A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation and dispensing of a custom formulation within a package at a retail point of sale. In one aspect, the invention includes an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm. In another aspect, the invention includes an automated mixer adapted to mix the dispensed custom formulation within the package.

Method of detecting a signal from droplets for instrument calibration. In the method, a calibration standard for a droplet detection instrument may be received. The calibration standard may have been shipped at least one kilometer when received. The calibration standard may include a mixture of first droplets and second droplets. Each of the first and second droplets may be encapsulated by an immiscible carrier liquid and may have a stabilizing droplet skin that is formed by heating and that includes a skin-forming protein. Each the first droplets may contain a fluorescent dye, and each of the second droplets may contain a fluorescent dye. A fluorescence signal may be detected from a plurality of the first and second droplets with a droplet detection instrument. The fluorescence signal may be stronger for the first droplets than the second droplets.

A manufacturing apparatus includes a mixing machine having a receiving housing with a first receiving location configured to receive a first deformable capsule and a second receiving location configured to receive a second deformable capsule, the first and second capsules intended to be fluidly linked to each other and containing respectively a first formulation and a second formulation. The mixing machine has at least an electrically motorized actuation system configured to transmit a pressure force to the first and second capsules to move the content of the first capsule in the second capsule, and vice versa, and an electrical heater element configured to heat at least one of the first and second capsules when the first and second capsules are received in the mixing machine, in which, in a preparation phase prior to bringing the two formulations into contact, the actuation system and the heater element are electrically supplied alternately.

Systems for a plastic pump/actuator capable of containing and pumping organic solvents and lubricants and having a more desirable lubricity within the system. The system has at least two cylinders, with plungers therein, oppositely disposed from each other and configured to operably connect to a pump.

A mixing method using a mixing machine including a support having a receiving housing including first receiving location configured to receive a first deformable capsule and a second receiving location configured to receive a second deformable capsule. The first and second capsules are fluidly linked and respectively contain a first formulation and a second formulation, the mixing machine includes an actuation system having a first actuation member configured to transmit a pressure force on the first capsule and of a second actuation member configured to transmit a pressure force on the second capsule. The mixing method includes a preparation phase that includes, successively: setting in motion the second actuation member; setting in motion the first actuation member, along a stroke lower than its actuation stroke; and heating by the heater element.

An apparatus for manufacturing a cosmetic product including a mixing machine having a removable receiving device, a support defining a receiving housing, able to receive the receiving device, the receiving device being configured to receive first and second capsules containing respectively a first formulation and a second formulation, the two capsules being fluidly linked to each other, an actuation system, movable inside the receiving housing to exert a pressure force on the receiving device and/or on the first and/or the second capsule(s), a clamping mechanism, movable relative to the support and configured: in an insertion position, not to interfere with the insertion and the withdrawal of the receiving device including capsules into/from the receiving housing, and in a clamping position, to pinch a section of a capsule, in which the clamping mechanism is a clamping wheel, movable in rotation about a clamping wheel axis.

A dispensing container and adapter system for use with a planetary mixer is disclosed. The dispensing container has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a nozzle and a removable cap to cover the nozzle. The removable cap may have a first width dimension measured along the transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a body having a second width dimension measured along the transverse axis. An adapter may receive the dispensing container. The adapter may include a cavity to receive the removable cap. The cavity may have a cavity width that exceeds the first width dimension. The adapter may also include a recess for receiving a portion of the dispensing container. The recess may extend from the cavity. At least a portion of the recess may have a width dimension smaller than both the first width dimension and the second width dimension.

A dispensing container and adapter system for use with a planetary mixer is disclosed. The dispensing container has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a nozzle and a removable cap to cover the nozzle. The removable cap may have a first width dimension measured along the transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a body having a second width dimension measured along the transverse axis. An adapter may receive the dispensing container. The adapter may include a cavity to receive the removable cap. The cavity may have a cavity width that exceeds the first width dimension. The adapter may also include a recess for receiving a portion of the dispensing container. The recess may extend from the cavity. At least a portion of the recess may have a width dimension smaller than both the first width dimension and the second width dimension.

Methods of mixing fluids, especially wellbore fluids, without causing wear to the vessel containing the fluid, are disclosed, using weighted aqueous phase for mixing. Also disclosed are methods of mixing and analyzing fluids using weighted phases including scavengers.