Abstract: A contact element (120; 420) for producing an electric contact has a laser cut conducting plate, with the contour of the laser cut conducting plate including at least two tips (126), which are embodied as contact tips for a contact pad of a part, connected to each other by a separating area (128), such that a one-piece semi-finished part is embodied.

Abstract: A rotary tool includes a tool holder, a reversible bit, and an outer guide sleeve. The tool holder includes a socket and a shank. The socket includes an opening extending rearwardly from an end thereof. The shank is integral with and extends rearwardly from the socket and includes a non-circular cross-section. The reversible bit includes an inner sleeve, a first reversible bit driver, and a second reversible bit driver. The inner sleeve is disposed within the socket and rotates with the tool holder. One of the first and second bit drivers contains a bit having an end extending axially out of the socket opening. The outer guide sleeve is slidably coupled to and disposed over the socket. The outer guide sleeve is displaceable from a first position where a portion of the bit end extends outwardly beyond a first end of the outer sleeve to a second position where the bit end is completely disposed within the outer guide sleeve.

Abstract: A screw positioning sleeve assembly comprises an inner sleeve slideably received in an outer sleeve, so that the inner sleeve can be engaged with an ordinary tool rod or a screwdriver to screw or unscrew a screw. When screwing or unscrewing, a magnet in the outer sleeve can attract the screw. During the screwing and unscrewing process, the positioning sleeve can move towards the screw to make the magnet keep attracting the screw, thus preventing the screw from screwing or unscrewing falling off. It is noted that the rod body of the tool rod or the screwdriver can connect with the screw positioning sleeve assembly without any additional preformed structure. Therefore, the scope of applicability of the screw positioning sleeve assembly is enlarged considerably.

Abstract: A rotary tool includes a tool holder, a reversible bit, and an outer sleeve. The tool holder includes a socket and a shank. The socket includes an opening extending rearwardly from an end thereof. The shank is integral with and extends rearwardly from the socket and includes a non-circular cross-section. The reversible bit includes an inner sleeve, a first reversible bit driver, and a second reversible bit driver. The inner sleeve is disposed within the socket and rotates with the tool holder. One of the first and second bit drivers contains a bit having an end extending axially out of the socket opening. The outer sleeve is disposed over the socket and includes a first end having an opening. The bit end extends outwardly beyond the outer sleeve opening a distance equal to a desired depth of a drywall dimple.

Abstract: An outer edge of a protective tape projected from a semiconductor wafer is fixed and held by a tape holding section. In the condition, a part of the projected protective tape is caught and supported with a tape supporting section with a face having lower adhesive property provided in the outside of the traveling groove for the cutter. Furthermore, the part of the protective tape having the outer edge fixed and held with the tape holding section is compulsorily deformed and inserted into a depression provided between the tape holding section and the tape supporting section. Thereby, the part of the protective tape located in a traveling groove for the cutter is tensioned outward.

Abstract: An automated saw system for cutting a crooked piece of lumber with a mitered end and a length. The saw system includes a saw for cutting the piece of lumber, a lumber feed conveyor for feeding the piece of lumber to the saw, and a sensor that measures a deviation amount by which the piece of lumber deviates from an idealized straight piece of lumber. A controller communicates with the sensor to adjust either the saw or the conveyor in response to the detected deviation amount so that the piece of lumber is cut to correspond to a cut of the idealized straight piece of lumber.

Abstract: Safety systems for power equipment and components and brake cartridges for use in those safety systems are disclosed. The safety systems, components and brake cartridges are specifically applicable for woodworking equipment such as saws. An exemplary brake cartridge includes a housing and a braking component configured to engage a moving part of the power tool upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The brake cartridge may further include a switch configured so that proper installation of the cartridge in the power tool triggers the switch.

Abstract: A table saw having an adjustable blade, a detection system to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a brake mechanism to engage and stop the blade upon detection of contact between the person and the blade is disclosed. The saw includes a brake positioning system that adjusts the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the position of the blade is adjusted. The saw also may include a retraction system that urges the blade downward, away from a user, upon detection of contact between a person and the blade. The retraction system may include a releasable gear. The saw may be constructed so that the blade is adjustable up and down around a pivot point downstream of the blade relative to the feed direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a base (118) for a paper punch (154) is disclosed as including the steps of (a) providing a cast iron core (102) with a wall (104) and a plate (106) with a hole (108); (b) providing two generally U-shaped cast iron plates (110); (c) positioning the plates (110) spaced apart from and on opposite sides of the core (102); and (d) insert-moulding the core (102) and plates (106) with a plastics material, e.g. ABS.

