A can opening system and method for removing the contents of a plurality of cans. The can opening system includes a housing adapted to receive a can and shield an operator from equipment within the housing, a top clamping assembly within the housing adapted to clamp onto a top edge of the can, a bottom clamping assembly within the housing configured to clamp against a lower side of the can, a punch cutter above the top and bottom clamping assemblies for extracting and retaining a lid of the can, and a punch tip within the housing adapted to puncture a bottom of the can and dispense the remaining contents of the can. The can opening system is adapted to remove up to about 90% of contents of a can for materials having a viscosity up to about 250,000 Centipoise.

Embodiments are directed to a puncture device that is adapted to puncture an array of beverage cans with a single actuation. A pivot arm rotates relative to a base that holds the array of beverage cans. The arm may include teeth that may be advanced or pushed into the array of beverage cans when the arm is rotated, thereby forming auxiliary openings in each of the cans. The punctured cans may be removed from the device and opened by a tab at a top end. This may create a vent that allows fluid to quickly expel from the auxiliary opening.

A puncturing device for pressurized containers comprises an elongated housing member defining an elongated cavity with openings at first and second ends thereof for receiving an inverted pressurized container at the first end, the housing member including an attachment member for securing the second end of the housing member to a collection receptacle. A non-sparking puncturing member, is mounted within the housing member for piercing a nozzle-end of the pressurized container at its domed top. A counter records each action of the puncture pin. Gases and residual contents are released into the receptacle through the hollow core of the puncture pin. An auxiliary support member is mounted on the housing member for stabilizing relative movement between the housing member and the receptacle. A force-applying apparatus is mounted on the housing member for forcing the pressurized container onto the puncture pin.

A handheld puncturing tool which may be used as a hand-operated puncturing tool for puncturing a container or opening a bottle. An individual's hand motion and action of piercing and pressing through a container with a handheld puncturing tool may be fast and easy for the individual. At one end of a handheld puncturing tool, a claw-shaped prong protrudes. And, protruding along the elongated body of a handheld puncturing tool may be a first sharp-ended tooth prong and a second sharp-ended tooth prong. With the sharp-ended prongs and the light weight of the handheld puncturing tool, an individual may easily operate the handheld puncturing tool to puncture a container and create a venting hole which directs airflow into the container, which reduces any vacuum effect potentially caused when the second sharp-ended tooth prong pierces the container.

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.

A single serve beverage dispenser having a beverage dispensing assembly for an appliance is provided. The beverage dispensing assembly may include a brewing body, a lid, an actuating lever, and a lift frame. The brewing body may define a brew chamber and define an outlet. The lid may be pivotally attached to the brewing body to rotate between a first position and a second position. The lid may include a cam and defining an inlet to receive a flow of water in the first position. The actuating lever may extend between a first end and a second end. The first end may be slidably engaged with the cam to move between the first position and the second position. The lift frame may be pivotally attached to the lever at the second end to selectively motivate the brew pod away from the brew chamber in the second position.

A capsule for preparing a beverage product. The capsule has a closed inner chamber with an extraction area, and an inner duct extending longitudinally from the extraction area towards an opposite area and defining a main axis. The inner duct has an inner opening and an outer opening. The inner opening is arranged at a first distance which, is equal to or greater than half the maximum height of the inner chamber. A closure closes the inner duct and is separated from said outer opening towards the inner chamber of the capsule and an opening structure is arranged for opening up a passage of fluid communication with the outside of said capsule in said closure when an external compressive force with respect to the capsule is applied on said opening structure.

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

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.