A shell cracking and retaining device for cracking shelled food products, wherein the device entirely or substantially retains food, shell portions and other debris during the cracking process, and therefore prevents said food, shell portions and other debris from being sent airborne from the device.

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.

Methods and systems described herein include individual-use beverage containers including sensors and methods of their use. Beverage containers include: a vessel body configured to hold a beverage; and at least one sensor associated with the vessel body, the at least one sensor including a sensor configured to detect one or more substance in a fluid. Systems include: at least one beverage container including at least one sensor configured to detect one or more substance in fluid; and at least one external device including at least one port configured for communication with the at least one sensor. Methods include: detecting one or more substance within fluid with at least one sensor integral to a beverage container; and interfacing one or more of the at least one sensor with an external device.

A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. Movement of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid into a reservoir in a brewer, which is then used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, closing of the brew chamber may cause a lid for a water reservoir to be fully opened or otherwise permit movement of the lid to allow access to the reservoir, allowing a user to provide water into the reservoir. The reservoir lid may open with an abrupt action, causing attention to be drawn to the reservoir lid. In another arrangement, closure of the brew chamber may cause actuation of a baffle, pump, valve or other device to provide a suitable amount of water to a reservoir for beverage formation. In another arrangement, opening of the brew chamber may cause the reservoir lid to be automatically and simultaneously opened with the brew chamber.

A holder and method for obtaining a holder, wherein the holder is provided with a first and a second wall part. The first and second wall part are interconnected such that therebetween at least a first storage space, at least a first fluid connection and at least a first seal removable through fluid pressure and defining an opening are formed. The at least first removable connection is communication with the first storage space and seals a communication to or from the at least first fluid connection. With the method for obtaining the holder, prior to forming the connection of the first and second wall parts, a lacquer is locally applied to one of the first and second wall parts, which after connection results in a controlled reduced adhesion for obtaining the at least first removable seal. Here in the proximity of the removable seal, an additional connection of the first wall part to the second wall part is provided.

The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage. The capsule includes first and second covering walls connected for forming a cavity containing a beverage ingredient and a contactless identifying element for identifying the capsule by detecting the identifying element using the detector of a beverage producing device. The identifying element is preferably disposed in the cavity.

A system for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, for instance coffee and/or tea, is disclosed. The system comprises an apparatus for dispensing beverage under pressure to a nozzle of the system, and at least one receiving chamber which is placeable or is placed downstream of this nozzle. During use, the nozzle spouts a jet of the beverage with relatively high velocity to and/or into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is provided with at least one outflow opening for dispensing beverage received in this chamber. The system is at least configured to substantially counteract or prevent formation of foam of this beverage, in particular when the beverage is spouted to and/or into the receiving chamber. Further disclosed is an assembly at least provided with a holder, to a holder, a receiving body, the use of a said system and to a method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption.

The invention relates to a domestic cooking pot (1) comprising means of controlling (7) at least part of its operation, wherein said control means (7) have a mobile mounting between a plurality of positions, wherein said pot (1) is characterized in that it is further fitted with an information window (8) and at least an indicator (10) that is representative of one of the positions of the control means (7), and in that the window (8), the indicator (10) and the control means (7) work together so that said indicator (10) appears in the window (8) when the control means (7) are in the corresponding position.

In a method for controlling a cooking process of a cooking item contained in a cooking container, the sound of the cooking process is detected by means of at least one acoustic sensor and the course of the sound is directly analyzed for determining of a temperature and in particular the boiling point of the cooking item.

The inventive food holding apparatus comprises a holding area that accommodates food and warms the food with heat radiated by a bottom surface and with warm convection air. Part of the convection air forms an air curtain having a Bernoulli effect that removes excess moisture from the external surface of the food and maintains the food in a warm, crisp condition. The apparatus conditions food to attain a biologically safe noncooking temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for more than two hours. This lets restaurants serve the food longer to its customers, allowing efficient batch cooking and significantly decreasing food waste.

