A fluid dispenser for containing and dispensing metered amounts of fluid that includes a reservoir for containing fluid and a chamber positioned substantially within the reservoir for containing a quantity of the fluid. The fluid dispenser additionally includes a piston that is moveable within the chamber to draw fluid into the chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction with respect to the chamber, and to discharge fluid from the chamber when the piston is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction. Further, the fluid dispenser includes a user-manipulatable control coupled to the piston and rotatable about an axis to select one of at least two different metered quantities of fluid to be dispensed. The user-manipulatable control is further movable to move the piston relative to the chamber along the axis to selectively dispense the selected metered quantity of fluid.

A device for puncturing a metal can having a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom portion with an annular concave central portion terminating in an annular base portion. The base has an annular inclined connecting wall portion extending outward from the annular base portion to the sidewall. The device includes a frame with vertical walls extending above a supporting surface to a height at least equal to the height of the metal can, and an arm rotatably attached to the walls. The arm has two or more puncturing elements extending downward when the arm is in a puncturing position in which the arm extends laterally. The puncturing elements are configured so the can is positionable upside-down on a supporting surface so that when the arm is rotated into the puncturing position, the first puncturing element punctures the connecting wall and the second puncturing element punctures the concave central portion.

The present disclosure provides bottle opener and resealer devices comprising a frustoconical cap gripping element for accommodating bottle caps of various diameters.

A bracelet or flexible band comprised of a flexible member that on one end is interconnected to a knife and on another end, is connected to a sheath that selectively receives the knife in the locking fashion. When needed, the knife is rotated within the sheath to facilitate release thereof from a lock that is integral with the sheath. Once removed from the sheath, the knife can be used for self-defense, cutting rope or cord in an emergency situation, or for general utility cutting tasks.

A bracelet or flexible band comprised of a flexible member that on one end is interconnected to a knife and on another end, is connected to a sheath that selectively receives the knife in the locking fashion. When needed, the knife is rotated within the sheath to facilitate release thereof from a lock that is integral with the sheath. Once removed from the sheath, the knife can be used for self-defense, cutting rope or cord in an emergency situation, or for general utility cutting tasks.

A bracelet or flexible band comprised of a flexible member that on one end is interconnected to a knife and on another end, is connected to a sheath that selectively receives the knife in the locking fashion. When needed, the knife is rotated within the sheath to facilitate release thereof from a lock that is integral with the sheath. Once removed from the sheath, the knife can be used for self-defense, cutting rope or cord in an emergency situation, or for general utility cutting tasks.

An elastic coupling assembly comprises a first brake gear, a second brake gear, a coupling, a plurality of elastic bodies, a plurality of first protrusions, at least two second protrusions; wherein, the plurality of first protrusions is arranged on a surface of the first brake gear which faces the second brake gear; the at least two second protrusions are arranged at intervals on the surface of the coupling which faces the first brake gear; each second protrusion has a notch, each first protrusion is clamped between two adjacent second protrusions; when the first brake gear rotates in one direction, each first protrusion comes into contact with the corresponding elastic body, when the first brake gear rotates in the other direction, each first protrusion comes into contact with the second protrusion opposite to the corresponding elastic body. The present invention further comprises an elastic can opener having the elastic coupling assembly.

An automatic animal feeding system is provided. Embodiments of the automatic animal feeding system include an automatic food dispenser and a food canister storing food pods. The automatic food dispenser couples to the food canister, receives a food pod form the food canister, removes a cover or lid from the food pod, presents the opened food pod for pet consumption, disposes of the food pod into a disposal compartment that is sealed off from the ambient air, and implements other steps of an automatic feeding process. Aspects of the automatic feeding process can be efficiently implemented, for example, by actuating two motors based on data received from sensors of the automatic animal feeding system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a compact, control-efficient, self-cleaning automatic animal feeding system that can continuously personalize feeding patterns or feed a pet with little to no human intervention over a period of time.

An automatic animal feeding system is provided. Embodiments of the automatic animal feeding system include an automatic food dispenser and a food canister storing food pods. The automatic food dispenser couples to the food canister, receives a food pod form the food canister, removes a cover or lid from the food pod, presents the opened food pod for pet consumption, disposes of the food pod into a disposal compartment that is sealed off from the ambient air, and implements other steps of an automatic feeding process. Aspects of the automatic feeding process can be efficiently implemented, for example, by actuating two motors based on data received from sensors of the automatic animal feeding system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a compact, control-efficient, self-cleaning automatic animal feeding system that can continuously personalize feeding patterns or feed a pet with little to no human intervention over a period of time.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.