With a method for digesting starch, an aqueous slurry of the starch is treated with steam in a cooking vessel and in this case exposed to shear forces, wherein the starch-containing slurry is heated to a temperature of between 85□C and 110□C in the cooking vessel by introducing steam, and the digestion step is implemented until the desired degree of digestion has been reached. Also described is a cooking vessel that can be used when the method for digesting starch is being carried out.

A coulter assembly for collecting soil samples from an agricultural field in one embodiment comprises an annular collection blade configured for penetrating soil to capture a sample, an annular cam ring configured for stationary mounting to a frame of an agricultural vehicle and comprising a cam track, a blade hub coupled to the blade for rotatably supporting the annular collection blade from the annular cam ring, and a movable sample collector mounted to the annular collection blade. The moveable sample collector is configured and operable for extracting a soil sample as the annular collection blade is rotated through the soil. The moveable sample collector in one embodiment comprises a piston mechanism including a cylinder and rod movably disposed therein which actuated by the annular cam ring to alternatingly open and close a collection end of the cylinder as the annular collection blade rotates through the soil.

A blender includes a lid configured to shield the opened upper surface of a container, in which the lid includes a main lid seated on the container and having a through-hole opened to communicate with an inside of the container, a gasket provided around the main lid and being in contact with the inner surface of the container, and an auxiliary lid inserted into the through-hole and exposed from the upper surface of the main lid, the auxiliary lid is coupled to the main lid and rotated together with the main lid in a state of being inserted into the through-hole, and the gasket protrudes to be in close contact with the inner surface of the container according to the rotational manipulation of the auxiliary lid.

A blender includes a lid configured to shield the opened upper surface of a container, in which the lid includes a main lid seated on the container and having a through-hole opened to communicate with an inside of the container, a gasket provided around the main lid and being in contact with the inner surface of the container, and an auxiliary lid inserted into the through-hole and exposed from the upper surface of the main lid, the auxiliary lid is coupled to the main lid and rotated together with the main lid in a state of being inserted into the through-hole, and the gasket protrudes to be in close contact with the inner surface of the container according to the rotational manipulation of the auxiliary lid.

Disclosed is a washing machine with an improved stirring device. The washing machine includes a tub, a rotating tub rotatably provided in the tub, a stirring device including a first stirring portion rotatably provided below the rotating tub, and a second stirring portion coupled to the first stirring portion. The second stirring portion includes a cylindrical wash rod body and a groove that is recessed from an outer surface of the wash rod body and extends in a longitudinal direction to accommodate a parting line formed by a manufacturing process.

Disclosed is a washing machine with an improved stirring device. The washing machine includes a tub, a rotating tub rotatably provided in the tub, a stirring device including a first stirring portion rotatably provided below the rotating tub, and a second stirring portion coupled to the first stirring portion. The second stirring portion includes a cylindrical wash rod body and a groove that is recessed from an outer surface of the wash rod body and extends in a longitudinal direction to accommodate a parting line formed by a manufacturing process.

An apparatus and system for dispensing a food and beverage product where a flowable product is extracted from a flexible pouch and where an opening exists through which the flowable product evacuates the flexible pouch. The opening has a lock seal that locks the flowable product within the flexible pouch when a pressure is applied to the flexible pouch. There is also a zip seal located in the opening that is configured to lock the flowable product within the flexible pouch after the lock seal has been removed when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch.

An apparatus and system for dispensing a food and beverage product where a flowable product is extracted from a flexible pouch and where an opening exists through which the flowable product evacuates the flexible pouch. The opening has a lock seal that locks the flowable product within the flexible pouch when a pressure is applied to the flexible pouch. There is also a zip seal located in the opening that is configured to lock the flowable product within the flexible pouch after the lock seal has been removed when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch.

A mixing apparatus (1) for mixing a fluid and/or solid. The mixing apparatus includes a mixing container (100) having an interior in which the fluid and/or solid can be arranged. A feed-through passage (10) extends through a container wall (101) of the mixing container. A drive shaft (50) is fed through the feed-through passage, to drive a stirring element (30) arranged at least partly in the interior of the mixing container. The stirring element is used to mix the fluid and/or solid arranged in the mixing container. A drive-side shaft end (51) of the drive shaft couples the drive shaft to a drive (120) arranged outside of the mixing container. An adjustable seal (70) seals off the feed-through passage. A setting apparatus (80) is provided to switch the adjustable seal into at least two sealing operation states having different sealing effects.

A mixing apparatus (1) for mixing a fluid and/or solid. The mixing apparatus includes a mixing container (100) having an interior in which the fluid and/or solid can be arranged. A feed-through passage (10) extends through a container wall (101) of the mixing container. A drive shaft (50) is fed through the feed-through passage, to drive a stirring element (30) arranged at least partly in the interior of the mixing container. The stirring element is used to mix the fluid and/or solid arranged in the mixing container. A drive-side shaft end (51) of the drive shaft couples the drive shaft to a drive (120) arranged outside of the mixing container. An adjustable seal (70) seals off the feed-through passage. A setting apparatus (80) is provided to switch the adjustable seal into at least two sealing operation states having different sealing effects.