Machine (1) for extracting puree, or fruit juice starting from vegetable or animal food, such as a rough extractor or a fine extractor. The machine (1) comprises essentially a cylindrical body (2) having an inlet (3) for the product to treat, an outlet (4) for a part of the product that can be used and an outlet (5) for another part of product to dispose of. The rotor (6) is wheeled to a motor (80) by a shaft (15). The product that is put in the cylindrical body (2) of the machine (1) is pushed by centrifugal force by a plurality of blades (20) of the rotor (6) to pass through a sieve (7) having holes (8) and a cylindrical or conical shape. The blades (20) of the rotor (6) comprise, in particular a first portion (21) having a first concavity and a second portion (22) having a second concavity opposite to the first.

A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, includes upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and a cartridge handling arrangement including a cartridge holder (10), in particular a holder fixed to or integral with the upstream part or the downstream part, for receiving and holding such cartridge against gravity when inserted and descending under gravity between the enclosing parts in the open position prior to forming the extraction chamber (11). The handling arrangement further includes at least one cartridge positioning element (39), in particular a pair of positioning elements, that horizontally guides such cartridge (9) upon reception by the holder (10) in a cartridge extraction alignment (3,3') between the upstream and downstream parts (7,8), optionally the positioning element (s) (39) being fixed to or integral with the downstream part (8) and/or having an arched portion (39') for contacting such cartridge.

A container assembly (10) for retaining a liquid (16) during aging of the liquid (16) comprises a container (12) and an oxygenator (230). The container (12) includes a container body (14) that defines a chamber (14A) that receives and retains liquid (16). The oxygenator (230) is positioned substantially within the chamber (14A). The oxygenator (230) includes a fluid source (662), one or more diffusers (672), and a valve (670). The one or more diffusers (672) are in fluid communication with the fluid source (662). The valve (670) selectively controls the introduction of a fluid from the fluid source (662) into the liquid (16) through the one or more diffusers (672). The container assembly (10) further comprises an insert retainer assembly (338) and one or more flavor inserts (440) that are received and retained by the insert retainer assembly (338).

The present invention relates to a device to regulate the level of a liquid inside a boiler of a coffee machine, having a transparent duct connected to the boiler and designed to visibly display the level of the liquid inside the boiler, a capacitive sensor that can be positioned outside the transparent duct in determined positions and designed to generate electric signals representing the presence or absence of liquid in correspondence to the position of the sensor along the transparent duct. The sensor of the device has first measuring elements and second measuring elements, both of capacitive type; the second measuring elements are positioned at a predetermined distance from the first measuring elements, and a measuring device designed to measure the impedance between the first and second measuring elements and to generate signals indicating the presence or absence of liquid in correspondence to the position of the sensor. The invention also relates to the machine that includes this device.

Disclosed in this specification is a drip filter coffee maker that includes features to improve the taste of the brewed coffee and to enhance to ease of use. In one embodiment, an integral plate burr grinder sends coffee ground down a coffee chute that feeds the filter cone. A chute door at the end of the coffee chute prevents vapors or condensation from entering the coffee chute. In another embodiment, the eject tray that carries the filter cone may be coupled with a dampened spring biasing mechanism which moderates the eject motion. Further, a pivot float may be provided within the carafe so that the user may read the carafe fill level easily.

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for adjusting the atmosphere within a substantially sealed chamber containing respiring produce. The chamber of the present invention includes inlet means to permit ambient atmosphere to enter the chamber, and outlet means to permit chamber atmosphere to exit the chamber. Methods using apparatus of the present invention comprise: (a) monitoring the oxygen concentration within the chamber;(b) following detection that the oxygen concentration in the chamber has fallen below a predetermined amount, opening the inlet means so that the amount of oxygen in the chamber increases; and(c) removing carbon dioxide from the chamber atmosphere substantially at a predetermined rate, the predetermined rate having been selected such that the carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber atmosphere does not substantially exceed a predetermined amount. The methods may also comprise opening the inlet means for a time that is approximately proportional to the difference between the detected oxygen concentration and an oxygen setpoint.

