b

Method for producing a trailing arm of a twist beam axle in which a drive unit of an electrical drive close to the wheel, comprising an electrical engine and a transmission, is integrated

A method of producing a trailing arm of a torsion beam axle in which an integrated drive unit of a wheel-adjacent electric drive has an electric machine and a transmission. By using the method, the trailing arm is produced in the form of a casting with a box profile. The contours for producing the area that accommodates the transmission, the connection point to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member which connects the two trailing arms to one another, the U-profile of the trailing arm, the box profile and the area that accommodates the electric machine, are modeled by cores such that the contours for producing the connection point of the trailing arm to the vehicle body, the bore that receives the cross-member and the U-profile of the trailing arm are modeled by one core.




b

Titanium based ceramic reinforced alloy for use in medical implants

A titanium based, ceramic reinforced alloy ingot for use in producing medical implants. An ingot is formed from an alloy having comprising from about 5 to about 35 wt. % niobium, from about 0.5 to about 3.5 wt. % silicon, and from about 61.5 to about 94.5 wt. % of titanium. The alloy has a hexagonal crystal lattice α phase of from about 20 vol % to about 70 vol %, and a cubic body centered β crystal lattice phase of from about 30 vol. % to about 80 vol. %. The ingot has an ultimate tensile strength of about 940 MPa or more, and a Young's modulus of about 150 GPa or less. A molten substantially uniform admixture of a niobium, silicon, and titanium alloy is formed, cast into a shape, and cooled into an ingot. The ingot may then be formed into a medical implant and optionally annealed.




b

Cold chamber die casting of amorphous alloys using cold crucible induction melting techniques

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for casting amorphous alloys. Exemplary casting system may include an insertable and rotatable vessel configured in a non-movable induction heating structure for melting amorphous alloys to form molten materials in the vessel. While the molten materials remain heated, the vessel may be rotated to pour the molten materials into a casting device for casting them into articles.




b

Bituminous froth inline steam injection processing

An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.




b

System and method for extracting bitumen from tar sand

An improved system for removing bitumen from tar sands comprises a pre-treatment system utilizing a vibratory load hopper for classifying and sizing said tar sand particles communicating with a dryer for heating and drying said tar sand particles to a predetermined temperature thereby controlling the moisture content of said tar sands. An extraction system is also included for accepting said tar sands from the dryer comprising a plurality of extraction vessels arranged in series for transporting said tar sands from a first extraction vessel to a final extraction vessel. Furthermore, a solvent system for supplying a predetermined volume of solvent flow through said extraction vessels is employed, whereby solvent is supplied to the last extraction vessel and a solvent and bitumen mixture is withdrawn from the first extraction vessel.




b

Carbon dioxide fractionalization process

A process comprising receiving a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising carbon dioxide, separating the hydrocarbon feed stream into a light hydrocarbon stream and a heavy hydrocarbon stream, separating the light hydrocarbon stream into a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, and feeding the carbon dioxide-lean stream into a hydrocarbon sweetening process, thereby increasing the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process compared to the processing capacity of the hydrocarbon sweetening process when fed the hydrocarbon feed stream. Included is an apparatus comprising a first separation unit that receives a hydrocarbon feed stream containing carbon dioxide and produces a heavy hydrocarbon stream and a light hydrocarbon stream, and a second separation unit that receives the light hydrocarbon stream and produces a carbon dioxide-rich stream and a carbon dioxide-lean stream, wherein the apparatus is configured to feed the carbon dioxide-lean stream to a physical solvent, membrane, or carbon dioxide recovery process.




b

Treatment of hydrocarbon fluids with ozone

A system for separating contaminants from wellbore cuttings that includes a processing chamber, a heat source connected to the processing chamber adapted to vaporize hydrocarbons and other contaminants disposed on the material, a condenser operatively connected to an outlet of the process chamber and adapted to condense the vaporized hydrocarbons and other contaminants, and an ozone source operatively connected to the condenser.




