Cradles for draining liquid from containers are described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing having a bottom wall, a side wall and an open top. The housing is to receive a container having liquid. The example apparatus includes a probe extending upward from the bottom wall toward the open top and is to drain the liquid from the container when the probe is inserted into the container. The example apparatus also includes a sliding lock slidably disposed within the housing that receives a cap or top of the container when the container is inserted into the housing. The sliding lock includes a key slot. The sliding lock is movable when a cap or top of the container has a matching key that engages the key slot, which enables the sliding lock to move downward to expose the probe and drain the liquid from the container.

Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

A hydrate production apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a main body unit having a reaction space in which a hydrate is produced therein; an inlet pipe unit connected to one side of the main body unit so as to introduce, into the reaction space, a host material and a guest material for producing the hydrate; an outlet pipe unit connected to the other side of the main body unit so as to discharge the hydrate produced in the reaction space to the outside; and a pulverizing device unit provided inside the reaction space so as to increase a reaction area for producing the hydrate by pulverizing, into fine-sized particles, an object to be pulverized, which is at least one of the introduced host material and guest material.

A device for collecting multiple samples for use by a single user while avoiding cross-contamination under adverse conditions is disclosed. A multiple sampling device comprising a single handle actuator with a trigger, connected to a shaft assembly further connected to a claw assembly for actuating a self-sealing sampling sphere in the process of collecting a desired sample, is disclosed. The sampling sphere comprises two halves that separate when the trigger and claw assembly are actuated, and close together when the trigger is released using springs on the claw assembly and sampling sphere. Additional sampling spheres are stored on the shaft assembly. In operation, once a sample is collected by one sampling sphere, the sampling sphere is exchanged with an empty sampling sphere stored on the shaft assembly.

A micro-fluidic device includes at least one inlet and a curvilinear microchannel having a trapezoidal cross section defined by a radially inner side, a radially outer side, a bottom side, and a top side, the cross section having a) the radially inner side and the radially outer side unequal in height, or b) the radially inner side equal in height to the radially outer side, and wherein the top side has at least two continuous straight sections, each unequal in width to the bottom side.

The invention concerns a circuit comprising a bag (11) comprising two flexible films (45, 46) and a press (10) comprising a first (14) and a second (13) shell clamping the bag to form pipes having a passage and edges (41); the first shell comprising a valve (20) which comprises a movable member (24) and a pad (31), which pad has a resting configuration in which a second face (33) of the pad is concave and locally delimits a channel (18) and a pinching configuration in which the second face (33) is convex; said movable member and said pad being configured so that, when said valve is in closed position and said pad in pinching configuration, said passage is pinched by said movable member against said second shell channel and said edges (41) are pinched flat by said movable member against said second shell (13).

Biological sample collection kits are devised with physical features to enable a high performance collection system which delivers preprocessed biological matter via conventional shipping means to a testing laboratories. In particular, untrained and unskilled users deposit biological matter such as saliva or blood into a receiving vessel. By sealing the container, the user causes release of a premixed solution containing preservatives and optionally lysis reagents. In addition, a purification agent is arranged to bind to target molecules and facilitate their removal from solution. These time consuming processes occur while the sample is in transit to the testing facility such that when it arrives, it is in a preconditioned state immediately ready for execution of washing steps. Thus, the high performance containers taught herein are useful for collection biological samples and performing initial process steps on received matter—steps which are largely effected during the shipping stage of the transfer process.

Biological sample collection kits are devised with physical features to enable a high performance collection system which delivers preprocessed biological matter via conventional shipping means to a testing laboratories. In particular, untrained and unskilled users deposit biological matter such as saliva or blood into a receiving vessel. By sealing the container, the user causes release of a premixed solution containing preservatives and optionally lysis reagents. In addition, a purification agent is arranged to bind to target molecules and facilitate their removal from solution. These time consuming processes occur while the sample is in transit to the testing facility such that when it arrives, it is in a preconditioned state immediately ready for execution of washing steps. Thus, the high performance containers taught herein are useful for collection biological samples and performing initial process steps on received matter—steps which are largely effected during the shipping stage of the transfer process.

A system and method for providing fertilizer for crop production in an aqueous solution comprising nano-sized fertilizer particles, which are free of any chemical side chain and free any micelle to protect the nano-sized particle from re-agglomeration, suspended therein for improved uptake by the population of the crop.