A grill is provided with a removable storage basket assembly for providing a conveniently accessible receptacle or storage platform for articles such as seasonings, cooking tools, towels, or other articles. The storage basket assembly includes a frame having a basket or tray that can be mounted thereto, and a handle. The handle is configured to be received within a recess formed in a shelf of the grill for removably but stably mounting the storage basket assembly on the grill.

A bottle aerator of the type having a venturi tube having a constricted section with a narrower cross-sectional section and a fluid inlet section having a wider cross-sectional section, such that the fluid pressure is lower in the constricted section compared to the pressure in the fluid inlet section, and the fluid speed is higher in the constricted section compared to the fluid speed in the fluid inlet section, which is improved by the constricted section being constructed and arranged so that when the bottle aerator is inserted into a bottle, the constricted section is positioned inside the bottle. The air inlet is provided at or below the constricted section, which allows air from outside the bottle to mix with the fluid as it passes through the constricted section, so that the fluid is aerated while still inside the bottle.

A coffee machine comprises a frothing device, wherein an internal milk channel leading to a frothing chamber is provided into which opens a bypass air inlet for operable air supply to the frothing device. A flexible milk suction line connects the frothing device with a milk supply container. Means are provided for cleaning the frothing device and the milk suction line with rinsing water from a continuous-flow water heater of the coffee machine. A controlled valve arrangement is provided which feeds rinsing water from the continuous-flow water heater to the bypass air inlet of the frothing device. A milk suction end of the milk suction line is directly or indirectly, fluid-conductively connectable with a residual water pan of the coffee machine prior to feeding rinsing water to the bypass air inlet.

A beverage machine for preparing and dispensing a hot beverage having a pump dispensing system. Hot water passes through a water distributor to infuse material in a filter basket. A coffee tank receives the brewed beverage and maintains it at an appropriate temperature. On demand, a pump dispensing system delivers the beverage through an outlet chamber and spout into a user's cup. The user manipulates a switch to vary the rate at which the pump dispensing system dispenses the beverage.

The invention proposes a device for decaffeinating a liquid. The device includes at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode which are spaced apart and which are immersed in the liquid; a power supply coupled to the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode and configured to apply power thereto, wherein the at least one cathode electrode and the at least one anode electrode are configured to generate an electric field in the liquid upon application of the power to attract caffeine molecules in the liquid to the at least one cathode electrode; wherein the at least one cathode electrode is made of or coated with an absorbing material configured to absorb at least part of the caffeine molecules that are attracted to the at least one cathode electrode.

The present invention relates to a cooking control method performed by a cooking apparatus for a food item. The method comprises obtaining a unique identifier and cooking data for the food item, and checking for a record of the unique identifier in a memory of the cooking apparatus. If a record of the unique identifier is located in the memory, then the cooking apparatus will not cook the food item. Otherwise a cooking process based on the cooking data to cook the food item is performed. Accordingly, cooking data for a given instance of a food item can only be used once in order to activate a cooking process performed by the cooking apparatus. The present invention also features product recall as well as the ability to track food item sales via a cooking data communications system.

A system and method for displaying the actual position of one or more food items on a conveyorized oven system on a display monitor. Digital images of each food item are captured, stored and processed into positional imaging data using data transmitted from sensors adjacent to the conveyorized oven system. Characteristic data for each food item may be associated with the positional imaging data. The characteristic and positional imaging data of the food items may be stored or communicated to a display monitor for the user to view.

