Provided is a device, comprising: a barrier configured to impeded or prevent particles shed by a robot in a first volume of space from entering a second volume of space in which the robot manipulates a workpiece; and a robot having three or more degrees of freedom, the robot comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the barrier in the first volume, the first portion comprising an actuator of the robot, the actuator being configured to drive movement of the robot to manipulate the workpiece; and a second portion disposed on a second side of the barrier in the second volume, the second portion comprising an end-effector of the robot by which the robot makes contact with the workpiece.

A hand-shaking type milk frothing apparatus is provided and includes: a cup body, a cup lid and a frothing device for frothing. The frothing device is disposed in the cup body, and a frothing space is reserved on both sides of the frothing device. The frothing device includes a magnetic connecting part for connecting to the cup lid and a frothing body connected to the magnetic connecting part. The cup lid is provided with a magnetic part corresponding to the magnetic connecting part, and a side wall of the frothing body is provided with a plurality of frothing holes. The hand-shaking type milk frothing apparatus has advantages of simple structure, easy to carry and clean, and can manually make milk foams anytime and anywhere.

Various automated and semi-automated beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container assembly configured to receive beverage, such as a milk. The container assembly can be configured to receive a flow of steam, air, or additional gasses and vapors to heat and/or aerate the beverage residing therein. The container assembly can include a temperature sensor configured to monitor the rate of heating, and automatically adjust the heating and aeration parameters accordingly.

A device for emulsifying liquid or solid products, in particular food products such as milk or ice cream, including a pump having at least one suction duct adapted for sucking a product to be emulsified and an emulsifying gas, and a delivery duct adapted for dispensing an emulsion obtained starting from the product to be emulsified and from the emulsifying gas, where the pump has a double worm screw arranged between the suction duct and the delivery duct, the double worm screw being adapted for emulsifying the product and the gas to obtain the emulsion and to push the product, the gas and/or the emulsion with a flow substantially parallel to the axis of the screws of the double worm screw from the suction duct to the delivery duct. Moreover, the device comprises cooling means associated with the pump in an area comprised between the suction duct and the delivery duct and adapted for cooling the product, the gas and/or the emulsion present in the area of the pump comprised between the suction duct and the delivery duct.

A mixing apparatus includes an inner container and an outer container which define mixing fluid passageways between them. The inner container is received in the outer container with at least two different orientations. Each orientation forms a different set of passageways each including a mixing chamber and a riser passage, where the passageways lead from the inner container to the mixing chamber. The different orientations create different designs of the passageways, to give different mixing functionality.

A coffee maker which has a funnel ending with a funnel mouth and a foaming device applied to the funnel mouth is provided. The foaming device has a valve made of deformable material provided with an outlet mouth towards which an exiting percolated beverage is channeled. In a rest condition, in which the valve does not cooperate with the funnel, the at outlet mouth has a rest passage section. In a mounting condition, in which the valve cooperates with the funnel, the outlet mouth is deformed and has a working passage section, reduced as compared to the rest passage section.

A multi spout pitcher, each spout having differing physical characteristics allows a user/barista to control the flow stream and energy transfer in mixing liquids to create a mixed beverage and produce a visual design on the beverage surface.

An automated self-cleaning frothing appliance includes: a housing having a base, a tower extending upwardly from the base, and a canopy extending from an upper portion of the tower above the base; a vessel mounted beneath the canopy, the vessel having an outlet at a lower end; a frothing tool extending from the canopy into the vessel; a first fluid pathway in the housing to receive water from a water source and deliver water into the vessel; a valve positioned to selectively open and close the outlet to the vessel; a valve-opening mechanism attached to the housing to selectively open and close the valve; a drain positioned beneath the outlet to receive water draining from the outlet; a second fluid pathway routed from the drain to deliver water to an external receptacle; and a controller operatively connected with the drive unit, the first fluid pathway and the valve-opening mechanism.

A merchandise security system for an electronic item of merchandise is provided. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a continuous alarming power cord comprising at least one electrical conductor. The alarming power cord has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic item of merchandise and a second end. The merchandise security system also includes a reel for receiving the second end of the alarming power cord and adapted for storing at least a portion of the alarming power cord thereon. In addition, the merchandise security system includes monitoring circuitry in electrical communication with the alarming power cord and configured to detect an interruption in an electrical signal provided to the alarming power cord.

A beverage making device for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption with a fine-bubble top cream layer. The beverage making device includes a beverage unit for supplying the beverage, at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the beverage unit, a dispensing spout provided with a cavity with a bottom wall and side walls, a beverage collecting area in a bottom of the cavity, and a bubble-squeezing member provided between the beverage collecting area and a beverage dispensing aperture. The beverage flows from the beverage collecting area through the bubble squeezing member and towards the beverage dispensing aperture.