b

Method for removing solute from a solid solute-bearing product

The process and apparatus are for removing a solute from a solute-bearing solid product by means of a solvent which remains in liquid state throughout the entire oil extraction process. In one embodiment, the solvent is normally in gaseous state at ambient temperature and pressure values, but is used mainly in liquid state within the method and apparatus of the present invention by maintaining such pressure and temperature values within the apparatus so that the solvent will remain in this liquid state.




b

Apparatus and methods for utilizing heat exchanger tubes

In one aspect, the present techniques include a heat exchange apparatus including: a) a body comprising an interior cavity, the body including: a first surface and a second surface defining at least a portion of the body and the first surface positioned exterior with respect to the second surface and the interior cavity, and the second surface positioned exterior with respect to the interior cavity and interior with respect to the first surface; b) a first conduit for conveying a fluid to the body; c) a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit wherein the second conduit is positioned at least partially within the interior cavity of the body; and d) a joint between the first conduit and the second conduit, wherein the joint moves between a first location and a second location based on the temperature within the interior cavity, wherein at least one of said first location and said second location is positioned intermediate the first surface and the second surface.




b

Integrated hydrocarbon cracking and product olefin cracking

Processing scheme and arrangement for increasing the relative yield of light olefins involves integration of the cracking a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to produce an effluent comprising a range of hydrocarbon products including C4-C7 olefins and the subsequent cracking at least a portion of the C4-C7 olefins to produce additional light olefins.




b

Intertwined tube coil arrangement for a delayed coker heater

A tube coil for a double fired coker heater wherein the tube coil has at least two independent flow passes in an intertwined serpentine pattern. The tubes are located in a common plane and plumbed in parallel with one another. These tube coils can be used in a number of configurations within the radiant section of a coker heater.




b

Hydrocarbon resource processing apparatus including a load resonance tracking circuit and related methods

A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance of the RF circuit. The RF circuit may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis thereof.




b

Process for the treatment of crude oil, process for the separation of a water-in-oil hydrocarbon emulsion and apparatus for implementing the same

The invention relates to a process for the purification of crude and apparatus for its implementation. This process comprises a separation into gas and degassed emulsion and separation of the degassed emulsion into water and oil. The invention also relates to a process of separating a hydrocarbon emulsion and apparatus for implementing this. This process comprises washing of the emulsion at an oil/water interface.




b

Hydrocarbon resource processing device including spirally wound electrical conductors and related methods

A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a first spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The device may further include a second spirally wound electrical conductor carried within the hydrocarbon processing container. The first spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields with the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.




b

Hydrocarbon resource processing device including spirally wound electrical conductor and related methods

A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.




b

Split-shell fractionation columns and associated processes for separating aromatic hydrocarbons

Split-shell fractionation columns and associated processes for separating aromatic hydrocarbons. A split-shell fractionation column includes a housing shell having a first height and a partition having a second height and disposed within the housing shell. The partition includes first and second vertically oriented baffles separated by a gap region, a seal plate connecting top ends of the baffles, a first input port formed to extend through the partition for the introduction of a gas into the gap region, and a first output port formed to extend outwardly from a bottom of the gap region and through the housing shell. The partition defines a first distillation zone and a second distillation zone within the housing shell.




b

In-line treatment of hydrocarbon fluids with ozone

A system for treating recovered fluids in-line that includes a thermal reactor for separating contaminated drill cuttings into drill cuttings and contaminants by applying heat to the contaminated drill cuttings so as to vaporize contaminants from the contaminated drill cuttings; a first condenser in fluid connection with the thermal reactor for condensing the vaporized contaminants; a separator in fluid connection with the first condenser for separating the condensed vapors into an oleaginous liquid and an aqueous liquid, wherein at least a portion of one of the aqueous liquid and oleaginous liquid is fed back into the first condenser via a feedback line; and an ozone generator operatively coupled to the feedback line, wherein at least the portion of the fed back liquid is ozonated by the ozone generator and fed into the condenser is disclosed.