The invention provides a new method for preparing ultra-small polymeric-lipidic delivery nanoparticles (USDNs) that were synthesized by a nanoprecipitation method followed by a layer-by-layer nanodeposition. The USDNs particle size can be controlled between 5-25 mn and provides loading capacities of 22.12% to 72.08%. Moreover, the USDNs platform provides pH controlled drug release, within a terminal release ratio of 68% at pH 5.0 and almost no release to pH of 7.5. Furthermore, based on their small sizes (5-25 nm) and unique composition, the USDNs penetrates the skin strata efficiently, release the payload at the target site as topical or transdermal treatment of a variety of skin disorders. Additionally the USDNs system can be used to treat and diagnoses other crucial diseases (Cancer, Alzheimer, etc) can be combined with various micro-needles or needles free array technologies for special application.

The present invention includes a novel method capable of identifying a compound as an imaging agent using a DAZAX-based scaffold or derivative thereof. The present invention further includes novel imaging agents. The present invention further includes a method of modifying a DAZAX-based scaffold or derivative thereof. The present invention further includes a method for imaging a sample.

The present invention provides substituted bicyclic pyrazolone compounds, which are used to inhibit or modulate the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases, especially Axl, Mer, c-Met and Ron. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound disclosed herein, and a method of preventing, treating or lessening the severity of a proliferative disorder in a patient with the compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein.

A peptide comprising a sequence for opening a tight junction of an epithelial surface and optionally a cell penetrating sequence; and related compositions, optionally comprising further pharmaceutical agents; and related methods.

A molecule comprising a lipid, a peptide and a linker to bind the lipid to the peptide which have specific amino acid sequence to bind to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) of tumor cells, and a liposomal composition which is targeted by the molecule, and method for preparing thereof is disclosed.

Variant factor H binding proteins that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for at least one strain of Neisseria meningitidis, compositions comprising such proteins, and methods of use of such proteins, are provided.

The disclosure provides methods and compositions for suppressing retroviruses, including novel methods for treating a retroviral infection in a human in need of such treatment, comprising delivering a functional meiosis arrest female protein 1 (MARF1) to cells containing a retroviral provirus, together with novel expression constructs comprising a coding sequence encoding a functional MARF1 operatively linked to a promoter, vectors comprising such constructs, and packaging cell lines for use in making such vectors.

The present disclosure provides antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to EBOV glycoprotein. The present disclosure further provides hybridoma cell lines and methods for making and using the compositions provided herein.

This disclosure relates to combination therapies comprising anti-Pseudomonas Psl and PcrV bispecific binding molecules and related compositions, for use in prevention and treatment of Pseudomonas infection.

Specific binding members that bind the ED-A isoform of fibronectin for use in methods of diagnosis, detection, imaging and/or treatment of endometriosis, and/or for use in delivery to the neovasculature of endometriotic tissue of a molecule conjugated to the specific binding member. Specific binding members that bind tenascin-C, especially the A1, A2, A3, A4 and/or D domain tenascin-C large isoform, for use in methods of diagnosis, detection, imaging and/or treatment of endometriosis, psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis, and/or for use in delivery to the neovasculature of endometriotic, psoriatic arthritic or psoriatic tissue of a molecule conjugated to the specific binding member.

Provided is a method of potentiating immunity or preventing or treating an immune-related disease comprising administering an anti-Ang2 antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof to a subject in need thereof.

Provided is a method of decreasing blood sugar level or preventing and/or treating a hyperglycemia-related disease, including administering an anti-Ang2 antibody or an antigen-biding fragment thereof to a subject in need thereof.

This document provided methods and materials involved in treating medical conditions. For example, methods and materials for using anti-Interleukin 4, anti-Interleukin 5, and/or anti-Interleukin 13 antibodies to treat asthma in a mammal identified as having a Th2 immune response using a whole blood cell-based cytokine whole blood cell-based cytokine assay are provided.

The invention relates to a human Interleukin-2 (hIL-2) specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), or antigen binding fragment thereof, the binding of which to hIL-2 inhibits binding of hIL-2 to CD25 and the antibody is characterized by any of the parameters: the variable chain of the mAb comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 005 or SEQ ID NO 006; the binding to hIL-2 is characterized by a dissociation constant (KD)≦7.5 nmol/L; the binding to hIL-2 is characterized by an off-rate (Koff)≦1×10−4 s−1 and/or the antibody displays no measurable cross-reactivity to murine IL-2.

