Author: claimsbot

1-19. (canceled)
20. A beverage production device for preparing a liquid comestible from a portioned food substance contained in a capsule or cell, comprising:
a centrifugal unit for receiving the capsule or cell,
driving means connected to the centrifugal unit for providing a rotational motion of the capsule or cell in the centrifugal unit,
liquid supply means being connected to the centrifugal unit to supply liquid in the capsule or cell,
means for measuring the flow rate, or respectively the pressure, of the liquid, and
a control unit for controlling one of the flow rate or pressure to match a flow rate reference or a pressure reference, respectively, in a control loop by automatically adjusting the rotational speed of the driving means during an extraction phase of the beverage production depending on the measured flow rate or the measured pressure.
21. The beverage production device according to claim 20, wherein the control unit controls the flow rate and the reference flow rate is a constant set point or a variable profile of flow rates stored in or calculated by the control unit.
22. The beverage production device according to claim 21, wherein the control unit is arranged for selecting or calculating different flow rate set points corresponding to respectively different beverage strengths.
23. The beverage production device according to claim 22, which further comprises a manual interface configured to enable at least a selection of the strength of the beverage during the beverage production process and the volume of the beverage to be prepared.
24. The beverage production device according to claim 22, which further comprises identification means for receiving information from a capsule code as to the strength or volume of the beverage to be prepared.
25. The beverage production device according to claim 20, wherein the liquid supply means comprises a pump which is designed for supplying fluid to the centrifugal unit and which is operated by the control means.
26. The beverage production device according to claim 20, wherein the centrifugal unit is designed to act as a centrifugal pump by drawing water from the liquid supply means.
27. The beverage production device according claim 21, wherein the control means is designed to detect electrical impulses of the flow meter in order to calculate the flow rate and the dispensing volume during the beverage production.
28. The beverage production device according to claim 27, wherein the means for measuring the flow rate is a pulse-coded flow metering turbine.
29. The beverage production device according to claim 20, wherein the control unit is arranged to control an extraction profile comprising at least a pre-wetting phase and an extraction phase which differ in at least the associated rotational speeds of the driving means.
30. The beverage production device according to claim 21, which further comprises flow restriction means at a delivery side of the centrifugal unit.
31. The beverage production device according to claim 30, wherein the flow restriction means comprises a valve.
32. The beverage production device according to claim 31, wherein the valve is adjustable.
33. A system for producing a beverage from portioned ingredients provided within a capsule, the system comprising:
a beverage producing device having a centrifugal unit comprising at least two enclosing members for enclosing the capsule by a relative movement of the enclosing members,
driving means connected to the centrifugal unit for enabling a rotational motion of the centrifugal unit,
a liquid injection assembly designed to interact with the capsule provided to the device and connected to liquid supply means,
means for measuring one of the flow rate or the pressure of the liquid,
control means for controlling the flow rate or pressure to match a flow rate reference or the pressure reference in a control loop by automatically adjusting the rotational speed of the driving means during an extraction phase of the beverage production depending on the measured flow rate or measured pressure,
wherein the capsule is designed to be removably inserted into the centrifugal unit of the device.
34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the capsule is a single-use capsule sealed in a protective atmosphere before use.
35. The system according to claim 33, wherein the capsule contains ground coffee, soluble coffee, tea, cocoa or milk.
36. A method for preparing a liquid comestible from a portioned food substance contained in a capsule or cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, which comprises:
connecting the capsule or cell to a liquid supply,
rotating the capsule or cell about its rotational axis to enable an interaction between the liquid and the portioned ingredients provided within the capsule,
controlling one of the flow rate or pressure of supplied liquid to match a flow rate reference or a pressure reference in a control loop by automatically adjusting the rotational speed of the capsule or cell during the extraction phase of the beverage production depending on the measured flow rate or measured pressure.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the flow rate is controlled and the controlling is carried out in relation to a selection of the strength of the beverage.
38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the level of crema or foam of the beverage can be controlled by adjusting the load on a flow restriction valve at the exit of the capsule or cell.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An airbag module comprising:
a gas generator;
a gas bag having a plurality of fold packets;
a housing containing a floor area, outside walls extending upward from the floor area, and an exit opening through which the gas bag is deployed; and
a holder having a support area and at least one deflector segment directed toward the exit opening and surrounding the gas generator, wherein the gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is fixed to the housing, wherein the holder is located between the gas generator and the housing and directs gas generated by the gas generator into at least one of the fold packets of the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is placed in a corner area of the housing and the holder has a deflector segment enclosing the gas generator on one side, wherein a fold packet is located between the gas generator and the exit opening and a further fold packet is located in an internal space formed between the deflector segment and the outside wall of the housing facing away from the gas generator.
2. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein individual folds of the fold packets of the gas bag are placed transversely to an expulsion direction of the gas bag from the housing.
3. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deflector segment comprises at least one gas passage opening to allow gas from the gas generator to pass into an internal space between the deflector segment and one of the outside housing walls.
4. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deflector segment extends along a longitudinal direction of the gas generator in a direction of the exit opening.
5. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deflector segment extends beyond the gas generator in a direction of the exit opening.
6. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deflector segment has an end directed towards the exit opening of the housing and wherein the deflector segment end is bent in the direction toward the gas generator.
7. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deflector segment has an end directed toward the exit opening of the housing and wherein the deflector segment end is bent outward with respect to the gas generator.
8. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the holder is connected to the housing.
9. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the holder is disposed between the gas generator and the housing without fastening.
10. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the holder support area is oriented parallel to the housing floor, and wherein the support area has a dimension that substantially coincides with the dimension of the gas generator along a plane parallel to the support area.
11. The airbag module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gas generator is fixed radially and axially to the housing.
12. An airbag module comprising:
a gas generator;
a gas bag having a plurality of fold packets;
a housing containing a floor area, outside walls extending upward from the floor area, and an exit opening through which the gas bag is deployed; and
a holder having a support area and at least one deflector segment directed toward the exit opening and surrounding the gas generator, wherein the gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is fixed to the housing, wherein the holder is located between the gas generator and the housing and directs gas generated by the gas generator into at least one of the fold packets of the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is placed in a corner area of the housing and the holder has a deflector segment enclosing the gas generator on one side, wherein a fold packet is located between the gas generator and the exit opening and a further fold packet is located in an internal space formed between the deflector segment and the outside wall of the housing facing away from the gas generator, wherein the holder is U-shaped and has an additional deflector segment running alongside one outside wall of the housing.
13. An airbag module comprising:
a gas generator;
a gas bag having a plurality of fold packets;
a housing containing a floor area, outside walls extending upward from the floor area, and an exit opening through which the gas bag is deployed; and
a holder having a support area and at least one deflector segment directed toward the exit opening and surrounding the gas generator, wherein the gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is fixed to the housing, wherein the holder is located between the gas generator and the housing and directs gas generated by the gas generator into at least one of the fold packets of the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is placed in a central area of the housing and the holder is U-shaped with two deflector segments that enclose the gas generator between the deflector segments, wherein three fold packets of the gas bag are provided, wherein two fold packets are outside fold packets, each placed in an internal space between one of the deflector segments and one of the outside housing walls, wherein a central fold packet is placed between the gas generator and the exit opening.
14. The airbag module in accordance with claim 13, wherein individual folds of the outside fold packets are placed transversely to an expulsion direction of the gas bag and individual folds of the central fold packet are placed to run in the expulsion direction of the gas bag.
15. The airbag module in accordance with claim 13, wherein the deflector segment extends over a portion of the gas generator in a direction toward the exit opening.
16. An airbag module comprising:
a gas generator;
a gas bag having a plurality of fold packets;
a housing containing a floor area, outside walls extending upward from the floor area, and an exit opening through which the gas bag is deployed; and
a holder having a support area and at least one deflector segment directed toward the exit opening and surrounding the gas generator, wherein the gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is fixed to the housing, wherein the holder is located between the gas generator and the housing and directs gas generated by the gas generator into at least one of the fold packets of the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is placed in a central area of the housing and the holder is U-shaped with two deflector segments that enclose the gas generator between the deflector segments, wherein the holder has one deflector segment disposed on one side of the gas generator, wherein three fold packets of the gas bag are provided, of which one fold packet is placed between the deflector segment and one outside housing wall and the other two fold packets are placed in an internal space of the housing between the gas generator and another outside housing wall.
17. An airbag module comprising:
a gas generator;
a gas bag having a plurality of fold packets;
a housing containing a floor area, outside walls extending upward from the floor area, and an exit opening through which the gas bag is deployed; and
a holder having a support area and at least one deflector segment directed toward the exit opening and surrounding the gas generator, wherein the gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is fixed to the housing, wherein the holder is located between the gas generator and the housing and directs gas generated by the gas generator into at least one of the fold packets of the gas bag, wherein the gas generator is placed in a central area of the housing and the holder is U-shaped with two deflector segments that enclose the gas generator between the deflector segments, wherein the holder has one deflector segment disposed on one side of the gas generator with an extension portion that extends parallel to the exit opening of the housing, wherein three fold packets of the gas bag are provided, wherein one of the three fold packets is placed above the extension running parallel to the exit opening.