b

Extraction of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing materials

A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.




b

Method for hydrocarbon removal and recovery from drill cuttings

The present invention relates to a system and a method for the extraction of hydrocarbons from drill cuttings in drilling mud. The system for extracting hydrocarbons from drill cuttings includes at least one extraction tank, a carbon dioxide tank fluidly connected to the at least one extraction tank, and at least one separation tank in fluid communication with the at least one extraction tank. The method for extracting hydrocarbons from drill cuttings consists of exposing the drill cuttings to liquid carbon dioxide, solubilizing hydrocarbons from the drill cuttings with the liquid carbon dioxide, heating the liquid carbon dioxide and the soluble hydrocarbons to convert liquid carbon dioxide to carbon dioxide vapor, separating the hydrocarbons from the carbon dioxide vapor, and collecting the separated hydrocarbons.




b

System and process for producing high quality gasoline by catalytic hydrocarbon recombination

A system and process for the preparation of high quality gasoline through recombination of catalytic hydrocarbon includes fractionator and extractor. The upper part of the fractionator is equipped with light petrol pipeline, the lower part of the fractionator is equipped with heavy petrol pipeline, the middle part of the fractionator is equipped with medium petrol pipeline. The medium petrol pipeline is connected with a medium petrol extractor, the upper part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the lower part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline. The medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit is then connected with the light petrol pipeline in the upper part of the fractionator through the pipeline, the lower part of the heavy petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the upper part of the heavy petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline.




b

Separation and extraction of hydrocarbons from source material

Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing air from within the furnace with a vacuum pump. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured.




b

Method for fabricating divided wall columns

The invention relates to a method producing a portioned column by forming a first segment and a third segment into arcuate segments, and attaching these arcuate segments to a second z-shaped segment to from two contiguous volumes with approximately semi-circular cross-sections that combine to form a partitioned, approximately cylindrical segment.




b

System and process for integrated oxidative desulfurization, desalting and deasphalting of hydrocarbon feedstocks

A system and process for integrated desulfurizing, desalting and deasphalting of hydrocarbon feedstocks is provided. A hydrocarbon feedstock, a water soluble oxidant, and a water soluble catalyst can be introduced in a oxidation zone and retained for a period of time sufficient to achieve the desired degree of desulfurization, or introduced directly into the desalting zone along with wash water. Catalyst and dissolved salt are discharged along with the wastewater effluent from the desalting zone. A hydrocarbon stream including converted hydrocarbons and oxidation by-products is passed to a deasphalting zone. In the deasphalting zone, phase separation occurs, whereby a light phase including desulfurized hydrocarbons are produced, and a heavy phase including asphaltenes and oxidation by-products are discharged, e.g., passed to an asphalt pool.




b

Method and apparatus for processing of spent lubricating oil

The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for recovery of spent lubricating oil. The evaporation of hydrocarbon fractions from spent lubricating oil is carried out in three steps. The first step is at approximately 150-1030 mbar and between 70-240° C. in which is greater than 99% water, greater than 99% of ethylene glycol and greater than 50% of hydrocarbon molecules with normal boiling point up to 310° C. are evaporated from spent oil. The second step is operated at 6-30 mbar and 200-2900 C in which predominantly gasoil and light vacuum gasoil fractions are evaporated. The third step is operated at 250-320° C. and 0.5-15 mbar in which mainly heavy vacuum gasoil (boiling range of 425 to 570° C. on ASTM D-1160 test) is evaporated from spent oil.




b

Method of making a knit apparel with a tie dyed appearance and an apparel made by the method

A knit apparel is made using a decorating pattern that is generated to give the apparel the appearance of tie dyed apparel. The decorating pattern includes a main element, a secondary element and intermediate zones have the same color but gradually lighter shades as the main element.




b

Methods for manufacturing fluid-filled chambers incorporating spacer textile materials

