be rotatably driven about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis. The idler roller has a second notch wherein the first and second notches coordinate to at least partially receive the object therein throughout a portion of respective revolutions of the driver roller and the idler roller. The apparatus may further include a crushed object outlet.