Abstract: A punch comprises a connecting bar and two punching means. The two punching means are mounted rotatably to the connecting bar. The punch according to the invention may punch two or three holes on sheets of paper as desired by rotating the connecting bar and one punching means since two punching means are mounted rotatably to the connecting bar.

Abstract: There is provided a desk-top cutting machine which includes a base that supports a wood material W; a turntable that has a rotating shaft part and is carried and supported on the base rotatably around the rotating shaft part; a cutting part having a swinging shaft part, the cutting part which is disposed on the turntable, supports a cutting blade up of the turntable, and swings the cutting blade approachably to and separably from the turntable; a scale part and an indicator part which display a rotary angle of the turntable with the base; and an irradiation unit which is provided near the indicator part and emits light that illuminates the indicator part.

Abstract: A paper punch die (125) is disclosed as including a top part (110, 202, 302) and a platform (100, 206, 306) engaged with each other, the platform (100, 206, 306) having an upper major surface (106) and a lower major surface (126, 207, 307), the upper major surface of the platform (100, 206, 306) being in abutment with a lower major surface (118) of the top part (110, 202, 302), and an endless wall (130) with an undulating cutting edge (132) extending away from the lower major surface (126, 207, 307) of the platform (100, 206, 306). There is also disclosed a paper punch (140) including such a paper punch die (125).

Abstract: A music box movement having a mechanism to impede or cause rotation of star wheels, wherein spaced points on the star wheels pluck the tines of the musical comb to perform a desired series of musical tones. In its preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises activating arms with rods having tips thereon, wherein the tips contact the surface of the star wheel and only permit rotation of the star wheel when the tips are withdrawn via activation of a computer-controlled solenoid. Alternatively, again via a computer-controlled solenoid, the mechanism actively causes movement of the star wheel by pushing against, or pulling via hooks, the star wheel points to cause rotation. In lieu of a solenoid, computer-controlled electromagnetically-engaged plates in communication with the activating arms are selectively utilized to adhere to a rotating drum, thereby moving the activating mechanism.

Abstract: A stringed instrument including a housing defining an interior space, at least one string on the housing, an amplifier positioned in the interior space and attached to the housing and a pick-up on the housing and positioned adjacent to the string where the pick-up converts vibrations from the string into electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to the amplifier. The stringed instrument includes an audio input on the housing and coupled to the amplifier, where the audio input is coupled to a digital music player and sound stored by the digital music player is coupled to the amplifier. At least one speaker is mounted in the housing and coupled to the amplifier. The amplifier converts electrical signals from the pick-up into live music and the speaker emits both the live music and the sound from the digital music player to enable a player to play along with the sound.

Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an electric or bass guitar, is formed of a lamination of wood layers having differing grain orientations in adjacent layers, the grain orientations defining a crossing angle less than 90°. An instrument formed from such a lamination is strong and resistant to splitting and checking and produces a good musical sound. The wood layers can be molded under pressure to form curves, such as an S-curve in a neck, or deformations, such as rounded edges in a guitar body. The S-curve in the neck allows the neck to be attached to the guitar body without breaking the continuity of the wood fibers, thereby strengthening the neck. In a three-dimensional molding embodiment, a net shape or near net shape part results, which requires little or no further machining after molding.

Abstract: A collapsible and adjustable stand for a musical instrument has a rod and a holder. The rod has an upper seat pivotally mounted on a top end thereof, a V-like head mounted on the upper seat, a slot defined in a middle portion thereof, a lower seat slidably mounted in the slot, a bracket mounted on the lower seat, a channel defined at a lower end thereof and a pin slidably received in the channel. The holder has a first end pivotally mounted on the lower end of the rod, a notch defined in the first end for positioning the pin in the notch in the unfolded status, a first leg pivotally mounted on a second end of the holder, two joints mounted on two lateral sides of the holder and each having a second leg pivotally mounted on the joint.