A method for manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber may include obtaining a spacer textile material a stabilization structure. A tensile member is removed from an area of the spacer textile material where the stabilizing structure is absent. The tensile member is located between a first polymer element and a second polymer element. Additionally, (a) the first layer is bonded to the first polymer element, (b) the second layer is bonded to the second polymer element, and (c) the first polymer element and the second polymer element are bonded together around a periphery of the tensile member.




b

Auxetic fabric structures and related fabrication methods

Auxetic fabric structures, of the sort which can be useful in conjunction with composite materials, and related methods of fabrication.




b

Compression bandage and method for its manufacture

A compression bandage with a tubular, flexible flat material for surrounding a bodily member and with a number of elastic compression threads, whereby this flat material constitutes a main body that can be stretched in the circumferential direction. A number of elastic compression threads run in the plane of the flat material in the direction of the circumference, and create the compressive effect when the compression bandage is applied. At least parts of at least some of the compression threads protrude outside the flat material, allowing the compressive effect to be adjusted by varying the length of each of the protruding external portions.




b

Adjustable stitch holder

The adjustable stitch holder is a versatile and easy method for securely holding live stitches when knitting. The stitch holder allows for using smaller materials, a locking fastener and string, that are portable and take little storage room. Adjusting the locking fastener to a specific measurement allows an item to be tried on, to be measured properly, or to determine if the shape is correct. Because the string has little to no memory, the ends, regardless of length, will hang not pulling or distorting the knit material. In addition, the flexible string allows an item to be laid flat for measuring making the measurement more accurate. Further, stitches or knitted items have little chance of being damaged by the stitch holder and the stitch holder will conform to the knit item instead of being forced into a shape.




b

Revesible garment with warming side and cooling side

A reversible garment with a warming side and a cooling side is comprised of a double knit fabric including a first face and a second face. The garment is reversible such that either face may be worn on the exterior of the garment. When the first side of the garment is worn against the body, the garment provides a heating effect by trapping air and body heat while wicking moisture to the outside of the fabric. When the second side of the garment is worn against the body, the garment provides a cooling garment by accelerating moisture movement across the fabric. Indicia are provided on the garment to indicate whether heating or cooling effects will be provided in the first-side-out configuration and the second-side-out configuration.




b

Double-cylinder circular machine, particularly for knitting hosiery items or the like, with simplified actuation mechanism

A double-cylinder circular machine, particularly for knitting hosiery items, with simplified actuation mechanism, comprising a supporting structure which comprises a footing, which supports a lower needle cylinder, and a column which extends substantially vertically, protrudes upwardly from the footing and supports an upper needle cylinder, which is arranged above and coaxially with respect to the lower needle cylinder, and further comprising elements for the actuation of the lower needle cylinder and of the upper needle cylinder with a rotary motion about a common axis, the actuation elements comprising an electric motor which is connected kinematically to the lower needle cylinder and to the upper needle cylinder and is accommodated inside the column.




b

Weaving with retractable fingers

A method of weaving a spiral-shaped textile includes inserting in the vicinity of the fell of the textile a finger adjacent to a first intermediate warp fiber between a first edge and a second edge; forming a loop around the finger with the weft fiber; wrapping weft fiber around the first intermediate warp fiber between the first edge and the second edge of the textile to secure the weft fiber in a radial direction between the first edge and the second edge of the textile; extending the weft fiber to the first edge of the textile; securing the weft fiber using a knitting system on the first edge of the textile; and removing the finger from the textile.




b

Knitted fabric bed skirt

A knitted fabric is designed and adapted to fit box springs of varying size. The knitted fabric includes four panels that each includes three layers—a middle layer, a top layer and bottom layer. The knitted fabric is elastic and stretches to fit over the box spring. The four panel construction provides a large opening on the top of the box spring, which allows the knitted fabric to be removed from the box spring without removal of the mattress.




