An air bleeder includes a branch, a lubricant supply conduit, and a return conduit. Lubricant stored in a tank is to be supplied to a valve provided in a machine tool via the lubricant supply conduit. The lubricant supply conduit includes a first supply conduit, and a second supply conduit. The first supply conduit connects the branch and the tank. The second supply conduit connects the branch at a first connecting position and the valve. The return conduit connects the tank and the branch at a second connecting position higher than the first connecting position in a height direction along a height of the air bleeder to return lubricant to the tank and to remove air from lubricant in the lubricant supply conduit.

An exemplary pharmaceutical compounding system and device for mixing materials from at least two distinct material sources can include a valve including a valve housing and a valve structure located within the valve housing. The valve structure can be configured to permit fluid to flow through the valve when in an open position, and can include a gravity wall wherein, when the valve structure is in the open position, fluid moving through the valve structure moves upward against a force of gravity when travelling through the valve and traversing the gravity wall.

An exemplary compounding system and device for mixing materials can include a housing, a first material source and a second material source. A first fluid line can be operationally connected to the housing and configured to transport a first volume of fluid per unit time from the first material source to a final container. A second fluid line can be operationally connected to the housing and configured to transport a second volume of fluid per unit time from the second material source to the final container. The device can also include a pump system including, a first pump having a first rotor and a first platen which secures the first fluid line between the first rotor and the first platen, the first pump being configured to move the first volume of fluid through the first fluid line, and a second pump having a second rotor and a second platen which secures the second fluid line between the second rotor and the second platen, the second pump being configured to move the second volume of fluid through the second fluid line. A first platen lock can be provided and can be rotated in a first direction to lock the first platen in a closed position relative to the first rotor, and wherein rotation of the first rotor draws the first material source through the first fluid line. The pump system can also be configured such that the volume of fluid per unit time delivered by the first and second pumps is different, and/or where the first and second pumps have different head characteristics.

Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, an actuation mechanism having a piston located within a bored structure surrounding the piston, the actuation mechanism configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner where the piston and the bored structure have a tight tolerance configured to create a fluid tight seal, and a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition.

An exemplary compounding system and device for mixing materials from at least two distinct material sources can include a housing, a first fluid line operationally connected to the housing and configured to transport a first volume of fluid per unit time to a final container, a second fluid line operationally connected to the housing and configured to transport a second volume of fluid per unit time to the final container. The device can also include a pump system including, a first pump configured to move a first volume of fluid through a first fluid line, and a second pump configured to move a second volume of fluid through the second fluid line. The pump system can also be configured such that the volume of fluid per unit time delivered by the first and second pumps is different, and/or where the first and second pumps have different head characteristics.

An exemplary compounding system and method can include two pump heads for simultaneously drawing two different fluids from at least two separate input containers such that the at least two different fluids are mixed and distributed to an output container. The system can include a manifold that maintains separation of certain of the different fluids until after passing by a first pump and a second pump and/or additional pumps. A junction can be placed in the fluid line downstream of the first and second pumps and/or additional pumps such that all or some of the fluids are mixed prior to output to the output container. The method of using the system can include incorporating software that selects various fluids at certain times and sequences to ensure optimum efficiency and safety for the system, and can continue compounding actions even when an input supply container runs out or otherwise fails to supply a particular fluid/material. The method of use also includes connection of a transfer set to a housing in a manner that further ensures optimum efficiency and safety.

A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head.

A microfluidic valve provided herein is configured to mix or capable of mixing a sample and/or a reagent in addition to controlling liquid flow. In one embodiment, the microfluidic valve comprises a rotor (3) and one or more micro-structures (2) that move with the rotation of the rotor (3). In one embodiment, the one or more micro-structures (2) stir and/or mix content in a mixing chamber (5) formed by the rotor (3), a base (1), and a sleeve (4) of the microfluidic valve. A microfluidic chip or chip system comprising one or more of the microfluidic valves, and methods of use, are also provided.

A valve for dispensing a liquid includes a housing, an internal liquid passage extending through the housing, a valve seat, a valve member movable between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position disengaging the valve seat, and a control member controlling movement of the valve member, which is movable between a first position in which it engages the valve member in its closed position, a second position in which the valve member is in its open position but still engaging the control member and a third position in which the valve member is in its open position and out of engagement with the control member. At least one air passage connects the outside of the valve with the internal liquid passage. The at least one air passage is closed in the first and second positions of the control member and is opened in the third position.

A method for validating a homogenizing valve (1), comprising the steps of:preparing an emulsion having a hydrophilic phase comprising, in weight percentage on the total weight: from 55% to 74% demineralized water, from 10% to 20% glycerin and from 3% to 4,2% butylene glycol, and a lipophilic phase comprising, in weight percentage on the total weight: from 5.1% to 5.9% squalane, from 7.2% to 8.8% caprylic acid alkyl ester and from 0.665% to 0.735% cetyl alcohol;subjecting the emulsion to forced passage within the homogenizing valve (1) from a high pressure zone (HP) to a low pressure zone (LP) a plurality of times.