The present invention is directed to a hand-held modular kitchen multitool having a universal powerhead capable of being used with a variety of kitchen appliance attachments, such as a can opener and a coffee grinder. The can opener is a side cutting can opener which provides a more compact size and smoother cut. The coffee grinder has a rotating blade that's only operational when enclosed by a cup and assembled with the powerhead. This prevents unintentional operation and injury to the user.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

A clamp of the dispensing device may include a container engagement surface arranged to engage and/or disengage the clamp from the container neck when the clamp is pushed downwardly or pulled upwardly relative to the container neck. The container engagement surface may include a surface with a lower portion that slopes upwardly and inwardly, and an upper portion that slopes upwardly and outwardly relative to the container neck and that moves the clamp radially outwardly and away from the container neck as the clamp is moved vertically relative to the container neck. A latch may maintain a body portion of the dispensing device in an upper position, preventing needle insertion, until a container is suitably engaged with the base portion of the device, e.g., by a clamp. Sensors may detect engagement of a container with the device and/or insertion of a needle into the container.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

A jetted bag opener separates mixed solid waste from flexible containers such as plastic and paper bags, and includes a housing configured with an ingress and an egress, at least two sets of a plurality of fluid delivery nozzles, where a first set of the nozzles is arranged along a sidewall at a first side of the housing, and a second set of the nozzles is arranged along the sidewall at a second side of the housing opposite the first side, and as fluid is sprayed from the nozzle outlets, the fluid is delivered at a force sufficient to penetrate into the flexible containers passing through the housing to thereby create an opening in the flexible containers for release of the mixed solid waste held therein.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

A drinking water supply system with a drinking water line system includes multiple drinking water removal points connected to the drinking water line system, at least one sensor, which is designed to determine measurement values, and a central controller, which is designed to receive and evaluate the measurement values determined by the at least one sensor. The central controller is designed to control the control elements depending on the received measurement values. The drinking water line system has a drinking water line section for supplying drinking water to multiple drinking water removal points. A volumetric flow rate sensor is provided in order to measure the volumetric flow rate of the water in the drinking water line section and/or a pressure sensor is provided in order to measure the water pressure in the drinking water line section. The controller is designed to carry out a measure.

An electric can opener comprises an upper opening portion and lower base portion. The upper opening portion and the lower base portion are selectively attachable to and separable from each other. The upper opening portion and the lower base portion are operable as an upright countertop can opener when attached, and the upper cutting portion is operable as a walk-and-cut can opener when separated from the lower base portion.

A pressure equalising device (10) which has a squat shape and which has three positions which are a first unlocked and retracted position, a second locked and retracted position, and a third unlocked and extended position wherein the device comprises a spike (14) for piercing a container, a biasing member (12) to bias the device into the first position from the third position, an upper body (20) which supports the spike and which has a locking formation (28), and a lower body (40); wherein the device has a twist lock such that the device can be rotated to and from its first and second positions; wherein the twist lock comprises a slot (52) in the lower body which is positioned to receive the locking formation (28) to immobilise the upper body (20) in relation to the lower body (40); the invention provides an ergonomically acceptable and safe way to reduce the torque force required to open the typical jar to less that 2 Nm by equalising the pressures inside and outside the jar.