b

Headband for use with medical sensor

Headbands configured to provide pressure against a medical sensor secured to a patient's forehead are provided. The headbands may include one or more low friction materials to enable an elastic band of a tensioning mechanism to evenly stretch. Additionally or alternatively, the headbands may include two or more bands adapted to secure the headband to various portions of a patient's head. Still further, the headbands may be configured to independently vary the pressure created between two or more sensors and the patient's head.




b

Knitting head for knitting machines of flexible hoses and knitting machine comprising the head

A knitting head of a knitting machine for manufacturing flexible hoses (1) with a knitted reinforcement layer, which comprises a guide body (14) with a central tubular conduit (15) for the passage of the bearing layer (2) and having a outlet end portion (16) with a first outer peripheral surface (17) having a first predetermined radius (r1), a plurality of knitting needles (18) arranged along the periphery of said end portion (16) of said conduit (15) and having first longitudinal end sections (18') arranged along the circumference of said outer peripheral surface (17) and second longitudinal end sections (18″) arranged over a second cylindrical surface (19) having a second radius (r2) greater than said first radius (r1), at least one disk-shaped cam element (22), which is adapted to rotate at a first rotation speed and has a third predetermined radius (r3). The third radius (r3) is greater than said second radius (r2), connection means (23) being provided for connecting said disk-shaped element (22) to said second end sections (18″) of said needles (18), said connection means (23) having at least one longitudinal portion (24) with a radial dimension decreasing from said third radius (r3) to said second radius (r2).




b

Puncture resistant, optionally cut and abrasion resistant, knit garment made with modified knit structure

A knit fabric having a modified knit structure, having a front layer of knit fabric and a back layer of knit fabric, wherein the front layer and back layer are joined together by rows of tuck stitches formed from a yarn having no more than 3% elongation and wherein the knit fabric is puncture resistant, and optionally cut and/or abrasion resistant, and a protective garment made therefrom.




b

Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine

A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator.




b

Knitted fabric

A knitted fabric is disclosed, comprising a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and a plurality of pliable threads having a predetermined length, the respective ends of the pliable threads being stitched to the first and second layers thereby connecting the first and second layers. Preferably the fabric also contains sacrificial yarn to tie in the pliable threads. Also disclosed is a method for knitting a fabric according to the invention. The fabric has uses in inflatable devices, including airbags, or lifting devices.




b

Warp knitted fabric manufacturing method

The invention addresses the problem of providing a warp knitted fabric manufacturing method capable of stably producing a warp knitted fabric wherein the longitudinal stretchability is 200%. To solve the problem, the invention is a warp knitted fabric manufacturing method that forms bands of a warp knitted structure with increased longitudinal stretchability by forming stitches with an elastic warp (2) while knitting in an elastic inserted yarn (3) in the warp direction and knitting in the weft (4) in the course direction, wherein: active feed means (30), which are obtained by placing a single follower roller (323) above two drive rollers (321, 322), are disposed on the respective paths of the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) to feed the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) to the warp knitting machine while increasing the respective elongation percentage. The active feed means (30) keep the respective feed rates of the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) constant while feeding same to the crochet warp knitting machine (40).




b

Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine

A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator.




b

Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with a fusible strand

An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. A fusible strand may be knit with the monofilament knit element. Upon heating, the fusible strand can combine and surround the monofilament strand within the monofilament knit element.




b

System and method for forming a design from a flexible filament having indicators

The present disclosure is directed to a flexible filament that includes a length of material configured to be used in forming at least a portion of a textile product to have at least a portion of a visual pattern that is visible on at least one of a first side or a second side of the textile product. The material includes a plurality of stitch indicators formed on the material to separate the material into a plurality of segmented regions, at least one of the stitch indicators or the segmented regions forming at least the portion of the visual pattern visible on the at least one of the first side or the second side of the textile product.