1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:
a crystal-based semiconductor having one face and another face;
an intrinsic first amorphous-based semiconductor film;
a second amorphous-based semiconductor film including impurities showing one conductivity-type;
a first electrode;
a semiconductor layer including impurities showing another conductivity-type different from said one conductivity-type; and
a second electrode, wherein
said first amorphous-based semiconductor film, said second amorphous-based semiconductor film, and said first electrode are formed in this order on a first region of said one face of said crystal-based semiconductor, and
said semiconductor layer and said second electrode are formed in this order on a second region of said one face of said crystal-based semiconductor.
2. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein
said crystal-based semiconductor includes impurities showing said one conductivity-type.
3. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein
said semiconductor layer is a third amorphous-based semiconductor film including impurities showing said another conductivity-type,
the photovoltaic cell further comprising an intrinsic fourth amorphous-based semiconductor film provided between said crystal-based semiconductor and said third amorphous-based semiconductor film.
4. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 3, wherein
said first amorphous-based semiconductor film on said first region of said crystal-based semiconductor and said fourth amorphous-based semiconductor film on said second region are a continuous common amorphous-based semiconductor film.
5. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 4, wherein said second amorphous-based semiconductor film and said third amorphous-based semiconductor film are provided at a distance from each other,
the photovoltaic cell further comprising a protective layer provided on a surface of said common amorphous-based semiconductor film between said second amorphous-based semiconductor film and said third amorphous-based semiconductor film.
6. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 3, wherein
said first amorphous-based semiconductor film on said first region of said crystal-based semiconductor and said fourth amorphous-based semiconductor film on said second region are formed in contact with each other.
7. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 6, wherein
said second amorphous-based semiconductor film and said third amorphous-based semiconductor film are formed in contact with each other.
8. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein
said first region and said second region are provided at a distance from each other,
the photovoltaic cell further comprising a protective layer provided on a surface of said crystal-based semiconductor between said first region and said second region.
9. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein
said semiconductor layer is a doped layer in which said second region of said crystal-based semiconductor is doped with impurities showing said another conductivity-type.
10. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein
said second amorphous-based semiconductor film is a doped layer in which said first amorphous-based semiconductor film is doped with impurities showing said another conductivity-type.
11. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein
substantially the whole of said another face is a light-incident surface.
12. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-reflection film provided on the another face of said crystal-based semiconductor.
13. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 12, further comprising an intrinsic fifth amorphous-based semiconductor film provided between said another face of said crystal-based semiconductor and said anti-reflection film.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for producing microparticles, in which
at least two fluids to be processed are used,
of them at least one fluid to be processed is a raw material fluid which contains at least one raw material,
at least one fluid to be processed other than the foregoing fluid to be processed is a processing fluid which contains at least one substance to process the raw material, and
the fluids to be processed are mixed in a thin film fluid formed between at least two processing surfaces which are disposed in a position they are faced with each other so as to be able to approach to and separate from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other whereby obtaining microparticles of the processed raw material, wherein
by controlling circumferential velocity of the rotation at a converging site in which the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are converged, rate of coalescence of the microparticles by themselves is controlled.
2. The method for producing microparticles according to claim 1, wherein
any one of the fluids to be processed, the raw material fluid and the processing fluid, passes through between the processing surfaces while forming the thin film,
a separate introduction path independent of the flow path through which the at least any one of the fluids to be processed is passed is arranged,
at least one opening which leads to the separate introduction path is arranged in at least any one of the at least two processing surfaces, and
of the raw material fluid and the processing fluid, any other one of the any one of the fluids to be processed is introduced into between the at least two processing surfaces from the opening, whereby mixing the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are mixed in the thin film fluid.
3. The method for producing microparticles according to claim 1, wherein
by controlling the circumferential velocity of the rotation in the range of 0.8 to 41.9 msec at the converging site in which the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are converged.
4. The method for producing microparticles according to claim 1, wherein
the rate of coalescence of the microparticles by themselves is preferably 50% or less, by controlling the circumferential velocity of the rotation at the converging site in which the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are converged.
5. The method for producing microparticles according to claim 2, wherein
by controlling the circumferential velocity of the rotation in the range of 0.8 to 41.9 msec at the converging site in which the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are converged.
6. The method for producing microparticles according to claim 2, wherein
the rate of coalescence of the microparticles by themselves is preferably 50% or less, by controlling the circumferential velocity of the rotation at the converging site in which the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are converged.
7. The method for producing microparticles according to claim 3, wherein
the rate of coalescence of the microparticles by themselves is preferably 50% or less, by controlling the circumferential velocity of the rotation at the converging site in which the raw material fluid and the processing fluid are converged.