Abstract: A drumstick is formed of multiple composite tubes bonded to one another along a common wall, wherein apertures are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, resiliency, aerodynamics and comfort of the drumstick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus creates “micro edits” or alterations and manipulation of sounds, per track or per portion of a track in a “drum machine,” thereby creating unique subdivisions of sound as well as providng means for panning sound within a two dimensional sound space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a musical output is disclosed. The method and apparatus permit the creation, storage and retrieval of a first data structure representing a musical piece. The first data structure includes digital music information that represents musical notes of the musical piece. A second data structure can be created, stored and retrieved as well. The second data structure can include information different than the first data structure and the second data structure can be used to modify the first data structure and to produce a modified musical output. The apparatus and method also permit reuse of the first data structure.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and computer program products are provided for facilitating a group karaoke performance. The system generally comprises at least two devices, each of the at least two devices includes a memory and a display, both operatively coupled to a processor. The memory of each device is configured to at least temporarily store karaoke data including a visual lyric data stream corresponding to one of a plurality of vocal parts in a song. The processor of each device is configured to present the visual lyric information on the display based on the visual lyric data stream stored in the memory. The at least two devices are synchronized so that they can start presenting the visual lyric information essentially at the same time. One of the devices displays visual lyric information for one vocal part of a song and another one of the devices displays visual lyric information for a different vocal part of a song.

Abstract: A device (1) is arranged for synthesizing sound represented by sets of parameters, each set comprising noise parameters (NP) representing noise components of the sound and optionally also other parameters representing other components, such as transients and sinusoids. Each set of parameters may correspond with a sound channel, such as a MIDI voice. In order to reduce the computational load, the device comprises a selection unit (2) for selecting a limited number of sets from the total number of sets on the basis of a perceptual relevance value, such as the amplitude or energy. The device further comprises a synthesizing unit (3) for synthesizing the noise components using the noise parameters of the selected sets only.

Abstract: A microtonal tuner permits a musician such as an electronic keyboard player using a fixed pitch instrument with a digital interface, to enhance performance expression by producing tones perceptible to humans that vary in discrete values from a twelve tone equal tempered octave. The microtonal tuner uses a digital interface such as a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) and comprises a digital input, a digital message analyzer, a controller, a user input, a user output, a tuning program containing tuning data to create a modified digital message and a digital channel to output the modified digital message to produce a microtonal output. The microtonal output can be any number of notes per octave including tunings such as ¼ Comma Meantone, 19 tone equal temperament, 31 tone equal temperament, Harry Partch's 43-tone tuning, and, 205 tone equal temperament.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for manufacturing ammunition labeled with a sequence of characters which allows identification multiple data items, being said sequence of characters (1) laser-engraved, in one or more components of said ammunition, affording positive identification upon retrieval of an engraved component of said ammunition, even if it is already spent.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a hydraulic servomotor (4) is disclosed. The hydraulic servomotor (4) is of a kind having at least one defined end position, and has a first chamber (5) and a second chamber (6) associated therewith. The actuator is connected to a fluid source (2) and a fluid drain (3). The actuator comprises a first valve (7) fluidly connected between the fluid source (2) and the first chamber (5), a second valve (8) fluidly connected between the first chamber (5) and the fluid drain (3), and a third valve (9) fluidly connected between the fluid source (2) and the second chamber (6). The actuator further comprises a flow channel (10, 17), preferably comprising a flow restrictor (12, 18), in fluid communication with the second chamber (6). The valves (7, 8, 9) are such that, in the case of a power cut off, they will prevent a fluid flow out of the first chamber (5), and a fluid flow out of the second chamber (6) takes place via the flow channel (10, 17).