Agents that specifically bind to an opioid receptor in a conformationally specific way can be used to induce a conformational change in the receptor. Such agents have therapeutic applications and can be used in X-ray crystallography studies of the receptor. Such agents can also be used to improve drug discovery via compound screening and/or structure-based drug design.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

The present invention relates to VEGF-binding agents, DLL4-binding agents, VEGF/DLL4 bispecific binding agents, and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF, antibodies that specifically bind human DLL4, and bispecific antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF and/or human DLL4. The present invention further provides methods of using the agents to inhibit tumor growth. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.

Provided are methods of generating chimeric antigen receptors (CAR). In some embodiments, library screening of CAR is performed by generating a vector encoding the CAR from random attachment of vectors from libraries of vectors encoding antigen-binding domains (e.g., scFv regions), hinge regions, and endodomains. In some embodiments, the vectors contain a transposon.

Provided in some embodiments are antibodies comprising a heavy chain having no native interchain cysteine amino acids, a light chain having no native interchain cysteine amino acids, and having no native interchain disulphide linkages between the heavy chain and the light chain. Also provided in certain embodiments are antibodies comprising a heavy chain having no native interchain cysteine amino acids, a light chain having no native interchain cysteine amino acids, and having no native interchain disulphide linkages between the heavy chain and the light chain where the native interchain cysteine amino acids have been replaced by amino acids having no thiol moiety.

The present invention concerns modified recombinant J-chain polypeptides, binding molecules, such as antibodies, comprising the same, and their uses.

The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-β superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

The present invention provides compositions and methods relating to or derived from antigen binding proteins capable of inducing B-Klotho, and or FGF21-like mediated signaling. In embodiments, the antigen binding proteins specifically bind to a complex comprising β-Klotho and at least one of (i) FGFR1c, (ii) FGFR2c and (iii) FGFR3c. In some embodiments the antigen binding proteins induce FGF21-like signaling. In some embodiments, an antigen binding protein is a fully human, humanized, or chimeric antibodies, binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and polypeptides that specifically bind to a complex comprising β-Klotho and at least one of (i) FGFR1c, (ii) FGFR2c and (iii) FGFR3c. Other embodiments provide nucleic acids encoding such antigen binding proteins, and fragments and derivatives thereof, and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antigen binding proteins, and fragments and derivatives thereof, and polypeptides, and methods of using such antigen binding proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects suffering from type 2 diabetes, obesity, NASH, metabolic syndrome and related disorders or conditions.

The present invention relates to Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) that are recombinant chimeric proteins able to redirect immune cell specificity and reactivity toward selected membrane antigens, and more particularly in which extracellular ligand binding is a scFV derived from a CD123 monoclonal antibody, conferring specific immunity against CD123 positive cells. The engineered immune cells endowed with such CARs are particularly suited for treating lymphomas and leukemia.

Cysteine engineered antibodies useful for the site-specific conjugation to a variety of agents are provided. Methods for the design, preparation, screening, selection and use of such antibodies are also provided.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating leukemia, for example, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia (B-ALL). The invention also relates to at least one chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to CD123, vectors comprising the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the CD123 CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises a CD123 binding domain. The invention also includes methods of bone marrow ablation for use in treatments necessitating bone marrow reconditioning or transplant.

Described herein are doppel-targeting molecules useful for inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and treating diseases and conditions associated with pathological angiogenesis, such as tumors, cancers, atherosclerosis, tuberculosis, asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), neoplasms and neoplasm-related conditions, and for detecting doppel expression in a subject. Related compositions and methods also are described.

Antibodies that interact with osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) are described. Methods of treating osteopenic disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of antibodies to OPGL are described. Methods of detecting the amount of OPGL in a sample using antibodies to OPGL are described.