Embodiments of the present invention provide beverage makers and their ability to be made modular, such that the beverage maker may brew beverages using interchangeable components. One embodiment relates to an espresso maker that can brew a coffee or espresso beverage using different types of modules.
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved heating methods for use in coffee makers and other beverage makers that use hot water for various beverages and other purposes. These improvements find particular use on-board aircraft or other passenger transport vehicles, where quick heating and reduced power consumption are particularly desirable and beneficial. Further embodiments also relate to improved water level sensing, improved water reservoirs, and improved carafe features.
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a combined microwave and warmer, provided in a single device. Such devices find particular use on-board passenger transport vehicles, such as aircraft, although they may be useful in any other instance when space and/or weight reduction is at a premium.
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for configuring microwave ovens to operate on-board an aircraft within desired WiFi bands that do not interfere with normal aircraft functions.
Embodiments of the invention relate to trash compactor boxes that have an antibacterial or antimicrobial feature incorporated therein. In a general embodiment, the carton boxes have a built-in compound, such as an antimicrobial, antiseptic, and/or a biocide material.
Embodiments of the present invention provide boxes that are particularly useful in connection with trash collection and trash compaction. The boxes are designed as having a single-piece board construction (12) with a strength that can contain mixed types of trash, including solids and liquids, and to effectively contain the trash during the pressure of a compaction process without tearing, splitting and/or leaking. They are also designed to use a waterproof coating for adhering seams, reducing the extra step and expense of using a glue or an adhesive to secure the box seams. The trash compaction boxes provided herein are particularly useful on aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles, where weight and performance are of primary concern.
B65D 5/18 - Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding a single blank to U-shape to form the base of the container and opposite sides of the body portion, the remaining sides being formed primarily by extensions of one or more of these opposite sides, e.g. flaps hinged thereto
B65D 5/42 - Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper - Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an espresso or other coffee drink maker that is configured to accept a number of different forms of coffee grounds. It may accept powder/coffee grounds that are loose, coffee capsules, coffee pods, (e.g., "ESE" (easy serving espresso) pods), or any other format. The machine may also be provided with an optional built-in grinder, which allows the machine to accept fresh coffee beans, in order to grind and brew them on-site, in a single machine. Such espresso/coffee drink makers find particular use on-board passenger transport vehicles such as aircraft, but may be useful in a number of other locations.
A47J 31/44 - Parts or details of beverage-making apparatus
A47J 31/06 - Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers
A47J 31/36 - Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that provides a cohesive, harmonized look to aircraft galleys and other aircraft areas. The system allows airlines to easily change the decorative front fascia of galley (and other) airline components, even while the components are installed on the aircraft. The replacement is accomplished without the use of tools or extensive manual effort by providing replaceable and interchangeable panels for use on aircraft or other passenger transport vehicles or vessels.
B60N 3/16 - Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of cooking or boiling devices
B60P 3/36 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping, or like vehicles - Details
9.
WIRELESS NETWORK-COMPATIBLE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR AIRCRAFT AND OTHER PASSENGER TRANSPORT VEHICLES
Embodiments of the present invention provide a power supply for a microwave oven designed for use on-board an aircraft and that is configured to deliver power to the microwave magnetron in such a way as to avoid interference with Wi-Fi networks. Output from the power supply to the microwave oven is modulated and optimized by lowering the time period that the power is delivered (e.g., into short bursts), but increasing the actual current that is delivered.
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for point of use location treatment of potable water supplies on demand on board passenger vehicles, such as aircraft. The systems described generally provide increased safety features, alternate ultraviolet light sources, and reduced power consumption.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a combination trash collection and compaction trolley that has a main front door with a trash door that provides access to an interior of the trolley so that trash can be front-loaded into the trash door, as well as an open top portion, which allows trash to be top-loaded into the open top portion.
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to door locking systems for use in connection with trash compactor systems for preventing inadvertent opening of the main door during a compaction cycle.