Abstract: A valve assembly (2) forming a bridge circuit and a hydraulic actuator comprising at least one valve assembly (2) are disclosed. The valve assembly (2) is fluidly connectable between a fluid source (3) and a fluid drain (4). The valve assembly (2) comprises a first valve (8) fluidly connected between the fluid source (3) and a first diagonal point (12) of the bridge circuit, a second valve (9) fluidly connected between the fluid source (3) and a second diagonal point (13) of the bridge circuit, a third valve (10) fluidly connected between the first diagonal point (12) and the fluid drain (4), and a fourth valve (11) fluidly connected between the second diagonal point (13) and the fluid drain (4). The valves (8, 9, 10, 11) are such that in the case of a power cut off, flows of fluid away from the diagonal points (12, 13) are prevented.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a hydraulic servomotor 4 is disclosed. The hydraulic servomotor 4 has a first chamber 5 and a second chamber 6 associated therewith. The hydraulic actuator is connected to a fluid source 2 and a fluid drain 3, and it comprises a valve assembly arranged between the fluid source 2 and the fluid drain 3 to control fluid pressures in the chambers 5, 6. At least one auxiliary valve 11 is fluidly connected between the valve assembly and the fluid drain 3, said auxiliary valve(s) 11 being of a kind which is normally closed in a de-energized state. In the case of a power cut off the auxiliary valve(s) 11 will close, thereby preventing fluid flow from the valve assembly towards the fluid drain 3. This causes a servomotor piston member 12 to be hydraulically locked in its instantaneous position, thereby locking the hydraulic servomotor 4. The valve assembly may be designed without taking the locking function into consideration.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic servomotor (13) is disclosed. The control system comprises an electro hydraulic actuator (2) comprising a number of valves (9, 10, 11, 12, 18) for controlling fluid flows, a main control module (1), and one or more connectors. The control system further comprises at least one extension control module (3) comprising one or more connectors. Finally, the control system comprises means (6) for communicating signals between the main control module (1) and each of the extension control module(s) (3). Since the main control module (1) and the extension control module(s) (3) are able to communicate signals, it is possible to provide signals to/from the main control module (1) via an extension module (3), thereby in effect providing additional connectors to the main control module (1). Thereby the main control module (1) may be able to perform additional functions as compared to similar prior art control modules.

Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engine, compressor or the like, includes a piston ring, a piston skirt having a piston skirt wall. One or more lubricant channels and reservoirs are provided on an outer surface of the piston skirt. Lubricant is conducted to an outer surface of a piston skirt of a piston through the lubricant channels which are communicating an inner surface of the piston skirt with the outer surface thereof. The lubricant is able to be reserved in the lubricant reservoirs provided on the outer surface of the piston skirt to maintain lubrication between the piston skirt and cylinder wall so as to reduce a friction between the cylinder and the piston skirt, reduce loss of power due to friction and heat, improve the output power, reduce the fuel consuming, noise and exhaust, and achieve fuel saving and environment protection.

Abstract: A piston formed from an Al—Si alloy having an average Si composition includes a high wear region having a surface that is Si-rich with respect to the average Si composition of the Al—Si alloy. The surface of the predetermined high wear region is treated, as by etching, to selectively remove Al from the surface to produce the Si-rich region. The Si-rich region has improved resistance to wear. The piston may be treated to produce one or more high wear regions which are Si-rich with respect to the average Si composition of the alloy. High wear regions may include the annular grooves for receiving a piston ring, the piston skirt and the pin bore.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for capturing CO2 from flue gas emanating from a carbonaceous fuel combusting power plant, which includes a source of oxygen and a combustion chamber for combusting the fuel with oxygen and thereby producing flue gas that includes CO2, water and excess oxygen as its main components. At least a portion of the flue gas is compressed to a pressure higher than about sixty bar, the compressed flue gas is cooled in a primary CO2 separating unit for capturing a first portion of the CO2 by condensing it to produce a liquid CO2 stream and a high pressure vent gas stream that includes oxygen and excess CO2, the liquid CO2 stream is discharged from the power plant, and the high pressure vent gas stream is conducted to a secondary CO2 separating unit for capturing a second portion of the CO2 by adsorbing it to an adsorbing material.

Abstract: Metal-organic framework-based molecular sieves comprising pores with a temperature-adjustable pore opening. The temperature-adjustable pore size molecular sieves comprise a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a functionalized hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are held in proximity with each other to form at least one hydrophobic chamber. The hydrophobic moieties form temperature-adjustable pore size hydrophobic pores.

Abstract: An air and gas purification system having combined adsorbent material layers in a regenerable adsorbent system. A first adsorbent material, molecular sieve material, is positioned at the inlet end of the adsorbent bed and a second material, activated alumina, is positioned at the outlet end. Additional adsorbent materials may be positioned between the inlet adsorbent material and the outlet adsorbent material. This system, utilizing the combination of adsorbent layers, is particularly useful for fuel cell applications, where the adsorbent system is positioned in the incoming oxidant stream to reduce, and preferably remove, the contaminants that would affect the efficiency of the fuel cell. Using such a system allows using ambient air as the oxygen source.

