A manually-actuated device for the deliver of a volume of liquid which includes an outlet through which liquid is in use delivered and a cover member which is movably disposed relative to the housing between a first position in which the cover member at least partly covers the outlet and a second position in which the cover member acts as a lever which in use is acted upon by a user to actuate the delivery device.

The invention relates to a storage machine (1) for articles which comprises a plurality of compartments which are open to one side and which are configured on a rotatably mounted rotary magazine (10) that is at least partially surrounded by a housing (21) or any other delimitation. The storage machine further comprises at least one closing element (13), adjustable relative to a predefined center access opening (22) in the housing (21) and controlling, especially releasing or preventing, access to defined or individual compartments. The closing element (13) comprises at least one closing shutter that is mounted in such a manner as to be adjustable relative to the access opening (22) or the housing (21), and openings that are predefined in terms of size and/or height position and that are at least approximately adapted to the respective compartment openings and/or compartment height positions, and at least one door (15) that is mounted upstream of the compartments with respect to the direction of access or depth. Said door optionally releases or prevents access to the closing shutter or to a compartment positioned behind an opening.

The invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling at least one electronic device, comprising a haptic input means, an acoustic input means, and a switching means for switching between the acoustic input means and the haptic input means, such that an input is received by the apparatus via only one input means at a time. The invention is also directed to a method for inputting data using an apparatus comprising a haptic input means, an acoustic input means and a switching means for switching between the input means, comprising the steps of receiving input via one of the input means, switching from the one input means to the other input means upon receipt of a switching command by the switching means, and receiving input via the other input means wherein input is received by the apparatus via only one input means at a time.

A bulk material processing apparatus (10) which comprises: a longitudinally extending main frame (11); a supply conveyor (23) mounted on, and extending lengthwise of the main frame (11), and operative to convey a supply of bulk material from a forward lower end of the conveyor to an upper and rearward discharge end (24); a material processing device (13) mounted on the main frame (11) and arranged to receive material from the discharge end (24) of the supply conveyor (23), to process the material, and to discharge processed material; a discharge conveyor (32) mounted on the main frame (11) below the processing device (16) so as to be able to receive processed material discharged by the processing device, and to discharge the material to a discharge point located rearwardly of the apparatus; means (16, 17, 18) mounting the processing device (13) on the main frame (11) for movement between a raised operating position to a lowered transport position; and, means (34) mounting the discharge conveyor (32) on the main frame (11) for movement between a raised operative position and a lowered inoperative position; in which the discharge conveyor (32) has a first part (32a) which is mounted on the main frame, and a second part (32b) which is adjustable between an operative position in which it forms a prolongation of the first part, and a folded transport position in which it extends below the first part.

A conveying device ( 1 ) which is particular in that the conveying device comprises a plurality of conveying elements ( 2 ), where each conveying element ( 2 ) comprises a chain box element ( 4 ) in which at least one transport roller ( 3 ) is rotatably fixed such that rollers ( 3 ) arranged in adjacent conveying elements ( 2 ) define the conveying device transport plane, and that chain box elements ( 4 ) of adjacent conveying elements are interconnected in such a way that one conveying element may articulate in relation to adjacent conveying elements, and that at least some of the chain box elements in the conveying device comprise drive elements directly engaging and rotating the transport rollers ( 3 ).

Equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage comprising a boiler (10) capable of containing a liquid component of the beverage, for example water, a collection container (14) and means (22, 20, 28) defining a delivery path for the liquid component from the boiler to the collection container. The equipment also comprises valve means (40) located along the delivery path for the liquid component comprising a plug (44) which can move between a position in which the delivery path is closed and one in which it is open and means (70, 72; 74, 76; 78) to immobilise the plug in the open position. These means are arranged in such a way that they can be activated and deactivated by a force exerted in the direction of movement of the plug.