Embodiments of the present relate generally to devices and methods for separating and removing liquid waste from mixed waste. One embodiment relates a trash compactor (10) having a suction line (22) for removing collected liquid, further embodiment relates to a trash compactor having a sloped platen (36) for allowing liquid to collect for subsequent removal or drainage.
B30B 9/06 - Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material, e.g. juice from fruits, oil from oil-containing material using press rams co-operating with permeable casings or strainers
B30B 9/30 - Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
Embodiments of the present invention provide stackable meal trays for use in transporting and heating meal casseroles in an induction oven. The trays have casseroles receiving portions, as well as space - creating features to create a space between each tray when staked. They further comprise one or more elements for securing the trays to one another when in a stacked configuration. The elements may be a base assembly, a cover assembly, and a securing system.
Embodiments of the present invention provide steam oven drain valve systems (22) and methods for draining steam ovens and associated water lines (18) on aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that provides a cohesive, harmonized look to aircraft galleys and other aircraft areas. The system allows airlines to easily change the decorative front fascia of galley (and other) airline components, even while the components are installed on the aircraft. The replacement is accomplished without the use of tools or extensive manual effort by providing replaceable and interchangeable panels for use on aircraft or other passenger transport vehicles or vessels.
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved temperature gauges and adjustability for coffee makers used on board aircraft or used in other instances of varying altitudes.
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to steam ovens, and particularly to steam ovens configured to generate and deliver steam directly to the oven using a water reservoir (22) in close proximity to an existing oven heat generating system (20). The steam ovens described may be designed so that they inject steam directly into the oven cavity (12), and in some instances, generate the steam directly in the oven cavity as well. Certain embodiments are designed with a water reservoir in close proximity to an oven heat generating system such that water in the reservoir is heated, turned to steam, and delivered to the oven cavity via a steam delivery system (32).
There is provided systems and methods for transporting heat away from galley refrigeration equipment (10) or other heat-generating systems such as avionics, power electronics, or in-flight entertainment units, via a potable water system (20). The potable water system transports heat more effectively and more efficiently than other systems used to date.
There is provided systems and methods for transporting heat away from galley refrigeration equipment (12) or other heat-generating systems such as avionics, power electronics, or in-flight entertainment units, via a potable water system (20). The potable water system transports heat more effectively and more efficiently than other s stems used to date.
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to regenerative vacuum generators for use on aircraft or other transportation vehicles. Embodiments of the invention further relate to modified regenerative vacuum generators (20) that provide a larger area for air flow, as well as provide larger RPMs than typical regenerative vacuum generators. Further embodiments of the invention relate to modified regenerative vacuum generators (20) for use on aircraft or other transportation vehicles. These features help generate high flow and vacuum in less time, which ensure a good vacuum system, and allow the generators to be much smaller than generators currently used in these applications.
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for a gray- water interface valve for use with a vacuum source and a collection tank. The systems and methods comprise a basin (12) for collecting gray water, the basin having an outlet; a reservoir (20) in fluid communication with the outlet, the reservoir adapted to house gray water; a vent line (3) associated with the reservoir; a pressure switch (40) associated with the reservoir, the pressure switch adapted to signal when the reservoir is full; a controller (50) associated with the pressure switch, the controller adapted to begin a discharge cycle by checking and switching on the vacuum source if necessary; a solenoid valve activated by the controller in order to control the flow of vacuum through the system; and a drain valve (70) adapted to open via vacuum pressure and evacuate gray water from the reservoir, wherein the drain valve is adapted to close before all of the gray water from the reservoir is emptied to reduce noise.
Vacuum toilet assemblies are detailed. These assemblies are designed to reduce both operational noise and water usage of the toilets while continuing to promote effective disposal of waste. They also require less air for operation than do conventional vacuum toilets.
The invention described herein contains two aspects, usable together or separately, that address the needs in the art described above, namely a first aspect that relates to the provision of a transportable water purification system that can be contained on a passenger transport vehicle, and that can use, but does not require, continuous, real-time monitoring, and a second aspect that relates to the use of UV purification of the water as it is uploaded to the passenger transport vehicle after a single pass through the UV chamber.
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