Abstract: A metal-organic framework-based mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) exhibiting a temperature-dependent mesh size. The MAMS comprises a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand functionalized hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are packed in a facing-spaced apart relationship to form at least one hydrophobic pore.

Abstract: A method for removal of mercury from a gaseous stream containing the mercury, hydrogen and/or CO, and hydrogen sulfide and/or carbonyl sulfide in which a dispersed Cu-containing sorbent is contacted with the gaseous stream at a temperature in the range of about 25° C. to about 300° C. until the mercury concentration in the gaseous stream after contacting the sorbent exceeds a predetermined breakthrough level, signaling a spent sorbent. Arsenic, cadmium and selenium present in the gaseous stream may also be captured along with the mercury. The spent sorbent is then contacted with a desorbing gaseous stream at a temperature equal to or slightly higher than the temperature at which the mercury adsorption is carried out, producing a regenerated sorbent and an exhaust gas comprising released mercury. The released mercury in the exhaust gas is then captured using a high-capacity sorbent, such as sulfur-impregnated activated carbon, at a temperature less than about 100° C.

Abstract: Provided are methods of storing and separating acetylene or oxygen using microporous metal formates having a three-dimensional structure of metal and formate ion (HCOO?). Microporous metal formates used in the method selectively and stably adsorb a large amount of a specific gas within its structure. Therefore, those methods can be used in industrial appliances related to, for example, synthesis and transportation of high-purity gas.

Abstract: A thermal preconcentrator unit and a method for concentrating chemical species. The thermal preconcentrator unit includes a thermoelectric device having a temperature controlled surface and a sorbent material configured to concentrate the chemical species. The sorbent material is disposed on and in thermal contact with the temperature controlled surface. The thermoelectric device is configured to cool and heat the temperature controlled surface to promote sorption and desorption of chemical species onto and from the sorbent material. The method provides a temperature controlled surface and exposes the chemical species to a sorbent material disposed on the temperature controlled surface to concentrate the chemical species thereon.

Abstract: Contemplated configurations and methods include a solvent regenerator (58) that has an upper (93) and a lower stripping section (94). Cooled rich solve is used as reflux while heated rich solvent (11) is used as a source of stripping agent in the upper section (91). A reboiler (62) in the lower section provides further stripping agent, hi especially preferred configurations, a portion of lean solved from the regenerator (58) is further stripped in a separate or integrated regenerator (62) to form an ultra-lean solvent. Both lean and ultra-lean solvents are preferably used in a two-stage absorber (52) to thereby from the rich solvent and an offgas that is very low in acid gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming fog by using at least one air stream connected to a tank where the air stream forms homogeneous droplets of a fluid, which droplets flow further in the air stream towards and through at least one outlet for forming a fog. The scope of the invention is to achieve a highly effective method and apparatus for generating fog with a long stand time having a small energy consumption. This can be achieved by a method and an apparatus as described in the beginning if the method further includes a first high pressure air stream that is lead to flow in a partly parallel direction to a liquid surface for forming at least one liquid sheet, which sheet brakes into droplets where a second air stream having a lower pressure transports the droplets through at least one outlet. Hereby, it is achieved that the liquid sheet moves forward continuously as it breaks up at the edges all the way around.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile air contaminant control system that includes a filter assembly enclosed by a mobile outer chamber. The filter assembly is tapered to create a large volume air way downstream from the filter assembly that enables more even air flow and filter loading. One or more exhaust fans pull the air through the filter assembly and exhaust it to the exterior of the chamber. The system is functionally attached to an exterior structure having at least one air intake and housing a work piece. As airborne contaminants are generated from the work piece(s), the control system exhausts them from the exterior structure through the filter assembly and into the external environment.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) including a first PSA module having a first manifold, a second manifold, and a plurality of pressure vessels extending between the first manifold and the second manifold. The unit further includes at least one support member attached to one of the manifolds and configured to provide rigidity thereto. The support member is preferably made of a material different from the manifold to which it is attached. The PSA unit can also include a structure for clamping the plurality of pressure vessels between the first manifold and the second manifold without imposing a bending moment to the vessels.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system outside the direct air flow path. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to electrochemical systems for producing hydrogen and/or power. Various aspects of the invention are directed to reactor designs for producing hydrogen and/or power from a fuel and water, conducting ceramics and other materials for such systems, including mixed ionically and electrically conducting ceramics which can be used for hydrogen gas generation, control systems for such systems, and methods of operating such systems.

Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit and a separable filter assembly adapted to be disposed at least partially in a discharge path of the cyclone unit. The cyclone unit includes a main cyclone, a secondary cyclone adapted to be disposed at substantially a same plane as the main cyclone, and a dust collecting casing adapted to substantially surround the main cyclone and the secondary cyclone. The dust collecting casing includes a dust chamber to collect dust separated at the main cyclone and the secondary cyclone.

Abstract: A filter alert device (10) for use in forced air systems (50) used to distribute conditioned air comprises an indicator that operates with an air filter (30) supported by a register (50). The filter (30) and filter alert indicator (16) have cavities in communication with at least a portion of the air passing through the filter (30). The air pressure varies in response to the flow through the filter (30) and exceeds a predetermined pressure when the air is unable to flow through the filter (30) at desired pressure levels and the life of the filter has been exceeded.

Abstract: A coffee maker allowing simultaneous brewing and frothing includes a steam boiler, a brewing unit, and a frothing unit. Steam from the steam boiler is respectively introduced into both the brewing unit and the frothing unit. The brewing unit contains a disk to accommodate a coffee pack. The frothing unit disposed on top of the steam boiler includes an inlet tube to introduce steam, a duct connecting to an inlet tube and an outlet, a suction tube connecting to one side of the duct close to the outlet. The suction tube has an opening located inside the frothing unit. A replaceable disk is movably inserted into a chamber of the brewing unit and is made in a size corresponding to that of a coffee pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption such as coffee on the basis of a hot liquid such as water provided with a storage tank, a heater and a three-way valve. The three-way valve is provided with in inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The pump is in fluid communication with the storage tank and an inlet of the heater. There is a fluid communication between the outlet of the heater and the inlet of the three-way valve, between the first outlet and the storage tank and/or an inlet of the pump and between the second outlet and a beverage preparing unit for preparing the beverage suitable for consumption on the basis of the hot liquid.

Abstract: A food press utensil is disclosed that varies incrementally as needed a weight of the utensil for pressing and cooking different food items on a cooking surface, wherein weight adjustment of the food press, by stacking of a plurality of food presses or other compatible weights, results in even heat distribution on the food to allow for uniform cooking and browning. The food press further can comprise a plurality of apertures through the body of the food press, to allow steam to vent and thus to prevent the food from becoming soggy as it cooks. The food press also can be made to accommodate a surface area of the food that exceeds a surface area of the food press, and thus can be used in any pan or griddle. The invention further can comprise a scraper surface to effect debris removal and preparation of the food cooking surface.

Abstract: A conveyorized return toaster for toasting food products has an inclined angled conveyor for conveying the food products from a lower point outside the toaster to a higher point in the toaster. The inclined angle is at a degree sufficient to cause the center of gravity of the food product to shift rearward from where it would be on a horizontal conveyor and allow the product to extend at a length further beyond the back end of the inclined conveyor than if the conveyor were horizontally disposed. This increases the rotational moment of the food product over the back end of the conveyor and increases the subsequent food product exit force to propel the food product completely to the front opening of the toaster.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises both a self-pressurizing food storage device and method of use. The device defines and presents an enclosed food storage chamber composing an internal air pressure of about 1 psi to about 10 psi above ambient air pressure outside the chamber by providing a geometrically and ergonomically comfortable lid assembly, a food container adapted to mate with the lid assembly, and means for closingly mating them together. No external, detachable pump is required to create the elevated pressure within the food containing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on the plant surface and the artificial plant surface, comprises a housing. A gripping device for holding the plant or artificial plant and a printing unit for printing on its surfaces are disposed in said housing. Said printing unit is connected to a computer which is external or integrated in the housing. The printing unit of the present invention is an ink jetting unit, which can print on the plant surface and the artificial plant surface, especially flower, artificial flower, leaves and the fruit. People can communicate information using these articles, which satisfied the demand.