A hotplate device has a body with a platform for receiving a vessel that contains a sample to be heated. A heating element, arranged under the platform, provides heat to the platform, based on a set temperature and a measured temperature as sensed by at least one temperature sensor, proximate to the platform. A controller located in the body directs electrical power to the heating element. As a safety feature, a wireless communication feature allows a user to enter set temperature instructions from a mobile device when communication with the mobile device is enabled and established. A proximity feature, when enabled, allows the user to enter instructions only as long as the user remains in a predetermined proximity of the hotplate device.

A bottle, in particular a reusable and refillable bottle for CO.sub.2-containing drinks, which can be carbonated and stored in the bottle. A bottle with better usage properties is to be achieved. The bottle includes a closable liquid container with an adapter which is attached or flanged to the base of the liquid container and which contains a CO.sub.2 tank.

Some variations provide a system for producing a functionalized powder, comprising: an agitated pressure vessel; first particles and second particles contained within the agitated pressure vessel; a fluid contained within the agitated pressure vessel; an exhaust line for releasing the fluid from the agitated pressure vessel; and a means for recovering a functionalized powder containing the second particles disposed onto surfaces of the first particles. A preferred fluid is carbon dioxide in liquefied or supercritical form. The carbon dioxide may be initially loaded into the pressure vessel as solid carbon dioxide. The pressure vessel may be batch or continuous and is operated under reaction conditions to functionalize the first particles with the second particles, thereby producing a functionalized powder, such as nanofunctionalized metal particles in which nanoparticles act as grain refiners for a component ultimately produced from the nanofunctionalized metal particles. Methods for making the functionalized powder are also disclosed.

A carbonator for carbonating a beverage in a beverage container. The carbonator comprises a carbonating head with a dissolver nozzle for introducing carbonating medium into the beverage container, a support part for movably supporting the carbonating head between a vertically highest position and a vertically lowest position, a locking mechanism operable between an unlocked state and a locked state in which the carbonating head is retained in the vertically lowest position and a base part connected to the support part and comprising a beverage container stand for the beverage container. The locking mechanism comprises a first locking member arranged on the carbonating head and a second locking member arranged on the base part. A method of carbonating a beverage is also described.

A nitrous oxide gas mixer includes at least one mixing chamber having at least one nitrous oxide gas connection and at least one oxygen gas connection for introduction of oxygen gas and nitrous oxide gas and at least one flow rate controller, by which a volume flow of the two gases can be respectively adjusted separately and/or together. At least one O.sub.2 emergency button is mounted to the mixing chamber for emergency flooding the mixing chamber with oxygen gas and/or with ambient air.

An inner core assembly for a vibration mixer, comprising a motor assembly and a compression assembly located above the motor assembly, wherein the motor assembly comprises a vibration motor, a rotor shaft of the vibration motor is connected to the compression assembly by using an eccentric structure, the compression assembly comprises a stage, the stage is connected to a pressure plate mounting bracket by using a guiding shaft, the pressure plate mounting bracket is capable of sliding along the guiding shaft, the rotor shaft of the vibration motor rotates and drives, by using the eccentric structure, the compression assembly to perform reciprocating motion. Compared with the prior art, curved reciprocating motion of the stage is achieved through eccentric motion, which has lower structural costs, a lower failure rate, and a longer service life than a motor in the prior art.

A receiving apparatus for receiving a bottle for a carbonation machine; the receiving apparatus has a securing apparatus for securing the bottle, the securing apparatus has a locking element, the locking element has a guiding means; when the receiving apparatus is moved from the bottle receiving state into the fitting state, the locking element is guided by the guiding means such that the bottle is secured by means of the locking element; the locking element is configured to be pivoted about a locking element axis; the locking element in the bottle receiving state is arranged in a radially outer position; when the receiving apparatus is moved from the bottle receiving state into the fitting state, the locking element is pivoted about the locking element axis from the radially outer position into a radially inner position, and the radially inner position is configured to secure the bottle.

A receiving apparatus for receiving a bottle for a carbonation machine; the receiving apparatus has a securing apparatus for securing the bottle, the securing apparatus has a locking element, the locking element has a guiding means; when the receiving apparatus is moved from the bottle receiving state into the fitting state, the locking element is guided by the guiding means such that the bottle is secured by means of the locking element; the locking element is configured to be pivoted about a locking element axis; the locking element in the bottle receiving state is arranged in a radially outer position; when the receiving apparatus is moved from the bottle receiving state into the fitting state, the locking element is pivoted about the locking element axis from the radially outer position into a radially inner position, and the radially inner position is configured to secure the bottle.

The present invention utilizes a high-speed intensive mixer in a fluidizing-type, solid-phase, neutralization reactor to blend solid-state alkali hydroxide with any humic acid sources. The final product is a dry humic acid salt. The purpose of this innovative method is to eliminate a series of complicated unit operations commonly employed by the traditional process. These removed steps may include dissolving caustic soda, mixing in a paste-like formation, extrusion, granulation, drying, and grinding, etc. The invention contributes to a simplified flowsheet, resulting in sharply reduced equipment investment, plant space, and labor and energy costs. All of these factors coupled with increased productivity will drastically lower the overall production cost. Also, the reduction of dust pollution will greatly minimize the impact in environmental protection and safety issues.

A device for shredding deep-frozen food products provided in block form comprises a tool coupled to one end of a rotatable shaft which rotates the tool about an axis of rotation and advances the tool along the axis of rotation in the direction towards the block, thereby scraping layers off the block. The tool can be uncoupled from and recoupled to the end of the shaft without using a tool. When the tool is coupled to the end of the shaft it axially abuts the shaft's end and is thereby held in a force-locking manner on the end of the shaft for the transmission of drive forces from the shaft to the tool. The device includes a tool detection device to determine whether a tool is arranged on the end of the shaft as intended so that operation can occur only when the tool is connected as intended.