An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.

A drug container is arranged in a horizontal state where a central axis extends along a horizontal direction, and the drug container is rotated about the central axis. In such a way, a drug solution in the drug container is moved along an inner surface of the drug container, and the drug container is reciprocally vibrated along the central axis in a state where the drug container is rotated, to stir the drug solution.

A cosmetic manufacturing apparatus includes a main body providing a cosmetic manufacturing space; a part supply unit providing at least one of a mixing container for accommodating cosmetic materials and a component constituting a cosmetic container; a cosmetic material supply unit for discharging one or more cosmetic materials stored in a cosmetic material storage unit to the mixing container; a conveying means for moving at least one of the mixing container and the component constituting the cosmetic container which have been provided to the part supply unit; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the cosmetic material supply unit and the conveying means so that the one or more cosmetic materials stored in the cosmetic material storage unit are mixed and accommodated into at least one of the mixing container and the component constituting the cosmetic container.

An insert for a liquid-holding container may include a body comprising a wall, an open top end and a bottom end, and a generally tubular lumen extending from the open top end to the open bottom end. The insert may include a plurality of first openings formed in the wall, the first openings being situated between the top and bottom ends, wherein each of the plurality of first openings defines an area, and wherein the plurality of first openings have substantially the same dimensions. The insert may include one or more second openings formed in the wall, the one or more second openings being situated between the top and bottom ends, wherein each of the one or more second openings defines an area that is greater than the area defined by any of the first openings, wherein the one or more second openings have substantially the same dimensions.

An insert for a liquid-holding container may include a body comprising a wall, an open top end and a bottom end, and a generally tubular lumen extending from the open top end to the open bottom end. The insert may include a plurality of first openings formed in the wall, the first openings being situated between the top and bottom ends, wherein each of the plurality of first openings defines an area, and wherein the plurality of first openings have substantially the same dimensions. The insert may include one or more second openings formed in the wall, the one or more second openings being situated between the top and bottom ends, wherein each of the one or more second openings defines an area that is greater than the area defined by any of the first openings, wherein the one or more second openings have substantially the same dimensions.

An insert for a liquid-holding container includes a body comprising a wall, open first and second ends, and a lumen extending from the open first end to the open second end. A plurality of first openings are formed in the wall, each of the first openings defining an area, and one or more second openings are formed in the wall, each of the one or more second openings defining an area that is greater than the area defined by any of the first openings. The first openings are arranged in a first row of at least three first openings in axial alignment and a second row of at least three first openings in axial alignment. At least one of the one or more second openings is situated closer to the first end than any of the first openings, and each of the first and second openings is sized to permit the passage of a liquid.

An insert for a liquid-holding container includes a body comprising a wall, open first and second ends, and a lumen extending from the open first end to the open second end. A plurality of first openings are formed in the wall, each of the first openings defining an area, and one or more second openings are formed in the wall, each of the one or more second openings defining an area that is greater than the area defined by any of the first openings. The first openings are arranged in a first row of at least three first openings in axial alignment and a second row of at least three first openings in axial alignment. At least one of the one or more second openings is situated closer to the first end than any of the first openings, and each of the first and second openings is sized to permit the passage of a liquid.

A machine (10) to automatically prepare a fluid coloring product inside a container (15), which can already contain a base product, comprises a loading station (26), a perforating device to make an aperture in the upper part of the container (15), a delivery device (21) configured to deliver coloring substances inside the container through such aperture, and a closing device configured to automatically closed such aperture with a closing element, after the delivery of the coloring substances.

A machine (10) to automatically prepare a fluid coloring product inside a container (15), which can already contain a base product, comprises a loading station (26), a perforating device to make an aperture in the upper part of the container (15), a delivery device (21) configured to deliver coloring substances inside the container through such aperture, and a closing device configured to automatically closed such aperture with a closing element, after the delivery of the coloring substances.

The present disclosure relates to blood sample preparation devices and methods. In some embodiments, a method for preparing a blood sample comprises: receiving at a sample preparation machine a sample container containing the blood sample; scanning an identifier of the sample container, the identifier containing information indicative of a characteristic of at least one of the sample container or the blood sample contained therein, actuating, after the scanning, and based on the information, the sample container to repeatedly change a position of the sample container; determining, based on the information, whether the sample container should be centrifuged; and transporting the sample container to a centrifuge to be centrifuged and then to a storage compartment when the determining indicates that the sample container should be centrifuged, and to the storage compartment without entering the centrifuge when the determining indicates that the sample container should not be centrifuged.