b

Air belt and air belt apparatus

An air belt having mesh webbing sufficiently strong and sufficiently expandable in the circumferential direction of a bag-shaped belt and an air belt apparatus including the air belt are provided. An air belt includes a folded member being a bag-shaped belt folded in a band shape and mesh webbing covering the folded member of the bag-shaped belt. The mesh webbing hardly expands in the longitudinal direction of the air belt, and is flexibly expandable in the circumferential direction of the bag-shaped belt. The mesh webbing is made of a raschel-knitted material. The knitted material is arranged such that the extending direction of knot portions of yarn threads and corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the air belt.




b

Portable baking oven

A portable baking oven for a pizza or other food item includes a food item heating plate, a base having a heating chamber, and a top cover having a moisture vent and a heat reflector structure extending across the inside of said top cover. When placed on said base, the top cover forms a baking chamber above the heating plate. Heat produced in the base's heating chamber circulates up through air passageways in the base into the baking chamber above the food item heating plate. This circulated heat is reflected back down toward the food item heating plate by the top cover's heat reflecting structure to accelerate baking of the top of a food item placed on the heating plate. The top cover's moisture vent can be located above the heat reflector structure in the top cover, and openings can be provided in the heat reflector structure which allow moisture emitted by a food item being baked in the oven to pass through the reflector structure and out through the top cover moisture vent.




b

Logistic transport system for nutritional substances

A preservation system for storage and logistic transport of nutritional substances. The preservation system obtains information about the nutritional substance to be preserved, senses and measures the external environment to the preservation system, senses and measures the internal environment to the preservation system, senses and measures the state of the nutritional substance, and stores such information throughout the period of preservation. Using this accumulated information, the preservation system can measure, or estimate, changes in nutritional content (usually degradation) during the period of preservation. Additionally, the preservation system can use this information to dynamically modify the preservation system to minimize detrimental changes to the nutritional content of the nutritional substance, and in some cases actually improve the nutritional substance attributes.




b

Packed bed scrubber using a fusel oil solvent

A two stage scrubber process for ethanol fermentation has a first stage using fusel oil to remove the hazardous air pollutants and recover the majority of the ethanol. A second stage uses water as the scrubbing solvent to recover any residual ethanol that is stripped from the first stage.




b

Method and an apparatus for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff has been finished

The invention relates to a method for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished. At first a set temperature value for a core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is defined. Next the actual temperatures in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) at predetermined times are measured and the time dependence of the measured temperature in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is determined. At last the time dependence of the measured temperature is compared with the set temperature value and “the residual time of the cooking process is estimated. The invention relates further to a corresponding apparatus for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished.




b

System and method for brewing beverages

A system and method for brewing beverages utilizing inertial separation and an adjustable-volume brewing chamber to selectively retain or release particulate matter, oils, and/or other components of the brewed beverage, whereby mechanical filtration may be avoided and smaller particulates may be separated from the beverage. Thus, less material is needed to achieve similar levels of infusion and brewing time may be reduced.




b

Device and method to simulate cooking stuffing in a bird

The present invention provides a device and method for simulating cooking stuffing in a bird, such as a turkey. Stuffing prepared with the device and method of the invention has both the appearance and taste of cooked-in-the-bird stuffing. In addition, the device and method of the invention allows the user to prepare simulated cooked-in-the-bird stuffing at any time, in any quantity and in less time compared to the several hours usually needed to cook stuffing in a bird. The invention, therefore, provides all the benefits of cooked-in-the-bird stuffing without the safety concerns of bacterial contamination when cooked in a bird.




b

Apparatus and method for preparing ingredients for a baby bottle

An apparatus for preparing infant formula to be supplied to a bottle, and methods and circuits for operating the same, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a shape for integrating together components of the apparatus. A fluid reservoir for holding fluid and configured to be coupling to the housing is provided. Further provided is a formula disc disposed at a first location of the housing. The first location defined above a dispense location of the bottle, and the formula disc having a top end and a dispense end, the formula disc further includes a plurality of slots for holding the infant formula in a powder state. The apparatus has an end plate that is coupled to the dispense end of the formula disc, and the end plate has a dispense hole, such that the end plate is rotatable relative to the formula disc.