A unit for mixing and dispensing an aerosol precursor composition, and containers to be dispensed therefrom. The unit includes a plurality of bulk material filling stations, the plurality of bulk material filling stations have at least one first filling station with aerosol former and at least one second filling station with a flavor material for creating the aerosol precursor. The unit also includes a bulk consumable pack staging a plurality of containers configured to receive the aerosol precursor, and a robot configured to retrieve a container from the bulk consumable pack and move the container through at least two dimensions to stop at at least two of the plurality of bulk material filling stations.

The present invention provides a device and a method for automated liquid exchange in a horizontally rotating container that may be applied in automated sample treatment by using chemical solutions, in sequential order. Such applications include biomolecule staining on solid support or fixed samples such as western blot or tissue slice processing. Such sequential chemical reactions are usually performed on flat surfaces. Alternatively, these reactions can be completed with much less volume of reagents in horizontally rotating containers. Yet, it is difficult to automate these processes in rotating containers since the required tubing would twist due to the continuous rotation of the container. The present invention solves the problem of twisting of tubing by leading them through a stationary tubing carrier that passes through the rotating container. Hence, the rotation of the tubing, and therefore twisting, is avoided, thus enabling automated liquid exchange of various chemical solutions in rotating containers.

A unit for mixing and dispensing an aerosol precursor composition, and containers to be dispensed therefrom. The unit includes a plurality of bulk material filling stations, the plurality of bulk material filling stations have at least one first filling station with aerosol former and at least one second filling station with a flavor material for creating the aerosol precursor. The unit also includes a bulk consumable pack staging a plurality of containers configured to receive the aerosol precursor, and a robot configured to retrieve a container from the bulk consumable pack and move the container through at least two dimensions to stop at at least two of the plurality of bulk material filling stations.

A unit for mixing and dispensing an aerosol precursor composition, and containers to be dispensed therefrom. The unit includes a plurality of bulk material filling stations, the plurality of bulk material filling stations have at least one first filling station with aerosol former and at least one second filling station with a flavor material for creating the aerosol precursor. The unit also includes a bulk consumable pack staging a plurality of containers configured to receive the aerosol precursor, and a robot configured to retrieve a container from the bulk consumable pack and move the container through at least two dimensions to stop at at least two of the plurality of bulk material filling stations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an agitating device which can be shaken to agitate, whip, froth and disperse the liquid material content.

There is provided a device for mixing liquid material comprising: a container containing liquid material; an opening-closing member formed on the top of said container; and a coil spring accommodated in said container and having an end fixed on the upper part of said container so as to be vibrable and oscillable. The coil spring has a smaller coil pitch in its lowest part than that in its upper part.

A linear actuator member applies a vertical force to a vessel or to a holding apparatus in which a vessel is contained. A linear to angular motion constraining member such as a cage structure having a helical track translates linearly directed force and motion applied by the linear actuator member into a combined linear and rotational motion of the vessel. The combined vertical and rotational motion of the vessel in response to the vertical force is repeatable according to a predefined agitation pattern for mixing components in the vessel.

There is described a system for growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the system comprising: a driving apparatus configured to house and oscillate a microfluidic cartridge; and a microfluidic cartridge comprising at least one incubation chamber, such that when the system is in use, the incubation chamber may be oscillated back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a method of growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the method comprising disposing a microorganism and suitable growth medium into an incubation chamber; and mixing the microorganism and growth medium by oscillating the incubation chamber back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a microfluidic cartridge that may be used to grow microorganisms using the system and methods described above.

There is described a system for growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the system comprising: a driving apparatus configured to house and oscillate a microfluidic cartridge; and a microfluidic cartridge comprising at least one incubation chamber, such that when the system is in use, the incubation chamber may be oscillated back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a method of growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the method comprising disposing a microorganism and suitable growth medium into an incubation chamber; and mixing the microorganism and growth medium by oscillating the incubation chamber back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a microfluidic cartridge that may be used to grow microorganisms using the system and methods described above.

A system for continuously processing a combination of materials includes a continuous process vessel having an outlet and one or more inlets. The continuous process vessel is configured to oscillate along an oscillation axis. An acoustic agitator is coupled to the continuous process vessel. The acoustic agitator is configured to oscillate the continuous process vessel along the oscillation axis. An outlet passage is in fluid communication with the outlet. At least a portion of the outlet passage or at least a portion of the continuous process vessel is disposed within a portion of the acoustic agitator.

A bottle warming apparatus is disclosed that combines heating and agitating of a bottle and its contents in order to achieve even warming, as well as, mixing the contents of the bottle.